The python's massive tail whipped out, slamming into Zane and sending him flying through the air. His body tore a long, straight trail through the thick bamboo grove before he finally came to a stop.

Groaning, Zane pushed himself up, a faint glow shimmering around him.

"Good thing I used my defensive spell," he muttered, patting the golden sheen on his chest. "Otherwise… that strike would've left a pretty nasty mark."

The Divine Armor faded as he released the spell. Across from him, the python coiled proudly, its cold eyes locked on him.

Seeing that Zane was unharmed, the beast let out a furious roar, the sound shaking the bamboo around them.

"Yeah, yeah. Your attack's nothing," Zane said with a mocking grin.

The python seemed to understand his taunt. It bellowed again, even louder, then surged forward, its massive body twisting and slithering through the air like a storm.

"Alright then, let's fight." Zane rolled his shoulders, his eyes sharp. "I'm ready now. If this doesn't work, I can always use my law to finish you."

His only hesitation lay in the Solar Thread Law. It was far too destructive—if he used it, the python's body would likely burn to ashes. And Zane wanted the meat. That was the problem.

Just then—

Ding!

[New Quest Available!]

[Objective: Kill the Python Without Damaging Its Meat!]

[Reward 1: +1000 to all stats]

[Reward 2: Recipe — Mana Beast Cuisine (Boosts Physique)]

Zane's lips curved into a grin as he read the second reward.

"Well, that makes things easier."

The python loomed closer, its jaw unhinging unnaturally wide. With a guttural hiss, it unleashed a torrential wave of energy straight at him.

Shrouded in his demonification mode, Zane's body radiated the corrupted aura of darkness mana.

The python froze for a heartbeat. Its instincts screamed danger. Sensing that ominous energy, it coiled tighter, green sigils flashing into existence around its body. With a furious hiss, it opened its maw and released a gale.

A storm of cutting winds tore across the hall.

Zane's figure blurred, flickering past the torrent. He darted forward, claws of blackened aura slashing, clashing head-on with the beast.

The battle raged for fifteen minutes—fangs against claws, tail whips against strikes. Neither gained the upper hand.

Zane felt his stamina draining, his breaths growing heavier. The python, however, only grew fiercer, its monstrous vitality seemingly endless.

"Now I get it," he muttered under his breath, dodging another tail strike. "In this form… I can hold my ground against mid-level two-star beasts."

But his tone was grim. This stalemate would crush him first.

He exhaled, eyes flashing. "Since this is going nowhere… I'll use that."

Sliding past the serpent's lunging jaws, Zane steadied his breath, his will tightening.

"Solar Thread Law… come forth!"

At once, radiant golden threads spun into existence, weaving around his arm like lines of blazing sunlight.

The python saw its chance. Its mouth gaped wide, and in a single, vicious snap—it swallowed him whole.

Silence fell.

Then—

A blinding flash erupted from within.

The python shrieked, thrashing violently, its massive body convulsing as radiant fire seared through its flesh. Flames burst from cracks in its scales. Within seconds, the beast's body incinerated, collapsing into a storm of ashes.

From the fiery wreckage stepped Zane, unharmed, golden thread gleaming in his hand. His eyes glowed faintly with lingering divine light.

He clicked his tongue, almost annoyed. "Tch… lost a good meal."

Forming a quick series of hand seals, he released the technique. The corrupted aura peeled away as the demonification skill unraveled. His body shrank back to its human form, the pair of thorns retracting into his skull with a faint crackle.

A wave of weakness hit him. His skin felt tighter, leaner. He glanced down, frowning.

"I actually burned through some of my body fat…" he muttered.

Surveying the battlefield, his lips curved into a wry smile. The once-serene bamboo forest was nothing but splintered stalks and upturned earth, scarred by their clash.

With a sigh, he pulled out a wooden bucket from his silk pouch and began eating to replenish his strength.

The System chimed.

Ding!

[Quest to Obtain Python's Meat: Failed!]

[20 Points have been deducted from all attributes.]

[Host's Updated Stats:]

Strength: 3444 (Core) + 5 (Divine Radiance) + 10 (Divine Strike) → 3459

Agility: 3455 (Core) + 5 (Divine Radiance) + 10 (Luminous Step) → 3470

Intelligence: 3450 (Core) + 5 (Divine Radiance) + 10 (Sacred Barrier) → 3465

Health: 7250 / 7250 (Regen: 160 HP/s)

Mana: 8370 / 8370 (Regen: 60 MP/s)

Current Load: 41,567 kg

Mana Core Rating: One-Star

"Oh… so the system can actually reduce my stats if I fail." Zane muttered, frowning. It was the first time he had ever experienced a direct deduction in attributes.

[Sure!]

[If there is reward, then there will also be penalty. That makes it fair.]

"I get it." He sighed, scooping a thick chunk of bone marrow from the bucket and chewing thoughtfully.

Four minutes later, the bucket was scraped clean. He tossed the empty container back into his silk pouch and clapped his hands together.

"Alright… time for the real deal."

With a thought, he poured out the hundred shimmering fragments of the prototype weapon he had painstakingly collected over the last three days. They scattered across the ground in neat lines, glinting faintly with ancient mana.

"Let's reassemble and install it—just as Xoxo explained."

Crossing his legs, he closed his eyes and meditated, replaying the Atlantis schematics over and over in his mind. Ten times he simulated the process, ensuring every motion, every sequence was etched into memory.

Finally, his eyes snapped open. Mana swirled around his palms. The fragments lifted into the air, suspended by his mental telekinesis. His focus sharpened into a razor's edge as he guided the pieces together, weaving threads of mana into the ancient sockets.

It was far harder than he expected—every adjustment had to be exact. A single slip and all hundred parts would scatter, forcing him to restart.

He failed twenty-four times.

On the twenty-fifth attempt, the last piece clicked into place.

A hum filled the air. Golden light spilled across the chamber as a radiant blade floated before him, flawless and complete.

Zane's lips curled into a wide grin. "So this is the weapon of Atlantis—the one they said could even slay a Titan. Let's see what you can really do."

He reached out, fingers just inches from the hilt—

But the sword strapped to his back suddenly shuddered, broke free on its own, and shot forward.

In one horrifying instant, his soul-bound weapon devoured the golden prototype whole.

Zane's smile collapsed. "S-stop it, sword baby—oh no!"

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