At that moment, the strength of the tail increased. Grrr! It felt like something was flowing against her insides. The demonic face scrutinized Rosé’s sickened face, growing darker.

The demon flicked its tail as if it had seen something it shouldn’t have.

“Anything that looks like you is a b*tch. Just like my sisters.”

The demon sneered.

“You must know the pain I’ve endured for four years.”

The demon’s gaze turned dark. Her skin became mottled, and the woman transformed into a snake in an instant.

The snake opened its mouth wide. Its slender tongue approached her nose. Sharp fangs glistened. It seemed like it could easily sever her windpipe and crush her skull with its large, pointed fangs.

“Like this… I don’t want to die…”

Rosé struggled. Unexpectedly, she found herself possessing another’s body, unexpectedly burdened with debts, and unexpectedly rejected by the company.

Even the appearance of boundaries everywhere she went was unexpected for her. And what about absorbing demon essence? Do you know how much suffering it takes to gain power within this crazy hazardous waste?

Rosé felt wronged. If she died like this, she felt she would become a wandering ghost haunting around the Creator God.

‘No… it can’t be…’

However, darkness completely swallowed her. Her body felt heavy, like it was sinking into the abyss. Finally, when her consciousness left her,

Bang!

A bullet flew from somewhere and pierced the demon’s tail. The enormous snake shrieked and collapsed to the side. Simultaneously, Rosé, who had already lost consciousness, was vomited out of its mouth.

So this is why guns are……

Elion, who had fired the musket with closed eyes, let out a sigh and dropped the gun to the ground. In his haste, he grabbed the musket rolling around, but of course, it missed its mark.

〈SYSTEM〉 You cannot summon ‘Asker’s Sword’ to the current location. Defeat the Custodian.

He tried messing with the system, but only the same message appeared. Most of the restrictions were related to Rosé.

Resigned, Elion had no choice but to search for another sword. Is this the only thing I can use?

He picked up a sword that had fallen beside the statue of the White Knight. The sword was flashy but inefficient in combat. Perhaps it was a sword meant for showmanship.

“Kreeeaaahhh! Who are you!”

But it’s unlikely there would be another way when it charges with such a roar.

Elion closed his eyes and raised his sword. He had already figured out the enemy’s attack pattern through the shared vision.

As long as he didn’t meet his eyes, its attacks were dull and slow. In other words, a mediocre Quamad for a first-class fighter.

Although he couldn’t defeat it with a single blow like in his childhood, she could definitely hold his ground against it.

“You too shall become stone by my hands!”

The sound of scales sweeping across the ground, the sound of breath, and the proximity of magic could be felt.

Now was the time.

Swoosh!

“Aaaahhh!”

In an instant, the Quamad’s scales were torn horizontally by the swift blade. It wasn’t a deep wound, but it was where the magic was concentrated. The attacker knew where her weakness lay.

“Dare to defy me, human scum…!”

Coming from the left.

Elion leaped up the wall, evading the approaching snake tail. Then, he landed on its body and thrust his sword into its forehead.

Dark blood spurted out of the suppressed flesh. As expected, the closer it was to the head, the stronger the magic became.

“Kreeaaaak!”

This time from behind.

Elion bent his waist flat, avoiding the tail. Failing in its attack, the enraged Quamad started thrashing its tail against the wall.

Kwaaang! Kwang!

From the wall, diagonal lines appeared across the ceiling. If time was wasted, the ceiling would collapse. Not only would the Quamad die, but Elion couldn’t guarantee that he or Rosé would survive either.

He had to take off its head.

“Waaaah! Kill you, human! Human! Human! Die!”

Elion drew his sword and rolled his body, landing on the ground. The magic was fading. He could feel the Quamad’s form gradually changing.

Elion picked up the shield that happened to be lying on the floor. Judging by the embedded superior magic stone, it belonged to a member of the Blue Knights.

With this, he can secure his field of vision. Holding the shield at an angle, he confirmed Quamad’s position.

‘The snake’s head has returned.’

The Quamad, unable to maintain a high concentration of magic any longer, returned to its female form. One of the snake heads noticed Elion and hissed loudly.

It’s approaching. Judging by the amount of magic it’s gathered, it’s preparing for a final blow.

“Kyaaah!”

〈SYSTEM〉 Skills cannot be used due to insufficient ‘???’ resource. Aim for the host.

‘Now, of all times.’

Elion sheathed his sword. It wasn’t necessary. It had been a while since he swung a sword, so his wrist felt a bit sore, but it wasn’t a significant injury. It must have been due to the damn household chores that unconsciously honed his skills.

The distance between them narrowed. Now was the time. Elion reached out with his sword without hesitation. The blade grazed the Quamad’s rib-like scales.

F*ck, it was out of place. As soon as he uttered a curse, a snake stretched out from his hair and bit Elion on the shoulder.

“Khk!”

Elion managed to hit the snake with his shield and rolled on the ground to gain some distance. Yeah, use your skills, that’s what they say. Leaning against the wall, Elion smirked meaninglessly.

But how. She’s unconscious on this cold floor.

It’s quite powerful magic poisoning. It will probably be difficult to go to the market for a few days. But she won’t die.

“Kyahahaha. Die! Die! Dieeeee!”

Elion closed his eyes and focused. He felt the repugnant smell of black magic emanating from the darkness. It soon materialized. It was like a lump of black dust.

He lowered his body and charged forward. The distance between him and the Quamad narrowed. In an instant, he opened his eyes and locked gazes with Quamad. And,

Swoosh!

Thunk! Round and round…

The Quamad’s head was cleanly cut off by the tilted blade. It was a victory achieved by a hair’s breadth, just before turning into stone.

Elion looked down at the flesh sticking to the blade, now covered in a pink glow. The flesh disappeared as if burning in fire, soon turning into ashes.

〈SYSTEM〉 The ‘Mother of Lust and Depravity’ grumbles, wondering why she left the easy way out.

A system window flashed, gleaming in a frightening pink light as the sword dropped. Ignoring it, Elion passed by the system window with a smirk, pulling up only one corner of his mouth.

〈SYSTEM〉 The eyes of the ‘Mother of Lust and Depravity’ lit up and said that sleeping is not a bad thing.

When he reached Rosé who was unconscious, the system revealed its selfishness at that moment.

Elion glanced at the system and then hugged Rosé.

‘Sleeping? She must have fainted.’

〈SYSTEM〉The ‘Mother of Lust and Depravity’  wonders slyly if you’d like your ‘???’ back.

He didn’t want that at all.

Elion sighed with annoyance and looked down at the unconscious Rosé.

At the time of possession, she was 26 years old, and he was 53. He’s more than 27 years older than her.

Although he had stopped aging 20 years ago due to an unexpected incident, it was a problem that will be resolved once the Tower appears.

Even if he doesn’t, in three years they’ll probably only look like a father and daughter. So why am I…

〈SYSTEM〉The ‘Mother of Lust and Depravity’ says there is also love that overcomes a 17-year age difference in ancient times.

17 years and 27 years age difference. Do you really think they’re the same? Besides, he has a preference for older women. Young girls disgusted him.

〈SYSTEM〉The ‘Mother of Lust and Depravity’ says, protests, hitting the wall with her fist and saying that it is a lie, and that she has watched you from the beginning.

Elion chuckled and ignored the system, moving his steps. Besides listening to the transcendental being’s words of wisdom, he needed to move her to a safe place.

The pathway outside the door seemed relatively intact. The ceiling and walls were yet to be broken. At least until the barriers disappeared, there would be no stones hitting their heads.

Leaning Rosé against the wall, Elion took a deep breath. Maybe it was a mistake that he had rushed to Monchen. But the moment he saw the note she left, his feet moved involuntarily.

「Elion, I’m going to make some money. I’m being chased by debt collectors. Sob sob.」

How many caregivers would have felt relieved and waited after reading such a note? Elion lightly tapped Rosé’s forehead which had been constantly bothering him.

“You. Don’t expect any meat side dishes for a while.”

Perhaps because of a delayed sense of relief, Elion’s lips relaxed, despite his turbulent emotions.

* * *

Rosé felt a warm touch and opened her eyes. As her vision gradually cleared, she saw Ariel, who was brushing away her tangled hair.

Discovering that Rosé had awakened, Ariel smiled broadly with a somewhat relieved expression.

“Rosé! Are you awake?”

Ariel asked in a low voice as if he no longer had any intention of hiding the fact that he was a man.

Rosé blinked her blurred eyes several times and tried to recall her memories.

She had almost revealed her identity to Emmett at Ariel’s birthday party. And suddenly…

“Be on guard!”

Yes, be on guard! A Grade 1 alert had appeared. She wore a black cloak and entered the boss room, then a snake head turned people to stone…!

“What about the others? What happened to the others?”

“Rosé…”

Ariel’s eyebrows sank, seeming regretful. Rosé’s heart trembled.

“No way… Everyone…”

Rosé only pursed her lips, unable to form the words.

Her last memory was of everyone but her being turned into statues. Did they too become trapped within the boundaries like those who turned into statues 19 years ago?

Ariel gently stroked Rosé’s trembling shoulders and spoke.

“The people who stayed at the ball are all safe. But those who volunteered for the fight…”

He took a deep breath and spoke.

“Only six people survived. But considering the level of danger is Grade 1, that was a miracle.”

“Only six people…”

Gripping the blanket tightly, Rosé anxiously looked at Ariel. Among the statues that had become human again, there was someone who returned.

She should have been grateful for that alone, but her racing heart wouldn’t calm down. Perhaps it was her selfishness that wanted Emmett and Raiden to be included in it.

Knowing her worries, Ariel answered without hesitation.

“Emmett, Raiden, Kevin, Alec, Chris, and the Black Cloak. These are the six people.”

Huff… Rosé finally let out the breath she had been holding. Luckily, Emmett and Raiden were alive.

Perhaps it was because of their connection at the Kunalgi Border. Rosé felt an unfamiliar intimacy towards those two.

Although Emmett had inquired about the identity of the Black Cloak…

Wait.

“The Black Cloak!”