If Night Frost couldn’t hover and wasn’t a strong swimmer, those two strikes would’ve sealed her fate in the python’s jaws.

A massive shadow circled beneath the water. The python halted its assault again. Night Frost couldn’t fathom its thoughts—why retreat when it could press the advantage?

Perhaps its meticulously laid plan failed against a hovering foe, forcing a hasty revision. Or maybe it aimed to trap her, forcing her into the water to fight. Either way, the python held overwhelming advantage.

Li Dogegg flapped its underdeveloped wings desperately, straining to stay clear of the water. *That cunning Night Frost…* It gritted its teeth and scrambled onto a nearby tree trunk.

Perilously close to the water, far from Night Frost—luckily, the python’s gaze remained locked on her. For now, Li Dogegg was safe.

Emerald scales rippled. In the next heartbeat, a colossal tongue burst through the surface. Icy seawater slid down its slick scales; splashed droplets rained down like a sudden storm.

Then the python moved. Scales flared slightly outward. Slender needle-like projectiles shot forth, embedding effortlessly into the nearby rock wall.

Even a single forearm-length needle carried terrifying force. Night Frost raised her Crimson Gold Lance, swatting incoming needles with all her might. But each was laced with Abyssal Aura—deflecting just one drained her completely.

A guttural roar erupted from the python’s throat. Night Frost’s vision spun. With the roar came four or five identical needles. She barely summoned a fire wall, but blocking all was nearly impossible.

Three needles pierced past her Crimson Gold Lance. Fortunately, the lance’s resistance shifted their trajectory slightly: one grazed Li Dogegg’s head, one plunged into the water, the third struck Night Frost’s left abdomen.

The needle’s impact sent her reeling. She crashed heavily into the water.

She yanked the needle free, sealed the wound with Mana, and found herself in the battlefield she dreaded most.

Underwater, her flames were suppressed. Already struggling to breach the python’s defense on land, now it was nearly hopeless.

Icy seawater lashed against the Crimson Gold Flames surrounding her. Each time they surged, the emerald python’s crashing waves snuffed them out.

The python’s bucket-thick tail slammed the surface, swallowing Night Frost in a colossal wave. She raised a hand, stepped onto a floating branch, leaped clear, and swept a half-arc of flame to repel the water. Pure white steam billowed upward.

She aimed for a stone jutting from the water. The python, sensing her move, whipped its tail and sent her plunging back underwater.

Caught off guard, she gulped seawater. She expelled it with Mana, which coiled around her fingers. Hooked threads of Mana shot toward the stone.

The hooks latched firmly. She reeled herself in inch by inch, swimming swiftly. Behind her, the emerald python flicked its tongue, eyes locked unwaveringly on her.

Scales flared again. Needles shot forth, guided straight at her. Slower underwater, yet still hard to track.

They outpaced her reeling threads. In two seconds, they neared her back. She ducked—but as she turned, the python severed her Mana hooks.

“This thing… is clearly toying with me. Playing with prey isn’t exactly virtuous.”

Earlier, it could’ve slammed her into oblivion—yet chose to cut her hooks. Was it deliberately leaving an escape? With such a power gap, why offer hope? Or… was it not as strong as it seemed?

Night Frost chanted a Magic Spell. Flames coalesced into a circular halo behind her, settling on her hand. Dozens of sharp spears formed at its center, aimed at the python’s vital spot. At her command, they shot out in unison.

Some were swatted away; the rest buried deep. True to her Magic Spell—damage inflicted, no matter the foe.

Seizing the python’s pain, Night Frost leaped out. Flames sank into the ground, hardening into crimson magma. It surged, erupted. Spears descended. The python instantly collapsed into the water.

But Night Frost knew better than to believe it was over. Likely feigning death. Not daring to check, she seized the moment: grab the Eye Orb, flee through the cave entrance.

Soaked Magic Armor hindered her slightly—but her flames evaporated the moisture in an instant. She snatched the Eye Orb and dashed for the exit.

Li Dogegg’s eyes widened. *She ignored me?!* Unable to fly well, how could it keep up? Luckily, it was closer to the entrance. A frantic wingbeat might let it escape the dark cavern alongside her.

Night Frost’s movement instantly drew the “dead” python’s gaze. *Feigning death—luring her close for the kill.* But she didn’t take the bait. She ran. Why fight to the death?

She hadn’t gone far. Her foot touched soft ground—but met no solidity. Only emptiness. Her balance pitched forward.

*Trapped.*

It was toying with its food. It knew she was weak, unwilling to fight—of course she’d flee. It offered countless escapes, all to lure her onto the sole path. The moment she stepped, she’d find it severed. Only icy water below.

In that fall, Night Frost understood: why it hadn’t devoured the other Monster immediately. Caution was one reason—but the true one? It savored despair. Letting prey bleed out slowly. Granting hope… then crushing it. It gave her escape, then shattered the path of hope itself.

Her eyes widened. A flicker of defiance flashed within.

She plummeted. Freshly dried Magic Armor soaked anew. One hand clutched the Eye Orb; the other reached toward the sky.

“There’s still a way…”

She glanced at the Magic Stone on her wrist. Though she hadn’t reached Chapter Three, its surface held half a forbidden incantation. Unlock it now. Channel that sliver of Ultimate Rhythm. Maybe win. At least escape.

She twisted the bracelet. The pitch-black stone glowed. Lines of text floated before her sinking eyes.

Crimson Array Patterns raced across her body. Her eyes glowed faintly. Surrounding seawater boiled violently, steam surging upward.

“Restrictions lifted! Magic Armor, bloom!”

The moment she spoke, Mana erupted chaotically within. Without Crimson’s aid, breaking the seal alone was agony. Mana surged through her blood, flooding every limb.

Her vision whited out in silver. She shook her head fiercely—blinked open. The massive emerald python loomed before her, jaws gaping wide.

“The journey of the past stretches to the Silver River; at life’s end, true splendor reveals; the starry river paves a grand corridor…”

She chanted at breakneck speed—but the words died in her throat. Mana had maxed her body’s limit. Her Magic Armor shifted slightly, negligibly.

Only a silvery-white glow enveloped her. Warmth surged from her chest to every limb.

She drew a deep breath, ready to unleash everything—

—but the serpent engulfed her. Thick, fleshy walls sealed shut.

Li Dogegg froze, stunned. Bound by contract—if Night Frost died, it died too. Reborn mere days ago… was this truly goodbye? *Forever?*

But it still lived. Night Frost lived. It closed its eyes. Its body dissolved into smoke. As a familiar, it could appear wherever she was—no spatial barriers here.

It materialized inside the python’s mouth. Viscous, corrosive saliva coated everything. It wouldn’t last long. *Find Night—*

Li Dogegg’s racing thoughts halted. A voice echoed nearby, muffled as if underwater:

“Inferno—incinerate this place!”

Mana surged toward Night Frost. Air turned scorching. A searing Crimson Gold Spear pierced the python’s lower jaw. Raging flames engulfed its entire body.

Night Frost wasn’t satisfied. Since it gave her this opening—today, she would slay it.

If Crimson once slew a dragon… today, Night Frost butchers a serpent!