Chapter 224: The Weeping Serpent (Finale)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 224: The Weeping Serpent (Finale)
An intimate atmosphere gradually thickened. Anna suddenly realized she was lying in Muen’s arms, close enough to feel the warmth of his breath against her own.
She shifted instinctively, only to find that Muen had no intention of letting go. Her cheeks flushed a faint crimson.
"Junior."
"Hmm?"
"Was it you who saved me?"
Jumbled memories flooded her mind, and Anna finally began to grasp her current situation.
The Moon and the evil cultists had vanished. In this entire area, there was only her and her junior.
Did Muen drive the Moon away? When did he become so powerful?
"I can only say... I lent a small hand," Muen said, scratching his cheek sheepishly. "With my strength, I’m only good for swatting cultists or acting as bait. Facing an Evil God head-on is still a world away for me."
"Bait?" Anna caught the word instantly, her brow furrowing. "That sounds dangerous."
"It was nothing, just a little trick. Not really dangerous at all." Muen smiled. "As long as you’re okay, Senior, that’s all that matters."
Anna’s face grew even redder.
Within the space shrouded by the dark mist, it was exceptionally quiet. Anna could even hear the steady thrum of Muen’s heartbeat and the sound of his breathing.
It was a bit rapid.
Is he nervous too?
Anna’s heart tightened.
In a moment like this, with this kind of atmosphere, they were supposed to... do that sort of thing, weren't they?
Anna stole a glance around. Under the shroud of the Dark Moon Mist, this area had become an absolutely sealed space.
No one would come to disturb them.
Anna felt a surge of shy irritation. Now she couldn't even find an excuse to delay things.
But... the feeling wasn't actually unpleasant.
Anna’s breathing suddenly grew heavy. Slowly... she lifted her head.
Muen’s body stiffened slightly, and he followed her lead, lowering his head.
Even though it wasn't the first time for either of them, perhaps because of the atmosphere—or perhaps for some other reason—both were still trembling with nerves.
They drew closer and closer.
Anna looked up, staring cautiously into Muen’s eyes. Those pale blue eyes, like twin lakes, always brought her a sense of peace.
Even now, gazing into those mirror-like eyes and seeing her own reflection within them, she felt her heart—chilled by the Silent Moon—begin to...
Wait.
The reflection... of herself?
Anna’s breath hitched violently.
As if she had seen something horrific, her expression instantly twisted into one of pure terror.
Muen was still leaning in.
"Don't come any closer!"
Anna suddenly shoved Muen away with incredible force, scrambling out of his arms.
"Senior?"
Caught off guard, Muen was sent reeling. He rubbed his aching chest, looking at her with utter confusion. "What’s wrong?"
"You... I..."
Anna stared at Muen, a flash of bewilderment crossing her face.
She slowly looked down at herself—at the body she hadn't noticed since waking up because her gaze had been fixed entirely on her junior.
She violently tore open her long sleeve, exposing her arm.
Pitch-black scales covered every inch of her skin, opening and closing in rhythm with her breath—a hideous, terrifying sight. Her gaze drifted lower, past the high peaks and the broad plains; beneath the hem of her purple skirt lay not the slender, black-stockinged legs that would make any man’s throat go dry, but a writhing snake’s tail.
A monster’s... snake tail.
"I..."
Anna’s delicate frame began to tremble uncontrollably. With a wave of her hand, a small spell took shape, drawing moisture from the air to construct a smooth, watery mirror.
She took several deep breaths, horror and panic swirling in her mind. It took a long time before she finally summoned the courage to look into the mirror.
The girl in the reflection was no longer the breathtaking beauty with a face like a peach blossom. Pitch-black scales crept up her neck, covering half of her cheek.
And those eyes, which Muen had once described as jewels soaked in clear water, were now the cold, slit pupils of a serpent.
Nothing had changed.
She was utterly hideous.
"I see..."
Looking at herself, Anna fell into a daze. She remembered something, crushed the mirror with a sudden grip, and slumped down, whispering in agony.
"It wasn't a dream..."
"It wasn't a dream."
"It wasn't a dream!"
"I... I’m still a monster..."
"A monster that hurts people!"
"I—"
"Senior!"
Muen’s low roar cut through her murmurs.
He looked at the suffering girl with heartache, reaching out his hand as he spoke softly, "It’s okay. It’s okay, Senior. The Moon is almost dead. He won't be able to exert any more mental influence over you. So, it’s over. You aren't a monster anymore."
"Mental influence... which means, on a physical level, it can't be changed for now?"
Anna looked at her hands and laughed miserably.
Then, ignoring Muen’s outstretched hand, she suddenly recoiled. She pulled out a voluminous black robe and threw it over herself, hiding her body within.
"Junior, don't... don't look."
"I don't care about that."
"No, please, don't look at me..." Anna shook her head, burying her face deep within the oversized hood. "Especially you... anyone but you, Muen... I don't want you to see me like this."
"I told you, I don't care—"
"Enough! Stop lying to me!"
Anna screamed, losing control of her emotions for once. "Muen, I know you’re just trying to spare my feelings, but please, stop lying! I know better than anyone—who in this world could possibly not care about a monster like me?"
That dream.
That dream was real.
Or rather, it was the reality of the future.
She would exist as a monster, loathed and feared by everyone. Even if she did nothing wrong, she would never be worthy of truly enjoying the light.
As for why Muen wasn't in the dream...
Perhaps, subconsciously, she simply didn't want this hideous, grotesque version of herself to be seen by the junior who had, at some unknown point, taken up a massive part of her heart.
She wanted the image of her in his memory to forever be that beautiful, enchanting Senior.
"So, Muen... don't look at me. And... forget about me."
Anna hid herself within the black robe that concealed everything and turned to flee.
She had to get away from here.
She had to get away from her junior, away from everyone.
Just like in the dream—alone, heading to a place where no one could find her.
That way.
No one would be afraid.
No one would be troubled.
No one would suffer.
Everyone could be happy.
That... would be enough.
"Senior!!"
But then, a furious roar shattered her lonely thoughts.
A sudden wind whipped up behind her.
Anna looked back instinctively.
Muen, his face twisted with rage and determination, was lunging toward her.
He was fast.
Anna raised her hand, immense mana gathering at her fingertips.
"Junior, don't come any closer!"
But Muen didn't listen. He kept coming, one step after another, walking toward her with unwavering resolve.
The mana at her fingertips transformed into intense light and heat. A rapid-fire, small-scale Explosion Magic took shape, aimed right at Muen’s forehead. If he took one more step, his entire head would be blown apart.
But Muen didn't hesitate for a second. He kept moving forward.
"Why..."
Trembling, Anna dispelled the magic. "Junior, why...?"
"That’s my question!"
Muen grabbed Anna’s wrist and, with a single, brute motion, tackled her to the ground.
On the flat bluestone floor, Muen stared down into Anna’s eyes, his voice thick with anger. "Senior, why are you always like this? Before, in the dream, and now... why is your first instinct always to run away?"
"I’m not running away, I just... don't want to hurt—"
"Who have you hurt?!" Muen bellowed. "Teke Rhode? That Count’s son? Senior, are you still trying to lie to me now? I’ve investigated everything! You haven't hurt a single person! Besides, someone like you, who can't even bear to ignore a stray cat on the street—how could you possibly hurt anyone? The Silent Moon is finished; you won't be influenced by Him anymore. Who else are you going to hurt? Me?!"
"If you want to hurt me, then do it right now! My mana is almost gone; I’m no match for you!"
"But, I..."
"Stupid woman, shut up and listen to me!"
Muen cut her off, his eyes burning like fire. "Senior, I’m angry. I’m really damn angry! Whether in that illusory dream or in reality, whenever you turn into this, your first instinct is always to run, always thinking about not hurting others. You’re always so gentle, and I love that gentleness. But honestly, I hate it—I absolutely hate it! I hate that you’re willing to hurt yourself for the sake of that gentleness! Senior, can’t you think of yourself for once? Can’t you be a little more selfish? A little greedier? What’s the point of only being good at pranks? Show some of that bad attitude to this damn world, to this damn fate! You have the right to be greedier! You have the right to chase everything you want!"
"But looking like this..."
"What about looking like this? You aren't a monster!"
"No, I am. I’m a monster, and you know it, Muen." Anna looked at him with a dazed, sorrowful gaze, her voice soft. "In this world, no one will accept a snake-person covered in scales with a serpent’s tail. No one."
"...So what if they don't? I don't care about any of that. I don't care what you look like, as long as you’re still my Senior. I’m a Duke’s son; I can help you!"
"Liar," Anna whispered. "I told you, no one can ignore a monster."
"..."
Muen suddenly went quiet, his shouting ceasing.
But Anna noticed his eyes were turning bloodshot, filled with a primal intensity. Like a... wild beast.
"I see. It seems convincing a stubborn, stupid woman like you is impossible. Then I’ll just have to prove it with action."
"Action?" Anna was bewildered.
Muen suddenly let go of her hands and... began to tear at her black robe.
"What?"
Anna froze for a split second, instinctively trying to stop him.
But Muen was like a beast now, his movements terrifyingly rough, his expression fierce.
"Didn't you say you were a monster?"
"Don't you always want to hide?"
"I want to see for myself just how 'scary' you are!"
Muen completely ignored Anna’s struggles, frantically ripping at the black robe, piece by piece. His movements were as crude as a battering ram slamming against a locked city gate.
Accompanied by the continuous sound of tearing fabric, the black robe that hid her form—and even the purple dress that had once enchanted Muen—were soon reduced to fluttering scraps.
Anna was left completely exposed before Muen’s eyes.
In Muen’s sight, Anna’s body was indeed covered in tiny, pitch-black scales, even across her breasts. Her waist remained slender, but below it was that thick, long snake tail, writhing violently as she struggled.
As Muen tore at her clothes, his fingers brushed against her body. He didn't feel the expected softness of a young woman, but rather something hard and cold.
Just as Anna had said, in this moment, she possessed very few human traits. She looked more like a fearsome monster.
But Muen’s gaze swept over her, and he spoke with pure disdain, "This is it? I thought you were supposed to be scary."
"Muen!"
Anna gritted her teeth, shielding her private areas with an indignant flush. "What exactly do you think you’re doing?"
She was angry. She was afraid. And she was utterly confused.
Yet, perhaps even she hadn't noticed that despite Muen doing something so outrageous, the one emotion missing from her heart was disgust.
"What am I doing? I told you, I’m going to prove something to you."
Muen smirked and reached out again, grabbing Anna’s wrists. He pinned her hands down against her writhing snake tail, forcefully prying past her final line of defense.
"Even if everyone in this world thinks you’re a monster."
"Even if everyone in this world hates you."
"Even if everyone in this world wants to kill you."
"But, Senior..."
Muen lowered his head, staring intently into those eyes that were currently anything but beautiful. With a stubbornness and resolve that matched her own, he declared firmly:
"I will never think you’re a monster. I will never hate you. I will always give everything I have to protect you!"
With that, while Anna was still stunned, the boy kissed her forcefully.
Their lips met.
Muen pried open Anna’s teeth, tangling with her delicate tongue. He sought her out with reckless abandon, with total desperation. Even when his tongue was nicked by the fangs in the inexperienced girl’s mouth, he ignored the taste of blood, greedily exchanging breaths and fluids.
In this moment, Muen held Anna so tightly it felt as if he wanted to crush her into his own body forever.
...
A long time passed.
Their lips parted, leaving a thin, lewd thread of silver between them.
Anna’s cheeks were flushed, her mind still a haze. "Why?" she asked.
"Because... didn't you say it yourself once, Senior?" Muen panted, his answer serious. "I’m a pervert through and through."
"A pervert?"
Anna blinked. In her chaotic thoughts, she remembered teasing her junior like that. But what did that have to do with anything now?
"Of course it matters." As if reading her mind, Muen answered word for word:
"Because I’m a pervert. So, even if you really did turn into a snake... I’d still be turned on by you!"
Anna’s body jolted as if struck by a bolt of lightning. She was completely stunned.
And before her wide, shocked eyes, Muen kissed her again. Even more passionately this time.
Anna stared blankly at the boy’s face.
So fervent, so sincere, so... indestructible.
He was like a meteorite falling from the sky, unreasonably crashing into the heart she thought was so well-fortified. In an instant, the defenses she had held for twenty years were smashed to pieces.
And so, after layers of self-imposed isolation, her fragile heart was finally exposed, only to be completely enveloped by this boy who brought endless light and heat.
It was so warm. So warm it made her want to cry.
"Junior."
Muen suddenly felt an irresistible, massive force from his hands. Before he could react, the world spun, and in the next moment, he was the one pinned down by the girl.
No way. Even at a time like this, I can't escape being on the bottom?
Muen’s lip twitched. He looked up at the girl.
Anna’s chest heaved as she panted, her expression dazed and lustful as she looked at Muen. She whispered, "Junior, I won't be held responsible for what happens next."
"...Bring it on." Muen smiled helplessly, giving up all resistance. "Please, don't hold back on this delicate flower."
As soon as the words left his mouth, the thick snake tail swung around, coiling tightly around Muen.
Anna gripped Muen’s firm shoulders and slowly lowered herself.
At some point, Muen’s own clothes had also turned into scattered butterflies.
They kissed, touched, and became entangled.
Then, in that moment when the spark finally hit the tinder, the girl’s body shuddered, letting out a moan that was half-pain, half-ecstasy.
And in that moment...
In the fulfillment of having both her heart and body filled at once, in the intoxication of having her entire soul wrapped in endless warmth and love, a crystalline tear finally escaped the corner of the girl’s eye.
"Senior..."
Muen’s startled cry reached her ears.
Anna opened her eyes, shy and confused. Following Muen’s shocked gaze, she slowly looked down.
What she saw was not a hideous body, but the smooth, porcelain-white, and flawless skin of a young woman. Even that thick snake tail had, at some point, transformed back into long, slender legs wrapped tightly around Muen’s waist.
This was...
The Snake Transformation Disease... was cured?
"I see. So this is what the 'Tear of True Love' meant?"
Seeing the tear at the corner of Anna’s eye, Muen understood everything in an instant.
The so-called Tear of True Love wasn't his tear, nor anyone else's. It was the Senior’s own tear, shed while her heart was overflowing with warm love.
It was so simple, so... obvious.
But this was the truth the Silent Moon had deliberately obscured. Anyone attempting to cure the disease would be led into a dead end by His guidance, eventually falling into total despair—all for the amusement of a twisted Evil God.
But the Silent Moon probably never expected a "macho man" like Muen to appear in this world.
By now, he hadn't even cared if the disease could be cured. As long as the Silent Moon died and his Senior was still his Senior, that was enough. As for the snake form... just as he said...
He could still get excited by it, so what was there to worry about?
It was a fluke. But in the end, they had inadvertently defeated "Fate."
...
"Junior."
"Hmm?"
"Can I be a little more greedy?"
With everything understood, amidst an even more heart-pounding entanglement, the girl—her face flushed and her forehead resting against Muen’s chest—asked softly.
"Of course." Muen gently stroked her smooth body, smiling. "I’ll give everything to my dear Senior at any time."
"Then..." Anna brushed back her messy hair and hooked her arms around Muen’s neck, her voice sultry. "Love me. Harder... I want more..."
...
[Greed Progress: 100%]
...