【You don’t want teammates fighting over loot with you, do you? Or anyone knowing you defeated the boss? Then don’t save her! My calculations are flawless—both it and she are critically wounded. Just wait to claim the spoils.】

The system stated calmly.

Its voice remained as rational as ever.

It naturally delivered the optimal strategy for maximum gain.

It reasoned Mylora deserved all the loot. For future safety, no one must know she took it—lest enemies come hunting. Only Mylora needed to walk out of the boss room alive.

【Fifteen seconds. She’ll fall within fifteen. Strike the instant it relaxes after killing her! Drive the sword in its back all the way through!】

A perfectly rational, precise, and safe command.

“You—!!!!”

But Mylora couldn’t accept it.

How could she?

She tried to step forward—but the ring tightened sharply. Excruciating pain shot through her fingers, forcing her to drop her sword.

【Only—the—ruthless—reach—the—pinnacle! Don’t make me repeat myself!】

“But—”

【Just obey me! I’d never harm you. Only I truly care for you!】

“But…”

With bloodshot eyes, Gelaru unleashed a brutal, merciless assault on Ji Xue. Ji Xue, a master at redirecting force, was hopelessly outmatched. Her fractured arm screamed in agony. Tears streamed down her face as she retreated desperately, using every ounce of skill to deflect the axe—but this was her limit. The next blow would pulp her.

At this life-or-death moment—Mylora could endure no longer.

【Hey!? Idiot, don’t—】

But righteous fury drowned out reason.

Ten meters separated her from Gelaru’s back—a distance of life and death. No time to drive the sword home. Only one choice remained.

“STOP!!!!!!!”

She hurled the blast bomb with all her strength. It struck true.

The explosion deflected the axe by a hair’s breadth, grazing Ji Xue’s head. Ji Xue, strength spent, collapsed from blood loss and pain, fainting as her legs gave way. Gelaru whirled and lunged at Mylora.

THUD!!!!!

Impact.

A fleeting weightlessness.

Blood filled Mylora’s mouth. She’d dodged and parried at the last second—but Gelaru’s elbow shattered her short sword. She crashed down in a twisted heap, coughing blood, legs screaming in pain, unable to rise.

【IDIOT!!!!! WHY DIDN’T YOU LISTEN!?】

“Huff… huff… hiss… aah…”

Words failed her. Thought vanished.

Had she obeyed—sacrificed Ji Xue—she could’ve slain the boss and escaped with the loot.

Now: Ji Xue gravely wounded. Mylora broken. Boss still alive. Worst outcome.

Gelaru didn’t pursue. It yanked the sword from its back. The visceral wound burned. Rage from repeated ambushes boiled over—it entered Phase Two.

“I’VE HAD ENOUGH OF THESE WILD MUSHROOMS!!!!”

For the first time, the boss roared in human tongue. It discarded the axe, seized the Fly Chancellor clinging to its shoulder, and with a violent twist—filthy blood sprayed everywhere. The giant fly died without a sound.

Bathed in gore, all restraint shattered. A roar shook the cavern. Stripped of reason and mushroom suppression, killing intent exploded—kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill!

Arms spread wide, it advanced on the helpless Mylora. The pressure hit like a tsunami. The system’s voice faded. Only one fate remained: crushed to paste.

Was the path of the Phoenix Overlord to end here, before the first step?

Would she fail to save herself—and lose her companion too?

No.

No.

No.

Not this—

“ᛗᚷᚩᛉ!”

A silvery-white lightning bolt pierced the air, slamming into Gelaru’s face.

“Holy Flame Arrow.”

A golden flaming arrow followed, striking its chest. Holy fire seared a charred mark across its torso.

“Eh…………?”

Mylora and Ji Xue strained to lift their heads.

Torina. And Lachesis.

Why… were they here?

Torina was supposed to recruit Annawiel. They weren’t leaving until midnight!

“What? Not happy to see me?” Torina said.

Her words teased—but her tone was ice. Bitter. Unfamiliar.

The gentle warmth in her gaze toward Mylora was gone.

Replaced by undisguised disappointment.

————————

Rewind slightly—

At dusk, Torina finally sensed something wrong.

“Where’s Mylora?”

She searched the inn. In Mylora’s room, belongings packed, the gear Torina gifted neatly folded on the bed—a silent “I don’t want these.”

“What’s going on…”

A chill crept in. She asked the bartender downstairs. He’d seen Mylora and Ji Xue slip out furtively.

Just then, Lachesis came down.

“Captain? You look troubled.”

“Someone saw Mylora and Ji Xue leave. Something’s off…”

“Mylora? Wait—last midnight, I saw her leaving your floor… tears streaming down her face.”

“Huh? She was crying?”

“Didn’t you…?”

“But she was fine when she left yesterday… Ah!”

Torina connected the dots.

After Mylora left, she’d talked long with Annawiel.

Next day, Mylora’s attitude flipped completely.

If someone deliberately twisted her thoughts…?

“…Tch! Lachesis—have you seen Annawiel!?”

“Not all day.”

“Where is she?! Lachesis—free now? Come with me!”

“Huh? So sudden? What’s up?”

“Just come!!!”

Torina dragged Lachesis straight to Amana Forest.

Meanwhile, Annawiel sat in the salon, getting her final hair touch-up, giddy for tonight’s date—ahem, *adventure*. Alas… too late for her~