After escaping the guards' pursuit, Xia Xin and the others hid behind a small house.

Xia Xin felt a splitting headache.

Though the Forbidden Spell scroll—that dangerous ticking time bomb—had vanished, she now seemed trapped in an even bigger mess.

Why did it turn out like this...? All she’d wanted was to hang the factory boss from a streetlight.

Who could’ve expected this?

Maybe she should wait for the Holy Maiden to handle it.

Or... just run away now and avoid all problems.

She could forget the quest rewards!

That was Xia Xin’s original thought.

But just as she steeled herself to leave, a familiar voice reached her ears.

Sally’s shout.

Faint, yet unmistakable.

"Tch! That bastard’s still alive?!" Xia Xin instantly flared with rage.

Sally’s gentle nature meant she’d never scream unless in danger... Likely, that perverted alchemist had turned on her!

Xia Xin refused to let Sally—an angelically kind girl—face peril because of her.

"Miss Witch... are you planning to...?" Xila noticed the scene and Xia Xin’s furious, anxious expression, her heart churning with mixed feelings.

Hmm, does Miss Witch care that much about her?

No... don’t overthink it. Miss Witch’s just big-hearted, compassionate to everyone... Yeah, that’s it!

"Huff..." Xia Xin took a deep breath, resolve hardening. She met Xila’s eyes. "It’s risky, but... come back with me."

"Ah!" Xila blushed, nodding fast. "Yes! No problem—if you need me, Miss Witch, I’ll be fine!"

"Good. First, snatch those guards’ guns." Xia Xin pointed at patrolling guards nearby.

"Eh?" Xila frowned. "Miss Witch, that weird weapon? It’s no match for magic."

"Just grab it."

"Okay." Xila nodded, puzzled inside.

Had Miss Witch’s mana run dry after the defense? If so, Xila could offer a better fix—like intertwining bodies to replenish her... mana.

Hehe...

But she quickly dismissed it. Not from reluctance—Miss Witch! How could she deplete mana? Clearly, she disdained using magic on trash like them.

"Well~ I’m curious about that weapon too." Xila raised her hand.

A brief chant later, an ice spike shot out. On contact, it spread across the guard’s body, freezing him instantly.

"Got it~" Xila retrieved the flintlock, examining it. "Hmm, how’s this used... Eh!"

"Hand it over. This isn’t a toy—misfires are deadly." Xia Xin took it, glancing once. Perfect. Matched her flintlock knowledge from FPS eroge.

Still, she knew its worthlessness: a disposable after one shot. Reloading took longer than chanting a Forbidden Spell.

But a real weapon beat relying on Fireball Spells... especially when she might not cast them in a pinch.

Of course, Xila beside her was the true powerhouse—her magic dwarfed Xia Xin’s.

Flintlock in hand, Xia Xin and Xila reentered the alchemy workshop.

......

......

Kreuz stared at his bullet-pierced palm, face twisting viciously. "Calamity Witch... what... what are you doing?!"

"Enough!" Xila thrust out her hand, magic swirling in her palm. Here, unrestricted, she wouldn’t be humiliated again!

"I see... Calamity Witch, this damned Demonfolk bewitched you!" Kreuz yanked potions from his pocket, fanaticism undimmed. "I’ll prove the Demon God’s existence!"

He hurled the potions at the overhead seal. Blinding light erupted. Kreuz laughed wildly. "My plans are exposed—no hiding now. Freeing just a fragment of Him will surely... interest you, Calamity Witch!"

Like hell it would!

Xia Xin paled. Even magic-ignorant her sensed something... emerging from above. Something terrifying.

Big trouble was coming!

"Uh..." Xila’s gathered magic collapsed. Her body trembled instinctively—like facing a higher-dimensional being. Soul and flesh shuddered.

What... was that thing?

"Crack—"

The seal shattered like glass. A crimson tail slithered out, dangling mid-air, swaying slowly.

"O great ancient Demon God!" Kreuz knelt. "I, loyal follower of the Calamity Witch, welcome Your descent... though only a fragment is freed."

"Roar!"

A bellow shook the factory. Potion-inhaled workers froze, staring upward.

"Foo... od..."

An incomprehensible voice seeped from the seal. Kreuz bowed. "Honored Demon God! Food awaits—a High Rank Mage from the Demonfolk. It will satisfy You."

Fuck you, you bastard!

Xia Xin cursed inwardly. That mad alchemist! She should’ve shot his head off earlier... Damn! The tail lunged—not at her, but at Xila beside her!

"Whoosh!"

The tail speared forward like a blade. Too fast to dodge.

Blood spurted as it pierced Xila’s abdomen. The girl’s body crumpled slowly...