Patricia couldn't shake off the unease she felt from the inspector's demeanor at the abandoned castle. Despite her excitement to defeat him, there was a lingering sense of discomfort.

" What is wrong with him? Did he catch on to something about Patrick? No, that's impossible. Patrick is very prudent. There is no way the inspector would suspect him. He only came here to test my power, and I will show him what he needs," she thought to herself.

"I'm ready. Let's finish this quickly," she declared, determined to prove her strength.

As the inspector led Patricia to a spacious area behind the castle, surrounded by an abandoned garden, he shed his hat and casually tossed it aside, followed by loosening his tie.

"I won't go easy on you just because you're a woman... A very pretty woman," he remarked, his tone laced with flirtation.

However, Patricia paid little attention to Derrick's advances. Despite being a grown woman, she had never harbored romantic inclinations towards anyone. Her sole focus was on providing a better life for her family and shielding them from any danger. Perhaps it was this single-minded determination that piqued Derrick's curiosity even more. His ego took a hit when Patricia displayed no interest in him, despite his position and good looks.

As soon as he raised his sword, she launched her attack. With her exceptional skill, she could have easily broken his sword and defeated him with a single strike. However, she held back, choosing not to reveal her true power just yet. Looking at his eyes, she sensed that Derrick would be more intrigued by her if he discovered the extent of her abilities.

Derrick initially approached the duel cautiously, wary of causing any harm to Patricia. However, as the battle unfolded, he realized that she effortlessly countered his attacks with ease.

"What's happening? It's like she's barely exerting any effort against my strikes. I underestimated her," Derrick thought to himself.

Despite using all his strength to launch repeated attacks, Patricia remained unfazed, like an impenetrable fortress. Nothing seemed to affect her.

Meanwhile, Patricia prepared herself for her final move, knowing that she had prolonged the encounter as much as possible. Now, it was time to bring it to a decisive end.

As she fixed her gaze on him, brandishing her sword, Patricia confronted Derrick directly.

"Do you still think I'm a witch?" she demanded.

Struggling to catch his breath, Derrick managed to respond, his voice strained, "I admit... you are very strong."

"Good," Patricia replied firmly. "I hope that you keep your word and never bother us again."

Just as she prepared to deliver her final strike, a sudden disturbance interrupted their confrontation—a massive snake emerged from the bushes behind Derrick.

Patricia retreated, her mind racing to comprehend the sudden appearance of the monstrous creature. "What is that?" she wondered, taken aback by the unexpected presence of such a fearsome beast in broad daylight.

Before her stood a basilisk, its ominous form striking in its menacing appearance. The creature possessed a three_pronged forked tail, its body devoid of legs and covered in an array of small diamond-shaped scales. Large, spade-like spikes adorned its lower body and tail, with smaller versions adorning its head and neck. Its draconic head was blunt and sloped, filled with rows of sharp, pointed teeth and topped with two menacing fangs on the upper jaw. A forked tongue flicked from its mouth, while its glossy, lifeless eyes bore into Patricia. Adding to its intimidating visage were a pair of long, backward-facing horns reminiscent of those found on an antelope, protruding from the back of its head.

As the basilisk lunged towards the terrified inspector, Patricia cried out, "Close your eyes!" With a swift motion, she leaped forward, attempting to strike the creature with her sword, only to have it shatter against the beast's tough hide.

"Damn it, I'm not prepared for this!" she cursed inwardly, realizing the gravity of the situation. Standing protectively in front of the inspector, she braced herself for the basilisk's attack. When the creature charged, she acted on instinct, seizing its head with her bare hands.

"This creature is formidable," she thought frantically, her mind racing for a solution. "I can't defeat it alone. Should I call for Patrick's help? No, if the inspector learns of him, it could spell trouble for us both."

With determination blazing in her eyes, Patricia knew she had to act swiftly before the basilisk could unleash its deadly attack. Summoning all her strength, she took a deep breath and pushed the creature back with all her might.

The basilisk, sensing its prey resisting, lunged forward, its sharp fangs aimed at Patricia's flesh. But she was ready. With a swift motion, she raised her powerful arms, blocking the creature's assault.

Facing off against the basilisk was no easy task. This formidable creature possessed the terrifying ability to turn any living thing to stone with just a single glance. Yet Patricia was no ordinary girl. Years of rigorous training and countless battles had forged her into a formidable warrior, both physically and mentally prepared for such challenges.

As the basilisk lunged forward, its jaws aimed menacingly at Patricia's face, she swiftly sidestepped the attack. In response, she delivered a powerful punch to the beast's scales, causing it to recoil in pain.

But the beast quickly regained its footing, undeterred. Patricia anticipated its next move, dodging another attempted bite and retaliating with a series of sharp kicks aimed at the creature's vulnerable underbelly.

Enraged by the assault, the basilisk let out a deafening roar and swung its tail at Patricia. With lightning-fast reflexes, she ducked just in time, narrowly avoiding the deadly strike. Seizing the opportunity, Patricia seized her moment and struck the basilisk's gut with a fierce punch, channeling all her strength into the blow.

The battle raged on, with both opponents trading blows relentlessly. Each time the basilisk exhaled its toxic breath, Patricia held her breath and swiftly dodged the attack. With every move, her muscles strained, and she felt her energy depleting rapidly.

Seizing an opportunity, the basilisk coiled its body around Patricia, aiming to crush her with its immense strength. She struggled to prevent her bones from breaking under the pressure.

"I can't keep this up. I need Patrick!" she thought desperately.

Glancing at the inspector, who remained frozen in place with his eyes tightly shut, she called out urgently, "INSPECTOR! KEEP YOUR EYES CLOSED. IF YOU OPEN THEM, THE BASILISK WILL TURN YOU INTO STONE."

"Al...right," he responded, his voice trembling with fear.

With no other choice, Patricia called out desperately for her brother, " PATRICK".

The moment she uttered his name, Patrick materialized out of thin air, standing face-to-face with the basilisk.

Surprised to find his sister in such a dire situation, Patrick questioned, "Patricia, what's happening?"

"Well, as you can see, this isn't the time for explanations. Help me!" Patricia urged, her voice filled with urgency.

Without hesitation, Patrick unleashed his magic, directing it at the basilisk's eyes, blinding the creature and providing them with a momentary advantage.

The basilisk, writhing in agony, released Patricia from its grip, providing her with an opening. With a swift leap, she soared into the air, her fists descending upon the creature's head with tremendous force. The basilisk uttered a final, desperate cry before succumbing to defeat and collapsing to the ground.

Patrick, arriving just in time to witness the scene, was taken aback by the presence of the inspector. Turning to his sister with a bewildered expression,

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?"