The Snake God with SSS Rank Evolution System

Lilith’s lips curved into a slow, knowing smile as she studied Selena’s bandaged hand. Her voice carried a light, teasing note that cut through the tense air like silk.

”Oh? Isn’t this the woman whose hand you cut off, Adam?”

Adam shot her a sharp, irritated glance, his voice carrying a note of strained exasperation.

”I know, Lilith. I was there.”

Selena’s amber eyes flickered with something between amusement and old pain. She lifted her bandaged hand slightly, her voice calm, steady, carrying no trace of resentment.

”I didn’t expect to see you again. Especially you, Mr. dragon.” Her gaze settled on Adam, a faint, wry smile touching her lips. ”I suppose I should be grateful you didn’t take more than my hand.”

Adam’s expression shifted, a flicker of something almost like guilt passing through his crimson eyes. His voice came out quieter, tinged with an awkward attempt at civility.

”I... didn’t expect to see you again either. How have you been?”

Selena’s smile widened, a note of dry humor creeping into her voice.

”Other than the missing hand? I’ve been better. But I’m still standing, so I suppose that counts for something.”

A soft, barely suppressed laugh escaped Lilith, quickly echoed by Ignis and Isolde. The sound was light, almost inappropriate for the moment, but it carried no malice.

Selena’s gaze swept over the group, lingering on Azrynn’s serious expression and Alice’s flat, watchful stare. Her voice carried a note of warm invitation.

”Rather than standing here at the gate, why don’t you come inside? I can offer you shelter and food. It’s the least I can do—for old times’ sake.” She gestured at the ruins around them, a faint, wry smile crossing her face. ”I apologize for the state of the city. We’re still... rebuilding.”

Alice’s cat ears twitched, her dark violet eyes narrowing slightly as she studied Selena with undisguised suspicion. Her voice carried a sharp, pointed edge, meant only for Adam.

”Who is she? You know her?”

Adam let out a low, dry sigh, his voice carrying a note of reluctant honesty.

”We had a... conflict. It’s complicated.”

Selena’s voice was smooth, diplomatic, carrying a note of quiet resolution.

”Let’s just say we’ve put the past behind us.”

The guard at the gate bowed his head respectfully as they passed, his voice carrying a note of cautious deference.

”Take care, Lady Selena.”

Selena inclined her head in acknowledgment, her voice warm but carrying a hint of command.

”I will. And don’t let anyone else through without proper clearance. The city is still fragile.”

The group followed her through the gate, stepping into the shattered streets of Kaelthar.

Adam’s voice carried a note of thoughtful curiosity as they walked, his gaze sweeping the partially reconstructed buildings.

”You’re leading the reconstruction, aren’t you?”

Selena’s voice was calm, carrying a quiet resolve.

”Someone has to. I lost my hand because of what happened here. I might as well make sure something good comes out of it.”

Lilith’s crimson eyes gleamed with sharp curiosity as she studied Selena’s calm, unflinching expression. Her voice carried a light, skeptical edge, smooth as silk but edged with doubt.

”This is strange. You’re helping us—the ones who destroyed this city. Why would you do that?”

Selena’s lips curved into a faint smile, her amber eyes steady and calm.

”Is it really that strange? Yes, your group destroyed the city. But the rot started long before you arrived. Croft’s greed was what truly destroyed Kaelthar. He turned everyone into pawns, used them, bled them dry—and when his ambition finally consumed him, he would have taken the entire city with him.” Her voice hardened, carrying a note of cold certainty. ”You killed him. And in doing so, you gave this city a second chance.”

Isolde’s pale blue eyes narrowed, her voice carrying a note of sharp, unyielding scrutiny as she stepped forward.

”So you’re using this opportunity to position yourself as the new leader. You saw a power vacuum, and you filled it.”

Selena’s smile didn’t waver, her voice carrying a note of quiet acknowledgment.

”Of course I did. I won’t deny that I have ambitions. But the reality of rebuilding a shattered city is far more tedious and exhausting than I ever imagined. This isn’t the glorious rise to power I envisioned—it’s endless negotiations, resource management, and trying to convince people that there’s a future worth rebuilding for.” She let out a slow, dry laugh. ”It’s exhausting. But it’s mine.”

They arrived at a large building that was clearly still under construction—scaffolding lined its walls, and workers moved across its framework. But it was far more intact than any other structure they had passed.

Selena gestured toward the entrance, her voice carrying a note of quiet welcome.

”Please, come inside. The rest of the explanation will be easier in comfort, with proper tea and chairs. And before you ask—” She paused, her amber eyes sweeping over them with a flicker of dry amusement. ”—the city has a new name now. It’s called Myrta. Try to remember that.”

They stepped inside the building, and the sight that greeted them was one of organized chaos. Workers moved with purpose, carrying scrolls and ledgers, their voices low and focused. Citizens waited in clusters, some holding petitions, others clutching small bundles of belongings. A young man with ink-stained fingers looked up from a stack of documents, his eyes widening as he recognized Selena.

Selena raised her hand, her voice carrying a note of calm authority. ”Clear my schedule for the next two hours. I have guests.”

The young man nodded quickly, already reaching for a quill to make the necessary adjustments. ”Understood, Lady Selena. I’ll reschedule the meetings.”

She led them through the bustling main hall and up a narrow staircase, the wood creaking softly beneath their feet. The upper floor opened into a spacious room—its walls partially repaired, but the furniture was sturdy and comfortable. A large table dominated the center, surrounded by mismatched but well-cushioned chairs.

Selena gestured for them to sit, her voice carrying a note of warm invitation.

”Please, make yourselves comfortable.”

They settled into the chairs, the weariness of their journey beginning to seep into their bones. Isolde’s gaze shifted to Adam, her pale blue eyes narrowing with quiet concern.

”Adam. You’ve been quiet since we arrived. What’s wrong?”

Adam let out a slow breath, his crimson eyes fixed on the table as he finally spoke, his voice carrying a note of reluctant admission.

”I’ve been trying to remember where I dropped that dagger. I thought I knew, but...” He shook his head slowly. ”... I can’t pinpoint the exact spot.”

Alice’s ears flattened, her voice carrying a note of flat, dry resignation.

”I knew it.”

Lilith’s voice drifted over, smooth but carrying a note of pointed disappointment.

”It seems our journey here was a waste of time.”

Selena’s amber eyes narrowed with curiosity, her head tilting slightly as she studied Adam’s frustrated expression. Her voice carried a note of genuine interest.

”The Fang of the Moon. That’s the one, isn’t it?”