Chapter 62: Whispers of the Love God (Part 2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 62: Whispers of the Love God (Part 2)
"Eluka, have you been corrupted by an Evil God?" An asked, her voice trembling with suspicion.
The so-called Evil Gods were the source of most of the disorder and distortion in this world, symbols of depravity and destruction. Like shadows beneath the sun, they remained silent on the surface, rarely appearing in the sight of ordinary people, yet they clung to the boundaries of the world at every moment, coveting all that was beautiful within.
They were like Gluttony itself, hungering for bait woven from blood and desire.
Thus, if they could seize even the smallest thread of corruption, they would spread their tentacles regardless of the cost, eroding everything they saw and heard.
This was why most Evil Gods were exceptionally generous; one could trade for power from them using nothing more than blood and flesh.
The fewer the chips required to trade for power, the greater the ultimate price.
When the cost accumulated to the point where you could no longer pay, everything you owned would become a plaything in the palm of an Evil God.
Every gift comes with a reason.
"Evil God?"
Facing An’s question, a flicker of displeasure crossed Eluka’s face.
"Master, how could you speak of the Lord God that way? He is so good to me. To satisfy my wish to love everyone, He generously gave me the power to make it come true!"
"There was... no price paid?"
An’s breath hitched once more.
If no price was paid when the power was obtained, then what would you have to surrender when the Evil God came to collect the debt?
Your very soul?
"Hey, Master, you haven't answered my question yet."
Eluka smiled and reached out, opening her arms as if to embrace her beloved master.
"Will you come... and accept my love?"
"..."
Silence. A silence as thick as blood.
Eluka did not speak, waiting for An’s answer. The entire room became so quiet that not even the sound of breathing could be heard.
An kept her eyelids lowered, her hands habitually folded in front of her waist.
Yet, one could vaguely see the agitation in her heart from her knuckles, which were clenched so tightly they had turned white.
What was she hesitating for? Or rather, what was she thinking?
It felt as long as a century.
It wasn't until a hint of impatience appeared on Eluka’s face that An suddenly lifted her foot, stepping through the blood to walk toward her.
"Do you agree? Master!"
A blissful smile broke across Eluka’s face. Like a butterfly flying toward a flower, she lunged toward An with desperate eagerness.
"Let us be together forever, Master. I will love you... forever and ever—"
The joyful exclamation cut off abruptly.
A flash of confusion crossed Eluka’s eyes, and then she looked down stiffly.
A cold blade was gripped firmly in An’s hand.
And then—
It was thrust unerringly into Eluka’s heart.
An’s hand was still trembling, but she forced herself to push, and push harder, even twisting the blade violently.
She did not stop until the source of a person's life—that beating heart—was completely shredded.
"Cough... why... Master?"
Eluka coughed up bloody fragments of internal organs, her eyes filled with utter bewilderment.
"Are you... unwilling to accept my love?"
"I'm sorry..."
An looked up. Always the strong one, her eyes were now rimmed with red.
"I'm sorry... Eluka. I cannot let you hurt any more people."
"Cough, cough... what are you saying, Master?"
Eluka tilted her head, puzzled.
"I clearly haven't hurt anyone."
"I am simply giving them my love."
"I love them, Master. What is wrong with love?"
"Shut up—!"
An suddenly lost control and roared, "That isn't love at all!"
"Not love? Then what is it? This is clearly love—taking everything of the person you love for your own. You were the one who taught me that, Master!"
Eluka’s eyes widened. She took step after step toward An, forcing her to retreat constantly.
The fact that her heart had been shredded seemed to have no effect on her at all.
As she spat out bits of flesh, she opened her eyes wide like an innocent child and asked curiously:
"If it isn't, then tell me, Master—what is true love?"
"Tell me, Master. Aren't you my teacher?"
"What is love? What is it? How can I give you true love?"
"I..."
An’s lips moved, but she could say nothing.
What was love?
Was love truly possession?
This was a belief she had once held with absolute, unwavering conviction.
But facing Eluka now, she didn't even have the courage to say it again.
Clang.
An stopped retreating because her body had hit a cold set of steps.
Without realizing it, she had run out of room to move.
"Ah..."
Suddenly, something grabbed the hem of An’s skirt.
An instinctively looked back and saw it.
The girl lying on the iron bed, her torso sliced open, reached out a withered hand to clutch her dress.
While weeping, the girl said:
"I love you..."
It was so affectionate... and so horrifying.
"No..."
No.
No.
This wasn't love.
This absolutely was not love.
The love she knew should never be something so hideous.
Something must have gone wrong. Something must have gone wrong!
An gritted her teeth, roughly wrenched the hand away, and fled to the side in a panic.
"Master, don't run away."
Eluka suddenly pounced. Her movements were agile, not like those of a mage at all.
She tackled An to the ground, pinning her down firmly. An unnatural flush appeared on her cute face.
"Please answer my question."
Inside her open jacket, that dark face squirmed and twisted, casting a venomous gaze at An.
At the same time, it called out incessantly:
"I love you..."
"I love you..."
"I love you..."
"Stop saying it..."
An struggled violently.
She wanted to get away from Eluka.
But those calls filled with "love" were like maggots in her bones; she couldn't shake them off no matter what. They tore at her sanity like insects.
"I love you..."
"Please... stop saying it."
"I love you I love you I love you..."
"Stop it..."
"I love you love you love you love you love you love you love you... I love you, Master."
"SHUT UP!"
An closed her eyes in agony.
Driven by instinct, a sharp blade condensed in her hand.
Slash.
And slash again.
The sound of flesh being sliced rang out repeatedly. Hot blood splattered everywhere, mixing with the cold, foul-smelling liquid already on the floor.
The pressure on her body suddenly lightened.
"Ha... ha..."
An opened her eyes and stared at the blood-spattered ceiling. Though she had hardly moved, she was panting heavily as if she had just survived a life-or-death battle.
"I'm... I'm sorry."
An stood up and bowed her head in apology to Eluka, who had been hacked into several pieces.
"I had to do this."
Even though her heart felt as if it were being squeezed by a giant hand, aching with immense pain; even though her soul was nearly drowned by a powerful sense of guilt, making it hard to breathe; her remaining sanity told her that she had to kill Eluka.
If the Evil God's corruption were allowed to spread, there was no telling what terrible consequences would follow.
"I will cremate you properly and bury you with the ones you loved."
An walked toward the door with staggering steps, intending to go to the kitchen to find something to start a fire.
"Ah, I get it now!"
But after only a few steps, a startled cry of realization came from behind her.
Her heart stopped.
"What...?"
An’s jaw trembled as she slowly turned her head.
And then she saw—
Eluka, with only her head remaining, looked as if she had finally figured something out. A look of immense joy appeared on her face.
She said:
"I understand. This is also Master’s love, isn't it?"