Inside the competition arena.

Siria's five finally regrouped—none missing.

When Luo Wei returned, Axina's gaze flickered. No need to ask; the Divine College team had gone over. They'd never had a chance.

Judging by Luo Wei's bedraggled state, she hadn't taken the win either—good thing Axina hadn't gone.

"Gladys still hasn't woken?"

Ignoring the calculating appraisal in Axina's eyes, Luo Wei knelt and felt Gladys's neck pulse.

Rapid rate, fast and thready, circulation sped up—likely acute peritonitis from visceral damage.

She'd had it several times in her previous life—every time after an abdominal wound while fleeing.

She told Hol and Jack to turn around, then crouched, using her body to block the magic bees' line of sight. Gently lifting the cloth over Gladys's abdomen, she found a wide, dark purple-black bruise.

Closed abdominal wall trauma—probably a ramming from a Three-Headed Fierce Tapir during the fight; infrasound resonance piled on—injury atop injury—pushing her into shock.

She let the hem fall and turned. "Hol, can you brew some healing potions?"

Injuries this severe—without prompt treatment Gladys's life was at risk.

The arena simulated beast habitats; some herbivores ate only magic plants, so raw ingredients existed—they'd just need time to gather.

"Alright—but I need to find the plants first." Hol turned—and froze. "Your eyes!"

"What about my eyes?" Luo Wei blinked—felt something drip from her lower lid and crawl across her cheekbone.

Realization hit. She swiped with a fingertip, brought it up to look.

Bright red blood coated her finger—like dipping into tomato paste.

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Suddenly her nose tingled; warm liquid slid over lips and chin, spattering down her chest.

Jack stood stupefied. "C-Captain, are you… are you alright?"

"I'm fine. Bit overheated lately." Luo Wei tilted her head back to reverse the nosebleed—and blood began to trickle from both ears.

Jack's teeth clicked together, terror and worry mixing. "Captain, maybe you should lie down?"

Hol stayed blank several seconds. On the way back she'd been bloody but upright—brisk enough to examine Gladys. He'd thought she wasn't badly hurt.

She'd just been toughing it out—now bleeding from every orifice and still claiming she was fine. How was that "fine"?

Makes sense—she'd fought the Saw-Beaked Vulture alone for that long. Anyone else would already be down cold. How could she be unscathed?

If he hadn't been selfish and stayed behind… A stone-weight settled in Hol's chest.

Liches were said to be innately emotionally dulled—but he knew how to perform, how to lower defenses, win sympathy and trust.

He could fake feelings, deceive anyone for his goals—that was how he'd lived before meeting the Death Penalty Squad.

Reason told him letting Luo Wei lure the vulture was optimal. She had angel blood—different from him, an undead of the monstrous races. She was strong—she wouldn't die.

So why did it feel wrong?

Luo Wei kept her head tilted; blood still seeped. No helping it—she needed a stopgap.

"I'm going to the river to wash my face. You two start hunting ingredients."

"Captain, I'll carry you!" Jack blurted—afraid she'd collapse mid-way and never wake.

"No need." She stood—and a wave of dizziness hit. She amended, "Just help me over."

"Right!"

Jack supported her to the river. He watched nervously as she crouched and dipped her hands into the water.

Honestly, Luo Wei felt fine. Aside from bleeding, a bit of blur, light dizziness—everything else felt excellent.

Breathing clear, heart beating, still alive. A little blood—what was that?

She scrubbed her hands clean, then splashed the back of her neck—then her face.

Cold water slid over skin; her drowsy, sleep-heavy mind sharpened.

The scenery was still hazy, but her heart settled.

Still alive—so she probably wasn't going to die.

Sunlight scattered off the rippling surface—like a river strewn with gold coins—brilliant and warm.

Washed up, she and Jack returned to the trees.

"Hol went to look for magic plants," Axina said, glancing at her. "Seems he's really scared you'll die."

Luo Wei slid down a trunk to sit. "You're not?"

"Afraid—of course I'm afraid." Axina straightened her robe. "That's why I'm going too. You stay and rest."

Luo Wei gave her a surprised look. "Hearing that from you is… unsettling."

Axina narrowed her eyes. "All you've got left working is your mouth. I won't bother arguing."

"So do I need to thank you?" Luo Wei's lips curled faintly; she shut her eyes, exhausted.

Seconds later, receding footsteps.

Did Axina take the wrong medicine? Such a perfect chance—and she didn't use it to mock her?

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