After some intense, indescribable activity, Nina lay on the bed, looking utterly spent.

Kuber sat up from the bed, stretched hard, and felt instantly refreshed. Seeing the bright sunlight outside, the month-long gloom in his heart vanished completely. He freshened up, changed into clean clothes, and finally stepped out of the inn after a month.

But the moment Kuber walked out, the clear sky darkened. Thick, black clouds covered everything. Chaos erupted nearby. A man in plain clothes sprinted past, shouting wildly, "Big news! Liches are attacking the city! Liches are attacking!"

Pedestrians froze for a second, then snapped to action.

"What? Liches attacking? Oh my god!"

"Run! It’s too late if we wait!"

"Ah! My eggs!"

Instantly, the bustling street descended into chaos. A grocery auntie dropped her eggs, shattering them everywhere. A cart driver abandoned his wagon and fled. Even a nobleman forgot his manners, sprinting home barefoot.

In the blink of an eye, the street emptied completely. Only Kuber stood there, dumbfounded.

He was stunned. Was a lich attack really this scary? Last time, that self-proclaimed Lich King got pummeled into submission by his bricks.

Curious, Kuber headed straight to the city wall. Rows of guards stood ready with bows. Peering outside, he gasped.

A dense sea of skeletons covered the plain—warriors, archers, mages. Three skeletal war elephants loomed at the center, each bearing a bone-crafted throne. Pale-faced liches sat atop them. Above, a massive Bone Dragon circled, radiating terrifying pressure.

Kuber couldn’t help but whistle inwardly. No wonder the city panicked.

On the wall’s other side, a richly dressed fat man negotiated with the liches. Behind him stood the lord’s mage team. Kuber recognized him: Lord Raphael Lester.

"Respected Lich Lords, state your demands. We’ll fulfill them," Raphael pleaded.

"One demand only: hand over the killer of the Lich King! Or we’ll flatten this city and turn you all into zombies!"

"We swear we’ve never seen him! Believe us!"

"Then die!"

The lich on the bone throne waved a hand. The skeleton army surged forward. The Bone Dragon swooped down first, unleashing a blast of icy frost breath straight at the fat lord.

"We’re doomed."

Raphael closed his eyes in despair. He regretted not fleeing earlier. Better to lose his title than his life.

"Huh? Why aren’t I dead?"

He opened his eyes. A young nobleman stood before him, one hand raised, projecting a powerful shield.

"Need a hand, Lord?" Kuber blocked the dragon’s breath, flashing a kind smile back at the stunned lord.