Time slipped by, second after second.
Whether it was long or short, even Nakime herself couldn't tell.
The pain that had ravaged her body gradually receded, like a tide pulling back into the depths.
"Haa… haa…"
Her breathing was ragged and uneven.
Her entire body was soaked in sweat, as if she had just been dragged out of a river.
"Well done. I knew I didn't misjudge you."
The voice cut through her hazy consciousness.
It was calm—yet this time, it carried something different.
Approval.
Praise.
"My… lord…"
Nakime slowly opened her eyes, her vision still blurred, and looked toward the source of the voice.
Mammon stood beside the bed, draped in a loose robe, gazing down at her with clear satisfaction in his crimson eyes.
"Go wash up," he said lightly. "You've been reborn."
A faint smile curved on his lips.
Nakime surviving the blood curse—enduring its erosion and transformation—meant only one thing.
She had adapted to his blood.
And that meant…
Potential.
As long as she learned to wield her Blood Demon Art and continued devouring flesh and blood, she would inevitably rise—
To become the strongest demon under his command.
For now.
This… was talent.
Those who died under the curse had none.
Those who survived—
Had a future.
The cleansing didn't take long.
Before long, Nakime stepped out of the bathroom, wrapped in a simple towel.
Compared to before, her transformation wasn't overly grotesque.
Subtle.
Yet unmistakable.
A strange purple-red floral pattern now adorned the corner of her forehead, faintly glowing with an eerie allure.
Her once brown eyes had changed as well—
Now shimmering pink, like polished gemstones, beautiful yet inhuman.
"What is your Blood Demon Art?"
Mammon stepped closer.
His fingernails slowly lengthened, sharp and unnatural.
For demons, aside from the rare few who were already monsters in life—
Their true strength lay in their Blood Demon Art.
A power unique to each individual.
Cases like Upper Rank One—who could dominate purely through swordsmanship—were exceptions.
Not the rule.
"My lord…"
Nakime lowered her gaze slightly, her voice soft and obedient.
"I'm… not entirely certain yet. But it seems to be related to… spatial structures."
Despite gaining power, her attitude hadn't changed.
If anything—
It had deepened.
More sincere.
More devoted.
"Oh?"
Mammon's interest was piqued.
Nakime raised her pale arm.
A golden bell materialized out of thin air in her hand.
Ding—
The clear, crisp sound of the bell echoed softly through the room.
Mammon's gaze sharpened.
He scanned the surroundings.
Everything looked the same—
The furniture.
The layout.
The arrangement.
Yet…
Something was off.
The bed that had been behind them—
Was now in front.
The bathroom that had been in the upper-left corner—
Now sat in the upper-right.
This wasn't simple repositioning.
The entire spatial orientation of the room had been rewritten.
"I can… adjust the structure within my domain."
Nakime gently shook the bell again.
Ding—
In an instant, everything returned to its original state.
Silent.
Seamless.
As if nothing had ever changed.
"Excellent."
Mammon nodded, genuine satisfaction flashing across his face.
"Truly excellent."
The ability to manipulate space at will—
Rare.
Powerful.
And infinitely versatile.
Even compared to the original Nakime, this version showed no signs of inferiority.
"All of this… is your blessing, my lord."
Nakime lowered her head.
Her eyes flickered briefly toward him before she averted her gaze again.
Her appearance had changed.
Subtly—
But completely.
The gemstone-like pink pupils.
The unnatural markings on her skin.
She no longer gave off the impression of a gentle, harmless girl.
Now—
There was something dangerous beneath the surface.
Something… other.
"I only gave you an opportunity."
Mammon's voice was calm.
"The one who endured it… was you."
He raised his hand slightly.
"Come."
"It's time I give you your final mark."
The night passed quickly.
Though demons were creatures of the night—
Sleep, to them, was no longer a necessity.
"My lord, you're awake."
As Mammon and Nakime descended the stairs, Chen Jun immediately stood up from the sofa, his posture respectful.
Mammon glanced toward the curtained window.
Even through the fabric, the brightness outside was evident.
A clear, sunny day.
Unfortunately—
Not a world meant for them.
"Any news from Dai?"
Mammon asked casually.
Chen Jun shook his head.
"Not yet. They haven't made any further moves."
He was referring to the A-rank magic insect.
Then—
He froze.
His eyes widened slightly.
Only now did he notice Nakime properly.
At first glance, nothing seemed different.
But her eyes—
One of them reflected something.
A marking.
Lower Rank Four.
Chen Jun's heart trembled.
He forced himself to remain calm.
Nakime…
Had become Lower Rank Four.
Before this, he had barely paid her any attention.
At most, she had been a servant—someone who attended to Mammon.
Insignificant.
But now…
Overnight—
She had risen.
From nothing—
To something.
A sparrow becoming a phoenix.
"Good thing… I never offended her."
A trace of relief surfaced in Chen Jun's mind.
Among demons, they couldn't truly kill each other.
And as long as things didn't cross the line, Mammon wouldn't interfere in internal conflicts.
Because weakness—
Was a sin in itself.
Nakime had been granted the rank of Lower Rank Four.
Higher than Dai's Lower Rank Six.
Which meant—
She had received more blood.
And her strength…
Would surpass his.