"This is indeed strange," Suran pondered. "As I mentioned earlier, the excess stones in the village could nearly form a stone giant. To force it to awaken on its own, I didn’t stop Hushang when he rushed in—nor called out to him."

"Hmm… If Maid Sister had entered instead, the stone giant might have stayed hidden, feigning sleep. So… I accidentally became the bait and lured it awake?" Hushang bandaged the wound on his hand, sudden realization dawning.

"Exactly. Since the quest hint stated the stone giant would feign slumber, it likely possesses intelligence to avoid strong opponents," Suran continued. "But its later behavior suggests it deliberately set a bloodthirsty trap. Beyond higher cunning, this monster craves blood—and even let out a crazed, excited roar. That defies all logic."

"So… what do we do now?" the trio asked cautiously.

"Complete the mission. Eliminate every stone giant here. Those 200 silver coins are ours," Suran replied matter-of-factly. "As for the anomaly, we’ll report it to Vice President Androde upon return. She’ll alert the Solflare Legion for a full investigation. After that, it’s no longer our concern."

"Understood! Maid Sister, do you still need me as bait?" Hushang volunteered eagerly. "I was scared half to death earlier, but if luring them awake helps you—then it’s worth it!"

"No," Suran shook her head gently. "We agreed beforehand: I wouldn’t risk your safety. Using you as bait was a temporary call."

"But… if other stone giants stay scattered like rubble and pretend to sleep, how do we tell remains from ordinary rocks?" Hushang scratched his head, then brightened. "Oh! I get it! I couldn’t sense their magic earlier because I’m too weak. But Maid Sister—you’ll definitely tell the difference!"

"I can," Suran said. "But checking each one is inefficient. I have a better way to wake them."

"Eh? What way?"

Suran didn’t answer. She turned respectfully to Lyasis. "Miss, please step back."

Lyasis, guessing her intent, frowned slightly. "Suran… are you certain?"

Suran gently patted Lyasis’s head. "This speeds up the mission, Miss. No need to worry."

"…Alright." Lyasis nodded and retreated. The trio followed, standing beside her. They noticed a trace of concern in Lyasis’s gaze toward Suran—and grew even more curious what Maid Sister would do.

The next second, they saw.

Suran drew another dagger and, without hesitation, slashed a cut on her arm.

"!!?"

The trio froze in shock.

"Now that we know they’ve developed this unnatural bloodlust," Suran said calmly, "let’s use it to lure them." She lowered her arm. Blood dripped from her fingertips onto the ground.

The moment it pooled beneath her feet, the earth trembled.

*(Note: Suran had yet to awaken her Nightfiend Bloodline—this was human blood. Had it been Night Demon blood, far worse than stone giants would have come.)*

"An earthquake?!"

"No—something’s coming!!"

In moments, a horde of colossal figures surged forward like dark clouds descending, marching in grim procession.

"One… two… three… four… five… six… s-seven… eight…"

Their voices shook with their bodies, counting faltering under dread.

Nearly ten stone giants, drawn by blood, pressed in with apocalyptic weight.

Suran stood alone before them—calm, unshaken.

"These 200 silver coins… harder earned than expected," she murmured. "I don’t know what twisted you into this… but they’re mine."

She charged.

Scenting her blood, the giants lunged wildly. Suran darted between them—agile, precise. Their massive forms collided trying to grab her. Each time one staggered, she struck: dagger to chest, extracting the "heart."

Like a seasoned hunter toying with clumsy prey, she claimed half their magic cores in minutes.

*"Smarter than average stone giants… yet blood reduces them to frenzy,"* she thought—then her ears twitched. A sound from behind.

"Maid Sister!!"

The trio’s panicked cries cut through the air.

Suran whipped around. Behind Lyasis and the others, the ground heaved. A buried stone giant awakened.

"Blood… blood…"

This one was cleverest—hidden deep, ignoring Suran’s bait, targeting the weaker group. Muttering, it raised a crushing hand.

Without looking back, Suran hurled her dagger. *Thwack.* The last ambushing giant’s core shattered. She sprinted toward Lyasis—

—and stopped.

The trio scrambled away. Lyasis stood perfectly still.

Hand raised, lips moving in silent chant. A glowing magic circle flared beneath her feet.

The charging giant froze mid-motion.

"This… is *Domination Magic*!" Suran’s eyes lit up.

Lyasis had fused her innate power with theory from the *Apprentice’s Grimoire*—and dominated the giant.

A faint smile touched Lyasis’s lips. Gazing at the motionless giant, she commanded with noble grace:

"Kneel. And offer your 'heart' to me."