No matter how hungry she was, Livia didn’t want to eat anything for a while. She feared that if she did, she might throw it all up again.

As she absentmindedly touched her stomach, she was startled by the prominent, bony feel of her ribs.

Livia had never been particularly plump, but she hadn’t been this thin either.

In hindsight, it made sense.

Unlike before, she was relieved that she wouldn’t die even if she didn’t eat, so she really hadn’t consumed anything. Even though the witch’s blood sustained her body, running and moving without food had naturally worn her down.

Despite having fallen into the world of the gods, she was still just a human.

‘And I don’t even know how long I’ve been unconscious.’

Considering that time, it had been a considerable period without food.

The bizarre trial had forced her to swallow something, but she had vomited it all up as soon as she escaped that strange space, so it couldn’t be counted as eating.

Indeed, the human body was inconvenient.

Swallowing a sigh, Livia glared at the food with irritation.

Watching her, Triton moved his hand. He cut the meat on the plate into smaller pieces, speared a piece with a fork, and offered it to Livia.

“Try it.”

His friendly voice only made Livia’s face harden.

…What was his game?

As he observed her wary expression, he reassured her by taking a bite himself, chewing with apparent satisfaction.

“I went to great lengths to bring in food from the land.”

Food from the land? Now that she thought about it, the table was filled with warm, roasted, and steamed dishes.

How could these items exist in their current state underwater? Judging by his efforts, it seemed the sea god had brought them himself….

Livia continued to eye him with suspicion. It felt odd for a man who had promised to put her through trials that made her wish for death to suddenly offer her a meal.

He looked at her with an ambiguous expression, neither smiling nor frowning. Leaning back, he reached out, and a white shark approached, offering its snout.

He casually petted the smooth skin beneath its fierce teeth. The sight of his long fingers gently scratching the jaw of such a fearsome predator was surreal.

After staring at him for a while, Livia lowered her gaze. The steaming food seemed excessively luxurious for a poor shepherd to consume.

Aromatic, thin soup, well-cooked meat, fresh vegetables, and various fruits…

Yet, Livia found herself momentarily afraid of this appetizing food. She feared it would rot and turn into something foul and maggot-infested the moment she touched it. Her body remembered the sensations from the trials.

Just the thought made her mouth taste bitter. The vivid memories of the dreadful textures and the screaming food made her stomach churn, but she gritted her teeth and endured.

However, considering her situation, food from the land was rare here. No matter how twisted her stomach felt, she didn’t know when she would have the chance to eat such food again. She couldn’t afford to weaken further, especially with the daunting task of facing that god with a body of steel.

‘…I have to eat. I need to eat to gain strength.’

Resolving herself, Livia picked up a fork with determination. She stabbed the food with the large fork, chewing and swallowing without even tasting it.

Fortunately, once it was in her mouth, she didn’t feel like vomiting. The food didn’t turn into nightmares either….

Silently relieved, Livia focused on her meal, chewing slowly to accommodate her weakened stomach.

She had to chew thoroughly.

She needed to muster strength. She had to gather enough strength to drive a golden dagger into the heart of that arrogant sea god.

Casting a chilling glance at the man before her, Livia quickly turned her head as their eyes met. She felt she wouldn’t be able to digest if she kept looking at him.

It was frustrating. Even underwater, she felt parched.

But asking for fresh water here was absurd. Requesting unsalted water in the sea would make even passing lobsters laugh.

Swallowing a sigh, Livia glared at Triton’s knee with displeasure. Why wasn’t he leaving? If he had something to say, he should just say it. He had tied her tongue so she couldn’t speak, yet….

“So.”

Perhaps sensing her dissatisfaction, he finally spoke after a long pause.

“When are you planning to attack?”

Looking up at him, she saw he was watching her with half-lidded eyes, as if he found waiting tiresome.

“It’s quite dull just waiting….”

A low laugh carried a bitter sneer. Livia Horn’s heart sank coldly. Her already absent appetite vanished completely. She felt she could no longer force herself to eat.

He regarded her as an intriguing toy. In his own dignified manner, he urged her to play with him. Her life was at stake in this game.

Of course, she knew how insignificant her life was to a ‘god,’ but she couldn’t shake the feeling of disgust. No one enjoyed being treated as a mere plaything, even by an absolute being.

Given that he despised humans, it must have been amusing for him to witness her struggle.

If that were the case, now was the perfect moment to strike, while he underestimated and mocked her.

After glaring at him for what felt like an eternity, Livia opened her mouth. Though no sound emerged, she mouthed the words silently.

I will definitely destroy you.

Triton squinted, attempting to read her lips, but he seemed to fail. Naturally, she had deliberately mumbled the words to prevent him from understanding.

“I can’t tell what you’re saying.”

He muttered irritably, tapping the floor deep in thought. As she pretended to reach for the food farthest from her on the table, she accidentally knocked a plate to the ground.

With a clatter, his gaze momentarily shifted in that direction.

In that instant, Livia swiftly changed her grip on the fork she was holding and thrust it forcefully toward his face.

“…Well.”

Livia grimaced as she glanced at her captured wrist. It seemed such an attack would not work. Clicking her tongue in disappointment, she heard him chuckle incredulously.

“Showing your intentions right away—how commendable.”

Her captured wrist felt as if it were about to be crushed. Livia groaned and struggled, but her resistance was futile. The more she squirmed, the tighter his grip became.

“Aiming for the eyes, quite cunning, aren’t you?”

He laughed, clearly entertained, and reached out with his other hand. His cold fingers cupped her cheek.

“We seem to have something in common.”

His rounded fingertips traced over her eyeball.

“In fact, I too…”

As he felt the shape of her eye beneath her eyelid, he whispered with a grin.

“…am aiming for your eyes.”

Livia felt a chill as she watched him lick his lips while staring intently at her eyes. The way he smacked his lips, as if savoring the thought, was grotesque.

‘Crazy sea monster.’

Livia trembled with humiliation, mouthing curses with her silent lips. This time, she enunciated clearly, hoping he would read her words. As expected, he laughed delightedly, having understood her meaning.

Laughing at insults—he was indeed insane. He had tied her tongue for lacking reverence, yet here he was, amused.

At the moment she glared at him with gritted teeth, he suddenly released her, pushing her back. Livia retreated as far as she could, quickly drawing the golden dagger from her wrist and aiming it at him.

He wiped his face with one hand, the laughter vanishing as his gaze turned cold again.

His blue eyes caught the edge of the golden dagger. The sharply gleaming tip seemed ready to pierce him, but it couldn’t get any closer. An invisible, powerful current was pushing Livia back.

“Yes, at least you should draw that dagger and aim for me. Something like this.”

Triton reached for the fork Livia had dropped. As if it had a will of its own, the object flew into his palm. The fork crumpled like a sheet of paper in Triton’s hand.

“……!”

“…is utterly useless.”