"Idice!?"
Kurose Akira was startled by Idice's sudden appearance. He had been fully immersed in reading the Holy Canon of Light, completely unaware that time itself seemed to have frozen.
"Oh? So it's the Holy Canon of Light?"
Idice glanced at the book in Akira's hands. A strange glimmer flashed through her eyes, as if something unspoken stirred within her.
"Yeah. I've been working hard on learning magic lately," Akira replied seriously. When it came to exploring magic, he was always brimming with enthusiasm—compared to advanced calculus, this was infinitely more interesting.
"What's so worth learning about holy magic?" Idice said casually. "I could just use the power of the Abyss to directly remodel your body—embed magic straight into your consciousness."
As she spoke, she gracefully settled onto the sofa, her long legs crossing lightly. Her crimson high heels shimmered under the lights like living flames, instantly locking Akira's gaze in place.
Her relaxed, unguarded posture made it feel as though she had returned to her own home.
"..."
Idice's words left Akira momentarily stunned. He recalled the succubus fruit she had made him eat before—there really were many items in the Abyss that enhanced the body. But directly implanting magic into one's consciousness?
You can even do something like that?
"…Will it affect my brain?" Akira asked cautiously.
"Mmm. You might turn into a tentacle monster," Idice replied offhandedly.
"Fuck—no!"
Akira rejected the idea without hesitation. He absolutely did not want to become a tentacle monster. He wanted to keep his original form intact!
"What a shame. I always thought you had great potential to become a tentacle monster~"
Idice smiled as she shrugged her jade-like shoulders, then continued lightly, "Anyway, you've worked hard this time. Hand over the Flame Magic Stone."
"Wait a moment."
Akira stood up and headed toward Loserine's room to retrieve the Flame Magic Stone.
"Loserine…"
The moment he pushed the door open, he saw Loserine sitting cross-legged on the bed, deep in meditation. Around her, the Magic-Flame Silver Phoenix Butterflies fluttered happily.
"Did she fall asleep…?"
Akira stepped closer and saw that her eyes were tightly shut.
"…Fine. I'll take it myself."
He reached his hand into Loserine's soul body to retrieve the Flame Magic Stone. The instant his hand went in, it felt as though he'd plunged it into sticky gelatin.
When his fingers finally touched the Flame Magic Stone, the searing heat was still almost unbearable. But since it was only a short distance, he grit his teeth, endured the burning pain, and forcefully pulled it out.
"So hot—so hot!"
Cradling the blazing Flame Magic Stone, Akira hurried back to Idice and tossed it to her.
"Phew~"
Only after letting go did he finally exhale in relief. Then he asked, "Can you tell me what you're planning to use the Immortal Flame for?"
Akira knew full well that Idice hadn't gone through all this trouble just to defeat the Flame Demon Virgil.
Although the Immortal Flame could supply a Flame Demon with endless fire, it wasn't truly unbeatable.
No matter how powerful it was, the Immortal Flame still couldn't withstand damage that exceeded its limits—just as Lucía had said. Even the Wrath Demon King who created it could be forcibly slain, let alone a mere fragment of his heart.
"What? Are you that concerned about my affairs?" Idice asked softly, carefully examining the Flame Magic Stone in her hand.
"What do you think?"
Akira shrugged. The Immortal Flame had been sealed through the guild members' combined efforts—didn't he at least have the right to know how it would be used?
Besides, there were countless threads connecting Idice and Ivsha. With appearances so similar, it was only natural for him to feel a bit concerned.
Idice turned her head and looked directly at him. A strange light flickered in her deep crimson eyes. After a brief silence, she spoke softly:
"I plan to use the Immortal Flame to forge a divine artifact. You know—I have many enemies. I need powerful defensive equipment to protect myself."
"That makes sense."
Akira suddenly realized that Idice truly did have countless enemies. She really did need more means of self-defense.
"Since I've got what I came for…"
Idice slowly rose to her feet and walked toward Akira. Her high heels struck the ancient wooden floor with crisp, rhythmic clicks.
When she reached him, she extended her delicate hand toward his chest.
Akira was confused by her movement, but before he could react, he felt her hand pierce straight through his heart.
Bright red blood spilled out in an instant.
Agony exploded through his body, as though his heart were being torn apart.
At the same time, Idice's whisper brushed against his ear:
"This is your reward for completing the mission so excellently. Though… the process might hurt a little."
"Are you sure it's just a little—"
Before Akira could finish, his consciousness blurred, rapidly sinking into chaos.
Within his fading vision, system notifications began popping up one after another, barely registering before his eyes.
[Congratulations! You have obtained a strand of Corrupted Lust Demon Power!]
Corrupted…?
In his hazy awareness, confusion surged. What was the difference between corrupted lust demon power and pure lust demon power?
But he had no chance to ask Idice. The pain in his chest surged again, mercilessly dragging him into total darkness.
[Due to the influence of Corrupted Lust Demon Power, your heart has undergone changes.Heart endurance increased by 1000%.Blood circulation efficiency increased by 1000%!]
[Your blood has been infected by Corrupted Lust Demon Power.It may become… toxic?But it will also become extraordinarily delicious, attracting creatures that favor blood!]
[Your body has undergone changes.Impact resistance increased by 1000%!]
[Your soul has undergone changes.You will now prefer corrupted lust!]
…
When Akira opened his eyes again, what greeted him was a gentle, jade-like, breathtakingly beautiful face.
Her ears were long and elegant. Silver hair shimmered with enchanting brilliance. And those overwhelmingly large, snow-white curves swaying before him nearly made him black out again.
Am I… getting a lap pillow from the Elf Queen?
"What happened to you?"
The Elf Queen's tender voice flowed like a soft melody. Her sapphire-blue eyes resembled radiant crystals hidden in the depths of the sea, drawing one irresistibly toward her inner world.
At the same time, Akira felt her fingers lightly glide across his chest—the cool, subtle sensation made him shiver.
With concern, she asked softly:
"Your heart… why is it gone?"
..
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