Reincarnated as a Princess's Pet: With Trash Stats, but SSS-Rank Skill-Chapter 94: A False Victory

Dante’s laughter still echoed as the battle picked up again, frenetic.

The devil spun on himself and tore something off the ground. An arm, then a leg, then a torso. He hurled them one after another, like projectiles.

"WHAT?!"

Max reacted instantly. His hammer shot forward, smashing into the incoming pieces—deflecting and crushing them. Dead flesh exploded mid-air.

"Don’t just stand there!"

Neros was already moving. His blade traced clean lines.

He dodged a head spinning past his neck.

Then Dante spat something from his mouth. Thick. Green.

Neros leaned his body aside. The substance grazed his armor and hit the ground.

Sizzling. Corroding.

"...tch."

Dante smiled.

"What’s wrong?"

He licked his lips.

"Didn’t you say you could do this all day?"

Max clenched his teeth. His hammer returned to his hand, and he felt the strain. He glanced at its surface—cracked in several places. The system showed its durability had dropped significantly.

"...shit, I’m gonna lose my weapon."

Another arm flew toward him.

This time, Max didn’t raise the hammer. He hesitated for a second—then opened his backpack. The object vanished inside, as if it had never existed.

He blinked as another torso and leg were swallowed by his infinite inventory. Absorbed. No impact.

A grin spread across his face.

"...just like I thought."

Dante frowned.

And then—explosions. Fireballs slammed into his body.

"We’re here!"

Abby, her hands engulfed in flames, firing nonstop.

Beside her stood Moonlight—more stable now, sword in hand. The cold began to spread once more.

"Don’t die without us."

Dorian appeared behind them, breathing heavily—but unharmed. His hands glowed, and a soft light wrapped around Max and Neros. The weight in their bodies eased. The exhaustion lightened.

"Take advantage of it while I can maintain the spell."

Neros didn’t hesitate. His figure vanished for an instant—then appeared right in front of Dante, delivering a clean, precise slash. One arm fell, severed from the devil’s body, hitting the ground.

Dante stepped back. For the first time, his smile faltered.

"...what—"

Max advanced.

"Problem?"

Ice spread fast—from Moonlight’s feet.

It reached the devil’s twisted legs, trapping them. Immobilizing him.

Neros grabbed his remaining arm, holding it tight—leaving him completely exposed.

"Now!"

Max turned his head, searching.

"Lamia!"

The mist parted—and she emerged. Intact. No trace of the wound on her head.

Her eyes held something different now. Not doubt. Not this time—determination. She lunged forward, claws extended.

Max spoke without looking away from Dante.

"This is your moment."

A pause.

"...break the gem hanging from his neck."

Lamia nodded.

"...thank you, child."

Her gaze locked onto the devil.

"This is for Layla."

She surged forward.

Dante looked at her—and smiled again.

"...yes."

His eyes gleamed.

"Come to me."

And then, from behind, a shout echoed—

"—WATCH OUT!"

It was Sophie, running through the mist toward them. Too late.

Lamia was already upon him. Her claws descended—aiming to shatter the gem and pierce his chest.

But something appeared between them.

Out of nowhere. A slender body—taking the hit.

The claws pierced rotting flesh. No resistance.

Lamia froze. Her eyes widened.

"...no..."

Layla.

Her body. What little remained. Dressed only in white lace. A faint expression on her face.

The claws had gone through her.

But another sound followed.

The gem shattered. Into a thousand pieces.

Dante’s eyes widened. His smile vanished. His body tensed.

"...no..."

The twisted body collapsed. Fell to the ground.

But Lamia didn’t look at him. Her hands trembled as she held her daughter’s body.

"...Layla..."

The skin began to crumble—turning to dust.

Disappearing in her hands.

Lamia pulled her closer. Desperate.

"No... no, no..."

But there was nothing she could do. The body disintegrated slowly—until nothing remained.

And then Lamia broke down. Crying on her knees. Trembling. Clutching at nothing.

Max clenched his teeth—and stepped forward.

A firm, slow walk. Toward Dante’s body.

He looked at him. Motionless. Twisted. Defeated.

He raised his hammer. Pressed it against what remained of his head.

"...stop messing with us."

His voice was low. Cold.

"I figured it out."

His eyes narrowed.

"This isn’t your real body."

The air tightened.

"...what?"

Abby muttered.

Moonlight frowned.

"What do you mean it’s not...?"

Dorian also looked up, confused.

But Max didn’t take his eyes off the devil’s head.

"Where are you?"

A laugh. Weak.

From the body.

"...heh..."

The deformed lips barely moved.

"You’re... smart..."

Max didn’t smile.

"Talk."

Dante spat blood.

"...but you’re too late."

His eyes barely open.

"I’ve already... found another body."

Dorian stepped forward.

"What does he mean...?"

Max answered without looking at him. Direct.

"Necromancy in this world isn’t just about raising the dead."

He tightened his grip on the hammer.

"It also lets you enter them."

A pause.

"Possess them."

Moonlight’s eyes widened.

"But—"

She looked down. At the shattered remains of the gem.

"How is he supposed to do that if we already broke his—?"

Max shook his head.

"That was just a catalyst."

He spat to the side.

"This is bigger than some trinket."

He lifted the hammer slightly.

"He’s probably preparing a ritual."

His gaze hardened.

"And if we don’t stop it fast..."

He didn’t finish the sentence. He didn’t need to.

Abby stepped forward. Her eyes widened.

"...I know where."

Everyone looked at her.

"With everything going on..."

She clenched her fists.

"...my father won’t miss this chance."

She swallowed.

"He probably wants to give him Azael’s body."

The laughter returned. Clearer. More mocking.

"...wow..."

Dante coughed.

"In the end... you weren’t so useless after all..."

Max sighed. Tired. Annoyed.

"...I’m done with you."

He raised his hammer.

And without hesitation, brought it down.

CRACK.

The head exploded. Flesh. Bone. Fragments.

Max pulled the weapon back. Kicked what remained aside like trash.

Moonlight blinked—then smiled.

"...okay."

She nodded.

"That was awesome."

Sophie came running in. She stopped when she saw the scene.

"...didn’t expect that."

Max was already turning away.

But then, Lamia’s crying grew louder.

She was still on her knees, staring at her empty hands.

"...I want to kill him..."

Her voice was barely a whisper. But filled with hatred.

"...I want to end that damned devil."

Max looked at her, and nodded.

"Then let’s go."

He rested the hammer on his shoulder.

"Let’s finish this."

Abby was already moving.

"Follow me!"

Without looking back.

"I’ll guide you."

Her voice trembled, but she didn’t stop.

"...before it’s too late."

She clenched her teeth.

"...before I lose him too."

And she ran.