The snake girl possessed a striking, serpentine beauty. Her skin was a mesmerizing shade of blue, adorned with intricate streaks of black that rippled like the scales of a snake. Her eyes, deep and penetrating, were a shade of gold with diagonal slits, glowing with an otherworldly intensity. She wore a stunning purple dress made from beast skin, which clung to her curves, accentuating her unique beauty.
[ Appraisal ]
[ Name: Sienna Alsker ]
[ Species: Viperscale Medusa ]
[ Rank: Lesser Demon ]
[ Affiliation: Naga Tribe of Dark Forest ]
[Abilities:
1. Poisonous Miasma Control
2. Petrifying Gaze.
3. Naganian Transformation.
Aengus watched her details with interest.
“So, there’s a whole hidden tribe of Snake demons in the Dark forest.” he grinned.
“And why should I do that, Sienna Alsker?” Aengus asked, his profound gaze fixed on the desperate for a particular badly burned Naga.
Sienna looked up at the half-breed demon, fear gripping her heart. Silent apprehension filled her as she realized her Petrifying Gaze had no effect on his overwhelming physical and demonic power. She also noticed the strange demons following him with respect and reverence.
Her eyes widened when he casually revealed her name, intensifying her fear. This man was deep and mysterious.
She realised that her only chance to save her father was to plead. She had to bring him back home, no matter what. Her mother was waiting for them.
However, she couldn’t help but ask herself, *”Just why is this half-breed so strong?”* The thought sent a shiver down her spine. Under Aengus’s chilling gaze, she felt her courage crumble, unable to muster the strength to speak back.
Just then, her father, standing beside her, reverted to his Naganian form. His body, badly burned and smoldering, bore the marks of their recent battle. The tough, blue-skinned demon, now scalded and pained, looked at his daughter with sorrowful eyes.
“Ss-Sienna… why are you here?” he stammered, his voice strained with both physical pain and emotional turmoil. “And… please, don’t plead for my sake with this outsider. I-I would feel even more like an incompetent father if you did.”
Sienna’s father’s face contorted with anguish as he heard his daughter’s words. He then turned to Aengus, desperation in his voice. “Please, Lord, let my daughter go. You can kill me whenever you like, and I won’t even complain. Just… please…let her go.”
“No, Father, you can’t do this!” Sienna cried out, her voice filled with panic. “Lord, I will be your slave, but please don’t kill my father. I’ll do anything for you. I can even be your concubine,” she pleaded, tears welling in her eyes.
Aengus’s expression remained cold and indifferent. “Shut up! I don’t need a slave, and I’m not interested in your body either,” he said, his tone emotionless. “If you have something valuable to offer, I might spare him—*might*—but only if I like your offer. You have five minutes to consider.”
Sienna was at a loss for words. Even her body wasn’t tempting to him. “Then what is he interested in?” She began to observe Aengus and his subordinates more closely, hoping to uncover their motives. “From there, I might find some clues.”
“Think, Sienna, think.” Her mind raced as she tried to understand what Aengus wanted. “If I were in his shoes, what would my motive be for venturing deep into the Dark Forest?”
Demonic cores, perhaps? Or loyal subordinates? Gaining more power? Her eyes darted to Aengus’s subordinates, who stood at a respectful distance, their demeanor subdued and obedient.
“Would he spare my father if we surrendered to him completely?” She wondered, her gaze meeting Aengus’s once more. His eyes were cold, but she could see the hunger for power and authority lurking within them.
There must be something… something he wants… Sienna thought, desperate to find a way to save her father.
As Sienna watched in horror, Aengus calmly finished off the remaining Nagas who were barely clinging to life. Panic gripped her heart as she realized the urgency of the situation.
“My Lord, we are willing to serve you wholeheartedly, just please spare us!” she blurted out, taking a desperate gamble.
Aengus paused, a pleased expression crossing his face. This was what he had been waiting for—a chance to gain loyal allies who could extend his power and influence. Turning them into his Legion would make them mindless puppets, but having them willingly serve him offered much greater potential.
“Oh? And what if you betray me?” he asked, his tone cold and calculating. “Why should I believe you?”
Seeing a glimmer of interest in Aengus’s eyes, Sienna exhaled a breath of relief. She knew this might be their only chance.
“Lord, we can offer our Naga Pearls to you. With them, you can control our lives and deaths, as they are spiritually connected to us,” she quickly offered, hoping it would be enough to sway him.
Without hesitation, Sienna magically produced a glowing green pearl from her body and handed it to Aengus.
Aengus examined the pearl with interest.
[Appraisal:]
[Medusa’s Pearl]
[Description: A spiritual object connected to the Naga/Medusa species, primarily used for communication over long distances. It can also increase a human’s soul strength.]
Aengus’s eyes widened in shock as he read the description. His gaze sharpened, suspicion growing. “Wait, did you use this pearl to call for help?” he asked, his voice hardening as he eyed Sienna and her father with growing mistrust.
Sienna’s face paled as she quickly replied, “No… I didn’t. Our tribe is too far from here. It only works within a certain distance. But I can’t promise anything about the others; their pearls are stronger and have a wider range of communication.” She glanced nervously at the dead bodies around them, hoping to assuage his concerns.
Aengus wasn’t satisfied. “Ask your father if he used his pearl,” he demanded, gripping Sienna’s pearl as if ready to crush it at any moment.
Sienna turned to her father, who winced in pain. “Argh… No, I didn’t. But I did try. It was likely only received by my daughter since she was the closest,” her father admitted, his voice strained as Sienna hurriedly tended to his wounds with some strange herbs.
“Yes, it’s true,” Sienna confirmed, her voice steady as she added, “We should leave this place, my lord.” She hoped this would earn her some trust from Aengus.
Aengus hummed in thought before nodding. “Okay. Give me your spiritual pearl first,” he commanded, his gaze shifting to Sienna’s father, Sanka.
Seeing no other choice, and urged by Sienna’s pleading eyes, Sanka reluctantly handed over his pearl. He sighed heavily, realizing that their fate now rested entirely in the hands of this powerful stranger.
