‘Where is she right now?’ Ryuk inquired, seated in a room that appeared empty. Wearing a black robe, he sat on the bed and glanced around, searching for Esme, who had used her illusion to make herself invisible out of embarrassment.
[Host, she is in the third right corner.]
‘Did you find out anything about what that alert was?’ Ryuk asked about the system’s warning that the Tenebri bloodline was vigorously reacting the moment he released his Shunya, considering that he had little knowledge about the Tenebri bloodline, which made its user have a fated partner or lover, something like that.
[Host, it seems that the Tenebri bloodline may guide an individual to discover their soulmate. However, this journey comes with side effects: the love grows stronger and intensifies naturally. As they spend more time together, their affection deepens. Yet, because it’s artificially induced, a sudden surge in attraction can lead to hallucinations and overwhelming sensations.]
[While additional analysis is necessary for the two, this is the most significant result I obtained. If a connection is made between both the host and her, further examination of the bloodline can be conducted.]
‘What kind of connection?’ Ryuk asked while digesting the information provided by the system. A doubt began to creep back into his mind, a doubt that had lain dormant for months since his encounter with Esme.
Hearing that love could be artificially intensified reminded him of how he had initially been drawn to her, as if someone had crafted a plan to ensnare him. He had chosen to go along with it, brushing aside any doubts and keeping them hidden.
However, now that he knew Esme’s bloodline was influencing her feelings for him, it felt as if an unseen puppet master was manipulating their connection.
And if someone possesses this much strength to decide someone’s fate, it could not be other than a God. And considering how much he could think of, there is only one God who could harbor ill towards him at this point, ‘Does Fela have some hand in it?’
[Host, it’s unclear and difficult to find until you both establish the link.]
‘What link?’ He asked once more, recalling that the System had just spoken about forming connections; he sought clarification on the type of connection or link being referred to by the system.
[Of course, claim her body; I will be able to establish a doorway between all the women you sleep with.]
Ryuk rose to his feet and made his way towards the third corner on the right. He settled himself against the wall, extending his hand to gently comb through the lock of hair that was becoming visible as his energy disrupted her illusion. He positioned his hand near her chin, which radiated warmth from her body, tilted her face toward him, and asked, “Are you alright?”
While watching her, Ryuk’s eyes wandered to her hand, which was tightly gripping her wrist as she stared at her palm. He could tell that her mind was working to remember the feeling of touch from a few moments ago, leading to a sense of embarrassment.
thump thump
“….yes,” Esme replied meekly. Noticing how he had observed her hand, she swiftly removed both hands and acted normal before standing up, dusting off her nightdress. Though it was wet, she snapped her fingers, causing her usual white, fluttering dress to adorn her body, along with the tiara she usually wore.
Since both the tiara and the dress are artifacts bounded to her body, she can effortlessly wear and remove them with just a snap of her fingers.
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Far away from the Wei family’s estate, high in the sky of Uppertown, a woman wearing a black dress with deep orange eyes stood levitating in mid-air while intentionally looking towards the estate, particularly at the room where, a few moments ago, an event—a small reaction that had caused a few troubles for her—occurred.
{ A/N: Drishti’s Illustration }
‘Again?’ Drishti, looking towards the house she had been observing for a few moments, noticed the changes that someone else had also noticed, causing her to pause and stop from having consequences fall on those down there.
••• One’s interests must never take precedence over the value of a person’s life, Drishti. •••
‘It’s fine; he loves her, don’t worry,’ Drishti calmly replied while, with folded hands, levitating 100 feet in the air, she kept looking towards the wooden house.
••• Affection? More like fascination. You’re aware of the countless secrets he has kept from Esme; his interest in her is purely curious. It’s merely a love devoid of trust.•••
‘Curiosity can lead to love,’ Drishti argued again, shrugging her shoulders while observing how the individual in whom she had taken an interest was creating trouble for her.
••• Do you honestly believe he’ll be satisfied with just Esme after he acquires her abilities? •••
‘..He lacks ambition,’ Drishti replied while closing her eyes, recalling the time since she met Ryuk. Given his tendency to fight back instead of running away and even subduing her, it naturally showed that his personality leaned more towards ambition. However, she prioritized her interests even at the cost of lying.
••• Lacking ambition? In that case, why not reveal the secret of the Tenebri bloodline to him? •••
‘….’ Drishti chose not to speak about this issue, fully aware that as humans gain strength, they tend to become increasingly greedy. She understood this all too well, as she too had felt the influence of power. Standing at the pinnacle of that very strength now, she realized that not maintaining this secret would ultimately corrupt Ryuk.
••• Drishti, you should know that there are currently three more Tenebri infatuated with this boy. If that number rises, you’ll face a choice between your interest and the Devereaux bloodline. •••
‘Are you threatening me?’ Drishti turned to leave that place, knowing that this would be inevitable. However, she had just received a piece of information that there were three more women in love with this man, prompting her to feel intrigued.
••• As an irresponsible guardian, you have abandoned your bloodline and indulged in self-interest. However, I will not let my bloodline be destroyed by a single human. •••
‘Why are you overreacting? He is just an interesting human,’ Drishti arched an eyebrow as her body darted toward the exit of the Jade dominion, deliberately moderating her speed to engage in conversation with the voice of one of the mightiest entities on Blue Star.
••• You and that boy both possess a similar quality, Drishti. •••
‘What?’ Drishti made her way through the vast expanse dotted with five colossal battleships. Her essence, resembling a fleeting streak of light, conveyed to the Devereaux family members that she had departed from the Jade Dominion. During her departure, she also felt the presence of Regina exiting this location.
••• You, driven by your own selfish desires and interests, show no concern for repairing the natural laws, leading to your continuous rebirth. Meanwhile, he, in his quest for personal vengeance, disregards these natural laws and reverses the flow of time. One dances within the cycle of reincarnation, while the other experiences Regression. •••
‘?!?!’
‘Huh? Time?’ Abruptly, mid-flight, the Drishti came to a standstill, creating the shockwave’s velocity that had already scattered all the surrounding clouds, unveiling the bright blue sky. The ocean breeze a hundred feet below still felt the impact, causing tiny ripples to form. Drishti’s ears perked up, pivoting toward the Jade Dominion as her eyes squinted with curiosity, asking, ‘Are you saying that he turned back the time?’
