A Monster’s Return and a Serpent’s End

In Ming Yu’s hands, the massive dreadnought-slicing blade moved with the agility of a dagger. She casually performed a blade flourish, its indomitable edge slicing through the void and reflecting an intimidating, chilling gleam.

This battle no longer held any suspense.

****

Ming Yu released her grip, gazing at Jörmungaṇḍr, now broken into several segments. The enormous dreadnought-slicing blade dissipated along with it, dissolving into countless specks of light.

Only then did the heavy burden in her heart finally lift. Her gaze drifted downward, settling upon the young girl in her arms.

Ming Yu was secretly surprised.

Though this was her first encounter with such a monster, Little Nightingale merely clung to her a little tighter, showing no other signs of distress.

Several questions regarding Little Nightingale’s arrival remained unanswered.

“Little Nightingale, how did you end up here?”

Ming Yu carefully controlled her movements. One arm encircled the girl’s slender waist, while her other hand, intending to stroke her head and offer comfort, paused inches from the tangled golden hair.

The rugged, keratinous claws on her fingertips momentarily deterred her from caressing the golden-haired girl.

After more than half a month apart, Ming Yu was naturally overjoyed by their reunion, yet she feared harming Little Nightingale and thus restrained her comforting gestures.

Truth be told, she now considered herself a monster in every sense of the word.

Her idle hand drifted to her lips, and as she parted them slightly, her fingertip could feel the sharp edge of a fang.

‘Was this the price of power?’

Ming Yu was acutely aware of her current appearance, and she knew how horrifying those two upper canines must be, making her seem no different from a vampire in ancient myths.

‘Would Little Nightingale be afraid of this?’

The thought that the girl might distance herself because of it brought a sudden pang of discomfort to Ming Yu’s heart, though she felt helpless.

In the past, Little Nightingale would have seen through her every thought. But now, Little Nightingale suddenly realized that she could no longer discern Ming Yu’s inner voice, only vaguely perceiving her emotions.

‘How could this be?’

‘Had Ming Yu discovered it?’

She froze for a moment, then instinctively answered Ming Yu’s question.

“I… I was so worried about you, Ming Yu…”

“Worried about me?”

Hearing this, Ming Yu paused, then nodded thoughtfully, a gentle smile she hadn’t worn in a long time gracing her face. She sighed softly.

“I’m sorry, I broke my promise.”

“No, it’s alright, Ming Yu… As long as you’re back, as long as you’re back…”

Little Nightingale craned her neck, shaking her head as she stared into Ming Yu’s blood-red pupils, her eyes stinging as she choked out the words.

While the inability to hear Ming Yu’s thoughts came as a surprise, she quickly found peace with it. It didn’t matter how things were, as long as Ming Yu returned, as long as she wasn’t abandoned. Nothing else mattered.

“I’m sorry…”

Ming Yu was rendered speechless, managing only a bitter smile.

At this, Little Nightingale’s blue eyes widened, fixed intently on the elusive gaze of the person before her.

“Ming Yu, you never need to apologize to me…”

She hugged Ming Yu’s waist tightly, as if there was a hidden meaning in her words, and mumbled.

“I only hope that one day, you can forgive my willfulness…”

As she spoke the latter half of the sentence, her voice grew very soft, as if she feared Ming Yu might hear it clearly, yet also yearned for Ming Yu to understand, her tone incredibly conflicted.

During the days Ming Yu was absent, she became aware of the hidden thoughts she had kept concealed and slowly began to scrutinize her own timid heart.

‘What exactly did Ming Yu mean to me?’

These twenty-one days and nights, every moment, every second, had been an ordeal. The constant internal struggle had given rise to certain unspeakable feelings. Little Nightingale herself couldn’t quite articulate it, only feeling a profound sense of shame. Her mind was plagued by blushing fantasies, filled with visions of possessing Ming Yu.

She was likely unwell.

At this moment, Ming Yu was oblivious to Little Nightingale’s true feelings, believing only that her broken promise had caused the girl some disappointment. After all, missing an important birthday naturally warranted some dissatisfaction from Little Nightingale. Ming Yu could entirely understand this.

Embraces must eventually end; reunions are often followed by partings.

More likely than not, the real Ming Yu was currently facing an unknown crisis.

Little Nightingale voluntarily released her, facing Ming Yu, her gaze unwilling to leave for even a moment. She slowly retreated, restraining her emotions.

Behind her, the portal of return quietly opened wide.

Little Nightingale desperately controlled her facial expressions, maintaining a sweet smile as she softly said:

“Ming Yu, I’ll be a good girl and wait for you to come home…”

****

Stepping through the portal, Little Nightingale’s consciousness returned to her body. Fatigue and weariness surged like a tide, compelling her to sleep. This psychic exertion had nearly drained all her spiritual energy.

In a daze, an eerie whisper echoed in her ears.

“Exceptionally gifted, with a promising future…”

“May the light of Eternity forever protect you, Seventh Apostle…”

****

Above the azure expanse, thunderous roars like exploding cannonballs resounded ceaselessly.

Wave after colossal wave crashed over the ship, causing it to rock violently. Many refugees on deck stumbled, drenched thoroughly by the salty seawater. Despite this, they refused to return to the cabins, their gazes unanimously fixed on the source of the immense waves, palms sweating with apprehension.

From dusk until the evening glow faded, the bloody carnage stained a vast area of the sea, and countless marine creatures and fish caught in the crossfire met untimely deaths.

The battle concluded with the cessation of the giant serpent’s life activities.

Ming Yu had first undergone genetic enhancement, significantly boosting her physical attributes, and then she had crushed Jörmungaṇḍr’s consciousness, markedly weakening its reaction speed.

With one side gaining and the other losing, what was initially a balanced fight had devolved into a one-sided slaughter.

Ming Yu pulverized the two massive golden eyes, then easily pierced Jörmungaṇḍr’s skull, deftly destroying its nerve center. However, even with brain damage, Jörmungaṇḍr continued to grapple with her for a time, only collapsing inertly once it reached a certain limit.

Only then did the long-suppressed cheers erupt, the sound sweeping across the nearby sea surface like a sudden peal of thunder.

“Oh my god, am I dreaming? We actually survived?!”

“When the Ultimate Hunter fell, I honestly thought I was going to be eaten by sea beasts…”

“Thanks to that sea beast hunter! I never expected our hired hunting party to have such a master among them—truly hidden masters!”

“Honestly, that person’s strength is on a completely different level from any sea beast hunter I’ve ever seen. Truly terrifying!”

“Indeed…”

“…”

In mid-air, the White-feathered Sea Eagle, with its pristine white wings, ceased its circling and swooped down. Flapping its weary wings, White Feather landed steadily on Ming Yu’s shoulder, its gaze trembling slightly as it looked at her, a hint of lingering fear in its voice.

“Good thing I didn’t poke your eyes out back then…”

After speaking, its tone perked up once more.

“Heh heh, as expected of me, what a wise choice!”

“…”

Standing on Jörmungaṇḍr’s floating carcass, Ming Yu let out a long breath, a great weight having been lifted from her heart. It was this very creature that had forced her to hunt at sea, causing her to regrettably miss Little Nightingale’s birthday.

The major trouble was finally resolved.

“Grrr…”

Ming Yu clutched her lower abdomen and licked her lips.

Just as she pondered how to solve the dinner dilemma, Jörmungaṇḍr’s shattered, shapeless head suddenly stirred.

An illusory miniature serpent suddenly shot into the air, looking left and right, seemingly intent on escaping the area.