The three of them were about to reach the city; the sun was high, and the morning sunlight had grown intense.
Suddenly, Snehwal said with a slight ache in his voice, "I keep remembering that squirrel — 'Find a body.' But… for whom a body?"
There was no fear in his voice, only the sharpness of curiosity.
Lily held him tightly and said, "You're not in any kind of dilemma, are you? Tell me clearly — if something happens to you, I'll be really hurt."
Snehwal smiled and looked at her face, which was filled with worry. Seeing that, he gently held her cheek and said, "I'm perfectly fine. And reaching this stage so quickly… that's a good thing."
Lily stepped back slightly, and his hand slipped away from her cheek.
With a faint, wilted tone, she said, "There shouldn't be any secrets between us."
Snehwal asked, "Secrets? What kind of secrets?"
Lily paused for a moment and said softly, "I… I'll tell you everything."
Just then a giant lizard lunged fiercely — its sharp claws slicing through the air about to strike, when Lily swiftly stepped back, and now Snehwal stood before her. Their eyes met.
Liora and Lily said together —
"Stay back! Let us handle this."
Lily said without any fear —
"He's in the Fourth Stage."
But Snehwal said with great courage —
"I'LL KILL IT!"
Snehwal touched his talisman and drew out his sword. Just then, the giant lizard leapt at him. Snehwal swung his sword, slicing off one of the creature's claws.
The lizard roared in pain and attacked again — in that moment, one of its claws grazed Snehwal's arm, and his sword slipped from his hand, falling far away. His hand was now wounded.
Snehwal groaned in pain. Seeing this, both Lily and Liora were startled.
Lily stepped forward and said, "Let me handle this."
Snehwal, in a firm voice, said, "No, I'll be the one to kill it."
Snehwal revealed his bow and pulled the string — a large green arrow appeared.
As the giant lizard leaped toward him, Snehwal released the arrow — it flew straight and pierced into the upper part of the creature's skull.
With a loud roar, the lizard collapsed onto the ground.
Snehwal looked at his bow, then put it back into his amulet.
Rubbing his hands together, he said, "There must be a spiritual stone in its head… I'll take it out and keep it with me."
Liora stepped forward, a knife in her hand. She said, "I'll do it."
Meanwhile, Lily was thinking to herself —
"How did Snehwal suddenly gain so much power? This is dangerous… could there be some strange energy inside him?"
Snehwal walked up to her and snapped his fingers in front of her face.
"Why? Am I not powerful now? I'll crush anyone who stands in my way!"
Lily gave a faint smile, but her eyes still showed worry.
Snehwal could tell something was wrong — her expressions had changed.
He quickly asked, "Is everything okay?"
Lily forced a smile and replied, "Yes, everything's fine."
Snehwal pressed again, "Are you sure? Everything's fine, right?"
Lily laughed and said, "Yes, yes, it's fine!"
Snehwal gently touched her cheek and asked,
"Then why aren't you praising me?"
Lily smiled and lightly punched him in the stomach.
"Stop acting! You didn't catch a flying arrow — no need to be that proud."
Snehwal was about to reply when Liora's voice came from behind —
"A light green spiritual stone! That's… Snehwal, it's perfect for you."
Snehwal gestured with his hand to refuse.
Liora said again, "It's for you… you killed it, so it belongs to you."
Snehwal replied calmly, "You keep it. I'll take it later."
Liora went silent. Her eyes stayed fixed on the stone in her hand — a glowing spiritual stone, slightly stained with blood.
After a moment of silence, Snehwal looked at Lily curiously and asked,
"What happened? Tell me now."
Lily replied softly, "Let's go to Inferna City first… we'll talk there."
Snehwal smiled and bowed a little, saying,
"Alright, Goddess. Your wish is my command."
Lily looked at him with a light mix of annoyance and a smile — as if she wanted to scold him, yet couldn't help but smile.
Snehwal and Lily had reached Inferna City and were now inside the palace chamber.
Standing by the door, Liora said, "I'll go to the market. You two talk in the meantime."
Lily looked straight at Liora without saying a word.
Understanding the hint, Liora quietly slipped away.
Now Lily's gaze fixed on Snehwal. Her soft, fair, and radiant face had turned slightly red.
Seeing that, Snehwal smiled faintly and said, "Alright… I'll tell you everything — what's been happening to me."
But before he could say more, Lily placed her hand on his shoulder, pushed him gently against the wall, and said,
"Now tell me."
Snehwal's face turned red, and there was a faint trace of nervousness in his eyes.