Chapter 824 – Executor of Greed

The corridor ahead ignited with crimson runes, forming a barrier of swirling energy shaped like a coiling dragon. The air vibrated with ancient power, the temperature rising as if dragonfire lurked just beyond the veil.

Mira closed her eyes briefly, centering herself. When she opened them, her irises glowed with a deep, draconic light. She raised her hand, and ethereal scales shimmered across her skin as Eastern dragon magic manifested around her.

A spectral dragon silhouette formed behind her, mirroring her movements.

With a decisive motion, she thrust her palm forward.

A surge of azure energy erupted, colliding with the barrier. The two forces clashed violently, filling the corridor with blinding light and thunderous echoes. For a moment, it seemed evenly matched.

Then Mira’s power surged.

The spectral dragon roared silently as the barrier shattered into fragments of fading magic. The runes dissolved, and the corridor fell silent once more.

Mira lowered her hand, breathing steady, her aura gradually returning to normal.

Lux exhaled slowly, admiration evident in his gaze.

"...Impressive."

She glanced back at him, a faint smile touching her lips. "I told you. These mountains respond to strength."

Rava leaned toward Lux, whispering loudly, "You’re surrounded by monsters."

Naomi smirked. "Says the tentacle girl."

"Hey!"

Lux chuckled, shaking his head. "If this is what teamwork looks like, I might start delegating more often."

Corvus shifted on his shoulder. "A terrifying prospect, sir."

Lux’s gaze moved across each of them.

The thought lingered, warm and possessive, though he kept it unspoken.

"Alright," he said, voice steady and confident. "Let’s keep moving. I have a feeling the real challenge is just getting started."

As if in response, a distant roar echoed through the mountain, deep, ancient, and unmistakably draconic.

Corvus tilted his head. "Yes," he muttered. "Monsters."

Lux’s smirk returned, sharp and fearless.

"Perfect."

The girls instinctively shifted into combat readiness, their auras flaring subtly as they prepared for whatever was coming next. Naomi rolled her shoulders, Rava’s fingers curled as water gathered at her command, Ely’s golden magic shimmered faintly, and Mira’s draconic presence sharpened the air itself.

Lux watched them for a brief moment, admiration flickering beneath his composed exterior. They were ready. More than ready. Reliable. Deadly. His.

But this time, he stepped forward.

"No," he said calmly, raising a hand to halt them. "This is my turn."

They paused, glancing at him with curiosity and anticipation.

Lux’s gaze remained fixed on the dark passage ahead, where the sound of shifting stone and distant growls suggested incoming threats. His heartbeat remained steady, confidence radiating from him like a tangible force.

"I’ll show you," he continued, voice smooth and assured, "how Greed fights."

He extended his hand, palm facing upward, and muttered a single word.

"Summon."

Infernal energy surged outward, coalescing into a glowing sigil beneath his feet, the unmistakable emblem of Greed, intricate and radiant with golden and obsidian hues. The air thickened as power gathered, contracts whispering through the void like the turning pages of an ancient ledger.

From the center of the sigil, a figure emerged.

Tall.

Imposing.

Silent.

The demon soldier stepped forward with mechanical precision, its presence both elegant and terrifying. It wore sleek, dark armor etched with faint golden runes that pulsed softly with contractual energy. A blindfold covered its eyes, yet it moved with absolute certainty, as if guided by senses far beyond sight. Chains of ethereal gold wrapped loosely around its arms, not as restraints, but as symbols of binding agreements and unwavering obedience.

A faint, metallic hum resonated from its form as it knelt before Lux.

[Summoned Entity: Avarice Sentinel]

[Type: Contract-Bound Demon Soldier]

[Level: 120]

[Rank: Elite Executor of Greed]

[Abilities: Soul Ledger Tracking, Contractual Enforcement, Precision Execution, Damage Redistribution]

[Status: Absolute Loyalty to Lux Vaelthorn]

Lux glanced down at the notification with quiet satisfaction.

Efficient. Reliable. Cost-effective.

He gestured casually toward the darkened corridor from which the sounds of approaching creatures grew louder. "You hear those sounds?" he asked.

The Avarice Sentinel inclined its head in silent acknowledgment.

"Tell me about them," Lux continued, tone almost conversational. "And take care of them."

The demon soldier nodded once.

Then vanished.

Not with flashy magic, but with terrifying speed, its form blurring as it dashed forward, disappearing into the shadows with lethal intent.

Moments later, the corridor erupted with distant clashes... the screech of ancient beasts, the echo of blades meeting scaled hide, and the unmistakable sound of something powerful being efficiently dismantled.

Lux remained still, hands resting casually in his pockets, posture relaxed as though he were overseeing a routine business transaction rather than a life or death battle.

Behind him, the girls watched in stunned silence.

Mira was the first to speak, her voice tinged with awe. "You made that look... easy."

Lux’s lips curved into a knowing smile. "I know."

He turned slightly to face them, the torchlight casting sharp shadows across his features.

"That’s why a lot of people don’t like Greed," he continued. "We make everything look easy."

Naomi crossed her arms thoughtfully. "Because you don’t always fight with your own blood."

Lux nodded. "Exactly. Sometimes we win with others. Sometimes with resources. Sometimes with contracts. To many, it sounds unfair."

Rava tilted her head. "Isn’t it?"

Lux chuckled softly, the sound rich with confidence. "The contracts say we are fair. And contracts," he added, eyes glinting, "are absolute."

A thunderous impact echoed from the corridor ahead, followed by silence.

Seconds later, the Avarice Sentinel reappeared, armor unblemished, movements as precise as before. It knelt once more before Lux, awaiting further instruction. A faint golden mist dissipated from its form, the remnants of defeated enemies now reduced to contractual energy.

[Threats Eliminated.]

[Hostile Entities: 6]

[Species: Draconic Echo Beasts]

[Status: Neutralized.]

[Resources Acquired: +Minor Soul Fragments]

Lux gave a small nod of approval. "Efficient as always."

He waved his hand dismissively, and the Greed sigil flared briefly before dissolving, the Avarice Sentinel vanishing as seamlessly as it had appeared.

The corridor ahead was now silent.

Safe.

For the moment.