Whoosh!
In an instant almost impossible for the naked eye to capture—so fast that Reliel herself hadn’t even fully processed it—her right hand shot out and seized the Crystal Snake right at its 7-inch mark!
Crackle! As the girl reflexively squeezed her hand!
The entire Crystal Snake began to crack rapidly starting from that spot, its body becoming incredibly rigid at that moment.
“Reliel!”
“Careful!”
As the worried shouts of the group landed, the Crystal Snake’s body had already completely shattered like a broken glass cup.
*Clatter!* It fell to the ground in pieces.
From Reliel’s perspective, the moment the snake collapsed, something seemed to emerge from within its body. It followed the palm of her hand and slithered into her.
This left her slightly dazed.
While the girl was lost in thought, a round of praise came from nearby…
“You really have… improved quite a bit,” Ileya said as she walked to Reliel’s side, sounding surprised.
In truth, she was also somewhat confused.
Although Reliel had indeed made some progress along the way, and her strength had improved compared to when they first left the mercenary group, the degree of that improvement wasn’t particularly high.
It certainly shouldn’t have reached the level she just displayed.
Ileya asked herself… If she had faced that Crystal Snake’s ambush, she wouldn’t have been able to react; she could only have taken the hit.
However, Holly, who was standing right next to Reliel, didn’t feel anything was amiss.
Her definition of Reliel was already that of a powerful woman who created advantages through extreme speed and precision strikes.
Now, she was simply faster than before.
Therefore, the Holy Sword Bearer subconsciously felt it was perfectly normal for Reliel to catch that snake.
But unlike the others, who felt a sense of relief, Reliel remained stunned where she stood.
She stared at her palm, her eyes filled with confusion and bewilderment.
There were no changes to her palm or her arm. In fact, Reliel didn’t feel anything special in her body at all.
‘Was that… an illusion?’
‘No, with the speed of that Crystal Snake’s ambush, could I normally have caught it?’
‘The answer is no.’
She understood her own strength.
Although she could react the moment the enemy revealed itself, it should have been impossible for her physical body to perfectly keep up with the speed of her brain.
Recalling it carefully, at the moment she felt the threat of death, her body seemed to have a different reaction.
It was cold. Her heart seemed to beat slower, and her body seemed to become…
‘You are different from us, Reliel. Your potential ensures your extraordinariness… Your path ahead is destined to be different from ours.’
The words her father, the Captain of the Hunter Blade Mercenary Group, had once said echoed in her ears.
In the past, she had only thought he was saying those things to encourage her.
But hearing them now, it seemed she had never truly faced her own… potential.
But how was she supposed to use this potential perfectly?
As Ileya watched Reliel staring blankly at her own hands, she raised an eyebrow. It seemed things weren’t as simple as they appeared.
Moreover…
“Hey, you… just how long do you plan on piggybacking on me?” Ileya didn’t press her “sister” for answers.
Instead, she turned her head to look at the certain Goddess who was once again drifting off to sleep.
“Ugh… I’m a casualty… What’s wrong with resting for a bit…”
Veil puffed out her cheeks. She would never admit that being on this person’s back gave her a strange sense of security. It was… ‘It feels like sleeping in her arms.’
The Goddess’s mind was blank as she lay on Ileya’s back, on the verge of falling back into a deep sleep.
“Hey… do you really like being on my back that much?”
“Hm?”
“Do you… also really like sleeping with me?”
The suggestive words rang in Veil’s ears, causing a moment of confusion in her heart.
‘Do I like sleeping with her?’
The moment that thought crossed her mind, a sense of “of course” naturally surged within Veil.
“Then can I assume that you really like me?”
Sensing Veil’s rare moment of contemplation, the wicked woman’s lips curled into a smile as she continued her leading questions.
“Like…” The word escaped the girl’s mouth subconsciously, but in the next second, she realized something was wrong!
Wait! Ah! What was she saying?! How could she possibly like this person?
Her resentment toward this woman was greater than all the deathly energy in the Underworld combined!
“…your head! How could I… how could I possibly like you?!”
“Oh? Then why do you like sleeping on my back so much?”
“I’m… I’m tired! Is that not allowed?!”
The petite Goddess, whose fur had been rubbed the wrong way by the wicked woman, felt like taking a fierce bite out of that fair, tender neck in front of her!
Unfortunately… she didn’t dare to `<(`^’)>`!
But she wouldn’t get down! She wouldn’t! ‘I’ll tire you to death! You wicked woman! Blehh~’
“Then…”
*Thump!* Before the Lady could continue teasing Veil, she felt her shoulder get bumped.
Reliel stood before her, looking expressionless.
“Sorry,” the little mute said coldly.
Although she was technically apologizing, Ileya couldn’t hear a hint of remorse in her voice.
Without waiting for Ileya to say anything else, the girl walked toward the exit of the Underground Cave.
“Eh…?” Ileya reached out her hand in confusion, watching Reliel’s retreating figure.
‘Where exactly did I offend her? She’s been acting quite hostile toward me since a moment ago…’
“Did something happen here just now?”
At that moment, some Ratmen noticed the situation and hurried over to inquire.
“Ah… it’s nothing.” Ileya glanced at the Ratman beside her, a friendly smile instantly blooming on her face.
“By the way, I’d like to learn more about the Red-Hearted Witch you worship. After all… a Supreme Being who is so friendly toward humans is quite rare.”
“That…” The Ratman hesitated for a moment before slowly shaking its head. “I’m afraid that won’t be possible.”
Ileya raised an eyebrow. She was, of course, mentally prepared for the Ratman’s refusal.
Since it was a matter of faith and she had only just met these Ratmen, it was normal for them to be unwilling to disclose such information.
“Oh? Do you not want this Supreme Being to have more believers? I am considered a Noble among humans. Once I return, perhaps I can help spread word of her greatness.”
“It’s… we do indeed want more people to know of the Benevolent Mentor’s greatness, but…” The Ratman’s voice betrayed a hint of helplessness.
“But our ancestors left instructions that we must not spread the faith of the Great Mentor. Only we Ratmen, and those who have personally received the Mentor’s teachings, are qualified to believe in her.”
‘Huh…?’
‘What a strange Supreme Being.’
Ileya was stunned for a moment before the realization dawned on her.
If such a human-friendly Supreme Being’s name were spread to human nations, it would surely attract countless followers.
Yet, that hadn’t happened.
The Ratman’s words provided an explanation for that discrepancy.