"Ha… ha…"

The ground lay strewn with corpses, soaked in blood that stained everything around.

Yet on those dead faces, there was no fear—only pure, blissful enjoyment!

That very expression made the atmosphere utterly chilling…

The only living thing was a golden-haired girl, half-leaning against a colossal tree, gasping heavily.

Flickers of complex light danced in her gentle red eyes.

All dead. Every last one. Not a single drop of blood remained.

The sweet taste still lingered on her tongue, but now she felt only disgust—even nausea.

What’s wrong with me?

After killing the last pursuer, Yuri had sunk into this strange state.

It felt as if she’d suddenly become someone else entirely!

Her first feeding, her first slaughter—yet she’d moved with the skill of a seasoned hunter!

Toying with hearts, mastering fear and despair—she was more demon than demon.

But Yuri knew she was still herself. Always had been.

The urge to kill them all had been her own choice; she felt no regret.

This sensation was like a self-indulgent act—utterly opposite emotions before and after.

Consumed by bloodlust and hunger, she was nothing like her usual self.

More like… the terrifying demon before she’d claimed this body!

"Locked up too long, am I going crazy?" she muttered, shaking her head with a wry smile.

Well, anyone would snap after such confinement.

Especially…

"Whatever. If I’m a glutton, so be it. This feeling isn’t bad."

Her soft red eyes hardened; Yuri pushed aside every trace of doubt.

Certain no one had escaped, she melted into the shadows.

Moments after she vanished, the earth cracked open, revealing pairs of glowing crimson eyes.

The corpses sank like stones into mud!

Within breaths, only bloodstains and shattered trees remained—no other trace.

Any witness would likely mistake it for a beast hunt.

…

Was this right or wrong?

Zuo Yuan stood by the window, watching distant lights flicker and fade.

When the last glow vanished, he knew it was over.

He didn’t know how many had chased him—but surely, they were all corpses now.

Why such confidence? Even he couldn’t say.

His family’s legend warned of a true monster sealed in the ancient castle!

Truthfully, Zuo Yuan was lost. Why had that girl—Yuri—so easily signed the contract?

Its binding power was weak, yet real.

To escape, she could’ve killed him the instant the seal broke.

He believed she could’ve slain him and shattered the seal anyway!

But she hadn’t.

Like a true pact-keeper, she’d butchered those hounds one by one.

"So, a demon’s mind—"

He shook his head, sighing. The deed was done; no room for regret.

Before he finished, a ghostly voice whispered behind him, "Hard to fathom, isn’t it?"

Zuo Yuan turned. Maria, the maid who served Yuri, had appeared silently.

Unfazed by his rude stare, she stated flatly, "Lord Akat has returned. Come."

Zuo Yuan tilted his head, brow furrowing at her persistent title.

He didn’t know the girl’s name—Maria always called her Akate.

Surely that was just a surname…

But this surname—

At the door, seeing him hesitate, Maria paused. "Hurry. Don’t keep Lord Akat waiting."

"Hey, a question. If I recall, Akate isn’t—"

Zuo Yuan’s words died. The maid, meters away seconds ago, now stood before him.

A sharp dagger pressed against his throat.

Maria’s calm eyes blazed with murderous intent. "Some words are best unsaid. Or else…"

The blade bit his skin; pain darkened Zuo Yuan’s gaze.

"Calm down. We’re not enemies. Just curious."

"…I hope so." Maria sheathed the dagger, her cold mask returning—though her wariness deepened.

Zuo Yuan ignored the threat, but shock churned inside him.

If his suspicion was right… she was truly formidable.

If others knew he’d freed the legendary demon so easily, they’d tear him apart.

But dwelling on that was pointless now.

He needed this power—demon or not, it didn’t matter.

Even if she spiraled out of control, countermeasures existed.

After all, his family’s legacy held more than just this…

A faint chuckle escaped him. Under Maria’s icy stare, he followed her.

The same hall. Yuri sat on a fresh chair, just like before.

Spotless despite the slaughter—not a speck of dust on her.

Only the faint metallic scent of blood proved anything had happened.

Her long hair, black after unsealing, now blazed golden again.

She sat serenely—a princess awaiting her prince, not a blood-drinking demon!

Her adorable form stirred only tenderness.

Had Zuo Yuan not known she’d just killed dozens, he might’ve believed her an angel.

But a demon remained a demon; no angelic guise could hide it…

The instant Yuri’s gaze locked onto him, his stray thoughts vanished.

Sharp. Dangerous. Those blood-red eyes seared into his soul.

Stare too long, and you’d drown in them—unable to escape!

These… were a demon’s eyes.