"Luckily, your gear isn’t the kind that absorbs others’ energy to power itself. If it were, I’d just surrender and consider joining your harem instead of fighting." Lulu said this without a shred of typical girlishness—though she hadn’t acted like one since this battle began.

Back in her gaming days, she’d always hated enemies that siphoned energy from others or regenerated faster than she could deal damage—like that infamous F2P game’s headless boss. Grinding it was such a pain. Only players who’d suffered knew the true agony.

"Gear like that would be legendary-tier at minimum. But you should be relieved—I don’t have any." Zhang Yong revealed details about his equipment without hesitation.

Richard bristled. To him, this was pure arrogance—a declaration that his attacks were useless. With so many spectators watching instead of fleeing, how could he, the Dragon Slayer Hero, tolerate being overshadowed by a girl fighting beasts? He cared little for crowds, but he couldn’t tarnish his name before the princess.

"Scoundrel! Declare your name! Someone like you can’t be unknown, not even among the Demonfolk. I, Richard Clydemann, the Dragon Slayer Hero, shall end you here!"

Lulu couldn’t fathom why announcing names mattered mid-fight. Did it grant a buff? She already knew Zhang Yong’s name anyway.

*So much for Heroes sensing each other.*

Facing Richard’s provocation, Zhang Yong—the Otherworldly Hero—responded with interdimensional disdain. He refused to share his name, offering only: "Defeat me first, and you’ll learn it."

"Then don’t blame me for what comes next!" Richard’s Battle Aura erupted with a dragon’s roar. He stomped the ground, launching himself at Zhang Yong like a fired arrow.

Unfamiliar with Richard’s fighting style, Lulu rarely intervened in close combat. She stayed back, healing her body while waiting for an opening.

Meanwhile, on the grand stage, the remaining beasts and Alice continued their brutal clash.

"Dragon’s Guard!" Twin colossal wings enveloped Alice, deflecting claws, venom, fire, and tails from every direction.

Alice struggled. Fighting multiple foes alone was grueling—even with Hero’s Power coursing through her, deep wounds marred her body. A corrosive scar on her back still seeped venom; only the raw dominance of Hero’s Power and her quick reflexes had saved her life.

Evelyn’s dark magic had twisted the beasts: stronger, faster-healing, and immune to Alice’s draconic aura. That was why she’d been forced on the defensive.

"Wings of the Dragon!" Alice’s shout echoed as her protective wings unleashed a gale. Five-meter-long energy wings spun around her like blades, slicing outward.

The beasts, crowded too close, couldn’t escape. Deep gashes split their hides, exposing bone—but instead of retreating, their fury intensified. They charged, roaring.

"Impressive. You must be a veteran Hero. Why haven’t I seen you before?" Evelyn mused from the sidelines.

Alice had no breath to spare for chatter. As a crimson-tipped spine pierced her arm, blood poured from the wound. The crimson energy didn’t just steal her vitality—it crippled her regeneration.

She glanced at the gash. *Shallow. Won’t hinder movement. But the bleeding… troublesome.*

"Crimson energy from Bloodthorn Beasts suppresses healing. Until purged, wounds won’t close. You’re welcome," Evelyn added sweetly—though her real aim was to make Alice flinch from future attacks.

"Thanks," Alice replied unexpectedly. Evelyn nearly squealed with delight. "You finally spoke! Your voice is lovely. Pity if you die soon—I’d miss hearing it. (つд⊂)"

"Hmph!" Alice snorted coldly. She leaped onto a beast’s back, using its thrashing momentum to vault skyward.

"Dragons have wings! In the skies, I reign supreme—Dragon Wings!" Her energy wings reappeared, now stretching five meters—modest for a true dragon, but perfect for her human form.

"Heavenly Dragon Shot!"

Elements coalesced around her, glowing faintly like a goddess’s veil. Below, spectators were spellbound by the ethereal beauty—if not for the battle, they’d have been utterly enchanted.

Evelyn knew this wasn’t mere spectacle. But none of her summoned beasts could fly. She commanded ranged attacks, useless as Alice danced through the air on her wings, weaving a dazzling ribbon of light while gathering elemental power.

"Heavenly Dragon Bullet!" Energy converged at the wingtips. Beast attacks rained down, but Alice diverted only a fraction of her power to shield herself. The rest fueled her ultimate technique.

Evelyn remained unnervingly calm. She knew this skill’s limits: without real dragons nearby, its power was crippled. She’d simply sacrifice the beasts as shields.

"Come then. Show me the might of a Dragon Slayer Hero."

*Whoosh!*

The bullet vanished. No explosion. No screams. No visible impact.

"Hahaha!" Evelyn’s laughter rang out, elegant even in mockery, drawing every eye. "Care to explain where your big attack went? My apologies—I blinked."

"Allow this old man to enlighten you, Miss Evelyn—the Succubus, one of the Dark Lord’s Seven Commanders."

A deep voice cut through the silence. The Grand Archmage, sealed earlier by Demon King Power, had finally been remembered.

"My thanks, Dragon Slayer Hero Albert White. You wasted your ultimate technique… for this old man’s sake."