The Snake God with SSS Rank Evolution System

Chapter 359: Threads and Starlight

The group emerged from the crumbling ruins, blinking against the pale, grey light of the Wasteland’s surface. The sky above was a churning void of muted clouds, and the air carried the familiar, acrid scent of dust and decay. Behind them, the entrance to the library groaned, the stone grinding against itself as the ancient structure settled back into its long slumber.Lilith held up the Compass of Desire. Its glow flickered weakly, the needle trembling as if struggling to hold its course. The golden light along its surface pulsed faintly, dim but still guiding them.

Ignis stretched her arms above her head, her flames flickering weakly. "Ugh... I feel like I haven’t seen the sky in years."

Alice’s cat ears twitched as she scanned the desolate landscape, her dark violet eyes sharp. Her tail swayed behind her, and her voice carried a note of disdain.

"This place is terrible. It feels like the void, but with more... dust."

Azrynn pulled her cloak tighter, her yellow eyes darting across the barren terrain. "The Wasteland is always like this. It’s not a place meant for comfort. Even the air here feels heavy with despair."

Isolde remained silent, her pale face still drawn from the effort of the Crimson Veil. Her hair, now a mix of silver-white, hung limply around her shoulders.

Before anyone could respond, the ground trembled.

A low, guttural growl rumbled from behind a cluster of jagged rocks. The group tensed, weapons raised, as a massive creature emerged from the shadows.

It was enormous—easily the size of a small house, its body covered in thick, armor-like scales that gleamed dully in the grey light. Its maw was lined with rows of jagged teeth, and its eyes burned with a dull, predatory hunger. A long, barbed tail lashed behind it, and its claws scraped against the stone with each heavy step.

Ignis’s eyes lit up. A wide, eager grin spread across her face, and she cracked her knuckles with deliberate enthusiasm.

"Oh, finally! A punching bag!"

The creature let out a thunderous roar, its massive form surging forward with surprising speed.

Ignis met it head-on.

"[Solar Impact]!"

Her fist slammed into the creature’s jaw, the impact sending shockwaves rippling through the air. The creature stumbled, its head snapping to the side, but it didn’t fall. It retaliated with a swipe of its massive claws, forcing Ignis to leap back.

Azrynn’s eyes gleamed with quiet confidence as she stepped forward, her bow held with practiced ease. Her voice carried a hint of pride, smooth as silk, but edged with steel.

"Ignis, fall back. You’re exhausted. Let me handle this."

Ignis’s flames flickered with protest. "Ehh? But I can still fight! I’m not even tired—"

"You’re barely standing," Azrynn cut in sharply, her yellow eyes narrowing. "I’ll take care of this."

Lilith’s crimson eyes gleamed with amusement. Her voice was light, teasing.

"Hmm. You’re quite confident, aren’t you?"

Azrynn’s chin lifted, a flicker of pride crossing her pale features. "Of course I am. I am a Dark Elf of the Nocturne lineage. I won’t fall to a beast like this."

Lilith’s smile widened, a sharp edge of approval beneath it. "Bold words. I like them. I’ll assist you. I still have plenty of mana left."

Alice’s cat ears twitched, her voice carrying a note of playful irritation. "Finally. I was wondering when you’d start contributing. You’ve been standing there looking pretty for way too long."

Lilith’s smile sharpened. "I prefer to observe before I act. It’s called strategy, Alice."

The creature let out another thunderous roar, its massive claws scraping against the stone as it lunged forward.

Azrynn’s bowstring sang. "[Moonlight’s Arrow]!"

The arrow shot forward, a streak of pale silver light that struck the creature’s shoulder. The impact sent a shockwave rippling through its armored hide, and the creature stumbled, a deep gash carved into its scales.

Lilith’s threads moved in perfect synchronization, silver strands wrapping around the creature’s legs, its tail, its throat. They tightened, and the creature’s charge faltered, its massive body crashing to the ground with a thunderous impact.

Azrynn didn’t waste the opening. She nocked another arrow, her voice sharp, commanding.

"Now, Lilith! Hold it steady!"

Lilith’s threads tightened further, pinning the creature’s limbs to the ground. Her voice was calm, almost lazy. "It’s not going anywhere."

Azrynn released the arrow. "[Starlight Shot]!"

The arrow struck the creature’s eye, and its body convulsed once, then went still. The silence that followed was heavy, broken only by the faint whisper of wind across the Wasteland.

Lilith’s threads retracted, coiling around her fingers. Her voice was light, almost approving. "Not bad, Dark Elf."

Azrynn lowered her bow, a small, proud smile curving her lips. "I told you. I am not weak."

The ground shook again.

From the dust and shadow, more creatures emerged, three of them, larger than the first, their scales a deeper, darker grey, their eyes burning with the same dull, predatory hunger. They moved in perfect synchronization, flanking the group from both sides, their massive claws scraping against the stone.

Lilith’s crimson eyes narrowed. Her threads stirred around her fingers, silver strands coiling like serpents ready to strike. Her voice was cold, sharp, carrying an edge of absolute certainty.

"Three more. It doesn’t matter how many of you there are. I will tear through every last one until nothing remains."

Azrynn’s yellow eyes blazed. Her bow was already drawn, her body moving with fluid, practiced grace as she circled toward the nearest creature. Her voice was sharp, focused.

"Then I’ll be the one cutting them down. Stay close, Lilith."

Lilith’s lips curved into a thin, sharp smile. "Bold words for someone who’s only been fighting for a few minutes."

Azrynn didn’t respond. She lunged forward, her form a blur of silver and shadow as she closed the distance on the nearest creature. Her bow sang, arrow after arrow streaking through the air, each one finding its mark with deadly precision.

The creature roared, its massive claws swiping toward her. Azrynn twisted mid-air, her body curving like a whip as the claws passed inches from her face. She used the momentum to launch herself upward, landing on the creature’s back, and drove her blade into the gap between its scales.

The creature convulsed, its body thrashing as it tried to throw her off. But Azrynn held on, her blade carving deep into its flesh.

Lilith’s threads moved in perfect synchronization, silver strands wrapping around the second creature’s legs, its tail, its throat. She pulled, and the creature’s charge faltered, its massive body crashing to the ground.

"[Crimson Gaze]!"

A wave of psychic energy erupted from Lilith’s palm, slamming into the third creature’s mind. The creature staggered, its movements slowing as confusion clouded its senses.

Azrynn leaped off the first creature, landing in a crouch, her bow already drawn. She released the arrow—[Starlight Shot]—and it struck the second creature’s eye, piercing through to its core.

The creature convulsed once, then went still.

Lilith’s voice drifted over, calm and measured. "That’s two. One more."

The third creature shook off the psychic haze, its burning eyes fixed on the group with renewed fury. It lunged toward Azrynn, its claws extended.

Azrynn’s eyes narrowed. She met it head-on, her blade flashing as she carved a deep gash across its chest.

The creature stumbled, its momentum carrying it past her. It crashed into the ground, skidding to a halt, its body trembling.

Azrynn straightened, her chest heaving, her blade dripping with dark ichor. "And that’s the last one."