Chapter 403: Love

The crimson sun hung high, shining upon all creation. The souls that had found release faded away within boundless light and warmth, leaving behind only their final blessings and faint traces.

Everything belonging to the million sinners was turned to ashes within the flames of judgment, leaving only the ominous residue spawned by the Evil God.

At this moment, even that ominous black mist was briefly dispersed by holy light—drifting and wavering, like a beast unable to find its prey.

Yet, at the very center of the spreading darkness, a man and a woman were locked in a forgetful embrace, kissing as if nothing else existed.

The girl in the pale dress rose on her toes, hooked her arms around the man’s neck, and lifted her face to offer him a kiss.

Her kiss was clumsy—sometimes bumping into teeth, sometimes brushing the tip of ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) his nose. But within her misty eyes shone all the courage a girl could muster.

And such courage deserved only the most sincere reply.

“I like you too, Liya.”

The kiss paused for a breath. Muen looked straight into Liya’s eyes and spoke with quiet seriousness.

Then, before the little rabbit of joy and shyness hiding deep in those lovely eyes could leap out, Muen suddenly wrapped an arm around her slender waist.

He bent down and kissed her back.

Unlike the girl’s shy first kiss, Muen, who now took the initiative, instantly pressed forward and captured all of her trembling lips.

That electric sensation ran through Liya’s whole body, scattering her thoughts to pieces. Taking the moment, he pried open her pearly teeth and teasingly hooked that mischievous little tongue, inviting it to dance with his.

Entwining. Drawing. Savoring. Again and again.

The faint, indecent wet sounds echoed between them—like a dancer’s heels tapping at the most sensitive point—leaving the girl’s mind nearly blank as she helplessly followed the rhythm of that fevered dance.

“W-wait...”

Liya suddenly broke their lips apart, breathing hard.

“What’s wrong?”

Muen brushed a hand along her flushed cheek. “Did I hurt you?”

“N-no...”

She shook her head, her face so red and dewy it looked as if it might drip.

“It’s just... too intense.”

“You don’t like it?” Muen’s lips curved in a half-smile.

“...Mm.”

Liya lightly thumped her fist against Muen’s shoulder.

“Bad man—you’re already bullying me.”

“I was only being considerate, asking for your opinion.”

That adorable expression of hers made Muen unable to resist; he caught those soft, sweet lips again. This time, though, it was only a light taste—no deeper than a brush.

When he lifted his head, their eyes met once more. A hazy film of mist covered the girl’s gaze. Her breathing had grown uneven, the faint scent of her breath washing over him again and again, as if sending some unspoken signal.

Muen felt something inside him change. The hand holding her waist had, at some point, slipped lower, brushing over the soft, rounded curves beneath.

And the girl didn’t resist—her slender hands had found their way around his back as well.

The air between them grew warmer.

Muen felt hot.

In truth, the erosion of resentment had not yet ended. Though Liya and the released souls had eased the pressure upon him, the pollution still required all his reason to suppress.

But drawing too much on reason—under circumstances like this—only made it harder to control instinct.

Liya was the same. And beyond that, under the lingering corruption, Muen’s body ached for the warmth of the Holy Light flowing within her.

“Really... is it okay?”

Muen ran his fingers through Liya’s hair. His voice was hoarse, trembling slightly.

“Mm...”

A crystal floated in Liya’s hand. But now, that once-radiant crystal had been stained with filth—proof that she had seemingly lost the right to become a Saintess.

Liya smiled faintly and crushed it in her palm. Holy light scattered down, illuminating the sides of their faces.

“This is the path I chose, and the only one I ever will. We’re accomplices now,” she said softly, “but I don’t regret it.

Besides...”

She suddenly leaned in close, her breath warm against Muen’s ear, whispering in a teasing murmur,

“After holding back for so long... I can’t exactly endure it anymore.”

Muen’s breathing quickened in an instant. He pulled Liya tightly by the waist, and with a sweep of his hand, a soft carpet unfurled beneath them. He pressed her down—and pressed down upon the carpet.

“I’ll make you happy.”

Muen gently caressed Liya’s small, lovely face. His fingertips traced downward along her slender neck, following the graceful line of her collarbone.

The world seemed to slow; the soft rustle of fabric, the faint glow of the holy light—everything blurred into quiet reverence.

In that moment, all he saw before him was beauty: Liya, pure and trembling, radiant beneath the lingering light.

The air around them shimmered, as if even the remnants of corruption hesitated to intrude on what was about to begin.

Muen slowly reached out, his hand finding the hidden clasp with practiced ease. A soft sound followed, and the tension between them broke like a released breath.

For a heartbeat, even he was taken aback—Liya’s shy, luminous form seemed to glow beneath the fading holy light, her radiance both innocent and breathtaking.

He swallowed unconsciously, his voice dropping to a whisper as his fingers brushed against the warmth of her skin.

“You look... beautiful.”

“Mm.”

“Sh-shaky,” Muen teased softly.

“It’s not shaky!” Liya protested, her face burning red as she covered her eyes. “This is so embarrassing.”

Muen let out a helpless laugh. “What’s the point of covering your eyes? I’ve already seen everything.”

“Oh... right.”

Flustered, Liya dropped her hands, trying in vain to compose herself—half resisting, half yielding. But when her gaze accidentally met Muen’s, she froze.

Before her stood his bare, solid frame, the faint light tracing every line.

Her heart pounded wildly. She hurried to cover her eyes again—but this time, her fingers parted just slightly.

He looks... really good...

So strong...

How does he train like that?

I kind of want to touch—

Liya’s gaze drifted lower—and she caught a glimpse of what made her breath hitch. It seemed far more intimidating than the time she had accidentally seen it before.

Her thoughts spun wildly for a moment. No... don’t think about that...

She quickly shut her eyes, trying to banish the image. Yet her body trembled faintly, as if betraying a quiet, nervous anticipation.

“Liya, you’re even more tempting than I imagined,” Muen murmured with a faint smile, leaning closer.

He pressed gentle kisses along her skin, patient and reverent, until he could sense the tension in her fading away.

When he finally spoke again, his voice was soft, careful, almost trembling.

“I’m coming in.”

“Mm.”

Liya’s eyes were already hazy, her thoughts drifting somewhere far away as she moved only by instinct.

Muen laced his fingers with hers. A faint sound escaped her lips—half pain, half pleasure—and her hair scattered like falling silk as the last boundary between them disappeared.

“Muen... Muen...”

Her voice trembled with feeling, her face flushed with emotion.

“Mm... give me more... more of your love.”