Yanai quickly noticed the change in Nina. "Nina, what’s wrong with you?"

There was no response.

His heart clenched. From where he stood outside the altar’s boundary, he could only watch helplessly.

Her eyes... something was wrong. It looked as though she was being controlled.

Does that mean the curse wasn’t broken?

His fists tightened, knuckles whitening as he forced himself to think.

There had to be something he could do. There had to be.

Within the black void, Nina stood face to face with the crimson gaze.

"Do you believe me now, little one?" the voice echoed, low and chilling.

Nina’s expression hardened. "Who are you? Why did you curse me?"

Of all the countless beastfolk in the world—why her?

And back then, she had only been a child.

Her eyes swept the surroundings.

Endless darkness. No ground. No sky. No direction.

Where... is this?

"Who am I?" The red eyes flickered with something strange, almost manic. "Hahaha... I am Thraxxis. I am the Beast God."

They locked onto her, unblinking. "You were chosen."

Nina frowned deeply. "You? A god?" Her voice was cold with disbelief. "A god who’s sealed away? A god who curses a child?"

There was nothing divine about that, only something twisted.

Something ultimately wrong.

Her gaze said it plainly––you’re just insane.

"I am not insane!" The red glow flared with irritation. "I am a god. And if you obey me, I won’t harm you. I can even lift your curse."

A pause. "I only need you to do one thing for me."

Nina’s eyes narrowed. "You want me to break your seal and set you free."

"Exactly." The answer came without hesitation.

Nina let out a cold laugh. "Keep dreaming. I won’t help you."

Everything about this creature screamed danger. And she didn’t believe a word about him removing the curse.

It was just a bait. Empty promises. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

"Heh... don’t you want to be free of the curse?" Thraxxis’ voice softened, coaxing. "Help me, and I’ll remove it for you."

"No need." Nina lifted her chin slightly. "The star source will do that."

She focused and called upon its power. At once, faint starlight shimmered in the darkness around her.

"I already told you, it won’t work," Thraxxis said, amused.

Nina ignored him. She pushed harder.

She had felt it before—the star source could suppress the curse.

If it wasn’t enough earlier... then she would make it enough.

The starlight grew brighter.

More and more points of light emerged, pushing against the darkness.

For a moment, it looked like she might break through.

Then, the light faltered... and faded.

Collapsed back into nothing.

Nina tried again.

And again.

Each time, the same result.

Her brows drew together.

Why?

"What’s wrong?" Thraxxis chuckled. "Still not working?"

Nina’s gaze snapped toward him. "Why?"

What had he done?

"Because you’re missing the final step." His voice dropped, almost delighted. "My curse requires blood... and a life as sacrifice to be completely undone."

A flicker of cruelty passed through his eyes.

"The wolf outside will do nicely. A pureblood from the Snow Wolf lineage... his heart’s blood is perfect."

He tilted his head slightly. "But can you bring yourself to do it?"

Rage flared in Nina’s chest. "I won’t believe you. And I will never harm Yanai."

There had to be another way. There had to be.

"Oh?" Thraxxis moved closer, his presence pressing in. "So you can’t bear it?"

A low laugh escaped him. "Then... shall I help you?"

A strange curiosity crept into his tone.

He wanted to see it. To see her break.

"What are you planning?" Nina stepped back, every nerve on edge.

A strange, sinister smile spread across Thraxxis’ presence.

In the next instant, the darkness vanished. Nina was back on the altar.

A flash of red ignited in her eyes. A crimson blade appeared in her hand.

Yanai was still deep in thought, searching desperately for a way to help her, when he saw her walking toward him.

Something was wrong. Very wrong.

Inside her mind, Nina struggled fiercely, fighting to reclaim control of her body.

Her steps faltered.

She clutched her head, her gaze flickering between clarity and something darker.

Then—for a brief moment—her eyes returned to their normal color.

"Yanai... run," she forced out, her voice strained. "Leave now. Get away from here."

His heart dropped. "Nina, what’s happening? Did the star source fail?"

"My curse... it’s activating. That thing is trying to control me... to hurt you."

Her voice trembled as she fought against it. "Go. Don’t worry about me. I’m losing control—"

"I’m not leaving." There was no hesitation in his voice.

How could he abandon her?

Not again. Not ever.

The next second, her body went rigid. Control slipped from her grasp.

Step by step, she continued walking toward him.

A voice echoed through the void.

"Want to save her?"

Yanai’s expression turned ice-cold.

"Then let her drive that blade into your heart. Her curse will be broken."

He didn’t look away from Nina.

"Why should I believe you? You’re the one who cursed her, aren’t you?"

"Beast?" The voice sneered. "I am no mere creature like you. I am a god."

A heavy pressure filled the air.

"If you want to save her, do as I say. She has already absorbed the star source. All that’s left... is your life."

Nina’s hand suddenly turned, the blade pointing toward her own chest.

"If you’re afraid of death... then she dies."

"Don’t touch her."

Yanai stepped forward without hesitation. "I’m not afraid."

He stopped in front of her, his gaze steady. "Will this really remove her curse?"

"Yes." The voice was absolute. "A god does not lie."

That part... was true.

Yanai reached out and took her hand.

Slowly, he turned the blade toward himself. His eyes softened, overflowing with quiet, unwavering love.

"Nina... you’ll be free soon."

He began to push the blade toward his heart.

Tears welled in Nina’s eyes.

For a fleeting moment, she broke free again. Her hand trembled violently as she tried to pull back.

"Don’t be stupid... go!"

Yanai smiled. He looked peaceful.

"Nina... before, I was a fool. I even said I would kill you."

His voice was soft, almost apologetic. "Now... if you kill me with your own hands... will you forgive me?"

He had never truly forgiven himself.

But now, he finally could.

Nina tried to speak, but her body was no longer hers.

No... I already forgave you. Just go...

Yanai’s eyes were filled with tenderness. "Nina... to die for you like this... is my honor."

With one final look, he drove the blade into his own heart.

Blood bloomed instantly, vivid and red, soaking the blade.

The weapon dissolved into nothing.

His strength gave out.

As he fell forward, his gaze never left her.

At that very moment, the curse inside Nina shattered.

Her body was hers again.

"Yanai...!"

She caught him as he collapsed, panic surging through her.

"Little Bun! Is there anything in the shop that can save him?!"

[Host, try a high-grade Revival Pill. And to be safe, add a Soul Stabilizing Pill.]

"I’ll buy it now!"

Her hands trembled as she fed him the pills, pouring her healing energy into his body.

Tears blurred her vision.

"Why... why are you so stupid... I already forgave you..."

In the darkness, Thraxxis watched with interest, as if enjoying a spectacle.

Just as he was about to speak, a voice thundered from the sky.

Ancient. Majestic.

But unlike Thraxxis, it carried no malice. Only overwhelming authority.

"Thraxxis... how dare you cause chaos in my domain?"

The air trembled.

Something far greater had arrived.