The demon couldn't help but feel secretly pleased at the reply. It tightly curled its four legs, straining to look cute—as if truly harmless.

*Damn you, human. I’ll remember your face. Once I regain my strength, I’ll settle this score.*

“I’ll just give you to Elise,” Kevin said. “I might use a few... methods, that’s all.”

Sunlight bathed Kevin’s delicate frame, yet no expression showed on that flawless face. Only cold, muttered words reached the demon’s ears, sending a shiver through its core.

“What are you planning, human?”

“Nothing much. Just extracting your maximum value.”

“Huh? What does that mean?”

“Exactly what it sounds like. Mercy is sparing you outright death.”

As Kevin’s words faded, a flash of sharp light flickered in their eyes—brief, yet casting a deep shadow over the demon.

“Zzz…”

“Alright… it’s getting late.”

Kevin wondered idly what reward this task would bring. The system seemed to offer items—probably just beginner gear. No need to check yet.

Magic rippled around Kevin’s body. The ground trembled. Air itself seemed to wail with mana. Clearly, a powerful spell was brewing.

The demon had never seen such power. It froze, stammering incoherently, body shaking violently. Pure terror filled its eyes.

“Spare me! Please! I’ll do anything!”

“Don’t worry. I won’t kill you… for now.”

Kevin paused, then added lightly, “Temporarily. Depends on your usefulness.”

Mana surged, then dissipated. When the smoke cleared, both human and dog were gone—only a massive crater remained.

………………

Inside a hidden villa, Elise Osman lay sprawled on her bed, gazing dazedly out the window. At her age, even drugs could barely sustain her broken body. In a few years, it would fail completely—unless she broke through to Seventh Rank.

But Elise Osman’s frail form could no longer endure cultivation. She could only wait quietly for death.

No sorrow touched her aged face. Only relief. Perhaps seeing Kevin again had made her life feel complete.

Silence filled the room. Then space tore open—a jagged rift. Kevin’s gentle voice drifted through.

“How are you feeling, Elise? Any discomfort left?”

Kevin strolled out leisurely from the rift, dragging a pitiful little demon dog. Dust speckled their white dress, yet exposed skin gleamed pure as untainted jade.

“Who…?”

Elise stiffened, eyes sharp with suspicion. Her tone held warning. Then recognition flickered in her pupils. “Kevin? What’s this? A woman now? Or just magic disguise?”

“This… this…”

Kevin realized their exposed form. A flicker of tension crossed their face, then vanished. They took a deep breath.

No point explaining. Might as well lay it bare. No need to claim a cross-dressing fetish—Elise didn’t know this version anyway. Nothing serious would come of it.

“I can explain, but I won’t. Dear Elise, just pretend this never happened.”

Kevin stood still, letting the breeze tousle silver hair behind them. A faint, sweet scent filled the room.

Their eyes met. Awkwardness thickened the air. Kevin’s voice turned pleading—less talk meant less trouble.

“Fine. If you won’t say, Kevin, I’ll drop it.”

Elise didn’t understand. A century apart didn’t change gender. But she respected their silence. She shifted focus to the demon dog, aiming to distract.

“Haven’t I seen this thing before? Feels familiar…”

Concentrating, she recognized it—the demon she’d once fought. No panic crossed her face. Only quiet satisfaction.

Kevin had clearly handled it. The dog’s mana was fully sealed. Its life hung by a thread.

But why bring it here? Why not dispose of it? Elise pointed a wrinkled finger at the trembling creature.

“Kevin, what’s your plan? Is this useful to you?”

“I’m the great—” The demon dog yelped, cut off as Kevin silenced it with mana—and a sharp lesson.

“No. Not for me. For you, Elise.” Kevin’s eyes gleamed strangely. “Time for some… rule-breaking magic.”

“What are you doing, Kevin?”

“Binding you to this demon in a one-sided contract. To survive, it’ll sustain your life—and feed you its mana. You’ll reach Seventh Rank faster.”

Kevin added hastily, sensing doubt, “If worried, I can implant suggestions. It won’t feel anything toward you.”

“Why do this, Kevin?”

Elise’s voice was low, not scolding. She hadn’t expected Kevin to learn dark magic—for her sake.

Kevin didn’t answer directly. They stepped closer, until breaths mingled. Their tone softened.

“Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west. Never scorn the poor youth. Elise Osman, I make this vow: in three years, atop Divine Spirit Mountain, we’ll settle our engagement.”

Kneeling by the bed, Kevin clasped Elise’s aged hand with slender fingers. Sincerity rang clear—no lies hidden.

“So don’t die before then. My fiancée, Elise Osman.”

Just a small repayment. From a runaway youth—no, maiden—to their devoted betrothed.

[Task completed. Reward sent. Check system.]

[New task assigned. Check system.]