The rooftop battlefield had grown tense again.
Seven Rakshak warriors surrounded the ruined structure, their weapons glowing faintly with spiritual energy. Flames from Devika Agnivarna illuminated the night sky while smoke from the collapsed building below drifted upward.
At the center of it all stood Arivaan.
Calm.
Watching.
Smiling.
The hunters didn't like that smile.
Rudra Sen narrowed his eyes.
"You're planning something."
Arivaan shrugged casually.
"Maybe."
Devika muttered through the link,
"I hate when you say that."
Arivaan ignored her.
Instead, his focus remained on the floating panel hovering invisibly before his eyes.
The interface had changed after the bond with Devika reached completion.
Now several new options appeared beneath her name.
Primary Servant: Devika Agnivarna
Below it—
Another line flickered faintly.
Bond Slot Available
Arivaan blinked.
"Well… that's interesting."
Devika froze.
"You're not serious."
Arivaan tilted his head.
"What?"
"You're thinking about controlling another Rakshak."
Arivaan smiled.
"That's exactly what I'm thinking."
Across the rooftop, the spear-wielding Rakshak warrior stepped forward again.
His weapon glowed brighter as he prepared for another strike.
"You look distracted, villain."
Arivaan glanced up.
"Oh no, I'm paying attention."
The spear warrior lunged forward.
Devika reacted instantly under Arivaan's command.
Her flames exploded outward again.
CLANG!
The spear struck her fiery defense.
The impact sent sparks flying across the rooftop.
Behind the spear wielder, another Rakshak fired an arrow.
Devika blocked the projectile with a burst of flame.
But more attacks followed.
Two warriors dashed forward simultaneously from opposite sides.
Arivaan remained standing behind Devika, watching carefully.
But this time—
He wasn't watching the attacks.
He was studying the hunters themselves.
Their movements.
Their reactions.
Their focus.
The floating panel flickered again.
A new targeting line appeared.
Scanning Potential Bond Targets…
Arivaan raised an eyebrow.
"So it actually works."
Devika whispered urgently,
"You can't seriously try that right now!"
Arivaan shrugged.
"Why not?"
"Because we're surrounded!"
"Exactly."
Rudra Sen noticed the momentary distraction.
"Push forward!"
Three Rakshaks attacked at once.
Devika spun under Arivaan's control.
Her flames surged outward in a wide arc.
The attacks collided violently.
But the hunters pressed forward relentlessly.
They were trying to overwhelm her.
Split Arivaan's focus again.
The floating panel flickered.
Control Stability: 88%
Arivaan sighed.
"So pushy."
Devika snapped,
"You should be focusing on survival!"
Arivaan smiled.
"I am."
Then he studied the Rakshaks carefully.
Seven targets.
But not all of them were equally strong.
Rudra Sen was clearly the most dangerous.
The spear wielder seemed second strongest.
The others supported from range or flanks.
Arivaan's eyes shifted toward the archer standing on the far rooftop.
The warrior kept his distance.
Calm.
Focused.
But also isolated.
Perfect.
The floating panel updated.
Potential Target Identified
Rakshak Archer – Compatibility 41%
Arivaan frowned slightly.
"That's low."
Devika whispered,
"You're actually checking compatibility?"
"Of course."
Another arrow streaked toward them.
Devika intercepted it instantly.
The explosion of flames lit up the rooftop again.
Arivaan continued scanning.
Another Rakshak leapt across a nearby rooftop, preparing another attack.
The panel flickered again.
Potential Target Identified
Rakshak Swordsman – Compatibility 56%
Better.
But still not ideal.
Arivaan's gaze shifted again.
Finally—
His eyes landed on the spear wielder battling Devika directly.
The panel updated once more.
Potential Target Identified
Rakshak Spear Captain – Compatibility 73%
Arivaan smiled.
"Now that's promising."
Devika stared at him.
"You're insane."
"Possibly."
The spear captain lunged again.
Devika blocked the strike with a burst of flame.
But the warrior pressed forward aggressively.
"You're slowing down!"
Arivaan chuckled.
"That's intentional."
Devika groaned.
"Please tell me you're joking."
Arivaan raised his hand slightly.
The panel shifted again.
Attempt Secondary Bond?
He hesitated briefly.
Not because of fear.
But calculation.
Starting a second bond in the middle of battle could destabilize the first.
The panel flashed a warning.
Risk Level: High
Devika whispered urgently,
"If you mess this up we both lose!"
Arivaan smirked.
"Relax."
The spear captain attacked again.
This time his glowing spear nearly pierced Devika's flame shield.
The rooftop shook from the clash.
Arivaan's eyes sharpened.
"Devika."
"Yes."
"Push him closer."
Her flames surged again.
She deliberately allowed the spear captain to press forward.
The warrior stepped closer aggressively.
Perfect.
Arivaan raised his hand slowly.
The floating panel pulsed.
Target Locked
The spear captain froze for half a second.
His instincts sensed something wrong.
"What—"
Arivaan whispered quietly.
"Let's try something new."
The panel flashed brilliantly.
Initiating Secondary Bond…
Devika gasped.
"You actually did it!"
The spear captain suddenly staggered.
His grip tightened on the weapon.
"What… is this?"
Rudra Sen's eyes widened.
"Pull back!"
But it was already too late.
Arivaan felt a second connection begin forming inside his mind.
Weak.
Unstable.
But real.
The floating panel flickered violently.
Bond Progress: 5%
The spear captain roared in anger.
"You dare—!"
But his movements slowed slightly.
Rudra Sen dashed forward instantly.
"Stop him!"
The rooftop exploded into motion again.
Because if Arivaan succeeded—
The hunters would lose another warrior.
And the balance of the entire battle would collapse.