OP Sister Chapter 554: Under The Lioness' Claws

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“After all that’s happened, I don’t feel tired anymore,” Jack said. “This place is unnerving, with a monster hunting my soul, but I’d like to learn more about this place and the Constellations living here... if possible, I would like to receive some of their help, maybe the same sponsorships you're getting.”

“Really? What happened to your grudge against them?” Anna asked, a playful smile tugging her lips.

“If you trust them, I’ll give them a chance,” he replied. “Not because I believe in them, but because I believe in you.”

“Fair enough. Let’s go meet Ares, then. Gilgamesh is busy, but Ares should be at the orphanage,” Anna said.

“What about the formation they were building?” Jack asked.

“Ah, their Cosmic Avatars are managing that,” Anna said. “We still have a week or two before the hunt for materials begin, so let me introduce you to the people... I mean, the Great Constellations here. Also, while addressing them, try to be very respectful, okay? Even though we’ve become acquaintances, they’re beings of immense power that could easily kill us if we provoke them, so let's be careful.”

“I get it. I’ll stay cautious,” Jack said, nodding.

“Buddha’s different, though. He doesn’t care about formalities,” Anna said with a warm smile. “He’s away for now… wait, let me try something. Gram! Wakie, wakie!”

Anna sprang forward, summoning a sword from her hand. Jack stared, awestruck, as liquid metal flowed from her skin, shaping into a radiant divine blade.

It was Gram, Anna’s sentient sword, a trophy claimed from a Death Apostle along with his cursed armor.

“Anna? What’s wrong?” Gram asked.

“What do you mean what’s wrong? I want to cut some trees, so let’s do it.”

“For trees?! You could snap those with your bare hands!”

“Geez, I just want to catch up with you. You’ve been absent for nearly a month!”

“…Fair enough, sorry. I was drained. I poured all my power into protecting you. Even with Fenrir’s sacrifice, you’d have died without my help, alongside Sepa and Bastet.”

“I know… I’m truly grateful, but let’s cut some trees.”

“Fine.”

SLASH!

Anna swung her blade, felling a dozen trees in a single stroke.

With precise swordsmanship and narrative force, she carved the timber further, arranging the pieces around Buddha’s crumbling house.

“Now, let’s make Buddha’s home sturdier, shall we?” Anna said, her smile bright with confidence.

“You’re fixing it up?” Jack asked.

“Yep!” Anna nodded. “Time for some Alchemy.”

“Alchemy?” Jack said. “Oh, right, you have that Skill…”

“It’s glitched, but I mastered a better version in Bestia,” Anna said. “Heavenly Alchemy Arts, used by Immortal Cultivators, harnesses the Essence of Heaven and Earth to shape materials into countless forms. With my Martial Intent and Spiritual Consciousness, I can reshape these materials and this house into something worthy of Buddha.”

FLAAASH!

Anna’s Ki, Spirit Energy, and Mana surged outward, weaving vibrant rivers of color. The wood and debris fused seamlessly, transforming Buddha’s house into a larger, cozier structure in moments.

“Done! A luxurious, disaster-proof wooden cabin for Buddha, complete with enhanced durability!” Anna declared, crossing her arms with a satisfied nod.

“Impressive!” Jack said, clapping with a grin. “That was incredible. How did you master this Alchemy?”

“I practiced relentlessly, building on my existing Alchemy Skill,” Anna replied. “Anyway, let’s head to the orphanage. You’ll love it.”

“…An orphanage here? But aren’t there only Constellations?” Jack asked.

“That’s where you’re wrong, Jackie,” Anna said, grinning.

“Don’t call me Jackie…” Jack muttered, a shiver running through him as memories surfaced of those who once taunted him with that nickname.

“Does that stir bad memories? Sorry, sorry,” Anna said, her tone apologetic. “Come on, follow me.”

Anna led her brother across the lotus-strewn lake and through the jungle, moving with newfound ease.

A month ago, Anna had been battered, bleeding, and screaming in pain, but weeks of training had helped her adapt to this world.

Her brother’s awakening further boosted her spirits.

Emerging from the jungle, a fragment of Gilgamesh’s Domain called Mesopotamia’s Wilderness, they reached a lively village of fragmented worlds and domains.

Every direction Jack turned revealed a unique sight: a solitary golden pyramid rising from a small desert, a shadowy forest dotted with tree houses, a modest mountain with homes perched atop it and golems mining resources, and scattered ruins of palaces, castles, and manors belonging to surviving Constellations.

“This nameless village was built by Buddha and the surviving Constellations, gathered with aid from Gilgamesh and Ares,” Anna explained as they navigated the bustling streets, dodging the piercing gazes of passing Constellations. Many regarded mortals as mere objects. “It’s woven from fragments of their homes or territories.”

“I can see that…” Jack said, nodding, careful to avoid the Constellations’ intense stares.

Yet, two exceptionally talented mortals walking openly were bound to attract unwanted attention.

“Are you lost, little mortals?”

“Would you consider becoming my Apostles?”

“I can offer plenty of Plot Points if you become my Incarnations.”

“That’s Anna, right? The girl from the past? I heard the major Constellations are working together to support her.”

“Who’s that kid with her?”

Not all Constellations supported Anna’s cause. Gilgamesh, Ares, and Buddha had rallied a few dozen allies, mostly close friends, but most were uninterested in spending resources or time on her.

Without the protection of Buddha, Gilgamesh, and Ares, some Constellations might have already abducted Anna, subjecting her to unthinkable acts.

A mortal of her caliber was a prime candidate for an Incarnation. If Anna refused their offers, a Constellation could forcibly bind her with an enslavement curse on her soul, leaving her powerless.

Among those indifferent to her cause was a particularly troublesome figure who shadowed Anna whenever she was alone, unguarded by the big three.

That figure now approached, their presence so overwhelming that lesser Constellations, clad in shimmering robes of starlight, scattered in fear.

Most survivors here were weaker Constellations, ranging from Rank 5 Mythic Pulsars to Rank 6 Celestial Oracles, but this rivaled Ares, the village’s third strongest.

“There you are.”

Their Narrative Energy radiated in waves, so potent that weaker Constellations felt their Stories drawn into their orbit, weakened by merely glimpsing their majestic form.

Unlike Ares and others, who restrained their power to spare lesser Constellations, this being showed no such courtesy.

This explained the immediate flight of weaker Constellations, clearing a path to Anna and her brother.

A Rank 9 Galactic Paragon, master of the golden pyramid towering over the village.

“Ugh!”

Anna recoiled, her newly forged eyes stinging from the Constellation’s formidable Aura. Each ray of light from them form unveiled visions of an extraordinary story.

“Anna? Who is it— Ah!”

“Lowly insect, you dare speak before me unprompted?”

TRUUUM!

Jack collapsed to his knees, vomiting blood as the Constellation’s gaze seared his soul. He endured the pain, glancing at his sister, who seemed slightly more composed.

“I apologize, great Constellation,” Anna said, bowing her head, though inwardly she bristled at facing HER again. “Damn bitch…”

“Heh, looks like your three great benefactors aren’t watching over you now, hm, little one?” the woman said, stepping closer and revealing her true form.

Adorned in a red and white Egyptian dress with golden accessories draped over her fur-covered body, she resembled a member of Bestia’s Lion Tribe but was entirely distinct.

A towering lioness, four meters tall, with golden fur tinged red, sharp crimson eyes, and a confident smirk, stood before Anna and her brother.

Her commanding voice resonated in their hearts and souls.

Her Radiance, blazing like the sun, carried the crimson hue of bloodshed and destruction.

Echoes of warriors’ roars and visions of countless battles flickered within her Radiance as Anna gazed upon it.

A golden crown, adorned with a red mirror gleaming with solar brilliance, rested atop her head.

She was one of Ra’s eldest daughters.

And Bastet’s elder sister.

“Sekhmet…”

Of all the Egyptian Constellations to survive the Void King’s rampage, Sekhmet was the last Anna wished to face.

A brazen villainess, she reveled in tormenting and humiliating the weak, relentlessly pursuing power by any means.

She had orchestrated the plot to overthrow her father and seize the Mirror of Ra.

Had Sepa not saved the final fragment of Bastet’s Cosmic Soul, Sekhmet would have coldly slain her own sister.

Anna sensed it in her heart: endless malice.

Jack, noticing Anna’s tension, grew uneasy himself.

“What’s wrong, little one? Not acting as bold as usual? With Buddha, Ares, and Gilgamesh occupied and far away… I can do whatever I please.”

“…Are you sure you’ll withstand their retaliation, great Constellation? I am, after all, Gilgamesh and Ares’ Apostle. Taking me would provoke their wrath, and as Buddha’s protégé, I’m under his protection. He might banish you from this planet if you harm me… or my brother.”

“Hoh? You think I care?”

“Guh…”

Sekhmet approached Anna, her long claws gently lifting Anna’s chin, drawing her small face closer. The lioness peered into her radiant rainbow eyes.

“Such pretty eyes…” she murmured, her sharp claws grazing Anna’s face. A slight increase in pressure could tear it apart. “And your smell… you’re hiding something, aren’t you? You carry the scent of my sister, that foolish kitten and… a certain pest that kept visiting her at night.”

“I-I…” Anna faltered, unable to lie, as Sekhmet would detect any deception. “I would rather… not say anything, great Constellation. Please forgive this humble mortal for any disrespect… I actually admire you.”

“You do?!” Sekhmet grinned, revealing sharp teeth. “Hahahaha! Don’t make me laugh! That was… not a lie? You admire me? Why? Intriguing. So you’re drawn to the great me? How about it? Become my Apostle… Become mine. I’ll grant you all the strength you need, little rabbit.”

“I must humbly decline…” Anna whispered. “I deeply apologize… Though I greatly admire you… I fear you… and I cannot trust you as I trust Buddha, his majesty Gilgamesh, and lord Ares.”

Upon hearing Anna’s words Sekhmet’s face revealed great shock, fury, and... a bit of sorrow.

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