Abyssal Sovereignty

Yverantheia would never forget that figure.

Not long ago, she had walked past the gates of death, and now, the culprit stood right before her.

Even now, the fear of almost meeting death and the despair lingered in her heart, making her body tremble slightly.

But she wouldn't falter. Yverantheia knew well that if she couldn't even face this shadow, revenge would be an impossible dream.

So, amidst the fear of death's shadow, Yverantheia also felt a strange excitement, knowing she could finally rid herself of this darkness.

"It's been a while. Are my arms still a delicacy to you?"

Brushing aside leaves, Yverantheia walked straight toward the serpent and the creature resembling a tiger. It was only now she noticed the creature's appearance, akin to a tiger.

"...How did you get here?"

"I have unfinished business with that creature. Stay back and don't interfere."

"...Good luck to you."

For the serpent, this situation was a stroke of luck, a chance for them to escape and ensure the survival of their kind.

"Roar!"

"Don't run away. Your opponent is me."

As the tiger-like creature lunged towards the serpent, Yverantheia took the opportunity to swiftly kick it back.

"...Roar..."

The tiger regained its balance, now focusing on Yverantheia, whom it had previously ignored. Her kick had caused no harm, merely catching it off guard and exploiting its unstable stance.

But Yverantheia had effectively prevented it from feasting, and that alone was enough to make the tiger want to tear Yverantheia to shreds... at least, that's what Yverantheia thought.

"Never thought that snack from before would become even more appetizing. I guess restraining my hunger paid off."

"...What did you say..."

It was normal for higher-level creatures like the fourth-level serpent to speak. What surprised Yverantheia was the tiger's ability to speak. She had run for her life, barely surviving, only to realize it was all a scheme by the tiger to secure a tastier meal.

"Are you kidding me!"

Yverantheia swung at the tiger with even faster punches, but this time, it effortlessly dodged her.

Simultaneously, Yverantheia felt a sharp pain in her back.

"...So that's how you managed to subdue the serpent. You're at least fifth-level."

Through rigorous training, Yverantheia had learned to cloak herself in magic for defense, yet the tiger effortlessly broke through that defense.

"Roar? Surprised you held out. Are you tough or just numb to pain..."

Before the tiger could finish, Yverantheia interrupted with another attack.

"Always eager. Do you always aim to provoke me... Wait, humans are monkeys by nature."

Each word was calculated to enrage Yverantheia; this was the tiger's sadistic pleasure, frustrating her while leaving her powerless.

"Let's move to the next step."

In an instant, Yverantheia felt a chilling sensation, quickly dodging aside.

"Hmm..."

Despite Yverantheia's swift evasion, her remaining hand was struck, the wound so deep it nearly reached the bone. Even her legs, though superficially injured, bore scratches.

Before she could gather her thoughts, the tiger-like creature's attack struck again.

"...No, it's too fast."

At fifth-level strength, far surpassing Yverantheia's third-level capabilities, she strained just to evade, continuously sustaining injuries.

"Wait..."

While dodging, Yverantheia noticed a crucial detail.

"...Are you targeting my arms and legs on purpose?"

"Oh, you've noticed?"

For mere hunting, targeting vital points would suffice. Given the tiger's strength, this focused effort seemed unnecessary.

But now, besides the initial attack, all the damage Yverantheia's endured focuses on her limbs. This is clearly abnormal.

Rather than mere hunting, immobilizing the prey first, slowly savoring their despair, that's how it should be.

"..."

The tiger's reason for not attacking Yverantheia's vital spots despite her severe injuries was clear. Yverantheia clenched her fists.

"...I'll gut you and stuff your entrails back into your stomach."

Yverantheia intensified the magic enveloping her body, enhancing her physical abilities to evade the tiger's attacks.

Finding a loophole, she seized the opportunity to counterattack.

This forced the tiger to take her seriously, potentially inflicting some harm. Even a minuscule chance of victory, one in a thousand, was possible.

Their clashes generated shockwaves, felling and severing nearby trees as creatures fled in panic.

"Not enough."

Yverantheia felt the tiger's increasingly serious assaults, contrasting with her strained attempts to retaliate. The difference in their prowess was glaring.

"Faster, stronger..."

Yverantheia's magic now coursed like blood, enhancing her speed, strength, and reflexes. However, her blood vessels ruptured under the strain, blood gushing from her body.

Blood adorned Yverantheia, enhancing her manic beauty. Yet, extensive blood loss paled her complexion.

But now, she couldn't afford to care.

By recklessly enhancing her body, Yverantheia finally gained the upper hand in battle, even overpowering the tiger.

"...Almost done."

The tiger's attacks grew erratic; even normal retaliation was beyond it. Yverantheia knew victory or defeat needed to be decided swiftly.

Taking advantage of the tiger's momentary lapse, she struck with a lethal blow from an unexpected angle.

Splurt!

A piercing sound echoed through the air.

"...You had this move hidden..."

Several magic circles floated around the tiger now.

"I can't blame you; your intelligence clearly fell short."

A hole pierced Yverantheia's abdomen through the magic, a larger one might have snapped her in half.

With massive blood loss and this injury, she lost consciousness, unsure if she had collapsed to the ground.

"But I never expected a mere young human to cause such damage."

The tiger bore numerous wounds from Yverantheia's assault, yet its regenerative abilities now vanished.

"As a sign of respect, I'll end you with one blow."

The tiger's magic circle blazed brightly, preparing to deliver Yverantheia's final strike.