"Cough... cough..." Allen's lungs burned as if blasted by a cannon, suffocation tightening like a vice—he felt death's grip closing in.

Allen felt utterly wretched, choked by iron-pincer hands until near fainting. That brush with death was terrifying. As darkness crept in, a strange white light flickered before her eyes. Within it, shadowy figures emerged—everyone from the Demon Castle expedition. All were dead. From conscripted peasants to her closest aides and friends, their eerie gazes pinned her: anger, pity, expectation, mockery. Every face screamed silent scorn at Allen.

Yet Allen snapped back quickly. Teetering on the edge of fainting, a mere breath of oxygen banished the horrors. She gasped slightly, greedily sucking in the precious air. Weak from oxygen deprivation, she crawled like an insect, ignoring bursting wounds, pain, even Lilith's sinister smirk beside her.

"You really..." A low voice, laced with mockery, cut through her haze.

Before it finished, searing pain erupted. Allen flew upward—Lilith had kicked her hard while she knelt dazed. The force slammed her into the wall. That brutal kick snapped Allen's arm instantly. Bone-shattering agony flooded her nerves. A high-pitched ring filled her ears. Vision blacked out completely. Then came the wall's crushing impact. Dazed by the double blow, Allen's mind fogged.

"Why run..." Lilith seethed, black wisps curling from her head. Her pitch-dark pupils radiated fear-inducing magic.

Though wracked with pain, Allen forced herself upright against the wall.

She'd lost from the start—from the moment she was sent on that expedition. Now, the Dark Lord clearly wanted her dead. No fear left. She was already a ghost clinging to life. Better to die cleanly. Even with a throbbing head, Allen pushed thoughts forward.

Better to gamble everything! she decided.

A dagger from the armory hid in her boot's side—a last resort. Time to use it.

"I... was just scouting... I have news... come closer," she stammered, feigning calm. Unnatural, but she didn't notice.

"Oh?" Lilith's gaze turned amused.

Lilith slowly leaned down, head tilted, feigning interest. She'd seen through the lie, playing along. Yet no Frenzy aura, no magic shield—utterly unguarded.

Blood streamed from Allen's forehead wound, painting half her face crimson. Eerie.

Perfect... Desperate, but if I land one strike... kill her... Even dying, I'd complete the expedition. The Empire will honor me. She gripped the dagger in her boot, waiting.

Closer... Closer! Almost there—the distance where no normal human could react! Now!

Allen poured all strength into the move. Dizzy, but Lilith's head was inches away. She'd hit.

Fluid as water, she drew the blade. The dagger lunged for Lilith—who flashed a twisted grin mid-strike.

Triumphant, Allen grinned maniacally, thrusting harder. Almost there! Almost!

Whoosh—

The dagger froze.

Lilith's hand clamped the blade, unmoving. Blood dripped, but her face stayed calm. No matter how Allen struggled, the dagger was stuck like plaster.

Lilith kept smiling, eyes squinted. Black mist thickened around her, swirling behind her like a shadowy veil.

Despair flickered in Allen, but she yanked harder. The blade wouldn't budge.

It didn't last. Lilith moved.

She redirected Allen's force. The dagger plunged inward.

Thud—

Into Allen's own body.

Mania shattered. Lilith's squinting eyes sent chills down Allen's spine. Blood loss? Cold air? Lilith's presence? She felt icy, trembling uncontrollably—yet her face stayed locked in that mad grin.

Agony screamed like a death knell. Internal organs pierced. A sweet taste flooded her mouth. Blood spilled from her lips, tracing her neck, soaking her clothes. Drops hit the floor with soft sounds.

Drip... drip...

Her life draining away.

Terror, dread, despair exploded in Allen's mind. She'd be killed!

"So eager to kill me, little maid? Heh heh... And you didn't call me 'master' just now. Should I give you a pun~ish~ment~?" Lilith's squint should've been kind—but her playful tone was heart-stopping.

Joke! Allen knew she'd die soon. Drowsiness washed over her. Punishment? Impossible.

Strength left... Run... she thought.

She feebly pushed Lilith aside. Expecting resistance, she was shocked when Lilith stepped back. Allen hauled herself up the wall, stumbling forward. Numb to the pain, blood still flowing, she shuffled toward the basement exit. Stairs glimmered ahead. Freedom...

Blood marked her path, dripping steadily.

Thud—

Allen collapsed. No strength left to rise. No escape.

She stopped crawling, lying facedown.

Lilith approached.

From her skirt pocket, she pulled a green potion, forcing it into Allen's mouth. The liquid slithered down, magical. Pain vanished instantly. Cold remained. Blood flowed, unfelt. Numb strength surged. Allen stood, lurching forward.

Thud—

She fell again. Turning, she saw Lilith gripping her collar chain, yanking her down. Rapier in hand, Lilith advanced slowly.

Finally... A clean end... Allen thought.

The sword rose.

Crunch. Crunch.

Two meaty thuds.

No pain. Allen watched Lilith sever her Achilles tendons.

"Remember? You're just a parasite. Erasing memories is tedious... but I can make you one." Lilith's playful voice stayed terrifying. "Parasites crawl. You'll crawl for me now. Oh—and they have no eyes."

Lilith knelt, yanking Allen's head up by the chain.

Allen's once-beautiful face was a mask of blood and tears, smeared like paint. Silent tears streamed down.

Lilith hesitated—a flicker of pity. Then resolve hardened. This was the woman who'd drawn a dagger to kill her. A lesson was necessary. Sparing her pain was mercy enough. Steeling herself, Lilith sent a thread of black aura into Allen's eyes.

Blood seeped from the sockets. Allen's crimson irises dulled. Pupils widened grotesquely.

Vision blurred... faded...

Allen lay there, truly a parasite now.

Exhaustion claimed her.

Sleep—or death—took her.