At that moment, aniant serpent appeared, its size even more colossal than the one lying on the ground, barely ging to life.

  If the tter could be called a serpent, the former could easily be sidered a dragon without limbs.

  "...Was it you... who bullied my kin?"

  The higher the level of a magical beast, the higher its intelligehis enormous serpent had already learo speak.

  "It was me. So what?"

  "Insolence!"

  In an instant, the giant serpent shed out with its tail, creating wave after wave of shockwaves.

  Speed, power, size, defense... all of its attributes were signifitly stronger, bining to expoially increase its overall strength.

  Even though Yverantheia mao dodge the attack, she was still affected by the ensuing shockwave.

  "...Seems it's not just for show."

  Based on her assessment, this serpent was already at the fourth level, a signifit leap above her third level. The reason being, most creatures start to use skills at the fourth level, marking the first major pap.

  But this recisely what Yverantheia wanted. She wasn't here to hunt or plete a ission; she was here to grow stronger. Challenging powerful enemies was the fastest way to achieve that.

  As for the disparity in strength, this world has seen instances of overing insurmountable odds. Victory wasn't impossible.

  In a swift movement, Yverantheia nded on the serpent's head. This time, she didn't try to break its horn; she simply held on tight for stability.

  Feeling its horn being grabbed, the serpent began thrashing its head, trying to shake Yverantheia off.

  But she held on firmly, gathering strength in her legs, and then stomped down hard on the serpent's forehead.

  This strike pierced through its skull, reag its brain, causing a momentary daze. Had it been the serpent lying on the ground, it would likely have beeher knocked out or killed instantly by such a blow.

  "...A mere insignifit monkey!"

  Regaining its sciousness, the serpent roared at Yverantheia, but curiously, it couldn't find her anymore. The sensation of its horn being gripped had vanished.

  "Where did you go?"

  Suddenly, it felt an impa its body. While it was still processing this, another impaded in a different spot.

  "e out!!"

  The only respo received was more attacks.

  ‘...Too tough to damage effectively…’

  Yverantheia was using the nearby trees as springboards, tinuously leaping around and striking the serpent, taking advantage of any openings to inflict damage.

  However, the effect was minimal.

  The earlier atta its head had been far more effective than any subsequent strikes. But now, the serpent was undoubtedly guarding its head more closely, leaving her with only its heavily defended body tet.

  After several minutes of relentless assault, Yverantheia noticed something off.

  Upon closer iion, she saw that the serpent's body was enveloped in a yer of magical energy.

  Typically, all living beings, whether biological or undead, experiene degree of magical leakage.

  Acc to a theory proposed by a certain witch, the body of a living being trols the output of a type of energy known as 'mana.' An immature or urained body is like an unsealed tainer, naturally leaking mana. The cept of mana cealment involves trolling the body to prevent this leakage.

  Normally, the leaked mana would disperse into the enviro, being part of the ambient mana. However, the giant serpent's mana was noed around its body like armor, effectively nullifying Yverantheia's attacks.

  '...So this is another way to use mana.'

  Yverantheia had always been educated by the Church of Holy Light, which restricted a lot of knowledge, including anythied to witches. She had only stumbled upon this theory by d read it secretly. The problem was that many modern theories were proposed by that witch, leaving Yverantheia's uanding outdated. She had always believed that a mage's mana should be used for casting spells.

  But now, it was time to abandon that notion.

  '...ing mana around the body...'

  Yverantheia began to mimic the serpent's use of mana. She had always used mana solely for casting spells, so she o start by precisely trolling her mana.

  However, having once been chosen as a saintess, she had the talent for it. In no time, she had grasped the basics of c her body with mana.

  The giant serpent, meanwhile, had its mouth agape in astonishment.

  This method of using mana was actually a part of its i skill—the pseudon's 'Pseudon Scales.'

  Though it was a crude version, it had been learned just like that. What should it be called now? 'Pseudo-Pseudon Scales'?

  Regardless, Yverantheia's threat level had just skyrocketed, f the serpent to be on high alert.

  Ign the damage to its body, the serpent began to gather mana in its mouth, intending to unleash another branch skill, 'Pseudoh,' to end the battle in one blow.

  Mana was tinuously pressed into a light sphere. At the serpent's and, the sphere would unleash a torrent of energy forward, causing massive damage.

  'Damn it! She keeps jumping around!'

  Yverantheia's stant movement made it impossible for the serpent to aim. Without a direct hit, the attack's power would be greatly diminished.

  The energy sphere remained in the serpent's mouth, oblivious to the huge fw in its strategy.

  Seizing the opportunity, Yverantheia delivered a powerful kick to its . The force made the serpent snap its jaws shut untrolbly.

  The energy sphere was thus bitten through and exploded in its mouth.

  Yverantheia nded gracefully on the ground, while the serpent colpsed heavily, kig up dust, its mouth billowing with bck smoke from the explosion.

  "It's over."

  "W-Wait... please wait!"

  The serpent struggled to speak.

  "I am willing to submit to you, just spare my kin."

  For this serpent, the survival of its species aramount. It had attacked Yverao protect the young members of its who were about to be sughtered.

  However, this meant nothing to Yverantheia. Although the serpent was strong, it was insignifit pared to her true goal. She needed only her own strength.

  "...I don't hat. Give me your blood, and I'll spare your kin."

  Yes, she only o grow stronger. As a magical beast with dragon lihe serpent's blood was a rare material. It was valuable for alchemy, crafting tools... the uses were endless.

  "...Uood. Thank you for your mercy."

  With the remaining mana it had, the serpent cut through its scales and skin, presenting the purest part of its dragon lineage blood to Yverantheia.

  Yverantheia used mana to trol the blood, preventing it from spilling onto the ground.

  'About two liters, that's enough.'

  Taking the blood with her, Yverantheia pondered how to use it as she walked back to the cave.