[Life Essence: + 19]

"Good, it's increasing bit by bit."

Lilith's Life Essence was gradually increasing as she and her "family" hunted more daemons. Her level had reached 18, a little more and she would hit the ceiling and then evolve.

She observed her surroundings filled with the carcasses of massacred of Lower-Orcs. These Lower Orcs averaged at LVL 15 to 18. There were over 13 of them on the ground. Their original pinkish skin was now nearing black.

It was a sight to behold, and Lilith was not expecting it to be this easy to hunt them.

She used Miasmic Expulsion to weaken these daemons and though she was prepared for a long and drawn-out fight, to Lilith's surprised, Dhampy suddenly exploded with a display of unbelievable level of skill.

Lilith found Dhampy's ability to wield the sword to be exemplary. It was strong and swift, she was efficient and she targeted the vitals so nicely that her targets would be gravely injured or even die on the spot.

Such a thing made Lilith doubt who Dhampy truly was.

She was too good at handling the sword to be a common-tier daemon. But even then, Lilith tried to see the bright side of things as to not blind herself with doubt and distrust.

"As long as she doesn't do anything bad, I can make sure she will not become a problem."

She was assured of Dhampy's loyalty; it was at 35%, at least Lilith was assured she wouldn't get stabbed in the back.

Right now, the only problem was Sylva.

"Get back here... oh no, ahhhh." Sylva, who was hunting an injured Orc, managed to have the situation turn against herself and was now running away for dear life.

She was too tense, too clumsy, and most important of all, she was too weak. Lilith was no professional in combat, but she at least got the gist of it and got used to the process after a few hunts.

'Quite frankly, she's useless...but she's also trying her hardest...' Struggling to survive, clinging to what little skill she had, Sylva was going after enemies she could not beat to still be a part of the family Lilith told her she was a part of.

Lilith smiled, thinking, 'This is going to be hard to work.'

Sylva moves like a newbie, who think swinging a sword at an enemy without direction and intent would do the job.

She was too green in terms of swordsmanship.

'Even I can do better than her if I try.'

[You're yapping like that but you still let her come... are you sure you want to let her continue? If she dies, the Chain Quest would disappear and the rewards would go poof.]

Even still, Lilith did not stop Sylva. She could see the sweat trickling down Sylva's temples then bounced off of her lashes.

Lilith watched as Sylva gripped the sword with both hands. Using her momentum, Sylva turned her body and placed her body weight into a single swing and against the pig-like Orc that towered over her.

Shiicckkkk

"Puhiii!"

Accompanied by a pained shriek, blood gushed out of its body . Sylva's green simple one-piece dress was dyed red with blood. Lilith could see terror flash in Sylva's eyes. She froze up, listening to the Orc's death throes she herself cut down.

Sylva's knees buckled and was forced to her knees. Unable to stand up after killing a single Orc. Her hands, which held the sword now trembled.

The shriek of an Orc originated from behind her. She turned around in horror seeing another Orc had sneaked up behind her. She wished to stand and pick up her weapon so she could fight back, but the shock and fear of killing were still present weakening her even more.

The Orc swung its wooden club with clear intention. Sylva flinched, seeing that her end was about to come. But just like before, she struggled in the face of death, she screamed in defiance of traveling to the other side.

"I won't die!"

Rolling to the side, she dodged Orc's club. Feeling the sword in her hands, she planted her feet on the ground and scampered towards the Orc, and plunged the cold steel to its side.

"Puhii!"

Once again, it wailed in pain before dying. Sylva killed for a second time, it filled her with great fear and anxiety.

Barfff!

She vomited the contents of her stomach upon showering with blood for a second time.

[Sylva: Level up.]

Lilith nodded her head as she acknowledged the struggles of the weak Sylva.

[I guess you are wrong with your words. That lass is a warrior after all.]

'I say she's going to have it hard, but not exactly impossible.'

[...you got me there.]

It was admirable an admirable display enough to make the little boss smile. But Lilith didn't show anything on her feline face. When Lilith was about to run once again to kill some more Orcs, a club flew to Sylva.

It came from one of Dhampy's opponents. The club was sent flying after having been parried.

Sylva saw and wished to dodge, but this time she could not. All her strength had been drained, and she found it hard to move, the club got closer, she was prepared to take the hit despite her fear.

But a figure rushed to her side, a furry figure running with all her might. Jumping in front of harm's way, Lilith's mind began to work.

Calculating the time it would need to change form and cast a protective spell she deemed it impossible, so she did the next best thing.

She transformed into a Newt!

"Boss head!"

Bam!

[HP: -300]

Lilith's body flew from one side to the other. Her dark scales took the full brunt of the club's force. Even with her DEF stats, it still took 300 HP from her.

'That was pretty strong.' she commented.

If that had hit Sylva instead, with her DEF stats at a measly 10, she would have croaked on the ground. But it wasn't over as she landed on a sharp and pointed stone that was adjacent to both of them.

[HP: -700]

It was painful.

The pain was only second to stabbing one's toes to a corner.

Lilith then turned back to being a One Horn and rubbed her back while groaning in pain.

Sylva panicked, instantly screaming out!

"Boss head! Are you alright? Be-because of me, yo-you." Sylva was touched, after seeing Lilith sacrifice herself for someone like her.

"Don't worry, I'll live." she said whilst coughing.

Lilith knew that the act of saving Sylva was worth it. Not because it was the right thing to do nor for Loyalty, but for something else.

'I didn't want to do it, but...the penalty would be too troublesome.'

Currently, she had yet to reach the next Chain Quest Sylva provided. If she let her die here, then the Chain Quest might disappear, and from what Alpha had said a few seconds ago, 'if the Chain Quest disappears and ends in a failure, the rewards would go poof!'

'I can't have the store disappear...that thing is too useful.'

The convenience of a store was too good to disappear. Lilith's eyes were filled with determination, and so, she saved the weak Sylva.

[Told you so.]

'Shut up, it was an accident. This didn't happen because she's weak.'

Lilith cursed Sylva but cursed Alpha even more. Cursing her why she didn't warn her earlier.

FUCK, this hurts!

Dhampy saw it all happen, and her eyes widen after seeing the indifferent Lilith sacrifice herself to protect a member of the family.

Then, she turned to the ugly pig who was shrieking as it swung its club.

A sliver of her passive Dark Heart activated.

"Die."

She casually said as the Dark attribute wrapped around her veins and sword to kill the Orc in a very leisurely manner.

The Orc was split in half.

The last of the Orcs had been dealt with.

No one saw what she just did as Sylva was too busy worrying over Lilith, and the latter was too busy worrying about herself.

"Boss head, are you alright?"

"I am fine." Lilith assured her

Sylva was still panicking as Lilith stood up. Sylva's limbs were as flimsy as a noodle, and she failed to gather strength and get up.

Seeing Sylva like that, Lilith could not help but inwardly shake her head. Dhampy returned to Lilith's side and immediately asked if she was alright.

"Boss Head, are you alright?"

"For the last time, I am fine. Dhampy, we are returning to the mansion, carry Sylva home."

"Okay."

"...Yes."

Lilith gave the command, and Dhampy answered quickly whilst Sylva's answer was somewhat dejected. They returned home the same way they left, but the overall atmosphere was different.

Lilith sat on the highest steps and looked down upon her two followers. Having experienced group combat with all three of them, Lilith came to a simple conclusion.

"Sylva, you will be staying at the mansion while Dhampy and I go hunt for daemons. End of discussion, Dhampy, go and prepare me a warm bath."

"Boss head, please give me another shot. I can be useful at combat; I wished to fight al—"

"Enough..."

Lilith cut her off.

"You are weak; therefore, you will become a liability. If you wish to become of use, become stronger. I don't wish for your death, stay down..." Lilith paused and sighed and looked at nothing for a second, "If you wish to fight again, go find a way for you to get stronger."

"...okay, boss head." Sylva was given a second chance.

Lilith was just about to enter the mansion when she remembered something of importance and turned to Dhampy, "Dhampy, you're not used to fighting in a group aren't you? Next time, try to remember that there are others with you so we do not have incidents like before, understood?"

"Yes, boss."

Dhampy knew what Lilith said was correct so she didn't try to argue. She looked over at Sylva but failed to say anything.

She only placed her hands on Sylva's shoulders then nodded her head.

Sylva's eyes slightly brightened, "Thanks, lady Dhampy."

Inside the mansion, Lilith stared at the Chain Mission.

[Chain Mission (2): Sylva's Determination.]

Conditions:

[Ÿ] Sylva LVL 20

[Ÿ] Help Sylva evolve to a higher tier

[Ÿ] Increase Sylva's loyalty up to 50%: current loyalty 30/50

Time Limit: 30 days

Penalty: All of the previous rewards would be seized.

This is the reason why her attitude turned a complete 180. If the mission didn't require Sylva evolving, then Lilith wouldn't have given her the chance to fight again.

She sighed, but she didn't say anything. Keeping her alive was important, but completing the mission was even more so.

Lilith could only complete it in order to keep the rewards.

Night came, and Lilith closed her eyes to sleep.

In the next few days, Lilith left with Dhampy. They were seen off by Sylva whose fatigue was oddly at 30%. It was weird, but she ignored it in its entirety and left to hunt for daemons.

While they were killing daemons, Lilith made sure to think about the future and the Chain Quest.

'Should I bring home some daemons for Sylva to kill?'

And just like that, five days eventually passed. Lilith and Dhampy once again returned from their hunt and were welcomed by Sylva, who had a wide smile on her face.

But Lilith was aware that Sylva's fatigue was already at 80%.

"Is everything all right, Sylva?"

"Ah... yes! I am fine, thank you for worrying! I am simply tired from cleaning the mansion."

"If you say so, but try and rest today."

"...yes." Sylva made a weary smile.

Lilith had Dhampy draw her a warm bath, after sending Sylva away to rest. When night finally fell, Lilith decided to take a walk.

Even at this time of the night, Sylva's fatigue was increasing and was nearing 100%.

She went to check Sylva's room. But upon entry, no one was there.

'Just I have thought.'

She went to the back of the mansion and found Sylva drenched in sweat swinging her sword. With her was Dhampy watching over her every movement. The sword in her hand was broken, its length was similar to that of a dagger's.

Lilith chose to keep herself hidden.

"Sylva, I am going to fetch you some drinking water."

"Thank you, big sis Dhampy."

Leaving her side, Dhampy now stood adjacent to Lilith.

"She's working hard, she had what kind of weapon suits herself and is improving quickly."

"How long has she been doing this?"

Dhampy excused herself after noticing Lilith's presence.

Lilith's voice sounded cold and distant.

"The night after you had her stop coming with us."

"Is that so... I am returning back to my room and sleep." Lilith prepared to leave, but right before she left, Lilith turned to Dhampy, asking, "She now calls you, big sis, you've become so close, that is good."

Dhampy nodded her head, not mentioning the fact of the compensation for her teachings would be for Sylva to call her as such. Thus, Dhampy's secret was kept.

That night, Lilith slept with a smile, and when Dhampy returned to Sylva's side who received a new passive as a result of her hard work.

"Big sis Dhampy, I received a new passive skill, [Dagger Mastery (F)]. With this, the boss head will find me useful in the field, right?"

Sylva threw her hands in the air as her happiness brought her over the moon.

Dhampy nodded her head and ruffled her hair, "Good job." she said.

The next morning, Lilith appeared before the two just like any other day.

Sylva was there with her usual one-piece dress; she looked at Lilith with anticipation waiting for her to tell what she had achieved.

"Boss head, I finally mastered the way of the dagger. It is merely at [F-rank], but I am sure I can be of use to you now."

"Good job." that's all that she said.

"Dhampy, you are with me today. Sylva, you will stay here like always. Sylva stay here and guard the mansion, let's go!"

Lilith took a step forward and got ready to leave, but she was stopped by Sylva.

Sylva had a desperate smile on her face. She brought out her broken sword (dagger) and moved it as if she was advertising herself to Lilith...

"I can move better than before, I-I, I can fight better now." her voice was filled with anxiousness and fear, "Boss head, I know I messed up before, but now I am sure I can be of use to you more. I was scared then because it was my first time experiencing combat. Please, I can be of use, do not cast me aside, please, give me another chance."

"No, you will stay here."

Lilith's answer came like a hammer. Sylva's smile began to fade, replaced by despair as her thoughts began to turn.

"Are you going to throw me away?"

Dhampy wished to take a step forward after hearing Sylva's words. But then, Lilith threw a dagger at Sylva. Dhampy stopped her attempts to get in between them.

"This is... "

"That is a dagger, I already know you have trained hard and gained a new skill, I know of your uses, and even if you didn't train to such an extent, I wouldn't have abandoned you. But even then, I will not take you with me."

"Then why?" Sylva was left confused.

"Though I know of your use, I also know that you are tired and will most likely collapse in the heat of combat. Stay here and rest, tomorrow, I shall take you with me. I don't want you getting hurt because you are not able to move from being too tired."

Lilith walked past Sylva without waiting for her answer. She didn't want to argue.

'I didn't know the boss head was watching over me.' Sylva thought to herself... this was the firs time, outside a friend caring for someone like her. It felt... warm.

A single tear escaped her eyes, but she wiped it away, making sure none will show in the presence of Lilith.

While Sylva revered Lilith, Dhampy had a smile on her face that says, 'I should've expected.'.

Lilith walked away from them, and with her back turned to them, a devilish smile appeared on her visage.

[Sylva's Loyalty + 20]

[Ÿ] Increase Sylva's loyalty up to 50%: current loyalty 50/50 (complete)

'That is one down, hehehehe.'

The boss head was happy that her words paid off. Alpha watched and could not help but comment.

===

[You're trash, you know that?]

===

'Oh shut up.'

[Dhampy's Loyalty +10]

'It also increased, lucky!'

The next day, Lilith did what she said and brought Sylva with them to hunt some Giwa running around the area.

But she had to admit; Sylva had indeed become stronger, at least enough to not be baggage.

With an extra hand, Lilith finally reached the next stage of her endeavor.

[One Horn: LVL 20]

[Ash Leopard: LVL 20]

[Ravager Salamander: LVL 20]

[Ÿ] Life Essence: 999/100

Lilith's life essence, and level and reached the targeted ceiling.

She smiled, and according to Alpha, she was improving quicker than what her seniors thought.

[Wait for a while, they are optimizing your evolutionary strands. Your way of living, thinking, and environments will have to be taken into account so the best suited evolution can be given.

And then, after some time, Lilith received a list of potential evolutions.

—One Horn—

Two Horns

Ogre Shaman

Druid

—Ash Leopard—

Lacerating Leopard

Scorching Leopard

Wereleopard

Thunder Clap Leopard

Armored Hunter Leopard

—Ravager Salamander—

Dark Dragonkin

Poison Dragonkin

Nightmare Dragonkin

Evil Dragonkin

Cursed Ancient Dragonkin

'Those are some nice choices.'

It’s time to evolve.