Chapter 586 – Venice, Arcane Peak (完)

“Vanish from my sight, for I crave her presence alone for a time.”

At the behest of Erinies, Siheon willingly obliged.

This mystical temple had the power to reshape itself according to its creator’s whim, hence a colossal wall sprang up between Lee Si-heon and the women.

Siheon spent a moment gazing at the wall, then with a profound sigh, he took a step beyond its barrier.

– Thump.

He composed his tumultuous mind and desires, seated himself, and assumed a proper posture.

– Ripple.

The floor, awash with water, bore the semblance of a creek.
The blossoms nearby spread out, bowing their heads, reminiscent of marine jellyfish impaled on a long pole.

It seemed as though they symbolized a father’s fall.

[Erinies… Oh, Erinies…!]

Siheon closed his eyes.
The image of his father, leading the charge, flitted across his mind.
The sight of a person gradually losing their sanity, descending into corruption.

But such a state would reverse after a single night.
It was a spectacle Siheon had witnessed innumerable times.

– Thud, thud.

The sound of a woman’s footsteps approaching from behind him.
Siheon’s head, surveying the flower field as if hammering a hot iron, drooped listlessly.

– Thump,

Venice, with her gentle embrace of his shoulders, performed her customary endearing act.
Venice’s supple flesh, stretched over the long cartilage, brushed the edges of Lee Si-heon’s ear.

“Ah, such fun we had.”
“That will suffice then.”
“Your merciless demeanor was quite captivating. Have you gathered enough strength?”
“Not too shabby.”

Is that so? In response, Venice planted alternating kisses on Lee Si-heon’s cheeks.

“Well then, it’s time for us to part.”

Venice, having exacted her vengeance, beamed with exhilaration.
Despite knowing her end was near, she embraced Lee Si-heon, her eyes fixed beyond the flower field, her face radiant with thrill.

“Especially the finale, it was astonishing, who would have guessed the bird was the offspring of the queen.”

Venice, reminiscing about past events, flicked her ears playfully.

“What do you plan to do with her?”
“She’s beyond my control, so if there’s a way, I should not obstruct it.”
“Heh heh, splendid, just splendid. She doesn’t know men, let’s enlighten her just once.”

Lee Si-heon assented without a second thought.
Venice, born as ‘evil’, shared a striking similarity with Lee Si-heon, whose moral compass had blunted.

“Is there anything else you wish to discuss?”

Lee Si-heon shook his head. He had already shared plenty during their journey.
As if tearing into dried jerky, they had dissected every topic, to the point that Venice knew everything there was to know about Siheon.
The one who wished to continue the conversation was, in fact, Lee Si-heon.

Moreover… it wasn’t a situation warranting serious reflection.
Upon this, Venice chuckled softly.

“He must be worn out, having just been shaking his hips like a beast. Forget partings, should we summon that woman again for more sex?”
“You’re the one who initiated it.”
“You’re going to pin it on me?”

As Si-heon lowered his gaze, not uttering a word, Venice gently cupped his cheeks. Her vibrant eyes mirrored the image of Lee Si-heon.

Were they black, or blue? The once delicate and vibrant hue has been darkened to the point of obscurity.

The color of Lee Si-heon’s eyes when they were delving into dungeons was always an unpleasant sight for her.

“I’ve always wanted to say this… your eyes are so empty. I can’t tell what you’re looking at.”

When Lee Si-heon looked into the depths of the creek, as if drawn by Venice’s words, his colorless, tensionless eyes reflected back at him.

Despite his vacant expression, he was capable of thought. He didn’t have any issues making decisions.

Lee Si-heon’s consciousness had been this way for three years now, still playing pranks, living a life that was, more or less, normal.

‘…Hmm.’

It was unclear. Si-heon turned his head and gave a chiding remark to Venice, who had snuck up on him.

“Whoa, phew….”

Their hot saliva tangled, their hearts throbbed. Si-heon took a handful of passion from Venice’s softly parted lips, presenting unforgettable pleasure and pain to her. While it could be said this pleasure was decidedly perverse…

For those who indulged in it, it was an intoxicating nectar. But that was their business.

Si-heon gently bit his lip. Venice, clinging to him, giggled with a contented expression.

That’s when it happened.

– Koo-goo-goo!

A wall descended in an instant. And where the wall had been, the face of their father appeared.

Dressed in disheveled clothes, their father glanced at Si-heon and Venice, then closed his mouth and cast his gaze down.

“What about Erinies?”
“She’s… gone. She said that she’ll discuss it when she is summoned again.”

Even his daughter had suffered, so it was not a time for conversation. After saying farewell to their father, Erinies fled to the spirit realm.

Si-heon asked her.

Did she say enough goodbyes?

“Do you need to know that?”
“No.”

They decided to gloss over that part. Si-heon detached Venice from his arms and took a step closer to his father. His father hesitated for a moment, before confronting him with determination.

“You’ve defeated this dungeon, so in principle, you should receive the reward. But… I cannot respect you.”
“Let’s skip the boring talk.”

Lee Si-heon separated from Venice’s dry lips and spoke.

He looked at his father. His beast-like eyes raked across his father’s psyche.

If you were to look into them, you wouldn’t know what he was thinking, they were so inscrutable.

Was it guilt in there? Or was it pleasure, maybe joy? Despite appearing sorrowful, like they were crying, his hollow pupils didn’t move.

Even as he pressed down on her from above, forcing himself into her, his gaze remained as it always was. Abi, familiar with the eyes of men who violate women, found herself in an ever-deepening terror.

A face that appeared to revel in pleasure, and yet, devoid of feeling. It might be more apt to say he wasn’t human. The sight of him, as grotesque as a foul chasm, contrasted with the horrifically addictive pleasure that was being etched into her.

Si-heon muttered under his breath.

“Who would do such a thing for respect?”

There could have been a myriad of ways to extend a hand. Whether or not they were inconsistent with his nature, it was unclear.

Abi, clutching her pounding heart, spoke. Her voice trembled, as if tears might spill forth at any moment.

“The unknown oppression is terrifying, and it hurts.”

“…You know. Irrespective of what I felt then…. everything I said then was a lie. Trampling and suppressing a personality… I… I despise you so much.”
“Do as you wish.”
“Not even a single apology….”
“Would you really be satisfied hearing that?”

Lee Si-heon’s eyes swept over her. It felt as if a gigantic centipede, legs aplenty, was crawling over her body, causing Abi to shudder.

Would she be satisfied after hearing it? Soon, Abi realized her question was misguided.

What value does an apology hold, devoid of any sincerity, once the deed is already done?

Abi was a saintly figure, capable of absolving even the most heinous sins if the perpetrator showed signs of redemption. And yet, she was the one who fearlessly extended her hand to the entity that had violated her.

“I see.”

But Abi abandoned the thought of extending her hand. Because she could feel his intent to avoid any words that might come across as hypocritical.

“Indeed…… you are the worst kind of villain. I hope that one day, you meet an unfortunate end.”

To these words, Lee Si-heon’s expression remained calm and impassive. But Abi could discern a sense of weariness within them.

Initially, she wondered if she was misinterpreting her own words. But she realized the mockery was directed at Lee Si-heon himself.

A revolting aspect of humanity,
No, a trait visible in all living beings, seemed to be absent in this man.

A tendency to justify certain actions as inevitable and an attempt to evade responsibility. Deception.
And from him, there was no guilt pouring forth. It was as if the part of the brain that harbored such feelings had been entirely severed.

How many karmic transgressions led him to this point?

Only then could Abi comprehend Lee Si-heon’s gaze.

‘I had no thoughts.’

He moved his hips as if it were the most natural thing in the world, like a being devoid of will. The gradually distorting pupils… it was a sight one might expect from a monster.

In her lifetime, Abi had passed judgment on countless villains. She had communicated with any being, having integrated with spirits, and had the ability to discern the innermost thoughts of others. And that’s why only she could understand what lay within Lee Si-heon.

“Is it over?”

Words expelled in arid tones. Despite her visceral disdain for the man before her, a modicum of compassion was offered from father to son.

“…I don’t know what you’re doing, but it’s not too late. It can be rectified.”
“What?”
“A sentiment I loathe to express, to you, the one who has tainted my body.”

The father perceived a trace. An indescribable entity.

“You claimed you came here to conclude matters. If you manage to put an end to it….”

Her hand tightened as she spoke with unyielding conviction.

“You must extract yourself from that situation. The irreversible cannot be helped. It appears you comprehend your transgressions, yet… Hmph!”

The muttering father held his breath, caught by the fleeting transformation of Lee Si-heon’s expression. Her words abruptly terminated there. There was no continuation.

No ripple of emotion crossed Lee Si-heon’s visage. The altered countenance did not wish to revert. Only Venice, standing behind him, narrowed her eyes at the father’s words, responding with a bitter smile.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Abi’s gaze seemed to register something, yet it remained inscrutable to me.

Suddenly, the child turns serious and begins to advise.

Does she perceive my actions as a tangled web of contradictions?

“…And the recompense?”

Abi refrained from further elaboration, leaving the thought hanging in the air.

“I don’t possess much of significance. If I exhaust the residual life force and magical energy… I can furnish you with a modicum of power, or potentially liberate the companion that stands by your side.”

Liberate the companion. I immediately pivoted, my gaze meeting Venice’s. Her eyes were wide open in surprise.

“…Is that feasible?”
“Yes. I’ve burdened the individual next to me with grievous sins, thus, I can allow her to embrace true life. However… the retribution destined for the victor would consequently vanish.”

Amidst the lengthy response to my inquiry, Venice remained silent. I momentarily felt a surge of hope but was quickly reduced to speechlessness, turning to face Venice.

“It’s alright.”

Venice collapsed into my arms, resting her head on my shoulder.

“This is sufficient.”

Could this be a grand gesture to alleviate some burden from me? That was not the case.

“I came here to die. Death offers solace. How else could one live here?”
“Venice.”
“I mean it.”

Tears welled up in Venice’s tired eyes.

“…At one point, even breathing was an ordeal. Finally, an end is within reach. Hence, um…. I’ve lived excessively long. If only I were a millennium younger, I would have journeyed with you.”

Having survived for millennia, could it be that her weary soul still yearned for fulfillment?

Venice planted another impish kiss on my cheek before she burst into a fit of giggles.

“Even so.”

Venice shook her head as I tried to interject. “We don’t have time,” Abi hastily added, urgency in his voice.

“Besides, if I leave, there’ll be complications.” Silence filled the room. “Perhaps, it’s best that I die here cleanly. I’ve pondered the influence I, a sinful woman, could have on you.”

What thoughts had she been harboring while I remained oblivious?

“To be frank, the most significant reason is my desire to die.”

“What nonsense.”

“Hehehe.”

“Then die. I won’t stop you.”

Abi, taking in the situation, extended his hand towards me. I had no intention of persuading Venice against her decision either.

Let’s discard the affection accumulated over time and let her go. The end is just as I had originally conceived.

“Is that truly so?”

“Yes.”

Venice responded to Abi’s query, not me. Abi reached out to me, and shortly after, a hint of mana surged up permanently.

‘…I should remember this method.’

Though highly inefficient, there might come a time when I too need to pass on my power to someone else. There was still much magic in the world unknown to me. I mentally etched Abi’s spell into my mind.

Abi closed his eyes seemingly drained, and slumped onto his seat.

“…It’s finally over.”

Soon enough, the dungeon would collapse, and I would be expelled. The figures of Abi and Venice seemed more ethereal than before.

Turning my head, Venice, who had been waiting next to my cheek, planted a kiss.

“You really are incorrigible till the end.”

“Hehehe.”

She laughed heartily, her eyes shimmering with joy as they looked at me. Her passion, fiery and intense, seemed to grow even as her physical form started to fade.

“Lee Si-heon.”

“What?”

“Since it’s the last time, shouldn’t you feel an elf’s breasts?”

“I’m not in the mood to deal with you.”

At my words, Abi, who was standing beside us, widened his eyes in surprise.

I was unsure why he reacted as such, but for now, saying goodbye was the priority.

“Is that so? Then how about a hug? Come, give me your hand.”

With a sudden jolt!

“I had much to say, but there’s little of worth.”

The warmth of her body, deeply felt within my embrace. The sensation of her weight gradually lightening was palpable. Venice bit my ear, whispering softly,

“Thank you.”

She murmured those words without hesitation, wrapping me in a tighter hug. There were no more kisses. We merely felt each other with our entire beings.

“May everything that revolves around you be filled with lasting happiness.”

We eventually broke our prolonged embrace and faced each other. We sensed the end.

Venice’s fist reached out in front of her. I matched it with my own.

With a soft ‘thud’.

The residual warmth of the touch. My vision blurred as the dungeon’s interior stretched into the distance. I suppressed my presence and headed for the exit.

The dungeon began to crumble, releasing an abundant surge of mana that rushed towards me. I embraced the energy, absorbing it fully into my being.

“Pass!”

Venice, in a mere blink, turned to dust and vanished. I glanced at the space between us, and the once palpable line was no longer there.

* * * * * * * * * *

“Death often heralds a new life,” or so it’s said.

A ‘thud’ sound echoed as the rolling spool of thread came to an abrupt halt midway. The girl, with long ears twitching, yawned and gazed out of the window.

“Damn it.”

This Korean curse word flowed out with much more fluency now. The Spirit Realm here was far too serene, utterly devoid of excitement.

I initially thought my villainous design was the reason for my character, but in truth, I was just a wicked creature. Life became unbearable without a daily dose of chaos. The girl, chuckling to herself, hurled the spool of thread with all her might out of the window.

‘Clang!’

The shattering of the window was of no concern. This world, after all, was woven together with magic, and anything could be mended at any time. With the window’s breakage came a gust of wind that disturbed the tranquility of the cabin, sending the manuscript paper on the desk fluttering about.

“Oh no, this won’t do.”

Venice, having managed to nab the fluttering manuscript, wiped her sweat and lovingly smoothed out the paper with her thumb.

*[The Tale of Two Fools~A Vile Rapist and an Incredibly Kind Elf Elder~]*

The narrative was a collection of provocative episodes from my past with a former acquaintance. Despite the haze that shrouded most of my memories, the recollections of my time with him remained strangely vivid.

I had contemplated paying him a visit, but decided that some memories are best left as memories. Hearing about him from time to time was sufficient. I didn’t know why I was reborn in this place, but considering the amount of inexplicable phenomena that occurred in the world, worrying about it would only serve to burden me with unnecessary stress.

“Shall I try writing again?”