At this moment, mana was surging wildly. Yiruo and Yilena stood at the entrance of the alley, watching the space ahead that looked like a mass of black light. That light was like a living thing, constantly pulling, expanding, and contracting, as if something inside was struggling to break out of its shell.
Boom—!
A violent wave of mana spread from the center of the vortex! The surrounding walls began to crack, and stones peeled off the walls, falling to the ground with dull thuds. The lights around began to shake violently, the glow flickering on and off, until finally, with a pop, they exploded, scattering fragments everywhere.
The air was trembling too. Yiruo felt an invisible pressure bearing down on her, like an unseen hand pushing her backward. She instinctively raised her arm to shield her face, trying to block the blinding light and chaotic mana frequencies.
The next moment, a hand reached out from beside her, gently pulling her behind.
Boom—!
Pink mana burst from Yilena like a blooming flower, condensing into a translucent barrier in front of her. The barrier exuded a gentle aura and a resilient, powerful mana, blocking all the incoming impact. Yiruo peeked out from behind Yilena, watching the ripples on the pink barrier. Outside the barrier, black mana surged wildly, distorting the air wherever it passed. Inside the barrier, all was calm. Yilena stood beside her, her pink hair gently floating in the surge of mana. She did not look back, only quietly gazing at the chaotic center ahead, her light blue eyes reflecting the dark light.
“Since you want to know the power of forbidden…”
“Then you must have the courage to endure madness.”
The mercenaries were thrown off balance by the sudden burst of mana. The wolf clan leader raised his arm to shield his face, squinting at the dark vortex. A sense of foreboding rose in his heart. Who the hell was this woman?
“Boss! This mana is off!”
One mercenary shouted, his voice clearly panicked. Another burly man had already been pushed back several steps, leaving deep footprints on the ground. He stabilized himself and yelled in panic:
“Boss, she ran!”
“No shit! Can you find her?!”
The alley returned to an eerie calm, as if the magical fluctuation just now was just some petty trick. The wolf clan leader clenched his fists, his amber slit pupils fixed on the dissipating black light. A few seconds later, the light faded. But a puddle of pink liquid left on the ground glowed eerily under the dim light.
“Damn it—!”
The wolf clan leader punched the wall hard, shaking down a cloud of dust.
“Chase her, my ass!”
One mercenary grumbled:
“That woman teleported directly. Who knows where she went!”
The wolf clan leader’s face turned pale, his chest heaving violently. He turned around to continue cursing when—
“Boss…”
A mercenary’s voice came, tinged with fear.
“I think… I touched something.”
The wolf clan leader frowned and walked over:
“What?”
At that moment, the mercenary raised his hand. On the back of his hand were a few drops of pink liquid. And that liquid, as if alive, was slowly seeping into his skin.
“This stuff…”
His voice began to tremble.
The wolf clan leader’s pupils contracted:
“Hurry! Find a way to get it off!”
“I… I can’t get it off… It’s, it’s drilling in—!”
The mercenary’s voice suddenly rose. He frantically shook his hand, trying to wipe it off with the other. But the pink liquid had completely seeped into his skin and disappeared.
The next second.
“Ahhh—!!!”
He bent over sharply, letting out a blood-curdling scream! The wolf clan leader instinctively stepped back. The mercenary’s body began to convulse violently, rolling and struggling on the ground like he was being electrocuted. His hands clawed at the ground, his nails digging into the flesh, his mouth emitting beastly gasps.
“What’s going on?!”
“What’s wrong with him?!”
The other mercenaries gathered around in panic, not knowing what to do. The mana on the mercenary’s body began to fluctuate chaotically, sometimes strong, sometimes weak, as if it was tearing his body apart. His muscles started swelling unnaturally, blue veins bulging under his skin like twisted snakes. His eyes were wide open, his pupils now replaced by crimson. There was no reason left, only the crazy, violent aura.
“ROAR—!!!”
He suddenly lifted his head and let out a deafening roar! His face, which had been relatively normal, was now distorted beyond recognition. Fangs protruded from his mouth, his ears grew longer and sharper. His body began to expand, shoulders widening, arms thickening, back arching, and hair growing wildly. The beast transformation traits were fully activated by the potion. It was an uncontrollable, pure beast form.
“Quick, stop him—!”
The wolf clan leader sensed something terrible. But it was too late. That completely insane person—no, he could no longer be called a “person.” That terrifying beast lunged at the nearest companion!
Thump!
The burly mercenary was tackled to the ground, his massive body sliding back several meters! Chaos erupted instantly.
“Get out of the way.”
Just then, a cool voice sounded. The wolf clan leader was startled and turned around. At some point, the black-haired girl was standing not far behind them. Before the wolf clan leader could react, one of the black-haired girls flipped her hands. A chilling pair of scissors appeared in her hand out of thin air! The scissors were entirely blue, the blades gleaming with a faint cold light. Without any hesitation, she pushed off the ground, and her entire body shot forward like a streak of blue light, straight at the out-of-control monster!
At the same time, Yilena raised her hand. Pink mana gathered in her palm, condensing into fine beams of light that shot precisely at the mercenaries around the monster. She drew a line in front of them.
“Anyone who doesn’t want to die, step back.”
Her voice was calm, but carried an uncompromising attitude. The mercenaries instinctively stepped back. Yiruo had already reached the monster.
“ROAR—!”
The beast seemed to sense the threat, spinning around and locking its crimson pupils on the small figure. Then it opened its fanged mouth and lunged at her! Yiruo did not retreat at all. She raised her scissors and slashed down!
Clang—!!!
The blade clashed with the monster’s sharp claws, sending sparks flying! The next second, she struck again! The monster’s strength was astonishing. But Yiruo’s movements were incredibly agile. After landing a hit, she immediately retreated, the scissors tracing a sharp arc in the air. Yilena stood behind, her mana beams constantly shifting forms, controlling the monster’s movement. One girl and one beast clashed fiercely in the narrow alley. With every collision, the walls around shook and dust fell. But she didn’t go for the kill. Because she could see. Deep in those crimson pupils, there was occasionally a flash of struggle. The humanity hadn’t been completely extinguished.
“Yiruo.”
Yilena spoke softly.
“Don’t kill him.”
Yiruo’s movements paused slightly. She understood Yilena’s meaning. Taking a deep breath, a blue flame suddenly ignited on the scissors. That flame was like a living thing, spreading from the blades and wrapping around the monster’s limbs. It carried a suppressing force, like invisible chains, binding the rampaging beast tightly. The monster struggled frantically, letting out angry roars. But the blue flame coiled tighter and tighter, denser and denser. Finally.
Boom—!
The massive body crashed to the ground. The flames slowly extinguished. Lying on the ground was an unconscious young man, restored to human form. His beast transformation traits had receded, leaving only some residual wolf marks. His hair was a bit thicker than before, his nails a bit sharper. But at least he was still in human shape.
Yiruo put away her scissors, standing still, breathing lightly. Yilena stepped forward and gently rubbed her head.
“Well done~”
Yiruo looked up at her. In those eyes, Yilena’s gentle smile was reflected. Not far away, the few mercenaries stared dumbfounded at this scene, speechless. The wolf clan leader opened his mouth, and finally managed to say:
“…Who the hell are you people?!”
Yilena turned her head and smiled at him.
“We’re just nameless travelers passing by~”
Then, she took Yiruo’s hand and turned to walk out of the alley. Leaving behind the bewildered mercenaries. One unconscious companion. And the puddle of dried pink liquid.