Chapter 273

Chapter 273: Truly a High-Level Iron Armored Ant

"Don’t worry, Mom—that’s monster blood."

Just as Lin Yu froze in alarm, Magic Rainbow’s voice abruptly surfaced in her mind.

"Monster blood?"

Ah, right! Now that Magic Rainbow has the "Psychic Call" skill, she can actively reach out to me…

"Similar to how we can retrieve and instantly don clothes using the ‘Magic Backpack’ during transformation, if you activate the ‘Magic Backpack’ the exact moment Sister Red Pupil strikes, a monster blood pouch will appear in your mouth. Then, by biting it open like Sister Army Lady does and spitting the blood at the perfect moment, it’ll look exactly like you’re grievously wounded and coughing up blood."

"The sisters even practiced this technique for a while to perfect it."

Huh? That’s possible?

W-wait… So I thought Little Pupil had actually struck you hard! You scared me half to death!

But… why go through such lengths to rehearse this?

"By the way, Mom, besides monster blood, we could also use this method to swiftly consume potions during battle! It’d definitely give us an edge in fast-paced combat!"

Oh! Right—that makes sense…

And it’s not just potions! If we master this trick, we wouldn’t even need to lift a finger when eating red fruit. A true blessing for the lazy!

Well, even without learning it, I could just have my daughters feed me red fruit anyway.

Hmm, though shouldn’t it be the opposite?

What’s the big deal! Daughters should dote on their mother. Don’t forget I carried you all for… dozens of hours? Anyway, it was exhausting!

But whenever they try feeding me, those rascals get so clumsy. Honestly—why do they keep shoving their fingers into my mouth? If I’m not careful, I might chomp down mercilessly!

Maybe I should attempt learning this skill myself after all…

Ah, I’m getting sidetracked…

Back to watching the girls spar.

…

In the arena:

The golden-haired girl clenched her sword with a trembling grip, teeth grinding.

"Ar… Army Lady! The outcome’s decided. Just surrender already—I… I don’t want to see you die here."

Stealth One interjected at the opportune moment.

Though her rapport with Army Lady had improved, voicing concern still felt unnatural. Her words now emerged through gritted teeth, her face contorted as if swallowing something bitter.

Army Lady shot her a sidelong glare, jaw tightening.

That expression’s revolting… Since when could she make such exaggerated faces? What’s she playing at?

Even if you despise me, read the room!

Do you even care about maintaining the act anymore?

"It’s not over yet."

Army Lady enunciated each word slowly, her clenched jaw appearing as a show of stubborn defiance—though it could just as easily be interpreted as simmering rage.

"Army Lady hasn’t lost! Moat Blade hasn’t lost!"

"Merely putting on a brave front… Sigh. Even at equal levels, the human race is inherently weaker than monsters, let alone with a thirteen-level gap…"

"But she hasn’t fallen yet, has she? We must believe in her! Cheer for her instead of wallowing in defeatism!"

"Ah—you’re right."

The murmurs of the human race behind the barrier drifted to her ears.

Seemed her performance was convincing enough.

She needed to showcase both her sister’s might and the dignity befitting a human "hero"… which meant she couldn’t bow out so easily.

"As expected of a high-tier Iron Armored Ant. Your defenses match your ferocity."

Army Lady swiped the blood from her lips with her left hand, forcing her battered frame upright.

"Not bad yourself," the ant retorted. "To withstand my strike and still stand—I retract my earlier words. You’re worthy of my full focus."

"Come then, Ant Clan!"

They lunged simultaneously, colliding in a blur of motion.

Their figures dissolved into afterimages, movements too swift for most spectators to track.

*Clang—shiiiing!*

The metallic ring of clashing blades punctuated the air.

Yet within a dozen exchanges, a dull *thud* reverberated—

The golden-haired girl crumpled with a cry, skidding across the ground before sputtering more blood.

The crowd stared at her bloodied form, silver armor strewn with gashes. Across the field, the ant childling stood pristine save for minor rips and smudges on her clothes.

The girl twitched weakly, unable to rise.

"Is this your limit? Or are you still holding back?"

"Correct. Were I to unleash my full power, you’d perish instantly."

The blonde’s face twisted into a mask of bitter resignation—a calculated display.

"Arm… Army Lady!"

Stealth One mustered a panicked expression, darting to her side.

"Y-you’re alright?"

"Fine…"

Army Lady couldn’t bother critiquing the woman’s wooden acting anymore.

To the human race, it was clear: their champion had fought valiantly, but the chasm in power left her broken while her foe remained unscathed.

Not even their mightiest blade could scratch this enemy?

And the ant hadn’t truly exerted herself yet?

Despair seeped through the ranks.

All eyes soon shifted to Stealth One.

The first match’s level disparity had been hopeless, but this second bout… Class B, Level 20 versus Class B, Level 25. Only five levels apart within the same tier.

And the opposition—

They glanced at the timid girl fidgeting in the distance, head ducked nervously.

She looked… vulnerable.

One loss, but perhaps redemption awaited?

…

Supported by Stealth One, Army Lady slumped against the barrier’s edge. Philid made no move to admit the "critically wounded" warrior.

Cheers for Stealth One swelled as onlookers offered half-hearted comforts to their fallen idol—many already disregarding her.

When Stealth One opened her mouth for consolation, Army Lady cut her off.

"Focus ahead. Everything rests on you now."

"Mm."

A nod, then Stealth One returned to the field.

Across the arena, Red Pupil approached Weak Sound.

"Relax. Just fight as you normally would, Little Sound."

"Normally…?"

"Treat Sister Stealth One like woodland prey. Assume your hunting stance—it’ll steady your nerves."

"But…" Weak Sound wrung her hands. "With Sister’s current stats… I might… truly injure her…"