Watching the Shadowfiends circling her—too wary to approach yet refusing to retreat—Qu Yi sighed and tapped the comms unit by her ear.

"These three Shadowfiends are such a pain! Tell Xue’er to bring more Freeze Talismans. Without them, we won’t stand a chance!"

"Already done. Xue’er’s always meticulous—she carries every talisman with her," came the reply. "I’m on my way too. If things turn bad, hold them off until I arrive!"

Lai Yingxin had shed her usual lazy demeanor. She’d left the base, entered the garage, and faced two heavy motorcycles: the fiery crimson *Crimson Flame* and the sleek black *Starlight Feather*. Neither was standard issue—they were Qu Yi’s personal assets. Lai Yingxin loaded specialized Mana-Powered weapons onto the *Starlight Feather*, revved the engine, and shot out of the underground garage toward Qu Yi.

Han Xiangxue, having pinpointed the monster’s location, had already raced to reinforce Qu Yi—carrying Qu Yi’s Arcane Energy Longsword and her full gear.

Riding through city streets, Lai Yingxin grumbled into her comms:

"Ugh, I’m complaining to Dad and Uncle Qu about this rule—no weapons in the city during peacetime? Total hassle!"

Only because Qu Yi was an Arcane Swordsman—a close-combat class—could she hold her own unarmed, backed by the Qu family’s top-tier gear. Otherwise, facing multiple powerful foes as a Tier-3 would’ve been disastrous. This time? Three Tier-3 monsters—and notoriously tricky Shadowfiends at that! Past incidents rarely exceeded one or two manageable Tier-3s. Three Shadowfiends? No wonder Lai Yingxin couldn’t stay seated. She’d brought serious firepower.

Weaving through traffic, she keyed the comms again:

"Yi Yi, fall back if it’s hopeless! City cameras are watching—we can—"

Before she finished, Qu Yi’s voice cut through, firm and unwavering:

"No. Tier-3 monsters are far beyond ordinary people’s ability to handle. I… will not retreat."

Silence fell on both ends. Then—two throttles slammed to the max. The roar of black and white motorcycles thundered across half of Sector 069.

No sooner had Qu Yi shown resolve than a Shadow Slash from the trio sent her flying. Only the Tier-5 Protective Flame shielded her; without it, she’d have been gravely wounded. Cutting the comms, Qu Yi’s petite frame radiated fierce determination.

"A true hero never hides behind those they protect! As long as the Qu family stands, Southgate Garrison will never fall!"

If she retreated, civilians would be slaughtered with terrifying ease. By the time reinforcements arrived, hundreds—maybe thousands—would be dead. She could not step back.

Eyes blazing with resolve, Qu Yi charged. A straight punch aimed left—but the Shadowfiend dodged with superior speed. She’d expected that. The punch was a feint. Pivoting, she leaped onto the wall and activated the Mana-Powered Armor on her ankles.

Tier-3 Skill—Blazing Step!

She became a crimson meteor, closing the gap in an instant and slamming a fierce kick into the Shadowfiend’s head.

For over a dozen exchanges, she’d endured passively beneath the pendant’s Tier-5 Protective Flame—waiting. Waiting for one opening to cripple them. Her armor’s skills had cooldowns and limits; unarmed against prepared Tier-3 foes, landing a hit was near impossible.

Ye Thirteen watched, eyes gleaming.

*That old habit.*

The captain’s look—spotting raw talent. Unshakable spirit. Adaptive reflexes. Instinct in danger. If her growth kept pace, Qu Yi’s potential might surpass even her grandfather’s. She’d make a stellar squad leader. A captain’s will ignites the whole team.

He slowly raised a palm toward her silhouette, as if lifting her.

"Perhaps… another legend is being born."

Under his guidance, she might become a Legendary Demon Hunter.

Meanwhile, the "future legend" was getting pummeled.

The Shadowfiends had adapted: avoiding direct contact with the flame, they manifested pure-energy Shadow Staffs and hammered the barrier relentlessly. No direct damage—but pressure mounted. The one Qu Yi had kicked earlier, head dented, still fought on. That was the horror of monsters: powerful, vicious, deadly even when wounded.

The Protective Flame dimmed. The Shadowfiends let out guttural, eager cries.

*Thwack!* Another staff strike sent Qu Yi flying. The moment she landed—*pop*—the flames vanished.

Then—engine roar!

A white motorcycle skidded dramatically behind her. Han Xiangxue tossed the Arcane Energy Longsword to Qu Yi, then drew three yellow talismans instead of her rifle.

"Freeze!"

Three blue beams struck the charging Shadowfiends. Instantly, their movements slowed to a visible crawl.