"Do something, Master!" Alfie shouted, panic breaking through his voice.
Lucy's eyes snapped toward the young man who talked about them last, her tone sharp and commanding. "Watch your tongue, boy. I will not tolerate insults in my presence." Her words cut deeper than steel as she placed the mantras and Renshi lamp back into her storage ring, her every movement deliberate. The air itself seemed to grow heavier as she stepped forward, her shadow stretching across the villagers gathered outside.
The young man in the crowd sneered, folding his arms. "Don't think that because you can use Renshi spells, you're special. We've got strong Shinras protecting this town."
Before he could blink, Sasaki's figure flickered. One moment he stood at Lucy's side, the next he was standing nose-to-nose with the arrogant youth. His voice came out low, calm, but laced with lethal promise. "Watch your mouth, boy. Don't make me repeat myself."
The youth stumbled back, his bravado cracking under Sasaki's suffocating aura. Switch… switch mode… he's strong… his thoughts screamed as his legs wavered.
"Hmph," the boy managed, forcing a smirk to cover his fear. "That's more like it—women always hiding behind powerful men to protect them when they're in trouble."
Lucy, who had bitten her lip and endured his words up until now, switched. Her figure vanished in a blur. She reappeared behind him, her lips inches from his ear. "Seems you have no use for your tongue," she whispered, her voice like cold steel. "Do you mind if I rip it out for you?"
The boy froze, paralyzed. His eyes widened in terror as he felt her killing intent press down on his very soul.
"Enough of the threats," a voice interrupted from above. "Just because you can switch doesn't make you invincible."
It was one of the Shinras from the previous night, sitting arrogantly on the rooftop. His gaze was sharp, his smirk challenging.
Lucy exhaled slowly, her fists clenching tighter. "You all should mind your words around me. I'm losing my patience."
Sasaki appeared again, switching to her side. "Calm down, Lucy. Let's not drag this further."
Alfie and Jackson closed in as well, the villagers parting nervously to make way. Suspicion, fear, and curiosity flickered in their eyes.
"What's your plan, girl?" the Shinra mocked. "Do you think you can defeat me just because you're angry? I'm not even trying yet."
Lucy didn't answer. Instead, her figure vanished again, switching high into the air. Before the man could move, her foot smashed across his face. The impact echoed through the town square, sending him flying like a ragdoll, crashing into the dirt below.
Gasps erupted.
"H-how did she do that?" a woman cried.
"She's more powerful than him!" another shouted.
"Even the two of them together wouldn't stand a chance against her!"
"This woman… these kids… they're strong," whispered a young beautiful girl wearing a black gown,about six years older than Alfie.
How are you so sure this time, those boys look really young,another man replies her
Don't doubt anything she said we're not strangers to her,you know she's always right,the old man among them whispers
"Chief!" another man pleaded. "If we had their protection, we could build our own Shinra academy. We could expand this kingdom!"
"You'll pay for this!" the fallen Shinra roared, blood dripping from his lip as he struggled back to his feet.
Lucy's glare bore into him. "I despise weaklings who waste breath boasting. Stop fighting humans and beta darkside spirits just to fool yourself into thinking you're strong. If you want true strength—risk your life against real challenges." Her words dripped with disdain as she turned her back on him.
"HOW DARE YOU HURT MY BROTHER!" another voice thundered.
The second Shinra launched his attack from above, summoning an ocean of Renshi giant serpents woven from light Renshi. The snakes hissed and lunged, their bodies sparking with lethal energy as they swarmed toward Lucy.
She moved like water, slipping between the strikes. Her body blurred, vanishing and reappearing as she switched across rooftops. Each motion was calculated, elegant, her eyes locked on the enemy.
"Master's having fun, huh?" Alfie chuckled nervously, his voice cracking.
"Yeah," Sasaki smirked. "At least she's venting her anger on them instead of me."
Alfie folded his arms, his tone dry. "Don't forget, you're the one who caused all this."
"I just said that, fool! Don't remind me," Sasaki snapped.
"You should be the one getting beaten, not them," Alfie muttered, shaking his head.
Up above, Lucy pressed her advantage. She dodged another volley of Renshi serpents, then surged forward. With one brutal kick, she sent the second brother flying into the ground. In the same motion, she descended upon the first brother, her heel smashing into the crown of his head.
The two Shinras writhed in agony, coughing as they struggled to rise.
Lucy's voice rang across the silent crowd. "And don't forget—I didn't even use my Renshi."
The villagers were frozen, awestruck and terrified.
As Lucy turned away, the first brother's hand twitched. A small blade appeared, its edge glistening with poison. With a desperate lunge, he slashed at her leg.
"Lucy!"
Sasaki switched instantly, pulling her back. The blade missed her, but its poisoned tip grazed his leg. Blood welled, and almost immediately his skin began to heat.
"Sasaki!" Lucy gasped, catching him as he collapsed. His body was burning hot, his breath ragged. "What is this…?" Her eyes snapped to the Shinra brothers, fury blazing.
The two smirked through their pain, their bodies sinking into a swirling portal beneath their feet.
"We're not just talk, girl," one hissed. "Until we meet again… have a nice life."
"You don't get to leave until I say so!" Lucy roared.
Her figure flashed again. She appeared between them, both her hands gripping their throats with crushing force. Her killing intent poured out like a storm, shaking the very air. The villagers recoiled.
The Shinra brothers gagged, clawing at her wrists as the portal flickered and began to collapse.
"You think you can walk away after this?" Lucy hissed, her eyes glowing with rage. "I'll end you here and now."
The old man in the crowd whispered, voice trembling. "S-she's not human… she's something else…"