The Snake God with SSS Rank Evolution System

Chapter 379: The Cost of Chaos

Alice’s eyes widened, her claws still extended, dark violet void energy flickering around her fingers. Her voice came out sharp, defensive.

"Adam! Move! If I don’t make her regret this, she’ll never learn!"

Lilith’s voice drifted from behind her web, smooth and unrepentant, her crimson eyes gleaming with challenge.

"Hmm? I don’t recall doing anything wrong. You’re the one who misinterpreted my actions and overreacted. Maybe you should reflect on your own behavior before pointing fingers at me."

Alice’s head snapped toward Lilith, her voice rising with fresh fury.

"What did you say?!"

Adam’s voice cut through the tension like a blade, sharp and commanding—louder than either of them had ever heard him.

"I SAID ENOUGH! DIDN’T YOU HEAR ME?!"

The clearing fell silent. Alice’s claws retracted slowly, her void energy dissipating. Lilith’s threads loosened, the web beginning to dissolve. Both women stared at Adam, caught off guard—they had never seen him this angry before.

Adam’s voice dropped, still carrying a sharp edge of frustration, but quieter now.

"You two are doing whatever you want, causing chaos and destruction. Is there something wrong with your heads?! We’re in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by who-knows-what, and you’re fighting like children over... what? Who gets to annoy me more?!"

Alice’s ears flattened. Her tail curled around her leg, her voice small and quiet.

"I just wanted her to stop acting like she owns everything! She’s always so smug and acting like she’s above everyone else. I’m tired of it!"

Adam’s gaze snapped to her, his voice still sharp but with a crack in the ice.

"I understand you’re frustrated with her, Alice. But starting a fight over it isn’t going to solve anything. You’re just giving her exactly what she wants."

Lilith’s voice carried a note of genuine innocence, her crimson eyes wide and unblinking.

"I was just being affectionate. I didn’t mean to cause any trouble."

Adam’s eye twitched, his voice flat and unimpressed.

"You knew exactly what you were doing."

Alice’s voice rose, indignant.

"See?! She admits it!"

Adam’s voice carried a note of weariness, his shoulders sagging as the fight drained out of him.

"I don’t care who started it. I care that it’s over. Both of you, apologize. Now."

Alice’s ears flattened. Her voice came out small, hesitant.

"...Sorry, Lilith."

Lilith’s voice was smooth, but carried a note of genuine contrition.

"...Apologies, Alice."

Adam let out a long, slow breath, his voice carrying a note of quiet finality.

"Good. Now sit down and eat. The meat’s getting cold."

Azrynn’s voice carried a note of quiet awe, her yellow eyes fixed on Adam as he moved back toward the fire.

"Wow... he actually managed to stop them. I didn’t think that was possible."

Ignis nodded sagely, her voice carrying a note of knowing wisdom.

"Adam’s the only one who can calm them down. He’s like the leader of a bunch of wild animals."

Adam’s voice drifted over, weary and resigned.

"I heard that, Ignis."

Ignis’s face flushed, her voice coming out in a quick, flustered rush.

"I-I meant it as a compliment!"

The fire crackled softly as Alice and Lilith settled onto opposite sides of the clearing, the tension between them still palpable despite their forced apology. They ate in silence, each stealing glances at the other, their expressions caught between lingering irritation and the reluctant acceptance of Adam’s authority.

Adam watched them both, his crimson eyes calm but carrying an unmistakable weight. He let the silence stretch for a moment longer, then spoke.

"Tonight, you’re both being punished. You’re sleeping together."

Alice tore off a piece of meat with more force than necessary, her voice carrying a sharp edge.

"This is ridiculous. I’m not sharing a bed with this insect."

Lilith’s voice drifted over, equally sharp, her crimson eyes narrowing.

"And I have no desire to share a bed with a flea-ridden cat."

Adam’s gaze settled on them, silent and unyielding. The weight of his stare pressed down on them, and slowly, their protests died in their throats.

Adam’s voice carried a note of quiet, final authority.

"My decision is final. You will sleep together tonight. And you will share the watch together. If I see either of you starting another fight—" His voice dropped, colder, sharper. "—I will make sure the punishment is much worse."

Lilith’s curiosity flickered, her voice carrying a note of genuine interest.

"What kind of punishment?"

Adam’s lips curved into a faint, enigmatic smile.

"That’s a secret."

Lilith’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of something between suspicion and intrigue passing through them. Her voice carried a note of warning.

"I don’t like secrets."

Adam’s smile didn’t waver. "Then don’t give me a reason to reveal it."

Alice let out a long, exaggerated sigh, throwing her hands up in mock surrender as she shot a pointed glare at Lilith. Her voice carried a sharp edge of warning, though it lacked true venom.

"Fine. Sleeping together. What’s the worst that could happen? But I’m not responsible if you wake up with scratches all over your face. I move around a lot when I sleep."

Lilith’s crimson eyes glinted with mischief, a soft, silken laugh escaping her lips. Her voice carried a light, teasing lilt that made Alice’s ears twitch with irritation.

"Fufu~ don’t worry. If you want to sleep peacefully without thrashing around, I can always help you with my threads. Would you like to try?"

Isolde, watching from the fire, let out a low, dry sigh. Her voice carried the weary resignation of someone who had seen this dynamic play out too many times.

"They never learn, do they?"

Azrynn shook her head slowly, her yellow eyes fixed on the two women with a mixture of fascination and bewilderment.

"It’s like they’re physically incapable of getting along."

Before anyone could respond, Adam pushed himself to his feet. His voice came out flat, heavy with exhaustion.

"I’m tired. I’m going to sleep."

Without another word, he turned and walked toward the small tent they had set up earlier, ducking through the opening and disappearing inside.