Chapter 52: The Oath of Judah Transforms into Salvation of Sakura

Theresa's transformation was far from complete. Under the searing blood-colored flames, the Oath of Judah, which she wore around her neck, reverted to its original form before, to everyone's astonishment, transforming into a Spiritual Blade: the Salvation of Sakura.

When unfolded, the Salvation of Sakura no longer manifested as a Soulium Spear but instead as thirteen pink Spiritual Blades.

Ravenously hungry, Theresa gripped the Salvation of Sakura, her pink, vertically slit pupils fixed intently on the group.

"Hey, this is really bad! I feel like she's even scarier than Svarog!" Seele warned, watching Theresa's new form with alarm. The others nervously eyed Theresa, who seemed to have fallen into a berserk state.

"Take me to a place swarming with Fragmentum monsters! I'm starving, I can't take it anymore!" Theresa struggled to speak, her eyes now seeing everyone as mouthwatering salmon bread, radiating an irresistible aroma.

Stelle, in particular, drew her attention—as a Stellaron Spirit, she held the greatest potential to replenish Theresa's dwindling Honkai energy.

"Climb aboard, everyone! This is Higokumaru, condensed from my own power!"

Theresa shouted, visibly struggling to suppress her ravenous hunger. The others could see she was growing increasingly impatient. To avoid becoming her next meal, they quickly scrambled onto the fire-formed Higokumaru, surprised to find it warm rather than searing hot.

Theresa leaped onto Higokumaru's head.

"Seele, lead the way! Higokumaru, move out! We're going for a feast!"

"Awooo!"

Higokumaru let out a mechanical roar and charged toward the Great Mine on its four massive legs. The fiery fox quickly caused chaos there, as miners and vagrants screamed and scattered in terror, while Fragmentum monsters instinctively swarmed toward it, hissing and snarling.

Theresa grinned at the approaching swarm, her sharp little tiger teeth flashing.

"Alright, everyone, hold on tight! Don't fall off!"

"Salvation of Sakura, Spiritual Blade Form—Deploy!"

Whoosh!

Clang!

Thirteen Spiritual Blades emerged with a melodious shing, slicing through the Fragmentum monsters that had charged toward the group. The terrifyingly sharp blades carved through them, leaving piles of shredded remains. The razor-sharp sword light made everyone swallow hard as they watched the utterly surreal scene unfold.

"I'm genuinely grateful to still be alive..." Sampo muttered, a wry smile on his face as he surveyed the shredded remains of the Fragmentum monsters.

"After all, none of us could have predicted Theresa would suddenly transform like this," Dan Heng added, equally bewildered. "But why would she change like this?"

Everyone shook their heads in unison. Since arriving in Belobog, Theresa hadn't eaten anything unusual. They had all shared the same food, so why hadn't they experienced similar transformations?

"Spiritual Blade Form—Celestial Judgment!"

Theresa touched the Salvation of Sakura. The shredded Fragmentum monsters were absorbed and converted into concentrated Imaginary Internal Energy, which Theresa devoured. As her body frantically absorbed the energy, her gnawing hunger began to slowly subside.

The massive commotion here drew in the majority of Fragmentum monsters from the Great Mine. Countless Fragmentum monsters surged forward, only to be devoured and absorbed by Theresa, who used them as sustenance. The group dismounted Higokumaru, sending the beast roaring into the fray.

Flames of intense heat and corrosive power erupted from its body, searing the monsters, while Higokumaru unleashed a flurry of attacks with all four limbs and a dazzling array of skills. Extremely effective against Ice Out of Space, it unleashed towering pillars of fire, volleys of fireballs, and scorching breath attacks, devouring some Fragmentum monsters to replenish its energy.

Meanwhile, Theresa's vertical pupils transformed into sakura-pink eyes. The charging bar for her True Words of Gluttony began to fill, and the Vishnu Super Transformation Factor began enhancing her physical attributes. Her strength surged from fifty tons to nearly a hundred, her speed drastically increased, her body became more resilient, and a thin, protective membrane solidified beneath her skin, significantly enhancing her resistance to impacts.

"Still, we should be happy to see Theresa growing stronger," Rin said. "This also means our chances of defeating Cocolia have increased."

"I'm so glad!" March 7th exclaimed cheerfully, Stelle nodding in agreement.

By now, Theresa and her summoned beast, Higokumaru, had nearly cleared out all the Fragmentum monsters from the Great Mine. Theresa summoned Higokumaru to her side, then waved her hand, transforming the Spiritual Blade: Salvation of Sakura back into the necklace around her pale neck.

"Erm, did I scare you all?" Theresa asked sheepishly, her cheeks flushing slightly. After all, she'd suddenly pulled off such a dramatic transformation—she refused to believe they weren't frightened!

"We were definitely scared at first," March 7th admitted, looking at Theresa with a hint of remorse. "You started by saying you were hungry, then your terrifying gaze looked like you wanted to devour us whole. And then you materialized that giant pink fox! We were genuinely terrified."

"We were scared at first, but Theresa, your increased power means our chances of victory have improved significantly. We're really looking forward to seeing Cocolia's reaction when you scare her!" Stelle said with a cheerful laugh.

"Your sudden display of such a terrifying form truly feels alien to us," Stelle continued. "I'm really curious—what exactly caused you to change like this?"

Bronya gazed curiously at Theresa, who now sported fox ears and a large, swaying pink tail. The sight of that fluffy tail made her long to fluff it.

"That's right," Seele chimed in, still shaken by the experience. "I thought you were going to attack us back then. Luckily, you managed to retain your sanity."

Sampo looked at Theresa with exaggerated humility, declaring his utter submission. "Theresa, I, Sampo, will never dare to act cocky again! If you tell me to go left, I won't even glance right. I'm terrified you'll chop me to bits!"

Theresa smiled warmly at the group, utterly devoid of the ferocious demeanor she had displayed earlier. Now she was simply an adorable young girl with pink fox ears and tail, her sakura-pink hair and eyes radiating an irresistible charm that made the other girls' hands twitch with the urge to rua her.

"It wasn't the place's fault," Theresa said with a gentle smile. "It was my own fault. It's due to a Super Transformation Factor called Vishnu. You don't need to understand it—March 7th and the others know about it. Anyway, I rarely lose control, and even when I do, I'd never attack you. After all, we've grown so close during our journey together."

"Well then," March 7th declared, "as compensation for scaring us so badly, Theresa, you have to let us fluff you!"

"Yay!" March 7th cheered excitedly as the other girls gleefully swarmed around Theresa, playfully stroking her fox ears and tail. Sampo and Dan Heng, the two men, watched silently from the sidelines. After all, it was best to maintain a proper distance between men and women, and they wouldn't dare compete with the girls for the chance to "fluff" Theresa. They had no desire to be bonked on the head by the Oath of Judah.