Even though there was no one to watch her, Anaelina stretched her arms over her head luxuriously. Finally, exerting her body no longer hurt. Some of her internal organs had yet to fully recover, but her outward appearance was restored and her chakra was strong.
Around her, the gang of barbarians lay dying as the last of their strength drained into her. She couldn't yet steal their health or Physique directly, but she was getting closer. Once her Silver Demon evolved again, she wouldn't need to strike opportunistically .
The two sides had been involved in some kind of conflict that she didn't particularly care about. Light hair, dark hair... the barbarians were all about the same. When she had come down on them in silver wrath, many of them had actually continued fighting one another instead of turning on the greater threat. She doubted that it would have mattered, it was just a bit pathetic.
One of them was struggling to his feet, trying to resist her draining. His Class appeared to be a "Watershield," which was at least new, so she decided to let him struggle further. Maybe his soul would ripen to be more than a snack.
Overall, she was disappointed by what she'd gained from this group. Warriors, crystals, Knights... these flavors were becoming tiresome. When others on Rosemount spoke of how weak Deadwaste was, they were thinking of abilities like these. Some of the Warrior Classes could cut through stone or steel, but they were just swinging blades a little harder. They melted in her mouth, then they were gone a moment later. Those with more dramatic abilities were always tastier, which was why it was so frustrating that they tended to remain in their cautious little communities. Luring them out took entirely too much time.
Like that Kai boy. Anaelina licked her lips and shivered at the memory.
"You... you bitch!" The Watershield had gotten to his feet and formed a layer of water beneath him, which did seem to resist her aura. It wouldn't stop her from grabbing him directly, but she pretended to gasp.
"How are you doing that?"
"It won't... work anymore! I'll get you... throw you down... you'll get what's coming to you!"
"Oh dear, how frightful!" Anaelina put a hand to her chest just to taunt him. He looked like he was about to cough up a lung, so his struggles were more amusing than anything. Still, his mana was recovering, so the flavor might be a little more mature when he finally got around to talking to her.
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Even now, with her evolved demon, Anaelina preferred a properly marinated meal. It was more than her own pleasure: no matter how powerful she became, she doubted that she could simply steal someone's essence wholesale. But if she had time to prepare them, fatten up their souls, then she could absorb a much more substantial strength.
Kai had been the perfect meal in that sense. His Class was useless to him, but an excellent ingredient for her. That raw, simple effort was better converted to chakra than a dozen warriors. Despite the devastating injury he'd dealt to her body, she had come out stronger, and her connection to Physique was much better. It had definitely been worth it.
Her hand traced over her stomach where he'd torn her apart.
She had been certain that she'd absorbed his entire Class down to the last dregs, so she had presumed that he must have drowned in the river. Only days later, when she had recovered enough to have thoughts other than rage and hunger, did she realize that she was wrong. Somehow, even with a gaping wound in his soul, he had survived.
There was still a connection between them, a silvery line vanishing into the distance. Anaelina was quite confident that he had no strength left in his Class, but he must have clung to the remnants. Foolish. It would never become anything important and he was only handicapping himself.
Still... if his Class did recover, might it be worth draining again? She didn't think that it could help her break through a second time, or really be anything more than a little food. But she'd never tried, so maybe the flavor alone would be worth it. Once she had fully recovered, she would have to track him down.
"You'll pay!" The Watershield charged at her, creating a wave in front of him. Anaelina stepped to the side and tripped him up as he passed, sending him sliding down the slope toward the other bodies.
Ignoring him while he threw a tantrum, Anaelina stared southward. The connections created by her demon weren't very strong, and she wasn't experienced with them because she let so few targets live. Still, she had the strong sense that he was moving rapidly to the south. Deeper into another one of the barbarian nations, which could be interesting in its own right. Yes, she would have to follow him. She likely wouldn't be able to pinpoint his location once she got close, and he would be alert for her, but that would just make the hunt more fun.
While looking in that direction, she spotted two other barbarians walking toward her. Investigating the signs of the battle, no doubt. Two burly men, a Scrapper and an Earthcaster. She considered simply killing them immediately, but these little morsels were becoming tiresome. Better to try for a longer meal, the question was just what kind.
So instead of attacking, Anaelina stumbled in their direction, looking particularly vulnerable and making sure they got a good look at her tits. She could practically see the big stupid wheels in their heads turning as they realized she was a foreigner completely alone with no allies or laws to protect her.
Well, the obvious route again. She adjusted her dress to show more cleavage and her shroud to show a noblewoman with single digit strength.
"Oh thank goodness!" Anaelina gasped as she pretended to see them, then pointed a hand toward the Watershield beginning to come after her. "These horrible brutes massacred my guards! You have to protect me! Please, please, I'd be ever so grateful..."