The frost and snow in the canyon had yet to fully clear.
The rear half of the mountain, leveled by a single slash, lay exposed with fresh cuts. Wind swept over them, carrying a faint scent of frost dust.
How ridiculous.
After cultivating in Ryūchi Cave for so long, after serving the White Snake Sage for so many years, even I can no longer remember the last time I tasted defeat.
Yet this time...
I actually lost to this brat before me, who only just attained Sage Mode...
Tagitsuhime let out a soft, self-mocking laugh.
Her laughter drifted into the ravaged canyon and was soon scattered by the wind.
Then she suddenly heard an unexpected sound.
Footsteps came from ahead, slowly approaching her.
Still down on one knee, she raised her head and looked forward.
The savior who had just shaken the entire expanse of Ryūchi Cave was slowly walking toward her.
Is he going to kill me...?
Honestly, do losers really think about so many things?
What a strange thought.
In all her long years, this was the first time she had stood in this position and considered such things.
Countless faces slowly surfaced in Tagitsuhime's mind.
Among them were not only the faces of snakes, but also those of the humans she had swallowed after they failed their trials.
Some of them had cursed her, others had begged her, but she had never cared.
"To think I would meet my end here, too..."
"If only I'd known..."
"Oh, never mind."
After murmuring softly, Tagitsuhime strained to lift her neck, exposing it to the air.
Even if she had to die, she would do so with dignity, meeting a glorious end as a sage of Ryūchi Cave!
At least that much was still hers to decide.
The footsteps drew