After swallowing a strand of the soul fragment from “Life’s Silk Weave,” Selim immediately felt her own soul take a tremendous hit. Fortunately, she was currently at the Moonlight Tier even if only temporarily—which shared much of the burden for her.
Of course, she dared not peer into the deepest secrets of the other’s soul. She could only activate the solidified effect of the ‘Soul Devour’ skill, utterly shredding the opponent’s soul fragment.
‘Your maximum soul force limit has increased.’
A number of abilities marked only with question marks appeared in her solidified skills list, but all had incomplete hints at the end.
Her reason told her not to select those incomplete abilities marked with question marks, especially while her elevation was only temporary.
After searching for a while, she finally found a familiar skill among them.
‘Soulwhistle Arcane Shot: Modified—Condenses an energy bullet imbued with explosive and armor-piercing effects, significantly increasing lethality against living beings. Can consume additional soul force to amplify damage; the amplification ratio depends on the amount consumed.’
‘Do you wish to solidify the skill: Soulwhistle Arcane Shot: Modified?’
Selim chose “Yes” without hesitation.
The green phantom that represented “Life’s Silk Weave” rapidly faded away.
“How dare you???”
It still tried to resist, but it had already lost its Anchor Point in the physical dimension; even with all its strength, it could only deliver one last impotent, furious outcry.
“I will remember you!”
A blinding green pillar of light shot into the sky. The connection between every monster’s soul and flesh was severed in response.
They collapsed rigidly to the ground, like puppets whose strings had been cut.
‘Mission Notice: The source of the monster outbreak has been resolved.’
‘Trial completed. This instance will soon end.’
Relying on the opponent’s temporary power, she had devoured a shred of a Supreme Lord’s soul.
The other party intended to make off with everything for nothing, but in the end, suffered an even greater loss—Selim felt she was in the best possible state at this moment.
The sensation of wielding Moonlight Tier power was addictive, but regrettably, it was already beginning to fade away.
“Big Sis Sel, we did it! We made it!” Cecilia Ross came running with a dazzling smile.
Looking at Cecilia, Selim finally pulled herself away from the wonderful feeling of power.
Suddenly, she remembered a promise she’d made to her.
With a thought, Selim deliberately let her knees go weak and fell toward Cecilia.
“Big Sis Sel!” Cecilia cried out in alarm and quickly caught her, holding her tightly in her arms.
“It’s nothing, just a bit of overexertion.” Selim leaned into her even closer, her voice tinged with just the right touch of weakness. “Cecilia, thank you. If I hadn’t been lucky enough to meet you, there’s no way I could have survived this Trial alone…”
“Don’t say that, Big Sis Sel!” Cecilia shook her head firmly, her gaze earnest. “If I hadn’t met you, I would have been eliminated long ago.”
“Forgive my selfishness and greed, Cecilia.” Selim grasped Cecilia’s hand, her tone earnest.
“I beg you, please help me. I absolutely do not want to marry my current fiancé.”
“To be able to help you, Big Sis Sel, I couldn’t wish for anything more.”
Selim nodded, her face showing just the right amount of hesitation. Just as Cecilia was about to anxiously press further, Selim softly spoke: “Selim Nutrisk. That’s my full name. I’m in the Rhine Territory of the Lupine Heart Kingdom.”
“Little Cecilia, may I… ask you for one more thing?”
“Big Sis Sel, please say it.”
“Promise me, don’t come looking for me until you’ve reached the Moonlight Tier, all right? Otherwise, you’ll be in danger too.”
“But I only just broke through to the Glazed Light Tier. It’ll take time to reach the Moonlight Tier. What if you…” Cecilia’s face showed a worried expression.
“I’ll wait. I’ll keep waiting.” Selim’s voice was gentle yet resolute. “I’ll wait for you, my dear Cecilia, for the day you come to save me.”
“I… I understand.” Cecilia pressed her cheek against Selim’s and whispered, “Big Sis Sel…”
“Hmm?”
Before Selim could react, Cecilia suddenly leaned forward, her soft lips lightly brushing Selim’s.
It was over in a flash.
“Big Sis Sel… was that your first?” Cecilia’s cheeks flushed crimson. Shy and afraid Selim might be angry, she lowered her eyes, sneaking glances at Selim’s expression.
With such a perfect opportunity, how could Selim let it slip by?
She gently cupped Cecilia’s burning cheeks and returned the kiss.
This time, it was deeper. And lasted longer.
Only after a long while did their lips part. Selim spoke: “Now, that was the second time.”
At her answer, Cecilia’s heart fluttered wildly. Even though shyness dominated her emotions, she still boldly declared her claim.
“Big Sis Sel! Not just the first time here… I’ll definitely claim your first kiss in the real world, too!”
“All right, I’ll be waiting.” Selim smiled as she softly caressed Cecilia’s hair. “As long as, when that day comes, my little Cecilia doesn’t think less of me.”
The two of them held each other tightly, unwilling to part even as the time limit for the Trial’s end drew near.
Just as the two were about to be separated, Cecilia said, “‘Tomorrow’s Prophecy’ is the greatest prophecy in the world… so, Big Sis Sel, let’s… meet again tomorrow.”
“Mm. Tomorrow, we’ll meet again.”
Selim returned her affection.
The next moment, the two—now in different places—opened their eyes at the same time.
In the void, a somewhat childish girl’s voice sounded, completely unabashed in its glee: “You lost so badly, ‘Life’s Silk Weave.’”
“Did you see that? She really is my National Preceptor—isn’t she amazing?”
“Witnessing with my own eyes the historic moment of your defeat is just… delightful.”
Ignoring the taunts, the power of “Life’s Silk Weave” surged, trying to extract a fragment from the river of time in this world.
“You think I’ll let you do as you please?” The childish voice turned cold. “Besides… it’s you who must pay the price to preserve the fruit of your failure. Isn’t that just perfect?”
Once again, the sky began to twist violently, covered in a web of dense cracks. The shadows of two worlds began to overlap and merge.
Even as “Life’s Silk Weave” tried with all its might, it couldn’t stop a thing.
Realizing all its efforts were in vain, “Life’s Silk Weave” gave up struggling and silently vanished into the void.
“Sigh, how annoying.” The childish girl’s voice sounded faintly vexed. “Just to Anchor this possibility, I have to accept my National Preceptor being stolen away?”
Plip.
A projection of a smiling girl appeared clearly in the void—that face, unmistakably identical to Selim’s.
“My little National Preceptor, you’re so naughty.”
“But that’s all right.” The voice was gentle, yet brooked no argument, echoing through the void.
“That’s all right—I’ll wait for you here, until the end of time.”
As the childish voice faded, the two worlds fully overlapped, and the entire world began to change.
In what was once a swamp-filled, monster-infested region, all the monsters had vanished without a trace.
On a stretch of brand-new land, a city rose straight from the ground.
In the city’s central square stood the Two Maidens Statue, side by side.
The statue was polished until it gleamed. Though the features had long been blurred by the passage of time, the intimacy and trust in their embrace, and the reverence of the people who came and went, only added to its sacred aura.
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