The true nightmare on the Northern Front wasn’t the Netherborn Elves.

It was the Elven Sorcerers who’d gone to hunt them—only to become corrupted themselves.

Lal before her was exactly that!

He looked like a blood-crazed gorilla heaving itself from deep water. He pounded his bare chest with a thunderous *thud-thud-thud-thud*. Veins burst across his skinless body, spraying thick, purple-black fluid onto the ground.

Purple-black mystic runes glowed across Lal’s rippling muscles.

The splattered droplets transformed into a dense black mist. Like a sudden downpour, it spread from Lal, drenching the entire forest clearing.

Trees, grass, even the air—all glistened wetly.

“Aaargh!”

Lal swung his massive arms wildly at Verlith.

His heavy fists crashed down like falling boulders.

Verlith had never truly fought in her winged form since the transformation. This corrupted sorcerer was the perfect chance to test her new body’s limits!

She flapped her wings, shooting upward to easily dodge Lal’s blows.

Gripping her longsword, she dove from the sky. A flash of white—Verlith appeared before Lal in an instant. Still diving, she slashed his chest. But the blade only cut through a layer of black water membrane, stopping short. She soared upward again, evading his retaliatory punch.

She adjusted her position, launching several high-altitude strikes.

Though slower than Verlith, Lal relied on his black water barrier to deflect her attacks time and again.

After another failed strike, Verlith shifted tactics.

She hovered low, waiting for the split-second opening as Lal’s fist descended. Her sword rested at her waist—poised for the Heartmind Flow’s signature counter: *Riposte*.

The moment his fist neared, she whipped her wings, executing the Divine Wind Dance Steps to dodge. She aimed to spin behind him and pierce his back with the *Riposte*.

But reality outpaced her plan. Though Longya’s Divine Wind Sword Style was the ultimate ground-based footwork, its fluid grace couldn’t be replicated midair. Her body moved—but stayed within his fist’s reach.

*Thud!*

His blow struck her slender right arm. Verlith lost balance, crashing down like a stone dropped in a pond. She hit the soggy forest floor, sending water splashing in all directions.

Lal’s punch carried terrifying force. Even after landing, Verlith couldn’t shed its momentum. She skidded backward across the ground, carving a long, muddy trench.

*Careless!*

*Whoosh—*

She snapped her great wings open, lifting off the earth mid-skid. Mud streaked her body. Alyssa’s torn dress hung in tatters, exposing her flawless legs and glistening bare back.

*Hss—*

Verlith sucked in a sharp breath, flexing her pale right arm. It tingled slightly—but still functioned. No bones broken. This body’s resilience was impressive.

She glanced at her snow-white wings and sighed softly, landing a short distance away.

“Not just these wings… I’m still unfamiliar with this body. Even *that* part feels awkward when I move.”

Her gaze dropped to her chest. Her full breasts swayed with every motion, throwing off her balance—a discomfort she hadn’t yet adjusted to.

Touching solid ground brought relief. After years of walking on two legs, flight still felt unnatural.

“ROOOAR!”

Lal roared like a beast. After enduring Verlith’s rapid strikes, finally landing a hit sent him into a frenzy. He slammed his fists against the earth, making the ground tremble.

*Riiip—*

Seizing his moment of wild celebration, Verlith pressed her wings flat against her back. She tore off the ruined dress, then slipped out of her undergarments. Her full, pale breasts sprang free. She glanced down—though not the first time seeing this body, her heart still fluttered.

A blush rose on her cheeks. She quickly looked away, slicing the dress into strips with her sword. She tightly bound her chest, then wrapped the excess fabric around her waist like a makeshift micro-skirt. Her shapely hips and the shadowed curve above her thighs were barely concealed.

A cold gust suddenly brushed her back.

Verlith’s senses flared. She twisted aside just as four black water-arrows pierced the spot where she’d stood. Four deep craters now marred the ground.

Black raindrops now filled the air. In the next heartbeat, they sharpened into countless blades, all surging toward Verlith!

“I’m serious now. Such childish tricks won’t touch me!”

A cold smirk played on Verlith’s lips. She danced through the storm of blades using the Divine Wind Dance Steps, drifting like a willow leaf in a breeze. Each time a water-blade neared, an unseen force seemed to push her gently aside.

In an instant, Verlith stood before the hulking Lal, her sword gleaming.

This time, Lal reacted fast. His monstrous eyes locked onto her. Spikes of water erupted from his body like hidden daggers.

The Silverhaired Maiden’s gaze burned fierce. Her sword became a blur as she thrust with impossible speed.

The blade spun into an impenetrable shield. Not a single water-dagger could breach her defense!

“Is this all you’ve got?”

Wet silver strands clung to Verlith’s face, hiding her beauty but revealing the scornful curl of her lips.

*Drip.*

A bead of water fell from her bangs.

The moment it hit the ground—

Verlith’s right foot slammed down, sinking into the soft earth.

She vanished from sight!

Reappearing behind Lal—

“YEEEOOOWW!”

Lal bellowed in frustration at his vanished target.

“Heartmind Flow Riposte—*Flash Strike!*”

Both hands gripped the sword hilt. She drew it from her waist in a blinding arc of white light, the wind howling around the blade. It plunged deep into Lal’s back, spraying black fluid. The sword halted halfway—Verlith gritted her teeth, driving it forward with all her strength.

*Splut—*

The cold steel burst through Lal’s abdomen, dripping purple-black blood.

A chill wind swept over her head. Lal’s fist descended from above.

*BOOM—*

His fists smashed into the earth like twin iron hammers.

But his enemy had vanished again.

“*Second Flash!*”

Her crisp voice came from behind him.

The Silverhaired Maiden raised her sword, its edge humming with lethal intent. She brought it down in a cleaving strike—but the blade snagged against his shoulder!

“*BREAK THROUGH!!*”

She forced it downward. Just centimeters more—the sword unleashed terrifying momentum, splitting him open!

*Slish—*

Lal’s back split wide.

Black water and purple blood erupted into the air like grotesque blossoms.

“GRRRAAAAGH! YEEEAH! AAAAH!”

Instead of collapsing, the grievously wounded Lal threw his head back and roared.

*Squelch… gurgle…*

Thick purple-black ooze gushed from his wound!

“AAGH!” Lal bellowed in rage. The black liquid sealed his gash, stopping the bleeding. As if instantly healed, he stood unharmed. Suddenly, his powerful legs coiled—he launched himself upward, spinning like a drill aimed straight at Verlith.

“What? Regeneration too? Terrifying.”

Verlith retreated lightly on the Divine Wind Dance Steps.

*CRASH!*

His massive body hit the ground, spraying water everywhere. Purple-black runes flared across Lal’s skin. The droplets morphed into spinning water blades, encircling Verlith, ready to shred her apart.

“Hmph! Put away your useless tricks.”

Verlith spun, her sword deflecting every water blade. She lunged, severing Lal’s arm—but black liquid instantly sealed the stump, reattaching it. He charged again like a rabid beast.

Verlith frowned, dodging his attacks while studying his regenerating wounds. An idea struck her. She dodged another lunge, then sliced off Lal’s finger.

This time, it didn’t reattach.

*Just as I thought. He can only regenerate if the body parts stay connected. One clean cut through his entire body will end this!*

Verlith had uncovered his weakness.

Her left foot stamped the earth. She pivoted, launching herself skyward.

—*Divine Wind Sword Style Ultimate: First Form, Netherfall Slash!*

Her sword spun with devastating force, blazing with light. She flapped her wings, accelerating the descent.

She struck downward at blinding speed.

The blade crashed into Lal’s back, splitting the black membrane over his old wound. A geyser of dark blood erupted.

*THUD!*

A thunderous impact shook the forest.

Verlith landed hard, her boots sinking deep into the mud.

Her sharp eyes tracked Lal. She dodged his wild punch, reappearing behind him.

—*Second Form, Skyrend Ascent!*

“YAAAAH!!!”

A fierce cry rang out. The longsword became a beam of white light, thrust upward from Lal’s wound, piercing his core.

Verlith gritted her teeth, heaving the blade skyward. Her height couldn’t cleave him fully—but she remembered her wings.

Her white wings tore through the air.

The sword-wielding maiden shot upward like a comet.

Lal’s body split cleanly from shoulder to waist. His lower half collapsed under the weight of his torso. Both halves crashed to the ground, spraying water.

Lal was bisected. Dead.

“Cycle through reincarnation. May you enjoy mortal splendor in your next life.”

Verlith murmured to the corpse. But her expression remained grim.

From Lal’s remains, a stream of purple-black vapor burst forth. A writhing shadow slowly peeled itself free, crawling out of the body.