"Apologies, but I must refuse."

Zuo Yuan kept his gaze lowered as he answered the girl, his words firm despite the opportunity before him.

Principles were unchangeable.

"I am human."

Yes—he was human. He could never bow to monsters who preyed on his kind.

Not for grand ideals or hatred of monsters. Simply because... he was human.

This man had his own convictions.

Of course, his blunt refusal also came from seeing deeper truths.

The scales, once heavily tipped against him, now held new weight on his side.

"How unfortunate," Yuri said, her expression eerily calm despite the outright rejection. "Human? Hmph. As his descendant, you’re... barely acceptable."

She tilted her head, slipping back into lazy indifference.

Withdrawing her leg, she settled onto the seat behind her.

"Only humans can slay monsters. Perhaps that’s for the best. Now then, boy—share your thoughts."

Zuo Yuan exhaled silently as Yuri retook her seat.

After a pause, he spoke: "I’ll help you leave this place. I’ll give you what you need. In return, you eliminate certain... obstacles for me. Agreed?"

Yuri had implied she required him as a medium to escape. Yet Zuo Yuan didn’t exploit this leverage for greater gain.

He understood too well: this petite girl likely housed a terrifying beast.

If her claims were true, she’d been sealed for millennia—yet remained unchanged. That alone spoke volumes.

Besides, she’d casually revealed her greatest weakness, utterly unconcerned.

Her nonchalance was absolute.

"Interesting. So simple? Won’t you regret this?" Yuri’s crimson eyes gleamed. "I’m the very monster *he* sealed away for thousands of years..."

*Releasing an ancient sealed entity for such a trivial bargain—has he truly considered the consequences?*

She studied the youth, a flicker of curiosity stirring within her.

Zuo Yuan shook his head, a faint smile on his lips. "Perhaps I will regret it someday. But now? I need power. *Your* power. So... no. I won’t regret this."

"Hahahaha!"

Yuri burst into laughter the moment he finished, doubling over in her seat.

"Delightful! You’re as amusing as *he* was. Very well—I accept your terms!"

Crimson light erupted from her body.

"Calibration zero. Restrictions lifted."

Her whisper froze the air. Silence.

"...Preamble: Hermes’ Bird is my name. I devour my own wings to master my heart!"

Within the blinding red glow, countless eyes snapped open at her incantation.

Sweat beaded on Zuo Yuan’s forehead under their gaze. His pupils tightened. An unspeakable dread coiled in his chest.

*What... is this?*

Regret already clawed at him.

He’d just bargained with something far beyond his reckoning.

But it was too late to stop.

The seat shattered. Transparent chains materialized from the void—yet hesitated to bind.

Everything had changed the moment Yuri swallowed his blood.

Nearby, Maria watched with a thrilled grin.

*Yes. This power—terrifying, intoxicating. The despair it breeds... the obsession it ignites.*

She felt it radiating from the crimson shadow, from those ravenous, watching eyes.

The monster was awakening.

"Come now..."

The blood-tinged shadow rose, coalescing into a girl’s form.

Her once-golden hair now flowed like liquid night.

Death-filled pupils swirled with twin star sigils.

The sigils spun, detaching from her eyes to hover before her—growing larger.

*Whirr!*

The right sigil slammed into Zuo Yuan’s right hand before he could react, searing a crimson brand onto his skin.

The other embedded itself in Yuri’s left palm, leaving an identical mark.

"Terms accepted. Covenant sealed." Yuri’s voice echoed. "Congratulations, boy. You’ve temporarily gained command over a monster’s will. *Temporarily*, mind you."

*Crack!*

The phantom chains dissolved like smoke.

But the shattering sound came from outside.

The barrier sealing this place fractured—moonlight revealed it crumbling like a thousand falling butterflies.

The seal on Yuri was broken.

Their causality-bound covenant had fulfilled the release condition:

*He frees her. She kills for him. Perfect.*

When their pact ended, true freedom would follow.

Thus, the thorn-bound beast finally stretched its claws anew.

She cared nothing for *his* schemes or hidden traps.

Only one thing thrilled her now:

*Moonlight... so beautiful. Perfect for celebration, isn’t it?*

Beyond the castle walls, the scent of living humans deepened the crimson in Yuri’s eyes.

She stepped lightly onto the carpet.

Stretching her long-dormant limbs, power surged through her like a tidal wave.

Blood mist coiled around her fingertips. Sharp fangs gleamed faintly under the lights.

*Desire. The craving to kill. To feast.*

Her heart thrummed with long-forgotten hunger.

"Well then," she purred, turning to Zuo Yuan. "Shall we celebrate, boy? What do you say?"

Zuo Yuan stared at the brand on his hand, then at the girl. His expression unreadable.

After a long moment, he laughed softly.

"...Yes. A celebration. For your freedom... and my transformation."

*From prey... to hunter.*