The SSS Ranked Villain's Return-Chapter 341: Fear and Lagus

So a monster did appear, and it was scanning around for them. But there was just one big issue.

You're scared of... what even is that?

[I-It's a watermelon,] Evangeline replied shyly. [When I was a kid... I had pretty bad luck, so watermelons kept falling on my head.]

"...?"

Neraxis was the most confused he'd been in the last month.

Watermelons... falling on top of her head?

What?

[I know it sounds stupid, but it's not as innocent as it sounds,] Evangeline said, scratching her cheek. [You see... when I was living in the cathedral, people despised me just because I am a vampire. They threw all sorts of foods at me, whether solid or liquid.]

She took a deep breath and continued. [It's just... watermelons hurt the most, especially since people threw them from so high up. My neck was broken several times because of that. As for the other foods? They just hurt, nothing else.]

Hearing that, Neraxis froze, a frown appearing on his face as he approached Evangeline and gave her a hug.

Sorry... It must've been hard, he comforted, patting her head. But it's fine, watermelons are nothing to the great Abyssal Calamity, Evangeline Noctis, right?

His teasing seemed to cheer her up a little as a faint smile appeared on her face.

"Dummy..." Evangeline muttered softly.

Neraxis held her for a few minutes—just long enough for the giant grass watermelon to make its way out of the area—and the moment it did, Jane turned toward them.

"I have no idea what just happened..." Jane said, rubbing her temples. "But let's keep going, I guess... I just really hope you, Neraxis, don't have some sort of dangerous fear."

He shook his head. "None I can recall."

Sure, there was the Eternal Sin—

Shit.

The ground shook much more wildly than before, prompting Jane to shoot them a disapproving look.

But even so, she once again halted and waited for the monster to pass.

Yet there was no colossal monster in sight. If anything, it seemed rather empty.

However, Neraxis's rapidly increasing heartbeat said otherwise.

[You didn't think of the Eternal Sin, did you?] Evangeline asked.

He slowly nodded. My bad...

Soon, a faint stepping noise resounded from behind them, making all three of them turn.

And the moment they did, they were greeted with a black-haired figure.

It was Lagus Destine—not in the flesh, as his body was made from grass—but the pressure he was oozing was still dangerous.

It was strange how perfectly the grass copied him. It even gave him facial features, such as the ominous golden eyes.

Yet Neraxis was beginning to grow wary.

The previous monsters were all green, since they were made of grass.

But this monster in particular was starting to look strangely humanoid.

Just as Neraxis pulled out his sword and was ready to attack, Jane placed a hand on his shoulder and pulled him back.

"Don't do that. It can't see us—"

"Oho, I see the three of you are getting along," a cracking voice resounded, causing Neraxis to turn and face it.

Of course, it belonged to none other than Lagus.

"Don't speak," Jane added, grasping his shoulder tighter. "This monster is unique. It copied your fear's details perfectly. If you give in and fight it, then you're going to face an opponent who's as strong as your imagination made it out to be."

Neraxis listened to her words attentively, but even so, he was a bit skeptical.

Lagus was staring at them—especially at Neraxis. Those eyes contained a trace of sentience, and they were definitely not the friendly kind.

[Should I kill it?] Evangeline chimed in. [My blood is wrapped around his neck right now. All you have to do is say the word.]

He paused for a few moments before finally shaking his head. Wait. Let's try Jane's strategy for now.

Even though he said that, he didn't believe in that strategy himself.

And rightfully so, because in the very next moment, Lagus raised his arm and, with a single flick, sent a powerful black wave of mana Neraxis's way.

Neraxis took a deep breath as he saw this coming and pushed Jane aside.

With a swift step, he appeared in front of the confident Lagus.

And that was when all hell broke loose.

<Ding!>

<Blood Manipulation has been activated!>

<You will lose 2% of your total HP per second!>

Neraxis covered his sword in the blood, causing an aura-like skill to manifest. Then, with a mere slash, he tried cutting off Lagus's head.

But it was of no use, since in the very next moment, Lagus raised his arm and caught the sword. He exuded a type of mana Neraxis was all too familiar with.

He's using Decay. I guess we are alike in that matter, Neraxis thought with a frown, watching as his sword disintegrated in front of him.

<Ancient Holy Arksteel Sword (Legendary) has been broken!>

<Anomaly detected!>

<Durability: Infinite>

<Restoring: Ancient Holy Arksteel Sword (Legendary)>

The sword reappeared in his grasp, and Neraxis leaned down and attempted to cut Lagus's legs off. Yet it was of no use, since the moment Neraxis leaned down, Lagus stepped closer and kicked Neraxis straight in the face, causing him to be sent flying through the grass.

[HP -2,445! 6,305/8,750]

He dug his sword into the ground, stopping himself from flying further.

That was when Evangeline finally stepped in, appearing right beside Neraxis.

"So he's real?" Evangeline commented.

"I don't think so. Though his smugness is definitely real," Neraxis replied plainly, then glanced toward Jane, who had already made her way farther away from them.

Fighting the Eternal Sin was definitely not on his agenda—at least not in Dreamspire.

But...

I guess this is a good warmup before I actually fight him for real, Neraxis thought, clenching his fists in preparation.

With no blood being wasted, his HP remained nearly full.

Because of that, it was about time he pushed Blood Manipulation to its absolute limits.