“What is even happening here…” The river swallowed me like a mouth of glassy fangs, and Qingsheng Tangxue could only sigh into the cold rush. “Forget it… I’ll transform and fix it. Otherwise, everyone here’s going to drown.”

I shut my eyes. Emotion first, thought later. I slipped into mermaid form the way moonlight slips into a lake. My dress fell away; I whisked it into my space ring. A deep-blue tail unfurled from my hips, every scale like night-sky armor.

My aura shifted like tide at full moon. The water element leaned close like old friends at a fire, ready to obey. If I wanted, every current could be my invisible hand.

Focus. First, get people out. In water, distance is shallow; I see clear as noon no matter how far. I just need to command the water: if it finds something living, something useful, carry it out.

'Advanced Water Element Control'

'Advanced Mind Reinforcement'

Qingsheng Tangxue raised her left hand. Mana bloomed in rippling halos, like rings from a stone in a pond. The water gathered into a vortex and sprinted outward like wild horses.

“Phew… what now…” A prickle of dread crawled like frost along my spine. “If Xuewei senses this, I’m toast… Did she catch that surge? Ugh…”

“…! What is that? This is… divinity?!” I stared at the flood-torn breach where the torrent had gouged a cave-mouth. A gray light drifted toward me like ash in wind, knitting itself into a robed elder.

‘Heir to the Scepter of Lamented Death, the life and death of the world rest on thy single thought. Guard this perilous weapon. Do not… let it fall to wraiths…’

“??? What are you? The owner of that scepter?”

‘Aye… I am the remnant soul… of Xuskaedel, God of Death…’

“Remnant soul, my foot! Also, I’m not that scepter’s heir. I already have a Divine Artifact. Your scepter chose my friend!”

‘…’

‘Thou bearest the blood of the Princess of Mournful Wither… though… thou art not she.’

“What Princess-whatever blood? How would I know unless you explain? And as for Dreamsound, don’t slap weird titles on her. She’s a dummy! Anyway, one more time. Your scepter picked my friend. Got it?”

‘Dost thou understand what it means, to hand a holy relic to a mortal?’

“How would I? You tell me.” My brow arched like a drawn bow. If he wanted to trouble Lan’er, I’d rather end it here. He was only a remnant soul.

‘The world… will be destroyed… Hell will… return to the living. This shattered world will receive… the last straw… that breaks it…’

“…Great. We’re escalating now?”

‘I must reclaim the scepter… Only the Princess of Mournful Wither… holds the right…’

“Hey. If you’re going to hassle my friend, I’m afraid I can’t let you pass.”

I pulled my presence tight like a cloak and met the remnant’s killing intent with a steady gaze, cold as winter river stones.

‘Wilt thou stand against me?’

“Cut it out with the ‘thou.’ You think that makes you grand?”

‘…’ The remnant paused, then lifted his right hand and chopped toward my heart.

'Mourning Scythe Slash'

I lunged right on instinct. A black arc drifted past like a crescent of night fog, reeking of grave-cold.

I cannot take that hit. Even my regeneration would snap like ice under a boot.

I grit my teeth. An ice-blue sword formed in my hand, clear as frozen lightning.

“Looks like… this one’s going to be a pain.”

'Advanced Strength Reinforcement'

'Advanced Speed Reinforcement'

'Armor of Ice and Snow'

No idea if armor mattered to him—but whatever. It’s been a while since I fought something this strong. Let’s see if I’ve gone rusty.

'Water Prison'

'Polar Frost Storm'

'Water Desolation'

'Permafrost Burst'

Why’s a mage using a sword? To bait him into thinking I’m a swordswoman, then rush him. See? Every spell landed.

‘Fine strikes… Alas, I’m but a remnant. They avail thee not…’

“…So, element immunity plus physical damage dampening? Screw you.”

‘Bar me not!’ Another horizontal slash howled toward me like a winter scythe.

“Ahhh—spouting threats about taking my friend, and still hacking at me! What is wrong with you? I’m furious! You’re a remnant, right? Can’t touch you? Then I’ll drain you dry! Jerk!”

Qingsheng Tangxue glared at the divinity-tinted remnant, resolve flaring like a torch in a storm. I poured my mana out to grind him down.

‘…’ The Death God’s remnant went quiet, then sent another slash screaming at me.

…

“Ha… haha… hahahaha… You finally… ran out of juice, didn’t you? This fight is my win!”

‘…’

‘Thou knowest not what thy choice… brings. This world shall be destroyed. Hell… shall return. Evil spirits will rampage through the streets. The banished gods will hate every breath. All living things… shall die…’

“Tch. If evil spirits come, we beat them back. It’s not like I’ve never seen undead. Even those four Undead Lords don’t scare me.”

‘Then… good fortune be upon thee… may thy martial luck abound… Mayst thou guard this world…’ With that, the last thread of divine mana in the remnant guttered out. He vanished like smoke in rain.

“Finally gone. Hell? Wraiths? I’m not scared. If they dare poke me, I’ll knock their teeth across the floor. But… who’s that Withering Princess supposed to be? I don’t remember carrying anyone else’s blood. Hiss… feels like it’s on the tip of my tongue…”