Chapter 116: You Are Mine

"Offer something else in return?"

Vier frowned slightly, his eyes fixed on the dark shadow standing before him. As the layers of hazy black mist surrounding the figure vanished from the bottom up, Vier’s gaze subconsciously followed the clearing view. To his astonishment, what revealed itself before him was a pair of incredibly alluring legs.

They were perfectly straight, their beautiful, slender contours enough to leave any observer parched with desire. The skin, as white and delicate as mutton-fat jade, was so exquisite that it stirred an urge to touch it, regardless of one’s gender. Vier’s brow twitched violently; he could hardly imagine what kind of breathtaking, heart-stopping beauty lay atop such perfect legs.

His gaze traveled upward, bypassing the knees and climbing the firm, rounded thighs until it met the hem of a short, barely-there battle skirt.

"Can that even cover anything?"

The thought crossed Vier’s mind instinctively. After a brief pause, his eyes continued their ascent, sweeping over a flat, exposed midriff, crossing a chest where the breastplate seemed dazzlingly bright, lingering for a moment on a slender, snow-white neck, and finally resting on a flawless face.

When Vier clearly made out those stunning features, his breathing faltered for a moment. His mouth twitched, and for the third time, he unconsciously muttered the word: "Perfect!"

Yes, it was indeed perfect. Vier had never imagined that a person could be this beautiful; not even that woman, Prosis, could compare. Those gem-like, enchanting eyes seemed to watch him with a hint of amusement. Beneath a straight bridge of a nose, her crimson lips, shaped as if carved by a blade, curled slightly. The waterfall of golden hair cascading down her back only served to make her appear even more bewitching.

"Well?"

Karen did not seem to mind Vier’s scrutiny; her alluring red lips curved, and she asked him, "Well?"

"Let’s start with what you want me to use as payment."

Vier forced his attention elsewhere. He really did not want his focus entirely consumed by the captivating body before him—at least, not yet.

"You!"

Karen extended a slender finger and tapped it gracefully in front of Vier.

"Me?"

Vier pointed at himself, slightly stunned, a look of surprise on his face.

"Of course, you. Otherwise, do you think you possess anything else of equal value?"

Karen shrugged. Her voice remained as intoxicating as ever, her tone as matter-of-fact and unquestionable as a queen’s. "From now on, you are mine. Remember my name: Karen!"

This woman—she had simply decided it on her own!

Vier felt a sudden urge to laugh and cry at the same time. What was this? He had reclaimed his divine staff, only to become a servant as the price? What kind of logic was this?

"I refuse!" Vier frowned. "That is absolutely impossible!"

"Oh?"

Karen was not angered. On the contrary, a hint of delight flashed in her eyes. She placed one hand casually on her slim waist, while the other reached out to Vier’s face. She opened her palm and provocatively stroked his cheek, then traced a path down his neck to his chest.

"I must tell you one thing, Vier: when I, Karen, set my mind on something, no one can change it. But I am curious—why do you not want to be mine? Am I not attractive enough for you?"

Karen used her slender finger to lift Vier’s chin, forcing him to look up. Though her voice remained seductive, Vier clearly sensed an absolute dominance. He looked at her, the initial fascination in his eyes transforming into a raging fire. Even though he knew her strength was so immense that it left him breathless, he had no intention of submitting.

"Hooked!"

Karen’s beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, her red lips curving into a cunning smile. "My adorable little one, you have no choice. And even if you did, you might not be able to handle it..."

"Then let’s test that!"

Vier bit his lip hard. He swung his divine staff, and the beautiful crescent blade transformed into a streak of emerald light, slashing directly toward Karen’s neck without a shred of hesitation.

Watching his movement, the curve of Karen’s lips deepened. She took a half-step back, tilted her head with a motion as soft as a breeze, and perfectly evaded the strike. Her waist swayed like a boneless, enchanting serpent, and she ghosted into his blind spot, tapping the back of his neck with a fingertip.

It was a light tap, devoid of force—clearly, she did not intend to hurt him. Yet, Vier felt no gratitude. Instead, he let out a roar, and in an instant, countless sharp wind blades erupted from him like a torrential downpour, the magic from his Sea of Consciousness exploding without warning.

*Swish!*

With a sound like a flurry of wipers, the wind blades tore through the void. Karen watched the dense swarm of blades with no change in expression. She waved her arm casually, and a terrifying gale formed in her palm, instantly transforming into a blinding burst of light that collided with the wind blades. With a crisp *crack*, Vier’s attack was shattered into fragments, which splattered like rain, leaving shocking cracks across the surrounding ground.

Vier frowned, glancing at the fissures, and took a deep breath. His staff emitted a hazy emerald glow, but within that light, a point of crimson began to burn brighter and brighter, eventually surpassing the green. Simultaneously, a layer of crimson light formed on Vier’s skin, radiating intense, scorching heat.

Under his deliberate control, the heat compressed. At the very center of the blaze, a snow-white point appeared, slowly blooming like an ice-sculpted lotus.

"Ice and fire?"

Karen watched his movements with increased interest. She could feel the strange aura radiating from him—the scorching heat waves intertwined with a bone-chilling cold. The crimson heat continued to compress, and flames began to flicker. Under the extreme temperature, the very space seemed to distort. Yet, amidst this heat, the crystal-white ice lotus continued to bloom, unaffected and beautiful. The two mutually exclusive temperatures were perfectly fused by Vier. His magic reserves drained like a fountain, but in exchange, his ice and fire magic became his most formidable weapon.

Vier knew the disparity in their strength; even with his staff, he could not defeat her. His goal was not to win, nor was it a desperate struggle—he simply wanted to prove himself to this overbearing woman. She was strong, but if she thought she could make him submit, she was mistaken.

"Fire Pool, Ice Lotus!"

With a roar, Vier poured all his strength into the staff and swung it downward, bringing a gust of wind with it.

*Boom!*

The crimson flames lunged like a roaring beast, radiating terrifying heat. The ground shattered, cracks extending toward Karen before exploding with a deafening blast. Just as the vision was swallowed by fire, a blindingly pale light erupted. Sharp lotus petals covered the area within five meters, instantly freezing the raging flames.

*Crack!*

The ice lotus began to fracture. At its center stood the stunning woman, unharmed. Her red lips curled; though she made no sound, Vier knew she was laughing.

The duel had no suspense.

*Bang!*

The ice lotus shattered, and shards of ice rained down, accompanied by a chilling mist that dissipated over the desolate land. Vier slowly lowered his staff and looked up at the woman before him.

"I still say: I refuse..."

"And I still say: you are mine, and nothing can change that... Vier, you are mine!"

Karen spoke with the same matter-of-fact tone. She glanced at Vier, then casually at the little finger of her right hand. On that flawless, jade-like skin, a small patch of frost lingered, and beneath it, a faint mark where the fire had grazed her.

Though it was only a graze and not a wound, a strange feeling stirred within her. She had expected that with her strength, no attack could touch her. Yet, his flames had actually singed her. She curled her finger, shattering the ice.

"Vier, the Gate to the Demon World is behind you. If you want to leave, do it now. Each opening consumes energy; once it’s exhausted, you might be stuck in this world that isn't yours for a few years..."

Karen tossed a pitch-black object toward him with elegant grace, then placed her hand behind her back—the same hand that had been grazed.

"Take this. The undead creatures won't attack you."

Vier looked at the magic-crystal-like object in his hand. He knew she had no reason to lie. He wasn't one to hesitate; he tucked the item away and asked, "I will return."

"Oh?" Karen placed her other hand on her waist, intrigued. "Of course you will return, Vier. You are mine, after all! But if you don't, I will come find you... Remember, Vier, you are mine!"

Vier offered no reply to her dominance; he simply turned and walked away.

Watching his figure fade into the distance, Karen finally looked away, subconsciously glancing at her right pinky finger, though there was no mark left there. She curled her fingers into a fist and closed her eyes, her breathing rhythmic and perfectly coordinated.

When she opened them again, the scenery had shifted. Before her now stood a magnificent, colossal hall.

The structure was built entirely of stone, some parts weathered and broken, yet Karen could still feel a powerful aura of majesty emanating from it. This sense of superiority made her uncomfortable. She scoffed, and a surge of indescribable momentum erupted from her, trampling the hall’s authority beneath her feet.

"Is it you again, Lian..."

A deep voice echoed from the hall. It was soft, yet Karen heard it clearly. She scoffed and tapped her toe; a frightening crack split the ground, extending straight to the entrance of the hall.

"Lian, will you never give up?"

The voice returned, gentle yet devoid of human emotion. Karen remained expressionless. After a long silence, the voice sighed, "Come in."

[End of Volume One]