Chapter 52

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I UNFOLDED the map, its corners worn and fraying from countless days of use. My gaze narrowed as I traced the intricate tapestry etched across its surface. Each line seemed to pulse with a hidden rhythm, guiding me forward.

“I’m getting closer,” I murmured, my voice low and resolute.

Beads of sweat clung to my brow, and I swiped them away with the back of my hand. My throat burned with thirst, so I knelt by the riverbank, the cool earth beneath me a momentary relief. Scooping up my water bottle, I drank deeply, savoring the crisp, refreshing taste. The river’s crystal waters sparkled under the sun, so inviting that, for a fleeting second, I entertained the absurd idea of drinking it dry.

Chewy, my companion in this journey, lapped eagerly at the water beside me, his tail flicking contentedly.

Several days had passed, and we had faced countless trials together. During that time, I discovered something incredible—Chewy could shrink down to the size of a regular cat and then transform back into his massive form. How great is that? I couldn’t help but smile.

“So cute…” I murmured, the words slipping out as I watched him.

My gaze shifted to the river’s surface, where my reflection stared back at me. My hair, once a beacon of change, had returned to its natural state, the vibrant hues now subdued. My eyes, too, had lost their eerie glow. A sense of normalcy had crept back into my appearance.

Good. I could now return and finish what I’d started. My jaw tightened as I imagined the Emperor’s face, twisted in agony. How satisfying it would be to watch him crumble, to make him feel every ounce of pain he’d inflicted. The thought alone sent a shiver down my spine, a dark gleam igniting in my eyes.

“Meow!”

Chewy’s sudden hiss shattered my thoughts. His fur bristled, his eyes locked on the river. My smile faded as I straightened, a chill creeping into my veins.

“What’s wrong?” I whispered, my voice barely audible over the sound of rushing water. I reached out to soothe him, but his ears flattened, and he bared his tiny fangs, his hiss growing louder.

I followed his gaze, my pulse quickening. The water rippled unnaturally, a dark shadow shifting beneath the surface. My breath hitched as a sudden realization dawned on me.

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The last training session will be given to you now!

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Of course. I have to defeat it, don’t I?

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Trial of the Celestial Siren

Defeat the abyssal-ranked monster using your abilities!

Rewards: Increase 5% of your lifespan, upgrade your twin daggers to their full level, and boost your power level. Failure: Death.

Decide your course with great caution!

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My eyes narrowed into slits. An abyssal-ranked monster?! That’s the pinnacle of monster hierarchy—the stuff of legends, nightmares brought to life.

“What the hell is wrong with this system?” I growled under my breath, my grip tightening on the map. My power level was nowhere near what it needed to be for this kind of challenge. It felt like sending a mouse to fight a lion.

I barely had time to process when the river began to churn violently. I mounted Chewy in a swift motion, my heart pounding like a war drum. “Let’s move!”

Chewy bolted, his paws pounding against the wet earth, carrying us a safe distance from the river. But even a few meters away, the air was thick with tension. Suddenly, the surface of the water shattered as the creature emerged.

It was a creature of haunting beauty—both mesmerizing and terrifying.

The monster rose gracefully from the water, its translucent scales reflecting shades of blue and silver. Its serpentine body coiled with fluid precision, while fin-like appendages lined with razor-sharp spines glinted ominously.

Its face, sleek and dragon-like, was framed by flowing, water-like tendrils that shimmered faintly. Hollow, glowing eyes stared back at me, cold and unyielding—a perfect blend of elegance and menace.

And then it shrieked.

The sound was deafening, an ear-piercing wail that clawed at my senses. Pain shot through my head, forcing me to clutch my ears. Chewy yelped, his legs trembling beneath him. It felt like the very air around us was splitting apart.

“Damn it!” I hissed, my vision swimming as the monster let out another bone-rattling cry. My fingers itched to reach for my twin daggers, now vibrating subtly at my sides, as if sensing the danger ahead.

I straightened on Chewy’s back, gritting my teeth against the pain. “Fine,” I muttered. “You want a fight? You’ve got one.”

The monster loomed before me, its body coiling and uncoiling, preparing to strike.

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The ability [Evoke] has been activated.

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In an instant, my twin daggers materialized in my hands, their familiar weight grounding me amidst the chaos. Their blades shimmered with a cold, deadly light, ready to taste blood.

I tightened my grip, my gaze locking onto the Celestial Siren as it loomed above, its massive body coiling with a fluid elegance. The monster’s golden eyes bore into mine, unblinking, unyielding.

“Chewy, you ready?” I muttered.

“Meow!” Chewy’s response was a sharp growl, his fur bristling as his claws dug into the ground. His eyes glinted with a feral determination.

The Celestial Siren struck first. A massive tendril of water shot toward us, cutting through the air like a blade.

“Move!” I shouted, and Chewy leapt to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack. The water crashed into the ground, sending a shockwave that nearly threw me off balance.

I darted forward, daggers in hand, slashing through the air. Each strike sent arcs of energy toward the beast, but its shimmering scales deflected them with ease.

The Celestial Siren retaliated, its tail whipping around in a deadly arc.

I jumped, spinning mid-air as the tail missed me by inches. But the force of the attack sent one of my daggers flying from my grip.

“Not today,” I growled.

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The ability [Evoke] has been activated.

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The lost dagger vanished in a flash and reappeared in my hand within seconds. I landed with a flourish, both weapons back where they belonged.

The Celestial Siren roared in frustration, summoning another torrent of water. This time, I was ready.

“Chewy, cover me!” I yelled, pulling a vial from my belt. The liquid inside glowed a brilliant emerald, pulsing faintly. An alchemical elixir, crafted for moments like this.

Uncorking the vial, I downed the contents in one swift motion. Heat surged through my veins, filling me with renewed strength and clarity. My vision sharpened, and my reflexes quickened as the elixir worked its magic.

The Celestial Siren charged, its maw opening to unleash a blast of compressed water. I dashed forward, weaving through the onslaught, my movements now almost too fast to follow.

“Chewy, now!”

Chewy leapt onto the Celestial Siren’s tail, his claws sinking deep into its shimmering scales. The beast writhed, distracted by the sudden attack. I seized the opportunity, closing the distance in a heartbeat.

With a powerful lunge, I drove both daggers into the Celestial Siren’s side. The blades sank deep, and a pulse of energy erupted from the impact, sending shockwaves through the creature’s massive form.

The Celestial Siren screeched, its tail thrashing wildly as it tried to dislodge Chewy. But I wasn’t done yet.

Channeling my alchemical energy, I pressed my palm against the hilt of my daggers. A surge of heat radiated from the blades, intensifying the damage. Steam hissed as the Celestial Siren’s scales began to crack under the pressure.

“We’ve got you now,” I whispered, my eyes blazing with determination.

The battle was far from over, but with Chewy by my side and the power of Evoke and Alchemy at my disposal, I knew we stood a chance.

The monster’s agonized screech pierced the air, its thrashing tail creating tidal waves that threatened to knock me off my feet. I clenched my teeth, digging my heels into the soaked ground as the beast’s immense power bore down on me.

“Stay focused,” I muttered, feeling the weight of exhaustion creeping in. My arms burned from the relentless assault, and every breath felt heavier than the last.

Chewy let out a fierce growl, still clinging to the Celestial Siren’s tail, but even his strength was starting to wane. We couldn’t keep this up much longer.

The Celestial Siren’s eyes glowed brighter, its fury unrelenting. It launched another torrent of water, forcing me to dive and roll to the side. My daggers slipped from my hands, embedding themselves in the mud several feet away.

“No, no, no!” I gasped, scrambling to my feet. The beast loomed over me, its massive form blocking out the sun, a living mountain of water and power.

I called upon Evoke, but my body was sluggish, my focus wavering. The daggers flickered in and out of existence, unstable. The Celestial Siren struck again, its massive tail sweeping toward me.

“Chewy, get out of the way!” I shouted, barely dodging the Siren’s next strike. I stumbled, breathless. This wasn’t working—I was barely holding my ground, and the monster showed no signs of tiring.

Desperation clawed at my thoughts. If we couldn’t defeat it… maybe we could control it.

My mind raced, and then it hit me. I already had the means—the ability I’d relied on before. Beast Tamer.

“No way,” I muttered under my breath, eyes widening as the realization sank in. “You want me to tame that thing?”

The system chimed in as if mocking me.

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The ability [Beast Tamer] has been activated.

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CAUTION! Success rate drastically reduced due to target’s rank.

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“Drastically reduced? That’s an understatement!” I snapped, but there was no other choice. It was either this or death.

I took a deep breath, planting my feet firmly as I focused all my remaining energy on the Celestial Siren. My hands glowed faintly, a soft, golden aura surrounding them.

“Let’s see if you can handle this,” I murmured, extending my arms toward the beast. “You’re mine now.”

The Celestial Siren immediately sensed the shift in energy. Its glowing eyes narrowed, and it let out a deafening roar that shook the very earth. A wave of resistance slammed into me, an invisible force pushing back against my will.

“Gah!” I stumbled, but I held my ground, my focus unwavering. The connection was faint, fragile, like trying to grasp smoke with bare hands.

The Celestial Siren thrashed violently, its power fighting against my control. Every second felt like an eternity, the strain threatening to tear my mind apart. Blood trickled from my nose, and my vision blurred, but I refused to give in.

“Chewy, help me out here!” I yelled through gritted teeth.

Chewy leapt from the Celestial Siren’s tail to its head, sinking his claws in and letting out a fierce, echoing roar. The distraction was enough to weaken the Celestial Siren’s resistance for a moment, and I seized the opportunity.

Pouring every ounce of my willpower into the connection, I felt it—a crack in the monster’s defenses. Slowly, painfully, I began to push through.

“Submit!” I shouted, my voice raw. The golden aura around my hands intensified, surging toward the Celestial Siren. Its thrashing slowed, its eyes flickering between fury and confusion.

The beast let out one final, earth-shattering roar before it collapsed onto the riverbank, its massive form heaving with exhaustion.

The connection solidified, and I felt the monster’s presence in my mind—wild, ancient, and immensely powerful. But now, it was mine.

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Congratulations! You have tamed the Celestial Siren.

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I collapsed to my knees, gasping for air as the golden light faded. Chewy trotted over, his fur damp and matted, but his eyes gleamed with pride.

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Congratulations! You have successfully completed the task Trial of Celestial Siren! Rewards will be given shortly!

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“We did it,” I whispered, a shaky smile tugging at my lips. “We actually did it.”

The monster lowered its head, its once-terrifying gaze now calm and obedient. Even as I reached out to touch its scaled snout, I couldn’t help but feel the raw power emanating from it.

“Welcome to the team,” I murmured, already strategizing how this new alliance could bring us one step closer to defeating the Emperor.

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Updating character details…

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Character Profile

Eiliyah Arthemice Loughsin

Title: The Ruthless Villainess Current Life: 85% Reputation: 20% Power Level: Exalted Abilities: Beast Tamer, Evoke, Alchemy

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I blinked, surprised by the updated stats. My lifespan was nearing a full hundred percent…

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Upgrading your two daggers…

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Moments later, another message appeared.

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Success. The twin daggers have now reached their full level! The rewards have been successfully granted to the player. Congratulations!

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I exhaled deeply, a wave of relief and satisfaction washing over me. Twirling the newly upgraded daggers in my hands, I watched as their blades gleamed, faintly humming with renewed power. These would definitely prove invaluable.

I glanced over at Chewy and noticed he had shrunk to his smaller form. Was it because he was exhausted?

The Celestial Siren released a low, resonant rumble. Its golden eyes locked onto mine with a newfound steadiness. Though its towering form had lost some of its menacing edge, the creature’s immense power remained undeniable. The river, once a chaotic battlefield, now flowed calmly, reflecting the tranquil aftermath of our battle.

Chewy leaped onto my shoulder, his damp fur sticking out in every direction. Despite his earlier ordeal, his smug expression had returned. “Meow,” he purred, rubbing his cheek against mine.

I let out a soft laugh, running a hand through my water and sweat-drenched hair. Turning back to the monster, I said, “Alright, big guy. If we’re going to make this work, you’ll need a name.”

The Siren’s golden gaze remained steady, as if silently urging me to choose wisely.

I tapped my chin thoughtfully. “Let’s see… something worthy of a creature like you.” After a moment, a small smile tugged at my lips. “Kaelios. How about Kaelios?”

The Celestial Siren let out a deep, approving growl, the sound vibrating through the ground. It was as if the name resonated with the ancient energy it carried.

“Kaelios it is,” I said, nodding. “Now, since we’re all friends here… mind giving us a lift? We’ve got places to be, and walking sounds way too slow.”

Kaelios didn’t hesitate. With a sudden shift, it lowered its massive frame, creating a stable platform on its back.

“Alright, here goes nothing,” I said, climbing up and settling onto the smooth, scaled surface. Chewy reluctantly followed, his claws digging into my cloak.

The moment we were secure, Kaelios shot forward like an arrow.

“Whoa!” I barely had time to grab hold as the world around us turned into a blur. The wind roared in my ears, my hair whipping wildly behind me. Kaelios sliced through the river with terrifying speed, each powerful stroke of its tail propelling us forward like a waterborne comet.

Chewy clung to me for dear life, his eyes wide as saucers. “Meeooow!” he wailed, his voice shrill and panicked.

We hit a sharp bend in the river, and Kaelios turned on a dime. The sudden shift sent my stomach lurching, and Chewy’s grip loosened just enough for him to lean over the side.

“Meow…” he groaned, his face turning an alarming shade of green before he emptied the contents of his tiny stomach into the rushing water below.

I couldn’t hold back a laugh, despite the chaos. “Chewy, seriously? Pull it together!”

Kaelios rumbled, its speed relentless, as if reveling in the thrill. The riverbank blurred past, the scenery transforming with each passing second.

Finally, Kaelios began to slow, the once-turbulent ride easing into a smooth glide. The South was now in sight, its dense forests and rolling hills stretching out before us.

Chewy collapsed onto my lap, a pitiful meow escaping him as he flopped over like a soggy rag.

“Well,” I said, brushing a hand over his fur, “that was… efficient.”

Kaelios let out a low, satisfied growl, as if to say, You’re welcome.

With a grin, I patted its side. “Nice work, Kaelios. Just… maybe ease up on the turbo mode next time.”

fin.