Pillar of Yita

”Don’t test my patience, little one, it’s only because you brought that thing here that I’m even giving you this chance,” Lady Nicopolis stepped forward, raising her right hand and her long claws reached for Fang Hong’s throat.

Fang Hong instinctively tried to dodge, but it was futile. A flash of cold light, and her claws were already on his neck. A chill rose from his neck, making him stiffen, feeling the icy tips against his skin, not daring to breathe too heavily.

But though he stopped, his expression didn’t look too unnatural; instead, he carefully used his peripheral vision to glance at the others—this all happened in the blink of an eye. Atira, Xiesta still held their weapons, maintaining their positions moving towards this direction.

Tianlan and Gita watched with tense expressions, their faces filled with bated breath and concern.

Hilveld was opening her suitcase, Parker was holding a crossbow, Diket had both hands on his sword with a serious look; as for Mr. Hansen, Fang Hong couldn’t help but curse inwardly—the guy was too much, actually already close to running off to the edge of the square.

It was quite normal, though, considering everyone was just allies of convenience, and since their employer had already died, choosing to save oneself in the face of an invincible enemy seemed justifiable. However, Fang Hong felt these guys didn’t think it through—where could they possibly run to here?

It was just a difference between dying sooner or later; it was better to stay and think of a solution.

As for having a blade to one’s neck and still daydreaming about all this nonsense, he guessed he was the only one. It was not until the Giant Dragon tightened her grip, and a stab of pain spread from his neck, that he snapped back to reality.

”Wait a moment!” Fang Hong quickly shouted; of course, he didn’t want to die—as a glorious Stowaway, compared to the ordinary Chosen, he naturally had some privileges, like how mortals have five chances at resurrection, while the noble, hardcore ’player’ Stowaway had only two such opportunities is a fact.

He had already died once, dying once more would make him the legendary Soul Contra.

”Made up your mind?” Lady Nicopolis, with her eyes like burning Golden Star Fire, had a hint of anticipation about this, just as she had long understood mortals’ weakness and presumption. These pitiful insects were always seeking their greatest interest, at times so clouded by their own schemes they couldn’t even see it, thinking they’d stand firm for something sublime like faith or ideals.

Thinking that pseudo-spiritual satisfaction was somehow better than those mindless, purposeless fools, made her even more disgusted.

On the contrary, she somewhat admired a pragmatic person like Fang Hong—of course, this admiration didn’t last long.

Because when Fang Hong faced this woman who could crush him with a single finger, he chose his words carefully and cautiously replied, ”Er... actually, I haven’t quite decided yet.”

”You’re courting death—!” A flare of playful anger flashed through Nicopolis’ golden eyes. Without another word, she turned her claw into a fist and punched Fang Hong, sending him flying into the statue in the center of the square, collapsing the remaining half of the statue completely.

Stones tumbled down, burying Fang Hong under them as dust filled the air.

”Brother Ade!” Tianlan and Gita cried out in unison.

Atira also put down her spear and dashed forward, ready to strike at the Dark Giant Dragon. However, Lady Nicopolis didn’t even glance at her, casually lifting her claw and effortlessly sweeping the spear aside.

The single-digit Block Value loss was almost negligible to a creature of her Level, and the Elf Girl gritted her teeth as she pulled back her spear, but Lady Nicopolis grabbed it with a backhand motion, the vast disparity in Strength leaving the spear immobile.

Lady Nicopolis smirked coldly before turning around and reaching a claw towards Atira.

At that critical moment, Fang Hong’s weak voice came from beneath the smoke and dust: ”Don’t lay a hand on Miss Atira, or you’ll never get this thing!”

Oddly enough, his words seemed to have a great impact on Lady Nicopolis. Just as the Elf Girl was about to meet her end, that warning caused Lady Nicopolis to abruptly halt her claw at the last moment.

With her sharp claws, she lightly traced along the graceful neck of Atira, not truly harming her but the implication of the threat was unmistakable.

”Be careful, Elf.”

”Likewise,” Atira stopped as well, her emerald eyes fearlessly meeting the woman’s gaze.

Fang Hong coughed twice from underneath a pile of rubble, then suddenly threw off the debris, standing up from the base of the statue. The punch from Lady Nicopolis had nearly knocked him senseless, his vision still swimming with stars, but it also allowed him to gauge his opponent’s strength.

If she had meant to kill, that punch could have killed him ten times over.

But she didn’t.

Though he didn’t know how she managed it, that punch didn’t cause any real harm to him, including the blow from the statue which only took away about ten health points, as if all the force had been nullified.

Fang Hong, with the little sense of self-awareness he had left, realized that she had held back.

He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, now with a clearer understanding, confidently emerged from the dust and said, ”Lady Nicopolis, I guess you might not be able to get that thing even if you killed me, right?”