Chapter 88: If You’re Hungry, Then Eat

Vineka finally realized what was wrong with Peretti.

All this time, Peretti had always acted after careful consideration.

But now—

It was as if she had thrown her brain away entirely.

She did whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted.

It felt similar to Vineka’s state when using Wrath—

But far more extreme.

“Heh… never expected this. Never expected you’d turn into a beast—one without any emotions at all. Tsk, tsk… at this point, aren’t you even worse than an animal?”

Vineka looked at Peretti with mockery.

Peretti tilted her head.

She’s insulting me… I need to hit her back.

In an instant—

All the massive swords plunged downward, their tips aimed directly at Vineka.

Vineka remained calm.

A small black sphere condensed in her hand.

In the next moment, it exploded with terrifying force, expanding outward like a bottomless abyss—
a gaping maw that swallowed all the incoming swords in a single gulp.

“Light elements… heehee… I’ve never used these before.”

Feeling the surge of magic power after devouring the light elements, she laughed.

First, she used a healing spell to repair her injuries.

Then, mimicking Peretti, she formed several golden swords.

“Come on, let’s see what your own attacks feel like.”

Vineka waved her hand—

But instead of flying toward Peretti, the swords slowly turned their blades toward herself.

“My power—what right do you have to use it?”

The swords descended. Vineka swung her spear, knocking them away.

At least that was one piece of good news—

Although Peretti could cast across levels, her foundation was still weak. Turning elements into solid forms for attack didn’t yield overwhelming power.

The only truly threatening attack was that massive light sphere—

But at close range, it could harm Peretti herself as well.

In that case—

All she had to do was close the distance.

With that thought, Vineka crouched and burst forward like lightning. Her spear swept aside the incoming light swords as she rapidly closed the gap.

It was even easier than she expected.

As Vineka charged toward her—

Peretti stood still, unmoving, simply watching.

Thunk—

A crisp collision rang out.

Just as Vineka reached her—

She slammed headfirst into an invisible wall.

The impact made her dizzy, nearly knocking her off her feet.

“…So weak.”

Peretti shot her a glance of disdain.

With a flick of her hand, several spears materialized, piercing through Vineka’s body and pinning her firmly against the light wall.

At that moment—

Vineka clearly felt it.

Peretti’s magic power had grown even stronger.

But at the same time, the surrounding light elements had slightly diminished.

Could it be… this state has a time limit?

Just then, a hurried voice rang out:

“Miss Peretti!”

Peretti turned toward the voice.

A faint ripple passed through her gaze.

“…Qiao Ledi?”

“It’s me! It’s me!” Qiao Ledi rushed over, his face filled with ecstatic relief. “I didn’t expect to run into you here—heaven really hasn’t abandoned me!”

He had thought he was doomed.

Seeing Peretti now felt like divine salvation.

But before he could rejoice further—

Peretti raised her hand.

A sphere of light formed instantly.

Under Qiao Ledi’s horrified gaze, it expanded—

And in an instant, his entire body was annihilated.

“You… killed him?” Vineka endured the pain, disbelief in her voice.

“I don’t like him. So I killed him.”

Peretti’s tone remained flat.

Perhaps some residual instinct made her explain.

“Nobles… I don’t like them. So I kill them.”

She looked into the distance, her gaze unfocused, a trace of disgust hidden in her voice.

“The people here… everything here… I don’t like it.”

Golden light elements stirred restlessly around her, responding to her will.

“So… I’ll just destroy it all.”

She looked toward the distant city.

Light flared everywhere—clearly, fierce battles were underway.

She stepped forward, preparing to leave.

Vineka hadn’t feared facing the Pope.

She hadn’t retreated before the frenzied Peretti.

But now—

Seeing Peretti intent on slaughtering everyone in the city—

She panicked.

The Gluttony Church’s core combat power was already slightly weaker than the Holy Light Church. A direct assault had never been an option.

That was why they had planned infiltration—slowly wearing down the Church from within.

But now—

Peretti had shattered that plan.

The Gluttony Church was forced into open war.

Even if they had gained the initiative, capturing the city would come at a heavy cost.

And if Peretti entered the battlefield now—

Launching indiscriminate attacks—

Even more people would die.

No one liked war.

Everyone feared death.

There had already been enough casualties.

They couldn’t afford more meaningless sacrifice.

“Peretti!” Vineka shouted, struggling violently against her restraints.

“Your enemy is me! I’m still here—stop!”

The next moment—

Peretti appeared before her, pressing her back against the wall.

“You want to be hit? Fine.”

A massive light sword, larger than a human body, formed in her hand—

And came down.

If that strike landed—

Even with divine protection, Vineka would be split in two.

Resigned, she closed her eyes.

Then—

A strange sound reached her ears.

Grrr~

The sound of a stomach growling.

…Hungry?

There were only two people here.

Vineka had eaten not long ago.

So that meant—

She slowly opened her eyes.

Right in front of her—

Was Peretti’s face, extremely close, her small nose twitching as she sniffed.

For some reason, Vineka was reminded of a dog.

“…You smell nice.”

Peretti licked the wound on Vineka’s body, as if confirming the taste of food.

Then she pulled out the spear lodged in Vineka’s arm—

Drew a line across her wrist—

And began to drink.

At that moment—

The most primal instinct of all living beings—

The instinct to eat—

Overwhelmed Peretti’s desire to destroy everything.

There was nothing more important than eating.

Unless—

It was deciding what to eat.

And clearly—

Peretti didn’t have many choices.

Vineka felt her consciousness gradually fading.

Her limbs grew cold.

Her body slowly lost sensation.

This feeling was unfamiliar—

Severe blood loss.

Having relied on divine blessings for so long, this was the first time she truly understood what blood loss felt like.

Although Peretti had taken away her summoned light swords—

She hadn’t removed the healing effect on Vineka.

Even now, the healing magic was slowly repairing her wounds.

She wouldn’t die—

But the process was pure torment.

Her Wrath ability had already reached its limit for the day.

Surviving Josuna’s sneak attack, then fighting both of them in succession—

Her body had taken too much strain.

She couldn’t use it again.

At least—

This could stall Peretti for a little longer.

The power Peretti had displayed—

If faced head-on—

Vineka wouldn’t have been able to delay her this long.

In the end—

Vineka excelled in close combat.

Once distance was lost, she was at a severe disadvantage.

Against other mages, she could rely on devouring and speed to gain the upper hand.

But against Peretti in this state—

Those abilities were completely useless.

Her casting speed was too fast.

Unlike those half-baked bishops who needed time to cast a single light spell—

Peretti’s magic was instantaneous.

Even approaching her—

Was nothing short of a fantasy.

It felt like facing a natural predator.

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