The ambiguous atmosphere gradually spread. Anna suddenly realized she was lying in Moen’s arms, close enough to feel each other’s breaths.

Anna involuntarily shifted, yet she found that Moen showed no intention of letting go, causing her cheeks to flush slightly.

"Junior," she softly called.

"Hm?"

"Did you save me?"

Fragments of mixed memories poured into her mind, and Anna began to have some understanding of her current situation. The moon and the cultists were gone, and this area was left with only her and Moen.

Could it be that Moen had driven the moon away? When did he become so powerful?

"I’d say… I just lent a small hand."

Moen sheepishly scratched his cheek as he replied, "With my abilities, I can only handle cultists and act as bait. Facing the dark god head-on is still way out of my league."

"Bait?" Anna keenly caught the word and frowned. "That must’ve been dangerous."

"Eh, nothing much. Just a little trick; it wasn’t that dangerous," Moen said with a laugh. "As long as senior is fine, everything's good."

Anna's cheeks flushed deeper.

In the space veiled by dark mist, the surroundings were exceptionally quiet. Anna could even hear Moen’s heartbeat and his breathing—clipped, somewhat rapid.

Was he nervous too?

Anna’s heart suddenly tightened. In moments like these, under this kind of atmosphere… shouldn’t something like that naturally happen?

Glancing around furtively, Anna noticed that the area, shrouded in the mist of the Dark Moon, had become completely sealed—an absolute sanctuary.

Nobody would interrupt them.

Anna couldn’t help but feel a mixture of irritation and embarrassment. She found no reason to stall or escape.

Yet… the situation didn’t feel entirely unpleasant.

Her breathing grew heavier. Slowly, Anna lifted her head.

Moen’s body stiffened as he lowered his.

Though neither of them were strangers to such moments, the atmosphere—or perhaps some other inexplicable factor—made both a little nervous.

The distance between them closed.

Anna raised her gaze, carefully, and stared at Moen’s eyes.

Those clear, lake-blue eyes always brought her a sense of calm. Even now, gazing into the mirror-like depths, and seeing herself reflected within them, she felt her heart—which had turned cold due to the influence of the Moon of Silence—begin to thaw.

Wait… reflected?

Anna’s breathing suddenly hitched. It was as if she’d just seen something terrifying; her expression immediately turned to one of horror.

And Moen continued to draw closer.

"Don’t!"

Anna abruptly pushed Moen away, leaping out of his embrace with an almost unreal amount of force.

"Senior?"

Caught off guard, Moen stumbled back and winced, rubbing his chest as he looked at her in confusion. "What happened?"

"You… I…"

Anna stared at him, a flicker of uncertainty flashing across her face. Slowly, she lowered her gaze to something she had previously failed to notice—her own body.

Distracted by Moen ever since waking, her attention had never veered to herself. But now…

Grabbing her sleeve without hesitation, she tore it off, exposing her arm.

Her arm was covered in pitch-black scales, each inch of skin hidden beneath the ghastly texture. They expanded and contracted softly as she breathed, grotesque and horrifying.

Her gaze trailed downward, past the contours of her figure, over the steep curves and gentle folds that she once felt held her femininity. Beneath the purple dress hem, where alluring black-stockinged thighs should have been…

Instead, there was a writhing snake tail.

A monstrous snake tail.

"I…"

Anna’s body began trembling uncontrollably as she waved her hand. A small spell formed at her fingertips—a simple manipulation of water from the air, condensing into a smooth mirror.

Taking deep breaths, trying to suppress the dread and panic swirling in her mind, it took her quite some time to summon the courage to lift her head and look.

In the reflection, no longer was there a stunning girl with a face like a blossom, radiant in beauty. The black scales started from her neck and extended upward until they entirely covered half her face.

And her sapphire-blue, water-like eyes, which Moen once likened to precious jewels immersed in silver streams—

Now they were chilling serpentine pupils.

Still unchanged.

Unbearably hideous.

"So that’s how it is…"

Staring into the mirror, Anna briefly fell into a daze. Memories resurfaced like shadows, a flicker of clarity that cut her deeper than any blade.

With a shaking hand, she crushed the mirror into shards of water and lowered her head, whispering brokenly in despair:

"That wasn’t a dream…"

"That wasn’t a dream."

"That wasn’t a dream!"

"I… I’m still a monster…"

"Still a monster who hurts people!"

"I…"

"Senior!"

Moen’s sudden shout interrupted her muttering.

His anguished gaze locked onto the suffering girl before him. Reaching out, he softly said, "It’s okay. It’s okay, Senior. The moon is nearly dead—it won’t exert any influence over your mind anymore.

So it’s okay now. You’re not a monster anymore."

"The mind… Does that mean the physical body can’t be changed for the time being?"

Anna glanced down at her hand and gave a bitter laugh. But then she retreated, rejecting Moen’s extended hand as she quickly pulled out a large black cloak, shrouding her form.

"Junior… don’t. Don’t look at me."

"I don’t mind," Moen replied.

"No, please, I’m begging you—don’t look at me." Anna shook her head and pulled the oversized hood over her face.

"Of all people… of all people, you… I don’t want you to see me like this."

"I said I don’t mind…"

"Enough! Stop lying to me!"

Anna’s rare outburst saw her shouting as she said, "Junior, I know you’re being considerate of my feelings. But please stop deceiving me. I understand—better than anyone—I understand that there’s no one in this world who wouldn’t mind what I’ve become!"

That dream.

That dream was all true.

Or rather, it was a future reality.

She’ll be condemned as a monster, feared by all, and hated by the world.

Even without committing wrongs, her fate will never let her bask in true light.

As for why Moen was absent in the dream?

Perhaps it was her subconscious rejecting the possibility, unwilling to let this boy—who inexplicably occupied a large space in her heart—witness such ugliness.

She wanted him to remember her as the radiant, beautiful senior she used to be.

"So, Junior… don’t look at me. And… forget me."

Wrapped in the concealing black robe, Anna turned and fled as quickly as she could.

She had to escape.

Escape from Moen, escape from everyone.

Just like in her dream—to journey alone to a place where no one could find her.

Then.

No one would have to feel frightened.

No one would have to feel troubled.

No one would have to feel pain.

Everyone—could live happily.

That’s fine.

This way.

It’s fine.

"Senior!!"

But just then, an angry roar broke through her lonely thoughts.

A gust of wind stirred behind her.

Anna instinctively turned around.

Moen, his face furious and contorted, was flying toward her.

Fast.

Anna raised her hand, gathering an immense concentration of magic at her fingertips.

"Junior, don’t come any closer!"

But Moen wasn’t listening. Resolutely, step by step, he advanced.

The gathered magic transformed into heat and light—a miniature explosive spell ready to detonate at Moen’s forehead. All she needed was one step, for him to move closer, and his skull would shatter.

Yet Moen didn’t hesitate and kept moving forward.

"Why…"

Anna trembled, dispersing the magic.

"Junior, why…"

"This question—it’s mine to ask you."

Moen grabbed Anna’s wrist with a swift motion and forcefully pulled her down to the ground.

The cold stone pavement pressed against her back as Moen hovered above her, glaring down.

"Senior, why are you always like this?! It was the same before, it was the same in the dream, and it's the same now ......

Why do you always think of running away first?"

"I didn't run away, I just...... don't want to hurt ......"

"Who did you hurt!"

Moon growled.

"Tyke Rod? That Earl's son? Sister, are you still thinking of lying to me at this time? I've already checked everything, you haven't hurt anyone at all!

Besides, how could someone like you, who can't even bear to sit by and watch the stray cats suffer, hurt anyone?

Moon of Silence is almost gone, you won't be affected by it. So who else would you hurt? Me?

If you want to hurt me, do it now! I'm almost out of energy, I'm no match for you!"

"But I......"

"Silly woman, shut up and listen to me!"

Moen interrupted Anna's words, her eyes looked like they were burning with fire:

"Senior sister, I'm angry, really angry!

Whether it's in that illusory dream or in reality, whenever you become like this, you always think of escaping in the first place, always think of not hurting others.

You were always so gentle, and I loved your gentleness.

But, to be honest, I hate it, so much!

You go out of your way to hurt yourself because of this gentleness!

Senior, can't you think of yourself a little bit?

Can't you be a bit more greedy?

What's the point of only playing pranks? Have a bad attitude towards this damned world and this damned fate too!

You have the right to be greedy! You have the right to go after everything you want!"

"But I have this look ......"

"What's wrong with the way you look? You're not a monster!"

"No, I am, I am a monster, you know that too, Moen."

Anna looked at Moen with a forlorn gaze and said softly:

"In this world, no one will accept a serpentine with scales all over her body and a snake tail, no."

"...... Even so what, I won't care about this, I won't care about what you look like, as long as you're still my senior sister, I'm the son of a duke, I can help you!"

"Liar."

Anna murmured.

"Like I said, there's no one who wouldn't be afraid of a monster."

"......"

Moen suddenly quieted down and stopped roaring.

But Anna found his eyes, gradually reddened and covered with blood.

Like a beast.

"In that case, it seems that convincing you, a stubborn and stupid woman, is already impossible.

Then I'll prove it with what I do."

"What do you want?"

Anna looked confused.

Moen suddenly let go of her hands, and then ...... started tearing her black cloak.

"What?"

Anna froze for a split second, and subconsciously tried to stop Moen.

At this moment, however, Moen truly resembled a wild beast—his actions were terrifyingly rough, his expression frighteningly fierce.

"Aren't you the one who's always said you're a monster?"

"Aren't you the one who always wants to hide away?"

"I want to see just how terrifying you really are!"

Moen ignored Anna's struggles entirely, madly ripping apart her black cloak—tearing it again, and again, and again. His actions were so forceful, so raw, it was as if he were battering down the tightly shut gates of a fortress.

With the sound of fabric repeatedly ripping apart, it didn't take long before the black robe concealing Anna's figure, and even the violet dress Moen had once adored, were reduced to nothing but fragments fluttering through the air.

Anna was now completely exposed before Moen, with nothing left to hide.

In Moen's gaze, Anna's entire body was covered in fine, black scales that gleamed faintly in the dim light. Even the fullness of her chest bore the same alien texture. Her waist remained slender, but below it stretched a thick, serpentine tail that writhed violently alongside her struggles.

As Moen's fingers inadvertently brushed against her bare body while tearing at her clothing, he found not the softness of a young woman's flesh he had expected, but a cold, unyielding hardness.

Just as Anna had said, she now bore very little that could be called human. She was a terrifying creature, a monster in every sense.

Yet Moen's gaze swept across her form, detail by detail, before he sneered disdainfully.

"Is this it? I thought you'd be scarier."

"Moen!"

Anna gritted her silver teeth, her voice laced with anger as she attempted to shield some parts of her body with her arms.

"What are you trying to do?" she demanded, her tone a mix of indignation, fear, and confusion.

But what Anna likely hadn't even noticed herself was that, despite Moen's outrageous actions, all the turmoil in her heart contained not a hint of disgust.

"What am I doing? Didn't I just say it?" Moen responded with a smirk. "I'm here to prove something to you."

He extended his hand again, grabbing hold of Anna's wrists without hesitation. With force, he pinned her arms against the writhing movement of her own tail, breaking through her very last line of defense.

"Even if everyone in this world thinks you're a monster..."

"Even if everyone in this world hates you..."

"Even if everyone in this world wants you dead..."

"But, senior..."

Moen lowered his head, his gaze meeting hers with a determination and sincerity so pure it bordered on obstinate. In those eyes, no fear resided—only a stubbornness akin to that of a young girl determined to defy the impossible.

"I will never think of you as a monster. I will never hate you. I will offer everything I have—my entire being—to protect you!"

Before Anna could even process his words, before her eyes, glazed over in slight shock, could fully focus, Moen moved closer and pressed his lips against hers.

Their lips met.

Moen pried open Anna’s lips, capturing and entangling with the tender "serpent" nestled within her mouth.

Without hesitation, without care for anything else, he kissed her. Even when the sharp edges of her teeth nicked his tongue, bringing a faint taste of his own blood to the kiss, he savored it without reluctance, greedily exchanging their breath, their feelings, through the intimate contact.

At that moment, Moen embraced Anna with all his strength, holding her so tightly that it almost seemed like he wanted to merge their bodies completely into one.

...

Moments passed.

Their lips finally parted, still connected by an intimate strand of saliva, glistening faintly in the air.

Anna's cheeks were flushed as if painted with the soft hues of sunset, her expression almost dazed.

"Why?" she murmured, breaking the quiet.

"Because... senior, don't you remember what you once called me?"

Panting lightly, Moen answered seriously, his voice resolute.

"You said it yourself: I’m nothing but a complete pervert."

"A pervert?"

Anna blinked, momentarily stunned, her thoughts muddled and disoriented. She vaguely recalled teasing him with those words in the past, but what did that have to do with now?

"Of course it matters," Moen said, as if effortlessly reading her thoughts. Speaking each word slowly, one at a time, he offered his answer.

"Because I'm a pervert.

So.

Even if you really have turned into a snake..."

"I’ll still..."

"...get excited because of you!"

Anna's body shuddered violently, as if struck by lightning.

She stared at Moen in stunned silence, her wide eyes reflecting both disbelief and an odd sense of vulnerability.

And in that moment of shock, Moen leaned in once again, capturing her lips with more intensity than before.

This kiss carried an even stronger force, brimming with unrelenting fervor.

As their kiss deepened, Anna couldn't help but gaze at the boy before her. His face was so earnest, so full of passion, so seemingly indestructible.

It was like a meteor falling from the heavens, crashing into the fortress of her heart with unstoppable momentum—a fortress she believed to be impenetrable, guarded for more than twenty years. And now, all at once, under the weight of his persistent love, it utterly collapsed.

For the first time, after years of shielding herself with layers of self-imposed isolation, Anna's fragile heart was laid bare. And in the face of the boy who radiated warmth, light, and boundless love, she found herself surrounded, entirely engulfed.

It felt so warm.

A warmth that made her want to cry.

"Junior..."

Moen suddenly felt an immense, irresistible force on his wrists. Before he could react, his world turned upside down, and within moments, he was pinned underneath Anna's weight.

"You’ve got to be kidding me," Moen muttered with a wry smile as he realized his situation. "Even now, I can’t escape being the one on the bottom, huh?"

Looking up, he met Anna’s gaze.

Her chest rose and fell rhythmically as she breathed heavily, her eyes dazed, a subtle mix of vulnerability and determination adorning her features.

"Junior," she whispered, lowering her head to rest it against his chest. "Whatever happens next... I'm not responsible for that~"

"...Bring it on," Moen replied with a resigned chuckle, abandoning any thought of resistance. "Just please, be gentle with me, the delicate flower."

Before he could finish his quip, Anna's sinuous tail coiled tightly around his waist, binding him with relentless force.

Anna lowered herself further, her slender arms tightening around his muscular frame as her lips sought his once more.

Somewhere amidst their fervent kisses, caressing touches, and intertwined movements, Moen's clothing disappeared entirely, turned into plenty of butterflies.

What followed was a burst of raw, explosive passion—the clashing of thunder and fire. Anna's body trembled violently, her lips releasing a soft, indistinct sound that carried hints of both pain and pleasure.

And in that moment, as physical and emotional satisfaction reached their peak—when her heart swelled with an overwhelming warmth and love—a single crystalline tear slipped quietly from the corner of Anna's eye.

"Senior..."

Moen's startled voice reached Anna's ears.

Self-conscious and slightly confused, she opened her eyes slowly. Following Moen’s stunned gaze, she lowered her head to take a look.

What she saw was not the monstrous form she had lamented for so long. In its place was the smooth, flawless body of a young woman—skin as delicate as white jade, exuding an irresistible allure.

Even the thick, serpentine tail that had once been her shame had vanished, replaced by long, slender legs that now wrapped securely around Moen’s waist.

Could it be...?

The serpentification... was cured?

"So that’s it," Moen murmured, his voice tinged with realization as his gaze returned to Anna’s tear-streaked face.

"The so-called 'Tear of True Love'... this is what it meant all along."

Looking at the glistening drop resting on Anna’s cheek, Moen suddenly understood the truth.

The Tear of True Love wasn’t something he could produce, nor anyone else for that matter.

It was her own tear—a tear carrying warmth and love from the depths of her heart. Something so simple, so... self-evident.

And yet, this straightforward truth had been deliberately obscured by the Moon of Silence, the dark god who reveled in despair, ensuring that those seeking to cure serpentification would always be led astray. Trapped in an endless cycle of frustration and futility, they would succumb to despair, becoming another pawn in an eternal game orchestrated by a malevolent deity.

But even the Moon of Silence could not have foreseen Moen, a boy who unwittingly defied fate, changing its course out of sheer determination and absurdity.

By now, curing the serpentification had ceased to matter to Moen. What he cared about wasn’t the outcome, but Anna.

Even if she remained a serpentine—even if the Moon of Silence persisted—nothing could change the fact that she was still Anna. And for Moen, that was enough.

As for the serpentification itself?

Well, hadn’t he already made it perfectly clear?

If anything, it only made him more excited. Why would he care about something like that?

Through a series of bizarre twists and turns, Moen had inadvertently triumphed over what many considered "destiny."

...

"Junior."

"Hmm?"

"Can I... be a little greedier?"

Understanding now enlightened her expression. And as their bodies rested together, entwined intimately, Anna tilted her head—not to shield her blush, but to nestle comfortably against Moen’s chest. Her voice was soft, almost shy.

"Of course," Moen replied gently, his hand brushing tenderly along her smooth back. A warm smile spread across his face.

"I’ll always give everything for you, my dear senior."

"Then..."

Anna brushed aside her disheveled hair, her hands sliding around to encircle Moen's neck. Her voice carried a playful yet enticing tone.

"Love me."

"Hold me tighter... don’t stop."

"Mmm~, I want more..."

...

**[Greed Meter: 100%]**

...