Sometimes, humans can be far more monstrous than actual monsters.

Pure, unrestrained killing intent radiated from them—human shells dominated by beastly desires.

Shadow was exactly like that.

Her power was devastating but clearly uncontrollable. And…

“Die! Die! Die!”

A gray storm raged wildly, its force indiscriminate. Useless and the others, even Mo, were flung far away.

At the storm’s heart, only two figures clashed relentlessly.

The ground beneath them had vanished long ago. As corrosive mist spread, the airship itself teetered on the brink of collapse.

Yet neither Yuri nor Shadow cared in the slightest.

Their desires aligned perfectly: kill the other, drink her blood, devour her flesh!

Elegant techniques were abandoned. Their fight turned primal, bloody.

When Yuri tore open Shadow’s chest, her own right arm snapped into several pieces.

Then, like retaliation, the twisted-faced girl sank her teeth into Yuri’s shoulder!

No human grace or elemental flair—just crude, beastly brutality.

“Why won’t you die?” After drinking Yuri’s blood, Shadow’s face flushed with a sickly crimson.

She grabbed Yuri by the throat and slammed her down from midair.

BOOM!!!!

The impact shook the ship violently. The lowest deck warped instantly, the entire airship trembling.

Tables, chairs, props—all shattered around them.

The already-shaking airship groaned louder, swaying precariously.

Luckily, the main control zone was untouched. Otherwise, this airship would’ve been destroyed.

Still, its condition was grim.

The third deck was nearly gone; the first and second were riddled with holes.

Only sturdy construction and emergency runes kept it barely airborne.

But with their fierce battle and Shadow’s spreading storm, it wouldn’t withstand many more hits.

Yuri had unleashed her killing desire but hadn’t lost all reason.

She knew destroying this place would cause endless trouble.

So she held back her full power.

Otherwise, the airship would’ve been gone long ago.

Facing Shadow’s punch, Yuri crossed her arms to block. Still, the force drove her deep into the thick metal floor.

Above, Shadow clenched a fist in midair. Gray mist condensed in her palm, forming a massive spear.

Squelch!

The spear pierced Yuri’s chest, pinning her to the ground.

Shadow leaned on the spear, slowly rising. A second spear formed in her hand.

This time, aimed at the head!

But…

The spear plunged deep into the metal. Yuri’s body had already melted into blood, reforming nearby.

“Why… won’t you die?”

Shadow muttered again, her ash-filled eyes blazing with savage fury.

Spears coalesced, then shot forth like thunderbolts.

Gray mist lashed out, ensnaring Yuri with no escape!

Hiss!

Her shoulder was pierced. The mist cut like blades—certain death for ordinary humans.

Yuri healed fast, but the storm spread faster!

Within seconds, her body was torn to shreds.

Even the fragments were devoured by the gale!

“Heehee… Dead…?!”

Shadow’s joyful grin froze instantly.

Amid the gray storm, an unerasable red emerged—and grew.

Blood!

Flowing blood pushed back the storm. A dark shadow reappeared within.

Yuri stood there, expressionless, a trace of disdain in her eyes.

“Why? Why won’t you die?!”

Two spears formed, then flew, pinning Yuri to a distant wall.

The storm surged again, twisting, shredding!

Undeniably, she was killed once more.

But…

“Why… why?”

Shadow’s face twisted with unspeakable confusion. Her fingers trembled slightly.

Because there, the girl she’d killed had risen again!

Why? She’d killed her, hadn’t she?

Once, she could blame some strange ability. But twice, thrice…

“…Impossible. I’ll kill you!”

She pointed. Dozens of gray blades tore through the air.

Yuri stood still, letting her body be ripped apart again.

Her crimson eyes locked onto the girl opposite.

They burned with killing desire—and a faint trace of pity, of sorrow.

That clown-like gaze shattered the girl’s fragile nerves.

“Damn you! Damn you! Damn you!”

BOOM!!

A terrifying storm erupted, worse than any before.

Scattered mist converged completely. Yuri’s space turned deathly gray!

This storm would leave not even dust behind.

Such power drained Shadow deeply, exhaustion flooding her.

But…

As the storm cleared, Yuri stood untouched, not even her clothes torn.

Shadow was certain she’d shredded her into pieces. Yet like a mirage, Yuri stood intact, only her position changed.

How… possible?

Her rage-drenched mind plunged into icy water, cooling fast.

And that chill spread through her entire body…

“You… who are you? No—I’ll kill you!”

She drained her last strength, pushing her body to its limits. Power surged as promised.

Like a stubborn child, she sacrificed everything left to reach her goal.

Hope like fire, storm like blades.

Once. Twice. Thrice…

After Yuri died and rose countless times, Shadow finally stopped.

The storm weakened to a whisper. Her body refused to obey, utterly spent.

The power in her blood was exhausted.

Yuri moved at last, stepping past her without a glance.

Shadow tried to turn, but her body collapsed limply to the floor.

Then… agony crashed over her like a tide!

Using forbidden power always carried a heavy price. Each use drained her life force.

“Cough…”

She spat a mouthful of blood. Her fingers twitched. Pain like a thousand blades carved through her.

It drowned her nerves, corroding her soul.

Finally, the last light in her ashen eyes faded slowly…

Yuri hadn’t killed her. She’d killed herself.

Yuri didn’t look back, as if she’d already forgotten her.

She stood quietly for a moment. A drop of blood appeared on her fingertip.

Watching it, a bewitching gleam flickered in her eyes…