Pop~
Moss retracted her hand and casually steered the conversation back to the Snake Talisman.
Angewomon was already used to it and didn't dwell on the minor details, continuing in her role as a good listener.
Moss said, "If I can improve my control and achieve partial invisibility, it might have unexpected effects."
Achieving that level of control—according to the original story—may only be possible for Shendu once he had all twelve Talismans.
Unfortunately, Shendu was an ancient relic from ages past. Though he could use the Talismans at full power, he lacked modern creativity. In terms of flexibility in using the Talismans, he wasn't even as good as Jade.
Moss kept brainstorming and whispered, "I could also make weapons invisible. Like the Holy Arrow—most people rely on vision first. Even if they can sense an invisible arrow, parrying it would be several times harder!"
Looking at it that way, while the Snake Talisman has its flaws, it also offers a lot of room for creative application.
It doesn't provide direct combat power, but it's a divine tool for support during battle!
Angewomon listened to the applications and praised, "Moss, you really are a combat genius!"
Moss chuckled softly, basking in the compliment with a slightly smug grin.
Angewomon's presence not only comforted Moss and relieved her loneliness, it also provided immense emotional value.
Drifting in that praise for a moment, Moss suddenly had another thought: "Invisibility… the classic fantasy is to sneak into bathhouses or hot springs… But nah, those don't appeal to me anymore."
She abandoned that thought halfway through.
Ever since becoming Angewomon, Moss had grown more self-admiring. She thought, "How could anyone compare to me? Why look at others when I can just look in the mirror?"
And if that wasn't enough, she could always channel the soul of Venusmon to increase her charm a hundredfold.
Beautiful enough to make herself swoon!
Heaven above, earth below—I'm the most beautiful of all!
Back to the point—for Moss, something even more important than the applications of the three Talismans was the dragon and demon essence hidden within them.
After testing the abilities of the three Talismans, she turned to the evolution panel.
[Holydramon: 27%]
[Lilithmon: 9%]
[LadyDevimon: 10%]
As expected, all the evolution chances had increased significantly.
Especially Holydramon—she could probably evolve into it right now with a bit of luck.
But she held off, planning to absorb more Talismans first to further raise those percentages. The same logic applied to Lilithmon and LadyDevimon.
Moss beamed with joy, thinking gleefully, "Shendu, hurry up and find the rest of the Talismans—for my sake!"
…
Two days later.
Daolon Wong was still in critical care inside Section 13's intensive care unit. The world's strongest remaining Dark Chi Wizard was now relying on modern medical equipment just to stay alive.
Moss arrived outside his ward to check on him.
The nurse, seeing how Moss came every day, couldn't help but admire her: "As expected of an angel—so kind-hearted."
Ring ring ring~
Her phone rang.
It was a call from Valmont. He reported that Shendu had returned—with a new Talisman in hand.
In a flash, Moss arrived at the Dark Hand HQ and entered Valmont's office. Right away, she saw that another Talisman had been added to Shendu's statue alongside the Sheep Talisman.
It was the Dog Talisman!
The symbol of immortality—it granted boundless vitality, eternal youth, and even survival without a heart.
Seeing this, Moss smiled slightly. "Shendu, I knew you had great potential. It's only been two days and you've already found a new Talisman."
"Hmph." Shendu snorted, clearly proud.
In truth, he had also found the Pig Talisman, but kept it hidden so no one would expect him to find another in three days. Show some, hide some—that was Shendu's little scheme.
Ancient wisdom~
Just as he was feeling smug, he suddenly sensed something odd about Moss.
"You brought the other Talismans with you?"
As the original owner of the Talismans, Shendu was basically a living Talisman detector. He could sense when they were nearby.
Right now, he felt multiple Talismans on Moss, but… something was off.
They felt like a flowing energy, not solid—almost like liquid.
"…," Moss didn't respond.
Nor did she step closer. If she got too near, Shendu might absorb the Talisman energy within her.
In the original story, Daolon Wong worked hard to absorb two Talismans, but when he got close to Shendu—poof—Shendu drained them both with a single glance.
That's the power of being the Talismans' true master.
With that in mind, Moss made her move.
She raised her hand and used the Chicken Talisman's telekinesis to pull the Dog Talisman into her hand. Smiling, she said, "I'll keep this safe. Once we've gathered all twelve, I'll return them to you."
"What?" Shendu froze.
Moss grinned. "It's for your own good, Shendu."
—Actually, it's for my own good.
She continued, "With the Dog Talisman on you, you'd slack off. Without it, you'll be forced to unlock your true potential. We must focus on the big picture."
—It's just that you're not part of the big picture, Shendu.
Suppressing a laugh, she added, "To find the Talismans quickly, we must stop at nothing—whatever the cost!"
—And you, Shendu, are the cost.
"…"
Silence filled the office.
Shendu glared at Moss. "You absorbed their magic!"
Oops, you figured it out?
Well, Moss had half-expected that. As the Talismans' original master, of course Shendu could tell something was off.
Then, she reached out again and pulled the Sheep Talisman into her hand. "Looks like our partnership is over. What a shame."
But despite saying that, there wasn't a hint of disappointment on her face.
"Huh?" Shendu blinked—this angel was still taking Talismans, even after being caught?
You've got to be kidding me…
Outrageous!
Shendu growled, "Angel, this isn't what we agreed!"
Moss smiled sweetly. "I'm a noble angel—and a dimension-hopping sorceress. Everyone knows I never keep my promises!"
"Aaaaahhh!!!"
Shendu exploded in rage. "Your real goal was the Talismans, not the Book of Ages!"
Shadows spread beneath the statue, and dozens of Shadowkhan emerged, their red eyes locked onto Moss.
Unfazed, Moss laughed, "Only losers chase after the Book of Ages. I'm not a loser—why would I need that thing? Haha, you're so gullible, Shendu."
Her laughter rang out like silver bells—beautiful, but mocking to Shendu's ears.
"RAAAAH!" he roared, spewing flames from his mouth like a massive fire serpent aimed straight at Moss.
She casually batted it away, blasted a few Shadowkhan, and even punched a two-meter-wide hole in the wall.
With a grin, she said, "Calm down, Shendu. Anger only makes you look weaker."
Shendu's rage only deepened.
"Goodbye, Shendu—I'll miss you."
With that, Moss flew out the hole, boosted away with the Rabbit Talisman, and vanished over the horizon in seconds.
"VALMONT!!" Shendu howled.
Valmont entered slowly, saw the wrecked office, and didn't dare provoke the dragon.
Looking at the gaping hole in the wall, he sighed, "Beautiful flowers always have thorns. Looks like we were both deceived, Shendu."
Shendu fell silent. To be lumped in with a failure like Valmont—how disgraceful. It was all her fault.
All her fault!
Seething, Shendu growled, "I want the Talismans!"
"We're trying our best," Valmont said.
"Then hire more people!"
"But the funding—"
"I'll give you money."
A Shadowkhan emerged with a golden chalice full of jewels and coins.
Though Shendu had originally been unwilling to pay Valmont a cent, now he was furious and desperate enough to open his vault.
He would buy the Talismans if he had to—and get the Rat Talisman to resurrect himself.
And then…
Take revenge on that angel!
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Each 10 Powerstones? (1 Bonus Chapters)