Boom—!
As the dense golden beams formed by the eye-lasers shot forward at blinding speed, the lunging wolf-type magical beasts were blasted into pieces, bursting into clouds of blood mist.
Because the power of the eye-lasers resembled something like Superman's heat vision from DC, Shendu deliberately mimicked that method of use, forming extended beams to sweep through the surrounding beasts.
Where the scorching rays passed, trees as thick as bowls were cleanly severed at the waist. The nearby magical beasts fared no better. Most were sliced clean in half, while the unluckiest were reduced to scattered fragments.
After annihilating more than a dozen magical beasts in quick succession, Shendu continued her purge. She had never shown mercy to enemies.
"Hadouken!"
After she cleared out a portion of the beasts, perhaps stirred by the overwhelming scent of blood, the remaining magical beasts grew even more frenzied, launching a relentless assault.
This time, Shendu changed her method of attack. Combining the power of the Rooster Talisman and the Ox Talisman, she compressed a portion of gravitational force and, propelled by the Ox Talisman's might, hurled it forward in the shape of a phantom fist.
Caught off guard, the leading giant magical beast suffered a devastating blow. It crashed through more than a dozen trees, smashing a massive crater into the ground.
The beast was grievously wounded. Several ribs were shattered, and its internal organs had sustained severe damage.
Having dealt with the leader, the shockwave fists continued—one after another—plowing through the dense horde like an eraser sweeping across a page.
Every magical beast struck had its bones nearly pulverized, losing almost all ability to fight.
Watching Shendu dispatch the beasts as if it were child's play, neither Emilia nor Ram could possibly remain unshaken.
"Lady Shendu is incredible. It seems I came for nothing this time. I can only witness your greatness," Ram said, her eyes shining with intense admiration.
This world had always been one where the strong devoured the weak. Seeing the overwhelming combat power Shendu displayed, Ram's feelings toward the silver-haired girl had surpassed mere reverence.
It was affection. She had truly fallen for the silver-haired demon before her.
"It's nothing. My more impressive abilities are yet to come. But I can't keep playing with these beasts. I don't have much time—there's still the Bowel Hunter to deal with."
Shendu smiled faintly and paused her assault. Glancing at the terrified beasts around them, she gently stroked Ram's head.
"Then please, Lady Shendu, show me your true strength. Ram is looking forward to it," Ram said, her eyes nearly forming heart shapes as she gazed at Shendu with even more devotion than Emilia.
"Very well. Let this be the beginning of a feast of death."
Shendu once again invoked the powers she was most familiar with. Combining the Monkey Talisman and the Rat Talisman, a vast purple magic circle ignited with surging power.
"That feeling... it's the same as before," Emilia murmured.
She was quite familiar with this power. When Shendu had pursued Elsa before, she had used this very technique to create ravenous wolves. In Emilia's eyes, however, Shendu was not merely summoning beasts—she was creating life.
As a silver-haired half-elf who often communicated with spirits, Emilia could clearly sense that those wolves had been genuine living beings.
That was one of the reasons she had always respected Shendu so deeply.
...
From the soil, more than a hundred bizarre insect-like creatures crawled forth, each roughly three meters tall and resembling the Arachnid species from Starship Troopers.
These creatures, formed from the earth itself, possessed eight razor-sharp legs that gleamed with metallic luster—far more ferocious in appearance than the magical beasts.
The moment they were born, they began slaughtering the surrounding beasts. Everywhere they went, anguished cries filled the air.
With their eight bladed limbs sweeping like autumn wind scattering fallen leaves, they methodically exterminated the beasts. The magical beasts barely had time to react before being cut down.
Not far away, the leading wolf-type magical beast lay collapsed on the ground, unable to move. Fear and terror flickered in its once savage eyes.
Magical beasts were inherently brutal creatures, but when faced with something even more ruthless, they too felt fear.
"Heh. Whoever is controlling you, don't think this will end so easily," Shendu said coolly, staring at the beast.
"Life Drain."
Sensing the beast's formidable vitality, she showed no mercy. She stripped away its life force, turning it directly into a stone statue.
With a single strike, the statue shattered.
They continued forward. Though occasional beasts still lunged at them, they posed almost no threat anymore.
However, as they advanced deeper into the forest, Shendu suddenly raised her hand, signaling the others to stop.
"Wait. There's a trap here."
The two girls were startled. They had sensed nothing unusual.
"How could that be? I don't feel anyone nearby," Emilia said in confusion.
"Heh. That's the strength of a professional killer."
Shendu stepped forward lightly and pressed her foot down.
In an instant, a thin thread snapped beneath her heel. From somewhere ahead, more than a dozen slender needles shot toward them at high speed.
"Trying to stop us with such a simple trap?"
With a casual gesture, Shendu froze all the needles midair. Picking one up, she noted its remarkable hardness and flexibility.
If one of these had pierced flesh, it would likely have caused irreversible damage. Elsa had clearly come well prepared.
"Damn it. We can't let her go this time. Ram didn't fight last time—this time, Ram will have revenge," Ram said, fury blazing in her eyes.
"It's nothing. Mere traps like this can't possibly halt our advance."
Shendu lifted her hand and hurled a fireball the size of a basketball. The flames burned at intense heat, gradually setting the forest ablaze. Thick smoke billowed into the air.
Deep within the forest, Elsa leaned against a tree, watching the rising flames. Her smile grew increasingly radiant.
"Ah... that guest has finally arrived. I truly wish to fight her once more."
"If I lose again this time, then there would be no meaning in continuing to live."
Elsa murmured to herself with a delighted expression. Behind her stood a blue-haired girl, eyes closed, controlling the magical beasts.
—
—
40 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon:
Patreon.com/DaoOfHeaven