Chapter 14: Miracle and the Gamble of Fate

Selim’s Soul Tentacle coiled and pulled Cecilia Ross back to her side.

The two stood apart at a distance, facing off nervously against the One-eyed Frog Monster.

“Wuwuwu, Sister Selim, you’re the best!” The moment Cecilia’s feet touched the ground, she couldn’t wait to fling herself into Selim’s arms.

But Selim gently pushed her away with a Soul Tentacle.

“Silly, I’ll deal with you later.” Selim held back, refusing to let those uncomfortable feelings from her soul transfer to Cecilia.

She pointed to the distant One-eyed Frog Monster and said, “We’ll talk about the rest after we take that thing down.”

“Oh.”

Cecilia immediately stood obediently by Selim’s side, suppressing her urge to express her feelings physically.

However, she couldn’t take her eyes off Selim.

Even though in this world, neither of them appeared as their true selves.

Yet that unique aura was impossible to hide. Moonlight poured down like water, bathing Selim, and Cecilia felt she was beautiful beyond compare.

Feeling Cecilia’s gaze, Selim turned her head slightly and spoke.

“The moon is beautiful tonight, and the wind is gentle.”

“Sister Selim, what does that mean?” Cecilia thought her secret observation had been discovered and quickly looked away, changing the topic to ask Selim.

Selim’s lips curled up in a faint smile. She didn’t explain much, simply adding, “It means… I’ll tell you next time.”

Tap~

Watching the pair exchange tender words in the distance, the One-eyed Frog Monster stomped the ground, announcing its presence at this inappropriate moment.

It felt nothing in its heart as it watched Selim return after fleeing.

Killing one or two, it made no difference.

Just another doomed pair of lovers.

It used the same old trick—its slimy tongue shot out like a missile, but this time, it got stuck in midair.

Selim’s individual Soul Tentacle wasn’t nearly as strong, and maintaining the “Soul Tentacle” skill increased her consumption exponentially with each additional tentacle.

But right now, what she had in abundance was soul power.

A dozen tentacles joined forces, and the monster’s tongue was held tight, unable to break free for a moment.

Now!

Without needing Selim’s reminder, the two still maintained the effect of “Soul Contract,” allowing them to work together with perfect synchrony.

The instant the tentacles wrapped around the tongue, Cecilia unleashed her prepared rocket.

At the moment the monster’s tongue almost tore free of Selim’s Soul Tentacle restraint, it exploded.

The massive blast did help the One-eyed Frog Monster’s tongue break free of Selim’s grip, but Cecilia’s attack was no mere spectacle.

The monster’s tongue turned black and charred, drooping limply to the ground like a mudfish split down the middle—no longer able to move.

Perhaps enraged by the pair’s actions, it tensed its hind legs, intending to leap in front of them and crush them under its massive body.

Soul Extinction (Red)

Of course, Selim wouldn’t give it that chance. The instant it was about to jump, she activated her innate skill.

In a flash, the soul-level assault disrupted its motor balance. Its enormous body lost control, crashing heavily into the ground not far from them, sending dust billowing.

Unfortunately, no miracle happened—the difference in rank was simply too great. Even though she’d stacked up quite a few layers, the chance of instant kill from this talent was no higher than winning the lottery.

Fortunately, as she expected, this skill also had a hidden effect.

According to the description, “Soul Extinction (Red)” could only inflict damage, but in reality—unlike in a game—the burst of soul-level damage could provide a moment of control, interrupting the opponent’s movements.

One mistake let Cecilia seize another opportunity for attack, blowing off the monster’s right leg in a spray of blood and flesh.

It didn’t know when it had gotten hit, but it was sure the attack came from the frail-looking girl.

The soul-level assault filled it with dread, making it reconsider its combat strategy.

At this point, it was heavily wounded. If the fight dragged on into a war of attrition, it would only end up dying with regret.

It wasn’t afraid of death—it had a way to preserve its soul, and its master could possibly resurrect it.

Its single eye glared coldly at Selim. In its view, Cecilia could die or not, it didn’t matter.

But Selim had to die.

“Gwa——!”

Just as on a battlefield, a green ripple burst from its body.

At the same time, a huge green energy orb formed in its mouth.

The green orb did not target Selim—it aimed straight at Cecilia.

With her immense soul power, Selim would never be stunned by this attack. But she couldn’t shield Cecilia from all of its effects.

Unfortunately, the Soul Tentacle was a creation of soul power.

Under the One-eyed Frog Monster’s move, Selim completely lost control over it, unable to use it to pull Cecilia away in time.

And the green orb was about to strike Cecilia.

“Let’s hope… it won’t hurt too much.” Selim leaped, putting herself in front of Cecilia before the green light hit.

Fighting through the dizziness and tearing pain of the soul impact, Cecilia struggled to open her eyes.

“See you in a bit.”

All she saw was Selim turning back to give her an impossibly gentle smile, even tinged with sweetness.

BOOM——!!!

The deafening blast turned her vision an overwhelming green.

Selim’s figure, in Cecilia’s eyes, instantly dissolved into drifting ash, vanishing without a trace.

Feeling that vital connection in her chest snap in an instant, an emptiness filled her, and Cecilia was left stunned.

She reached out in a daze, but only grasped handfuls of dust.

“I… I want you dead!!!”

Purgatory Touch

After a few seconds of charging, extreme anger and grief transformed into destructive power. With Cecilia’s howl, this move gained a 500% damage boost.

A pillar of crimson flame that could incinerate all things erupted from thin air, fueled by Cecilia’s pain and hatred, blasting toward the One-eyed Frog Monster.

The nearly dead monster was unable to dodge, but it wasn’t afraid. Its lone eye looked at the ashes that had once been Selim, brimming with smugness.

Yet, in the final instant before its life faded, that pride abruptly froze, twisting into utter shock—it seemed to witness something utterly unbelievable.

Sadly, the searing flames gave it no time to ponder. Along with its body and that final look of shock, it was reduced to nothingness.

The terrifying heat not only incinerated the monster but backlashed onto its caster.

The metal staff in Cecilia’s hand melted into crimson iron and dripped to the ground, her arms scorched and bloody, magical exhaustion flooding her with weakness like a tide.

After collapsing heavily to the ground, she ignored her wounds, only raising her hand in a single direction.

“Uu… Sister Selim… don’t…” Tears mingled with blood as they slid down her face. “I don’t want you to go…”

Just as Cecilia was about to pass out.

A pair of strong arms gently gathered her up.

It was Selim, who had relied on the Favor of the Hollow Moon to survive one death.

“Never thought I’d have such a reckless day.” She looked down at the unconscious Cecilia in her arms, her voice tinged with self-mockery.

“Still, in the end, I won.”

Soul Devour also came with unexpected side effects.

Countless fragments of memories not her own—joyful or painful—raged through her mind, as if trying to tear her consciousness apart.

She had to rest immediately, stabilize her sense of self, and avoid descending into madness.

Forcing herself to endure the pain in her head, Selim carried Cecilia princess-style to a small creek.

Back to back, the two fell into unconsciousness together.

Suddenly, a will descended upon the world.

Everything went still—even the fish leaping in the creek froze midair.

Time bowed its head respectfully before this will.

Glancing at the One-eyed Frog Monster’s corpse, then at the pair leaning back to back.

A young-sounding yet supremely dignified female voice echoed, tinged with amazement:

“A possibility that has never occurred… worthy of being anchored and rewarded.”

[Achievement: Impossible Miracle acquired.]

[Cecilia/Selim Performance Points +10,000.]

[Candidates remaining: 2]

[Special condition fulfilled, performance points requirement fulfilled, Extra Reward Condition satisfied.]

[Ascension Ritual passed.]

[Proceeding……]

The sky above began to twist violently, covered in web-like cracks as two worlds’ shadows began to overlap and merge, as if forced to become one.

Another completely different will, seething with obvious hatred for the first, thundered down.

The might of a mysterious existence forcibly intervened, tearing the two merging worlds apart.

The first will did not stop it. She sneered, “Coward.”

“If you’re willing to risk so much, how could I do any less?”

“Then let’s gamble—let’s see if they can win more, and whether all your efforts… will end up as nothing but a wedding dress for another.”

The sky’s cracks rapidly healed, vanishing as if the cataclysm had never happened.

Only the two unconscious figures by the creek and the charred corpse of the monster in the distance silently told of the brutal battle just ended.

The creek resumed its flow, and the fish leapt once more into the water.