Head Butler of the Fallen Villainess-Chapter 78: ### Days | The Sonic Thief in Action [UPDATED TITLE]

Amid the dense jungle of the Garden of Hell, through the thick underbrush… a blur of black streaked forward, darting swiftly from one shadow to the next!

A panther.

A monster.

A panther-like monster.

The creature advanced through the forest with deadly swiftness.

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And yet…

Its sharp, golden slit eyes burned with panic as it darted from tree to tree—desperation evident in its every frantic attempt to run away!

But no matter how fast it ran… she was right behind it.

"Hmm~ hm-hm~."

A soft, carefree hum drifted through the thick foliage… echoing faintly across the jungle, reaching the ears of every creature within.

A gentle, yet foreboding sound of doom for this monster.

And it all came from one source—The female adventurer, Vivi.

Her amber-colored hair swayed in the breeze as she glided effortlessly through the jungle, her steps light and unhurried.

One of her daggers dangled loosely from her finger, spinning and swinging playfully with each stride.

Compared to the panting beast ahead, she looked like a girl taking a pleasant evening stroll.

"You’re not getting away, kitty~."

The beast growled low, ears flattened against its head—a subconscious effort to make itself faster. It poured every ounce of strength into its limbs—leaping over roots, tearing through bushes—

But no matter how it twisted or turned, that foreboding hum never faded.

She was still there. Always a few steps behind.

Vivi tilted her head, watching the creature’s desperate sprint with mild amusement. Its ragged breaths and trembling legs told her everything.

It wouldn’t last much longer.

"Aww, tired already?" she cooed at the desperate creature. "But we were just getting started~."

The monster only snarled, pushing itself harder—faster—until the dense jungle suddenly broke open.

A light! A clearing!

The creature surged forward into the blinding light, expecting freedom—only for its claws to skid against the dirt as it stumbled to a halt. Its pupils shrank in panic.

A dead end.

The towering base of a sheer cliff loomed before it, smooth and unscalable.

Trapped.

For a brief moment, the panther-monster staggered backward, claws digging into the earth as if trying to will itself to keep moving—but it was too late.

By the time it turned around… she was already there.

Vivi had been leaning casually against a tree, her dagger twirling between her fingers… as a wicked smile curled her lips before she herself stepped into the clearing.

"Nowhere to run now, kitty~."

The panther monster’s whole being became tense; frightened, its sleek frame coiling like a spring. The reality of its situation finally settled in—there was no escape.

This human woman would not let it go... at least, not without its life taken away by her hand.

If running wouldn’t save it… then it would fight!

A low, menacing growl rumbled from its throat as its golden slit eyes locked onto the female adventurer…!

Mana began to crackle through its four limbs, surging into and gathering at its claws until they shimmered with a faint, eerie glow…!

Vivi tilted her head, watching with a glint of wicked amusement.

"Done running around, are you?" she purred, her voice dripping with mock sympathy.

And the monster… answered with an action—!

In a blur, it lunged—faster than any ordinary creature had the right to be—! Its claws sliced through the air, aiming straight for the adventurer’s neck—!

But—!

Vivi simply stepped to the side. Smooth. Effortless. As if she had all the time in the world.

The panther’s strike missed, claws tearing through empty space. Its paws slammed into the ground, sending dirt flying—but there she was, still humming softly, still smiling.

The beast wasn’t finished. Not yet.

With another guttural snarl, it twisted its body, mana flaring brighter around its claws. It lunged again—faster, more ferocious—!

But she simply swayed aside, the same light and fluid movement. The wind barely stirred as the deadly swipe passed harmlessly by.

Again.

And again.

Each failed strike only seemed to fuel the creature’s frenzy. It lashed out with relentless speed, claws gleaming as it darted left, right—anywhere to land a hit—!

But nothing touched her.

Vivi danced around the assault like it was a game. With every near miss, the smile on her face deepened—growing sharper… more wicked...!

"What’s the matter, kitty~?" she giggled, her voice laced with cruel delight. "Can’t keep up~?"

The panther-monster’s frustration boiled over…!

Its growl deepened—a low, vibrating sound—before its entire body began to shimmer. Mana surged through not just its claws, but its sleek form, weaving across its fur in a soft, radiant glow…!

And then—

It vanished!

"Hmm?"

Vivi tilted her head, somewhat surprised by its sudden disappearance… however, she realized quickly.

"Oh~ Here it is… that famous ’Phantom Shroud’ of yours~. What a perfect stealth ability you have, kitty~."

Her amber eyes swept the clearing, but she found nothing.

No shadow. No breath. No trace of mana.

A vanishing act executed to perfection.

"Body invisible… presence erased…" She twirled her dagger absentmindedly, as if the rare monster before her was nothing but a passing illusion. "No sound, no scent, not even a flicker of magic leaking out. Pretty impressive stuff~."

A breeze stirred the air. The jungle fell deathly silent.

"But—"

Her smile sharpened, lifting her dagger with languid ease.

"You can’t hide that killing intent, kitty~."

CLANG!

Steel rang against claw, sending sparks scattering through the clearing!

The invisible panther had lunged straight for her side—but Vivi had already raised her blade, catching the strike with insulting ease! Your journey continues on novelbuddy

Another strike followed—faster, wilder—but she tilted her body, letting the deadly claws graze harmlessly past her shoulder.

"Aww… are you getting serious now?" Her voice held the same light, teasing tone as before, further aggravating the already enraged monster…!

And the monster itself didn’t answer her taunt with its usual growling.

It couldn’t afford to anymore. It was too focused on ’trying’ to end the life of this female human... before it would burn out all of its life and mana—!

And thus... the next flurry of strikes came faster—silent, quick, lethal swipes aimed at her throat and heart—!

CLANG-CLANG-CLANG!

Yet, no matter how quick its strikes were, Vivi danced around them all—her dagger flicking out to block and deflect many of them with playful precision!

Vivi swayed effortlessly to the side, dodging another silent, lethal strike.

And then—

"Well, playtime is over~."

Without missing a beat, she raised her dagger hand—swift and precise—and swung it down through the empty space in front of her.

STAB!

The blade struck true.

For a heartbeat, nothing happened—just an eerie stillness. But then—

A spray of blood burst from the empty air, gushing out in a violent torrent—! Like a barrel split open—spattering the ground beneath her feet!

And soon…

A faint shimmer flickered before the female adventurer—phantom light rippling and breaking apart—until the limp, lifeless body of the panther-monster appeared, its sleek frame crumpling to the earth.

Her dagger pierced deep through its neck.

Vivi tilted her head, giving the cooling corpse a soft, satisfied smile.

"Goodnight, kitty~."

< | X | >

Vivi crouched beside what was left of the monster-panther’s carcass, her hands moving with practiced ease as she finished dismantling the monster.

She neatly sorted pieces of its rare materials—fur, claws, fangs—onto a simple cloth, each item arranged like a perfectly organized inventory.

She tilted her head curiously, admiring her handiwork.

"Hunting down the Phantom Stalker. Check. Getting its fur. Check. And now… getting back to Florentia…"

She paused, tapping a finger against her cheek in thought—contemplating the very idea... before a sigh escaped from her lips.

"Ugh... but just getting back now would be such a bore…"

Her amber eyes shifted toward the jungle canopy as she mulled over her options once more.

The thrill of the hunt still buzzed through her veins—a rare, delightful spark from chasing down such an elusive creature. Yet now... that the excitement had faded, boredom crept in once more.

What else was there to do?

"If only Sebastian didn’t just up and vanish like that…" she huffed, a pout tugging at her lips as a certain Alpha Knight crossed her mind.

A fellow S-Rank—one of the few who could actually keep things interesting.

"Only he could make things fun… the other bozos are just too boring."

But then… her thoughts shifted.

To someone else.

A handsome butler.

The image of that strange man—standing beside a particular red-haired noble—slipped unbidden into her mind.

"Hmm… That butler of that ’precious’ noble brat…"

An odd sense of familiarity stirred in her chest—something rare. Something she hardly ever felt. Only those who truly piqued her interest ever managed to leave an impression like that.

And he did. Somehow, with just a single exchange of glances.

She didn’t know why exactly... but...

Her smile slowly widened.

"…Alright, I’ve decided."

With a swift, fluid motion, she gathered the dismantled monster parts and packed them neatly into her cloth bag. Slinging it over her shoulder, she rose to her feet, her amber eyes gleaming with mischief.

"Let’s visit that redhead lord and her handsome butler~."

And with that, she vanished into the jungle.