Chapter 9: Fiona’s Desperation and Ascent

Before them, Fiona knelt, panting, using her sword as a crutch.

Her leather armor was heavily stained with blood and cracked in numerous places, while a humanoid demon, roughly ten meters away, guffawed without restraint.

‘The [Crimson Sword Princess] has actually been pushed to a disadvantage? This demon is far too powerful!’

The Branch Captain knew that if he were to engage Fiona in combat, he would undoubtedly fall within a dozen rounds.

Their disparities in both speed and raw power were significant; though both held the rank of A-class adventurers, Fiona possessed the clear potential to ascend to S-class.

“Fiona, hold on!” the Branch Captain bellowed. “We’re here to support you!”

The massive axe in his hand instantly churned with violent air currents, a miniature tornado seeming to coil around its blade.

With a powerful thrust, he launched the three-meter-long weapon in a direct, linear trajectory.

In an instant, it became a horizontal whirlwind, striking directly at the guffawing humanoid demon.

This formidable technique was the Branch Captain’s pride and joy: [Storm Axe], a skill he had meticulously honed and perfected over countless years.

The horizontal tornado, two meters in diameter, surged forward with an unstoppable momentum.

The ground beneath it and the surrounding ruined structures were ripped asunder by its fierce rotation, a terrifying display of raw power.

When the seemingly invincible axe struck the humanoid demon, it pierced clean through its body, appearing to slay it in a single, devastating blow.

“Careful!” Fiona cried out, seizing the opportunity to dart out of the demon’s attack range.

“Defend yourselves! That creature won’t be harmed!”

Though most of the surrounding structures lay in ruins, one building remained untouched—the inn she had diligently protected behind her.

Leaf Su was hidden upstairs, and for more than ten minutes of relentless combat, her sole focus had been safeguarding that very house.

Beads of sweat now trickled down her beautiful, yet aloof, face.

This demon proved to be the most tenacious adversary she had ever faced.

While it didn’t possess a despair-inducing level of destructive power, its unnaturally robust physique was utterly chilling.

She had unleashed her Blood Prison countless times, feeling her own strength continuously dwindle, yet the enemy remained seemingly unscathed.

‘Could there truly be gods bestowing the power of immortality upon such a demon?’

Fiona’s face twisted into a mask of pure loathing, as a profound hatred surged within her.

A powerful bloodlust welled up through her body, and suddenly, she felt an inexplicable lightness, her entire being brimming with renewed strength.

LEVEL UP!

She had leveled up.

As a Blood Knight, she eschewed the light, choosing instead to grasp the blade of judgment in her own hands.

For her, hatred and loathing transmuted into experience.

With each level gained, her attributes were fully restored, and the invigorating surge of power returned.

A deep disdain welled in her heart, bringing to mind the memories of that gruesome afternoon.

‘If gods truly existed, why would they bestow such power upon a demon? If only that strength had been granted to me, then those horrors would never have come to pass…’

Her eyes became bloodshot, and her hair transformed into a vibrant crimson.

Fiona’s attribute values were now skyrocketing.

Upstairs, Leaf Su, who had been intently watching the unfolding events, narrowed his eyes.

His GM class was constantly scanning the attribute lists of everyone on the battlefield.

Big Sister Fiona has leveled up, and simultaneously gained a new skill: [Weeping Blood].

Fiona [Blood Knight Lv.66]

Titles: [Crimson Sword Princess] [A-rank Adventurer]

Health: 740/740

Mana: 600/600

Attack: 600

Spirit: -50

Defense: 700

[SKILLS]: [Blood Prison LV.max] [Weeping Blood] [Sword Arts LV.7]