"Kurose Akira, please… let me help you."
Ivsha pressed herself tightly against him. Her slender fingers lightly tapped against his chest, while her heart-shaped tail gently coiled around the Holy Light, brimming with anticipation as she waited for his answer.
"..."
Akira hesitated for a moment. His gaze drifted toward Virola and Ailis, who were playing happily not far away, the two little girls completely unaware of the subtle, dangerous atmosphere unfolding here.
He withdrew his gaze and looked back at Ivsha.
Her pale-violet eyes burned with unrestrained desire—like a knight yearning to mount a dragon.
Faced with such fervent longing, Akira gently patted Ivsha's head.
The next instant, his body began to transform.
In the blink of an eye, his physique expanded, muscles swelling as scales emerged—his half-dragon form fully manifested.
At the same time, the Holy Light radiating from him flared even more brilliantly.
"Oh~ my Goddess of Light~"
Feeling the scorching heat behind her, Ivsha's lips curved upward in pure delight.
Her pale-gold, heart-shaped tail swayed like a living serpent before tightly wrapping around the radiant Holy Light, binding it with the nun's gentle purity and tender devotion.
"Come now, Kurose Akira~"
Ivsha picked up a towel. As she swayed her body, letting the Holy Light bloom within her soul, she gently wiped the vivid crimson dragon scales across Akira's chest.
Her smile was seductive yet soft, like a spring breeze brushing past his ear.
"Let me help you wash properly… mwah~"
Hiss—
While Akira was immersed in Ivsha's tenderness, Virola and Ailis were nearby, cheerfully washing each other.
Suddenly, as if remembering something, Virola took out the Vampire True Ancestor's blood, carefully holding it in her palms.
"What's that?" Ailis stared at the blood droplet, her eyes filled with curiosity and confusion.
"The guildmaster said it's the blood of a vampire True Ancestor," Virola replied softly.
"Vampire True Ancestor's blood?"
Anticipation flickered across Ailis's face.
As a demonic spirit doll, blood was something foreign and mysterious to her. Her body was woven from threads—she had no blood flowing within her, and the pink hue of her skin was merely cosmetic blush.
And yet, she could clearly sense the immense power contained within that single drop—power she had never possessed.
Seeing Ailis's excitement, Virola generously handed the blood to her.
"If you like it, Sister Ailis, I'll give it to you."
"Thank you!"
Ailis accepted the precious droplet with joy, cradling it carefully in her palm, feeling the life force pulsing within.
Then—
The blood suddenly fell.
In an instant, it seeped into her thread-woven body.
The next moment, a warm current surged through her form. Her pale skin slowly bloomed with true color, tinged with genuine vitality.
Virola and Ailis stared in astonishment, then delight.
"That's incredible!" Virola exclaimed, hopping happily through the water on her four exposed legs as she examined Ailis's changes.
After absorbing the Vampire True Ancestor's blood, Ailis's entire body radiated vibrant life.
Even the hair clips adorning her pink twin-tails shifted—from jet black to a vivid blood-red.
At that moment, she no longer looked like a demonic spirit doll—
—but like a real, living girl.
Virola leaned closer and sniffed lightly.
"Sister Ailis… you smell amazing~"
She could feel the steadily increasing life aura emanating from Ailis and felt genuinely happy for her.
"Virola, let's go show Master!" Ailis said excitedly, unable to wait another second.
"Mhm!"
The two rushed toward Akira.
"Master, Master—look at me!"
Ailis spun around in front of him, proudly showing off her transformed self.
"A–Ailis?!"
Akira froze for a brief moment—both mind and body stiffening.
After all, his Holy Light was still wrapped by Ivsha.
The timing couldn't have been worse.
His gaze dipped slightly and landed on Ivsha's alluring figure.
She was fully focused on her movements, her lower abdomen faintly rounded, her elegant curves impossible to ignore.
Akira couldn't help but think—
Ivsha truly lived up to being a succubus. Even in a situation like this, she maintained her composure, elegance, and charm.
"This is the allure of a succubus…?"
And the terrifying part—
This is half-dragon Holy Light we're talking about!
"Sister Ivsha? When did you come back?"
Ailis and Virola noticed Ivsha and asked curiously.
They only saw Ivsha sitting quietly in Akira's arms, unaware of anything unusual.
That was thanks to Ivsha's magic—and the thick steam—concealing their intimacy.
"Ailis~"
Ivsha tilted her head slightly, smiling enchantingly.
"Did you need something?"
As she spoke, she subtly adjusted her posture in the water, her movements graceful and provocative—like a deliberate performance just for Akira.
Akira was shaken.
So this is a succubus's terrifying control—even during a life-giving ritual, she could remain this calm?!
"Sister Ivsha, Master—look!"
Ailis lightly removed her towel, revealing skin flushed with real warmth and vitality, glowing under the light.
This time… the towel really did fall.
At that instant, a system notification appeared before Akira's eyes:
[Your adventurer Ailis has obtained Blood Speech. Constitution +50! Soul Weapon power increased by 50%!][Soul Cutter has evolved into Blood Soul Cutter!]
"Blood Speech…?"
Akira paused, eyes flashing with surprise.
Then he noticed something else—
A [Bloodlust] value appeared above Ailis's head.
—200%!
"…!?"
Akira stared at her rosy, living skin in disbelief.
Ailis… had blood now.
"Ailis, how did you do this?" he asked, excitement slipping into his voice.
He nearly rushed forward to hug her and examine her closely—but stopped himself at the last second.
Ivsha was still wrapped around his Holy Light.
The sudden thought made Akira's body jolt slightly.
That movement immediately affected Ivsha.
Heart-shaped symbols in her pupils bounced rapidly, crystalline strands of light slipping from the corners of her lips.
Akira steadied himself instantly.
He absolutely could not let Ailis or Virola notice what was happening.
"It was the blood Virola gave me!" Ailis explained happily. "That drop changed me!"
Akira nodded thoughtfully.
So that Vampire True Ancestor's blood had transformed her—from a demonic spirit doll into a lively, adorable girl.
"Master~"
Ailis's voice was soft and sweet. She gently held onto Akira's arm, eyes shining with longing.
"Can I have a hug? I want to feel your warmth~"
Akira froze.
Warmth filled his chest… but then reality hit.
He glanced down at Ivsha in his arms.
His Holy Light was still—
"Ahem… Ailis, could you wait until I finish bathing?" he said softly.
Ivsha immediately chimed in, smiling.
"We'll be done soon, Ailis~ Can you wait a little?"
"Okay!"
Ailis nodded and turned to Virola.
"Virola, let's go outside first."
"Mhm!"
The two left the hot spring together.
Just before stepping out, Virola paused and glanced back at Akira and Ivsha, a hint of confusion in her eyes—then quietly left.
"Did Virola sense something?" Akira asked in a low voice.
"So what if she did~"
Ivsha didn't care in the slightest.
She cupped Akira's face, her eyes burning as she smiled provocatively.
"Kurose Akira~ now… it's just the two of us~"
Before he could respond, her lips brushed against his cheek.
"It's time for the main course~"
Pop~
...
Starfall Kingdom — Royal Capital, King's Bedchamber
Princess Vivian knelt on the floor, calmly gazing at the king lying in bed.
Wracked by illness, the king's face was deathly pale, his body emaciated like a withered corpse.
Yet his deep blue eyes gleamed with something eerie and unfathomable.
"Princess Vivian, it's time," a female adjudicator knight said softly as she entered.
Vivian stood, her golden eyes sweeping across the king before she turned away.
As she did, she asked, "Are all preparations complete?"
"Yes, Your Highness. The demon corpses have been gathered—enough to activate the Stellar Rite."
"Good," Vivian said coolly. "Begin preparations immediately. Everything must be flawless before the Grand Star Ceremony. No mistakes."
"Yes, Princess!"
She strode through the palace corridors toward a hidden hall deep within the royal castle.
When she pushed the door open, a chill washed over her.
The room was empty—
—but the moment she stepped inside, everything changed.
Golden light flared in her eyes. The space twisted violently.
The opulent hall vanished, replaced by a dark, ominous underground chamber.
At its center rested a crystal skull, glowing faintly in the shadows.
Vivian walked forward and gently lifted it, deep contemplation in her gaze.
"Whether this succeeds…" she murmured, anticipation coloring her voice, "depends entirely on the Sage's Skull."
"I will… save this kingdom on the brink of collapse."
...
"Thank you for your generous offering, Kurose Akira~"
Ivsha gently stroked her slightly swollen lower abdomen, smiling in deep satisfaction.
"I'll head out now," Akira said quietly, exhaustion seeping into his voice.
"Mmm~"
Ivsha nodded, watching him leave.
As Akira reverted from half-dragon form, his legs trembled slightly.
Since Ivsha unlocked her second demon crest, her special combat capability had skyrocketed.
So much so that even half-dragon Akira could no longer suppress her.
"No… I have to get stronger."
Otherwise, if I can't even satisfy Ivsha… how am I supposed to handle the others—
cough
The moment he stepped out, Ailis rushed forward and slammed into his arms.
"Master~ Master~"
She rubbed her soft cheek against his chest eagerly.
"Can you feel my warmth? Can you?"
Akira smiled gently.
"Yes. I can feel it."
"That's wonderful!"
Ailis looked up at him, eyes sparkling with happiness.
Akira then turned toward Virola.
The Vampire True Ancestor's blood had been compensation given to Virola—yet she had gifted it to Ailis.
After thinking for a moment, Akira took out a dragon scale fragment and handed it to her.
"This is for you, Virola."
She accepted it, instantly sensing the dense life aura.
"It smells so good~ Is this really for me?"
"Yes. It doesn't have any special effects, but I thought you'd like it."
It was a fragment from the Life Dragon, once found in the Red Dragon's treasury. Mare Rhein had discarded it carelessly—Akira had even found it under a couch.
Plain as it seemed, its life energy made it perfect for Virola.
"Thank you so much, Guildmaster! I love it!"
Anything infused with life magic delighted her.
"As long as you like it. Oh—by the way," Akira added, "the bead President Xu Feiyan gave you—could I take a look? I can trade something else if you want."
"No need. Please take it."
Virola handed him the vampire blood jade bead without hesitation, already engrossed in the dragon scale fragment.
Perhaps because vampire blood carried demonic power, while the Life Dragon embodied righteousness—
—the scale appealed to her far more.
Akira chuckled softly.
As long as she liked it, that was enough.
Unnoticed by him, Virola quietly channeled her magic into the scale.
Cracks faded.
The fragment slowly restored itself—
—and within it, faint traces of the Life Dragon Mira·Ori began to emerge…