Chapter 89: Lucia’s Fiery Resolve

Lucia’s small face and arms were covered in scrapes, both large and small.

Having just been injured by those black-clad figures, she looked utterly disheveled.

Her veil, torn into tatters, had completely lost its protective effect. She simply ripped it off and tossed it carelessly onto the ground.

Her nun’s habit was likewise stained with dust and blood, while her white stockings were largely dyed crimson with blood and riddled with several holes.

From their two recent clashes, Lucia had clearly seen the vast disparity in strength between herself and the black-haired girl.

Yet, she felt not a trace of fear. If she were to shrink back from an enemy like this, how could she ever hope to expel even more powerful Fantasy Creatures in the future?

Her wounds, driven by the unwavering conviction in her heart, began to heal at an astonishing pace.

Without hesitation, she rose to her feet and charged directly towards the black-haired girl, intending to fight alongside Lovelenica.

By the time the black-haired girl approached, Lucia’s injuries had fully mended.

In her hands, both keen swords once more blazed with Holy Fire.

The opponent surpassed her in both speed and strength.

Her sole advantage lay in her Holy Fire, which the black-haired girl dared not touch. Faced with Lucia’s attacks, the girl could only evade, never defend.

Although Lucia, with her current third-tier strength, could not sustain Holy Fire for long, this was the only contribution she could make for Lovelenica.

She would create an opening for her mentor; this Vampire had to die!

Hiss.

Tsk.

Confronted by Lucia’s Holy Fire, the black-haired girl’s brows furrowed in annoyance.

The Holy Fire was incredibly troublesome for her; she could only dodge, never defend. Should even a spark touch her, her entire arm would likely be incinerated.

Like Rachel, she was a Bloodkin created through a unique method.

They had yet to develop regenerative abilities; activating their flesh to accelerate their movements was the current limit of their research.

Moreover, the sheer intimidation emanating from the Holy Fire suggested that even if she possessed regeneration, it likely wouldn’t be enough.

The black-haired girl activated her body once more, dodging Lucia’s Holy Fire-infused slash.

Just as she prepared to strike at Lucia again, she found Lovelenica’s keen sword already before her.

A jolt of alarm shot through the black-haired girl. She had just used her activated body ability, moving at a speed almost imperceptible to the human eye.

How had Lovelenica kept up, let alone caught her? It was as if she had known her exact evasion trajectory in advance.

The black-haired girl was baffled, but there was no time for contemplation.

She swiftly turned, redirecting the claw attack she had intended for Lucia towards Lovelenica instead.

In truth, Lovelenica’s current human eyesight couldn’t track the black-haired girl’s movements.

However, the opponent’s power originated from Lovelenica herself. She had used this very trick countless times in the Monster Hunter Guild to evade ambushes from lesser foes.

Thus, she could roughly predict the black-haired girl’s evasion distance.

Caught off guard, the black-haired girl was forced back half a step by Lovelenica.

Lovelenica’s next slash followed swiftly, aiming to press her advantage against the black-haired girl.

However, the black-haired girl vanished again, this time putting a greater distance between them.

Lovelenica, relying solely on human burst strength, simply couldn’t keep pace with the black-haired girl anymore.

She had still failed to inflict a wound.

Just then, the black-haired girl suddenly felt the ambient temperature plummet.

Imeline had finally reached their street. She pointed her wand at the ground, and instantly, a layer of frost coated the surface.

The black-haired girl immediately felt her body stiffen once more.

While Bloodkin could function in low temperatures, Imeline’s ice magic clearly generated a cold far beyond what the black-haired girl could endure.

This was a temperature capable of freezing her in place.

The black-haired girl understood then that even as a Bloodkin, facing a fifth-tier Lovelenica and a Holy Fire-wielding Lucia simultaneously, she wouldn’t gain much advantage in close combat.

And that was without even accounting for Imeline’s magic.

She summoned the hunting rifle from within her robes once more.

Firing two shots at the ground, she blasted through the layer of frost, then immediately darted into an abandoned house.

“Damn it…”

Lucia immediately moved to pursue her, but this time, Lovelenica firmly gripped her shoulder.

“Don’t chase her!”

“Have you forgotten how she ambushed you just now!?”

‘Lucia’s impulsive nature had been evident in the original story, though only in its early stages.’

‘It wasn’t until after Attestor’s death that Lucia became calm in battle — no, not just calm, but arguably cold-blooded.’

Now, Lovelenica was finally experiencing the trouble Lucia’s impulsiveness could cause.

When provoked by the Fallen Nun, Lucia had immediately cut off all avenues of escape for her opponent.

Lucia had even wanted to ignore the Earth Elemental Familiar, focusing solely on pursuing Rachel. Now, whenever the black-haired girl disappeared from her sight, Lucia yearned to give chase, utterly disregarding the possibility of an ambush.

“But…”

Lucia, of course, knew the opponent might be setting an ambush. The sneak attack under the eaves earlier had taught her a lesson.

‘But what if, by not pursuing, she gave the opponent a chance to escape? What if she got away?’

‘She would never permit any Fantasy Creatures to run rampant on their land.’

‘Besides, Lucia herself possessed regenerative abilities. Even if ambushed, it wouldn’t matter. As long as she wasn’t critically wounded, minor injuries were of no consequence to her.’

“There are no ‘buts’!”

“Do you think having regenerative abilities means you can take any risk you please?”

“She didn’t know you could regenerate just now, which is why you only suffered minor injuries. If she sets another ambush, you won’t be so lucky!”

Lovelenica, rarely one to lose her temper, had unleashed her fury on Lucia. Only after her outburst did she realize she might have been overly hasty.

‘In truth, she, more than anyone, did not want the black-haired girl to escape. That girl held a crucial clue about her Primal Power.’

‘If she feared the opponent escaping, then logically, she should have allowed Lucia, with her regenerative abilities, to risk chasing her.’

‘Yet… Lovelenica had felt a surge of panic when Lucia was ambushed.’

‘She felt as though she was somewhat afraid of something happening to Lucia.’

‘No… she was indeed afraid for Lucia, but only because she needed to use Lucia to resist Liliana, to regain her own strength. That was the sole reason for her concern for Lucia’s safety. It had to be.’

“…Imeline! Blow up that house!”

“I’m already on it, you don’t need to tell me!”

Imeline retorted to Lovelenica, a hint of exasperation in her voice.

The crystal on her wand turned crimson once more, and a massive fireball was already aimed at the house where the black-haired girl had hidden.