Nina felt the large hand gripping hers tighten, inch by inch, until it almost hurt. She turned her head and saw Idir clutching his temple, his brows drawn tight as though he were enduring some unbearable pain.

"Idir." She called his name, but he gave no response.

Gritting her teeth, Nina tried again, sending a stream of energy into his body—but the moment it entered, a powerful force surged up and flung it back out.

She tried several more times. Each attempt failed.

Worry crept across her face. What was happening?

"What did you do to him?" Nina demanded, glaring at Thraxxis.

"Me?" Thraxxis’ eyes curved slightly at the corners, a faint, mocking smile tugging at his lips. "I merely helped him... release himself."

It seemed the Teng snake hadn’t told the girl about the curse. Naturally, Thraxxis had no intention of enlightening her.

"What do you mean?" Nina’s unease deepened; there was something layered and ominous beneath his words.

"You don’t know, do you?" Thraxxis’ gaze fixed on Idir. "Inside his body lives the most bloodthirsty, most terrifying beast in this world. And I—" his smile sharpened—"helped awaken it."

Nina’s confusion only grew. What was so special about Idir’s body? Why would Thraxxis say something like that?

"And if it wakes up?" she asked cautiously.

"The moment it awakens," Thraxxis replied lightly, "it will unleash its overwhelming power... and begin slaughtering. Every beastman in its path will be torn apart."

He let out a low, amused chuckle. "Tell me, little one—when that beast inside him fully awakens, do you think the first person he’ll rip to shreds... might be you? I’m rather looking forward to it."

It wouldn’t be long now. The Teng snake would lose himself completely, his eyes filled with nothing but bloodlust. This little creature before him would likely meet her end here today.

A pity, really. He quite liked the way she bared her claws.

But she had refused to cooperate—insisted on being his enemy.

Once the Teng snake killed her, he would seize the opportunity to control him, use his power to shatter the seal.

Nina frowned. Could it be that Idir, too, had been cursed—driven into a state of uncontrollable slaughter?

Then how could she help him?

She suddenly realized his hand was growing colder... and colder.

Inside Idir, an immense force erupted, surging through him like a storm. His mind dissolved into chaos. A voice coiled around his thoughts, whispering, tempting.

Go on... stop holding back. Release all your desires.

Kill. Destroy everything that offends your eyes.

...

Faces flickered through his mind—faces he loathed.

His vision flooded crimson.

Kill. He would kill them all.

His reason crumbled, swallowed whole. A terrifying wave of power burst outward from his body.

Nina looked at him. He appeared the same as before—and yet, everything about him had changed.

Idir lowered his head. The savage, ruthless gleam in his eyes made Nina’s heart jolt.

Oh no. He’s really lost himself.

Instinctively, she tried to pull her hand free and step back. But his grip tightened like iron.

"Don’t run," he said coldly.

For reasons he couldn’t understand, he didn’t want this female to let go of his hand. Didn’t want her to leave.

Nina knew that whatever reason remained in him was slipping away. If she didn’t run now, what if he killed her? He already seemed far stronger than she was.

She gathered the power of the star source, trying to wrench herself free, but Idir’s expression hardened. He summoned his own strength, crushing hers down and pinning her in place.

To her despair, Nina realized she couldn’t move at all.

"Idir, wake up! It’s me—Nina!" she called, trying once more to reach him.

A flicker of confusion passed through his eyes.

Nina... Nina.

In his mind, a gentle, beautiful face surfaced.

He stared at her, his gaze wavering for a brief moment—then suddenly, his hand lifted toward her throat.

Fear flashed across Nina’s eyes.

He wasn’t going to kill her... was he?

Desperately, she tried to summon her strength again, struggling against the invisible force that held her fast.

She didn’t want to die here—she really didn’t!

A sob caught in her throat. If she’d known, she never would have brought him in.

Thraxxis’ eyes lit with excitement and anticipation. Was it finally happening?

"Idir, wake up! It’s me—Nina. I’m your friend!" Nina’s voice trembled, on the verge of tears. "Stop, please—just stop!"

Idir frowned. Friend? No... that wasn’t right.

Seeing his expression darken, Nina’s heart sank even further. It was over—she was really done for.

From the side, Thraxxis sneered. "Don’t waste your breath, little one. He doesn’t recognize anyone now. No matter how hard you struggle, it’s useless."

His voice turned mocking. "Regretting not cooperating with me? Too bad—it’s too late. Just wait to be torn apart by your own male."

Idir’s hand drew closer.

Thraxxis stared unblinkingly, his pupils trembling with feverish excitement.

"Idir, wake up!"

Nina made one last desperate attempt—but he didn’t stop.

As his hand was about to close around her throat, she squeezed her eyes shut in fear.

But the expected pain never came.

Instead, something cool brushed against her lips.

Her eyes flew open.

A breathtakingly handsome face filled her vision, so close it stole her breath.

What... what was going on?

Wasn’t he trying to kill her? Why was he... kissing her?

Idir’s hand cradled the back of her neck as he kissed her—awkward, unpracticed, yet forceful and possessive. As if that wasn’t enough, a tail materialized and coiled tightly around her, pulling her firmly into his embrace.

Thraxxis, watching from the side, was utterly dumbfounded. His eye twitched.

Wasn’t the curse supposed to awaken pure, instinctive slaughter? Then what was this—holding her, kissing her?!

Had the curse malfunctioned?

Irritated beyond measure, he turned his gaze away with a curse under his breath. Damn it—what a shamelessly lustful male.

Idir’s kiss deepened, his hunger intensifying with every passing second.

His eyes opened slightly, a dark tide surging within them.

He wanted more. More...

His hand slid from the back of her neck, moving forward, undoing one button after another.

Reluctantly, he drew back just enough to suck lightly on her lips before letting his kisses trail downward.

Nina was dizzy from the kiss, nearly suffocating.

She gasped for air and then felt the warm, damp brush of his lips along her neck and collarbone. Realization struck instantly.

Panic flared.

"Idir, stop—right now!"

Thraxxis was still watching! There was no way she was about to put on a live spectacle.

Idir lifted his head, a flicker of dissatisfaction—and even a hint of grievance—passing through his eyes. "I don’t want to stop."

Then he lowered his head again, intent on continuing.

Nina felt both exasperated and helpless. "You have to stop. If you don’t, I’ll get angry."

At least now she was certain—he wasn’t going to kill her.

No, instead he wanted to...

What kind of awakening was this? Not some monstrous beast—this was practically a lustful one.

Just who had placed such a ridiculous curse on him?

Idir paused at her words, his brows knitting tightly. "Why should I stop? I want to mate with you. I really, really want to."

He didn’t want to stop—but when she said she’d be angry, an instinctive unease rose within him.

His bluntness made Nina’s cheeks flush. "Because we’re not that kind of relationship—and this isn’t the place."

Idir ignored the first half entirely. "Why isn’t this the place?"

Nina shot a glance at Thraxxis.

All those eyes watching—what did he think?!

Idir’s gaze swept over the surrounding eyes, a storm gathering in their depths. "Then I’ll just kill all these things that are in the way."