Even though Evangeline insisted she wasn't a good person, she clearly couldn't refuse this "good person" card being handed to her; resigned, she could only choose to ignore it.

Since Lin Luo's injuries were quite severe, Evangeline suggested that moving him should be avoided for the time being, proposing it would be better to wait until his self-repair was complete before taking action. Consequently, the women moved him to the shade of a nearby tree, letting him rest undisturbed. As for Lei, having exhausted too much power in the preceding battle, she had already fallen into a deep slumber.

Looking at the two figures lying on the ground, every one of them felt a profound bitterness welling up inside, every thought souring the experience. Today’s fight had ended in their complete defeat; had Evangeline not arrived at the critical juncture, they absolutely would not have survived until now.

"We can't keep going on like this," Mikoto suddenly stated in a low voice, her gaze intensely fixed on the three women beside her. "We absolutely must find the strength to defeat the enemy ourselves."

Rin nodded in agreement with the same earnest tone. "Exactly. Right now, we stand no chance against the Walkers. In future battles, we’ll certainly encounter even stronger foes. If we remain stagnant, sooner or later…"

The others fell silent, yet they all knew in their hearts that if they continued to tread water, death would eventually claim them. Someone might save you once or twice, but they couldn't protect you forever.

They absolutely refused to endure what happened today ever again; they wanted no part of such despairing memories. That feeling of utter powerlessness when facing a formidable enemy—they could never accept it again. Therefore…

"There's only one path left."

"Yes, if we don't act, things like this are bound to repeat."

"Then, we have no choice but to take it."

...

The lingering glow of the setting sun bathed the grassland. Evangeline stood there, the gentle breeze lifting strands of her golden hair, her clear eyes as deep as the sea as she stared silently at the distant sunset.

Several hours had passed since she rescued Lin Luo and the others. Aside from a perfunctory initial introduction, she had separated herself from the group to stand alone. No one knew what she was contemplating, perhaps not even Evangeline herself.

The information bestowed upon her by the War of Gods had revealed much. She had never imagined being drawn into such affairs. Setting aside what the War of Gods truly was, she only knew that if she ever wanted to return to her original world, or if she intended to continue progressing within the War of Gods, she would have to remain with those people.

For the six hundred-plus years since becoming a True Ancestor, she had fought entirely alone. From the initial weakness, being hunted and constantly fleeing, to eventually growing powerful enough to turn the tables, hunting and counter-assassinating, trampling over countless corpses—it had been an age of slaughter, where one either killed or was killed.

By the end, she was nearly invincible, the number one most-wanted fugitive in the magical world, carrying a bounty of six million USD—the Demon King of Darkness.

So, I am... Just as this thought surfaced, Evangeline heard footsteps behind her. She turned instinctively, a wry smile spreading across her face. "Well, well, if it isn't the useless little brats. Finished resting and already running around?"

Standing before her were Mikoto and the other three. Although Evangeline was the smallest in stature, considering the sheer span of years she had lived, calling them 'little brats' was hardly an exaggeration.

"Evangeline." The group paid no mind to her sarcasm. Mikoto walked right up to her, staring intensely into the girl's eyes, and stated firmly, "We want to become stronger. So, we ask you to help us."

"Become stronger?" Evangeline paused, then scoffed as if hearing the world's greatest joke. "Hmph. Do you expect me to train you?"

Mikoto nodded. "Yes. You said you're a vampire who has lived for hundreds of years; you must know a great deal about combat. So, we hope you will train us. We want to become strong."

"That’s certainly true. Even a group of useless kids can improve with proper tutelage…" Evangeline’s gaze swept over the women, then settled on them with a peculiar expression. "But the question is, why on earth should I help you?"

The women faltered. Mikoto quickly interjected, "But... aren't we comrades?"

"Idiot. Who said anything about being your comrade?" Evangeline’s face flushed, her tone decidedly irritated.

"But you just saved us, didn't you?" Mikoto countered.

"Hmph," Evangeline snorted, crossing her arms haughtily. "That was merely because I happened to be passing by and, out of sheer boredom, decided to swat away a few irritating pests. I had no intention of saving you." She then extended a crimson tongue to lick her lips, grinning sinisterly. "Besides, I am an evil Dark Sorceress. How could I possibly save people? Don't be so naive."

"Evangeline..." Shokuhou suddenly pointed at the girl, a thoughtful look in her eyes, then tilted her head. "Are you... tsundere?"

"Ah... Uff!" Shokuhou’s remark was so sudden that Evangeline reacted as if startled, reflexively trying to refute it, but accidentally bit her own tongue. The pain brought tears to her eyes, leaving her looking tearful. "...Ugh, that hurts."

"See? She is being tsundere," Shokuhou realized quietly.

"Yeah, and so obviously about it," Mugino agreed.

"Bastards, you're the tsunderes! Your whole family is tsundere!" Evangeline exploded in fury, covering her mouth with one hand while pointing accusingly at the others.

"But you are undeniably being indirect," Shokuhou pressed on, demonstrating her psychological acumen. "Even if, as you claim, you only helped us out of boredom, why are you still standing here now? Isn't it because you’re worried those Walkers might attack us again, and you’re staying here to protect us?"

"Hmph. You're just being sentimental. I'm not that kind-hearted," Evangeline retorted, turning her head away with a cold snort.

At this point, Rin stepped in. "Alright, alright, we’ll take your word for it that you’re just bored. In that case, could you use this idle time to train us a bit? We truly wish to become stronger."

"Well, that's not entirely wrong. I am bored, after all..." Evangeline tapped her chin in thought for a moment, a distinctly displeased expression crossing her face. "Fine. I suppose I'll train you for my own amusement. But let me be clear: even if it's just light training, I am merciless. If you accidentally die, don't expect me to care."

"No problem! We've made up our minds," the four rejoiced, immediately nodding their assent.

"Is that so? It seems they are truly determined," Evangeline clicked her tongue, then displayed her signature, wicked smile, hooking a finger toward them. "In that case, come at me."

"Huh?"

Seeing their confused looks, Evangeline elaborated: "First, let me see exactly what kind of strength you possess. If you’re too weak, there’s no point in training you."

"Understood, then we won't hold back."

As the words fell, the group launched their attack toward Evangeline. Aware of her unimaginably superior power, they held nothing back: Rin immediately activated her Imago; Mikoto donned her Lightning Armor; Mugino transformed into Dark Angel; and Shokuhou pushed her psychic abilities to the absolute limit.

"Oh, oh! Not bad," Evangeline praised, completely unconcerned by the onslaught. She ignored Shokuhou’s mental assault and charged straight toward her.

Her speed was utterly lightning-fast. Before anyone could react, Evangeline landed a punch squarely in Shokuhou's abdomen, sending her collapsing immediately.

"One."

Evangeline licked her lips, a black cloak manifesting behind her as she shot into the sky. Mikoto and the other two continued to attack relentlessly, but they couldn't touch her. Whether it was the electricity, the Gemstone Barrage, or any other attack, Evangeline managed to evade it instantly.

In the next moment, she caught up to Mugino, who was suspended in mid-air, and delivered a straight right punch.

Mugino's expression shifted. Instinctively, she raised her hands to shield her face, but she instantly regretted it, realizing the punch aimed at her had vanished... Crap, a feint!

Before she could process the thought, Mugino felt a crushing blow to her lower abdomen. Her vision went black, and she immediately lost consciousness.

"Two."

Having knocked down two targets with blinding speed, Evangeline dispersed her wings and landed softly. Above, countless gemstones rained down toward her.

"Tch," Evangeline scoffed, and just before the gems could strike, her body vanished from the spot in a flash.

"Hey! Where is she?" Mikoto and Rin scanned their surroundings in shock.

"I'm here," Evangeline’s voice sounded right behind Rin, who gasped in horror. But it was too late to dodge. Before Rin could move, Evangeline slammed a palm against her back.

Even though she had intentionally held back, the blow was still too much for Rin to withstand. She immediately fainted, and simultaneously, the Imago she had conjured completely collapsed.

"Well, only one left now," Evangeline smirked, her gaze settling on the final remaining figure, Mikoto.

"Damn it!"

Less than a minute into the engagement, Evangeline had subdued three of them with overwhelmingly superior power. This left Mikoto both terrified and horrified. Yet, even standing alone, she refused to surrender. She pointed a finger, summoning a bolt of heavenly lightning.

"Lightning strike, eh? But it’s useless if it doesn’t connect," Evangeline laughed, easily dodging Mikoto's attack. Just then, a black tide suddenly surged up from the ground, rushing madly toward her.

"Hmm?" Evangeline paused slightly. The wave came from beneath her feet. Although she managed to dodge quickly, a gash was still sliced open on her arm.