SSS-Rank Evolving Monster: From Pest to Cosmic Devourer
Chapter 43: Judge me? What a joke

Chapter 43: Judge me? What a joke

Seraphina moved through the forest at an incredible speed, her body glowing with a fiery orange light like a burning meteor tearing across the night sky.

Around her, a thin, semipermeable membrane shimmered to life every few seconds, infused with spiritual force. It served as a barrier against the violent, chaotic energies surrounding them—evidence of just how dangerous this forest had become.

Right behind her was Vice Leader Marcus’ daughter, Elina. Her golden hair billowed behind her like a silken banner, catching the moonlight as it fluttered in the rushing wind. Her gaze was steady, but deep within those eyes, solemnity flickered.

"She’s very close to reaching Stage 2..."

Elina muttered under her breath, her voice laced with unwillingness. She couldn’t suppress the bitter jealousy that surged in her heart.

Despite her high status and access to the most precious resources—top-tier spiritual pills, exotic treasures, rare herbs—she remained stuck at Rank 2 of stage 1. Her spiritual force stagnated like a lake blocked by debris.

After countless trials, Elina had come to a realization that stung her pride: she lacked the necessary stimulation to digest the resources fully. Her cultivation had reached a bottleneck. She was the daughter of one of the most powerful men in the Eldros Kingdoms... and yet she was being surpassed by a no-name girl.

It was a slap in the face.

Seraphina, sensing her gaze, glanced sideways, her sharp eyes flickering briefly with silent inquiry—as if asking, Is something wrong?

Immediately, Elina straightened her back and turned her face cold and indifferent. She gave a small shake of her head, denying everything.

Then, without warning, a frigid, razor-sharp voice called out from ahead. It held no emotion, just a single word that dropped like ice water.

"Stop."

Elina felt a jolt of irritation flash through her, but her body instinctively obeyed. As if a massive brake had been applied on her soul, her momentum halted abruptly.

Seraphina, who had been ahead, also stopped in her tracks, her expression solemn as her gaze turned skyward.

The moment Amanda spoke, Seraphina’s senses rang with alarm bells.

The monster they had been chasing—was here.

Her heartbeat sped up without reason, pounding wildly against her chest.

Badum! Badum!

A shiver like ghostly fingers ran down her spine.

"W-What is happening?" she whispered, her voice trembling like a candle in the wind.

Then came the sound—a soft, sickening thud—as a body hit the ground.

She turned her head, dread filling her bones.

Elina had collapsed.

Her legs trembled uncontrollably, twitching like thin twigs in a storm, unable to bear the overwhelming pressure in the air.

Just as the crushing aura threatened to smother everything, a warm, holy voice rang out. Calm, yet filled with divine force.

"Aura of Judgment..."

Amanda stood still, her posture regal, eyes cold and unfazed. She didn’t even spare the two girls a glance. Her attention was locked ahead.

She showed no disbelief at the presence she felt.

A soft golden radiance surrounded her, like the light of dawn breaking through the night. It was warm, yet carried with it the divine pressure of justice. Under this halo, Amanda a looked like a saint ready to pass sentence upon the world.

As the divine aura washed over them, Seraphina and Elina felt the weight on their bodies lessen. Their strength returned, and they managed to rise.

"Hmph. Evil creature, no matter how powerful you are... today you shall be judged for all your sins."

Amanda’s declaration cut through the forest like a sword. Her tone was icy, almost resolute.

But before anyone could respond, an eerie, bone-chilling voice echoed from the darkness.

"Judge me? What a joke."

The voice was clear, sharp, and filled with mockery.

"Before speaking such hypocritical nonsense, why don’t you look at yourselves... at what you’ve done to the inhabitants of this forest."

The air seemed to grow heavier with every word.

"Wantonly killing them like weeds... Do they not have life? Do they not have families?"

His words struck like arrows, sinking deep into their hearts.

"Yes... someone will be judged today. But not me. Not anyone in this forest. It will be you—a bunch of two-faced hypocrites."

The girls’ expressions changed dramatically. Even Amanda’s eyes twitched slightly in disbelief.

...

Floating above, Ricky had to stifle a laugh. These humans... their arrogance knew no bounds.

Coming into his home to pillage and kill, and then blaming him for not surrendering quietly?

Noctyss’ tomb belonged to him. This forest—his domain. His sanctuary.

No one had the right to be this arrogant here.

His crystal wings flared wide, leaving countless afterimages that shimmered like blades of moonlight. With a howl that cut through the air, his figure streaked downward like a falling star.

The moment his body sliced through the sky, it was as though nature itself parted before him.

"Careful—" Amanda warned, but she couldn’t finish the sentence.

A blinding flash of energy exploded in front of them. It was like the wrath of the forest itself had taken form.

Then it happened.

BOOM!

Two spiritual fields collided.

An earth-shattering shockwave blasted out, tearing through the forest. Trees were uprooted. Stones shattered. The earth cracked open in every direction like a spiderweb.

When the dust cleared, a terrifying figure emerged.

A giant mosquito, its exoskeleton glinting like steel, radiating bone-deep chill. Its red compound eyes glowed with fury, and its wings hummed with lethal grace.

"What... what is this monster?"

Seraphina and Elina sucked in cold breaths, their eyes filled with disbelief.

This wasn’t just a spiritual beast.

This creature—this thing—possessed intelligence. It spoke with clarity, its tone articulate, composed. Far beyond what beasts were capable of.

Before their thoughts could settle, Amanda a’s voice sliced through the haze of confusion.

"Get behind me if you want to live."

Her voice held no room for argument. It was a command sealed in certainty.

Seraphina and Elina didn’t hesitate. Without a word, they slipped behind her, her divine aura wrapping around them once more.

Now it was a true standoff.

Ricky. Amanda And two rising flames standing behind her.

The judgment of the forest... was about to begin.