[The days passed one by one.
Unconsciously, you spent another month in the Tunguska region.] [Over this month, with the ‘tacit permission’ of Koyanskaya and the Beast of Cherishment, you freely engaged in ‘Empathy’ and’synchronization’ with the resentment permeating this land.
Gradually, you found your mastery over this land was no less than that of the two Beasts.] [During this period, through the pure energy you continuously provided, Koyanskaya’s power increased day by day.
The day she evolved into a complete Beast was drawing ever closer.] [Apart from that, the Beast of Cherishment’s power was also gradually growing.
Although slightly inferior to Koyanskaya, the final outcome of who would win was still unknown.] [However, for some reason, the Beast of Cherishment’s attitude towards you suddenly did a complete 180-degree turn recently.
Whenever you went to see her, she would always find various reasons to refuse you, also rejecting the pure energy you ‘gifted’.] [Filled with confusion and bewilderment by her sudden change in attitude, after struggling for a long time, you decided to have a proper talk with her.] [As usual, she refused to see you.
But you still had no intention of leaving the temple, patiently waiting at the temple entrance instead.] [No response on the first day.
You went to find her again on the second day, the third day…
By the fifth day, a low roar, like that of a beast, came from deep within the temple.] [Immediately after, the temple’s eternal, unmelting ice doors were…
quietly annihilated into dust-like ice crystals by a pressure emanating from within.] And from the center of that darkness, which seemed capable of swallowing even light, a figure stepped forth, treading upon suspended ice particles.
The black, biologically-textured combat suit she wore perfectly outlined the woman’s breathtakingly mature figure.
It wasn’t a sensuality meant to please anyone, but the ultimate form, evolved by an apex predator for the most efficient hunting, possessing both oppressive force and aesthetic beauty.
Slender thighs, a tight waist, and the ample bosom proudly supported and wrapped by the tight-fitting material constituted this lethal figure.
That full, womanly form wasn’t a symbol of softness, but a ‘furnace core’ storing boundless explosive power.
Different from usual, this time, her golden beast-like eyes held no emotion, merely staring indifferently at the Black-haired Youth.
“Do you want to die, Issei?” She had already rejected him like this, so why was he still persistently clinging?
Recalling the words the Alien God had said when finding her a few days ago, the Beast of Cherishment’s gaze grew even colder.
An extraterrestrial being from beyond Earth had found her that night and told her it was willing to help her become a complete Beast.
She no longer needed this human’s help, so naturally, there was no reason to see him anymore.
Thinking of this, her eyes grew even more indifferent as she said, “Speak.
What is it you want?” “Have you been very busy lately?” The Black-haired Youth, however, acted as if he hadn’t noticed her abnormality, asking in confusion.
The Beast of Cherishment didn’t directly answer his question, instead shaking her head.
“Issei…
Do you know my identity, and that of the other ‘me’?” “Naturally.” Issei nodded gently.
After all, one could say he, as a human, had witnessed the process of their birth.
“A Beast is an enemy of the human order.
Whether it’s me or her, the ultimate goal is to ‘destroy’ humanity’s ecosystem…
You should have known this long ago, right?” The Beast of Cherishment spoke slowly.
Issei nodded again.
“In that case, why are you still helping us?” As she spoke these last words, she stared intently into the youth’s eyes.
Clearly a human, yet he had been silently purifying the resentment of the spirits on this land and gifting the converted pure energy to them.
“You should know, in the future, whether it’s me or her, once either becomes a complete Beast, what fate ultimately awaits humanity…
Knowing the future, why do you still choose to help us?” Although she hadn’t been born long, the resentment of past animals had already transformed into countless memory scenes presented in her mind.
Humanity’s inherent flaws, all sorts of cruel scheming and infighting—she understood it all too well.
However…
she had witnessed every reaction the youth had when using Empathy Magecraft.
Undoubtedly…
he had no ulterior motives, nor was he driven by any benefit.
He simply willingly helped her of his own accord…
Why was there such a strange guy?
“I see…
So this is what you’ve been thinking about lately?” Facing the blonde woman’s icy golden eyes, Issei soon smiled.
“To be honest…
I do have an objective in approaching you.” At this moment, even without looking up, Issei could guess what kind of disappointed expression she must have.
Compared to Koyanskaya, the Beast of Cherishment detested humanity even more…
During this time of contact with her, although she gradually let her guard down, deep inside, she always maintained a trace of vigilance.
But this was actually a good thing.
On the contrary, if she kept this vigilance buried deep within, he would probably have a harder time, right?
Feeling that beast-like, icy gaze, the youth’s gentle, persuasive words softly sounded by the blonde woman’s ear.
“Do you remember what I said before?
You don’t have to accept humanity, but you might as well accept my help…
That wasn’t just empty words, you know.” The Beast of Cherishment said coldly and quietly, “Are you trying to tell me you’re helping me simply out of kindness?” “Or…
pity?” “Neither.” Issei raised his gaze, looking at that peerlessly beautiful face filled with indifference.
“If I had to say…
it’s probably…
because I like you?” An incredibly soft, brief sentence, yet it struck like a heavy hammer against the softest depths of her heart.
The Beast of Cherishment’s pupils abruptly dilated.
Li-Like—?!
A human…
likes a Beast?!
She stared blankly at the youth.
Before this, she had imagined countless possibilities.
Perhaps it was due to humanity’s hypocritical ‘pity’, or perhaps it was an instinctive ‘ingratiation’ in the face of powerful strength…
Among countless possibilities, she never expected to hear the word ‘like’.
Did-Did he know what he was just saying?!
After her conversation with the Alien God, the Beast of Cherishment had long since made up her mind.
No matter how glibly a human might speak, she wouldn’t waver in the slightest…
Because that was her chance to ascend to a complete Beast.
Yet those two words alone seemed to possess some magic, like a beam of light illuminating the darkness deep within, making one involuntarily want to grasp it.
Sensing the youth’s gaze, a faint, almost imperceptible flicker of panic flashed in her usually indifferent golden, beautiful eyes, and a blush crept onto her cheeks.
“Humans are indeed smooth-tongued and utterly untrustworthy.” “Why aren’t you looking at me when you say that?” The youth’s gentle tone made the Beast of Cherishment, or rather, Koyanskaya of Darkness, freeze for a moment.
She subconsciously shifted her gaze to the youth, and abruptly saw his delicate, fair, and clean face.
He looked at her with utter frankness, one hand gently touching Koyanskaya of Darkness’s cool fingertips.
Their tightly clasped hands seemed to transmit each other’s warmth and feelings.
Koyanskaya of Darkness stared blankly at the youth, and then…
suddenly, the words the other ‘her’ had spoken not long ago surfaced in her mind.
Ah…
So this was what she was thinking back then?
Because she liked him, because of an affection so intense it almost overflowed…
That’s why she wanted to pour all this love onto him.
But— If he really did something…
then what would be the difference between him and that ‘traitor’ who allegedly had a loli complex and acknowledged human civilization?
If she found out afterwards, how would she mock him?!
After this thought surfaced in her mind, Koyanskaya of Darkness nervously took a step back, turning away from him.
“I, I’m a bit tired.
You should go back first.” Issei tentatively asked, “Can I still come to find you in the future?” After a long silence, she softly hummed in affirmation…
On the frozen plateau, a female figure stood quietly in the night wind.
She gazed thoughtfully at the youth’s receding figure.
Unexpectedly, the two Beasts born on this land were both shaken because of him…?
“Issei…
huh?” The Alien God quickly chuckled.
“Indeed…
humanity is as despicable as ever—”