CHAPTER 337: FLIRT FIRST, REGRET LATER

The air around the two groups grew tense.

The male heroes still stood in front of Zain’s group, smirking and whispering to each other.

They thought it was funny. One even winked at Velra.

"You don’t have to act tough," one of them said. "We’re just being friendly."

Velra tilted her head and gave a soft laugh. "Friendly? No... you’re being annoying."

Savra smiled as she flicked her fingers. "You were the ones who challenged us, remember?"

Zain didn’t move. He stood in the back with Zelia, watching quietly.

Another hero stepped forward. "Tch. We’re real heroes. Don’t expect us to lose to a couple of pretty faces."

Velra’s smile faded as she raised her leg slowly, ether swirling like smoke around her boot.

The faint glow of [Velvet Demon Ether] wrapped around her skin in waves of pink and black.

She then smiled back at the group of heroes ahead.

"Let’s get this over with," she said, voice low and playful.

One of the heroes scoffed. "You think you can beat all of us? With kicks?"

Velra chuckled. "No. I know I can."

Before they could blink, she vanished.

One hero stepped forward and swung his blade wide. "Gotcha!"

But she was already underneath him, spinning low.

Her leg crashed into his ribs.

[Velvet Kick Spiral]

The blow sent him flying through the air.

He hit the ground hard and rolled several times before landing flat on his back.

"Urgh...!" he grunted, trying to stand.

He pushed himself up, shaking but then stopped.

His hands trembled.

His knees buckled.

"What the hell... my body... It’s getting weaker..."

Velra stood a few meters away, flipping her hair back with one hand. "Oops. Forgot to mention..."

She raised her glowing leg again and tapped it with her finger.

"My ether carries poison. The more I hit you, the less control you’ll have."

Another hero growled. "Shut up!"

He slammed his palms into the ground.

[Force Pulse Strike]

A wide shockwave burst out, shattering the ground around him.

Velra leapt high, flipping in the air. She landed behind him like a shadow.

"Too slow," she whispered behind his ear.

Her leg swung out, fast and sharp.

Crack!

Another clean hit.

The man’s body twisted and dropped.

He tried to turn his head. His mouth opened, but no sound came.

His eyes were wide with fear.

Velra stood above him, resting one foot beside his shoulder. "Still think I only flirt?"

The last two heroes hesitated.

"She’s fast... too fast."

"And that poison..."

Velra tilted her head. "What’s wrong? You boys talked so big earlier."

Her eyes glowed slightly.

"Now? You look like puppies."

She took another step forward.

"I’m not even using full power yet."

They backed up, faces pale now.

"Tch! She’s toying with us," one of them muttered.

"We’ll see who’s laughing in a second," the other growled.

They both activated their strongest skills.

"Take this!" the first shouted, raising his arm.

[Razor Shot Burst]

From his wrist, a storm of energy projectiles exploded outward, all aimed straight at Velra.

At the same time, the second hero roared and charged forward, his blade glowing blue.

[Ether Edge Dive]

He dashed across the battlefield like a missile, sword aimed to cut through her.

Velra’s eyes lit up with amusement. "Finally, something fun."

She moved like the wind, twisting, ducking, sliding between shots.

The blasts passed right by her, some grazing her suit but never landing a direct hit.

As the sword-wielder got close, she spun away, letting his blade slice through empty air.

"You boys still don’t get it," she said, her voice calm. "You’re not fast enough."

Behind her, a soft click echoed.

Savra stepped forward.

She flicked her finger.

[Flame Invocation]

Dozens of fire bursts launched from her hand, racing forward in a wave.

"Let me help," Savra said with a teasing grin. "Can’t let you have all the fun."

The flames twisted around Velra, wrapping past her without touching her body.

It then collided straight into the charging sword hero.

"Wha—!?" he screamed as his armor caught fire.

The other hero tried to block the fire with a shield.

But the flame curved.

Around the shield.

Right into his face.

"Gahhh!"

Savra laughed. "You really thought you were stronger than us? Just because we smiled at you?"

Velra didn’t pause. She ran forward, her body a blur once more.

She leapt, and her leg shone bright with ether.

[Velvet Crash Kick]

She came down hard.

The final hero’s eyes widened.

The kick struck his chest like a hammer.

He flew backward, slamming into a rock pillar.

One by one, the heroes dropped.

Burned, bruised, and beaten.

Velra’s poison had already started working, slowly creeping through their bodies, locking their limbs in place.

They twitched slightly, eyes wide, but they couldn’t move.

They were still alive... but completely helpless.

Their pride was broken.

Savra walked over to one of the downed men and crouched beside him.

"You guys call yourselves heroes?" she said, voice full of amusement.

"Came in all proud, swinging your little skills around..."

She tapped his burned shoulder with her finger. He winced.

"...and dropped like bugs the second we got serious."

She stood up slowly, stretching her arms over her head.

"I was hoping at least one of you could take a real hit. Guess I set the bar too high."

Velra stepped lightly onto the chest of another fallen hero.

Her heel pressed into his armor with just enough force to make him panic.

He twitched, his eyes trying to follow her.

She bent down, her voice sweet and deadly.

"Next time you flirt with strangers," she said softly, "make sure they’re not ten leagues out of your reach."

She smiled, tilting her head.

"Actually... maybe just don’t flirt at all."

Her eyes narrowed as she whispered closer to his ear.

"We don’t mind breaking bones."

The man tried to speak, but his lips barely moved. The poison had done its job.

Velra stepped off him with a graceful spin, brushing her hair behind her ear.

"Heroes?" she said with a laugh. "You couldn’t even beat one of my kicks."

Zelia stood next to Zain, arms crossed, eyes calm.

"They’re done," she said simply.

Zain nodded once. "Let’s move."

The girls walked away, calm and unbothered.

The paralyzed heroes lay scattered across the ground, eyes wide, unable to move, speak, or even scream.

They came thinking they could impress strong women.

Now they couldn’t even stand.

And next time... they’d remember what happens when you mess with the wrong team.