"Sinnaphyx, you've already lost."
At Renato's calm declaration, the Yochlol laughed in fury. Her four-part maw opened and closed repeatedly, releasing harsh, grating hisses, while her chest shook as though she had heard some absurd joke.
"Hahaha... ridiculous! You mortals are always such fools. Without power, you're nothing but lowly beggars. Gain the slightest ability, and you arrogantly compare yourselves to gods, imagining everything will go just as you wish!"
Sinnaphyx spread her arms and tilted her head, her scarlet gaze fixed on Renato as mockery filled her voice:
"You think your feeble Shadow Magic can burn me?"
The demonic handmaiden raised both claws, deliberately displaying the fingertips and palms that Dakoul's Blessing had corroded until they were blackened and peeling. Then she clenched her fists, and charred flakes fell between her fingers.
"I can heal these minor flesh wounds in mere seconds. And once I smash that iron shell of yours, only death awaits you. Abandon your delusions, mortal!"
"Then why don't you heal yourself right now?"
Renato's tone remained flat, as though he had merely asked a casual question.
"What are you talking about? Have you gone mad?"
Renato's baffling words left the Yochlol confused, and she instinctively reached for the place where the Holy Symbol hung against her chest.
But her fingertips met nothing. All that remained was the cracked skin of her chest.
The spider emblem that symbolized her faith in Lolth had vanished without a trace.
Sinnaphyx jerked her head up to stare at the Swordsman nearby. All four sections of her maw opened at once as she gave an incredulous roar:
"When did you..."
The Swordsman slowly opened his left hand. The bone Holy Symbol had already been reduced to fine powder, which sifted between his fingers and mingled with the rubble on the