The Snake God with SSS Rank Evolution System

Adam’s brow furrowed as the unfamiliar name sank in. He tilted his head, his voice carrying a note of genuine confusion.

”Moon? What moon?”

Selena’s amber eyes glinted with a hint of amusement. ”The Fang of the Moon. That’s the dagger you’re looking for, isn’t it?”

Isolde’s gaze sharpened, her voice carrying a note of cool realization.

”It seems the dagger is in your possession now.”

Lilith’s lips curved into a slow, satisfied smile, her voice carrying a note of smooth approval.

”Oh? Then this will be much easier than I anticipated.”

Selena inclined her head, her voice calm, carrying no trace of deception.

”Indeed. We found it lying in the rubble after the battle. It was just... there. I didn’t expect you to come back looking for it.”

Alice’s ear twitched, her voice sharp with pointed accusation as she shot a glance at Adam.

”That’s because someone foolishly threw it away.”

Adam’s voice rose, indignant and defensive.

”Don’t talk like that! You also threw away my valuable items before.”

Lilith’s voice drifted over, smooth and composed, cutting through the brewing argument with practiced ease.

”Regardless, it’s fortunate. And speaking of fortune—Selena, you appeared at the main gate just as we were being stopped. That’s quite a coincidence.”

Selena’s lips curved into a faint, knowing smile, her voice carrying a note of genuine honesty.

”I was inspecting the walls. The city is still fragile, and we’re in desperate need of reinforcement. I happened to be passing by when I saw you.” She paused, a flicker of dry amusement passing through her amber eyes. ”And I must say, you’re not exactly easy to forget.”

Adam let out a slow breath, his voice carrying a note of cautious curiosity.

”So... what do you want in exchange for the dagger?”

Selena’s amber eyes met Adam’s directly, her voice cutting through the pleasantries with practiced efficiency.

”Straight to the point, then. I appreciate that, we don’t have much time either.” She reached down and lifted a wooden box onto the table, its surface worn but polished. With a soft click, she opened the lid.

Nestled inside, resting on faded velvet, was the dagger. Its blade gleamed dully in the candlelight, the edge still sharp despite its time buried in rubble. The hilt was dark, wrapped in worn leather, and a faint etching of a crescent moon was visible near the guard.

Alice’s cat ears twitched as she leaned in, her dark violet eyes studying the blade with quiet appraisal. Her voice carried a note of reluctant approval.

”Hmm~ Not bad.”

Selena’s lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. She didn’t close the lid, her voice carrying a note of careful negotiation.

”I could give this to you for free—it was yours to begin with. But as you can see, we’re in need of help. Would you be willing to hear me out?”

Isolde’s pale blue eyes narrowed, a dry note of vindication creeping into her voice.

”I suspected as much. You didn’t bring us here out of kindness, you brought us here because you need something.”

Selena’s smile didn’t waver. Her voice carried a note of calm, unapologetic honesty.

Selena’s lips curved into a faint, unapologetic smile. ”Every opportunity must be seized. That’s how you survive and how you build something worth keeping.”

She paused, her amber eyes sweeping over the group before settling on Adam.

”Besides, we’re the ones who found the dagger. Surely that gives us some claim to it, doesn’t it?”

She let the words settle, her voice carrying a note of calm reason.

”My request isn’t a heavy one. Help me with this matter, and when it’s done, the dagger is yours to keep. A fair exchange—one that benefits both sides.”

Lilith’s crimson eyes gleamed with impatience. Her voice was smooth, but carried a sharp edge.

”We’re also in a hurry. Rather than listening to a lengthy request, wouldn’t it be simpler to just take the dagger and leave?”

Ignis nodded enthusiastically, her flames flickering with eagerness.

”Yeah! Let’s just take it and go!”

Selena’s calm voice cut through the tension like a blade, her amber eyes steady and unwavering despite the sudden shift in the room’s atmosphere.

”You could take it by force. You’re stronger than me—I won’t deny that. But I hope you won’t.”

Isolde’s gaze lingered on Selena, her voice carrying a cool edge of skepticism.

”You speak of fair exchange, but I’ve seen enough bargains to know they rarely end well for both parties. The dagger was ours before it was yours. Let’s not pretend this is a negotiation of equals.”

She paused, her pale blue eyes hardening as she continued.

”Besides, we have our own matters to settle. We didn’t come here to trade favors or be your servants. We came to retrieve what belongs to us, and then we leave.”

Her hand moved to the hilt of the dagger, her fingers curling around it with quiet finality.

”So let’s skip the pretense. The dagger is coming with us. And if you have something to say about it, say it now because we’re not staying.”

Selena’s lips curved into a knowing smile. Her voice carried a note of quiet certainty, each word landing with precision.

”Your business... does it have anything to do with revenge against the Solarian soldiers?”

Isolde’s composure cracked. Her aura flared—a pulse of crimson energy that rippled through the room, pressing against the walls like a contained storm. Isolde’s voice came out low, her pale eyes fixed on Selena with an intensity that made the room feel smaller.

”Where did you hear that?”

Selena didn’t flinch. Her voice remained calm, her amber eyes steady.

”Because the First Prince of Solaria came here after the city fell. He was looking for you, Isolde Draven.”

Lilith’s voice cut through, sharp and curious, her crimson eyes narrowing with interest.

”Why would Solaria come back here? They fled when Adam defeated them. It seems unlikely they’d return just to hunt down a vampire.”

Selena’s smile widened, a flicker of cold amusement passing through her amber eyes.

”You’d be surprised. The Solarian forces were terrified when they realized they were dealing with a vampire. They wanted to eliminate the threat before it could come for their throats. But that wasn’t the only reason.”

She paused, letting the weight of her words settle over the room.

”They want to turn this city into their military base.”