"Looks like you won’t come with me until you’ve felt my true power!" A chilling voice rose from where Lal had fallen.

**BOOM!**

Dust exploded from the earth.

Lal surged upward from the cloud, leaping onto a tree branch. He glared down at Verlith from above.

Moonlight glinted on the Command Token glowing in his palm—a faint Tree Embryo shape visible within.

Having a Command Token meant Lal had forged a pact with a Tree Spirit.

"Eh? You’re an Elven Sorcerer too?" Verlith exclaimed in surprise.

Lal cracked his knuckles slowly on the branch. Bones groaned under the rough motion—*crack-crack*.

He twisted his bruised neck next. Another ugly *snap* echoed through the forest.

"You’ve lost your chance to fear me," Lal sneered down at Verlith. "You hurt me badly! Do you even realize you’re the first woman I’ve ever truly loved? I wanted to share this world’s ultimate bliss with you—and how do you repay me? Begging won’t save you now! You’ve enraged me. Payment is due—with your body! Right here, you’ll become mine!"

Lal launched himself downward like a diving hawk, slamming toward Verlith!

His speed was terrifying—one moment airborne, the next already before her!

He spread his thick arms, grinning. Verlith even saw the coarse hair on his face.

"Disgusting!" Verlith pressed her lips tight and stomped the ground with her right foot.

***THUD!***

Her body slipped under Lal’s armpit, twisting at an impossible angle to evade his bear hug. She spun behind him instead!

Verlith sank into a horse stance, her boots digging deep into the earth. She clenched her right fist, drew back her arm—and unleashed a punch!

***CRUNCH!***

A sound like stone shattering ripped through the woods.

Lal’s massive frame staggered backward under the blow.

Verlith let out a soft gasp. "So you *are* an Elven Sorcerer! Speed, strength, defense—all far beyond human limits. A true superhuman!"

"*Huff… huff…*" Lal panted heavily. "Damn you! I underestimated you. How can a mere maid possess such martial skill? It’s unbelievable! *Huff… huff…*"

"*Tch.*" Verlith smirked. "Since I’ve hurt you, you should’ve retreated long ago. Clinging on isn’t very manly."

"Hmph! This isn’t over!" Lal roared.

As he shouted, his fist tightened. The Command Token flared brightly. A thick, damp aura flooded the air.

Rain?

Fine water droplets began drifting around Verlith—not falling from the sky, but materializing from nothing like sudden forest drizzle.

"Water manipulation?" Verlith brushed damp strands from her hair, guessing.

She knew each Elven Sorcerer had unique abilities tied to their Tree Spirit pact. Controlling water was common among nature-based powers.

But its danger wasn’t to be dismissed. Sorcerers wielding nature’s might were formidable.

Once, in the Northern Coalition, Verlith had battled an enemy bonded to a water-aligned Tree Spirit. It had been a brutal fight—she’d barely won by luring him to a waterless place. The memory still chilled her. Without that trick, she’d be dead.

That opponent had been powerful, worthy of respect. Lal was not.

Yet that near-death experience stemmed largely from her own weakness: her former male body couldn’t bond with *any* spirit.

An "Unfit One," scorned by the Elven Sorcerer world.

This unwanted transformation… had it fixed her body?

*Could I bond with a spirit now?* Verlith wondered. *If I get the chance, I must try!*

The strange power inside her felt eerily similar to a sorcerer’s energy.

*Have I already bonded with a Tree Spirit?*

*Impossible!*

She’d never even *met* a wild Tree Spirit since rebirth—let alone formed a pact!

Unless…

*Do I resemble a Tree Spirit myself?*

Verlith froze. *Humans can’t become spirits!*

*Nonsense. Utter nonsense!*

Her face turned icy. She crushed the baseless thought.

Lal attacked. Raindrops around him sharpened into blades, flying at Verlith!

"Don’t worry—I won’t kill you!" Lal grinned wildly.

But as Verlith braced to block, the rain blades dissolved mid-air. They splattered harmlessly to the ground.

Both froze.

Verlith broke the silence first, laughing coldly. "No wonder your techniques failed. You don’t even have a Command Token! You’re just a beginner, aren’t you? *Hahahaha!*"

*Did he really think bonding with a spirit made him invincible? Pathetic.*

"Command Token… what’s that?" Lal hesitated before asking.

"*Sigh.* Ignorance is terrifying," Verlith shook her head. "I’m no sorcerer—ask someone else. But since you’re so pitiful… I’ll use only one move. Survive it, and I’ll let you go. Fail? Your death’s on you. Deal?"

"You? Even without spirit techniques, my body’s enhanced by the Tree Spirit! Your tiny frame couldn’t land a single blow—let alone hundreds!" Lal blustered, but his voice wavered.

Verlith ignored his bravado. She smiled. "Then try it."

"F-Fine! I accept!" Lal bellowed.

Verlith’s lips curled wider. She kicked up a broken branch, gripping it like a sword.

The moment the makeshift blade touched her palm, her aura shifted—sharp,凛然.

*Terrifying!*

Lal felt tangible killing intent. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

He locked his eyes on the silver-haired girl, muscles coiled tight. *One slip, and I’m dead.*

It didn’t matter.

His defense meant nothing.

In an instant, the girl vanished from Lal’s sight.

"*Impossible—*" Lal stared at empty space, eyes wide.

An odd sensation bloomed in his chest.

He looked down. A crimson branch pierced through his sternum.

"*AAAAH!*" Pain finally hit. He clutched his chest, screaming.

"Elven Sorcerers have superhuman power," Verlith’s crisp voice came from behind him. "But those who can’t wield it? No different from ordinary men."

She released the branch. Lal’s heavy body crashed to the ground.

"H-how…?" Lal reached out weakly, trying to stop her retreat. *How could someone so strong kill me in one move?*

Verlith turned her back, voice cold.

"This might sting—but I’m no Elven Sorcerer."

"Centuries ago, when slavery existed, could I have forced *you* into chains? Beaten you at will? Would you accept that?" Her words cut deep. Lal shuddered. He’d only thought of his own pleasure, never the pain he’d cause.

"I… I was wrong." Lal collapsed to his knees. "It’s too late, but please… accept a dying man’s regret. I’m… sorry."

Verlith paused, surprised by his remorse.

"The wise say: *To know fault and mend it is the greatest good.* I’ll spare you. Leave the branch in place. Return to the Rest Station. Find a skilled medic. You’ll live. Consider this mercy for your awakening."

She walked away, vanishing into the trees.

Lal shook his ringing head, forcing himself upright. He stared after her, heart churning. *A dying man’s words are kind…* He’d thought his regret came too late. Yet she’d given him a chance. Tears blurred his vision. *Such a good girl… and I wanted to ruin her.*

***SLAP! SLAP!*** He struck his own face.

He couldn’t return to the Rest Station.

His employer had sent him to spy on its supply caravans. That man planned an attack—and Lal would be caught in the crossfire.

No Rest Station meant no medic. Lal grimaced.

He’d have to rely on stolen potions.

Gritting his teeth against the pain, he stumbled to a giant tree hollow—a hiding spot he’d scouted earlier. His stolen supplies from the Rest Station lay inside.

He tore open his pack, scattering clothes everywhere until he found the lifesaving vial.

Grabbing a twig, he jammed it between his teeth and bit down hard.

The instant the branch was yanked out, blood gushed everywhere.

Lal sucked in a sharp breath, hurriedly unscrewing the medicine bottle to apply it to his wound.

Before the medicine could touch the injury, a purplish-black mist suddenly spewed forth!

The mist spread rapidly, swiftly enveloping his entire body!

"Aaaahhhhh!!!" Lal screamed in agony.

The pain tearing through him was ten times worse than when his chest had been pierced!

"That bastard tricked me! The Tree Embryo he gave me is tainted!!! Aaaahhhhh—!"

Lal shrieked, rolling desperately on the ground, his hands clawing frantically.

Soon, his cries faded.

When he stood again, the light in his eyes had vanished.

His eyes were entirely consumed by purplish-black. Staggering, Lal wandered aimlessly into the forest depths...