"Huff, haah, huff, haah..."

Doris breathed deeply, leaning against the stone wall of the cave, gazing towards the path she had come from.

If these were normal demons, the path would be covered with corpses by now.

But demons formed from concentrated pollution would dissipate after death, turning back into Demonic Qi, leaving behind the vessel that formed the demon.

In the beginning, Doris would collect these trophies from vanquished demons, but later she left them lying on the ground, too lazy to touch them.

"The night in these ruins is truly dangerous... Why did I leave the stronghold?"

Doris regretted leaving the stronghold.

Upon learning about her scores, she checked her specialty score in Magic Puppetry and saw she ranked fifth, while Hilia was third. In a fit of anger, she stormed out of the camp to clear her mind.

She didn’t go near the lighthouse, only stopping at the spot where Mr. Abros led them to observe it yesterday, lost in thought as she gazed at the distant lighthouse from this small hill.

She was pondering how to face Hilia when she returned, not wanting to see Hilia’s triumphant expression.

Lost in thought, she didn’t notice the light from the lighthouse shining over here. While staring in its direction, she unintentionally caught the lighthouse’s beam straight on.

Soon after, she realized the wind had picked up around her.

Along with the gradually chilling gale, thick fog unknowingly engulfed everything around her.

When she came to, she found herself standing on a golden sandy beach.

Suddenly transported to a dangerous place, she went through brief panic and confusion, almost lured into entering the lighthouse.

Fortunately, she reacted in time to stop herself.

After a moment of thought, she decided to head north, towards the beach they had cleared during the day.

However, once she set out, countless demons appeared along the way north, crouched among the jagged rocks on one side of the beach, staring at her with eyes glowing red.

If she continued onward, she would face more demons than she had during the day.

A danger alert from her sixth sense made her halt her steps in time.

"I can’t go this way, it’s too far."

She retreated back to the spot where the lighthouse had transported her.

Gradually, those glowing eyes dimmed, returning the beach to a desolate expanse.

A sliver of moonlight descended from the sky, prompting Doris to look up at the sudden illumination.

This moonlight offered no sense of security; instead, it filled her with an intense feeling of peril.

"I can’t stop here."

She looked towards the south coast, a bold idea forming in her mind.

"Head for that cave. There’s bound to be a powerful Tier Three demon there, but compared to countless Tier Two demons, one Tier Three demon is manageable."

Without hesitation, she swiftly decided to head south.

As she progressed, some arrays were activated en route, drawing out hidden demons that launched attacks, along with coconut crabs stealthily emerging from the sea, scuttling quietly beside her.

Various overt and covert threats continually loomed over her.

Luckily, with her extensive experience exploring ruins, she dealt with these crises with composure.

In arduous progression, Doris finally reached the cave’s entrance, hesitating before entering it without delay.

Within the depths where the cave met the mouth, all traps and demons fell silent again, allowing her to take a rest against the rocky wall.

Taking out a potion, Doris drank it down, feeling her Magic Power gradually recovering, she glanced at the Magic Puppet.

After numerous battles, the Magic Puppet was in poor shape.

The damage from daytime fighting was merely crudely repaired; now it bore two more wounds penetrating its armor, nearly damaging the runes within its components.

She hadn’t brought repair tools with her when she left, and could do nothing about these damages now.

"It’s almost midnight... I can’t go any further..."

Doris felt utterly exhausted, longing to lie down and sleep.

She hadn’t properly rested after the day’s battles, and now, suddenly transported here and battling for several hours, Doris was utterly worn out.

Her eyelids drooped, a voice telling her she must rest now.

"No!"

She abruptly opened her eyes, looking towards the cave’s depths.

"The demon inside the cave is affecting my mind."

The sleepiness was instantly dispelled as she stood up, clutching the Sword in her hand.

The Magic Puppet gripped its Longsword tightly as well.

"Hilia said you’re the culprit spreading the pollution. As a candidate for Holy Daughter, it’s my duty to eliminate you. Let me see what you truly are!"

"I don’t need anyone else’s help. I’ve braved three or four ruins, never relying on teammates, and I can kill you alone!"

Giving herself a pep talk, Doris showed a determined look and, with the Magic Puppet, headed deeper into the cave.

The cave wasn’t deep; before long, she reached the deepest part.

This cave was wide, with a broader expanse at the furthest point, resembling a vast circular plaza, showing signs of artificial excavation.

In the plaza’s center lay a demon with a human head, bird’s body, snake’s tail, and wings, coiled with its massive snake tail, eyes closed as if in sleep.

It appeared to be a female demon.

From its body emanated black-red threads of pollution, connecting to the cave’s surroundings.

Doris observed the connections of these pollution threads, finding each connected to something resembling demon eggs.

These demon eggs were crimson, about the size of an adult human, suspended from the cave’s ceiling, gently pulsating like beating hearts.

Having come this far, Doris felt her drowsiness intensifying.

But understanding this was the demon’s doing, she flipped her Longsword, imbuing it with holy light.

The Holy Word Skill provided her with a faint warmth, dispelling some of her drowsiness.

She focused, beginning to survey the surroundings.

"Are those demons incubating in the sky? Aren’t demons supposed to form naturally when pollution levels are too high, rather than specifically being incubated?"

Doris wasn’t sure, perhaps Benovia could explain if she were here.

"Will these demon eggs suddenly rupture during battle?"

Undoubtedly, it would happen.

Based on repeated relic explorations, when you sense possible impending misfortune, it invariably occurs.

Having come this far, Doris was already prepared for battle.

Suppressing drowsiness and slight fear, she raised her Sword, giving the Magic Puppet attack instructions.

The Magic Puppet’s Longsword ignited with flames, rushing swiftly towards the cave’s central demon under the wind’s guidance.

The demon snapped its eyes open as the Magic Puppet approached, letting out a piercing shriek.

Doris felt a sharp pain in her head, but thankfully, it was within tolerable limits.

At this moment, three demon eggs hanging from the cave ceiling suddenly shattered. Three demons leapt down, roaring as they charged towards Doris.

"Bring it on! I’ll use you as stand-ins for Hilia and give you a thrashing!"

The girl flipped her Longsword, illuminating it with sacred light, advancing instead of retreating, charging at the three demons.