Chapter 194 - Immortal?

With as big as a football, a blazing hot flame hovering calmly yet vigorously around her body like a moon orbiting the Earth, Sheila slowly approaches Rodrick as the latter understood immediately of his situation before quickly put a distance between them. While retreating as she leisurely walks toward him, Rodrick thought he needs to think of a way out of this as, sooner or later, he might really get burned by her without any other choice. Escaping could be done easily if he ever wished, however, would he really go with that? Running away with tail tuck between his legs, won't people make fun of him again once they came to know about this? 

Just imagine the outcome if he ever decided to run away was enough to force his shaking feet to stand in place. Thinking about it again, no matter how powerful her flame is, she won't be able to use it if she was killed first before that. When that thought crossed in his mind, Rodrick quickly knew what he needs to do right after. However, charging at her like before is nothing but an idiotic move possible right now. Also, without getting caught off guard, there's no way his attack would land on her since her speed doesn't seem to be that much different than his. 

"You shouldn't be spacing out like that, you know?"

Sheila said before sending a small piece out of the golden flame straight toward Rodrick as he quickly stepped to the side as soon as her words stirred him up. Although its speed was pretty disappointing, the firepower, however, is not to look down upon. The moment it touched the wall, the wall quickly melt as if lava just hit it before it exploded, leaving nothing behind, not even debris. More importantly, that's only a small piece of it, now imagine if she actually throws the golden flame at him, even if he can avoid it, the destruction caused by it won't leave him unscathed that's for sure. At the very least, he might lose an arm or two, or possibly worse than that.

"See? If you're not careful, you might end up dead, which would be a shame, wouldn't it?"

With a smile, Sheila pulled a boost potion out of her pocket that she prepared a moment ago on the way here. Since their speed is somehow close, she needs to be faster if she wanted him to suffer from her wrath. Upon seeing her taking out a small vial with purplish liquid, Rodrick quickly stays on guard due to her suspicious movement, however, he was surprised in the next moment to see the latter gulping down the whole content in the vial without any caution in her part instead of throwing at him, as he expected. 

The moment she drank it whole, the world around her suddenly feels like it has been slow down a considerable bit, even though in reality, nothing seems different other than her aura had become increasingly more frightening. Though he didn't know what it was, Rodrick can tell that he makes a mistake by letting her drink the content of the vial. 

"Mhm, it tastes sort of like gr.a.p.e, very delicious."

Sheila softly muttered to herself in admiration, she can't believe something as poisonous-looking as the potion could taste so good. Even the health and mana potion alike also somehow taste pretty sweet, she couldn't help but wonder what sort of magical thing that could make it taste great. Speaking of system's shop, obviously, she had done a little investigation, however, reading the detail on each item didn't actually tell her who was the maker of the said item, so in the end, she found nothing useful other than wasting her gold. At most, it would only tell either how to use the item, or what sort of magical thing it is, which is nothing but useless flavor text in many roleplay games.

"Alright, it's punishment time."

She calmly declares her intention with a smile on her face. Rodrick quickly went full alert as he put all his strength into his sense as the moment he ever felt her movement, he would immediately attack or retreat, whichever path that gives him an advantage in the fight. However, he was a little too late as Sheila was already right behind him at that moment and with an evil grin on her face, she viciously ripped his right arm off his body without any resistance. As his blood scattered all over the place, Rodrick blanked out for a moment as if the sudden situation hasn't registered yet in his mind. 

"AAAAAHHH!"

The moment he came to his senses, Rodrick immediately started screaming like a chicken being slaughtered at the slaughterhouse as the pain assaulting him to the point he almost faint. That is if he was a normal human, however, at this moment, he was nothing but a human. Though his regeneration speed has indeed become much more potent than the average human, it is still nowhere enough to generate a completely new arm. Also, he didn't expect or know how her speed suddenly increased so fast that he couldn't perceive her for that single moment, which he ended up losing an arm as the price. The only valid conclusion is that whatever she drank a moment ago, that most likely give her a boost in speed.

"Though you look like a demon, you are still a human at heart, huh? I also didn't expect that hearing your painful scream gives me a little thrill. I suppose this must be what it feels when one finally achieved a part of their revenge. However, it is still not enough to soothe the anger within me."

As soon as he heard her words, Rodrick quickly retreats, putting a distance between amidst the pain of losing an arm. Sheila, however, didn't do anything but stood on the spot with a calm-looking smile on her face.

"Didn't you say that you beat my friend up to death? I wonder if you're interested in having the same situation on you? I'm very much interested in what your reaction would be as I brutally beat you up amidst your painful screaming, doesn't that sound interesting? Ah, I'm so bad~"

The smile on her face slowly changed into that of a wicked grin as she narrated everything in a soothing voice. Though she remained rational and calm about the situation, the boiling wrath upon testifying her friend's death is still rooted deeply within her mind. As if something had just clicked or switched, her mind had become a little twist as she ponders what sort of punishment would be good for Rodrick so that she won't end up killing him during the process. If this was not real life but that of anime, one would likely see dark energy surrounding her right at this moment. 

"You!"

"Oh, right. What am I going to do with this useless arm? Maybe I should burn it since it is nothing but trash?"

"Don't you dare!"

Though he never thinks it was possible, Rodrick believes the faction behind that maniac that turned him into this might be able to heal him as long as he brings his ripped arm in good condition to them. That's why he would rather not have her burning that arm since there's still hope for him. 

"Eh, you are greedy, aren't you? Look, the golden flame is sad now since it wanted to burn this useless arm to ashes before."

Sheila said while pointing at the ball of flame hovering around her. As if agreeing to her words, it burns vigorously than before. Suddenly, the golden flame creeps in closer toward her bloody hand that was holding onto Rodrick's ripped right arm. Even though there is still a bit of distance between each other, Rodrick could see that arm of his, has started to visibly redden due to the strong heat from the golden ball of flame. If he or she did nothing to stop it, there's a high chance that that arm would truly be burnt to ashes. 

In the first place, is it truly moving by itself? The answer is no. Although it is indeed, an ancient flame that burns everything in its path, it posed neither the will or intelligence for such action that Sheila spoke of. She was the one controlling it, so she can easily direct it to do as however she pleased. Of course if one thinks carefully about it, they would also reach that conclusion, however, Rodrick currently has no time to think as the more time wasted, the closer the golden flame to burning his arm.

"Stop!"

It was in this desperate situation that he couldn't help but suddenly recalled the words said by the maniac upon finishing the experiment on him. 'This is not recommended, however, you can gain even more strength at the cost of burning your lifespan. After all, the Strengthening Mk II Gem can only do so much. If you want strength further than the limit, then you have to pay something in return for that. This is just how it is in reality, isn't it?' 

'Though I don't want to die just yet, I have no other choice. I only need a little bit of strength, just enough to surpass her speed. Even if I lost 1-5 years of lifespan, it doesn't matter as if I didn't do anything, I would be cripple for life, which is not that much different from death to me. Most importantly, the moment she surpassed my speed, I couldn't escape from her unless I do this. Yes, I have no choice.' With that thought in mind, Rodrick put his will into the gem and as expected, he felt tremendous pain all over his body due to sudden rise in strength that exceeded more than his body could hold.

"GRAAAAAAH!"

"Oh? So, are you turning into a third phase now? This is getting more interesting. I didn't expect that gem to be so powerful, ah, I really want to analyze it. Come on, entertain me! Show me all your strength! At the end of it, I will show you true despair by destroying you at your best!"

'Yes, at that time, no matter how much you beg me to put an end to your suffering, I would make you suffer even more. After all, I had more than enough potion to make you suffer endless pain for an entire week! Ah, I can't wait!' With a small smile on her face, Sheila stood on the spot as she watches Rodrick's body slowly growing in size yet again, but this time, it seems his body couldn't handle it judging by the pained expression he made. The good thing is, the blood on his right has stopped leaking out.

"Return my arm to me, or you will regret it!"

"Oh? Your voice sounds much deeper than before. That's interesting."

"I SAID, RETURN MY ARM TO ME!"

"Aww, you're angry, aren't you? Do you want a bar of snickers? It would definitely calm you down."

With his eyes redden like a crazed berserker, Rodrick suddenly disappeared from his spot within the blink of an eye before reappearing right behind her. Just like what she had done to him, but this time, it was his turn. The moment he appeared right behind her, he thought of taking the arm and escape, however, he swiftly stopped his action as realized that Sheila couldn't follow his speed judging how her eyes were still staring at his afterimage. 

It was as if God had listened to his wish and giving him a second chance, without a second doubt, he pulled the knife out of his pocket before directly stabbed her at the center of her back. He feels more assured of his victory when her face turned into that of a shock when she realized that he was already right behind him with his knife deeply embedded into her heart. The light in her eyes quickly dimmed; it was a sign that shows life is fading away. However, before Rodrick could celebrate his victory, he suddenly heard a cry like that of a phoenix out of nowhere. 

"!!!"

There, with the knife still stabbed right in her back, Sheila slowly stood up. Looking at his bewildered expression, she couldn't help but snickers before saying.

"Do you think you can kill me with just that? I told you, didn't I? I will make you suffer, that I promised. Before that happen, I would not die."