Chapter 211: The Weeping Serpent (Part 1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 211: The Weeping Serpent (Part 1)
The acrid smoke was washed away by the heavy rain.
The stench of carbonized flesh permeated the air.
The nauseating remains of monsters were scattered everywhere. In this district, which had been nearly leveled to the ground, not a single shadow of a living thing could be seen.
The Beast Tamer, however, was still alive. The black robes he wore had been reduced to ash in the violent explosion, leaving only half a body struggling feebly in the ankle-deep rainwater.
"The vitality of you cultists always surprises me." Muen tilted his head as he looked down at him, drawing Elizabeth and tracing it over the man’s body.
"What’s the best way to make you die instantly? Cutting off your head? Piercing your heart?"
"Heh... cough..."
The Beast Tamer coughed up several mouthfuls of dark, foul-smelling blood. He stared fixedly at Muen, but his eyes held more than just hatred and malice—there was a flicker of twisted satisfaction.
"My... goal... has been achieved. Without those external items... in the end... you are nothing more than an ordinary person..."
"I see." Muen nodded in realization.
"So you were just cannon fodder, meant to exhaust my tools? I didn't realize the Banshee would be so afraid of those things."
"Heh... go on... the Priestess is waiting for you... you will... become the food... in her mouth..."
The Beast Tamer’s eyes suddenly bulged, his body contorted, and he let out a fanatical shriek.
"Jie-jie... food... you will all be food... The Moon is eternal... The Moon is eter—"
"The Moon is about to die."
Expressionless, Muen plunged the Pure White Blade into the Beast Tamer’s heart. He watched the light of life rapidly fade from the man's eyes and whispered softly:
"And you are no exception..."
*
Muen continued forward, following the icy aura that stood in stark contrast to the burning heat within his own body.
However, after turning the next corner, Muen suddenly found the scenery before him somewhat familiar.
The icy aura no longer pointed toward an open path, but toward an unremarkable family restaurant by the side of the road.
Glancing at the familiar restaurant sign, Muen remained composed and pushed the door open.
A wave of warmth, the polar opposite of the chill outside, rushed to meet him.
Inside the cramped yet cozy restaurant, soft candlelight flickered. A young girl with thick, twin pigtails and slightly oversized black-rimmed glasses sat at a dining table. She rested her chin on her hand, softly humming a beautiful melody.
Exquisite dishes were already laid out on the table. The girl’s face was flushed a delicate peach-blossom pink, as if she were waiting for her lover’s return.
Ding-ling.
The door opened, ringing the bell.
The girl looked up. Seeing the young man enter, her eyes sparkled with genuine joy.
"Muen... you... you really came."
Muen looked at Shali’s expression of unfeigned happiness and said nothing.
"You... why aren't you saying anything? Are you shy?"
As she spoke, it was the girl who blushed first.
Like a first date with a beloved, she beckoned shyly.
"Come... come sit down, Muen."
Muen remained silent, but he obediently sat in the chair prepared specifically for him. He lowered his head, silently observing the lavish spread on the table.
The colors were vibrant, and the aroma was mouth-watering. Even Muen, who was accustomed to top-tier cuisine, felt his appetite stir. The urge to pick up his utensils and feast began to bubble up in his mind.
"How is it? Do you like it?"
Shali stared intently at Muen, asking with an expectant expression.
"I made it just for you. Do you like it?"
The candlelight flickered, reflecting off her crimson cheeks. Soft music drifted from a corner, making the atmosphere even more intimate.
Muen gazed quietly at the girl.
Her expression, her movements, the details—he couldn't find a single flaw.
The person sitting before him truly seemed like an innocent, lovely young girl.
Eh?
No.
What do I mean by "seemed"?
Isn't Student Shali exactly that—an innocent, lovely young girl?
In a daze, it felt as if some invisible power was spreading. Muen felt as though he truly were having a romantic candlelight dinner with a lovely girl. The blood, the monsters, and the cultists from moments ago were nothing more than a bad dream born of exhaustion.
Now that the dream was over, why dwell on those unpleasant things?
A beautiful reality was waiting for him. Why not hurry and taste the feast his lovely girlfriend had meticulously prepared? Why not enjoy this carefree, leisurely time?
Muen shook his head. In his blurred state of mind, everything from the "dream" had drifted away.
That’s right, Student Shali is my girlfriend. I should focus on enjoying this wonderful dinner with her. Why think about all that nonsense?
After dinner, perhaps something even more wonderful was waiting for him.
Muen’s gaze drifted down imperceptibly, lingering on Shali’s smooth thighs hidden beneath her skirt. Thinking of the "good things" to come, his Adam's apple bobbed. A spark of heat flashed through his heart... Wait? Why isn't it getting hot?
It felt as if something was missing.
"Is something wrong?"
Seeing that Muen was hesitating to eat, Shali gripped the hem of her skirt and bit her lip, looking pitiful.
"Is it... that my cooking isn't to your taste, Muen?"
"No, not at all."
Muen looked up and stared at Shali, his eyes reflecting genuine infatuation.
"It's just that the food you made is too beautiful, Shali. I don't know where to start."
"Oh, Muen, you certainly have a way with words."
Shali covered her flushed face, looking incredibly bashful.
As she looked back at Muen, her eyes were exceptionally bright.
"Alright, enough with the teasing. Hurry and eat."
Shali’s finger brushed over her red lips, her gaze provocative.
"After we finish, there’s an after-party program, you know."
"An after-party?"
Muen’s eyes lit up. "Then I’d better eat quickly."
But just as he picked up his knife and fork, he paused again. He tapped his head in annoyance.
"Oh, look at me. I was so busy looking at you, Shali, that I forgot something very important."
"Something important?" Shali asked, sounding a bit confused. "What is it?"
"Greeting your family, of course. How can I be a guest in someone's home without giving a proper greeting?"
Muen set down his utensils and narrowed his eyes. The corners of his mouth curled into a faint, ambiguous smile.
"So, Student Shali... how is your father doing?"
The music stopped abruptly.
The romantic atmosphere shattered instantly.
Shali’s blushing face froze.
"Fa... Father? He..." Shali was like a stuttering puppet, unable to get the words out.
But before she could say anything else, Muen maintained that eerie smile and continued:
"Since I've greeted your father, then as for you, Student Shali... we should have a real heart-to-heart, shouldn't we?"
As the words fell.
It was like a video suddenly dropping frames.
One second, Muen was holding a knife and fork, ready to enjoy a meal.
The next second, what Muen held was not a knife and fork, but... the Pure White Blade.
One end of the short blade was gripped in Muen’s palm; the other end was buried unerringly in the girl’s heart.