Nereid stroked his chin, deep in thought. Everything went according to his plan—he’d successfully kidnapped the human to the Frostcloud Forest. The few other humans who tagged along were beside the point.0

Yet, Vulcanus, of all beings, had shown up to help the human.0

They must’ve forged some kind of bond in his domain. Otherwise, there’s no way that sluggish lizard would drag himself out here. Also, that human has grown so much stronger.0

After seeing his spirits, Nereid became sure of it. He felt a stab of jealousy. What could’ve caused that kind of growth? If any great fortune had appeared, it should have been his, not a mere human's. Nereid frowned, then stomped on the ground. 0

Thump.0

Ripples of water shot outward from his feet, coalescing into form. Before long, water knights stood before him, their scale armors shimmering in the blue light.0

"Go," Nereid ordered with a tilt of his head.0

The knights vanished one by one. With the strength Nereid had observed in the human previously, just two or three would’ve been enough to overwhelm...0