No time to overthink—saving lives came first!

Every second counted; I couldn’t afford distractions.

With the skill primed, I swung Yalkotira overhead!

Gripping it tight, I spun full circle on the spot before releasing it—the centrifugal force hurling Yalkotira forward!

The moment it flew free, Yalkotira began spinning wildly, whipping up a hurricane centered on itself!

"Go forth, Spinning Tortoise Shell!!!!!"

I still shouted the skill’s name for show after launching it.

A nameless skill had no soul!

As the words left my lips, the spinning Yalkotira did resemble a turtle shell…

Was *that* where the name came from?

While I wrestled with the absurdity of "Spinning Tortoise Shell,"

Yalkotira shot past Yang Hailiu from behind, soaring ahead of her!

"Aim much?" Yang Hailiu sneered, watching it zip by her.

To her, my attack lacked any precision.

Truth was, this skill had none.

The wind-up required a full spin before throwing the weapon—

making accuracy nearly impossible.

Most throws ended in misses…

But this skill wasn’t what it seemed…

As Yang Hailiu glanced back at me, she didn’t notice what lay ahead…

Exactly. After flying a short distance, Yalkotira curved sharply back!

Its return path aligned perfectly with Yang Hailiu’s current trajectory!

"URRRGHHHHH!!!"

The rebounding Yalkotira slammed squarely into Yang Hailiu’s face—

her agonized shriek tearing through the gloomy sky, lingering long after impact.

Hearing that scream, I winced. *That had to hurt.*

Taking a hit like that with your face…

I shuddered at the mere thought, shaking my head violently.

Struck head-on, Yang Hailiu crumpled like a broken bird, crashing face-first into the dirt.

*Did I stop her?*

"No… can’t stop… never stop…"

The impact hadn’t knocked her out.

She clawed at the earth, fingers digging into mud, and slowly pushed herself up.

Her crimson eyes—burning with endless malice—flicked toward me, then dismissed me entirely as she turned toward the unconscious qipao-clad girl.

"Teacher Yang, stop… killing her won’t change anything—"

"SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP! What do you know, you brat?!"

"I may not understand, but I still hold onto basic human decency…"

"Decency? Power and youth are everything! EVERYTHING! Justice only bows to the strong!!!"

"…"

Seeing my words fall on deaf ears,

I gazed sorrowfully at Yang Hailiu—the monster she’d become.

She was barely human anymore.

Not just her body… but her very soul had crossed lines.

Trampling others’ lives underfoot for hollow, fleeting gains…

"Power… power… my youth… my youth…"

Ignoring my frozen stance, Yang Hailiu kept advancing toward the girl,

her expression ravenous, like a predator eyeing prime prey.

*She sees that girl as nothing but nourishment…*

"Enough… Teacher… please…"

I covered my face, refusing to shed tears for this twisted shadow of a person.

Resolve hardened within me.

A trace of sorrow flickered in my eyes as I reluctantly drew a card from thin air—

a card depicting a massive crimson greatsword with a sharp triangular blade.

"Who are *you* to lecture me?! Once I devour her, I’ll have the power to crush you! You’re the last person who gets to judge me!"

Yang Hailiu didn’t pause, spitting venom over her shoulder.

"If I had a choice, I truly wouldn’t…"

She didn’t turn back.

*As expected.*

Someone who’d abandoned their core beliefs

would never listen to me again.

I shook my head slightly and slid the card into my belt.

"Card insertion detected…"

"Identifying card type…"

"Identification complete…"

"Reading card data… Data acquired… Weapon profile locked…"

"Loading ‘Crimson Greatsword—Caulgoliver, Hunter of the Blazing Sun’!"

"Loading complete… Materialization sequence initiating…"

*So it’s a sword.*

I’d guessed as much from the card’s illustration.

The system’s confirmation proved me right.

"Delicious… so delicious… my existence… GIVE ME YOUR GEM!!!"

Yang Hailiu’s steps never faltered as I transformed.

She was closing in on the girl…

"BURN TO ASHES! AWAKEN, CRIMSON GREATSWORD! CAULGOLIVER, HUNTER OF THE BLAZING SUN!"

I tossed the returning Yalkotira skyward,

then clasped my hands before my chest as if grasping an invisible hilt.

Scarlet flames erupted from my palms, surging upward—

forming a sharp, inward-curving triangular shape.

Seconds later, as the flames dissipated…

A colossal crimson blade materialized before me.

A greatsword with a triangular blade, its edges subtly concave.

The edges looked blunt, almost polished smooth—yet dotted with gaps that seemed designed to unleash something.

Even the tip shared this trait, adorned with intricate, flame-like engravings.

*Undeniably cool.*

I swung Caulgoliver lightly.

Despite its imposing size, it felt weightless in my grip.

My gaze drifted downward—

the black evening gown was gone. In its place: a fiery red princess dress.

A two-layered gown with lace trim, its front hem scandalously open—

leaving only a modest panel covering my lap.

*Same designer mischief as last time.*

The neckline connected to a delicate lace choker,

while sheer crimson lace gauntlets sheathed my arms.

Gripping Caulgoliver firmly, I tore my eyes from the dress and locked onto Yang Hailiu.

*My appearance could wait.*

That girl was in mortal peril.

If she died because I hesitated…

I’d never forgive myself.

Refusing that guilt, I lunged forward, pushing off the ground with my heel, Caulgoliver raised high!

Mid-stride, I drew another card from the sword’s hilt slot—

a card showing a single wing engulfed in flames.

Without hesitation, I slotted it into my belt.

"Card insertion detected…"

"Identifying card type…"

"Identification complete… Type: Awakening Card… Activating Caulgoliver’s systems…"

"Activation successful… Reading Awakening Tier…"

"Tier confirmed… Level One! Releasing Caulgoliver’s Level One Awakening functions!"

*Awakening Card?*

I’d expected a skill card.

This new category caught me off guard—

but only for a heartbeat. My focus snapped back to the girl.

Yang Hailiu stood over her now, rust-encrusted claws rising for the killing strike!

"NO!"

I was too far to intercept.

I shouted desperately—

but Yang Hailiu ignored me.

Her twisted grin declared victory.

Just as despair gripped me, Caulgoliver trembled in my hand.

Air hissed from the blade’s gaps, forming a shimmering energy edge around the triangular steel.

*Now!*

I didn’t hesitate. Swinging Caulgoliver in a diagonal slash—

a crimson crescent blade erupted from the arc, screaming toward Yang Hailiu!

It struck just as her claws descended!

"GYAAAH!"

Yang Hailiu recoiled with a pained cry, snatching her hand back instinctively.

"HAAH!"

Seizing the opening, I closed the distance in three strides and swept Caulgoliver horizontally at her midsection!