Before we begin the fight, let me give you a quick briefing.
Right now, your legs are protected by an exceptionally powerful barrier blessing.
In terms of sheer durability, it’s probably on par with the Blessing of the Sun or even greater.
So, you can fight aggressively—but under no circumstances should you step into the swamp that the Devil Doll has created around itself.
Even if you wrap your legs in aura, the demonic energy’s corrosion will seep in and deal heavy damage.
“Yes, Nameless King!”
With a spirited response, Iris charged straight at the Grade 2 Devil Doll, the human faced fish.
Even with a constellation’s protection, how many junior division students could charge so fearlessly into battle against a Devil Doll?
Most people, upon seeing the grotesque, uncanny face of an human – faced fish, would either freeze in terror or piss their pants before turning to run.
Perhaps this situation was not only a crisis but also a golden opportunity—a chance for Iris to gain real combat experience against a Devil Doll.
And indeed, she was fighting far better than I expected.
“Thhhhhhbbbt!!”
Chiieeeek!
The corrosive spit—the very same attack that had nearly reduced me to a puddle of flesh and blood—came flying at her.
Yet Iris dodged it with overwhelming speed, closing the distance and smashing her fist right into the human – faced fish’s philtrum without hesitation.
From then on, Iris continued to dominate the human – faced fish , moving swiftly between the trees and relentlessly pressuring the creature.
Honestly, I felt a little embarrassed for making such a fuss earlier.
It seemed that the fortuitous encounter Iris monopolized in the Hermit’s Flooded Forest had strengthened her far beyond my expectations.
Not only had her mana reserves increased beyond what she had when she first learned the Rising Sun Aura Technique, but she had also gained various additional stat bonuses.
At this point, she was at least twice as strong as she had been when she was just a swordswoman practicing Grangdia Empire Swordsmanship.
However, Devil Dolls operate beyond human logic, and the moment the human – faced fish began to lose the fight, it resorted to its most sinister trick—shoving Philip’s corpse forward.
“S-save me… please… I don’t want… to die…!”
“…No need for words!”
Moonlight Step Technique, First Form—Crescent Kick!
Iris hesitated for a brief moment at the eerily lifelike appearance of Philip’s face, but she quickly responded by unleashing a Crescent Kick.
Thanks to her mastery of Moonlight Divine Arts, a crescent-shaped sword energy shot from her foot, slicing off the human – faced fish’s tendril and forcing the creature to let out an inhuman screech.
It seemed like victory was within reach—until the human – faced fish suddenly thrashed about like an earthquake was shaking its body, sending muddy water flying in all directions.
For just a brief moment, Iris’ vision was obstructed.
And in that split second, the Devil Doll did something no ordinary fish-type creature should be able to do—it leapt forward with incredible speed and bit down on Iris’ leg.
The thing even had teeth shaped like a human’s, and it clamped its jaws shut with all its might.
But not a single scratch was left on Iris’ Orrin-scripted, Titanium-enhanced legs.
If anything, the human – faced fish’s blackened teeth began to crack instead.
Using the leg it had bitten as an axis, Iris spun her body 180 degrees and delivered the final blow.
Moonlight Step Technique, Second Form—Half-Moon Kick!
Slice!
“Huff… Huff…! Nameless King, did I… defeat the Devil Doll?”
“It looks dead for now, but keep your eyes on it until the very end.”
Even for a Devil Doll, having its head split in half should mean it’s dead.
However, some Devil Doll species self-destruct upon death or curse their killer, so lowering our guard was not an option.
Sure enough, the human – faced fish’s body began to bloat like a balloon, and then suddenly, a thick, sticky liquid gushed out—reeking of gasoline.
Since Iris was standing right in front of it, she ended up drenched in the strange substance.
It was disgusting, but at least it didn’t seem to cause any direct damage.
“Wait… there’s no way a Devil Doll would secrete such a highly flammable substance for no reason… Could it be—?”
As I zoomed out my celestial vision, I noticed something horrifying.
Philip’s severed corpse, which I thought had been cut down along with the human – faced fish’s tendrils, was rising like a zombie.
And worse—he was about to cast a spell targeting Iris.
There was no need to analyze it further—it was obviously fire magic.
Realizing the danger, I immediately snapped back to my physical body and lunged forward, shouting.
“Amakusa, take all my remaining Karma—just put any protection spell on me!”
There was no verbal response, but suddenly, scraps of paper flew toward me, wrapping around my body like armor.
With a bit more confidence, I rushed between Iris and Philip’s corpse, blocking the attack path—And at that exact moment.
A much higher-tier spell than I had expected was unleashed.
I had only expected a mere Tier-2 Fire Arrow at best, but instead, a Tier-4 Fire Fist came flying at me.
Thankfully, despite my preconception that paper would be weak against fire, the talismans glowed with the 水 (Water) character, completely neutralizing the flames.
However, the sheer force of the massive fist still struck me head-on, sending me flying like a puppet with its strings cut.
And just like that, I lost consciousness.
* * *
“Ms. Lillian, I think something I ate for lunch isn’t sitting well… My stomach really hurts. Could you use your healing hands on me?”
“Oh dear, I’m afraid that won’t be possible. I have a critical patient to take care of right now.”
“But just this once—”
“Tommy, I believe I said I have a critical patient. Now, if you don’t want me to use my ‘healing hands’ to rip open your belly and pull out all that undigested food, I suggest you leave. Immediately.”
When I opened my eyes, an unfamiliar ceiling greeted me.
However, the familiar name and voice I had just heard immediately made me realize where I was.
The infirmary of Pantheon Academy, where the angelic nurse, Lillian Angelray, resided.
Much like how Atrox, the “Tiger Instructor,” was an actual beastkin tiger, Lillian wasn’t just an angel in metaphor—she was a literal celestial being with divine blood.
That said, as the conversation earlier had shown, she wasn’t all kindness and warmth.
If anyone interfered with her treatment of critical patients, she could be as fearsome as a demon.
I had always been curious about her appearance, and as the rhythmic sound of heels clicking drew closer, the curtain around my bed was pulled back.
And there she stood.
An angel in the flesh.
Soft pink wavy hair cascaded over her shoulders, and a radiant halo shimmered above her head.
Beneath it, her stunning beauty shone so brightly that it was almost painful to keep my eyes open.
“Oh my, have you regained consciousness, Kim Sunghoon?
Just so you know, don’t mistake my halo for a sign that you’ve died and gone to heaven.
You were gravely injured, but you successfully boarded Albatross’s Cryogenic Capsule and were transported back to the academy in one piece.
I heard a Tier-2 Devil Doll appeared at your school trip location?
That’s strange… The Hermit’s Flooded Forest should have been completely isolated from external interference.
What an absolute mystery.
The world is becoming such a dangerous place.”
“Thank you so much for treating me. Then, if you’ll excuse me— Argh!”
“Oh dear, dear.
You’re not fully healed yet.
You need more rest before you’re completely recovered.
Puhuhut!
But honestly, why are Pantheon Academy students always like this?
The ones faking illnesses always try to lie around in the infirmary, while the critically injured ones are always desperate to leave.
Shouldn’t it be the other way around?”
“Khh…! I apologize. May I ask about the extent of my injuries? Also, I’d like to know if Iris Lunai is unharmed.”
“If you’re worried about Iris, don’t be.
She’s perfectly fine, so focus on your own condition first.
Did you know your ribs were completely shattered, like a box of crackers?
You were only lucky that your internal organs weren’t damaged.
That’s the only reason you made it to the infirmary instead of the morgue.
Like Philip.”
The moment she mentioned Philip’s name, Lillian’s entire demeanor shifted.
A cold, heavy atmosphere settled over the infirmary.
As I had expected, Philip had died immediately after being used as a sacrifice to summon the Devil Doll.
And given Lillian’s deep hatred for demons, it was clear she harbored no sympathy for Philip—whether he had been willing or not in becoming their pawn.
The tense silence continued for a while—until suddenly, I felt a warm, wet sensation seeping through the bandages around my chest.
Lillian noticed it before I did.
She immediately pulled me into her embrace, her angelic wings unfolding to wrap around my body as she spoke.
Soft and warm…!
“Oh my, oh my. It looks like your wound has reopened. Now, let’s see.
Teacher’s hands are healing hands.
Heal, abracadabra!”
“Umm… Ms. Lillian… Y-Your chest… It’s a little too close…”
“Oh my, oh my! Kim Sunghoon, you’re quite the cheeky one, aren’t you? But there’s nothing we can do about it—it’s just because my chest is too big. Just think of it as a natural painkiller and endure it.”
“And she wasn’t just saying that as a joke—”
The moment Lillian’s full, D-cup-sized chest gently pressed against my cheek, it felt like all my pain and worries evaporated in an instant.
To be honest, after facing multiple life-threatening situations during this school trip, I had been experiencing something close to an existential crisis—but suddenly, my motivation was rekindled.
Moreover, Lillian’s physical contact wasn’t just for emotional support.
She was healing my body as well.
It was clear that the reason my shattered ribs were mending so quickly was due to the divine power of her healing abilities.