Chapter 133: Watching Oppai, Choosing Prey
"Ahahaha—" The signature silly laugh echoed through the night breeze, full of wild confidence and unearned pride. "You fell for it, Gabriel! You didn't even notice that you've been tricked step by step, did you?" Her laughter carried across the hot spring like the cry of an overexcited child announcing victory.
"..."
The air froze. The moonlight shimmered on the steaming surface of the water. Even the cicadas seemed to fall silent, as if refusing to be part of Satania's antics.
Only the soft whistling of the night wind answered her.
Satania, expecting Gabriel's shocked gasp or a scream of defeat, was instead greeted with a single, pitying stare—the kind that said without words, 'I feel nothing at all for you, mortal fool.'
"Hey, what's with those hateful looks!" Satania stomped her foot, sending a ripple across the water.
Hmm... yeah, that was definitely the look one gives an idiot.
Gabriel let out a long, unenthusiastic yawn. She mumbled, "What is it this time, Satania? What stupid plan are you obsessed with now?"
"Heh heh heh, you'll regret underestimating me! This time, I'm going to show you the true dignity of a great demon!" Satania planted one hand on her hip, puffing out her modest chest proudly. "I've made full and perfect preparations to defeat you!"
Raphiel tilted her head, covering her mouth as a musical laugh escaped her lips. Her golden hair caught the moonlight as she teased, "Ah, that's so like Satania-sama. Always declaring victory before the battle even begins. I can't wait to see how this turns out."
She gave an exaggerated thumbs-up, smiling sweetly. "Gabi-chan, don't you think Satania-sama's face just now was absolutely flawless?"
Gabriel didn't even blink. "Nope. She just looks like a grade-A idiot."
"Hey! What are you two whispering about over there!?" Satania swung her arms in frustration. "You're supposed to be admiring me with awe, not gossiping like schoolgirls!"
"Huh?" Gabriel lazily lifted an eyebrow, unimpressed.
Admiration? From her? That was impossible.
You're standing stark naked on a giant rock beside the hot spring, waving your arm like a wannabe hero. How could anyone admire that!? The only thing heroic here is your complete lack of shame!
Seriously, are you trying to imitate the Liberty Goddess from Liberty Leading the People? Because right now, this looks more like Liberty Leading the Pervert! The tragic glory of history had instantly turned into an ecchi comedy.
"You owe that painter an apology, whoever they were!" Gabriel muttered under her breath.
"Gabriel, surrender while you still can!" Satania declared, pulling a diamond-shaped crystal from her pocket. Inside, a golden-brown liquid swirled hypnotically, occasionally forming a vague, smiling face that shimmered under the moonlight.
The red-haired demon placed a hand dramatically over her face, her little fang glinting as she whispered in the most overacted tone imaginable, "Arise, my servant! Beast of the abyss, born from shadows and chaos—heed my call!"
She paused, eyes burning with fake intensity. "Come forth... Slime!"
Blub blub!
As the crystal hit the water, bubbles erupted, swirling furiously. The surface of the spring trembled as if something ancient was awakening beneath.
Moments later, with a loud splash!, a massive slime formed from the spring water itself rose up before them. It was easily twice their height, its translucent body rippling and shifting. Inside, the faint outline of eyes and a mouth seemed to shimmer in a ridiculous, derpy smile.
Satania raised her arms dramatically. "Ahahaha! Gabriel, are you so terrified that you can't even speak!?"
Gabriel: "..."
Raphiel: "..."
The two exchanged glances.
"That's the same kind of slime toy we used to play with as kids, right?" Gabriel asked dryly.
Raphiel nodded with a soft giggle. "Yes, indeed. How nostalgic."
"Hmph! If you kneel down and beg for mercy, Gabriel, I might let the slime spare you!" Satania shouted proudly, standing tall and smug.
"Are you stupid?" Gabriel deadpanned. "That thing can't even bite."
"Damn you!" Satania pointed theatrically. "Go, Slime! Show her your true might—wait, what are you doing!? Let go—help! Gurgle!"
Satania's voice turned into a stream of gurgling yelps as she was swallowed headfirst. The splash that followed was almost comical.
Gabriel sighed. "Told you she's an idiot."
Raphiel smiled sweetly. "And that, dear Gabi-chan, is exactly why Satania-sama is so lovable."
After devouring its summoner, the slime seemed to have developed a taste for mischief. It shifted, rippling ominously, then turned toward Gabriel and Raphiel. Tentacles slowly emerged from its body, slick and gleaming under the moonlight.
The shriek that followed from the backyard drew Kouya's attention. He stiffened, then quietly approached, thinking an enemy might have appeared. But when he peeked through the bamboo fence, his eyes went wide.
A slime with tentacles? What in the world—
What a catastrophic creature! That's not a toy, that's something out of a nightmare! You're not a slime—you're a low-budget Cthulhu knockoff!
His gaze drifted toward the two angels. The moonlight caressed their figures as steam curled around them. The pale shimmer of their skin was barely hidden by the towels they clutched to their chests.
Kouya squinted. "Holy protection light?" he muttered. Indeed, faint divine energy glimmered around them.
But for someone like him, that low-tier holy light might as well have been candlelight against a storm.
He frowned slightly. Same species, and yet such a difference. One was like a big, soft steamed bun, the other a tender soup dumpling fresh from the steamer. The difference wasn't just in looks—it was a matter of entire dimensions!
Whoosh!
A tentacle lashed out toward Gabriel.
"Crap!" she shouted, trying to dodge, but slipped on a wet stone and tumbled backward. Pain flashed across her face as she fell.
The tentacle loomed above her, poised to strike.
Then... the slime hesitated. A disgusted look appeared on its watery face. Without hesitation, it turned away and instead grabbed Raphiel, wrapping her in glistening tendrils.
"Ahh~" Raphiel's soft cry echoed through the air—not frightened, but teasing, even pleased.
Gabriel's jaw dropped. 'Wait, since when do slimes pick their victims!?'
And seriously, what's your selection process? Cup size!?
The slime's blurry face seemed to smile, wobbling with glee as it toyed with Raphiel, completely ignoring Gabriel.
Raphiel's voice trembled with laughter. "How curious... I didn't expect it to be so... affectionate."
Gabriel twitched. "Hah?"
A dark aura began to radiate from her back. Her eyes narrowed into slits, and the corners of her lips curled into a sinister grin.
"Heh heh heh... so you're disgusted by me, huh?"
A golden holy bow appeared in her hands, glowing with divine wrath. She drew it in one smooth motion, the moonlight gathering into a luminous arrow.
"You dare ignore me!? Fine! Feel the fury of my Arrow of Wrath!"
Whoosh!
The arrow streaked through the sky like lightning. The slime barely had time to react before it exploded into droplets, scattering across the spring. Raphiel and Satania were thrown free, landing with twin splashes.
"Ugh~ I'm alive!" Satania gasped, spitting out water as she crawled to shore. Her wet hair clung to her face, and steam curled from her trembling shoulders.
When she looked up, Gabriel was standing there with an ominous smile, the water dripping from her golden hair.
"S-So scary!" Satania whimpered, backing away. Her voice cracked with fear. "W-What are you planning to do!?"
Gabriel's grin widened. "Oh, nothing much," she said sweetly, pulling a wooden bath ladle from behind her back, her aura darkening like storm clouds. "I just think you should reflect on your behavior a little."
"Eh?"
Bonk!