Chapter 223: The Tear-Shedding Serpent (Final)

The ambiguous atmosphere spread, and Anna suddenly realized she was actually lying in Muen’s arms, the two of them close enough to feel each other’s breath.

Unconsciously, Anna twisted a little, but when she found that Muen had no intention of letting go, her cheeks grew faintly red.

“Junior Brother.”

“Mm?”

“Was it you who saved me?”

Confused memories flooded into her mind, and Anna finally gained some awareness of her current situation.

The Moon and the cultists had already vanished. In this space, there was only herself and Junior Brother.

Could it be that Junior Brother had driven the Moon away? When had he become so powerful?

“I can only say... I helped a little.”

Muen scratched his cheek, speaking with embarrassment:

“With my level, I can only beat up some cultists, play the decoy. Facing an Evil God head-on—I’m still a hundred and eighty thousand miles away.”

“Decoy?” Anna caught onto that word sharply, frowning.

“That must have been dangerous.”

“Not really, just a small trick, nothing truly dangerous.”

Muen smiled. “As long as Senior Sister is safe, that’s all that matters.”

Anna’s face grew redder still.

Within the dark-mist-shrouded space, silence was absolute. Anna could even hear Muen’s heartbeat and breath.

Hm, a little fast.

Was he nervous too?

Anna’s own heart tightened.

But in this kind of time, this kind of atmosphere... wasn’t this exactly when that sort of thing should happen?

She sneaked a glance around. Under the cover of the dark moon mist, this place had become a completely sealed-off space.

No one would interrupt.

Anna flushed with both shame and irritation.

Now she had no excuse to delay.

And yet... she didn’t truly dislike the feeling.

Her breathing grew heavy, and slowly... she lifted her head.

Muen’s body tensed, and he lowered his head in turn.

It wasn’t their first time doing this, but perhaps because of the atmosphere, or perhaps because of something else, both of them still felt nervous.

Closer and closer.

Anna lifted her eyes, cautiously locking onto Muen’s.

Those pale-blue eyes, like still lakes, always brought her peace.

Even now, gazing into those mirror-like eyes—gazing at the reflection of herself within—her heart, frozen cold by the Silent Moon, began to...

Hm?

Her reflection... herself?

At that instant, Anna’s breath caught violently.

Like seeing something terrifying, her expression twisted into fear.

Yet Muen kept leaning in.

“Don’t come any closer!”

Anna suddenly shoved him away, bursting out of his arms with impossible strength.

“Senior Sister?”

Muen, unprepared, stumbled back, clutching his chest in pain as he looked at her in bewilderment.

“What’s wrong?”

“You... I...”

Anna stared at him, confusion flashing across her face.

Then slowly, she lowered her head—at last noticing what she hadn’t since waking, too distracted by Junior Brother’s presence.

She tore open her sleeve.

Her arm was covered, every inch, in black scales. They rose and fell with her breathing, hideous and /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ terrifying.

Her gaze dropped lower, past the curves of her chest and down to the hem of her violet skirt. Beneath was not the sight of black-stockinged thighs that might make any man swallow dry—

but a writhing serpent’s tail.

A monster’s... tail.

“I...”

Anna’s body trembled uncontrollably. With a wave, she conjured a minor spell, pulling moisture from the air to form a smooth mirror of water.

Drawing several deep breaths, horror and panic tangled in her mind, she finally forced herself to raise her head and look.

The girl in the mirror was no longer the stunning beauty, radiant as peach blossoms.

Black scales climbed from her neck up, covering half her face.

Her eyes—once likened by Muen to gemstones soaking in clear water—were now cold reptilian slits.

Unchanged.

Utterly hideous.

“So that’s it...”

Staring at her reflection, Anna wavered.

She remembered. She crushed the mirror in her hand, bent over, and whispered in torment:

“That wasn’t a dream...”

“That wasn’t a dream.”

“That wasn’t a dream!”

“I... I’m still a monster...”

“Still the kind of monster that hurts people!”

“I...”

“Senior Sister!”

Muen’s sudden roar cut off her muttering.

He looked at the pained girl before him, heart aching, reached out his hand, and said softly:

“It’s fine, it’s fine, Senior Sister. The Moon is nearly dead. It won’t impose any more mental influence on you.

So it’s fine. You’re not a monster anymore.”

“Mental influence... meaning physically, it can’t be changed yet?”

Anna stared at her hands and gave a bitter laugh.

Then she stepped back, ignoring his outstretched hand, and snatched up a wide black robe to shroud herself.

“Junior Brother, don’t... don’t look.”

“I don’t care.”

“No, I beg you, don’t look at me...”

She shook her head and pulled her hood low, hiding her face.

“Of all people—of all people, Junior Brother—you’re the one I least want to see me like this.”

“I told you, I don’t care—”

“Enough! Stop lying to me!”

Anna, usually so composed, broke down and shouted:

“Junior Brother, I know you’re sparing my feelings, but don’t lie anymore. I understand better than anyone. Who in this world could not care about a monster like me?”

That dream.

That dream was real.

Or rather, it was the future reality.

She would become a monster, despised and feared by all.

Even if she did nothing, she would never be worthy of light.

And why wasn’t Muen in the dream?

Perhaps because, deep down, she didn’t want him to ever see this hideous side of her.

She wanted to remain in his memory as the enchanting, radiant Senior Sister.

“So, Junior Brother... don’t look at me. And... forget me.”

Hiding beneath the robe, Anna turned and fled.

She had to escape.

Escape Junior Brother. Escape everyone.

Just like in the dream. To wander alone to a place where no one could find her.

That way—

No one would feel fear.

No one would feel troubled.

No one would feel pain.

Everyone else could be happy.

That way...

It would be fine.

“Senior Sister!!”

But then a furious shout shattered her lonely thoughts.

A sudden wind rose at her back.

Anna turned instinctively.

Muen’s face was twisted with fury as he came rushing at her.

Fast.

Anna raised her hand, power surging at her fingertips.

“Junior Brother, don’t come closer!”

But Muen didn’t listen. Step by step, he advanced.

The magic at her fingertips burst into searing heat and light—a quick-cast explosive spell aimed straight at his forehead. One more step and his skull would be obliterated.

But Muen did not hesitate. He kept walking.

“Why...”

Anna trembled, letting the magic disperse.

“Junior Brother, why...”

“Shouldn’t I be the one asking that?!”

Muen seized her wrist and slammed her down to the stone floor.

On the smooth blue-gray slabs, Muen leaned over her, glaring furiously.

“Senior Sister, why are you always like this?!

Before, in the dream, and now...

Why is running away always the first thing you think of?!”

“I wasn’t running away, I just... didn’t want to hurt—”

“Who did you hurt?!”

Muen roared.

“Teck Rod? That count’s son? Senior Sister, you’re still trying to fool me? I’ve investigated it all. You never hurt anyone!

Besides, someone like you, who can’t even ignore a stray cat in need—how could you ever hurt someone else?

The Silent Moon is finished. You’re free of its influence. Who would you hurt? Me?!

If you want to hurt someone, then do it now! My magic is nearly gone—I couldn’t fight you anyway!”

“But I...”

“Stupid woman, shut up and listen to me!”

Muen cut her off, eyes blazing like fire.

“I’m angry. Really angry!

In the dream and here in reality, every time you turn like this, you always think first of running away, of not hurting others.

You’re always so gentle, and I love your gentleness.

But honestly, I hate it. I hate it so much!

You’d rather hurt yourself than give it up!

Senior Sister, can’t you ever think for yourself?

Can’t you be just a little greedier?

What’s the point of playing tricks—be cruel to this damn world, to this damn fate!

You deserve to be greedy! You deserve to pursue everything you want!”

“But with me like this—”

“What about it? You’re not a monster!”

“No, I am. I am a monster, Junior Brother, you know it too.”

Anna’s gaze was desolate as she whispered:

“No one in this world would accept a scaled, snake-tailed serpent girl. No one.”

“...So what? I don’t care. I don’t care what you look like. As long as you’re still Senior Sister, that’s enough. I’m the duke’s son—I can protect you!”

“Liar.”

Anna’s voice was a murmur.

“I told you, no one could ever not care about a monster like me.”

“...”

Muen fell silent. No more shouting.

But Anna saw his eyes reddening, bloodshot, like... a beast.

“So that’s it. Talking won’t move such a stubborn fool.

Then I’ll prove it with action.”

“Action?”

Anna blinked in confusion.

Muen suddenly released her hands—then began tearing at her robe.

“What—?”

She froze for an instant, instinctively trying to stop him.

But in that moment Muen was truly like a beast—his movements brutally rough, his expression fierce.

“You keep saying you’re a monster.”

“You keep hiding yourself.”

“Then I’ll see just how terrifying you are!”

Ignoring her struggles, Muen ripped at her robe, over and over, like battering a sealed city gate.

Fabric tore again and again. Soon, the concealing robe—and even the violet dress that once captivated Muen—were nothing but fluttering scraps.

Anna stood fully exposed before him.

Her body was covered in fine black scales, even across her chest. Her waist remained slender, but below it stretched a long, thick serpent’s tail thrashing violently with her struggles.

When Muen’s fingers brushed her skin, they didn’t find the softness of a girl, but hard, cold armor.

Just as she had said, she had little left of humanity—more like a monster.

But Muen’s gaze swept her body, and he scoffed:

“This? This is what you call terrifying? I expected worse.”

“Junior Brother!”

Anna clenched her silver teeth, covering herself in anger.

“What are you trying to do?!”

She was upset.

Afraid.

Confused.

Yet even she didn’t notice—that despite his roughness, nowhere in her heart did she feel disgust.

“What? Didn’t I say? I’ll prove something to you.”

Muen smirked, seized her wrists again, and pinned them hard against her writhing tail, breaking her last line of defense.

“Even if everyone else calls you a monster.”

“Even if everyone else hates you.”

“Even if everyone else wants you dead.”

“But, Senior Sister.”

Muen leaned close, eyes locked on her serpent’s pupils, and declared with the stubborn resolve of a boy:

“I will never think you’re a monster. I will never hate you. I will always give everything I have to protect you!”

Then, in her stunned moment, he kissed her hard.

Lips met.

Muen pried open her silver teeth, caught her tongue.

Entwined recklessly, relentlessly.

Even as her fangs cut his tongue and blood filled their mouths, he drank her in, greedy for more.

At that instant, he held Anna as though to crush her into his body forever.

...

At length, their lips parted, linked by a glistening strand.

Anna’s cheeks were flushed, her eyes dazed.

“Why?” she whispered.

“Because... Senior Sister, don’t you remember what you once said?”

Muen panted, his gaze serious.

“You said I’m a complete pervert.”

“Pervert?”

Anna blinked, recalling how she had once teased him with those very words.

But what did that have to do with this?

“Of course it matters.”

As if reading her thoughts, Muen spoke each word clearly:

“Because I’m a pervert.

So.

Even if you truly became a snake... I’d still—

get excited for you!”

Anna’s body jolted.

Like struck by lightning.

She froze.

And in her wide eyes, Muen kissed her again.

Harder.

Kissing—

Anna stared at his face.

So fervent, so sincere, so unshakable.

Like a meteor crashing down from the heavens, smashing through the fortress of her heart she thought indestructible.

In an instant, her defenses of twenty years collapsed.

Her fragile inner self, long locked away, was revealed—and engulfed by this boy’s boundless warmth and fire.

So warm.

Warm enough to make her want to weep.

“Junior Brother.”

Suddenly, immense strength surged from her hands.

Before Muen could react, he was flipped over.

The next instant, she was on top.

Seriously? Even now, I can’t avoid ending up underneath?

Muen’s mouth twitched as he looked up at her.

Anna’s chest heaved, breath ragged, her dazed gaze locked on him.

“Junior Brother,” she whispered, “I don’t care what happens next.”

“...Come then.”

Muen chuckled helplessly, giving up resistance.

“Please, don’t spare this delicate flower.”

The words barely left his mouth before her serpent’s tail wrapped tight around him.

Anna clung to his strong arms, leaned down—

Somehow, Muen’s clothes had already become scattered fragments.

They kissed, touched, entwined.

Until heaven’s thunder struck earth’s fire, and Anna’s body shuddered, releasing a cry half pain, half pleasure.

And in that moment—

In the fullness of heart and body, in the intoxication of warmth and love surrounding her—tears welled at the corners of Anna’s eyes.

“Senior Sister...”

Muen’s startled voice.

Anna, shy and confused, opened her eyes. Following his gaze, she lowered her head.

What she saw was not her monstrous body—but smooth, pale skin like flawless jade.

Even the thick serpent’s tail had vanished—replaced by long, slender legs wrapped around Muen’s waist.

This was...

The serpent curse—cured?

“So this is what ‘the Tears of True Love’ mean?”

Seeing the tears at the corner of her eyes, Muen understood instantly.

The Tears of True Love weren’t his. Nor anyone else’s.

They were hers—tears brimming with love.

So simple. So natural.

And yet the Silent Moon had hidden this truth. Anyone who tried to cure the serpent curse would be led astray, into dead ends, until they fell into despair—only for the Evil God’s amusement.

But perhaps even the Silent Moon had never expected the appearance of Muen—this “madman.”

By now, he truly hadn’t cared whether the curse could be cured. So long as the Silent Moon died, Senior Sister would still be Senior Sister. That was enough.

As for her serpent form... as he had just said—

Didn’t it still excite him? What was there to mind?

A stumble, a mistake—

Yet in the end, he had inadvertently shattered “fate” itself.

...

“Junior Brother.”

“Mm?”

“Can I be a little greedier?”

Now, in the midst of even more heated entanglement, her face glowing red, her forehead resting on his chest, Anna asked softly.

“Of course.”

Muen gently caressed her smooth skin, smiling.

“I’ll always give everything to my beloved Senior Sister.”

“Then...”

Anna brushed her tangled hair aside, hooked her arm around his neck, and whispered:

“Love me.”

“Harder...”

“Mmm~ I want more...”

...

【Greed Progress: 100%】