"Aluka, have you been tainted by the dark god?" An asked tremulously.

The so-called dark gods are the source of much disorder and distortion in this world. They symbolize downfall and destruction, like shadows under the sun—silent and hardly ever seen by ordinary people—but incessantly clinging to the edges of the world, coveting all that is good and beautiful within.

They are like gluttonous creatures, craving the bait formed by the intertwining of blood and desire.

Thus, if granted even the barest thread of corruption, they will indiscriminately extend their tendrils, engulfing all they see and hear.

This is why dark gods are often astonishingly generous, granting power in exchange for mere offerings of blood and flesh.

However, the smaller the price paid for that power, the greater the eventual cost.

When the accumulated debt outstrips what you can repay, everything you own becomes the plaything of the dark god.

Nothing they bestow comes without a price.

"Dark god?"

Faced with Ann's query, Aluka's expression turned slightly displeased.

"Master, how can you speak of the god so disrespectfully? He has been so kind to me, granting me the power to fulfill my wish to love everyone!"

"Have... have you paid any price for it?"

Ann's breath caught once more.

If gaining that power did not require even the smallest tribute, then what would the dark god demand when the time for repayment came?

Your soul?

"Well then, Master, you still haven't answered my question."

Aluka smiled as she extended her arms, as though preparing to embrace the master she cherished most.

"Do you want to... accept my love?"

"…"

Silence.

A silence as heavy as blood.

Aluka remained silent, patiently awaiting Ann's response, plunging the room into a profound stillness where even the sound of breathing could no longer be heard.

Ann lowered her gaze, her hands instinctively clenched in front of her stomach.

From how tightly her fingers gripped, turning white from the strain, one could detect the turmoil brewing within her heart.

What was she hesitating about? Or rather, what was she deliberating?

It felt as though an eternity had passed.

Finally, as a hint of impatience flickered across Aluka's face, Ann abruptly moved—stepping across bloody puddles toward Aluka.

"Have you agreed, Master?"

Aluka's face lit up with joy. Like a butterfly drawn to a flower, she couldn't wait and rushed toward Ann.

"Let us be together forever, Master. I will always, always love you—"

Her joyous exclamation abruptly ceased.

In Aluka's eyes flickered a trace of confusion, and she stiffened and lowered her head.

A cold blade was held tightly in Ann's hand.

And it had—without error—pierced straight into Aluka's heart.

Ann's hand trembled, yet she forced herself to add pressure, twisting, and twisting the blade even further.

Until the very source of a life—the beating heart—was thoroughly pulverized.

"Ugh... why, Master?"

Aluka coughed out fragments of her bloodied innards, her eyes clouded with bewilderment.

"Do you mean... you don't want to accept my love?"

"I'm sorry..."

Ann raised her head, tears in the eyes of someone who had always been strong.

"I'm sorry... Aluka. I can't let you hurt anyone else."

"Cough, cough... What are you saying, Master?"

Aluka tilted her head in confusion and said:

"I haven't hurt anyone."

"I simply gave them my love."

"I love them, Master. What is wrong with loving people?"

"Shut up!"

Ann suddenly erupted in anger: "That's not love!"

"That's not love? Then what is it? It clearly is love—to take everything from those I cherish. This is what you taught me, Master!"

Aluka's eyes widened, step by step advancing toward Ann, forcing her to retreat.

Her heart, despite being mangled, seemingly posed no issues.

With her blood and flesh spewing forth, she gazed at Ann with a seemingly childlike innocence, asking:

"If it's not, then tell me, Master. What is true love?"

"Tell me, Master. You are my teacher, are you not?"

"What is love? What does love mean? How can I give you true love?"

"I..."

Ann's lips moved, yet no words emerged.

What is love?

Is love truly about possession?

This was once the cornerstone of her belief—an unshakable conviction.

Yet now, facing Aluka, she found herself stripped of the courage to voice it once again.

Clang.

Ann halted her retreat, her back unexpectedly meeting the edge of a cold staircase.

Without realizing it, she'd been driven to a corner.

"Ah..."

Suddenly, something tugged on the hem of Ann's dress.

Instinctively looking back, she saw—

A girl, lying on an iron bed, her stomach sliced open, reached out a withered hand to clutch at her garment.

Eyes filled with tears, she muttered:

"I love you..."

A sentiment so profound and tender... yet so utterly terrifying.

"No..."

No.

No.

This isn't love.

It absolutely isn't love.

The love I know—it simply cannot be this repugnant.

Something has gone awry, undeniably so!

Ann clenched her teeth, ruthlessly shaking loose the grip and fleeing awkwardly to the side.

"Master, don't run away."

Aluka suddenly lunged forward, her movements too agile for a mage.

Pinning Ann to the ground, firmly pressing down, her adorable face flushed an eerie shade of crimson.

"Please answer my question."

From her opened shirt, a dark face twisted and writhed. Its hateful gaze bore down upon Ann.

Simultaneously, it continued to chant in a horrible voice:

"I love you..."

"I love you..."

"I love you..."

"Stop it—"

An struggled furiously.

Trying everything to shake off Aluka.

But the declarations of "love," laced with sinister intent, clung to her psyche like parasitic worms, tearing at her reason.

"I love you..."

"Please... stop saying that."

"I love you. I love you. I love you..."

"Stop it..."

"I love you. Love you. Love you. Love you. Love you. Love you. Love you. Love you... I love you, Master."

"Shut up!"

Ann shut her eyes with a desperate yell.

In her hand, as if acting on instinct, a sharp blade materialized.

Slash.

And again.

The sound of flesh being torn apart echoed endlessly. Warm crimson splattered everywhere, mingling with the cold, foul-smelling fluids puddled on the floor.

The weight pressing down on her suddenly lifted.

"Huff... Huff..."

Ann opened her eyes and stared at the blood-splattered ceiling. Though she hadn’t moved much, she panted as if she'd just survived a battle for her life.

"I'm... sorry."

Ann got up, bowing her head in apology to the now severed remains of Aluka.

"I had no other choice."

Even as her heart felt like it was being squeezed relentlessly by an unseen hand, agonizing.

Even as powerful remorse threatened to drown her very soul in sorrow.

Some lingering sanity told Ann that she had to kill Aluka.

If the dark god’s corruption were allowed to spread unchecked, who knows what catastrophes it might unleash next.

"I promise to cremate you properly and bury your lover."

Ann staggered toward the door, intent on heading to the kitchen in search of flammable items.

"Ah, I understand now!"

Just after taking several steps, a sudden, cheerful exclamation stopped her in her tracks.

Her heart froze.

"Wh... what?"

Teeth chattering, Ann slowly turned around.

Until she saw—

Aluka, reduced to just a head, revealed a joyous epiphany.

Grinning with utmost delight, she declared:

"I get it now. This is still your love, isn't it, Master?"