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Yui limped through the obsidian corridor of the Demon King's stronghold, her body aching from the relentless training. Even with the Level 2 buff from the system, pain was very, very real in this world.
"System," she whispered, "show me threat locations."
A small red dot pulsed on the map hovering in her vision—near the southern gardens of the Demon Castle.
> [Alert: Enemy Unit Cloaked]
Power Level: 42
Affiliation: Imperial Inquisition
Estimated Time to Engagement: 4 hours
"They're already inside the castle grounds..."
She quickened her pace.
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Location: Nightshade Garden
The Nightshade Garden was quiet, shrouded in violet moonlight and silence. The strange, glowing flora shifted subtly, as if breathing with dark magic.
A whisper drifted behind her.
Yui turned sharply. "Who's there?"
From the shadows stepped a woman cloaked in white, her eyes cold and silver like sharpened blades.
"You're not Lilliana," the woman said flatly. "You're something else wearing her skin."
Scan Activated:
> Name: Vera Cross
Level: 42
Class: Inquisitor Assassin
Objective: Eliminate the 'possessed' Villainess
Skill Detected: Holy Brand - Burns demon-bound targets
Yui's heart thundered. She knows I'm not from this world.
> [New Objective: Survive Assassin Encounter]
Skill Unlocked: Demon Pulse (Passive)
Channel demon energy into reactions—+15% speed when facing hostile intent.
Vera's hand moved—fast.
But Yui was faster. "Shadowstep!"
She vanished in a flicker and reappeared behind the assassin. For a moment, Vera seemed startled.
Then a voice boomed through the night.
"Enough."
The temperature dropped. Black mist coiled through the garden like a living serpent.
Azazel emerged from the shadows, his eyes glowing, his aura suffocating.
"Touch her again," he said, "and your soul will never find rest."
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