Villain Ch 1679. Mech Priest
[System Update: Enemy Neutralized – Gilded Warden Core Destroyed]
[Demonic Aura Receding… Buff Expired]
[New Quest Flag: "The Bride and the Bound Saint" Unlocked]
[System Alert: Residual Energy Detected – Dungeon Phase Shift Incoming]
Allen stood breathing, his blade dimming in his hand, shrinking into fading black dust. He looked over at Larissa.
She was brushing blood off her cheek with one clawed finger, her expression unreadable.
He stepped closer. "You alright?"
She looked up at him. A pause. Then—
"Define 'alright.'"
He stared at her.
Then slowly said, "Did anything in that fight feel related to the quest? Maybe you? It kept calling you bride."
Her brow furrowed slightly.
"…Maybe," she said, after a beat. "I don't know. Something about the way it said Bride didn't feel… like just code."
Allen folded his arms, gaze distant now.
"That wasn't just a miniboss," he said. "It was acting like a priest. Or worse. A priest's pet."
