JUST ONE STEP AWAY

The fate of all those below hung in the balance as Scarlett's laughter echoed through the sky, heralding the impending destruction that would soon befall the land. Her eyes gleamed with malice, and her evil grin widened as she relished the chaos she was about to unleash.

In their final moments, Scarlett's laughter ceased, replaced by an even more sinister smile. "Nuclear Magic!—10%—" she began, preparing to unleash her devastating spell. But just as she was about to complete the incantation, a massive earthquake shook the ground beneath her.

The tremors were so powerful that Scarlett lost her balance, and her intricate magic circle flickered and vanished. The land below, which had been on the brink of annihilation, was spared. "What was that?" Scarlett thought, her eyes narrowing in surprise.

She looked down and saw the source of the disruption: Reiza. With a powerful leap from a high place, Reiza had landed on the battlefield with such force that it caused the ground to quake. Her presence alone was enough to disrupt Scarlett's spell. Reiza's fists moved with blinding speed, each punch sending shockwaves through the air. The impact was so immense that monsters' bodies exploded from the sheer force, and more than a thousand of them perished in an instant. She was undoubtedly one of the strongest warriors in Dreadhaven.

Scarlett sighed in frustration, regaining her balance. But Reiza was not the only force to reckon with.

"Glacier!" a woman shouted. It was Xao Feng, a demon woman in a Chinese fighting dress. As soon as she uttered the word, the ground around her instantly froze. All monsters within a 300-meter radius were encased in ice, their bodies immobilized and lifeless. The battlefield transformed into a frozen wasteland, littered with the remains of their enemies.

"500 sword slashes!" came another cry. A man with narrow, pointy horns and silver hair, Li Feng, unsheathed his katana. In a single second, 500 slash waves emerged from his sword, cutting through everything in their path. The monsters and demons were sliced in half, beheaded, and obliterated before they could even react. Though he had unleashed 500 slashes, more than two thousand monsters fell, showcasing his unparalleled skill and power.

"What the F*ck?, Not a single one dodged my slashes?, That's weird!" Li Feng Scratched his head in confusion, Of course how could just anyone dodge his attack, It was Scarlett who Dodge all two hundred slahses without breaking a sweat but that doesn't mean his slashes are weak, It was just Scarlett, Who was too strong. How could these lowly monsters even think of dodging something extremely fast as this?

Behind Li Feng and others, an army of over two thousand soldiers surged onto the battlefield. They charged directly at the succubus army, their spirits unyielding and their determination unwavering. Leading this mighty force was Cryptus, despite being only two and a half years old. His presence galvanized the soldiers, driving them forward with relentless fury.

The battlefield was a scene of chaos and carnage, but the tide had turned. Scarlett slowed her wings and descended towards the ground, heading straight for Reiza. As she approached, a hint of sadness flickered in her eyes. Now that everyone had arrived, she couldn't use her nuclear magic. "How did you come so fast?" she questioned, her voice tinged with frustration.

Reiza turned to face her, a smile breaking across her lips. "We split into two teams. The first, led by that prince and five hundred of our soldiers, is protecting the village and rescuing the chief of the dark elves. That brat Yumi is with them, but I've sent Baron and other warriors to protect her, so there's no need to worry!" she explained.

"Pfftt... Yumi is a brat? Well, Reiza is forty-five, so I guess to her, Yumi is a brat!" Scarlett chuckled to herself, amused by Reiza's words.

"And because of that," Reiza continued, "we, the second team of two thousand soldiers, came immediately to the battlefield to help you and kill that succubus bitch!" Her voice was filled with anger and the thirst for revenge.

As Reiza finished explaining, a demon with black skin and insidious horns lunged at her. Without even turning to look, Reiza caught his hand effortlessly. She glanced at Scarlett as she spoke, "What was that big magic circle?" She punctuated her question by punching the demon in the face. Her blow was so powerful that his head exploded like a balloon, sending blood and gore splattering everywhere.

"Damn... at least go easy on them!" Scarlett said with an uneasy smile, pitying the demon who had just met such a brutal end at Reiza's hands. "About the magic circle, it was mine. I was experimenting with something, but let's forget about it!" she added, flapping her wings and taking to the air again, leaving the others to deal with the succubus's army.

Scarlett soared above the battlefield, her keen eyes scanning the chaos below. She could see the soldiers fighting valiantly, their swords clashing with the demonic forces. The succubus army was vast, but the combined might of Reiza, Li Feng, Xao Feng, and Cryptus's soldiers was turning the tide.

Reiza, back on the ground, continued to wreak havoc among the demons. Her movements were swift and precise, each punch and kick a deadly force that sent enemies flying. Her anger fueled her strength, and she fought with a ferocity that was unmatched.

Li Feng moved with grace and precision, his katana slicing through the air with deadly accuracy. Each slash wave he unleashed cut down multiple foes, leaving a trail of bodies in his wake. His expression remained calm and focused, his silver hair gleaming in the moonlight.

Xao Feng, her movements fluid and powerful, manipulated the ice with a masterful touch. The battlefield around her was a frozen wasteland, and any demon that dared approach was instantly frozen and shattered. Her eyes burned with determination, her voice a cold whisper as she called forth her magic.

....

Meanwhile, amidst the chaos of the battlefield, Scarlett's soldiers were often overwhelmed by the succubus army. Just like now, two goblins found themselves isolated, surrounded by a circle of the queen's soldiers.

Before the goblins could react, a sword thrust through one of their abdomens from behind, killing him instantly. The other goblin, turning in shock, met the same fate.

"Huff... finally, two down!" exclaimed one of the demons with a goat face and deer horns, his voice laced with relief. "Why are these lowlife goblins so powerful? But it doesn't matter; we outnumber them. We'll eventually kill them all. Everything for the queen!" he shouted, rallying his comrades.

"Everything for the queen!" the other monsters echoed, their morale momentarily bolstered.

But their celebration was short-lived. A voice rang out from above, clear and commanding, "Agnus!" It was Scarlett, her purple hair flowing and her six wings spread wide.

A white magic circle appeared beneath the dead goblins' bodies, and their corpses sank into it. Moments later, they emerged from the circle, alive and unscathed.

"W-what? Am I alive?" one of the goblins exclaimed in disbelief, staring at his uninjured body. All eyes turned upward to see Scarlett hovering above them.

She seemed like a celestial being, a fairy or goddess, as she gave them a thumbs-up. "If they have a zombie army, then we have an undead army! Fight with all your might, and I'll resurrect you every single time you die!" she declared, her voice echoing across the battlefield.

"As you wish, Scarlett-sama!" The goblins' determination and confidence surged. Empowered by her promise, they rose again and plunged back into the fray with renewed vigor.

Scarlett's presence was like a beacon of hope amidst the turmoil. Her magic, both powerful and reassuring, turned the tide. The goblins, now fearless, fought with a fervor that matched their leader's. Their enemies, seeing the relentless determination in their eyes, faltered.

Each resurrection reinforced the soldiers's resolve, their fear of death replaced by unwavering courage. They knew that as long as Scarlett was with them, they could not truly be defeated.

Meanwhile, the battlefield was becoming more intense as the succubus forces started to engage. Their numbers were not high, barely a thousand, but they were powerful and cunning. Who would have thought that their trump card, charm magic, would be useless here?

A succubus wearing revealing clothes and holding a spear descended from the sky into a group of pig-like monsters.

"Charm magic!" she declared, striking a seductive pose and using her magic to ensnare their hearts.

But instead of falling in love with her, the orcs glanced at each other in confusion. "What is she trying to do?" one orc asked another beside him.

Seeing their confused faces, the succubus's expression twisted with anger. "You filths! Do I not look seductive to you? I'm a high-ranking succubus, damn it!" she shouted, her voice filled with rage.

One of the orcs scratched his head and explained, "Well, it's not that you aren't seductive, but seeing Scarlett-sama every day is just on another level. We've kind of developed control over our lust because of her."

"Let's just kill her. We're already in a hurry," another orc suggested, lifting his hammer.

"Wait... no!" she yelled in fear and tried to escape using her wings. But before she could take off, the orcs caught her and swiftly killed her.

This scene was repeated across the battlefield. Succubi who relied on their charm magic found themselves powerless. Scarlett's presence, her unparalleled beauty, had inadvertently immunized her soldiers against the succubi's allure.

Scarlett's soldiers, now immune to the succubi's charms, fought with a clear mind and focused determination. The succubi, used to having the upper hand with their magic, found themselves at a loss. Their most powerful weapon had been rendered useless, and they were forced to rely on their combat skills alone.

In the middle of the battlefield, two seductive women, dressed in hostess costumes, stood with a commanding presence. They were Euryale and Stheno, descendants of Medusa, and their eyes were turning enemies into stone with every gaze.

"Stone!" they exclaimed, their voices ringing out in unison. Anyone who met their eyes turned into a statue, frozen in place.

"Hey, why are you turning them into stone? Turn them into gold or silver!" A voice rang out from above. The sisters looked up to see Scarlett floating in the air, her wings beating gracefully.

"But, turning anyone into gold takes more mana. The number of enemies we can take down will be limited then!" Euryale explained. Turning anyone into stone was much easier and took ten times less mana.

Scarlett's expression turned annoyed. "Who said you need to take down as many enemies as you can? We're going to win anyway. Gold statues of monsters and demons will bring more money in the future. Turn everyone into gold," she ordered, her tone brooking no argument.

She turned toward a group of hobgoblins, her wings casting a shadow over them. "Hey! You, you, and you! Go and help Euryale and Stheno. Every time they turn someone into stone, take those gold statues to a safe place. We can sell them later!" She commanded, her voice sharp and authoritative.

The goblins nodded in agreement, not daring to question Scarlett. They rushed to assist the sisters, ready to transport the valuable statues.

Euryale and Stheno shared a glance. With a resigned sigh, they shifted their focus and began turning their enemies into gold statues. Each transformation was a dazzling display, the enemies' bodies shimmering as they turned into precious metal.

Scarlett watched with satisfaction as the battlefield transformed with the shimmering golden statues. "Good," she murmured to herself. "We'll make a fortune from these."

With that matter settled, she flapped her wings and took to the sky again, her eyes now set on Cryptus. She descended gracefully, her presence immediately commanding respect. Cryptus, upon seeing her, bowed deeply.

"Hey kiddo! Come with me!" she called out, her voice carrying authority and a hint of excitement. "We're going after those succubus twins. I want them to fight in one piece, and you'll have to handle the other monsters so no one can bother me."

"As you wish!" Cryptus replied, raising his skeleton head with a sense of purpose.

Scarlett started walking, her heels clicking against the ground. She hadn't quite mastered the art of walking in heels yet, so her movements were a bit awkward, almost comical. Cryptus noticed her struggle, his skeletal face showing a hint of concern.

"Why don't we just fly? I can use wind magic to help us," he suggested. It was a logical idea, especially with the chaos of the battlefield making ground movement slow and cumbersome.

But Scarlett shook her head and smacked Cryptus's head lightly. "Of course not! Can't you see that it's a boss fight? We'll look so cool if I confidently approach her while you're handling the other monsters, making sure no one can bother me."

Cryptus looked puzzled but obedient. "Can you even imagine how cool that entry would be?" Scarlett continued, her eyes sparkling with the vision of her grand entrance.

"Umm...okay," Cryptus muttered, not fully understanding but willing to follow her lead.

Scarlett's heart pounded with excitement and determination. She wanted this moment to be perfect, a dramatic entry that would showcase her power and authority. Her steps were a mix of determination and slight awkwardness as she made her way through the battlefield, envisioning the scene in her mind.

As they walked, the sounds of the battlefield raged around them. The clash of weapons, the cries of the wounded, and the roars of monsters filled the air. Despite the chaos, Scarlett's mind was focused.

Meanwhile, at the far corner of the battlefield, Lunaria and Tiathmet stood tall, their expressions twisted with a mix of disbelief and anger. They had never expected their army to start losing to a mere two thousand soldiers. Yet, despite the surprising turn of events, neither of the succubus twins felt the slightest bit worried. They knew their true power far surpassed that of their minions.

Their eyes darted around the battlefield, assessing the situation, when a succubus in her mid-twenties landed gracefully before them and kneeled. Her face bore the marks of haste and concern.

"Did you find out who created that huge magic circle in the sky?" Tiathmet demanded, her voice laced with irritation and curiosity. The memory of Scarlett's nuclear magic circle lingered in their minds, a display of power that couldn't be ignored. They feared it might be a trump card that could actually threaten them.

"Yes, it was as you suspected," the kneeling succubus replied. "That magic circle was created by Scarlett Nova. But for some reason, it shattered before activation. I believe she failed to fully activate it." She spoke with a mixture of relief and confusion, unaware that Scarlett had intentionally disrupted the spell to protect her people.

"Did you see her? Which race is she from?" Lunaria asked, her tone sharper, eyes narrowing in suspicion.

"With her appearance, there's no doubt she is a succubus too. I think she's hiding her true identity by claiming to be from some unknown species. She might be competing to become the succubus queen, which means you both are obstacles to her." The kneeling succubus explained, her voice tinged with anxiety as she delivered the unwelcome news.