Fairy Tail: Strongest Creature

Compared to regular guilds, the dark guilds aren't as numerous, but they're just as strong, sometimes even stronger. Dark guilds often take on jobs that are illegal or dangerous—like assassinations—tasks that regular guilds are strictly forbidden from handling.

Natsu grinned, folding his hands behind his head. "Those guys ignore all the laws. That's what makes them dangerous."

"Aye, sir!" Happy chimed in.

Lucy couldn't help but sigh. "Then maybe someone will try to recruit *you* one day," she joked.

Though she'd only done one mission with Natsu, Lucy had already realized how chaotic he could be. Initially, she'd thought teaming up with someone experienced would make her life easier, especially someone with Natsu's reputation as the "Fire Dragon." She'd witnessed his strength firsthand and knew he was powerful, but she was beginning to think that going solo might be safer—especially since Natsu and Happy had originally teamed up with her because they wanted a "blonde maid."

"Come on, hurry up and pick a job!" Natsu urged, smiling.

"Yeah, it's your turn to choose this time!" Happy added.

"Are you kidding? Our team is disbanded!" Lucy said firmly.

"Why?" Natsu asked, surprised.

"Aye?"

"Any blonde girl would do, right? It doesn't have to be me!" Lucy said, crossing her arms.

"What are you talking about?" Natsu protested.

"Hey—!!" she sighed in exasperation.

Natsu gave her a sincere grin. "But we picked you because you're a good person, Lucy."

Lucy blinked, taken aback by his honesty. His smile was so genuine that she found herself hesitating about disbanding their team.

Just then, Gray's voice cut through. "Lucy, you don't have to force yourself to team up with these two. I've heard how strong you are now. Bet you've got tons of people begging to team up with you."

Loke sauntered over, flashing a charming smile. "Lucy, how about forming a 'love team' with me? Just tonight—you and me."

"No way!!" Lucy blurted out instantly.

When she'd first joined the guild, she'd thought Loke was handsome. After all, he was one of the most eligible bachelors on the "Most Wanted Boyfriend" list. But after watching him flirt with multiple girls each day, her initial impression had completely shattered.

"I heard you defeated both the Southern Wolf of the Mercenary Guild and some gorilla-looking woman? That's pretty impressive," Loke added, clearly intrigued.

Lucy sighed. "Actually… that was all Natsu. Somehow the rumors got twisted, making it sound like I did it all by myself."

"So it was you, you jerk!" Gray growled, turning to Natsu.

"Any complaints?!" Natsu shot back.

"What?! Did you just call me annoying?!" Gray shouted.

"Yeah, you're annoying! You're a perverted weirdo who can't keep his clothes on!"

In an instant, Natsu and Gray were at each other's throats, throwing punches and insults. Su Yan shook his head. From the moment he'd joined Fairy Tail, he'd seen Natsu and Gray bicker and fight countless times, and nothing had changed.

The rest of the guild ignored their brawl, treating it as background noise.

Loke sidled up to Lucy again, giving her a smitten look. "You know, you're really beautiful. Even through my sunglasses, your beauty shines like the sun. If I looked at you with my naked eyes, I'd probably go blind."

"Give it a rest," Lucy groaned, rolling her eyes.

Then Loke's gaze shifted to the Celestial Spirit keys hanging from Lucy's waist. His eyes widened, and he stepped back, alarmed.

"W-Wait… you're a… Celestial Spirit Mage?!"

Happy jumped in. "She's got cows and crabs and all sorts of stuff!"

"Fate… why must you be so cruel to me…?!" Loke stammered. "Sorry, Lucy! This… it can't work out between us!" With that, he turned and dashed out of the guild, leaving Lucy bewildered.

"Nothing even started… what's his problem?" she muttered.

Mira laughed softly. "Loke has a hard time with Celestial Spirit mages."

"Huh? Why?"

"Well, I think it has to do with a girl from his past."

Su Yan watched Loke's reaction closely, his brows knitting together. Loke had joined Fairy Tail three years ago, a period when Su Yan had been busy traveling on missions, so he didn't know him too well. But something about Loke's reaction tugged at his memory—something about his past.

Before Su Yan could piece it together, a loud crash echoed through the guild hall.

**Bang!**

Loke stumbled back into the guild, looking pale and panicked.

"Huh?" The guild members turned to stare at him.

Loke raised his head, his face filled with dread. "Erza is back!"