Chapter 360: Slaughtering the master-rank beasts [2] The first eagle intercepted a charging bronze boar, detonating into its whirlwind prison that trapped the creature and carved it to pieces with hundreds of rotating blades. [You have killed a Tier 4 Bronze Boar!] The second caught a leaping storm cat mid-jump, the whirlwind sphere suspending it in the air while methodically shredding through fur, flesh, and bone. [You have killed a Tier 4 Storm Cat!] The third, fourth, and fifth eagles found their targets with equal efficiency—a granite badger, a wind deer, and a frost fox, all eliminated before they could close within fifty meters of Noah’s position. The slaughter happened so quickly that none of the approaching beasts had time to recognize their mistake and attempt retreat. [You have killed a Tier 4 Granite Badger!] [You have killed a Tier 4 Wind Deer!] [You have killed a Tier 4 Frost Fox!] The remaining master-rank beasts at the clearing’s perimeter finally understood the futility of their position. This human wasn’t just strong—he possessed capabilities that placed him effectively beyond their ability to challenge. The survivors retreated en masse, abandoning any thoughts of competing for the teardrop as they fled back into the forest depths. Noah stood among the corpses of more than a dozen master-rank beasts, his enhanced attributes still at full strength and his determination unshaken. Lola had been toying with the three remaining grandmaster beasts, maintaining just enough pressure to keep them occupied while Noah dealt with his own challenges. But now, with the master-rank threats eliminated and her companion clearly moving toward claiming the teardrop, it was time to end this charade decisively. She could feel the dormant skill that had awakened when she first consumed the luxury fruit smoothie days ago, the ability that she had been holding in reserve for exactly this kind of critical moment. The power thrummed beneath her skin, eager to be unleashed after being suppressed for so long. "I’ve enjoyed our dance," Lola said with a predatory smile that made all three beasts instinctively retreat. "But playtime is over now." Her aura suddenly exploded outward with intensity that dwarfed anything she had displayed so far. Flames erupted from her back, but these weren’t simple magical fire—they were concentrated manifestations of her purest mana. Wings materialized, constructed entirely from living fire that burned with colors beyond normal spectrum. The flames shifted between deep crimson, bright orange, searing white, and hints of blue that suggested temperatures approaching absolute limits. Each wing stretched approximately fifteen feet from her back, creating a span of over thirty feet that dominated the visual space around her. But the wings weren’t merely decorative. As they unfurled completely, Lola’s entire body underwent transformation into what could only be described as her infernal form. Her robes seemed to merge with the flames, creating an appearance that combined elegant fabric with liquid fire in patterns that shouldn’t have been possible. Her ruby eyes now blazed with internal light that made them appear like twin stars burning with supernatural intensity. Her hair lifted and moved as if suspended in water, individual strands seeming to glow with their own internal radiance. The air around her shimmered with heat distortion so extreme that her exact outline became difficult to perceive. Yet despite the overwhelming power and destructive potential radiating from her transformed state, Lola remained stunningly beautiful rather than terrifying. The flames that wreathed her form created an aura of dangerous elegance, like a fairy of fire who had descended to walk among mortals. Her movements carried fluid grace that suggested the wings were natural extensions of her body rather than conjured constructs. The transformation had amplified every aspect of her capabilities. Her fire manipulation, already operating at peak grandmaster levels, had intensified to something that approached legendary tier. Her physical attributes—strength, agility, even her vitality—had all surged dramatically beyond their normal peaks. The wings themselves provided flight capability while also serving as weapons and shields. The three grandmaster beasts stared at her transformed state with expressions of absolute horror and disbelief. The jade turtle’s ancient wisdom recognized immediately that they were no longer facing a merely powerful opponent—this was something that transcended normal categorization entirely. The ethereal cat’s translucent form flickered with panic as her instincts screamed that escape had become the only rational response. The rainbow parrot’s earlier mockery and laughter had completely vanished, replaced by genuine terror at witnessing power that shouldn’t exist at grandmaster rank. Lola’s aura had surged to levels that made the ambient mana concentration around her actually visible as swirling patterns of distorted space. The pressure radiating from her transformed state created physical force that made even the distant master-rank beasts struggle to maintain their footing. "Do you understand now?" Lola asked, her voice carrying harmonics that seemed to resonate with the flames comprising her wings. "This was never a fair competition. I was simply being courteous by allowing you to believe you had chances of success." The grin that spread across her face was both beautiful and terrifying, combining genuine amusement with satisfaction. The jade turtle tried to create earth barriers for protection, but Lola’s fire wings swept forward and the flames simply dissolved the defensive constructs before they could fully form. She moved with speed that made her previous demonstrations look sluggish by comparison. The wings weren’t just for show—they provided propulsion that allowed her to accelerate and maneuver in ways that defied normal physics. Lola appeared directly in front of the turtle before the ancient creature could even process that she had moved. Her hand, wreathed in flames that burned with white intensity, punched straight through the turtle’s legendary defensive shell. The jade that should have been nearly indestructible cracked and shattered like glass under the concentrated force and extreme heat. Lola’s fingers closed around something vital inside the creature’s body and crushed it with casual efficiency. The jade turtle collapsed without even managing a final sound, its consciousness extinguished before pain could fully register. Lola withdrew her hand from the smoking hole in its shell, already turning her attention toward the next target. In mere seconds Lola had eliminated the Jade Turtle. The rainbow parrot tried to flee skyward, using its natural aerial advantage to escape this overwhelming demon. But Lola’s fire wings carried her upward with velocity that made the bird’s desperate flight look pathetic. She caught the parrot mid-escape, her hands closing around its colorful body with gentle precision that contrasted sharply with the violence she had just displayed. "You were entertaining with your mockery earlier," Lola observed as the parrot struggled futilely in her grip. "But entertainment value doesn’t purchase mercy." The flames from her hands intensified gradually, cooking the parrot from the outside in with controlled application of heat. The bird’s screams echoed across the clearing for several seconds before finally falling silent as its consciousness surrendered to the overwhelming pain. Lola then eliminated the Rainbow Parrot Guardian! Only the ethereal cat remained, and the creature had already begun its desperate attempt to flee. The cat phased into its translucent state and bolted toward the forest edge with every ounce of speed its grandmaster capabilities could generate. But Lola’s transformed state had amplified her perception along with everything else. She could track the cat’s movements even while phased, her spiritual sight enhanced to levels that penetrated through spatial manipulation and invisibility techniques. "Naughty kitty," Lola called out with dark amusement, her wings propelling her forward in pursuit. "I warned you what would happen if you tried to run." She caught the fleeing cat within seconds, her hand closing around the creature’s neck mid-phase with force that dragged it back into solid form. The cat materialized fully, unable to maintain its defensive technique while being physically restrained by someone operating at Lola’s current power level. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖 "Please!" the cat gasped, genuine terror overwhelming its earlier aloof pride. "I surrender! I’ll serve you, provide information, anything you want! Just let me live!" Lola paused, considering the pleading creature with calculating eyes. The cat was cute and everything, with good potential and strength to survive in this forest. It had intelligence and capabilities that could prove useful if properly controlled and motivated. "A demonic contract," Lola decided aloud. "Bind yourself to my service through blood oath, and I’ll allow you to survive. Refuse, and you die here like your companions." The ethereal cat didn’t hesitate even a fraction of a second. "I accept! I’ll sign whatever contract you require!" Lola conjured flames that formed intricate patterns in the air between them, creating a magical contract written in fire that detailed the terms of absolute servitude. The cat would serve Lola faithfully, provide honest information when requested, and fight at her command without hesitation or betrayal. In exchange, it would be allowed to live and potentially benefit from the power and resources that came with serving such a formidable master. The cat pressed its paw against the flaming contract, wincing as the magic burned the oath directly into its soul. The binding took effect immediately, creating a connection between them that would enforce the contract’s terms through supernatural compulsion. "Welcome to my service," Lola said with satisfaction, releasing the cat from her grip. "Your first task is to remain here and ensure none of the surviving master-rank beasts interfere with my companion’s acquisition of the teardrop fruit." The cat nodded frantically, grateful beyond measure to have survived when all its fellow guardians had perished. It took up a defensive position around Noah, its newfound loyalty ensuring it would fulfill its assigned duty without question. Lola’s fire wings remained manifested as she surveyed the battlefield, satisfied with the outcome of the confrontation. Three grandmaster guardians eliminated, one bound to service, and the path to the teardrop completely clear for Noah to claim their prize.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​