"Leave him to us," Sal declared, stepping forward with Mino. "Nina, you go on ahead."

Nina nodded and, without hesitation, led Odian and the others deeper inside.

At the same time, the guards escorting Winny arrived at the spot. Seeing the battle on both sides, they didn’t stop to assist Sen, moving forward with confidence.

Their mission was clear––deliver the captives, no detours. They hurried straight toward the altar.

Behind them, Mona chased desperately.

At the entrance to the altar, Nina saw Gon standing guard.

Aviel and Setan rushed forward, engaging him instantly. Gon was no match for them.

Within moments, his defense collapsed.

Nina stepped past them and entered the altar.

What she saw made her expression turn cold. Rows of beastmen knelt in a daze, blood flowing endlessly.

"What happened to them?" she asked.

"They’ve been affected by dark sorcery," Odian replied. "But I can purify it."

His gaze shifted to the center of the altar. "Nina, we need to destroy that energy core. That will stop the blood ritual."

He activated his power, examining it closely. "But it’s protected by a powerful barrier. I’ll need time to break it."

"Alright." Nina nodded. "I’ll deal with Yosan."

Today—she would kill him. One way or another.

She turned sharply. "Viann, you and the others rescue the captives. Get them off the altar."

"Understood!" Viann and his team sprang into action, pulling the dazed beastmen away. The guards rushed to stop them, chaos erupting across the altar.

Yosan hadn’t expected Nina to arrive so quickly. A flicker of alarm crossed his eyes.

His gaze darted to the blood crystal—it was almost complete.

Hurry... just a little more...

Once I consume it... I can defeat her.

At last, the crystal finished forming. Joy flashed across his face as he reached for it.

But Nina had already noticed, and the moment he moved, vines lashed out, wrapping toward the crystal, stopping his hand.

Yosan sliced them apart and reached again—only to be blocked once more.

Nina tried to seize it, but Yosan countered. The two clashed fiercely, neither giving ground.

Idir stepped in, joining the fight at Nina’s side.

Even so, Yosan’s true strength was formidable. They couldn’t bring him down quickly.

And Nina held back—she couldn’t risk harming the surrounding captives. The battle fell into a tense stalemate.

At that moment, the guards carrying Winny and the others entered.

"Drain their blood!" Yosan shouted, channeling his sorcery.

Under its influence, the captives’ eyes dulled. They stopped resisting completely.

The guards moved without hesitation, flashing the blades, and slit the wrists.

"No—Winny!" Mona cried out, rushing forward.

Before she could reach him, a guard struck her, sending her crashing to the ground.

She scrambled back up and charged again. This time, the guard bared his claws and lunged.

Fear flashed across her face, but she didn’t stop. She pulled out the weapon Nina had given her and fired.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The sharp cracks echoed through the chamber.

The guard froze, then collapsed. His eyes remained open, filled with disbelief.

He... had died... At the hands of a seemingly weak female.

Mona’s hands trembled, but she forced down her fear and rushed forward, snatching Winny into her arms.

She carried him aside, patting his face desperately.

"Winny, wake up! Mother’s here—Mother came to save you!"

He gave no response. His eyes remained empty.

Panic surged within her, but she was helpless. Instinctively, she looked toward Nina.

In the center, the battle raged on.

At last, Yosan found an opening. He grabbed the blood crystal, but Nina reacted instantly, striking it from his hand before he could absorb it.

The crystal flew, spinning through the air, and landed right beside Mona.

She didn’t hesitate. She snatched up the blood crystal and clutched it tightly in her hand.

The moment Yosan saw it taken, his expression twisted with violent fury. He lunged toward her like a beast unleashed.

But Nina and Idir moved at once, intercepting him.

"Mona, go!" Nina called with urgency.

Mona gathered Winny into her arms and turned to flee.

"Stop her!" Yosan roared, eyes bloodshot. "Take the crystal back!" 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

The guards surged forward like a tide.

Viann and the others rushed in to help, but there were too many enemies.

Some broke through and blocked Mona’s path.

She raised her weapon again and fired, but after a few guards fell, the rest adapted quickly.

Her chances to hit them dropped sharply.

They closed in.

In desperation, Mona activated the protective barrier Nina had given her, enclosing herself and Winny.

The guards’ attacks struck it, but their effort was useless––the barrier held.

Her heart pounded wildly. She didn’t know how long it would last.

In that instant, she made a choice.

Without hesitation... She swallowed the blood crystal.

The guards froze in shock. They could only watch as the crystal disappeared into her.

A moment later, heat surged through her body.

Then came pain. Blazing, unbearable pain. It spread rapidly, devouring her from within.

Her body trembled—then collapsed. She lost consciousness.

Yet the barrier remained intact, shielding her and Winny. The guards could do nothing.

Yosan’s eyes burned with rage. "That damned female...!"

She had eaten his blood crystal—his power.

He tried to push forward—to kill her—but Nina and the others blocked him at every turn. He couldn’t advance even a step.

Meanwhile, Viann and the others steadily cleared the guards. More and more captives were pulled away from the altar. The flow of blood slowed. The black energy at the center began to weaken.

Freed from restraint, Nina’s attacks grew sharper and more relentless.

Yosan faltered. Wounds began to accumulate across his body.

Deep beneath—within the abyss—Thraxxis’ crimson eyes flared with fury.

Useless... all of them.

Power surged. Darkness answered.

From the altar, thick black mist erupted. Those captives who had yet to be moved had their life force drained rapidly.

Zena and Drago coughed up blood, their bodies trembling.

Viann, Idir, and the others felt it immediately––their strength was being suppressed.

Even Yosan staggered slightly, his breathing turning heavy. Power was slipping away from them.

Only Nina remained unaffected.

She reacted instantly, pulling the little ones into her arms, shielding them tightly as the darkness spread.