Zoey's skills were overpowering. Her fiery whips lashed out like serpents, and any player struck by them within The Lopez Family mansion was instantly killed. Her Divine Gift allowed her to heal as she fought.

Black Jade watched from the sky, enjoying the spectacle. However, the players from Eclipse Vanguard could no longer stand idly by and rushed forward to stop Zoey.

Zoey's combat abilities were on a completely different level from the current Blue Star players. Having spent 300 years by Maple Syrup's side, her skill set had long since evolved. The only difference now was the disparity between her attributes and those of the Eclipse Vanguard players. Even though each strike she landed left them severely wounded, she couldn't quite kill them instantly.

Once all The Lopez Family members were wiped out, Zoey focused on killing the Eclipse Vanguard players. At that moment, Rita waited until over a dozen Eclipse Vanguard players were on the brink of death, then deactivated her [I'm No Longer Human] skill. She flew into the air, using a lightning net to block Zoey's attack on the remaining players.

"Zoey!" Rita called.

At that exact moment, Shadow.Q, who had been called in for overtime, finally arrived. She dove down and used her skill to teleport all the Eclipse Vanguard players away.

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Zoey looked up at Rita hovering in the air. With a subtle flap of her orange-red wings, she shot upwards and stopped in front of Rita.

Under the moonlight, Zoey's wings spread wide—nearly four meters across—creating a fiery, ethereal presence. They faced each other, their orange-red wings gently flapping, the feathers glowing like burning flames. The night sky was set ablaze, and players on the ground stared up in awe, as if witnessing a vast sea of fire clouds.

Though Zoey and Maple Mu didn't look alike at all, seeing Zoey's face again, Rita momentarily felt as though she were seeing Maple Mu. The expression on Zoey's face mirrored that of Maple Mu.

In the past life, Zoey was Rick's first female protagonist, embodying everything men fantasized about in a "wife"—graceful, elegant, dignified, and pure. She came from an excellent family, her Divine Gift was top-tier support, and she was adored by all. Her beauty was unrivaled. Despite her almost pathological possessiveness, she would eventually relent for Rick.

Her suffering and inner turmoil, at certain moments, transformed into a kind of thrill. The more obsessive and pathological her possessiveness, the stronger the sense of accomplishment she felt when she finally yielded.

She and Sanchez were different colors. Sanchez was like a fiery flame, while Zoey resembled the Forest Sea—seemingly all-encompassing and full of life, yet constantly torn apart by the brutal laws of survival beneath the surface.

The "Maple Mu" Zoey had known in the High Tower wasn't like this. The Maple Mu in the High Tower was like her fiery wings—intense and domineering, an unapproachable sun.

Now, Zoey and the Maple Mu that Rita had spent years with were so similar—no, they were indistinguishable.

Though their appearances were different, their demeanor and aura were the same: powerful, resolute, confident, and fearless. Anyone could see that she had once held power and authority—her words alone could determine the fate of countless lives. There had been many willing to die for her, and standing there, she was the embodiment of power itself.

Rita didn't speak lofty words to cast herself as the symbol of justice. That would be overkill. Instead, she said the one thing she truly wanted to say: "Do you think that by killing them and erasing your past, you'll truly become Maple Mu?"

Zoey scoffed at her. "You've only been Maple Burn once, and already you care about me?"

Clearly, Zoey could distinguish the differences between various "Maple Burns."

But it was obvious she couldn't tell the difference between herself and Maple Mu. She spoke in the language of the oak owls rather than English, which made Rita suspect that her lie might have been unnecessary.

Rita shook her head. "I know who I am. I haven't lost myself."

That period in her past had been beautiful, but to Rita, it was like a visit to an amusement park—just a fun game, like starring in a warm, feel-good movie. Nothing more.

After a brief pause, she continued, "I'm not even concerned about you. I just think you're pathetic."

"Pathetic?" Zoey was startled, her gaze filled with confusion and disbelief. She seemed to find it as absurd as a beggar calling a wealthy person poor. After a laugh, she retorted, "What's wrong with that? If I'm like this, they'll truly accept me."

Rita replied, "But…"

Zoey coldly interrupted her. "I know what you're going to say. You want to say that they wanted Maple Mu, not me. But I told you, I am Maple Mu!"

Maple Mu wanted to be revived through her body, and Zoey, too, wanted to replace Maple Mu, to take her life.

Rita understood her intention. Her voice was calm, but her words were cruel: "But it's all a lie."

Zoey laughed again, her gaze full of the same affection and tolerance that Maple Mu had once shown Maple Burn. She seemed certain that Rita would end up as Maple Burn. "So what? Maple Mu has everything I want. Does it matter whether it's real or not?"

"Maple Syrup and Maple Cang made me realize that I can be 'seen.' I don't need any conditions to be loved. They see my emotions, my efforts, my insecurities, my desires, my drive to win—all of it. They only worry about giving me enough, never taking what belongs to me!"

Zoey glanced down at the fire consuming The Lopez Family, her gaze cold, as if she were staring at some filthy thing.

"Zoey, such a casual name. No expectations, no blessings."

"Yet, after all these years in the High Tower, you know about the Mu tree. It's the most beautiful, precious, and sturdy species in Forest Sea. With careful nurturing, it can grow into a towering giant in less than a hundred years, resisting fierce winds and protecting delicate plants and fruits."@@novelbin@@

"In the High Tower, Maple Syrup prohibited any oak owls from taking the 'Mu' name—something that had never happened in their history."

"Now, Maple Burn, tell me—does it matter if it's real or not?"

"I've done my research on you. I remember... what's her name… the fruit people. Their feelings for you were never genuine. Those trashy emotions can't compare to the love Maple Syrup and Maple Cang gave me. They are my true family!"

"Maple Burn, come with me to Lania Kaia. Mother and Maple Cang are waiting for us to return home."

For 300 years, she had seen so many versions of "Maple Burn"—some pathetic, some flawless, some awkward, some pretending to be saints. Only the one in front of her had been recognized by Maple Syrup, Maple Cang, and even Maple Burn herself. Whoever they accepted, she accepted!

Rita immediately raised her gun. "You're insane."

The moment had arrived, and she didn't hesitate anymore. She attacked Zoey, determined to end this hatred tonight. She could not let Zoey escape!

—[Explosive Drummer]!