The SSS Ranked Villain's Return

Neraxis appeared a fair distance away from the three healers, hiding behind a rock formation.

At the same time, he made life a bit easier for them by merely infusing {Aura of the Abyss} into the soil and using Frost.

It made the worms slower, and perhaps it would give the healers a bit more time to react.

However, even after the worms were mere meters away from emerging from the ground, the three healers remained unaware.

They are from the new batch of students... But how are they so incompetent? Neraxis thought with furrowed brows.

It seemed like after Magnus's death, the quality became pretty piss-poor.

But that was to be expected when you don't have a mentor.

Nonetheless, Neraxis decided to let the situation play out for now.

—Lily, do you feel that?

—Sis... You're not going to push me into a ditch again, are you?

—Stop it, you two. I believe we should focus on the task... Something is wrong.

They're triplets, Neraxis noted, and the third triplet seemed to be the most aware of them all.

The first was childish, the second was probably the youngest.

But due to the third's warning, they all went on guard, their backs touching as they waited for the danger to approach.

However, if they had even read a single book, they'd know that most monsters in the wilds come from the ground, so huddling together was the single worst thing they could do.

So Neraxis simply made it easier by changing the Frost into Decay.

Immediately, a few notifications appeared.

[17x (C- Ranked Monster) Sand Worm Slain! Reward: Stigmata 12.82% → 12.82%]

The threshold for getting any progress was simply too high now, and even A- ranked monsters barely gave anything.

As for these weaklings? Nothing.

But now, there were only three Sand Worms left, and thankfully, the third triplet noticed them before pushing her sisters aside.

The moment she did, a massive worm shot out from the ground, its circular mouth full of razor-sharp teeth.

Following that, two more emerged from the ground, shocking the other two triplets.

But the third one was ready, as she reached into her dimensional ring and pulled out some sort of hand grenade.

However, from what Neraxis could see, instead of being an explosive, it was a salt bomb instead.

The third triplet threw it into one of the worms' mouths, and in the next moment, it shriveled up, its body visibly twitching.

Finally, its massive body halted, its mouth closing before it lifelessly fell to the ground.

—Ah! Mira! Good job!

—Shut up! Talia, grab Lily and run!

Neraxis nodded in approval as the two triplets began running.

As for the third, Mira remained behind, her staff pointing toward the two remaining worms.

Her hands trembled, which was a good thing.

That meant she wasn't an idiot.

Mira grabbed her staff with both arms and began pouring mana into it.

Soon, a green protective barrier appeared around her, right as the worms crashed down on her.

They bounced off, cracking the barrier in the process.

But it was enough to give her time to catch up with the two triplets.

However, as if she had overstrained herself, Mira suddenly fell to the ground, clutching her foot.

—Cramp! Lily! Hold her up!

—Taliaaa! Mira's chest is too small! I can't lift her!

—Then why are you grabbing her chest!? Grab her arms!

Neraxis chuckled as he began making his way out of cover.

If he didn't step in now, all three of them would die.

But after only two steps, Neraxis halted and slipped back into cover as a familiar figure appeared.

It was a swordswoman—one who carried herself with a noble demeanor.

Raeny, the same girl who was in his team back in the Venomous Wasp Rift.

She changed a bit, Neraxis remarked. I'm still curious why she was avoiding me all this time... Her skills were pretty good, but she always fell behind others.

Nonetheless, Raeny unsheathed her sword, holding it with both hands.

And in the next moment, she disappeared.

It seemed like a skill similar to {Sword Dash}, as she reappeared beside the two worms, and, with a clean slash, severed their bodies in two.

Not even a single drop of blood emerged, almost like she cauterized the wound at the same time.

She's gotten better, Neraxis thought with a smile.

If she was going to help them, then he should probably leave—

Huh?

His eyes widened, and before he knew it, Neraxis used {Sword Dash}, appearing right behind Raeny.

He canceled his momentum and put away his sword.

Instead, Neraxis stretched out his hand and grabbed Raeny's sword, which was heading straight for Mira's neck.

"What do you think you're fucking doing?" Neraxis asked coldly, tightening his grip.

As he did, Raeny's seemingly well-made sword shattered in two.

"W-What the... Instructor? What just happened?" Talia asked, her eyes wide.

But as she finally processed what could've happened, she shot a hate-filled glare toward Raeny.

"Did you just try to kill my sister?"

Raeny took a few steps backward, and Neraxis let her do so.

He had already marked her with {Aura of the Abyss}, and if she did anything reckless, he'd accelerate it and kill her.

"Explain yourself, now," Neraxis ordered. "If you don't, you'll become the first casualty of this outing."

"I just wanted to test whether you'd intervene or not," Raeny said with a shrug, turning around. "Now that I realize you do, I can be more reckless."

Neraxis narrowed his eyes. A lie.

"I'm not here to play any games, Raeny. If you don't tell me why you did what you did, I will kill you. I'm giving you 10 seconds."

As his words fell, Neraxis re-summoned his sword, placing it directly on Raeny's neck.

"10... 9..."

"I was ordered," Raeny replied plainly, her eyes darting around.

Unless it was personal, the only ones who would order infighting were the Government or the Eternal Night.

As for the Syndicate? They were a neutral bunch—at least for the next couple of months until their motives changed.

"Raeny. You will not be pardoned for this," Neraxis stated sternly. "You are to sit by until the end of this assignment. Once we get back to the academy, you're going to be expelled."

"You can't do that," Raeny shot back, her eyes finally showing some emotion. "I was ordered! If I didn't do what I was told, I would get killed!"

"Who ordered you?" Neraxis said, halting. "Let me guess—the government?"

Raeny tilted her head. "How did you know?"

Thought so. Neraxis sighed.

Last time, back when they were stuck in the rift, he remembered the note that said someone had sent a distress signal to the government.

Who would've thought it was her?

"Raeny, I wish to have a chat with you," Neraxis said before turning to the triplets. "As for you lot, I'm a bit disappointed. But you, Mira, have some leadership capabilities, so keep it up. But do take some time to rest now."

"Yes, Instructor!" the triplets replied in unison, and with that, Neraxis dragged Raeny back toward his tent, sitting her down.

As soon as he did, he asked a single question.

"Are you one of the children a part of Project Z17?"