Location: Withered Flame Forest – Core Zone
Thick mists curled through the ancient trees as Jinhyuk and Lin Xianyi moved deeper into the corrupted zone.
The trees pulsed. The ground bubbled. Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
> [System Warning: Core-level mutation detected. Prepare for combat.]
[New Threat Identified – Level 92]
[Boss-Class Beast: Crimson Root Viper Queen]
[Danger Level: Extremely High]
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The Ambush
The ground split open. A massive serpent emerged—its scales glowing with bloody runes, its fangs dripping black liquid that hissed as it hit the earth.
Its eyes locked on Jinhyuk instantly.
Lin Xianyi took one step back, calmly analyzing. "She's been enhanced with blood qi. That's not natural…"
The serpent lunged.
Jinhyuk dodged left, blasted flame qi into its jaw, then followed up with Blazing Step to land on its back.
But the Queen was fast—too fast.
It twisted, slammed its body against a rock, and Jinhyuk was flung across the clearing.
---
The Poison Takes Hold
Even with system resistance, Jinhyuk's body twitched. The Queen's aura was a mix of poison, blood arts, and parasitic qi.
His vision blurred.
He gritted his teeth and burned internal qi to force it out, but—
> [Warning: Foreign qi detected in your meridians – Status: Disrupted]
[Skill Activation Delay: 6 seconds]
Six seconds was too long.
The Queen coiled to strike him down.
And then—
BOOM.
Purple fire exploded into her side.
---
Lin Xianyi's Power Unleashed
Lin Xianyi stood still, one hand raised, her bottle open. What poured out was a mist—like fog laced with nightmares.
The snake screamed.
> [Skill: "Petal Vein Poison Mist" – Grade: Masterclass]
[Effect: Internal Disintegration – Progress: 15%]
"You almost died," she said, voice emotionless.
"Almost," Jinhyuk replied, trying to stand.
"Let's fix that."
She flicked a silver needle into his shoulder—a stabilizing serum.
Jinhyuk's vision cleared instantly.
> [System Stabilized. Qi Flow Restored.]
[You are now 90% resistant to blood qi.]
He rose to his feet again, a small smirk on his lips.
"Round two?"
---
The Kill
This time, they fought together.
Jinhyuk moved like a blade—using Blazing Step and Shadow Flame Palm, slicing at the serpent's eyes and joints.
Lin Xianyi danced through the poison, throwing mist bombs and alchemical traps that tore through scales.
When the final strike came, it was synchronized.
Jinhyuk's palm struck the Queen's skull at the exact moment Lin Xianyi's vial exploded inside its gaping mouth.
> [Boss Defeated – Crimson Root Viper Queen]
[EXP Gained: Massive]
[Level Up – x3]
[Loot Acquired: Viper Queen's Core, Crimson Serpent Fang, Poison Spirit Lotus (Rare)]
---
Aftermath
Jinhyuk sat against a tree, breathing steady again. Lin Xianyi sat across from him, watching in silence.
"…Why did you help?" he asked.
She didn't answer for a moment.
Then: "I wanted to see what you'd do if I didn't."
"And?"
"You surprised me."
She stood, her violet eyes unreadable.
"You're more interesting than I thought. Don't die yet, Jinhyuk."
And with that, she walked into the mist.
Leaving only the scent of poison petals behind.
> [Affinity with Lin Xianyi: +10 (Growing Fascination)]
[System Notice: Possible Bond Trait – "Twisted Loyalty" may evolve if interactions continue]
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