CHAPTER 336: BIG SISTER STRIKES BACK

They continued walking deeper into the Outer Zone.

Zain glanced around as the pressure in the air became heavier.

More corrupted devils began to appear. This time, they looked different from before.

"These ones..." Zain muttered. "They’re not the same."

The devils had black and red scales covering their bodies.

Their forms were stronger, more stable than the twisted beasts from before.

Each one had glowing red eyes and thick claws.

The red mist wrapped tightly around their backs, almost like armor.

Savra stepped forward, flicked her finger, and activated her spell.

[Flame Invocation]

Several fire lances shot forward from her hands and hit the closest devil in the chest.

The blast shook the ground.

But when the smoke cleared, the devil still stood.

Only a few scales were scorched.

"Huh?" Savra narrowed her eyes.

"That should’ve burned through most monsters."

She tried again. More flame bolts launched from her fingers.

Boom. Boom. Boom.

Still... only small burn marks.

Velra crossed her arms. "Looks like they’re tougher."

Savra clicked her tongue. "Their bodies resist flame. I’ll need to hit harder."

Zelia stepped forward and pulled out her sword. Her calm eyes focused on the devils.

"Now that you’ve seen Savra’s power," she said quietly, "let me show you, Zain... how much your big sister has grown since coming to this island."

Zain looked at her. "Alright. Show me."

Zelia took one step forward. Her aura sharpened.

Then, she vanished.

[Phantom Step]

A burst of air exploded from where she had stood.

She reappeared instantly behind one of the devils, her sword glowing with crimson ether.

With no pause, she swung downward.

[Piercing Demon Edge]

Her blade stabbed into the devil’s spine and out the other side.

The monster roared in pain, but Zelia didn’t stop.

She twisted the blade and pulled it free with a clean motion.

The creature dropped to the ground, unmoving.

Another devil charged at her from the left.

Zelia shifted her grip.

[Severing Blade Slash]

She dashed forward and slashed upward.

A clean arc of red light sliced the devil in half.

The body dropped, split neatly down the middle.

Zelia stood calmly, sword pointed down, mist swirling around her feet.

Velra raised her brow. "She didn’t even break a sweat."

Zain watched her silently, then smiled.

"You’ve changed, Zelia."

She walked back toward him and sheathed her sword.

"I had to. If I wanted to stand beside you again."

Zain’s eyes stayed on her for a moment, then he nodded. "Good."

---

Savra and Zelia stood at the front, their weapons ready.

The devils charged again, but they didn’t last long.

Zelia moved with smooth speed, her blade cutting through the monsters with clean strikes.

She didn’t waste energy. Every slash was precise.

Savra used her flames like a dance.

With every flick of her finger, fire arrows shot out and exploded into heat waves.

The devils burned in place, too slow to dodge.

Behind them, Zain and Velra just watched.

Velra leaned slightly on Zain’s side, arms crossed. "They’re showing off for you."

Zain gave a small smile. "I noticed."

"They’re doing pretty well, though," Velra said, brushing her hair back.

"I’m not complaining," Zain replied.

Soon, all the devils were down.

The red mist thinned slightly around the battlefield.

Savra turned with a smirk. "So? What do you think, boss?"

Zain nodded. "Good job."

Zelia walked back calmly, sword still glowing. "They weren’t worth much... but it was a decent warm-up."

Just as they regrouped, another group appeared from the left side of the broken path.

This group looked different.

They weren’t devils. They were humans.

Heroes.

There were four of them.

All men, each carrying swords or guns, were wearing combat armor with the Hero Association symbol.

They stopped when they saw Zain’s group.

One of them whispered to another, loud enough for Zain to hear. "Is that guy traveling with three girls?"

Another scoffed. "Tch. Lucky bastard..."

A third one shook his head. "We’ve been busting our asses saving cities, clearing devils, doing missions for the Association..."

"...and this guy just strolls around with three beauties like it’s normal?"

The first one grumbled, "We’re peak Half-Royal Rank, almost breaking into True Royal, and we don’t even get a thank-you, let alone a girl."

"We’ve fought more battles than I can count," one added. "Saved people. Risked our lives."

"And no one notices," said another. "But he gets the attention?"

The group leader stayed quiet momentarily, arms crossed, eyes narrowed at Zain.

Then he stepped forward, the other three following behind him like backup.

They came to a stop right in front of Zain’s group.

Savra and Velra casually stepped ahead, relaxed and smiling.

Zelia stayed beside Zain, arms folded, expression blank but sharp.

One of the heroes looked directly at Velra. "You don’t have to follow him, you know."

Savra raised an eyebrow, amused. "Oh? And what exactly are you offering?"

The hero chuckled. "I’m saying, why stick with a quiet guy like that... when you could be with someone stronger. Someone real."

Another one stepped in, grinning. "You ladies would do better with proper warriors. Men who actually fight up front."

Velra blinked once, then smiled widely. "Ohhh~ I get it. You’re jealous."

Savra smirked. "They see three women with one man and lose their minds."

Velra leaned slightly closer to the lead hero, voice dropping a little. "You poor boys. Stuck together with no one to hold at night?"

The hero’s grin faltered. "Tch. We’re just saying you could do better."

"Better?" Savra laughed, brushing her red hair back. "Sweetheart, we already have better."

The third hero frowned. "He doesn’t even talk much. You really follow a guy like that?"

Velra walked in a slow half-circle around them, hips swaying. "Mmm... we don’t follow him because he talks."

Savra crossed her arms, flames flickering faintly around her fingers. "We follow him because he doesn’t need to beg."

The fourth hero muttered, "You’re just playing hard to get."

Velra turned and smiled at him, biting her lip. "No, sweetie. We’re just out of your league."

Savra chuckled. "But if you’re feeling brave... maybe we can let you try."

Zain remained silent, watching calmly with a small grin.

Zelia whispered to him, "Should I stop this?"

Zain shook his head. "Let them play."

Velra raised her leg slightly, her heel glowing faint pink.

Savra’s hand lifted, a soft red circle forming beneath her boots.

The heroes tensed.

Savra winked. "So, tough guys... still feeling confident?"