The moment the python's momentum stalled—
Everything shifted.
Just for a heartbeat—
Its massive body pressed against the seventh-layer puppet…
Forcing.
Straining.
Trying to break through.
But it couldn't.
That single instant—
That brief pause—
Was enough.
—
Above—
The fox's eyes sharpened.
Her tail snapped once.
"Now."
—
The battlefield answered.
The ghosts surged in all at once—
Not scattered.
Not harassing.
**Focused.**
They slammed into the python's head—
Its eyes—
Its consciousness—
Screaming as they tore into its mind.
—
At the same time—
The fifth-layer puppet struck.
From below.
Claws driving upward into the softer scales along its underbody—
Where its defense was weakest.
—
The python roared.
A deep—
Violent—
Shaking roar.
Its body twisted, trying to recoil, trying to defend—
But it was too late.
Too committed.
Too exposed.
—
Above—
The lizard moved.
Silent.
Invisible.
But this time—
Not observing.
Acting.
His golden eyes locked onto the python's head.
His consciousness sharpened—
Condensed—
Focused into a single point.
No hesitation.
No doubt.
—
*Mind Shock.*
—
It struck.
Directly.
—
The python's roar cut—
Abruptly.
Its entire body froze for a fraction of a second.
Just a fraction.
But against something at this level—
That was everything.
—
The ghosts dug deeper.
The puppet's claws drove further.
The python's control—
Its rhythm—
**Broke.**
—
Above—
The fox saw it.
Felt it.
Her smile widened.
"…Perfect."
Her body lowered slightly on the branch—
Then—
She moved.
A blur of white.
Shooting forward across the lake.
Not toward the python—
But past it.
Straight—
For the Blood Vein Herb.
—
Below—
The python felt it.
Even through the chaos.
Even through the pain.
Its instincts screamed.
Its body tried to move—
To turn—
To stop her—
—
But it couldn't.
Not fast enough.
Not anymore.
—
Because everything—
Every attack—
Every movement—
Had led to this moment.
—
The fox reached the center.
Landing lightly on the small patch of land.
Right before the herb.
Up close—
It pulsed stronger.
Richer.
Alive.
—
Her eyes gleamed.
"…Mine."
—
Behind her—
The python roared again.
Furious.
Desperate.
Trying to break free—
Trying to reach her—
—
But it was already too late.
Because now—
The fox was exactly where it never wanted anything to be.
At the center.
At the source.
At the prize.
—
And nothing—
Was going to stop her from taking it.
The fox stood over the Blood Vein Herb.
Close.
Closer than anyone had ever been.
Its crimson veins pulsed softly, each beat releasing a wave of rich spiritual energy that brushed against her fur like warmth.
Alive.
Calling.
Her turquoise eyes reflected its glow.
"…Finally."
Her voice was quiet.
Satisfied.
Behind her—
The python roared.
A deafening, furious sound that shook the lake itself.
Its massive body twisted violently, forcing the seventh-layer puppet back inch by inch, its power surging in desperate bursts as it tried to break free.
It didn't care about the ghosts anymore.
Didn't care about the puppets.
Didn't care about anything—
Except stopping her.
—
Above—
The lizard watched.
Still.
Invisible.
Golden eyes locked onto the python.
*It's breaking control.*
*Desperation… increases output.*
A pause.
*But decreases precision.*
Useful.
—
Below—
The python finally tore one side of its body free—
A coil snapping loose—
Its head turning—
Eyes locking onto the fox.
Pure killing intent.
It surged forward.
—
The fox didn't move.
Didn't look back.
Her gaze remained on the herb.
Her paw lifted slowly.
"…Too late."
—
The seventh-layer puppet slammed back into the python again—
Blocking.
Delaying.
Forcing it off course just enough.
The ghosts surged once more, tearing into its mind again—
Dragging—
Holding—
Buying time.
—
And that was all she needed.
—
Her claws extended.
Sharp.
Precise.
She leaned forward—
And in one clean motion—
She severed the Blood Vein Herb from its root.
—
The moment it detached—
The air changed.
The pulse stopped.
The spiritual flow snapped.
The lake—
The pressure—
Everything—
Shifted.
—
The python froze.
Just for a second.
Its eyes widened.
Something instinctual—
Something deep—
Told it—
*It's gone.*
—
The fox didn't hesitate.
The herb vanished instantly into her storage pouch.
Gone.
Sealed.
Safe.
—
She turned.
Now facing the python.
Standing on the empty patch of land.
Her eyes calm.
Cold.
Satisfied.
"…You were guarding it well."
A faint smirk.
"But not well enough."
—
The python roared.
Not in rage alone—
But in loss.
In fury.
In something far deeper.
Its entire body surged forward, no longer holding anything back.
The lake exploded beneath it.
Everything it had—
Every ounce of power—
Now aimed at one thing.
**Kill her.**
—
Above—
The lizard's eyes flickered once.
Because now—
The fight had changed.
Completely.
The python's massive body smashed through the water, waves and debris flying in every direction.
Its jaws snapped forward, teeth gleaming like shards of obsidian, aiming straight for the fox.
But she was already moving, paws skimming the water and earth, agile and precise, never breaking her rhythm.
The seventh-layer puppet lunged again, intercepting the python's attack, claws and reinforced body absorbing the impact.
Ghosts swirled, biting at the creature's consciousness, tearing at its mind, forcing it to stagger just enough to slow its advance.
The fox's eyes gleamed as she controlled the chaos.
Paws pushed and shifted, guiding the puppets, commanding the ghosts—each move calculated.
"…None of them are stepping in yet," she thought, tail flicking behind her.
"They're waiting. Waiting to see who falls first. Whoever survives will draw their attention… their strike."
Above, the lizard remained perched invisibly, golden eyes narrowing as he studied the python.
Around them, hidden late-stage demonic beasts watched from the shadows, unseen but fully aware, waiting for the same thing.
Every muscle in the fox's body tensed in perfect control, directing the battle, fully aware of the eyes on her.
—
The python lunged again, more frenzied this time.
Its movements faster, heavier, but still predictable under her control.
Puppets met it head-on, ghosts striking from all sides, and the fox advanced just enough to remain out of immediate danger while still pressuring her opponent.
"…Harvested the herb," she mused through voice transmission to the lizard.
"…They're all waiting for a misstep. One to falter. One to bleed. And then…"
Her tail flicked, eyes narrowing, a slight grin crossing her muzzle.
"…Then they'll strike. But I'm not giving them the chance."
—
The battle raged.
Fury clashed with precision.
Waves of energy, shredded illusions, snapping claws, and ghostly wails filled the air.
The python roared.
Puppets crashed.
Spirits screamed.
Yet the fox moved like a shadow.
Untouchable.
Fully aware of every hidden gaze.
Every predator waiting for her to falter.
—
Above her, the lizard's golden eyes gleamed with calculation.
Silent.
Hidden.
Waiting.
Watching.
—
The forest seemed to hold its breath, waiting for the first to fall.
But the fox had no intention of giving anyone that satisfaction.