"Wow, cleaning classrooms. Didn't know you'd been demoted to janitor," Asphodene teased in my mind, her voice dripping with amusement.

"Not like I had a choice," I muttered, scrubbing the another stubborn mark off a desk. Sona had been crystal clear: I was stuck with this all weekend. Cleaning duty for missing a single day—like that's the worst thing going on around here.

"She really laid down the law, huh? I bet the perverted trio gets away with far worse," Asphodene mused with a chuckle. "Maybe you should ask them for tips on how to dodge punishment next time."

I snorted. "Yeah, because that's exactly what I need—advice from those idiots." I tossed the rag onto the desk, thinking about how closely the devils had been watching me lately. It was subtle at first, almost easy to miss, but lately I've started to catch them out of the corner of my eye—observing me, not too close, but not far enough to easily ignore especially the Gremory peerage.

The thought crept up on me: What did it matter if I got kicked out? It's not like I cared about school in the first place. Sure, Sona slapped me with this ridiculous punishment, but it wasn't as if I actually wanted to be here. I never did. The only reason I bothered to show up at all was to keep a low profile, blend in, and avoid unnecessary attention. But that plan had gone out the window the second I started noticing the way they watched me—like I was a puzzle they were trying to solve.

Too late to blend in now, I thought with a wry smile. They were interested in me, no question. Expulsion wasn't even on the table, not when they were clearly so fascinated by whatever it is they think I am. I could miss a whole month of school and they probably wouldn't care. Hell, they might even make a move to bring me into one of their peerages at some point. I'd caught them hanging around often enough that it was almost a certainty I'd be approached at some point, even if it isn't for a job offer.

Actually, can I even be reincarnated? I mean, technically speaking I have the 'potential' of a god-like existence right? Given I actually acquire the weapons and armor to bring me to that level. Oh how I wish I could have the Calamity Murasama… that things sick as fuck.

I paused, staring at the rag in my hand. Why was I still here, doing this mindless task, when I could be doing something that actually mattered? Testing my abilities, getting a real feel for how my weapons worked in this world—it made more sense than being a good little student for a system that, frankly, I couldn't give a damn about.

Asphodene's voice turned sly again. "So why waste time here? You could be out there testing your gear. See how it holds up with real-world physics. Besides, I'm pretty sure you'd rather be blowing stuff up than sweeping floors."

I smirked. "You're right. I don't care about this. If they're not going to kick me out—and let's be honest, they won't—what's the harm in ditching early?"

"Exactly!" Asphodene chirped. "It's not like anyone's going to care if you skip out on a little cleaning duty."

I paused, peering through the window to scan the courtyard. It looked clear. No one in sight. I pushed the door open quietly, careful to avoid making too much noise.

Once outside, I kept to the shadows, moving at a brisk pace. My eyes flicked to every corner and alley, making sure no one was on my tail. I took a few detours, crossing streets and doubling back just to be sure. After a few minutes, I felt confident enough that I wasn't being followed.

With that out of the way, I headed toward the warehouse district. The streets grew quieter as I walked, most people already home for the night. Perfect. I didn't need an audience for what I was about to do.

I found an old warehouse that looked like it hadn't seen use in years. Perfect for what I had in mind. The doors creaked as I pushed them open, the dim light inside casting long shadows on the dusty floor. I closed the doors behind me, the heavy metal clanging shut with a finality that made me smirk.

"Alright, let's see what this baby can really do."

I summoned the Aegis Driver into my hand, feeling the familiar weight of it settle in my grip. The weapon hummed with energy, ready for action. I'd been itching to test it outside the safety of my Terraria world, and now was the time.

I took a few practice swings, the blade cutting through the air with a satisfying whoosh. The explosions that followed were small but packed a punch, sending dust and debris scattering across the floor. "Not bad," I muttered, adjusting my grip. "Let's see if we can dial it up a notch."

As I continued testing the Aegis Driver, something caught my eye—a scorched mark on the ground where the explosion had hit. I glanced around, noticing how the blast had actually charred the floor and sent debris flying. "Interesting."

Another swing, another blast—this time, a stack of crates toppled over, shattering on impact as splinters flew everywhere. I raised an eyebrow. "Okay, that's different."

In my Terraria world, explosions hit blocks and walls, sure, but they didn't leave marks or damage the surroundings like this. Here, though? The real world was a 'destructible environment'. The fire from the Aegis Driver's blast didn't just hit and bounce off things—it left scorch marks and actual flames, and the concussive force was strong enough to tear things apart pretty easily.

A smirk grew on my face. The Aegis Driver had some bite here—a blazing bite. It could actually wreck stuff if I wasn't careful. But that just made things a bit more fun, didn't it?

I swung the weapon again, aiming for a sturdier section of the brick wall. The explosion rocked the warehouse, and a chunk of the wall crumbled, sending dust and fragments raining down. I winced slightly, but the thrill of power buzzing through me didn't fade. "Gotta watch that," I muttered, more amused than concerned.

I didn't stop there. For the next hour, I switched between my Aegis Driver and the Starfury, getting a feel for how both weapons handled in the real world. Each swing, each blast, was more satisfying than the last. Crates shattered into splinters, walls bore the brunt of explosions, and the warehouse turned into my personal training ground.

Satisfied with the chaos I'd caused and feeling the slight burn of exertion, I decided to take a break. Training was fun and all, but even I knew when to take a breather. Finding a relatively intact section of the warehouse, I sat down on an old crate and pulled out some food from my inventory. A quick snack would do the trick.

As I bit into a sandwich, my mind wandered back to the explosions, the scorch marks, and the sheer power I had when wielding them. It had been a good session, and boy was it fun. But just as I was starting to relax, Asphodene's voice rang out in my head, sharp and urgent.

"CALE – OUT!"

The warning came a split second too late. A sudden force slammed into me from behind, knocking me off the crate and sending my sandwich flying. I hit the ground hard, the wind knocked out of me. Before I could react, I felt something wrap around my arms, pinning them behind my back. Vines? No—more like living tendrils.

I struggled to get my bearings as I was hoisted to my knees, my arms bound tightly. In front of me, two deformed figures emerged from the shadows—stray devils. And not the regular kind either. These things were twisted and monstrous, like something out of a nightmare.

My mind whirled as I tried to figure out why my Lifeform analyzer didn't warn me of them but I quickly remembered that it wasn't equipped just sitting in my inventory. Going to fix that damn soon.

The first one, a spherical bat-like creature with razor-sharp teeth jutting out around its body, let out a maniacal cackle. "Heh heh heh... Fresh meat, fresh meat! How lucky are we? Haven't had a meal this juicy in ages!"

The second one, a grotesque Venus flytrap-looking thing with writhing vines, hissed through its gnashing teeth. "Mine! I get the biggest bite! The last one was too small, didn't even fill my stomach!" Its voice was raspy, dripping with hunger. No! Not the cliché tentacle plant monster from every shitty hentai!

The bat devil's eyes gleamed as it circled me. "Oh, but look at him. So tender, so full of energy. We'll feast tonight, oh yes, we will. But I want the heart—give me the heart!"

"Heart? Bah! I want the legs, strong and juicy!" The flytrap devil tightened its vines around me, its mouth snapping open and closed with anticipation. "Maybe we should take our time... make it last..."

As they bickered over who would get the largest portion, I focused on the one thing that could get me out of this mess. While they were distracted, I mentally called forth Sir Clucksworth. A flash of light later, my trusty blue chicken materialized, squawking loudly.

Both devils snapped their heads toward Sir Clucksworth, their eyes wide with greed.

"What's this? Another morsel?!" the bat devil screeched, licking its bloodstained teeth.

"More food! More, more, more!" the flytrap devil growled, loosening its grip on me as it lunged toward Sir Clucksworth.

That was all the opening I needed. With the vines slackening, I summoned the Aegis Driver, its blade emanating heat. The flames licked through the tendrils, burning them away, and I jumped to my feet.

The bat devil cackled madly as it chased Sir Clucksworth around the warehouse. "Run, little chicken, run! It makes it taste better!"

Meanwhile, the flytrap devil turned its attention back to me, fury in its eyes. "You... you burned my vines! I'll crush your bones and suck out the marrow!"

I grinned. "Alright, time to see if Pokémon was right. Fire beats grass, right?"

The flytrap devil let out a screeching hiss, its vines snapping back into place as it lunged at me, jaws wide open. I swung the Aegis Driver, flames erupting from the blade as it connected with the creature's gnashing teeth. The fire spread quickly across its body, and the devil recoiled with a pained howl.

"Guess that's a yes," I quipped, stepping back as the flytrap devil thrashed, trying to extinguish the flames.

But it wasn't done yet. Despite the fire licking at its vines, it lashed out again, trying to catch me off guard. I dodged to the side, feeling the heat from the burning vines as they whipped past. The Aegis Driver hummed in my hand, ready for another strike.

"Persistent, aren't you?" I muttered, dodging another wild swing. With a quick spin, I brought the blade down on one of its vine-covered limbs, severing it cleanly. The devil screeched, but I didn't let up, pressing the attack.

Meanwhile, out of the corner of my eye, I could see Sir Clucksworth still leading the bat devil on a wild goose (Chicken) chase around the warehouse, the devil's cackles growing more frustrated with each failed attempt to catch the nimble chicken.

"Hang in there, Clucksworth!" I called out as I continued my assault on the flytrap devil.

The flytrap devil hissed, vines snapping around me as it tried to catch me off guard. I dodged to the side, testing the waters with a quick slash from the Aegis Driver. As the blade connected with the devil's plant-like body, flames erupted, and the creature let out a guttural screech.

I pressed the attack, swinging the Aegis Driver with more force. Each strike tore into the devil's vines, sending charred bits of plant matter flying. The creature recoiled, clearly feeling the effects of the fire. But just as I was getting into a rhythm, the flytrap devil lashed out with its massive maw.

Clamping its jaw around my swordless arm, teeth digging into my flesh. Pain shot through me, but I gritted my teeth and held firm. The devil's grip was like a vice, as it latched onto the arm wielding my weapon with its vines holding it down. Thinking quickly, I quickly unequipped the aegis driver and re-equipped it into the hand currently stuck inside its disgusting maw.

The instant the weapon materialized in my trapped hand, I felt the heat from the blade sear my skin. The flames roared to life along the Aegis Driver, burning me along with the devil. I hissed in pain, but didn't let go. Instead, I twisted my body and drove the fiery weapon into the devil's head.

The effect was immediate. The flames consumed the devil's head, and it let out a pained, high-pitched scream. Its grip on my arm loosened as the fire spread, but I didn't stop there. I channeled more power into the blade, ignoring the burning sensation in my own hand as the fire intensified into a small blast and engulfed the devil's entire body. The creature thrashed wildly, but it was too late.

With one final, desperate scream, the flytrap devil exploded in a burst of flames, its charred remains scattering across the warehouse floor. I staggered back, clutching my arm, feeling the warmth of blood trickling down. The devil's jaws had nearly severed it, leaving deep gashes where its teeth had sunk in, dangerously close to the bone.

"Gotta hand it to you," I muttered, wincing as I struggled to keep pressure on the wound. "You put up a hell of a fight."

Breathing hard, I surveyed the aftermath of the battle, my arm hanging limply at my side, throbbing with every heartbeat. The skin was shredded, muscle torn apart, and the bite had nearly ripped the limb off entirely. I quickly reached into my inventory and pulled out a healing potion, ignoring the way my fingers trembled as I downed it in one gulp. The magic surged through me, working quickly to seal the deep wound and stop the bleeding.

Though the worst of the damage—the torn muscle, the fractured bone—was mended, the potion left the burns from the explosion untreated, still stinging with each movement. The near severing had taken priority over everything else, leaving the charred skin as a painful reminder of the fight.

Just as I started to feel the relief from the potion, a terrified squawk pierced the air. My head snapped up to see Sir Clucksworth caught in the talons of the bat devil. The devil cackled in delight as it threw Sir Clucksworth into the air, opening its mouth wide to catch him on the way down.

"Clucksworth!" I shouted, sprinting toward the scene. The bat devil whipped around, but I was faster. I quickly de-summoned Sir Clucksworth just as he was about to be caught in the devil's jaws.

Without missing a beat, I summoned the Aegis Driver, switching it to its explosive mode. The bat devil lunged at me, but I met it with a blast from the Aegis Driver straight to its chest. The explosion rocked the devil back, sending it skidding across the warehouse floor.

As I moved in for another strike, a thought crossed my mind—what had this thing been before it turned into a devil? Its form was twisted and monstrous now, but there was something eerily familiar about it. A vampire, maybe? The wings, the bat-like body... It seemed like a possibility, though I couldn't be sure.

The devil snarled, its eyes blazing with fury as it recovered from the blast. It rushed at me again, and I barely dodged out of the way, using my wings to lift myself into the air. Blood spears erupted from the ground where I had just been standing, and I felt the rush of air as they narrowly missed me.

Seeing a brief opening, I quickly summoned two of my drones, sending them buzzing around the bat devil. Before I could summon a third, the devil lunged at me, forcing me to dodge and abandon the summon for now. The drones immediately started firing at the devil, peppering it with lasers, which only seemed to irritate it further.

The bat devil snarled in frustration as it tried to fend off the drones. One of them managed to land a solid hit on its wing, sending it stumbling back. But instead of retreating, the devil let out a furious screech and smacked one of the drones with its claws, slamming it into the concrete floor. The drone exploded in a shower of sparks, leaving a smoldering mark on the ground.

"Huh, interesting," I muttered, noting that my summons could be destroyed here. Without missing a beat, I quickly resummoned the destroyed drone, sending it back into the fray.

The devil's movements were becoming more erratic as it tried to fend off both me and the drones. It lunged again, but this time, I was ready. I dodged to the side, letting the devil fly past me before slashing at its exposed side. The blade dug into its flesh, and the devil let out a pained howl as it skidded across the floor.

Seeing my chance, I moved in for the final blow. Channeling all the power I had left into the Aegis Driver, I brought the blade down with all my strength, landing a critical hit straight into the devil's chest. The resulting explosion was massive, engulfing the devil in flames as it let out one final, bloodcurdling screech before disintegrating into a cloud of ash.

Panting, I stood over the remains, the Aegis Driver still humming in my hand. "Finally," I muttered, the adrenaline slowly fading from my system.

Sir Clucksworth's egg pulsed with light as I resummoned him. He trotted over, unharmed but clearly shaken. I gave him a reassuring pat. "Good job, Clucksworth. Let's get out of here."

I started toward the exit, trying to shake off the strange tension lingering in the air. "Asphodene?" I called out mentally, expecting her usual quick-witted response. But instead of hearing her voice, I was met with static—faint and crackling.

My steps slowed. "Asphodene? What's going on?"

More static. A slight buzzing in my mind that grew louder, distorting everything. I stopped walking, scanning the area for anything out of place, a growing unease creeping up my spine. "Asphodene, come on, answer me."

A few moments passed, and then finally, her voice broke through the interference, but it was faint, barely there. "Cale… I—warning—"

I cursed under my breath. "What the hell is happening?"

Suddenly, her voice cut through the static, clearer but shaky. "Cale! Are you okay? I tried to warn you, but—one of the strays must've set up a barrier."

I frowned, trying to piece it together. "A barrier? Is that what cut you off?"

"Yes," Asphodene answered, frustration evident in her voice. "Right when I was about to warn you, I felt something block me out. The stray devils—they must've put up a barrier just before the attack. That's why I couldn't warn you properly in time. The communications from the observatory already struggle from the dimensional difference of this world and your Terraria Dimension, so whatever that barrier was completely blocked it."

"Damn." I glanced back at the remains of the strays, a new understanding sinking in. "So, they can block you like that? Just by throwing up a barrier?"

"Exactly. Be more careful," Asphodene added, her voice regaining its usual sharpness. "They're not just going to attack head-on."

I nodded to myself. "I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for trying to warn me."

"Anytime," she replied with a laugh. "But seriously, Cale? Tentacle monsters? You're hitting more anime tropes today. First with the punishment now this, what's next, a magical girl transformation?"

Chuckling at her reply, I headed toward the exit. I'd come out on top this time, but I needed to stay sharp. The bat-like bastard gave me some ideas, and once I get some better armor I'm thinking I can apply them to beating that giant piece of shit eyeball.

Akeno made her way through the quiet streets, her mind replaying Rias's earlier words. Explosions had been reported in this area, and it was her task to investigate. She sighed softly, glancing around as she moved closer to the source of the disturbance. "Always something going on," she murmured to herself with a small smile.

As she got closer, the sounds of battle reached her ears, and she quickened her pace. Upon arriving at the scene, her eyes widened in surprise. "Froste...?" she whispered to herself. Both peerages had been keeping tabs on him, but seeing him here, fighting strays, was unexpected.

She settled into a hidden vantage point, watching him closely. "So, this is what you've been up to..." she muttered softly, her voice barely audible as she observed him wielding his weapon with raw power—though with a touch of recklessness. Explosions tore through the warehouse, confirming the noise reports.

Her usual teasing tone wavered when she caught sight of his wings. They were white, eerily reminiscent of an angel's wings. A pang of discomfort shot through her. "Wings like that... what are you?" she murmured, her curiosity battling with a growing unease. Memories of her own complicated heritage flooded her mind.

But as she continued watching, something else caught her eye—his weapon. It was unlike anything she'd seen before. The way it handled, the explosions it created... This wasn't some ordinary blade not with how the explosions curved out like that. "That weapon… it's not just any sword, is it?" she whispered, her eyes narrowing as she focused on it. "Could it be... some sort of enchanted weapon? Or perhaps a Sacred Gear that hasn't been documented?"

She observed the way the weapon emitted bursts of power, its destructive force tearing through the warehouse. "If that's not a Sacred Gear, then what is it?" Akeno wondered aloud, her voice tinged with curiosity and concern. The weapon seemed to resonate with a unique magic energy, one she couldn't quite place.

When the battle ended, and Cale stood amidst the wreckage, Akeno knew she had to report this immediately. She retreated from her spot, her mind racing with questions—not just about Cale himself, but about that weapon.

After taking a moment, Akeno created a small magic circle, her usual composed demeanor faltering slightly as she reached out to her king. "Rias," she began, her voice steady but lacking its typical playfulness.

"What did you find?" Rias's tone was calm but edged with curiosity.

"It's Cale... He was the one fighting the strays," Akeno said, pausing briefly as the memory of his wings flashed through her mind. "But there's something else. He has wings—white wings, like an angel. But... there's no holy power in his attacks. It's strange. And… there's that weapon."

Rias's tone sharpened. "Weapon? What about it?"

"It's… unique. Not like any Sacred Gear I've seen before. The power it emits—it's destructive, explosive. It doesn't feel like magic I'm familiar with, and it's certainly not just an ordinary enchanted weapon. It's something different."

"Wings like an angel and a potential sacred gear?" Rias's voice held a mix of surprise and excitement. "We've been watching him, but this... changes some things. Do you think he's a hybrid?"

Akeno hesitated. "It's possible. But it doesn't add up. He doesn't have holy power—none that I could sense, at least. If he is part angel, he could be tied to the Church or even the Heaven faction. And that weapon… if it's connected to them, it could be dangerous."

Rias's voice grew more serious. "That would complicate things. If he's connected to the Church or Heaven, and he's wielding a weapon like that... it could mean trouble if he is apart of them."

Akeno nodded, even though Rias couldn't see it. "Agreed. We'll need to be cautious. He's a bigger mystery than we thought. I'll keep a closer watch on him, see if I can find out more about that weapon he's wielding."

"Good. Report anything unusual immediately," Rias instructed, her tone firm but concerned. "And Akeno... be careful. If he is connected to the Church, and with an unknown sacred gear in play... we can't afford any missteps."

Akeno allowed a small, reassuring smile to slip through. "Always, Rias."

With that, the connection faded, leaving Akeno standing alone, her mind still swirling with questions about the enigmatic Cale. His wings, draconic scent, and now this mysterious weapon added a new layer of intrigue to the transfer student.

The morning air was crisp as I stood in the middle of town, watching as people bustled about. It still amazed me how quickly this place had grown, almost overnight. What had once been a quiet little village was now a lively hub, with more faces appearing ever since I beat those strays last week. Seth had given me that list of potential residents yesterday, and today, he had another.

"Morning, Seth," I greeted as I spotted him walking through the town, offering advice to a group of new arrivals. The guy was always ready to lend a hand wherever he could.

"Morning, Cale," Seth replied with a nod, handing me another list. "Got more folks interested in moving in."

I took the parchment, scanning the names. My mind was already racing, trying to figure out where everyone could go. "This place just keeps growing," I groaned, half to myself. "I've been working nonstop, setting up houses in the desert, the ski chalet in the snow biome... and the underground town. It's actually coming along rather nicely. I even built a tavern down there. Just need to find the tavernkeeper, wherever he is."

Seth chuckled, his eyes twinkling with excitement. "An underground tavern? Let me know once you've found him alright?"

I shrugged, a grin tugging at the corner of my mouth. "Yeah, well, it's gotta be done. Can't have all these people crammed into one spot. Besides, the underground town's turning out better than I expected. Got the layout just right, and the tavern's a real beauty. Once I find the tavernkeeper, it'll be a proper gathering spot."

Seth gave a thoughtful nod as he watched the townsfolk settle in. "You've been doing great, Cale. But don't push yourself too hard. The town's thriving, and we need you in tip-top shape to keep it going smoothly."

"Maybe," I said with a laugh. "But it has been a lot of work. Every time I think I'm done, more people show up. I'm practically building around the clock. But, honestly... it's worth it. This place... it's starting to feel like home. Not just for me, but for everyone."

Seth smiled, his expression warm. "Home's important. You've done a good job making this place one."

I looked around, watching as people moved about, settling into their routines. There was a sense of community here, a sense of home, a feeling that I'd been missing for a long time. "Yeah... I think so too," I said, more to myself than to Seth.

He clapped a hand on my shoulder, giving it a firm squeeze. "Well, if anyone can pull this off, it's you. Keep up the good work."

I watched as Seth continued on his way, helping new arrivals get situated. As I walked away, I pulled out the list of new arrivals again, running my eyes over the names. Each one represented a new life here, another step in turning this place into something special.

"Let's see," I muttered to myself, reading the names aloud. "Architect—Cadmus, Lumberjack—Garth, Cobbler—Reginald, Brewer—Alice..."

I continued down the list, picturing where each person might fit in. "Alchemist—Tilyorn, Painter—Luca, Jeweler—John, Deviant—Saku... A deviant? Ooh that'll be helpful."

I couldn't help but chuckle as I read the next name. "Mutant—Tom. Well, they all can't have foreign names." The list went on. "Arms Dealer—Demetrius, Dye Trader—Kanmi. Looks like we've got quite the diverse crowd coming in."

As I finished glancing over the list, a familiar shimmer caught my eye above the stellaglyph. Before I could react, Asphodene and Eridani stepped out of a galaxy-like portal, both taking in the growing town with wide eyes.

"Wow, Cale! You've really been busy!" Asphodene exclaimed, her voice full of excitement. Her twin tails bounced as she turned her head in every direction, taking in the changes. "This place has become so lively! There wasn't half as many people when we last saw this place!"

I couldn't help but smirk at her enthusiasm. "Yeah, well, someone's gotta keep this place running," I replied. "It's been non-stop lately, but it's starting to pay off. You know how it is—no rest for the wicked."

Eridani nodded thoughtfully. "You've done well, Cale. Especially with the different expansions in other areas. It keeps everyone from feeling cramped. But," she added, giving me a concerned look while pointing at me, "don't overdo it. You need to pace yourself."

I chuckled, rubbing the back of my neck. "I know, I know. It's just... hard to stop once I get going. There's always something that needs doing. You'd think I'd learn by now that I can't build everything at once."

Asphodene nudged me playfully with her elbow, her grin mischievous. "That's you—always full throttle. But seriously, what's next on the list? Got any big plans? Or are you finally going to take a break and enjoy all your hard work?"

I grinned back, shaking my head. "You know me too well. Actually, yeah—I've been gearing up to summon the Desert Scourge. I've already got the item I need to call it, so I figure it's time to take it down. It's not the toughest challenge, but I could use the loot, and it's good practice."

Eridani's calm demeanor remained, though her concern lessened. "The Desert Scourge? It's a relatively low-tier boss, right? Still, don't underestimate it. You'll want every advantage you can get, even if it's just a low-tier."

"Don't worry," I replied confidently, tapping the hilt of my weapon. "I've been grinding for gear. It's not my first rodeo. I'm not too worried, but if things go south, I can always summon it again and try a different approach. I've got this."

Asphodene smirked, clearly entertained by the idea of me taking on another challenge. "Well, when you're done beating up giant worms, we'll be exploring everything here! I can't wait to see everything you've built."

"Yeah, I figured you'd be excited about that," I said with a grin. "There's a lot to check out—new buildings, biomes, and even some hidden hangout spots I've been working on. You two will love it."

Eridani gave a soft smile, her eyes reflecting the calm that contrasted Asphodene's chaotic energy. "Just be sure to take it easy, Cale. We're in no rush, and we'd rather enjoy this place with you around than see you pushing yourself too hard."

I nodded, appreciating her concern. "Don't worry, I'll be careful. The Desert Scourge is just a warm-up, and I'm not going to do anything reckless."

"Good," Eridani replied, her tone reassuring. "We'll be here when you get back. Maybe we can all share a drink in that tavern Asphodene heard you telling Seth about."

Asphodene chuckled. "And I'll be holding you to that!"

I laughed, feeling a bit lighter. "Deal. I'll catch up with you both once I'm done."

With that, they both made the short trek down into town, leaving me with a sense of amusement as I watched them descend, it seems Asphodene has a habit of listening to me work and talk with the people here. I will very much be holding that over her head.

Grinning, I took a deep breath, preparing for the task ahead. The teasing could wait—right now, I had to face off against the desert scourge.

The desert stretched out before me, vast and seemingly endless. The arena I'd built here for the Grand Thunder Bird was still set up, its smooth platforms were high enough that I shouldn't have any issues dodging the giant worm.

I paused at the center of the arena, running through my mental checklist. My gear was solid, my armor fitting comfortably, and my new accessories ready to kick in when needed, I had done some exploration and found some new goodies and even crafted some as well.

I managed to scrounge up enough Demonite in the underground while mining to make a magiluminescence, a pendant like device that emits light and boosts my speed by 1.75x. on my feet were probably the ugliest boots one could find, sailfish boots… they just make me run faster as well. More importantly I managed to find a band of regeneration, which does as the name suggests thought its effects are very minor. Finally I crafted a spirit glyph, which just makes my summons a smidge stronger and gives them random smaller buffs every once in a while… oh, and I re-equipped the Lifeform Analyser so no more damn surprises.

Raising the desert medallion in the air and activating it, I could feel the ground trembling beneath me, the towering body of the Desert Scourge crashing through the sand. Despite its size, the creature was sluggish compared to the strays I'd fought earlier, but that didn't make it any less dangerous. One wrong move and I'd find myself crushed beneath its enormous body.

I dodged another lunge, the Scourge's massive form passing over me like a freight train, sending sand flying in all directions. Its slower speed gave me room to maneuver, but the sheer size of the thing made it impossible to ignore.

"Alright, big guy," I muttered, rolling to the side, and letting off a quick slash with the Aegis Driver. The explosion lit up the scales on its body, but the Desert Scourge hardly even slowed down.

Suddenly, the worm dove beneath the sand, the ground beneath my feet rumbling ominously. My eyes darted across the arena, waiting for it to reappear. The Lifeform Analyzer buzzed like crazy, alerting me that the Scourge was still lurking just below the surface. I knew what was coming next.

Sure enough, the Scourge burst from the sand, roaring as it lunged toward me, its massive jaws wide open. I barely had time to leap out of the way, my boots kicking up a cloud of dust as I sprinted across the platform. As it passed, the beast shot a barrage of sand blasts into the air—dozens of them, each one whistling through the air like a hail of arrows.

"Of course, it spits sand," I grumbled, darting left and right, trying to avoid getting pelted by the incoming projectiles. One blast grazed my arm, sending a sharp sting through my body, but I kept moving, eyes locked on the Scourge's next move.

The worm circled back, diving underground again. I had a moment to catch my breath before it resurfaced, repeating its pattern of attack. This time, though, the beast seemed angrier, faster. Its segments whipped through the sand like a chain of boulders, and I had to keep sprinting just to stay ahead of it.

But then, it slowed down, pulling back for another lunge. I saw my opening.

I switched to the Starfury and summoned a flurry of stars, each one slamming into the Desert Scourge's body with precision. Its thick hide absorbed the blows, but I could tell it was feeling the damage now. Its roars grew more furious, more frantic.

Suddenly, the Scourge dove deep, and the arena fell silent. No rumbling, no vibrations. Just the eerie stillness of the desert. I frowned, knowing something was off. The Lifeform Analyzer wasn't picking up its position, and for a moment, I thought the fight was over.

Then, out of nowhere, two smaller creatures burst from the sand—the Desert Nuisances. I barely had time to react before they lunged at me, their sharp teeth snapping in my direction. I slashed at one with the Aegis Driver, sending a burst of fire into its body, but the other was already circling me, faster and more agile than the Scourge itself.

"Great, reinforcements," I muttered under my breath, rolling to the side to avoid another snap from the first Nuisance. I fired off a few quick strikes with the Starfury, but these little guys weren't going down easily.

The Scourge stayed hidden beneath the sand while the Nuisances attacked, forcing me to deal with them first. Each time I landed a blow, the creatures seemed to get faster, more erratic. One of them lunged, catching me off guard, its teeth sinking into my arm before I could pull back.

"Gah!" I gritted my teeth, wincing as I shook it off and struck back. The Aegis Driver flared with heat, and I swung hard, the explosion tearing through one of the Nuisances, reducing it to ash.

The other, sensing its companion was gone, sped up even more, darting around the arena like a crazed animal. I barely managed to land a hit, but when I did, the creature slowed just enough for me to deliver the final blow. With a quick slash, the last Nuisance fell.

The second they were down, the ground trembled once more. The Desert Scourge reemerged, angrier than ever. Its roar echoed across the desert, and it shot forward, its segments moving faster now, driven by rage.

This time, it didn't just lunge. It tore through the sand, whipping around in tighter, faster circles. I could feel the sandstorm it kicked up around me, visibility dropping as grains of sand battered against my armor. I summoned my drones again, sending them to distract the beast while I planned my next move.

I knew I couldn't take another hit. The Scourge was picking up speed, its enormous body closing the distance faster with each pass. But it was also wearing itself down. I could see the cracks in its scales, the weak points from where I'd been hammering it earlier.

As it lunged again, I made my move. I sprinted toward the creature, dodging a volley of sand blasts as I closed the gap. With one final leap, I brought the Aegis Driver down, channeling everything I had left into the blade. The explosion rocked the arena, sending shockwaves through the ground as the Scourge's head exploded in a shower of scales and sand.

The massive body of the Desert Scourge thrashed one last time before collapsing into the sand, the fight finally over.

I stood there, panting, looking over the wreckage. The sandstorm began to settle, and I could see the loot scattered around the battlefield—seashells, starfish, coral, and pearlshards.

I let out a long breath, wiping the sweat from my brow. "Now that… was a workout."

Bending down, I started gathering the materials, already thinking ahead to the next battle. The Desert Scourge might have been slow, but it had size, power, and those damn Nuisances to back it up. The Eye of Cthulhu wouldn't go down so easily, but with these new materials, I had a feeling I'd be more than ready.

Now which armor class should I make first? If I have three loadouts, I may as well have them all set up right? though I might have to squash a few more worms to get them all…

Grinning, I looked at the medallion still sitting in my inventory and slowly pulled it out. "eh I've got time"

That brings an end to chapter 7 folks! It has been some time since I last posted and I apologize for that, I ran into some motivation problems and had to step away and work on some other projects outside of writing for a bit, but here it is!

Anyways Chapter question time! Name your Top three songs.

Mine (currently) are,

1. Whirring by The Joy Formidable

2. Gotta Leave by Clarx

3. Seasons & Narcissus by Bastille