Buzz…

The crisp sound of the spear slicing through air seemed to whisper to its master: I’m ready. Ready to fight.

"Hah!!" With a girlish cry, Allen burst from the bushes, thrusting her spear at the nearest bandit.

"Who are you!" the short bandit blurted, his mind lagging. He questioned while defending—a costly mistake.

"You don’t need to know," Allen replied, a trace of cold light flashing in her eyes as she glared viciously.

"Asking for death!" the bandit snarled.

Nearby bandits watched, weapons raised, wearing amused smirks.

Seeing the sixteen-year-old girl before him, he was stunned by her beauty, then scowled. Probably some noble’s bored daughter seeking thrills, he mused. With one hand, he easily blocked Allen’s thrust.

Allen didn’t panic. Instead, a triumphant smile spread across her face.

"Listen, little girl, you shouldn’t—" he began smugly, but Allen slammed the spear shaft into him, knocking him flat.

Struck without Frenzy’s protection or proper armor, his body instantly suffered internal injuries. He lay paralyzed on the ground.

*I’m still the Hero*, Allen thought. *Though my body is weaker now, a superior’s memories remain. I can handle these fools.*

Seizing the chance, Allen swung her spear and delivered a fatal blow.

Truthfully, Allen had never killed before and feared it. But after witnessing these bandits slaughter the village like mindless zombies, she found resolve. For the insane, insane methods must be used—her spear would save their mad souls.

"May you rest in peace in heaven…" she prayed softly. It was the Church’s tradition.

Allen strained to pull her spear free. She twirled it once, then flicked hard. Thick blood swished off the tip onto the dirt. The watching bandits tensed, gripping their weapons. Every face showed unease.

"The short one’s dead… impossible… right!" one bandit shouted, his composure shattered.

His cry weakened their morale further. Yet they weren’t panicked. Even if she was skilled, she lacked Frenzy like them. Only their leader and the brown-haired youth had combat aura. With eight against one girl, they held the advantage. No need to fear.

The eight slowly closed in on Allen, aiming to surround her.

The circle tightened. Allen wouldn’t wait. She adjusted her breath slightly. Like a hawk scanning prey, she sought weaknesses… Then she spotted a short bandit in chainmail. Without hesitation, she dropped into a spearman’s charge stance.

"Huh… AHHHHH!!!" She crouched and charged, roaring to boost courage. Her bell-like voice stayed lovely despite the shout.

The short bandit knew he was targeted. Sword raised, he watched her every move. Closer! Closer! She’ll thrust soon—dodge and slash, and she’s dead! he thought.

But what happened was unexpected.

Just as Allen’s spear neared him, she plunged it into the ground like a pole vaulter. She soared over his head.

The bandit stared in disbelief at the cobalt-blue figure hovering above. His whole body trembled. Not playing by the rules!

"Uwah!" With a strange cry, the girl clamped her thighs around his neck. Using the spear for leverage, she twisted hard. *Snap!* His spine broke.

He convulsed on the ground, then stilled, face frozen in terror.

Other bandits had rushed to help, but Allen’s movements were flawless. By the time they arrived, they faced her—spear freshly pulled from earth—and a warm corpse twisted in agony.

Their hands trembled on their weapons.

"Shall we continue?..." Allen asked coldly.

Under the night sky, her light crimson eyes glowed scarlet. She twirled her spear like Death’s scythe.

"You will die. Surrender now…" she warned, the spear tip flourishing toward them.

The timid trembled; some dropped weapons, kneeling to beg. The bold raised arms, ready to duel.

Allen was exhausted. Her body couldn’t endure this strain. That’s why she’d tried to scare them—using that flashy move on the short one to show dominance. She’d chosen him because she feared she couldn’t jump higher.

"Still coming?" she asked, voice strained against three bandits.

She charged, spear swinging wildly. Darting past them, she forced frantic blocks.

After several rushes, their formation shattered. Cuts covered them—but Allen bore five or six slashes too.

"Eh!" she cried out.

Another charge. This time, she targeted their feet. Quick thrusts. Before they reacted, they knelt in pain.

"Huff… huff…" Allen gasped, vision blurring. Since leaving Demon Castle, she’d barely eaten. Low blood sugar hit hard.

"One! Huff… none escape!" Spear raised, she staggered toward them.

They dropped weapons, begging. Allen ignored them. These were the ones who’d killed most savagely.

"Huff… Heaven’s wheel turns. Which Goddess spares anyone? Go to hell!" she rasped.

A foul odor hit her. One bandit had wet himself in fear. Allen showed no mercy. One thrust each sent them to hell. The remaining four she tied up for the villagers.

*Swish!* She flicked blood off her spear. Staring at the crimson pool, she almost craved its taste—but snapped back. *No! I am the Hero!*

She glanced at the brown-haired youth. Around him lay bandit corpses. Fights between those with and without Frenzy were usually one-sided. But newly empowered, he only held a slight edge. Now, he clashed with the bandit leader. Blue Frenzy radiated from the leader—a true warrior’s duel. The youth struggled, blocking clumsily, attacks wild and unskilled. The leader parried effortlessly, adding fresh cuts to the boy’s body.

Allen rushed to help.

She jabbed wildly at the leader. Frenzy shielded him, so her strikes did little damage—but drew his focus. Each time he aimed for the youth, Allen intercepted.

"Ah! You annoying fly!" the leader roared. He thrust his sword. Allen dodged desperately but took the blade in her left abdomen. He tried to pull it free, but she clung tight. Frustrated, he drove it deeper. In that delay, the youth’s sword slashed the leader’s neck.

The leader never saw it coming. He collapsed slowly.

Gritting her teeth, Allen yanked the sword out. Blood soaked her clothes. She tore a bandage from her sleeve and wrapped the wound hastily.

"Thank you," the youth mumbled, avoiding her gaze.

"You’re welcome. Handle the rest yourselves. I’ll rest here briefly, then leave," Allen said coldly. She needed to exit this forest—to see the real world.

Soon, Allen walked toward the forest edge. Dawn lightened the sky. The youth watched her lonely back, pity stirring. He glanced at the villagers, then his mother. She understood and nodded.

He grinned brightly, following Allen’s tracks in the snow.

Unnoticed, two figures perched on a village tree.

"Master, why did we eat it after knowing about the **?" the red-haired girl asked.

"Idiot. Only you swallowed it. I didn’t," the black-haired girl sneered.

"But… the little maid has grown stronger…" Lilith murmured.

"Anyone there!" a sharp-eyed hunter called. But in a blink, the tree stood empty.

"Must be my imagination…" he muttered, scratching his head.