"Lory...?"


    Cassy, hearing her "final" words, gasped in worry. Large beads of sweat rolled down her forehead, betraying the intense suffering Lory was enduring. At that moment, Kali quickly warned everyone, realizing the danger.


    "This bitch...! Everyone, spread out! She''s gonna explode!"


    Such "security" items that eliminated someone who leaked intel weren''t rare in Kali''s line of work. As such, she also knew their dangers.


    Tina, who was closest, quickly activated her Metal Body skill and crossed her arms, gritting her teeth to prepare for the impact. Liz, on the other hand, snapped out of her light stupor and activated Immortality, moving to jump away.


    Kali pulled Cassy, who was still in a daze, diving under the cover of a nearby bench. "Stupid rabbit! Duck!"


    In concert with her shout, a weak explosion echoed through the quiet park. The chip behind Lory''s left eye, loaded with micro-explosives, detonated quickly, obliterating her head in one swift blow, sttering blood and gore within a few meters.


    Just like that, Lory''s now-headless body fell limp to the ground, with a pool of blood gradually forming around her.


    "Lory!"


    Cassy growled, her voice heavy with pain. "Kali, let go! I need to help her!"


    "What?! Stupid rabbit, have you finally gone senile?! She''s an enemy!" But Kali didn''t let her move, gripping her arm tight. "I bet she''s the reason why Aster''s always attacked by those anti-Human bastards, and you''re still helping her?!"


    "I''m a healer!" But Cassy didn''t give up, roaring. "If there''s someone who needs my help, I will! And Lory''s not an enemy, she''s a party member!"


    "...!"


    With a burst of strength, Cassy managed to break free and rushed forward, kneeling before Lory''s headless corpse. Without hesitation, she sped both hands before her chest and prayed.


    Soon, a familiar scene yed out. A golden ray of light fell over Cassy, as three cherubs came flying down yfully.


    "Revive!"


    When the casting process was done, she opened her eyes and shouted the keyword. The three little angels flew forward, entering Lory''s body, and covering it with a blinding sh of golden light.


    "You...!" Kali groaned, unable to understand Cassy''s actions. "Fuck! Now we have to kill her twice!"


    As Lory''s body slowly rose, her head being reconstructed, Kali moved fast. She waved her dagger toward Lory''s neck without hesitation!


    "Haha...!"


    But unfortunately, she was a step toote.


    Kali caught sight of Lory''s eyes. In the middle of them was another set of pupils, contrasting her previous blue—a deep, bloody red shaped like a multi-pointed star. The moment their gazes met, Kali''s body froze, as if someone hit the pause button.


    "This is it...! I did it!"


    Lory rejoiced, spreading her arms wide, ignoring the fact her dress almost fell off after the strap was sted to bits. But she didn''t seem to care,ughing loudly toward the night sky.


    "Hahaha! I''m finally free from that hateful curse!" She cackled.


    "... Lory?"


    Cassy, the one who had revived her, called out with a worried tone. After all, the "Lory" before her was acting differently than normal. It was as if she was apletely different person altogether!


    Soon, herughter stopped. Her crazed eyes swept across, watching Liz, Tina, and Kali, all frozen in ce, beforending on Cassy, who was sitting on the ground in confusion.


    "Ahh, my little rabbit healer, Cassandra Bright..." Lory smiled sweetly, gently patting Cassy''s cheeks, down to her chin. "You did well, my dear. Thanks to your help, now, nobody can stop me!"


    "...!"


    Even Cassy, who was typically an optimist, realized she had made a terrible mistake. Lory''s eyes, now unrestrained, glowed brightly, making anyone who met her gaze fall under her control.


    The four girls were familiar with those eyes, though they had only read about them in history books. With her confusion turning to fear, Cassy whispered with a trembling voice.


    "T-The eradicated bloodline, the enemy of the world...!" She gasped. "Control Demon—the Aracelli Race!"


    "Oh? You studied well~!" Lory grinned, her smile twisted with insanity. "As you guessed, that''s me!"


    She patted Cassy''s head lightly before standing up once more and stretching her limbs. The wings behind her ears twitched excitedly.


    "Although I could ce you all under my control right now, as thanks for being the one who helped me, I''ll let you go." She said, her smile slowly turning into a vicious frown. "I''ve already reserved my first kill for a certain someone, after all."


    Shortly after, she shook her head as she dismissed her dangerous expression, switching back to a neutral smile.


    "Ahh, now that I no longer need to keep my facade, my emotions are in turmoil. I guess killing that pig should be my priority." She added. "You girls are lucky; you get to survive a bit longer. However, your fate is already sealed either way~!"


    After speaking, she swept her gaze onest time, watching everyone''s expressions. Disbelief, anger, hatred, confusion, and killing intent. Such a disy made her smile wider.


    "Well then, ciao~!"


    With a wave of her hand, her figurepletely disappeared.


    It wasn''t teleportation but an ability rooted in her nature—control. She had forcefully twisted everyone''s senses, erasing her presence from their perception! She became unperceivable by any of the five senses.


    Cassy stared at Lory''s previous location, her voice overflowing with regret. "W-What have I done...?"


    After a minute, Kali and the others finally regained control of their bodies.


    "FUCK!"


    Kali and Tina reacted the same way, venting their anger by stomping against the ground hard. Liz, despite her fear, calmly knelt before Cassy and ced aforting hand on her shoulder.


    "Cassy, this isn''t your fault."


    "Liz..." Cassy lifted her gaze, her eyes almost empty with self-me. "I''m the one who cast Revive on her! Who else is there to me but me..."


    Liz shook her head, trying to offer a gentle smile as she continued.


    "I''m sure all of us were already under her control. Without a doubt, it wasn''t your will to revive her but rather amand instilled in your subconscious mind."


    Liz was guessing, but her idea wasn''t far from the truth. However, Cassy remained unconvinced, balling her fists tight until they bled.


    "But that doesn''t change what I did! I revived her! I put the world in danger!" Cassy roared. "I''m such an idiot!"


    "..."


    Liz knew nothing she said would reach Cassy right now, so she simply pulled her into an embrace, gently patting her back. "It''s fine, it''s not your fault." She repeated, soothing the crying rabbit.


    As this was happening, Kali bit her lip and turned away, walking off in silence.