A surge of overwhelming power swept across the place where Thraxxis had stood. In an instant, he was obliterated—vanishing without a trace into the depths of the Sky Star Forest.

"Do you want to save him?"

A voice—both gentle and commanding—sounded by Nina’s ear.

She lifted her head, but saw nothing. "You can save him?"

Though she had already given Yanai medicine, his breathing remained faint and fragile. She knew this was no ordinary wound—it wouldn’t heal so easily.

"Yes," Eldros replied calmly. "Would you like to make a deal with me?"

"Can you save him first?"

Yanai’s life hung by a thread, and Nina could not hide her worry. As for any bargain, that could wait—there would be time to negotiate later, and if it failed, they could deal with that then.

"Very well."

Eldros did not haggle. With his power, killing a beastman would be effortless—and in truth, he had no intention of making things difficult for them.

A soft, radiant light enveloped Yanai. Gradually, his breathing steadied, deepening into a slow, even rhythm. Though he had yet to awaken, the danger had passed.

"He’s out of immediate danger," Eldros said. "But the wound was corroded by a shamanic curse. It will take time to fully heal."

Nina quickly checked Yanai’s condition. As expected, he was much improved—there should be no serious complications now.

"Shall we talk?" Eldros asked.

"...Yes. Thank you."

The moment her words fell, the world shifted.

Nina found herself standing within a grand hall—an ancient temple, understated yet opulent, solemn yet imposing.

Upon a divine throne reclined a tall male figure, draped in resplendent white robes.

A faint golden glow surrounded him, soft and luminous. His face, however, seemed veiled in drifting mist, impossible to discern.

He lounged there with effortless ease, yet even in stillness he exuded an overwhelming aura—one of supreme authority, as though he looked down upon all creation.

"What kind of deal do you wish to make?" Nina asked.

Her gaze flicked around the temple before settling on him again. What place was this? And why did this beastman conceal his face?

It looked like a temple... could he be—

No... that couldn’t be right.

A flicker of doubt crossed her mind. Surely such beings didn’t truly exist in this world?

Truth be told, she hadn’t entirely believed what Thraxxis had told her before.

"I want you to help me kill Thraxxis," Eldros said.

"The one with the red eyes?" Nina asked.

"Yes. That is only a fragment of him," Eldros replied.

"But you seem far stronger than I am. Why not kill him yourself?" Nina frowned. "Besides, he’s stronger than me—I’m not confident I could defeat him."

She wasn’t certain of this man’s identity, but her instincts told her he was unimaginably powerful.

Eldros’ brows knit slightly. "Because I cannot kill him. But you... can."

"Why?" Nina asked, baffled.

If even he couldn’t do it, how could she possibly succeed?

"Do you know what Thraxxis truly is?" Eldros asked.

"No. He claimed to be a Beast God, but I don’t believe him."

She had never trusted Thraxxis’ words.

"In truth... he wasn’t entirely wrong," Eldros said with a faint sigh. "Then tell me—who do you think I am?"

Nina studied him for a moment before answering lightly, "Don’t tell me... you’re some kind of Beast God too?"

Eldros lifted his gaze, a trace of amusement in his voice. "You’re not entirely foolish."

Nina: ...

No way.

She couldn’t help but doubt it. Was he really the legendary Beast God?

Though... if she had to compare, he certainly seemed more convincing than that red-eyed Thraxxis.

But still—why would a Beast God come to her, a mere female, asking for help? What kind of situation was this?

"If you’re truly a Beast God," Nina said, frowning, "then why can’t you kill that red-eyed monster?"

"Red-eyed monster?" Eldros let out a soft chuckle. "A rather fitting name."

If Thraxxis ever found out that was what this little female called him, he’d likely be furious.

"To explain that... we must start with the past between Thraxxis and me."

His gaze drifted beyond the temple, toward the distant outline of a mountain peak.

"We were both successors cultivated by the previous Beast God. He placed great expectations on us—granted us equal gifts, equal resources, and allowed us to compete on fair terms."

A flicker of nostalgia passed through his eyes.

"We were like brothers of the same lineage. In the beginning, we trained together often, encouraging one another. But as time passed, our ideals diverged. We grew further and further apart... until eventually, we had nothing left to do with each other."

His eyes swept across the vast temple.

"Later, after careful consideration, the Beast God chose me as his successor. Thraxxis refused to accept it—and challenged me to a duel."

"He lost?" Nina asked.

"Yes. Our strength was evenly matched, but in the end, he was defeated. Even so... he refused to give up the position."

Eldros’ voice turned cold, edged with steel.

"So he schemed against the very Beast God who had raised him—seizing a portion of his divine power."

A trace of sorrow flickered through his gaze.

"Before his death, the previous Beast God still passed the title on to me. But Thraxxis devoured part of his body... and using that stolen power, caught me off guard and bound me with a contract—one that prevents me from killing him."

Thraxxis had planned it all. He knew that if he failed to fully devour the Beast God, Eldros would inherit even greater power—and eventually destroy him. So he prepared this contingency in advance.

"If even you can’t kill him, how could I?" Nina pressed. "And there are so many beastmen in this world—why choose me?"

Though she understood the story, she still couldn’t make sense of it.

"Because you are a descendant of the gods," Eldros said. "And you have inherited a pure Beast God bloodline. Once you cultivate to a certain level, your strength will approach that of a god... perhaps even surpass it. Ordinary beastmen are no match for Thraxxis."

A faint smile touched his lips.

"And new divine power... is what can kill him."

"A descendant of the gods?" Nina blinked. "So... you’re my ancestor?"

The thought popped into her head so suddenly that she said it out loud without thinking.

Eldros coughed lightly, covering his lips.

"No. You descend from the first Beast God—not from me."

He had devoted himself entirely to cultivation. He had never taken a mate—so where would descendants come from?

Besides... he wasn’t that old. A little over a thousand years—hardly ancient enough to be anyone’s forefather in this world.

"Oh." Nina nodded, then tilted her head. "What if I don’t want to become a god?"

Truthfully, she wasn’t all that interested in godhood.

The higher one stood, the heavier the responsibilities. It sounded exhausting.

Right now, what she wanted most was to enjoy life with her children—and her mates. Of course, she would still work to grow stronger, but not for glory.

Only to protect herself... and the people she loved.

"You don’t want to become a god?" Eldros seemed genuinely puzzled. "Gods are the most powerful beings in the beast world. Why would you refuse?"

"If becoming a god means sitting in a temple like this all day, like you do..." Nina said, glancing around, "...then no thanks."

"Yes. When the time comes, I would pass the title of Beast God on to you," Eldros replied.

As long as Thraxxis—the calamity—could be eliminated, he had no attachment to the throne.

"Then I’m really not interested," Nina said plainly. "Besides... becoming a god can’t be that easy."

Who knew what the future held? That was a problem for another day. Right now, she had no such ambitions—and she was still far, far from that level anyway.

Eldros nodded.

"Under normal circumstances, no—it isn’t easy. But with your talent, it is only a matter of time. Another thousand years or so of cultivation should suffice."

Nina: ...

...Right. Definitely not easy.

"And by then," she said dryly, "that Thraxxis would’ve already broken free, wouldn’t he?"