Morning light should have spilled across the long bluestone streets of Mysterious Fantasy City, accompanied by vendors' cries and children's laughter, painting a bustling scene.
Yet today, the guards at the eastern gate had barely pushed the heavy gates open a crack when they saw a crimson streak flash across the distant sky, carrying a monstrous heatwave as it plunged like a meteor toward the City Lord's Manor.
"What was that?" The captain of the guard narrowed his eyes, but before his words had faded, a piercing explosion shook the ground until it trembled.
The Crimson Flame Kirin emerged from the smoke and dust, its entire body covered in burning crimson-gold scales. Wherever its four hooves stepped, the stone pavement instantly split with charred-black cracks.
The blazing flames it spat from its mouth ignited the shop banners along its path. Thick smoke billowed upward, sending the city's residents scattering in terror.
"Enemy attack! Sound the alarm!" the captain roared as he drew his sword.
But as soon as he spoke, a pillar of fire descended over his head, instantly swallowing him whole in flames.
Though the City Guard soldiers swiftly assembled, forming a defensive line with standard-issue spears and shields, they were utterly incapable of withstanding the Crimson Flame Kirin's absolute power.
It swung its enormous claw bristling with bone spurs, easily tearing apart shields and armor. Sparks dripping from its scales landed on the soldiers, igniting flames that could not be extinguished.
Screams, the sounds of weapons breaking, and the crash of collapsing houses intertwined. Within less than half an hour, the area around the eastern gate had become a sea of fire.
Countless City Guard soldiers and imperial soldiers fell into pools of blood, their bodies charred black by the flames. The air was thick with the pungent