Pink flames and magical arrows shot forth from the taut bowstring like a bolt of pink lightning, flying straight toward the approaching demon. But the hydra’s fiery breath knocked them aside.

Without needing much prompting, Nevia—seasoned in battle—snapped instantly into combat stance. As she retreated, she yanked Alyssa and Nina along with her.

Celia, buzzing with surging magic power, pointed her “Prayer of Moonlight” staff diagonally at the charging hydra.

“Surge of Frosty Mist!”

She unleashed a high-level water spell head-on. From her staff’s tip, a cloud of white icy mist floated toward the hydra. One head opened its mouth, spewing red flames. “Sizzle, sizzle,” it hissed.

The white mist and red flames collided.

The hydra moved terrifyingly fast, reaching them in a blink. Besides the flame-spewing head, the other eight began casting magic of different elements!

Monsters here waste no words on enemies. They hold no complex thoughts about hiding strength. For them, the true path is to crush foes fast with full power, then hurry home to sleep.

Still, this hydra wasn’t the real thing. It lacked the strength Nevia remembered from the true beast—clearly just an imitation.

The hydra is a nine-headed serpent. It spits poison gas; its venom is deadly. Cut off one head, and it regenerates. The central head is immortal. Violent and ever-hunting, it rarely rests. It’s a silent, dangerous hunter—a rare trait for such a massive, ferocious beast. It tracks prey patiently over vast distances, never revealing its position. It keeps a subtle distance, then strikes suddenly to catch victims off guard. By the time it roars, escape is impossible.

This sickly, solitary creature dwells deep underground, favoring dark caves and the lightless Abyss.

It attacks any who stand before it. Charging fiercely, it rams with its huge body while heads take turns biting. Against larger foes, it constricts them with snake-like necks, suffocating like jungle pythons. It also spews billowing flames.

Alongside three-headed dogs, it guards the gates between the Demonic Realm and the human world, tearing invaders apart with fangs and claws.

So Nevia, once Queen of the Demonic Realm, felt a strange pang—like her own guard dog no longer recognized her, growling at its master instead.

“Alyssa! Raise your shield now!” Nevia shouted. Alyssa lifted her mirror-like shield. A hazy light glowed, absorbing all the hydra’s magic. Instantly, a storm of reflected spells roared out like a hurricane, crashing into the beast.

Caught off guard, the hydra took the full hit. Its ugly, charging body halted abruptly under the magic’s force.

Nevia pulled her bowstring taut, seizing the chance to unleash a charged attack from “Circle of Reason.” A straight beam of pink light shot toward the hydra.

“Deep Winter!”

Celia swung her staff. From the grass beneath the hydra, countless giant ice spikes pierced upward, impaling its body. In an instant, they froze the near-unkillable monster’s blood, muscles, and skin.

The hydra became a shimmering ice sculpture. The pink arrow pierced the ice but struck the central head—uselessly.

Nevia: …

“Alright, that’s done…” Celia nodded. “What comes next?”

Satisfied, the girl scanned the area, eager for the next opponent. She longed to test her surging power. But Nevia—who’d fired many arrows for zero damage—felt only disappointment.

Her expression dimmed.

In the castle, Yin the Dream Administrator frowned. She hadn’t expected Nevia’s group to defeat the hydra so fast.

Hehe… The girl chuckled smugly. “Just an appetizer!”

○

Celia’s gaze shifted suddenly. She rolled her eyes, flashing a rare, coquettish smile. Her usually clear face turned bewitching.

“The start of the game (Game begin).”

Uttering this in a voice Nina and Alyssa couldn’t grasp, Celia slowly turned, giving the girls a strange, flirtatious grin.

Nevia understood the words. Before confusion could settle, she saw Celia swing her staff toward her.

Danger.

Nevia leaped sideways to dodge—but Celia only flicked her staff. The real magic aimed at Alyssa.

White light bound Alyssa instantly. The little girl stood frozen, tears welling as she stared at Celia, bewildered.

“Sister?” Nina asked, face full of confusion.

“Disobedient children must be punished!” Celia declared. She swung her staff again. Nevia’s body locked stiff—immobile.

Only Nina remained, trembling helplessly at her suddenly strange sister.

“Sob… sob…” Nina hugged the “Georgian Book,” crying uncontrollably.

I’ve really become the weak uke… Nevia sighed inwardly.

Celia strolled over. She glanced at the fearful Alyssa, then slowly shook her head. Her gaze shifted to Nevia, and she winked coquettishly.

Celia scooped Nevia up, yanking her nightgown high. White panties—symbols of lolita purity—were exposed.

What are you doing?!

Nevia’s face burned crimson. She felt Celia’s fingers brush an embarrassing spot. Her cheeks flamed like boiling water.

She strained with all her might to struggle—but only flushed deeper.

*Smack…* Celia’s hand rose, slapping Nevia’s shapely behind hard.

“Mmm…” Nevia gasped before biting her lip, face scarlet with shame.

*Smack… smack… smack…*

○

“Hehehe…” Deep in the castle, a black-haired girl sat mouth agape, shiny drool trailing from her lip. Her laughter sent chills down the spine. “I… I’m so happy… Lolis are supreme! Lolis are the best!”