Chapter 58: The Price of Vengeance

“Envy’s” speech concluded, and all the puppets simultaneously lifted their heads, gazing skyward. The mist, which had previously dissipated, now gathered like crows drawn to the scent of carrion, painting the forest in a hazy, pale white. The concentration of magic surged rapidly, making the air sluggish and heavy, causing Lily of the Valley’s breath to catch.

“Thud.”

One of the puppets suddenly released the sharp sword in its hand, letting it crash to the ground.

Then came the second, and the third… The sounds of metal striking earth echoed incessantly as all the puppets dropped their weapons.

They abruptly lowered their proud heads. Hundreds of vacant eyes simultaneously fixed on Lily of the Valley, and then they all bolted, tearing across the ground!

The young woman’s hairs stood on end. She immediately raised her wooden shield, bracing it around her body, yet the puppets completely ignored her, all rushing toward the center of the forest.

They shrieked hoarsely, heedlessly pressing together, colliding with one another like a pack of hyenas fighting over prey. Under the violent impacts, the wooden blocks—no, whatever material formed their bodies—could not withstand the strain, crumbling and breaking into pieces, splattering foul-smelling, crimson blood.

The grating, grinding sounds hummed for more than ten seconds before finally subsiding. The puppets had finished their frenzied slaughter, their broken limbs forming a small mountain in the center of the clearing.

“Envy” trembled as he pushed aside the puppet remnants, emerging from the pile.

His injuries showed no signs of healing; hideous, charred burn marks and relentlessly bleeding gashes covered him from head to toe.

Over a dozen arms had sprouted from the monster’s back, each clutching a rusted ceremonial dagger. A crimson, blood-laced liquid dripped from the blades.

“Envy” lifted his bloodshot eyes, his gaze locking onto Lily of the Valley. He brandished one of the daggers and plunged it into his own neck.

A chill pierced the young woman’s heart. She immediately gathered her magic, preparing to retreat swiftly.

However, the Incarnation of Sin was a step faster. He suddenly morphed and expanded, instantly transforming into a monstrous rhinoceros-humanoid, its muscles bulging, as massive as a tank.

The monster crushed the ground beneath its feet, charging forward like a cannonball. Its colossal body closed the distance to Lily of the Valley in the blink of an eye!

Unable to dodge in time, the young woman could only raise her shield to block.

“Boom—”

A deafening roar erupted, sending wood splinters flying. Lily of the Valley’s wooden shield had just withstood a torrent of magic like a bursting dam, yet now it failed to endure the monster’s single blow, shattering into pieces!

Although the shield had deflected the fatal force, the young woman was still brutally flung through the air like a ragdoll. Accompanied by sickening, horrifying cracks of bone, she crashed through several withered trees before finally managing to halt her momentum.

In his two decades of life, “Envy” had witnessed the rise and fall of countless powerful monsters.

He had deliberately collected their blood, fashioning it into “Mask Potions” which he stored within his core.

The bodies of these monsters were too formidable—so formidable that even “Envy” in his normal state couldn’t fully mimic them.

However, once he entered a state of collapse, he could unleash a perfect—no, a performance far exceeding the original forms—becoming a chimerical being of endless transformations, unparalleled power, and undying immortality!

“Envy” gazed at the young woman sprawled on the ground, then, satisfied, reverted to his human form. A ferocious, fanatical laugh of vengeance escaped him as he roared:

“How’s that! Does it hurt! Are you in pain! You vile, malicious, evil wretch, you deserve to be ground into pulp by me like this!”

Lily of the Valley pushed away the fallen leaves and shattered wood clinging to her. A verdant light flared in her eyes. Using the surrounding plants, she hastily patched her wounds, then sprang to her feet with a fluid motion.

‘Don’t panic, don’t be nervous. Fireworks has already accounted for this situation; just continue with the tactic.’

Ignoring the searing pain throughout her body, the young woman brandished her still-sharp dagger at the Incarnation of Sin, her voice chilling.

“You call *that* pain? You’re even more cowardly and disgusting than I imagined.”

“Still spouting nonsense, still yapping at me…! Can’t you trash recognize your place!”

“Envy’s” face twisted into a knot of fury. He brandished another ceremonial dagger and plunged it into his neck.

Blood splattered as his body suddenly shot upwards, becoming as tall and slender as a stick insect. His two arms also inverted and twisted, transforming into two bone blades gleaming with a cold light.

“Damn you, insolent Lily of the Valley! I’ll tear you limb from limb myself and send your head to the New Light building for Fireworks to see!”

Lily of the Valley subtly glanced at Lu Chen from the corner of her eye. Her body brimming with magic, she charged directly at “Envy.”

Seeing his prey willingly deliver itself, the Incarnation of Sin let out a sinister laugh. He raised his jagged, pale bone blade high, bringing it down with a whistling, chilling wind.

This strike was even more vicious and ferocious than before, completely exceeding the young woman’s reaction speed. It aimed precisely for her neck!

—Yet, at the critical moment, Lily of the Valley subtly shifted her body, narrowly evading the attack by brushing past the bone blade. She thrust her dagger backward, aiming directly for “Envy’s” face!

“Tsk!”

“Envy” let out an annoyed grunt, raising his bone blade at an unnatural angle to easily deflect the attack.

His movements never ceased. He unleashed two bone blades in a flurry, weaving a deadly, inescapable net that carved terrifying, crisscrossing gouges into the forest floor.

This barrage of attacks was meticulously precise, yet it failed to capture Lily of the Valley, who remained tantalizingly close. She weaved and dodged between the bone blades, crimson streaks appearing on her body from time to time, but each instance saw her perfectly avoid a fatal wound.

In terms of sheer physical prowess, Lily of the Valley was utterly no match for “Envy” in his current state.

However, during countless days and nights spent at the training center, she had thoroughly read and memorized intelligence on most famous monsters throughout history, even training against them as simulated enemies.

Thus, even though this was their first true confrontation, Lily of the Valley already understood “Envy’s” attack patterns intimately, anticipating his every move and allowing her to dodge in advance!

‘Even so, “Envy” was constantly reinforcing his body with vast amounts of magic. The disparity in their raw physical strength was still too immense.’

After dodging another attack, Lily of the Valley’s movements faltered for a moment due to her injuries. “Envy” seized this opportunity, bringing his bone blade down like a guillotine!

“Ha! Got you!”

Lily of the Valley stomped the ground, darting back. She narrowly avoided the attack, but a deep crimson gash appeared on her shoulder.

‘There’s a limit to foresight.’

‘She had to make the optimal decision, unable to afford a single mistake, or face utter damnation… Yet, her stamina and concentration were inevitably dwindling.’

In contrast, “Envy’s” offensive grew increasingly fierce.

He sometimes brandished his bone blades, sometimes plunged more ceremonial daggers into his neck to transform, attacking with intricate, ever-changing lethality!

“Come on, fight back! You pathetic, wretched, malicious, lowly magical girl! Didn’t you say you were going to kill me!”

“Envy” cackled maniacally, wildly swinging his weapons and pressing forward relentlessly. After dozens of seconds of continuous fierce assaults, Lily of the Valley finally made a mistake, inadvertently dropping her guard around her waist and abdomen.

“Die!”

“Envy” aimed for the young woman’s opening, roaring as he thrust his bone blade forward.

If this strike connected, even if it couldn’t annihilate Lily of the Valley, it would inflict severe injuries, turning her into a lamb for the slaughter!

—Yet, before he could impale the young woman, the Incarnation of Sin’s legs suddenly gave out, and he stumbled to one knee.

He inexplicably checked his body, only then realizing with a start that his magic reserves were completely depleted.

‘How was this possible? Why had he lost his magic? Why hadn’t he even noticed?’

“Lily of the Valley, it’s ready!”

Lu Chen stood in the clearing behind “Envy,” calling out loudly to the young woman.

Just moments ago, while the Incarnation of Sin was fully focused on hunting the young woman, he and Old Nie had circled the battlefield, strategically placing Lily of the Valley’s magic-absorbing vines and azaleas.

The former had slowly suppressed “Envy’s” magic, while the latter had gradually stripped away his concentration.

That being said, if he hadn’t been enraged by Lily of the Valley’s provocations, if he had fought even slightly more cautiously, dedicating even a fraction of his attention to Lu Chen, he would have noticed the anomaly much earlier.

But—his inability to tolerate beautiful things superior to him remaining intact, his intolerance for ants inferior to him enjoying happiness—these thoughts were carved into his very bones, utterly unchangeable.

Lily of the Valley stared at the enemy she had pursued for nearly a decade, raising her chillingly sharp dagger.