The lizard's voice echoed calmly through the fox's mind.
"…Isn't that just a defensive talisman you placed on it earlier?"
A pause.
"…And you only activated it when the attack struck."
The fox's ears twitched slightly.
Then—
A slow smile spread across her muzzle.
"Mm."
She didn't deny it.
"Exactly."
Her eyes remained fixed on the battlefield as the puppet continued to move, pressing the demonic beast without pause.
"I didn't keep it active the whole time."
Her tail swayed lightly.
"Waste of energy."
Another subtle motion of her paw—
The puppet shifted again, narrowly avoiding another strike.
"I only triggered it at the moment of impact."
Her voice carried a faint hint of satisfaction.
"Perfect timing. Minimum cost. Maximum effect."
The beast growled again, clearly unsettled now, its attacks no longer as confident.
It had tried speed.
Tried deception.
And both had failed.
Above her head, the lizard remained still, golden eyes fixed on the demonic beast.
Calculating.
Observing.
The fox continued almost casually.
"Anyone can use a talisman."
Her gaze sharpened slightly.
"But knowing *when* to use it…"
A faint smirk.
"…that's what matters."
Her voice continued in the background—
Calm.
Measured.
Explaining.
But the lizard had already stopped listening.
His golden eyes were locked on the Mind Ripper, tracking every movement, every subtle shift in energy.
His focus turned inward.
*What kind of beast is that…*
*…and what was that attack it used just now?*
Silence.
Then the system responded.
**[Identifying target…]**
**[Species: Mind Ripper]**
The name settled in his mind.
Cold.
Precise.
**[Classification: Demonic Beast — Foundation Establishment (6th Layer)]**
A brief pause.
Then—
**[Innate Ability Detected: Mental-Type Attack]**
The lizard's eyes flickered faintly.
**[Description: The Mind Ripper possesses a mental-based assault that bypasses physical defenses, targeting both the opponent's body and consciousness.]**
Another pause.
**[The Mind Ripper can manipulate perception, disrupt decision-making, and induce false reactions through direct interference with consciousness.]**
The lizard's golden eyes narrowed slightly.
Below—
The battle continued.
The corpse puppet moved flawlessly under the fox's control, evading and pressing the demonic beast without hesitation.
But now—
The lizard wasn't watching the movements.
He was watching the *intent*.
The *timing*.
The *attack from before*.
**[Note: Mental-type attacks cannot be defended through conventional physical means.]**
**[Targets with weaker mental resistance are highly vulnerable.]**
A faint flicker passed through the lizard's eyes.
*So the talisman…*
It hadn't just blocked the force.
It had blocked the *effect*.
Or more precisely—
Intercepted it before it could fully land.
His gaze remained steady.
Unblinking.
Below, the Mind Ripper growled again, crimson eyes flickering with something deeper—
Not just aggression.
Calculation.
It circled the puppet slowly.
Searching.
Waiting.
The lizard's thoughts remained calm.
*It can't win like this.*
The puppet didn't think.
Didn't hesitate.
Didn't fear.
Mental interference—
Was meaningless against something without true consciousness.
The system continued.
**[Warning: Direct engagement recommended only with sufficient mental resistance or immunity.]**
Silence returned.
The lizard said nothing.
But his tail twitched slightly.
A faint ripple of lightning flickered at the tip—
Then vanished.
Because now—
He understood what he was facing.
The battle dragged on.
The puppet moved without pause.
Without hesitation.
Each step precise.
Each strike calculated.
The Mind Ripper retreated slightly, claws digging into the mossy ground as it created distance.
Its crimson eyes no longer wild with rage—
But sharp.
Thinking.
*My attack… blocked.*
Its breathing steadied.
Controlled.
*And that thing… it doesn't think.*
Its gaze locked onto the puppet.
No fear.
No hesitation.
*Mind manipulation is useless.*
A low growl rumbled from its throat.
*It's just a puppet.*
But that realization made it worse.
Because that meant—
*Someone is controlling it.*
Its senses stretched outward into the forest.
Nothing.
No presence.
No fluctuation.
Its pupils tightened.
*I can't find them…*
The puppet advanced again.
Relentless.
Forcing it back.
The Mind Ripper's muscles tensed.
*I need to leave.*
The thought came cold.
Clear.
There was no victory here.
Only survival.
But it didn't move.
Didn't run.
Because another thought followed immediately after.
Heavier.
More dangerous.
*The one controlling it…*
Its gaze shifted subtly.
Scanning.
*They're watching.*
Invisible.
Hidden.
Patient.
*If I try to escape…*
Its claws pressed deeper into the earth.
*I might die…*
Its breathing slowed further.
*…without even knowing how.*
The puppet moved again.
Closer.
Closer.
The pressure mounted.
The forest felt tighter.
Smaller.
Like something unseen was closing in from all sides.
The Mind Ripper growled low—
Not in anger.
But in restraint.
Because now—
This wasn't a fight.
It was a trap.
And somewhere in the darkness—
The real predator was still waiting.
The Mind Ripper's crimson eyes dimmed slightly.
Not from weakness—
From focus.
*I can't win.*
The conclusion settled cold and absolute.
The puppet advanced again.
Relentless.
Unfeeling.
Unstoppable in its current state.
*Then I leave.*
Its claws dug into the earth, anchoring itself for a fraction of a second.
*Better to take a chance…*
Its breathing slowed.
Its mind sharpened to a single point.
*…than die here.*
A faint ripple spread from its body—
Subtle.
Invisible.
Not aimed at the puppet's body—
But beyond it.
*The controller.*
A pulse—
**Mental Shock.**
It erupted outward in a sudden, violent wave, targeting the source of control rather than the puppet itself.