Mira stopped running when she felt a large number of people approaching rapidly. Despite running near her full speed, she still felt the people getting closer. She turned around to get a better look at her pursuers but was shocked by what she saw.
Aside from the hundreds of people running on the ground or flying through the air, a massive floating boat was soaring through the sky!
Mira could sense many powerful beings on this boat, some of which she wasn't fully confident in defeating.
Not only that, but the features of around have of the people chasing her weren't quite human. Some had tails, while others had beast-like ears, and some just had hairier bodies or longer nails.
In terms of beastly characteristics, they weren't too different from Mira, but their features were less prominent than hers.
However, Mira could tell they weren't beasts from their cultivation and aura. They still followed the human cultivation system, meaning they weren't beasts.
"I see. So, these must be the so-called demi-humans I've heard about. It's my first seeing them in person." Mira said indifferently.
With a pale face, Hana looked at Mira strangely, hearing her comment.
"They aren't called demi-humans. They are called beastmen, Big Sis. Also, you do realize you're a beastman, too, right? How could this be your first time seeing them?" Hana didn't even bother asking Mira why they stopped.
She could see that those people would catch up with them sooner or later.
Mira glanced at Hana but didn't say anything. If she were being honest, she would not label herself as a beastman.
She could clearly feel beast bloodlines coming from all the beastmen pursuers, but it was so diluted and faint that calling it a 'bloodline' would be a disgrace. Mira could tell at a glance that they were hardly any different compared to regular humans.
They might have some innate ability that comes with their 'bloodline', but their ability will be severely limited due to how diluted their bloodline is.
Due to this reason, Mira could tell that they weren't the same. She was basically the perfect fusion between man and beast, while these people are just a couple of knock-offs!
Still, Mira didn't feel the need to explain this to Hana. It wouldn't do the girl any good, anyways.
"It seems you've pissed off quite a few people, huh? This is quite the lineup just to capture a little girl without any cultivation like you." Mira commented, watching everyone approach her.
"Hmph! They're just a bunch of shameless cowards who feel the need to steal from a cute little girl like me!"
Mira raised an eyebrow at what Hana said and took another glance at the crescent moon hanging from her neck and her clothes. Those two objects are clearly quite special, and Mira would be lying if she said she wasn't curious about them, but she kept quiet.
Her instincts told her that they weren't of much use to her. Maybe Hana's kimono might be useful if it was her size, but it wasn't, so Mira didn't feel the need to possess it.
Suddenly, Hana turned to Mira and gave her a serious look. She quickly took off her necklace and tried handing it over to Mira.
"Please keep it safe for me." Hana pleaded.
Mira gave her a suspicious look and asked, "Why?"
"Just take it, please. I'd feel more comfortable with it being in your hands." Hana said, refusing to explain.
Mira looked at the silver crescent moon pendant, and after a few moments, she decided to take it.
She didn't know what Hana was doing as this pendant was clearly very important, but she didn't feel any ill intent coming from Hana.
Even if she did have any ill intent, it didn't matter. Once any object is placed in her Storage Room, it's basically cut off from the rest of the world.
Plus, Mira's generally not one to turn down a potential treasure!
However, unbeknownst to Mira, Hana made a surprised face as she stored her pendant.
"Well, I guess it's about time I go greet our guests. You should just find someplace to hide. Or if you're not confident in doing that, I can put a protective barrier around you, but if one of those strong guys on the boat comes down, it probably won't hold." Mira pulled out her scythe and grinned.
Hana shivered under Mira's bloodthirsty gaze, but she still managed to answer.
"I-I'll find someplace to hide, but you…" Hana looked like she wanted to say something else, but Mira had already left.
Hana sighed but quickly found a good spot to hide, and in just a few seconds, it was almost like she was never there, to begin with!
On Mira's side, she had just appeared before the army of people.
Many of the beastmen visibly paled when Mira flared her aura as they could feel her bloodline. More accurately, they could only feel how pure and extraordinary it was.
However, the humans couldn't feel such a thing and reacted differently upon seeing Mira, with lust being the most prominent emotion.
Right now, Mira wasn't wearing a mask, so her unparalleled beauty was on full display to the world.
Although they could sense the savage aura surrounding Mira, her natural beauty and charm were more than enough to distract them from this.
"Hey, beauti-ACK!"
A man at the front tried approaching Mira with lust leaking out of his eyes, but before he could even take two steps, Mira swung her scythe and removed his head.
This was more than enough to wake everyone up from their lust-filled states, and they jumped back in shock with their weapons drawn!
"Bitch! You didn't have to be so ruthless!"
"That's right! Just because you're a little beautiful doesn't mean you can just kill whoever you want!"
Many cursed at Mira, while others just shook their heads.
That was, until Mira opened her mouth.
"I assume you guys are after a little girl?" Mira asked to confirm. However, from the look in her eyes, it was clear that their fate was already decided regardless of their answer.
Still, a Stage 3 Nascent Soul Realm leopard beastman, who seemed to be the leader of this group, answered.
"That's right. The Sun Lion Clan hired us to capture the Silvermoon girl. We don't want any trouble and aren't looking to kill her. If possible, I'd prefer not to fight. However, if you're going to continue standing in our way…"
Mira was a bit confused about why the man would give away their employer so freely, but when she glanced at the people aboard the giant floating ship and saw beastmen with lion-like features and powerful auras, she understood.
There was simply no reason for them to hide their employer's identity.
Mira shook her head and said, "Unfortunately, I was hired as that girl's bodyguard. I can't just simply hand her over to you guys. Not after I had already received my payment."
"That's a pity. I really don't want to have to kill such a beautiful and talented lady such as yourself."
"Hmph! You're welcome to try, but you should know that you'll need more than this little group of weaklings if you want to kill me." Mira said in disdain before she launched a series of Atmospheric Slashes.
Tens of people were bisected without any time to react, but Mira didn't let up.
"Argh!"
"What the hell?!"
"What is this?! How is this bitch so strong?!"
The men began to panic as their comrades were ruthlessly murdered without being able to defend themselves!
Mira took advantage of this chaos and jumped into the middle of the small army of people! Most of the people in the army are only Core Formation Realm cultivators, which is nothing more than cannon fodder in Mira's eyes.
She's spent the last few months constantly fighting against Rank 7 beasts and shadows with perfect control and teamwork. These people can't even hold a candle to what she's been through!
Actually, if Mira wanted to, she could just use her Paragon Wings and wipe out everyone on the ground in a few seconds.
However, she still needs to limit her Qi usage so as to not put more pressure on her Core. Plus, she needs to save her strength for when she eventually fights the beings on the flying boat.
The leopard beastman paled when he saw his subordinates and allies being mowed down like ants by the beautiful fox lady!
So, to prevent his remaining subordinates from being slaughtered, he made a move. His specialty lies in his speed and assassination, so he tried attacking Mira from behind, but when he was in the middle of launching an attack, he saw a golden tail aiming for his head.
It was already too late to retreat, and the golden tail was too fast for him to block, so he was forced to take it head-on.
Unfortunately, it seems he took that a bit too literally as his head exploded on impact against the golden tail.
Seeing the death of their leader threw everyone into disarray, and it wasn't long before Mira killed the few hundred people on the ground.
With an indifferent look, she turned to look at the flying boat and waited for them to come down.
