Return of the Legendary Runesmith

The battlefield burned with flames.

Adrian stood a few feet away, watching the chaos unfold—the chaos caused by Ariana.

She was merciless.

Every attack she unleashed felt like it had been waiting for this moment. Spells she had never used before—ones she'd only practiced in theory—were now being hurled freely, as if she had invited these monsters just to test them out.

She let them surround her on purpose, only to explode from the center moments later, sending bodies flying, heads cracking, and lives ending with each swing of her weapon.

The battlefield was in ruins—mud spikes jutted from the ground, walls of earth stood like torn barricades, and craters formed where her spells had landed. Ariana moved like a storm, cutting through dozens of monsters every second.

"Ariana! Above!" Adrian shouted.

She paused.

Thwack!

A goblin, trying to sneak up on her from the side, was shot down.

But Ariana didn't even glance at it. Her eyes were locked on the raven diving straight at her.

Her brows furrowed.

She began spinning her flail above her head, then flung the spiked ball toward the bird. The chain extended, whirling through the air.

The twisted creature changed direction mid-flight—exactly what she had wanted.

She let go of the flail and swiftly pulled out her dagger.

The bird was fast—but she could see the shadow closing in.

"KHRIUUUUK!"

It opened its beak, aiming to tear her head apart.

But just before it could reach her, a sharp spike shot up from the ground—impaling the creature mid-flight.

Blood splattered across the dirt as the bird screeched one final time.

Tha!

Another gunshot echoed as Ariana turned to her left—just in time to see a black hole open a few meters away, pulling in a horde of goblins and swallowing them whole.

"Where are they coming from?" she muttered, frustration lacing her voice.

"This won't end unless we take out the summoner," Adrian said, his voice firm.

Ariana nodded. That much was clear.

But then came the real question—

"Where is the summoner?" said a voice from nearby.

She turned—and there he was.

The same grinning man she had seen near the entrance earlier. The one with the painted face and twisted energy.

Adrian's eyes narrowed. He knew exactly who this was.

One of the arc's main villains.

The Juggler.

Real name: unknown. Purpose: chaos.

The man spread his arms like he was welcoming them to a performance. "Well now, what a predicament you've found yourselves in," he said with a mocking grin. "You've got the summoner to deal with. The barrier guy, too. And then..." He gave a dramatic bow. "There's me."

Ariana scoffed. "So we only need to worry about two, then."

The Juggler laughed, clearly enjoying himself. "I like that confidence, woman. Seems like you really do have the strength the rumors talk about."

Ariana growled as she saw the battalion forming behind the Acolyte.

"Adrian..." she whispered.

"Hmm, I got this," he replied.

That was all the confirmation she needed. Without another word, Ariana surged forward.

Instinctively, the Juggler raised his arms to defend himself—but she wasn't aiming for him.

THA!

Taking advantage of the distraction, Adrian fired a golden bullet.

The Juggler snapped his head forward just in time to see it coming—the golden bullet only inches from his face.

But then flash of blue shimmered. The bullet was stopped by the barrier spell layered over his body.

"...So you came prepared," Adrian muttered, the corner of his mouth twitching into a dry smile. He already knew the barrier was there. That shot was just a test.

"What can I say? I was stepping into the tigress' den. I had to be cautious," the Juggler shrugged with a grin, then asked, "So... are you my opponent?"

"Depends on how well you can fight."

Adrian slipped his revolver into its holster and drew an axe from his side.

"Hoh~ even though you know you can't hit me, you're still trying? I like that," the Juggler laughed. But then his smile faded slightly. "Too bad I don't find you worth the effort. I think I'll go ahead and slaughter those three brats instead."

Adrian scoffed. "Why don't you ask your spy if they're still in the gym?"

The Juggler's smile cracked.

He knows.

His eyes narrowed, and he quickly contacted the spy.

The reply came instantly:

[Professor Adrian took them away.]

Juggler gritted his teeth. "Where did you take them?"

Adrian gave a careless shrug. "One of those buildings you've sealed off. So either fight me and earn the answer... or unseal every single building and search for them yourself."

Juggler growled, "You can't just walk in and out of those buildings!"

Adrian tilted his head with a smirk. "Oh? Did you see me when you came in? I was supposed to be locked up, right? Yet here I am." He chuckled. "What an incompetent mage you hired."

"Shut your crap, asshole!" the Juggler snapped as he charged, his body bursting with strength-enhancing magic. His fist cocked back, lightning fast.

Adrian didn't flinch. Instead, he threw the axe straight at him.

The Juggler scoffed and swung.

His fist collided with the weapon—shattering the wooden handle into a cloud of splinters.

However, right after that, came a fist straight at his face—taking Juggler by surprise,

"How is he so fas-**CRACK**" The fist connected with his jaw and the man was sent flying back before crashing on the ground.

Groaning, he pushed his body up and roared, "Do your fucking work, Bishop!!"

Adrian chuckled, "You really are a newbie, no?" With his amused gaze fixed on the angered man, Adrian said, "Don't you know chanting a barrier for someone else requires the object to remain stationary?"

With a toothy grin, he said, "I had to move you from your position, and I succeeded. Thanks to your stupidty."

Taking out his revolver, Adrian pointed it at the magician, before saying, "Now, die~"

*Tha*

The bullet was shot—but then—

**KHRUUUK**

A demonic hound jumped in the way and took the bullet.

Instantly, its body was coated in flames.

Juggler took the opportunity and got up before dashing away.

Adrian clicked his tongue, "This damn beast tamer."

He glanced at Ariana and, after ensuring that she wasn't looking, he teleported away.

Time to take out the mole playing savior from the shadows.

°°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading.