CHAPTER 65: BLACK FIELDS RAID [I]

Three days later, Lucius navigated the roads of Northcrest City with steady control of the wheel, his eyes sharp yet relaxed.

The sun was low, the afternoon sky tinged orange, and the distant plains stretched endlessly ahead.

The hum of the engine was a quiet comfort, the rhythmic roll of the tires grounding him in the moment.

Beside him, Luna sat upright, clad in her newly fitted protective suit.

The sleek armor hugged her body, contours highlighted by faint mana-lines running across the material like veins of light.

Every time she shifted, the plates flexed seamlessly with her movements, as though it was alive.

Lucius gave a low whistle as he glanced at her. "Well, I’ve gotta say, that suit hugs you real nice."

Luna flushed and adjusted the straps over her shoulders.

"It feels strange... not like clothes, but not exactly heavy armor either. It’s snug, almost like a pillow."

"That’s because it’s mana-threaded weave. Flexible enough to feel like fabric, strong enough to take a hit or two. That’s how all of them feel."

He wouldn’t know however, this was the first one he was seeing.

Luna looked down at herself again, hesitant.

"It still feels like too much. I’ve never..." She trailed off, fingers brushing nervously over the drone in her lap.

Lucius chuckled. "You’ll get used to it. Besides — aren’t you interested on how the insides of a dungeon look?"

Her head turned sharply, ears burning red. "Y... yes I am."

He grinned wide. "Then let’s go."

They were leaving the comfort of the city behind now.

The paved roads turned to cracked stone paths as the landscape shifted.

The infamous Black Fields spread before them, rolling plains of midnight grass that shimmered darkly under the light.

The tall blades swayed with an eerie grace.

Few creatures grazed here — only the strangest domesticated mana beasts could stomach the unnatural plants.

"Looks even creepier in person," Luna murmured, pressing closer to the window.

"They say no one knows why the grass grows black here. Even the scholars gave up trying. I’ve read every theory there is nothing solid." Lucius slowed his tone, half-serious. "Used to be a popular place for confessions, though. Guess people like risking their lives for love."

Luna’s lips curled into the faintest smile. "You’ll have to clear the gate for the confessions to start again."

And there it was.

The dungeon loomed ahead, suspended in the air like a tear in space itself.

A massive white portal pulsing faintly, reality warping around it.

Caution tape circled the site, and city guards stood stationed, their eyes wary, hands firm on their weapons.

Lucius pressed harder on the pedal.

The car roared forward, kicking up dirt as they closed the last mile.

They were late — thanks to Luna fussing over the suit and memorizing every inch of its design.

He hadn’t minded.

Watching her brows furrow in concentration as she studied the weave like it was a puzzle to solve had been oddly charming.

Still, he muttered, "Better late than never."

His thoughts flicked to Vanessa.

After they’d finalized the squad, she had taken him out no, dragged him to the dealership. She’d asked him straight out: What car do you want?

Just like a sugar mommy indulging her boy toy.

Lucius had picked one without hesitation, and she’d paid with the same ease someone might buy a loaf of bread.

Lately, she’d been warmer than ever with him.

Almost dangerous, but undeniably sweet.

He pulled the car to a smooth stop near the barricades.

Ahead, the raid party was already assembled.

The four Awakeners that he had hand-picked with Vanessa.

And finally the Hudson brothers.

Lucius killed the engine and stepped out.

Luna followed closely, clutching the drone as if it were her anchor.

The group noticed immediately.

Erika Drachenfels, the group leader with blue hair and wearing some kind of strange armor, stepped forward first.

Her gauntleted hand extended in firm greeting.

Lucius flicked his fingers subtly.

Space warped as he lifted the caution tape, letting himself and Luna cross under it.

Then he clasped Erika’s hand firmly.

"Erika Drachenfels." Her voice was strong however it was still womanly.

"Lucius von Hohenberg." He answered with his practiced calm.

For a moment, Erika’s stern expression softened.

She fumbled at her belt pouch, pulling out a folded slip of paper and a pen. "I... I’m a big fan of your streams. Could I...?"

Lucius’s brow arched, amused, but he signed with ease. "Didn’t think I’d be giving autographs right before a raid."

She tucked it away quickly, the moment of warmth gone as she straightened, face returning to command.

She turned to her squad, raising her voice.

"This is a D-Rank gate. Don’t underestimate it. A gate may look weak, but every dungeon is unpredictable. Stay sharp, stay alive. We move as one."

The Awakeners straightened at her words.

Except the Hudson brothers who were bumbling like idiots nonetheless.

Erika raised her blade, pointing at the portal. "Forward."

Lucius turned to Luna. She was pale, her knuckles tight around the drone.

He reached for her hand, squeezing gently.

"It’ll be fine," he murmured. "You’ll see."

Her breath hitched, but her trembling steadied.

She nodded, raising the drone, fingers tapping across the interface.

The squad moved.

Erika’s team went first, vanishing into the shimmering light.

The Hudson brothers followed — Grimm’s booming laugh echoing as he disappeared.

Then Lucius and Luna.

They stepped into the gate.

For a moment, reality bent.

His body felt stretched thin, every bone rattling as the light swallowed him.

Then it snapped, and he staggered forward onto solid stone.

The dungeon air was thick, humming with mana.

Black roots crawled along the cavern walls, pulsing faintly. Strange wisps floated like dying embers.

The ground was uneven, ridged with craters.

Lucius steadied Luna as she stumbled.

"Easy. We’re through."

She nodded quickly, raising the drone.

[Ding]

[Your stream is starting...]

The drone hummed to life, floating above, its lens glowing as it locked on Lucius.

The chat exploded almost instantly:

[@AshenWolf: YO HE’S LIVE?? A RAID STREAM??]

[@ManaMancer22: No way he’s taking her FIRST TIME into a dungeon LMAO]

[@SuccubusSmile: Lucius looks soooo good in that lighting 😍🔥]

[@NightOwl: This is dangerous... he better know what he’s doing.]

Lucius smirked confidently.

The drone steadied overhead.

Luna’s breaths grew calmer now that her attention was fixed on the feed.

But then shadows twisted unnaturally at his feet.

A figure burst upward, dagger aimed at his throat.

Lucius reacted instantly.

His hand shot out, grabbing the attacker mid-strike, and slammed him into the ground with bone-cracking force.

Dust and pebbles scattered across the cavern floor.

The raid truly had begun.