Black flames instantly spread from the flower of flesh to the entire body.
The massive figure collapsed like a failed sandcastle, crumbling into countless tiny particles that dissipated into the air, not even managing to utter a single scream.
Loki had originally wanted to wave at Ina.
But as soon as he lifted his hand, he saw the gruesome wound where his right index finger had been forcibly torn off, so he gave up in the end.
The strong painkillers he had taken were working, so Loki didn’t feel any pain—only a lingering sensation similar to stubbing his toe five minutes ago.
Losing a finger was only considered a minor injury in this world.
At least the Empire’s medical technology was quite magical. While it couldn’t bring the dead back to life, regenerating flesh and bone was not that difficult—especially since humans here were not as fragile as those from his previous life; they had evolved almost to the point of being called perfect beings.
Even a toddler or a decrepit old man thrown onto Earth would still survive without knowing what the world was.
Loki hadn’t even used a bandage; the bleeding had already stopped.
Of course, he was used to this body by now and had been accustomed from a young age to such violent, self-harm-like methods of attack.
Come to think of it, this was something the chief of the Hand of Truth had once taught him—the old man had been overly confident, not afraid of breeding a tiger that would harm him, arrogantly believing he could tame a ticking time bomb.
“Loki, why are you back so soon?”
Ina placed her staff down, then sat sideways on it and slowly floated over to face Loki.
“I was a step too late. Although the ritual site can no longer be activated, the Hand of Truth managed to replicate the blueprints of the ritual site… and the one who possesses the replica is the witch Reese. She’s already fled.”
Loki replied.
“Solis came to buy her some time… but Reese probably has her own agenda, and I think Solis got played by her.”
“…You were only inside for a few minutes. How do you suddenly know all this?”
“That’s thanks to a strange person who leaked the information to me… Let’s go back the way we came and find Selulu.”
“Alright.”
Ina glanced at Loki’s shoulder.
There was a strand of red hair stuck there.
Though she wanted to ask what kind of person Loki had met, there were more important things at hand.
“What did you do to that monster just now?”
The witch looked at Loki’s right hand missing its index finger.
She wasn’t stupid—of course, she knew where that finger that made the monster disintegrate had come from—but she didn’t understand why just one finger could have such a terrifying effect.
Not only the monster, but even she, who had been watching from the side, felt as if something inside her was slowly draining away.
But more than anything, she felt regret.
If Loki’s index finger hadn’t been completely burnt away, she would have definitely stolen it to add to her personal stash at home…
Not only that, with proper care, it could even be used as a stress relief tool.
“Why use… such a self-injuring method of attack?”
“Because it’s convenient.”
As a pragmatist, Loki naturally used whatever method worked best without hesitation.
However, he wasn’t obsessively fixated on victory, so back in his previous life playing games, he hadn’t become one of the famous names.
“That’s hardly a reason.”
Ina sighed and handed a bottle of potion to Loki.
Judging by his appearance, losing a finger wasn’t something worth worrying about to him. Rather than scolding or lecturing, Ina thought it better to support his choice.
“This is a potent healing potion I personally concocted. Your finger will regrow within a day.”
After all…
As long as Loki fought this way, he would inevitably need treatment.
If she provided the medicine, he would naturally grow accustomed to relying on her.
Once he got used to the medicines she provided, he would look down on ordinary ones in the future.
In the long run, he would become addicted and never be able to leave her…
Ina squinted her eyes, calculating.
Just like when she chose to become a stalker, now she wanted to continue supporting from behind the scenes—she would prove that she was completely different from those flashy, surface-level vixens like Selulu. She was the most reliable backup!
“Thank you.”
Loki took it without hesitation and drank it straight down.
Seeing his unwavering trust in her, the stalker witch developed a new sinister idea.
It seemed she could now “improve” these potion bottles a little bit here and there.
…Hehe.
Just thinking about it made Ina want to wave her flag.
“The flesh and blood of the soulless are poison to the Sea of Souls.”
Loki, who had no idea what Ina was thinking beneath that cold, stoic JK witch exterior, explained before she could ask.
“In other words, anything connected to the Sea of Souls that comes into contact with my flesh and blood will be destroyed.”
“But Desecrators and humans aren’t affected since they’re not fully connected to the Sea of Souls… which also applies to witches.”
“I see. No wonder I felt uneasy.”
Ina looked enlightened.
She could understand why, back then, over a hundred witches together couldn’t do anything to Loki, and some even developed PTSD because of it.
Magic and spells, which were honed through effort, sweat, and talent over countless hours to become powerful and pride-worthy, were mercilessly denied in front of Loki.
Not to mention witches, who were naturally skilled in casting spells.
It was like having your nose blocked and throat choked while trying to breathe—how could any witch endure such a terrifying choking play?
“But… it’s still very strange.”
“What’s strange?”
“In our clan’s records, there is a section specifically about the soulless who appeared in history. Some were mighty overlords, others were obscure commoners, but none—regardless of status—used such a crude attack method as you do.”
They simply weren’t observed and influenced by the Great Lords.
They needed to rely on perfected bodies, overwhelming magic, and high-level spells to defeat demons.
Ina silently studied Loki’s face.
Young and handsome, yet with edges honed by years of experience—mature, steady, and hiding sharpness beneath the surface.
Even if nothing had happened before, just seeing him for the first time made her heart skip a beat without warning.
She hurriedly looked away.
If she stared any longer, her composure would break.
“Of course, maybe it’s just lack of records. After all, the soulless are mysterious and no one has ever studied their corpses—uh, I’m not asking you to agree to donate yours, just saying, don’t take it to heart.”
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