Chapter 51: True Words of Gluttony Unleashed-Theresa's Transformation: Flame Rondo!

The scene shifts to Qlipoth Fort in the Overworld. Gepard, Pela, and several high-ranking Silvermane Guards officers are gathered in the conference room. Gepard wears his brand-new Garrison Officer armor, but his expression is dark with humiliation. The entire Silvermane Guards now knows about the humiliating incident where Sampo stripped him naked, leaving him burning with shame and fury. He vows to make Sampo pay dearly for this indignity.

Everyone present is aware of Gepard's predicament. Pela occasionally glances at him, barely suppressing a smirk, while Gepard covers his face to hide his flushed cheeks. He truly loathes Sampo for this humiliation, which has left him almost unable to hold his head high.

Urgent footsteps interrupt the meeting. The Silvermane Guards officers and The Architects look up to see Cocolia stride in, her face a mask of fury.

"Supreme Guardian," they greet her respectfully. Cocolia nods absently and takes her seat at the head of the table.

"I assume everyone understands the purpose of this gathering. I won't waste words."

"First, the Silvermane Guards' weapons were stolen by Sampo, the notorious Wildfire associate. Then, Captain Gepard was stripped of his armor. Finally, my own daughter, Bronya Rand, was taken hostage and dragged into the Underworld."

"These actions are the gravest provocation to the Silvermane Guards and the Architects!" Cocolia declared.

"We will not compromise. This meeting is simple: Captain Gepard, I need you to lead seventy percent of the Silvermane Guards from the Overworld to the Underworld. Anyone who obstructs you is to be executed without mercy!"

"Your utmost priority is to rescue Bronya Rand, my successor and the next Supreme Guardian. For this purpose, I authorize you to lead the Silvermane Guards into a final, decisive battle against Wildfire!"

"As for your sister, Serval, she is currently assisting me in locating the Stellaron. I trust you won't disappoint me, Gepard."

Cocolia's previously anxious expression suddenly turned ice-cold and rigid as she spoke to Gepard, whose face paled with shock and fury. He rose to his feet, glaring at her, his teeth grinding audibly as he clenched his fists, his eyes burning with murderous intent.

"Captain Gepard!" Pela quietly stood and nudged him, reminding him of his duty.

Gepard's expression gradually calmed as he locked eyes with Cocolia, slowly nodding. "Your Supreme Guardian's command shall be obeyed!"

He knew this was Cocolia's final ultimatum, and he had completely lost faith in the Architects.

He scoffed coldly and strode away without a word, leaving the others stunned by his audacity. They watched in disbelief as Gepard openly defied Supreme Guardian Cocolia, showing such blatant disrespect.

"Pela," Cocolia said slowly, her gaze fixed on the young woman, "you no longer need to handle your usual duties. Instead, assist with the work Bronya left unfinished."

Pela nodded at the unfamiliar Cocolia, sighing inwardly.

"Very well," Cocolia said, her eyes sweeping over the silent Silvermane Guards officers. "Any reports?"

An elderly officer raised his hand cautiously. "Supreme Guardian, sending seventy percent of the Silvermane Guards to the Underworld under Captain Gepard leaves only thirty percent to defend the Overworld. We must also maintain order here."

Cocolia's expression remained impassive. "That's not your concern. You're nearing retirement age anyway, so there's no need to trouble yourself with such matters. Serval's installations are equipped with unknown sonic devices capable of repelling Fragmentum monsters attempting to breach the city. The Overworld's security is assured."

"Alright, meeting adjourned."

Cocolia strode out of the room. The high-ranking officials exchanged glances and sighed. How could these seasoned veterans fail to notice her unusual behavior?

Yet none dared voice their concerns, each fearing their words might jeopardize everything they held dear. They could only feign ignorance.

"Let's not dwell on it," one of them said. "This is beyond our control now. Ah..."

As the officials dispersed, Pela watched them leave before heading to Bronya Rand's office to tackle the work Bronya had left behind.

Meanwhile, Gepard, his face grim, gathered his deputy Dunn and most of the Silvermane Guards, armed with Cocolia's orders. They boarded another train bound for the Underworld.

Many of the Silvermane Guards, unaware of the truth, rejoiced at the prospect of visiting their families in the Underworld. The journey was filled with laughter and cheerful chatter. Gepard and Dunn watched their joyous comrades with heavy hearts, knowing that they might soon be forced to turn against the very people they longed to see.

[Ding! Congratulations, Little Cutie, for successfully scaring Cocolia by bringing her daughter Bronya to the Underworld. Reward: Bear Grylls's Ultimate Technique: True Words of Gluttony.]

[True Words of Gluttony: Upon activation, the user's appetite and digestion speed will drastically increase, allowing them to devour all kinds of food and convert it into stored energy. This technique also manifests an Ultimate Technique Bar.]

[True Words of Gluttony Ultimate Technique: As long as it's alive—even a god—I'll eat it right in front of you! Activating this technique triggers a ten-second time stop. During this period, any enemies significantly stronger than Little Cutie will reveal their weaknesses, and Little Cutie's eyes will transform into the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception, allowing her to see enemies' fatal vulnerabilities. Striking these weaknesses with a weapon will instantly kill the target.]

[When the Ultimate Technique Bar is fully charged, recite the incantation: As long as it's alive—even a god—I'll eat it right in front of you!]

[The Ultimate Technique Bar is charged through consumption. It is perfectly compatible with the Vishnu Super Transformation Factor, though the fusion conditions remain unknown.]

[Bear Grylls's Passive: Chop off the head, and the rest is ready to eat. This passive grants Little Cutie greatly enhanced poison resistance, drastically increased digestion speed, and a significantly improved energy absorption rate.]

[System Notification: Welcome to the top of the food chain.]

Before Theresa could react, everyone watched in stunned silence as she suddenly collapsed to the ground, curling into a fetal position. Her eyes widened, and she felt a violent rumbling erupt within her body. The Vishnu Super Transformation Factor within her began to awaken, and Theresa felt as if her insides were on fire, accompanied by an overwhelming hunger.

"Hungry..."

"I'm so hungry..."

Blood-red flames erupted from Theresa's body, forcing everyone to scramble back in alarm, their gazes filled with concern.

Under their astonished eyes, Theresa's form began to shift once more.

Her long white hair gradually transformed into a delicate pink, and slender, fox-like ears sprouted from her head. Her eyes morphed into vertical pupils of a predatory sakura pink, and a long, fluffy pink fox tail grew from her lower back.

Flame Rondo

As everyone watched in awe, a five-tailed fox spirit materialized behind Theresa. Its body was entirely composed of crimson flames, bound by a sacred rope of rose-colored shimenawa. The majestic fox spirit radiated an aura of primal power.

Higokumaru