"Don't think about it. Don't think about it!"
Loshia lightly slapped her cheeks, trying desperately to steady her racing thoughts.
But no matter how hard she tried, the memory from that day resurfaced in fragments—vivid, intrusive, impossible to suppress. Her heartbeat accelerated wildly, like a startled fawn pounding against its cage.
And with her emotions spiraling—
The curse flowing through her blood stirred.
It intensified.
A faint, intoxicating fragrance began to emanate from her skin.
Subtle. Sweet. Lethal.
The scent drifted through the air unnoticed—until it slipped into Kurose Akira's senses.
Even in sleep, his body reacted.
Almost instantly, the Holy Light responded on instinct, blooming softly beneath his clothes. It radiated a warm, gentle glow—like dawn breaking through silk curtains.
"?"
Loshia noticed the change.
Her confusion deepened.
"Wait… can boys… even when they're asleep…?"
Curiosity overpowered hesitation.
She edged closer.
Slowly.
Then crouched in front of him, studying him carefully.
A strange warmth emanated from his body—comforting, sunlike. Even through layers of fabric, she could feel that extraordinary presence.
Her blue eyes shimmered.
Curiosity burned hotter.
It transformed—gradually—into something harder to suppress.
"Just… one quick look. That shouldn't be a problem, right?"
She lifted her gaze.
Akira slept deeply, breathing steady and even. Completely unaware.
Driven by curiosity, she carefully lifted the veil.
"—!?"
The moment the Holy Light revealed itself—
Loshia panicked.
The brilliance was overwhelming. Blinding. Impossible.
"This—this—this…!"
She instinctively held up four fingers, measuring.
Then stared at her hand.
And fell into profound silence.
Gulp.
She stepped back slightly.
Compared to the Witch of the Black Night earlier that day…
Akira's Holy Light was far more terrifying.
As expected—
Only an undead like her aunt could possibly withstand such merciless radiance, right?
Wait!?
Why are you thinking like that again?!
She shook her head frantically.
Yet her gaze—
It returned.
Drawn once more to that dazzling glow.
After staring for a moment, her eyes drifted to the side—to Loserine, seated upright with eyes closed.
For reasons she couldn't explain, seeing her aunt like that—so close, so composed—made her heart beat faster again.
And a strange thrill crept into her chest.
Under that reckless impulse—
She reached out.
Her fingertip brushed the Holy Light.
"Ah—hot…?"
At the faintest touch, the radiance flickered slightly.
A tremor.
Like the earth shifting beneath mountains and rivers.
Loshia's beautiful eyes widened in wonder.
It was the first time she had seen the Holy Light tremble.
And the scent—
That intoxicating fragrance that accompanied it—
She closed her eyes and inhaled gently.
For a fleeting moment, she even wondered—
Did Akira carry a curse like hers?
Otherwise…
Why did she like the scent of his Holy Light so much?
"Wait… what am I doing?"
She snapped back to awareness, panic rising in her chest.
She was a normal girl.
So why—
Why was she becoming so captivated by Holy Light?
But…
It smells so good.
So alluring…
Almost unconsciously, she leaned closer.
Her cheek neared the radiance, savoring its warmth and sweetness.
"Loshia. What are you doing?"
The voice shattered the silence.
Her body trembled.
She turned sharply.
Loserine, who should have been deep in meditation, was now staring at her with a serious expression.
"A-Aunt!? You're awake?"
Loshia's face ignited crimson—red as a ripened apple, as though it might bleed from embarrassment.
She had never imagined—
Of all moments—
Her aunt would awaken now.
Loserine did not show much reaction to her niece's strange behavior.
Her gaze shifted coolly from Loshia…
To the Holy Light.
She was not unfamiliar with it.
After all, their Guild Master often played boldly with the succubus in the guild hall.
Though such "games" typically happened late at night—when everyone else had left.
As for how she had witnessed those intimate scenes—
As an undead, she had no need for sleep.
And her room happened to sit directly opposite the hall.
All it took was a narrow crack in the door—
And the intense "holy war" unfolded clearly before her.
After a brief glance, Loserine spoke evenly:
"Don't attempt what cannot be accomplished. You will get hurt."
Loshia nodded stiffly.
"O-Okay…"
Her emotions were in chaos.
She hadn't meant anything like that!
There was no way she'd dare challenge that radiant Holy Light!
Absolutely not!
…
While aunt and niece remained quietly overwhelmed by the glow—
Akira had already entered a dream.
The dream woven by the World Tree of the Elves.
Half of the one-month agreement with the Elf Queen had already passed.
He had successfully suppressed the Elf Queen's malicious impulses.
But the Dark Elf Queen—
She remained troublesome.
Erase her entirely?
He hesitated.
Though problematic, the Dark Elf Queen held value.
If he could secure her allegiance…
"Hmm? Where are the queens?"
Akira looked around.
No Elf Queens.
Not even the familiar wooden cabin.
Everything had vanished.
Had all three queens been called away by urgent matters?
Just as he was pondering—
A petite green figure appeared soundlessly behind him.
Though she made no noise, Akira sensed her immediately and turned.
"And you are?"
He studied the girl before him.
Long emerald hair cascaded down her back.
She wore no conventional clothing—only leaves and entwined vines artfully covering intimate areas, blending seamlessly with nature itself.
It was an aesthetically breathtaking sight.
At his question, she did not answer.
Instead, she raised her hand.
A dark fruit floated above her palm.
"Dark Elf Fruit?"
Akira's eyes narrowed in surprise.
That fruit had been stored inside his inventory.
Why was it here?
He immediately checked his inventory interface.
The Dark Elf Fruit—
Gone.
His expression sharpened.
Could her authority penetrate a player's inventory?
Or was this because they stood within the World Tree's dream?
"It has already acquired the ability to nurture life," the green-haired girl said softly, her voice brushing against his ears.
"What do you intend to do with it?"
Akira considered for a moment.
"I haven't decided yet."
The green-haired girl stepped closer, gently cradling the Dark Elf Fruit.
Her eyes shimmered with deep, knowing light.
"I have a suggestion," she continued softly.
"Choose an Elf Queen you favor… and let her become your…"