Pain.
The sharp sting of icy air rushed into her lungs, her heart pounding so violently it felt like it would rip her chest open.
Kotoha stumbled barefoot through the snow-covered mountain forest, broken branches snapping under her feet. Her soles were already torn and bleeding, but she felt no pain.
Fear gripped her throat like a giant hand, forcing her to keep running without rest.
In her arms, Inosuke struggled to open his eyes. Through the blur, he saw shifting shadows of dark trees.
*I've transmigrated.*
*And at the absolute worst possible moment.*
As someone familiar with the plot, Inosuke immediately understood the situation.
This was the exact night his mother died in the original story.
Kotoha had fled the Eternal Paradise Faith. More crucially, she had witnessed the cult leader—Douma, revered as a living Bodhisattva—devouring a follower's corpse in the main hall.
Her faith shattered. The illusion crumbled. She was running from the demon who wore human skin and had always been exceptionally gentle toward her.
"Kotoha-chan~~~"
A sweet, gentle voice drifted from behind, laced with a helpless sigh, clinging like a parasite.
"Why are you running? We were all chatting so happily just a moment ago."
Kotoha's body stiffened. Her legs finally gave out.
Ahead lay a sheer cliff; below, the river roared.
No escape.
In despair, Kotoha turned, pressing her back against the edge, shielding Inosuke with her body.
From the forest shadows, Douma stepped into view.
He still wore his compassionate expression, golden iron fan swaying lightly in his hand, but the smile at the corner of his mouth looked horrifying under the moonlight.
It was no different from his usual doting gaze.
"I liked you so much."
Douma tilted his head, rainbow-colored crystalline eyes showing faint confusion and hurt.
"Because Kotoha-chan sings so beautifully and is so pure, I planned to let you live out your natural life.
But why did you have to see me eating?
And even if you saw it, why look at me like I'm a monster?
Can't you accept all of me—the real me?"
Douma sighed. His fan snapped shut, pointing at Kotoha as his tone turned cold and merciless.
"Since you're unwilling to accept my salvation and won't stay by my side, there's no other choice."
Kotoha's body shook, tears streaming down her face.
As a mother, she wasn't afraid to die—but she couldn't let Inosuke die.
She glanced at the bottomless drop.
If she threw him down into the river, there might be a slim chance he'd survive.
If Douma caught him, nothing would remain.
She suddenly lifted the swaddle, preparing to hurl him.
Inosuke's mind screamed alarms.
*Don't throw me!*
In the original story, that throw would let him live, but he'd be raised by wild boars—and his mother would be devoured by Douma.
*I have to save myself! Reverse this right now!*
At that instant, a cold mechanical voice erupted in his head.
**[Ding! God-Level Villain Cultivation System activated!]**
**[Current Situation: Douma, identity exposed, has developed killing intent. Please make a choice.]**
**[Option A: Follow the original plot—be thrown off the cliff, mother dies. Reward: Beast Instinct.]**
**[Option B: Acknowledge the enemy as father, exploit Douma's psychological weakness to make him believe you're the same kind. Reward: Ice Spirit Constitution.]**
No hesitation.
*Only by convincing Douma we're not fleeing out of fear can we survive. I have to acknowledge him—even worship him!*
The moment Kotoha released her grip, Inosuke let out a shocking cry.
But it wasn't fear—it carried grievance, like seeing a beloved relative.
He strained with all his tiny strength. His small hands burst free from the swaddle, reaching not toward his mother, but straight toward Douma.
"Pa... pa... hug! Hug!"
Kotoha froze, her motion halting.
Douma froze too.
He stared at the infant dangling at the cliff's edge, half his body already over the void.
The baby struggled forward, large emerald eyes showing zero fear—only reflecting Douma's pale, blood-smeared face.
Inosuke locked eyes with him. *This is the man-eater's face.*
But he had to show he wasn't afraid.
In fact, that he *liked* it.
The corners of Inosuke's mouth curled into a toothless, dazzling smile.
He waved his tiny hands, begging for a hug.
Then came the earth-shattering word:
"Da... Daddy!"
The wind died.
Only the river's roar remained below.
Kotoha's mind blanked.
For the first time, violent emotion flickered in Douma's usually emotionless eyes.
"Daddy?"
Douma pointed at himself, voice full of disbelief.
"He's calling *me*?"
Inosuke gave them no time to process.
Taking advantage of Kotoha's shock, he kicked his legs hard. The swaddle slipped from her grasp.
But he didn't plummet—instead, he launched himself toward Douma!
A massive gamble: betting Upper Rank Two would catch him.
Douma's hand shot out instinctively. A soft, warm bundle landed in his grasp.
Inosuke settled perfectly in Douma's arms, tiny hands clutching the demon's lapel, drool-smeared cheek pressing against the cold, blood-stained fabric.
Inosuke didn't mind the blood. He nuzzled closer and let out a content giggle.
"Look at this..." Douma gazed down at the warm infant against his chest.
This child, nestled against someone who'd just finished devouring a person, didn't cry or scream—he laughed happily.
And called him Daddy.
An unprecedented, twisted satisfaction filled Douma's hollow heart.
"Kotoha-chan~"
Douma looked up, eyes blazing with fanatical excitement.
"You got one thing wrong."
"You thought I was a monster, so you ran with the child. But look—this child knows I'm a god.
He didn't see what you witnessed as terrifying. He's accepted every part of me.
In fact! He thinks this is exactly how a father should be."
Douma began to laugh. The smile was no longer a mask; genuine pleasure leaked from his warped mind.
"Since this child has recognized me as his father, why run? We're clearly a loving family."
He stepped toward Kotoha and extended a hand—not in threat, but invitation.
"Get up, Kotoha. For the child's cleverness, I forgive you.
After all, the woman who gave birth to such a child is a precious treasure too."
Inosuke felt a cool surge inside him—the Ice Spirit Constitution taking effect.
Douma's embrace no longer felt like an ice cellar; it was like hugging an air conditioner on a hot day.
He yawned comfortably, grabbed a strand of Douma's hair, and closed his eyes.
He had to sell the role completely.
That look of total security in his "father's" arms shattered Douma's final doubts.
"So cute.
He really takes after Kotoha-chan..."
Douma gazed at the sleeping baby, then turned and walked back toward the Eternal Paradise Faith.
"Let's go, Kotoha.
We're going home."
Kotoha stared at the retreating figure and her safe son. Fear lingered, but she knew...
They had survived.