Nothing burned on him. Not even a whisker. Thanks to the Pantheon’s Law of Consent, even the searing fire of Jenny’s [-Inferno-] couldn’t touch him.

Yet the flames that burst out in all directions from their harmless impact with Glenn’s chest were far more deadly to the Shaitan, who enjoyed no Divine protection. Both of the Demons who’d attempted to paralyze him hissed as flames sent them zipping away. All at once Glenn was through their blockade and, huffing with effort, he redoubled his pace toward the gates.

Seventy paces. Sixty. Behind him, he heard the Shaitan whispering angrily as they closed in on him from behind. Even though he saw Jenny casting again, he doubted she’d get off another [-Inferno-] in time to save him. The Skill was powerful, but took some time to cast.

“Watch out!” Zack shouted, and then huffed.

Glenn spun in place to find Zack stumbling forward, his limbs giving out. He’d been struck from behind by a Shaitan! Glenn dropped his sword, caught Zack’s collar in his now free hand, and backpedaled. The Demons continued to close as Glenn bodily dragged his friend with one hand and held the unconscious woman on his shoulder with the other.

Fifty-five paces. Fifty. A Shaitain leapt forward and slashed Glenn’s chest, a paralytic blow that sent him stumbling ... backward. As he collapsed within fifty paces of the town gates, Zack landed beside him and the unconscious, bleeding woman tumbled off his shoulder. Were they doomed?

No. He’d fallen within fifty paces of the town gates. Still, Glenn was shocked at how leaden his limbs felt as the Shaitan swept in to finish him off.

That was when the first of Town Guards arrived.

The female Town Guard leapt over Glenn with the speed of a charging Grass Boar, her [Fleet Boots] glowing with blue light. Her monstrous [Guardian Mace], a weapon big enough to be a two-hander that she wielded with one, glowed bright white as its Godly Enchantment registered the presence of a Demon. She swung with force that physically punched the air.

The lead Shaitan attempted to shimmer. The woman’s glowing [Guardian Mace] ignored that Skill entirely, and a loud crunch sounded as its impact literally made the Shaitan’s spectral chest concave. The whole Demon become solid for a moment before it shattered from the inside out. It burst into a shower of purple powder and dropped a Life Crystal the size of Glenn’s fist.

The other three Shaitan hesitated, but the Demons never had the opportunity to fall back. The other Town Guard, a tall man, arrived then from the other side, catching the demons in a pincer. The Demons raised their spectral hands in a defensive effort as futile as it was satisfying.

The male Town Guard’s single glowing swing went straight through one Shaitan and cracked into the head of the other. The first Demon utterly disintegrated as the second stumbled away with a badly deformed head, then fell to both knees. It, too, burst into purple ash.

The last Shaitan spun and zipped away at a pace Glenn couldn’t match at a sprint ... but the Town Guards wore [Fleet Boots]. Those boots allowed each of their steps to cover four extra paces, and the female Town Guard easily chased down the last Shaitan. Once a Monster or Demon attacked an Adventurer, Town Guards were free to chase it until it died ... even if it ran beyond the gates.

The Demon spun and shrieked just before the Town Guard brought her [Guardian Mace] up with the force of a rushing carriage. When she struck it, the Shaitan simply exploded. The impact sent its fist-sized Life Crystal hurtling into the trees.

Beside Glenn, the purple Life Crystal that had fallen from the first defeated Shaitain crackled, then cracked. It burst into ash just like its owner, and Glenn stared as the ash faded away. He’d never seen a Life Crystal shatter before. He hadn’t even known they could.

What felt like a cool breeze flooded his body. Glenn gasped in relief as he recognized healing magic. [-Flash Heal-].

While that was a Lifecaster Skill, but Town Guards got a unique mixture of Skills from several Classes, everything they needed to earn their names as “Protectors of All”. They couldn’t just dispatch Monsters, Demons, and Desouled with ease. They could heal wounded Adventurers as well ... but only if those Adventurers first got within fifty paces of Wolfpine’s town gates.

If a Town Guard moved out to save an Adventurer before that Adventurer moved within fifty paces of the town gates, Kya would smite the Town Guard for defying the Pantheon. All Adventuring came with risk, and there would be no risk to anyone if Town Guards could go anywhere they wished. Without a Divine leash, they could lay waste to whole zones of Monsters.

And Demons, apparently.

Beside him, Glenn heard a woman gasp. The woman Zack had carried out of the Deepscorn Woods was awake now, likely healed by [-Flash Heal-]s from the Town Guards. With the Demons all dead and everyone healed, the female Town Guard walked back toward them.

Yet she didn’t help Glenn up. She simply offered him a nod as she strode right past them and headed back to the gates. The man who’d come out to destroy the Demons with her did the same.

Glenn wasn’t offended by the fact that the two Town Guards just walked past him, Zack, and the woman. He knew exactly why they offered no additional help. Town Guards were charged with coming to the aid of anyone who came with fifty paces of the town gates, healing those injured, and destroying anything that tried to hurt them again.

They were not to help Adventurers to their feet or carry them home after. Even the woman’s faint nod risked crossing a line, which is why Glenn appreciated the courtesy all the more. The Town Guard had risked annoying Kya simply to let him know she respected his initiative in charging the Demons.

Jenny dropped to her knees beside him, visibly checking him for remaining wounds. Glenn’s limbs still felt leaden, but a fresh tingle suggested the paralysis was wearing off. The Town Guards had healed any injuries from the Shaitan’s claws.

Jenny’s firm hands helped him sit up. As Glenn did so, he smiled at her in relief. “Nice save.”

“Nice teamwork,” she said ruefully. “I wasn’t sure you’d glean what I planned to do, and I was afraid yelling the plan would alert the Shaitan.”

“Your plan made perfect sense to me.” Glenn experimentally moved one arm in more of a flop than anything directed. He tried to wiggle his fingers, but they didn’t feel like his.

“Nothing in Grassea paralyzes people, does it?” Jenny asked.

“This is new,” Glenn agreed.

Beside him, Zack spoke softly. “You okay?”

Glenn knew Zack wasn’t asking him that. He glanced over to find Zack helping the blond-haired woman in the blood-stained [Cotton Robe] into a sit. Her face looked pale and she was trembling a little, but it looked to be from shock, not pain. The Town Guards had healed her as well.

Glenn extended one shaking, tingling hand. “Glenn Redwood, Level 5 Unclassed.”

“Anna Ironstar,” the woman managed, though she didn’t extend her still trembling hand. “Level 6 Harmcaster. I trust we have you to thank for our rescue?”

“Zack rescued you,” Glenn said. “We just assisted.” He gave Zack a knowing glance.

Zack managed a tired and grateful grin as he helped Anna to her feet. She stood, shaky, but did stand. Glenn didn’t miss the way she leaned heavily on Zack.

So this was his new girlfriend.

Glenn was glad to see Zack hunting with someone again. Perhaps Zack had finally found a Partner he’d be happy to Level alongside, which would make both he and Zack’s mother worry less. As Jenny moved to help Glenn up as well, he waved her off and stood on unsteady legs.

He could stand. Being paralyzed was disorienting, but temporary. One thing was certain. He wanted more Levels and some Divinity on his Status Sheet before he battled Demons again. Those things were terrifying in battle, and one [-Phantom Slice-] had barely scratched them.

With her face now all business, Jenny faced Zack and Anna. “Where did you run into those Demons? Shaitan shouldn’t even be present in Grassea.”

“I don’t know,” Anna said shakily. “We were simply hunting Gloamwolves when they came out of nowhere. Somewhere deep in the woods.”

“It was out by the Mold Trees,” Zack said. “You know where those are?”

Glenn did. “Those are large trees that are among the oldest in the Deepscorn, roughly a twenty minute walk from here if you roughly southwest,” he told Jenny. “You’ll recognize them by their unusual size and the mold growing all up and down their trunks.” He looked again to Zack and Anna, newly impressed by what they’d just managed. “You two ran a long way.”

“Had too,” Zack said. “Demons.”

Glenn shuddered at the thought. Demons, here in Grassea. Though ... watching those two Town Guards absolutely wreck four Level 12 Shaitan had been something to see.

Grassea’s Town Guards might only be Level 10, two Levels higher than the zone’s cap, but their [Guardian Mace]s, [Fleet Boots], and [God Armor] made them nigh indestructible. Even four Level 12 Demons had stood no chance against them. What must it be like to wield such power?

Glenn would simply have to ask one, tonight, after he completed his Ceremony of the Path.

“Well, I’m very glad you both made it back to town safely,” Jenny said. She looked to Glenn. “Can you show me how to reach these Mold Trees?”

“Right now?” Glenn asked.

“After we escort your friends back to the town gates.”

“Actually, that’s not necessary,” Zack said, with one hand raised. “I’ve got it from here.”

“He does,” Anna said, glancing at Zack as she leaned heavily on his arm. Then, belatedly, she glanced at Jenny. “I mean ... thank you! For everything. But there might be more Shaitan out there, or more Adventurers. We aren’t going out hunting again today.”

“And others might still be in danger in the woods,” Jenny agreed. “All right. You two go back into town. The Blazers will handle things from here.”

Glenn didn’t miss what Jenny had just said, or the way she’d said it. She’d said “the Blazers will handle things from here” after asking him to lead her to the Mold Trees. She’d just officially referred to him as a Blazer.

That was so cool.

“Way ahead of you, ma’am,” Zack said. He offered a loose salute before smirking Glenn’s way. “Oh, and Glenn?”

Glenn raised an eyebrow.

“Thanks,” Zack said. “For real this time.”

Glenn laughed off what felt like a rare and very genuine statement from his usually sarcastic friend. “Sure thing. Get going.”

Zack walked off with Anna leaning heavily against him. Neither glanced back, but they obviously appeared close. Glenn was glad he’d had the opportunity to meet Anna before he left Wolfpine. He’d very much miss Zack after he left with Jenny, but his friend was obviously in good hands.

He glanced at Jenny. “Shall we?”

“Not yet,” she said. “Stay with the Town Guards. I need to reSlot before we leave.”

Glenn immediately understood. “Time to become a Spiritualist again?”

“A Level 20 Spiritualist,” Jenny reminded him. “One who can wreck Shaitan like your Town Guards just did, should we encounter more of the Demons at the Mold Trees.” She looked down and idly tapped her lips, as if thinking, before her eyes rose to meet his again.

“Tell me truthfully, Glenn. Have Demons been seen in Grassea before?”

“Not to my knowledge,” Glenn said. “But things have been changing of late. The Moss Beast that [-Charmed-] little Azalea Whitetalon? It was at least Level 10. And when Becka and I rescued her, the Grass Sprites inflicted some poison I’ve never seen before. Did she tell you about that?”

“She did,” Jenny agreed. “And you believe the Moss Beast was Level 10 because of its use of [-Root Barrier-]?”

Glenn nodded. Jenny must have learned about the Moss Beast’s actions and behavior from Becka, when Jenny interviewed her earlier today.

“Monsters don’t follow all the same rules we do,” Jenny said. “But in this case, I believe, you’re correct. Everything that occurred the night you and Becka saved Azalea is unusual to say the least.”

“What about the Demons?” Glenn asked. “Do you know of any cases where they’ve left the zones in which they spawn? Could those Shaitan have wandered here from Evolan?”

“So far as I know, the Gods stop Monsters and Demons at their zone’s border,” Jenny said. “Regardless, if Demons have now begun to appear in Grassea, particularly Demons significantly higher than this zone’s Level cap, I need to inform the Blazers as soon as we reach Lakebrooke. We may have to send some high Levels out to sweep the woods, at least until we know it’s safe for rookie Adventurers.”

“Go reSlot,” Glenn told her. “I’ll be here when you get back.”

Jenny smiled warmly. “Did I mention you did well today?”

“You might have implied something like that.”

“I think you’re going to make an excellent Blazer.” She waved before she walked away.

Glenn nodded with satisfaction. Given how much he’d always wanted to join the Blazers Guild, he appreciated Jenny’s confidence. And tomorrow, he would set off on a whole new adventure.