Klaus woke before dawn, the world caught in that fragile moment between night and morning. Pale blue light seeped through the shutters, dust motes drifting lazily in the air. The house was quiet—too quiet. Daisy and Lily were still asleep.
He passed the girls' room first. The door was ajar, and Lily slept sprawled across her bed, one leg tangled in the blanket, Jelly stationed beside the frame like a loyal statue on watch. Daisy, on the other hand, slept neatly on her own bed. She slept on her side, hands folded near her chest, face calm.
Klaus closed the door softly behind him, then he turned away.
Outside, the air was cool and damp, carrying the scent of soil and crushed leaves. He fastened a medium-sized silver-plated card onto the front beam of the house. The Subjugator Alliance insignia—crossed sword and staff—glinted faintly as it caught the growing light. It was issued to every subjugator in the town. A silent notice to anyone passing by: the subjugator residing here was on a mission.
Klaus glanced around—nothing but trees, shadows, and the soft rustle of leaves.
"Good," he muttered.
His form blurred. Phantom Jump carried him forward in a weightless lurch, the forest smearing into streaks of green and gray. Another jump, then another, until stone replaced soil and the outline of Crowvale's northern gate rose ahead of him.
Despite the early hour, the gate was alive.
Torches burned low, casting long shadows across packed dirt. Subjugators gathered in clusters—some checking gear with methodical precision, others pacing, unable to stand still. A woman pressed her forehead against a man's chest, whispering something urgent. Nearby, a boy barely past his teens laughed too loudly as his companions teased him, the sound brittle with nerves. Everyone knew dawn departures didn't always guarantee dusk returns.
Klaus walked through the crowd. In the middle of the crowd, his party was waiting.
Shieldbreaker was impossible to miss. They're anything but humble.
Their wagon stood out shamelessly among the utilitarian carts and pack mules—a closed, reinforced carriage with polished panels and etched metal trims. Fur-lined benches were visible through the open door, and the wheels were built thick enough to survive monster paths without complaint.
And then there was the rhinoceros.
The massive white beast snorted, stamping once as Shane spoke quietly with Ulon near its flank. Its hide was clean, almost luminous in the torchlight, and the runes along its harness pulsed faintly.
"Am I late?" Klaus asked as he approached.
Ulon turned, grinning. "Almost. Kiel's still missing. Probably getting emotionally tortured by his parents again."
Klaus hummed and reached out, fingers stretching toward the rhino's snout. "Hey there—"
Molly snorted sharply and jerked her head away.
"Oh, don't be like that."
She snapped back, teeth flashing dangerously close to his hair. Klaus leaned aside just enough to avoid becoming a cautionary tale.
"See?" Ulon laughed. "Even Molly hates you."
"She mistook my hair for rare grass," Klaus said mildly. "Understandable mistake."
"I hope you're right," Ulon replied. "From where I stood, she almost bit your head off."
Shane stepped past them, placing a steady hand on Molly's snout. The beast immediately relaxed, letting out a low, pleased rumble.
"She's picky," Shane said. "If she doesn't like someone, she won't let them touch her."
Klaus raised a brow. "So you're saying I'm a bad person? Your pet has the worst taste."
Ulon didn't hesitate. "Isn't it obvious, you're on her wrong side."
Shane remained focused on Molly, "She wasn't a pet, she's my familiar. And she has a better perception of people than any other human."
Before Klaus could retort, hurried footsteps approached. "Sorry! Sorry!" Kiel jogged up, slightly flushed. "My mother gave me an earful goodbye before letting me go."
Shane nodded once. "Everyone else is inside. Go keep Shalotte alive. The girls might've already beaten him to death. You might be next."
Kiel paled. "That's… reassuring." He climbed inside anyway.
Klaus vaulted onto the roof of the wagon and lay back, hands behind his head. "I'll stay up here. More peaceful."
From inside came Maddy's laughter, Petra's quiet, nervous reply, and Shalotte's muffled clatter as he bumped into something.
Shane gathered the reins in his hands, posture straightening as Molly shifted her weight, massive hooves thudding softly against the packed earth.
"Ulon, with me," he said. "I'll need someone to swap in guiding Molly."
"Copy, boss," Ulon replied immediately, already climbing up beside him with far too much enthusiasm for someone about to face a Class-S wyrm later.
Shane lifted his left hand. One of his rings pulsed, white etched with gold veins, and light folded outward like unfolding feathers. A hawk emerged smoothly from the glow, talons gripping his wrist. Its eyes were sharp, unnatural in their clarity.
Shalotte leaned out from the wagon's door, nearly tripping on the step. "Ah—summoned familiars already? We're starting early…"
Shane ignored him and produced a small pellet, holding it up. "Go, Zevy. Monitor from above. Report any movement."
The hawk snapped the pellet from his fingers and launched skyward, wings slicing clean arcs through the morning air. Almost in response, Molly snorted and began to move, pulling the wagon onto the open road beyond the gate.
Ulon craned his neck upward, then glanced back. "Hey, slouch. You gonna sleep through the trip again?"
Klaus lay sprawled atop the wagon, hands folded behind his head, one leg dangling lazily over the edge. "Yeah. I'm conserving energy."
"Energy?" Ulon scoffed. "All you ever do is plant traps and hide."
Klaus tilted his head just enough to look at him. "Today's different mission. I'm up front this time."
Kiel peeked out from the wagon window, gripping the frame. "D-does that mean you'll actually fight, Mr. Klaus?"
"Try not to sound so surprised, kid," Klaus said mildly.
Ulon snorted. "I'll believe it when I see it. Maybe then we can ease some weight off past missions."
"I hope I hid it better," Klaus replied with a faint grin.
Ulon shook his head. "No high hopes for your little trip with the boss. Just—at least stay alive."
"I plan to," Klaus said.
Shane cut in without looking back. "Bad grass dies last. I'm not worried about him."
Klaus smiled.
"I'm more concerned about you and the Sand Wyrm," Shane continued. "If things go south, retreat. Follow Shalotte's call."
Shalotte stiffened. "I—I will! Definitely!"
Ulon laughed. "Hear that? Orders from the cautious one."
Shane said, "If you can't just retreat, follow Shalotte's order. Avoid mistakes."
"Copy, boss," Ulon added, then glanced sideways. "And watch that slouch. He might ditch you mid-fight."
"You know I can hear you," Klaus said.
"Of course," Ulon replied cheerfully, eyes lifting to the circling hawk. "Let's hope your trust pays off, boss."
Klaus ignored Ulon completely and closed his eyes. Not to sleep but to meditate.