"A Warden?" Chaosgraphy asked, her smile widening.

Martin nodded. "Yeah. Did you like my entrance?"

"It was cinematic, but you should come up with a new line. Iconic lines can’t be overused, or they lose their charm," Chaosgraphy replied.

Behind her, Crimson Halo nodded in wholehearted agreement, one hand resting lightly against her waist as though she fully approved of the criticism.

Martin scratched at the cheek of his visor. "Uh, is that so? Fine. I’ll squeeze my last few brain cells and come up with something better next time. You two look cool in those items. It’s like you stole the identity of a wolf and made it your own."

"My, my. Thank you," Crimson Halo said, her lips curving into a wide smile that only added to her priestess-mommy aura.

Chaos chuckled, folding one arm beneath her chest. "Let those last few poor brain cells of yours rest. You don’t need them to nail the vibe."

"Was that a compliment or a jab?" Martin asked, rolling his eyes.

Chaos laughed. "Decide for yourself. As a Warden, you can buff us now, right? Show me the skill. I’m curious."

Martin sighed. "I’ll take it as a compliment. Here, take a look."

[Dominion of Arms (Epic)]

[Type: Active / Party Buff]

[Requirement: Warden]

[Weapon Requirement: Trident, Sword, or Warhammer]

[Mana Cost: 140]

[Cooldown: 80 sec]

[Duration: 20 sec]

[Range: 10 meters]

[Raises the currently equipped weapon and grants Emperoar and nearby party members a battle blessing based on the active armament. Emperoar receives the greater effect. Party members receive the lesser effect.]

[Trident: Tidehunter’s Mandate]

[Emperoar]

[Agility +20%

Movement Speed +15%

Ignores movement penalties from water, mud, and hindering terrain

The first enemy struck becomes Hunted for 8 sec

[Party Members]

Movement Speed +10%

Slow Resistance +25%

Deal +12% damage to Hunted targets

[Hunted]

[The marked target is pressured by Emperoar’s pursuit.]

Movement Speed -20%

Greatly increased threat toward Emperoar

Duration: 8 sec

[Sword: Sovereign Edge]

[Emperoar]

Weapon Base Damage +18%

Skill Damage +12%

Guard Efficiency +15%

[Party Members]

Weapon Base Damage +12%

Skill Damage +8%

[Warhammer: Siegebreaker’s Decree]

[Emperoar]

Armor Penetration +25%

Heavy attacks inflict Shattered Plate for 8 sec

[Party Members]

Armor Penetration +15%

Deal +10% damage to enemies afflicted with Shattered Plate

[Shattered Plate]

[A defense-breaking debuff caused by Emperoar’s heavy warhammer strikes.]

Defense -15%

Barrier Durability -20%

Duration: 8 sec

"I also have a mark, so we can stack debuffs on enemies and completely overpower them. Love this. The numbers are good too," Chaosgraphy said, her eyes moving quickly over the skill window before her smile sharpened with obvious interest.

Crimson Halo read over the effects more carefully. She did not know enough about games to judge every number at a glance, but even she could tell the buffs did not do much for her own role. Oddly enough, that made the faint tension in her chest ease. Martin’s evolved class had grown broader, stronger, and far more impressive, yet it had not stolen her identity from her. That relieved her more than she wanted to admit.

The corner of her lips softened for just a moment.

Chaosgraphy caught it at once and smirked.

Crimson Halo lifted her chin and ignored her younger sister completely. Why does she get weird at times?

Then Chaosgraphy looked back at Martin, amusement still dancing in her eyes. "What about that entrance skill?"

Martin flicked the next window open for them.

[Warden’s Arrival (Epic)]

[Type: Active / Movement]

[Requirement: Warden]

[Weapon Requirement: Trident, Sword, or Warhammer]

[Mana Cost: 90]

[Cooldown: 24 sec]

[Range: 35 meters]

[Instantly appears at a chosen point near the currently wielded weapon, provided the destination is within range.]

[Using Warden’s Arrival activates the corresponding weapon effect of Dominion of Arms according to the weapon used for the activation.]

[The activated effect persists even if Emperoar switches weapons afterward.]

[Up to 2 different Dominion of Arms weapon effects may be maintained through Warden’s Arrival at the same time for a short duration.]

[Reactivating an already active weapon effect refreshes its duration. If a third different weapon effect is activated this way, the oldest active effect is removed.]

Chaosgraphy chuckled. "I can already see the obvious exploit here."

Martin grinned. "Me too."

Crimson Halo tilted her head.

And just as Martin was about to talk about the third skill he had received from this evolution, NukEncore reached out to him through a private message.

[NukEncore: Martin, we have a problem!]

For a second, Martin thought she had called him Houston. Anyway, he’d better see what was up.

Martin told the others about NukEncore’s private message.

Crimson Halo glanced at the clock and decided it was time for a break. She had a few matters to deal with in real life as well. Chaosgraphy, meanwhile, had already taken care of everything and was free for the rest of Sunday.

"I’ll stick with you and see what’s up with our mage," Chaos said, scooping San Kumoe into her arms and squeezing the pup snugly against her chest. "And don’t forget to log in later so we can check the category rewards, sis."

Crimson Halo gave a small nod. "I remember."

—

NukEncore waited for Martin outside Samu’s Restaurant. After the last incident, and now that more people around the Light Tree Hub recognized Martin, the place had become their usual meeting spot. She had something she needed to deal with, and she had a feeling Martin did too. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

I’ve never asked anyone out before... is this what it feels like to steal a guy away for a date? NukEncore wondered. Mhm. Does this even count as a date? It definitely would in real life. Mhm. I just want to spend some time with Martin after all that grinding with Elder Sister.

A moment later, Martin arrived.

And with him came Chaos and San Kumoe.

NukEncore stared at them, utterly deadpan.

"Oh... you look in such pain. The problem must be huge."

Chaosgraphy’s smirk widened.

"Hmph! Martin has the same problem!" NukEncore retorted, drawing genuine interest from both Martin and Chaosgraphy.