Volume 2, Chapter 34 ~Don’t Overthink It

A black halberd, with one end ablaze in pristine white fire and the other in world-ending black flame. Two extremes—sun and moon—coexisting within a single weapon, their contradiction weaving a surreal and jarring spectacle.

The immense pressure made Astrid instinctively take a step back. Her usually calm gaze flashed with surprise.

Moments ago, she had been debating whether to use that—when I suddenly acted, interrupting her thoughts.

Even though she’d once faced the halberd’s might in the Secret Realm, it hadn’t actually struck her. And now, time had only enhanced its terrifying power.

The black flame surged with a ravenous hunger—anything it touched would be consumed and annihilated.

I hefted the halberd—twice my height—onto my shoulder and stared at the sneering ghostly faces in the air.

Summoning [Sacred Oblivion] in its mimetic form altered my appearance. White and black flames curled at my ankles, while the [Elf Crown] adorned with white lilies swayed in the breeze, petals scattering their gentle fragrance. My emerald eyes now carried a faint cyan flame.

The halberd’s black fire flickered wildly, eerie and cold, offering no light, no heat.

The ghosts’ expressions suddenly twisted. Seeing the black flame, their sneers contorted into snarls of fury and fear.

They bared their teeth, threatening me with ugly, snarling faces—but the bluster felt hollow.

I ignored them and turned to Astrid. “Astrid, can you help me with something?”

“Of course.”

“Break my bow. Use full force and Divine Authority.” I held out my wooden bow.

She seemed to guess what I was planning. Nodding, the [Exalted Maiden of the Full Moon] manifested behind her. Three constellations gleamed, then dimmed. A slender, radiant moonbow appeared in her hands.

She plucked the string, loosing a silver comet that struck the bow’s weak point—shattering it instantly.

A dull boom followed. The black flame on the halberd surged higher.

I opened my eyes as splinters flew around me.

[Sovereignty of All Forests]

[Verdant Heaven]

A golden bud bloomed between my fingers. I gently pressed it into the earth. It took root immediately, blossoming into a radiant tree that spread wide branches and golden fruit, casting protective shade over those below.

This randomly acquired Divine Authority felt oddly familiar. I didn’t dwell on it—I had more pressing matters above.

With the [Broken Bow] effect triggered, my speed skyrocketed. I launched myself forward, black halberd raised high.

The ghosts’ eyes seethed with malice—pure, raw negativity.

They reached out their tendrils toward the unprotected Felicia and Wenfu, trying to use them as shields to make me hesitate.

But I had already anticipated that.

The moment their tendrils touched the golden shade of the light tree, they withered into mush.

The fruits of the tree fell like rain, striking back at the ghostly faces.

Screams rang out. As I closed in, the ghosts panicked.

A smirk played on my lips.

“I wasn’t sure at first. But seeing you this scared... I’m relieved.”

Shiiing! The black flame swept across the air. The twisted, bloated ghost face froze—then expanded like a balloon and let out a horrific scream.

It sounded like a woman, a man, a child, an elder—all at once. The wail was a collage of voices, blending into one haunting cry of death and rage.

Then silence.

Gone.

It worked.

I looked down at the halberd.

True destruction knew no bounds—it didn’t distinguish between flesh or spirit, soul or substance. Anything consumed by this black fire would vanish completely.

Even incorporeal beings like these ghosts.

Lifeless things might not die again, but they could be destroyed.

This... was Sacred Oblivion.

The remaining ghosts howled. They were afraid now.

But I had no time for their apologies—whatever grudge they bore, I couldn’t leave them alive.

Half the halberd had already carbonized. I had thirty seconds left.

After that, I’d lose all of [Sacred Oblivion]’s derived abilities—for five days.

They feared me now—but in thirty seconds, would they still?

Kill, or be killed.

None could be spared.

I leapt through the treetops, chasing down the fleeing ghost faces.

Realizing I wasn’t letting them go, they glared back with hatred—like they meant to drag me down with them.

But they didn’t even qualify for mutual destruction. Their tendrils were incinerated by black flame before they could reach me.

I couldn’t fly, but my agility and jump power let me vault from branch to branch, pursuing every last one.

Each swing of the halberd left a black scar in the sky—splitting ghost faces apart like tofu.

Ten seconds left…

I spotted the last group. Stepping on the treetop, I dove down, halberd first.

A few despairing screams—and peace returned to the forest.

Five seconds…

The black fire was down to the final ember, like the last stub of an incense stick.

The ghost faces were gone—but I didn’t relax.

The ground remained red and corrupted.

This forest wasn’t just the ghosts. There had to be a central core.

Five seconds left. If I didn’t destroy the source now, we might all die.

I couldn’t take that risk.

If there was a “core,” it had to be the tallest, most ancient tree in this forest.

I leapt skyward again. From above the canopy, I spotted it—towering and unmistakable.

Three seconds left. Not enough time to reach it.

No hesitation—I hurled the halberd with all my might.

It screamed through the air.

Two seconds.

It tore through the canopy.

One second.

Then... contact.

The halberd struck the tree.

The ground shook.

A massive, tormented ghost face appeared on the tree—screeching its final curse.

Then flames consumed it.

The earth returned to its original color. The festering tumor had been purged.

I exhaled in relief. Then everything went black.

I fell.

Divine Appraisal had been running nonstop. The cost of using [Broken Bow], [Sovereignty of All Forests], and [Sacred Oblivion] had finally hit me.

Just before I hit the ground, someone caught me.

“Thanks,” I murmured, spotting the familiar silver hair.

I was safe.

Then I noticed something odd—my hand still held a remnant of the black flame.

It clung to my fingers like it didn’t want to let go, lingering before finally dissipating.

Suddenly, a wave of nausea and dizziness hit me.

“Lady Teresa, are you alright?” Astrid gently laid me down, letting my head rest on her silky-black-stockinged lap.

Her ten slender fingers massaged my temples and forehead with practiced care.

My expression relaxed—but a hint of unease lingered.

I opened my eyes to a hazy, gray world. A small, graceful figure approached.

I couldn’t make out her face, but I could tell—she was a petite girl with floor-length white hair, a pair of horns, and sun-kissed skin.

Black claws adorned her fingertips. Her red eyes stared into mine.

Her soft voice was cold and resolute.

“I told you... One day, I’d make you taste my pain.”

“My most cherished... friend.”

“Y-You’re...?!” I clutched my head. She felt so familiar, but I couldn’t place her. I tried to ask—but she vanished.

Instead, I saw Astrid’s concerned gaze—and those twin “pillows” looming large from my perspective.

“Lady Teresa? Are you okay?”

“Just now... where’d the white-haired girl go?”

“White-haired girl?” Astrid hesitated. “It’s just been us two. No one else appeared.”

“No one else...?” I scanned the trees. No sign of the girl.

A hallucination?

I glanced at my hand. The last trace of black flame had faded.

Could this be a side effect of [Sacred Oblivion]?

Fighting through the dizziness, I activated Divine Appraisal one last time. No danger nearby.

I relaxed, letting my head rest fully on Astrid’s lap.

Then Astrid realized just how bold her earlier move had been—her cheeks flushed bright red.

“Lady Teresa... are you... okay?”

“Astrid, are you teasing me? I’m clearly not okay.” I gave her a tired smile.

“Don’t move, okay? If you squirm, it’s uncomfortable.” I turned on my side, nuzzling into her lap.

“Let me rest a bit.”

“...Alright.” She could feel my breath on her inner thigh—her face burned hotter.

I glanced up slyly, noting her reaction. Time for a little fun.

“Feeling shy in this position?”

“...Not at all.”

“That’s good. But have you heard the saying?” I gently twirled a strand of my hair and poked her nose.

“What saying?”

“‘Homophobia is just deep denial.’” I stuck out my tongue playfully.

“So don’t overthink it. The more you stress, the more suspicious you seem~” Then I closed my eyes and relaxed.

Deep denial?

Astrid was smart, but she didn’t understand that term.

She missed the rest of what I said—because the scent of mint and wildflowers lingering at her nose completely short-circuited her thoughts.

She didn’t know what to feel. The warmth on her lap was uncomfortable—but she didn’t want it to go away.

This confusing, conflicted feeling made no sense.

Ever since meeting Teresa, she’d found it harder and harder to understand her own heart.

The crisis had passed. Dawn was near.

Elsewhere, the noise had woken Felicia and Wenfu. They looked around, confused.

“...We lost control?” Felicia asked after finding us and hearing Astrid’s account.

“Yes. This forest... was strange. Only Teresa knows what really happened.” Astrid made a shushing gesture. “Let her rest.”

Felicia and Wenfu nodded.

Though...

Felicia’s gaze lingered on our intimate posture. A curious glint flickered in her eyes.

Was someone’s wing... about to get tangled?

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