After flying far enough away from Ravian, Hilda finally stopped.
She hovered for a moment… then landed softly.
Her breathing was heavy.
She covered her face and crouched down.
"Grandma…" she whispered."I miss the way you used to pat my head…"
She took a deep breath.
"Should I just give up…?""But if I do… what will happen to the villagers who are waiting for me with hope…?"
Hilda groaned in frustration, running her hand through her hair.
"Ugh… I can't think straight…"
She paused.
"…Maybe I should just go back?"
Her face immediately changed.
"—No, that's way too embarrassing."
Suddenly—
Her body tensed.
Her instincts kicked in.
She stood up, taking a battle stance.
Silence.
Too silent.
She closed her eyes for a moment… sensing.
Killing intent.
Even from… beneath the ground.
"…Come out," she said coldly."Or is this how you greet your enemies?"
No response.
But then—
"THERE!"
Hilda moved instantly.
Purple liquid shot toward her from multiple directions.
Without hesitation—
Lightning surged around her, forming a wave that swept everything nearby.
—CRASH!
The ground shattered. Stones split apart.
Everything that approached… was erased.
Now Hilda stood in the middle of the ruins.
Alone.
She looked down at the ground.
"…Poison."
The surface began to vaporize. The surrounding rocks slowly corroded.
Footsteps echoed from the darkness.
Two figures emerged.
A hooded woman.
Beside her—a heavily built man, his muscles tense like a weapon forged for battle. His very presence made the air feel heavy.
But Hilda knew.
The one who attacked her earlier… wasn't him.
"…A woman?" Hilda muttered.
She narrowed her eyes.
"Are all demons like this? Only attacking when their opponent is off guard?"
The woman smirked.
"Not really."She removed her hood."You just happened to meet me."
Her gaze sharpened.
"By the way… where's the knight you were with?""I don't see him."
Hilda's expression hardened.
"What do you want?"
The woman shrugged casually.
"I don't really care about him.""But…" her smile widened,"it's in our nature to leave nothing behind."
"That doesn't answer my question," Hilda replied coldly.
Wind swirled around her.
Armor formed from thin air, wrapping perfectly around her body.
An axe appeared in her right hand.A shield in her left.
"Haaa—!"
Hilda swung her weapon downward.
Lightning split the ground—
forming a barrier that separated the woman from the muscular man behind her.
At least this will buy me time… she thought.
Without hesitation—
she charged forward.
The woman calmly drew a knife.
"So you deliberately separated us…"She smiled faintly."But you know—"
Her gaze turned sharp.
"—you should be more worried about me."
Their clash was immediate.
Relentless attacks.
Fast. Precise. Without pause.
Hilda leapt back, raising her hand.
{Lightning Magic: Thunderfall}
The sky above cracked with light.
Blades of lightning rained down upon everything in front of her.
But—
The woman didn't panic.
She raised her hand.
{Poison Magic: Miasma Barrier}
A thick purple mist formed, creating a protective wall that swallowed every lightning strike.
Explosion after explosion—
None broke through.
A few seconds later…
Silence.
The woman lowered her hand.
The poisonous mist slowly faded.
"…Done?"
She looked up.
Empty.
Hilda was gone.
Her eyes widened slightly.
Too late.
"GOT YOU!!"
Hilda's voice came from behind.
Her axe was already raised high—
ready to end it.