Chapter 19: The Cult of the Red Blade

With most of the civilians out of the way, the deck was left to the fighters. Raven, Ru, and a whole slew of adventurers—including Sphyx and Aurora—stepped forward, ready to confront the cultists standing before Lucian.

Raven was the first to move up, stopping beside him. She leaned in, voice low. “Who are they?” The glow of her sword illuminated the deck’s shadowed areas, the yellow light flickering as she cast a spell on the blade.

“The Cult of the Red Blade, apparently. Ever heard of them?” Lucian asked.

“No.” Raven replied immediately.

Lucian raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure?”

“… No.” This time, her voice held a flicker of uncertainty.

A rumble shook the deck as rocks shifted underfoot. The cultists advanced, their movements slow, but deliberate. They weren’t charging in recklessly—they were strategic, slowly encircling the adventurers to cut off any possible escape. Lucian didn’t need to look behind him to know—none of the adventurers had any intention of running.

“What’s the plan, Beast Killer?” Sphyx cracked his knuckles as he walked up, stretching his limbs. Behind him, Aurora followed, her oversized spellbook tucked under one arm. Sphyx pointed to the massive creature hovering above them. “That’s a Master Beast, right?”

“Yup.” Lucian, Raven, and Ru all answered at the same time. Lucian and Raven exchanged a glance. Then, they both turned to Ru, who hadn’t taken his eyes off the man standing atop the flying Master Beast.

Raven shrugged. Lucian shook his head. Focus. “Doesn’t matter. You guys keep the rabble off me.” He wasn’t addressing anyone in particular, but Aurora wasted no time.

The tiny Mage grabbed Sphyx’s arm—who, in comparison, looked like a walking mountain beside her—and dragged him toward a section of the deck where more cultists stood. “We got this side!” Aurora called out.

“And we got this!” One of the muscle-bound men with glowing tattoos pounded a fist against his chest. His three companions followed suit, stepping forward. Side by side, they flexed, forming a solid wall of tattooed flesh between the cultists and Lucian’s party.

Lucian blinked. Alright then.

Raven smirked. “Looks like they’ve got our backs.” She lifted her sword high, pointing the tip toward their foes. “What’s the plan?”

Lucian raised his shield, pulling out his Iron Warhammer. His eyes locked onto the massive Master Beast above them. “You guys handle the guy on top.” His grip tightened. “I’ll keep the Master Beast distracted.”

Before anyone could move, the deck exploded in a violent eruption of magma and rock. A geyser of molten stone shot up beneath the Master Beast, as if an active volcano had suddenly formed under it. The creature was launched skyward, limbs flailing, before it came crashing down onto its back, tilting the entire airship under its sheer weight.

“What the—?!” Lucian and Raven snapped their heads around, searching for the source of the attack.

Ru stood with two glowing symbols hovering above his palms. The glyphs pulsed brilliantly for a moment before dimming, sinking into his skin, crawling up his arm before disappearing from view.

“How dare you?!” The man who had stood atop the Master Beast floated down, landing beside the overturned creature. His tone seethed with fury. “Do you even know what this beast is?! Do you have any idea how little pain it can withstand?!”

“It’s your fault for dragging the Tunneler out of its mountain,” Ru replied, his voice calm but cutting. He gestured toward the beast, which twitched in discomfort, its grotesque, finger-like nose groping blindly at the deck. “Look at it. The poor thing can’t even open its eyes without the sun burning them. I thought you were supposed to be protecting them, Faust?”

“Who the heck is Faust?” Raven whispered.

Lucian didn’t answer. He was too focused—watching the two men like a wolf observing rival predators.

“Ah.” The man—Faust—tilted his head, a sharp grin creeping across his face. His eyes flicked to the three remaining tattooed men, still holding back the cultists. “I thought this was Rune Magic. But no—Rune Mages, despite their strengths, lack the power to topple a Master Beast.” His smirk deepened. “I should have known it was you.”

Faust lifted his arms, floating effortlessly as a Plain Longsword and Pavise Shield materialized behind him. The sword drifted into his grip, and the shield snapped onto his forearm. “Judge me all you want,” he said, his voice carrying absolute certainty. “But under my command, this Master Beast—and all the others—are safest. No harm shall befall them while I stand.”

Lucian’s fingers tightened around his warhammer. What’s he gonna do with a simple sword and shield?

Ru let out a low chuckle. “Smart.” Then, he did something unexpected. He raised his hands—as if surrendering. “You got me.”

“What?!” Lucian’s head snapped toward him. “What do you mean, ‘he got you’?!”

“Yeah!” Raven practically yelled. “It’s three of us against him!”

The Tunneler groaned, its massive body rolling upright, shaking the entire deck as it regained its footing. Raven glanced at it. “Okay, fine. It’s three against two!”

Ru simply shrugged. “He’s got me countered. I can’t cast my magic without time. He won’t give me that with his close-quarters setup.”

Raven deadpanned. “Oh, you’re just useless, aren’t you?”

Lucian didn’t wait for an answer. He charged. “RAVEN—UP!”

Without hesitation, Raven leapt, launching herself into the air. She twisted mid-flight, flipping into an arc before bringing her sword down—aiming straight for Faust’s head.

“A Spellsword, eh? And a Blacksmith.” Faust observed the two as they closed in, his voice eerily calm. He tilted his head slightly. “The Pavise Shield should suffice against the Spellsword… but I’ll need something heavier for the Blacksmith.” His sword dematerialized, dissolving into fragments of light. In its place, a massive silver-headed axe formed in his grasp.

Raven struck first. Her electrified blade clashed against Faust’s shield—

But not only did he block her strike, he angled the shield expertly, parrying her downward and throwing her off balance. Before she could recover, Faust smashed his shield into her face.

Snarling, Raven retaliated, slashing at the shield again. This time, her sword crackled with electricity, the yellow glow flashing against the steel.

Faust chuckled, completely unfazed. “Foolish child. Don’t you know?” He shifted his grip, raising his axe high above his head. “Unless the source is directly embedded, Lightning Magic always travels—”

Lucian saw the opening. Without hesitation, he charged in, his hammer poised to land a crushing blow to Faust’s exposed side.

“—to the nearest conductive point?!” Faust suddenly twisted mid-sentence, bringing his axe down in a flash. The axe’s blade, now infused with lightning, slammed into the Master Shield, sending a shockwave rippling through the deck.

Lucian’s footing wasn’t ideal, but he had grown so attuned to the Master Shield’s movements that he was ready to counter immediately. Using the force of the impact, he angled the shield, deflecting the axe straight into the ground. Faust’s eyes widened in surprise—just as Lucian launched upward for a hammer strike to the chin.

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You’re wide open! With heavy armor and a massive shield, there was no way Faust could react in time. Lucian’s hammer was inches away from landing the blow… Until something massive slammed into him from the side.

Lucian barely registered the impact before he was hurled off his feet, soaring across the deck. His back hit hard against one of the scattered boulders littering the battlefield. He coughed, his entire body aching. Thanks, Master Shield. Don’t even wanna know how much worse that could’ve been.

A cultist suddenly lunged at him, sword raised high, ready to strike. Lucian braced himself, but before the blade could fall, the attacker was sent flying sideways. Another cultist crashed into him, both rolling across the deck. Lucian turned his head. Sphyx.

The Martial Artist was plowing through cultists like a human wrecking ball. Three enemies rushed him at once, but he picked them up one by one and sent them soaring with a single punch each.

Lucian exhaled sharply. So much for being a Martial Artist. He’s more of a damn catapult than anything.

Aurora, however, looked far more exhausted than Sphyx. Even though no cultists were directly attacking her, she was working overtime, hurling spell after spell to shield Sphyx from counterattacks. Every time she cast from her massive tome, her staff and eyes flared with a bright blue glow.

Lucian frowned. She wasn’t just casting protective spells. She was launching offensive ones, too, making sure the cultists behind Sphyx didn’t get the chance to flank him. Then, behind her. A cultist Sphyx had flung earlier was back on his feet—staggering but determined.

Lucian saw his grip tighten on his sword. He’s going for Aurora. He raised his blade, aiming straight for her head.

Lucian moved. A fraction of a second later—

CRACK.

The cultist hit the ground, completely stunned. Lucian stood over him, hammer still raised. “You gotta watch out for your party members!” Lucian called over his shoulder.

Aurora spun, eyes wide. Sphyx, meanwhile, remained completely oblivious, still throwing slow, devastating punches at the surrounding cultists. Aurora blinked at Lucian, still catching her breath. “H-How did you get here so fast?”

Lucian simply grinned, tilting his head down, and pointed to his boots. Then, he winked, dropped into a crouching start, and locked onto his next target. Faust. The so-called protector of Master Beasts, now writhing in a net of flames.

* * *

“Your party member speaks truth.” Faust watched as Lucian sent a cultist sprawling with a shield bash. His lips curled into a mocking smile. “One should watch after their own party members, but it seems the irony is lost on him.”

He turned his gaze to Raven, who was struggling with her leg pinned beneath his shield. She gritted her teeth. “He doesn’t need to watch over us! We can handle ourselves!”

“Lies upon lies.” Faust raised his axe once more, lingering sparks of lightning crackling along the blade. “No matter. You won’t be alive to keep lying to yourself—or anyone else—for much longer.”

Just as he prepared to bring the axe down, a small orange orb materialized between him and Raven. A heartbeat later—

It exploded.

A net of fire surged outward, wrapping itself around Faust, flames hissing and coiling around his body.

“You!” Faust turned his head sharply, spotting Ru in the distance, casually sitting atop a boulder, two glowing sigils hovering above his palm. His eyes narrowed. “Why intervene? I thought none of these people were of any interest to you?”

Ru shrugged, completely unfazed. “What can I say? They added me to their party.”

Before Faust could retort, a solid mass slammed into his torso like a battering ram. Lucian. He had tackled Faust at full speed, ramming his Master Shield straight into his chest. The impact sent Faust hurtling backward, only stopping when he slammed into the jagged, spiked body of the Master Beast.

“What—? How?” Faust rasped, his breaths shallow, his face twisted in disbelief. “A Blacksmith with that kind of speed… it’s unheard of.”

Lucian tilted his head. “If you think that’s unheard of, check out that Martial Artist over there.” He gestured toward Sphyx, who was still sending cultists flying with slow, devastating punches. One hit. One cultist. Repeat. Lucian shook his head. “Honestly, this guy’s more like a siege weapon.”

Lucian struck at Faust’s shield with one heavy swing, dislodging it and unpinning Raven’s leg. “You good?”

Raven rolled her ankle, testing it. “I am now.” Her sword flared to life, this time engulfed in fire. Her eyes locked onto Faust, burning with pure satisfaction. “Can’t wait to tear into that old cog.”

Lucian cracked his knuckles. “Well, no better time than now.”

Faust grimaced, still impaled by the Master Beast’s spikes. But as Raven and Lucian charged, he let out a furious roar, and with a pained yank, he ripped his leg free, blood splattering onto the deck. His Pavise Shield dematerialized, replaced instantly by a longsword. He raised it, bracing himself for the attack, but then, his knees buckled. His body felt like lead, dragged downward by an invisible force.

His eyes darted toward Ru. There he was, still seated, head resting lazily in one hand, while the other palm held two glowing sigils. The same lazy smirk sat on Ru’s face. Faust snarled. “Curse you—"

But the rest of the words were cut off, as Lucian’s hammer struck him square in the chin. Faust’s head snapped back from the impact, but Lucian wasn’t done. He twisted with the momentum, slamming his shield into Faust’s face. Then, without pause, he followed through with another full-force hammer swing, directly across Faust’s jaw. The blow sent him crashing sideways, body hitting the deck with a brutal thud.

Raven dashed in from the other side, her blade poised for a finishing strike while Faust was still disoriented. She swung upward, aiming to end the fight. But at the moment her sword met his, flames erupted outward, the clash sending a wave of heat spiraling across the deck. She gritted her teeth, drawing back to strike again. She swung downward, a decisive, cleaving blow, but Faust blocked it once more.

“What the hell is with this guy?!” Raven snarled, her strikes coming faster, more relentless. “It’s like his hand’s moving on its own!”

Moving on its own? Could that sword be…? Lucian’s grip tightened on his hammer, waiting for his Master Shield to react, but it didn’t. The sword wasn’t like the Master Shield. This wasn’t some possessed weapon. This was pure skill.

“Keep him busy! I’ll take care of the Master Beast!” Lucian shouted, turning. But before he could move, a massive axe came swinging down toward his skull.

“They are under my protection!” Faust’s voice boomed as his head snapped upward, his wild, burning gaze locking onto Lucian. He kicked Raven away, sending her stumbling back. Then, he dematerialized his sword, gripping his axe with both hands. With unrelenting force, he brought it down onto Lucian once more. “No one touches them while I’m alive!”

Lucian’s arms locked beneath his shield, absorbing the impact. But even through the Master Shield’s power, the force was overwhelming. His boots skidded backward, deck splintering beneath him. This guy… So much power. Just what the hell is he?!

“How are you still standing?!” Faust’s rage boiled over. “You’re just a Blacksmith! How are you sturdier than you should be?! Faster than you should be?!”

Lucian finally got a good look at his opponent. Up close, Faust’s skin was aged, withered—like dried leather stretched too thin over brittle bone. Beneath the fresh bruises and cuts from their battle, his bald scalp gleamed with sweat, and the small beard at the tip of his chin—which Lucian had smashed earlier—was now matted with blood.

Lucian rolled his shoulders, shaking off the impact. Then, he smirked. “Guess I’m just one hell of a Blacksmith.” He slammed his hammer against his shield, knocking loose dust and debris from his boots, readying for another clash. But it never came.

Faust’s stance suddenly relaxed. His gaze darkened in understanding. “I see now.” His voice was eerily calm as he continued. “You’re the one who killed the Inzulchi and the Dan-gow.” His eyes flickered with realization. “You used their cores to craft overpowered equipment—to make up for what your class lacked.”

Faust turned away from Lucian, his attention shifting. His hand reached out, brushing against the Tunneler’s spiked hide. The Master Beast had its paws curled over its head, shivering beneath the harsh sunlight. Faust’s voice dropped to a softer tone. “Your presence alone puts this beast in danger.” His fingers rested gently against its side, feeling the fear thrumming beneath its massive frame. “Hush now, little one. It’s fine. You can go back under.”

“GET AWAY FROM THEM!” Ru’s voice cut through the tension. Lucian’s head snapped toward him. Ru was on his feet, his magic tattoos twisting and writhing across his skin. He raised a hand, and a glyph flared to life, pulsing with powerful energy.

“As if I’d let you!” Faust’s hand flicked forward, and a sword suddenly materialized, flying straight past Lucian’s head. Ru barely ducked in time, but his headwear was torn away, and his spell dissipated instantly.

The deck cracked beneath them. A deep, thunderous groan echoed as the airship began to split apart. The Tunneler was burrowing. It had begun digging into the ship’s hull, tunneling deep in an attempt to escape.

“Hey! Make it stop! There are innocent locals aboard this ship!” Raven’s desperate cry rang out, but Faust simply stood there, unmoving.

Lucian tried to charge him down, but the deck collapsed again, forcing him back.

“It’s useless,” Faust declared, his voice now distant. He rose into the air, levitating effortlessly as the ship tilted downward into a rapid descent. His lips curled into a wicked smirk. “Enjoy what time you have left. Even a Blacksmith with overpowered equipment can’t hope to land a hit against an airborne opponent.” He gave a mocking bow. “I bid you adieu.”

Lucian narrowed his eyes. Yeah? Well, I’m a spiteful son of a gun. He crouched low, focusing all his strength into his Master Boots. A faint yellow glow pulsed around them, charging up. Two seconds later, he launched upward.

Faust’s eyes widened in shock as Lucian rocketed to his level. He scrambled to materialize a weapon, but Lucian was already winding up. “Eat this.” Lucian swung his shield. A brutal strike straight to Faust’s throat. The impact flipped Faust mid-air, sending him hurtling downward.

“Insolent fool!” Faust rasped, his voice fractured and weak. He coughed violently, struggling to lift himself. “Die a fiery death!”

Lucian landed safely, his Master Boots absorbing the impact. He turned to find Raven, Ru, Aurora, Sphyx, and the remaining Rune Mages standing still, staring at him. Lucian cracked his neck. “Well?” He planted his warhammer against the deck. “What are you waiting for?” He smirked. “We got a ship to crash.”