This little girl, no older than a few fleeting moments, dared to stand between me and my prize.
The pinnacle of insolence, I say.
I could crush her like a bundle of dried seaweed—and I should...
But it seemed my husband was protecting her.
So, I stayed my hand, allowing her blunder to pass unpunished.
But why did she not fear me?
My magical energy seeped into every corner of this area, a tangible, oppressive force.
Well, even she had a sizable amount of magic power—far too much for a human, though not nearly at a champion's level.
My gaze narrowed at the dark beads encircling her left wrist.
They carried the reaper's scent and seemed to drain her magic at an alarming rate.
How hadn't she perished from such an energy loss?
Curious.
"Step aside, girl," I began. "I do not wish him harm. I only want to claim my reward."
"Don't try to play coy with me, lowly serpent."
Lowly serpent?!
"I can see it written all over your face. You're here to steal my husband's chastity!"
YOUR husband?!
Had it not been for Ravenswood protecting her, I would've swiped her head off her shoulders.
"I've done nothing to warrant your abuses," I said, striving for calm. "Nor do I intend to steal his chastity. It's my rightful possession now."
"I see." She stared me down, an insolent little thing. "For now, kindly redirect that lecherous gaze away from my husband."
An arrogant human—the most arrogant I had ever encountered.
But... Was she this bold because Ravenswood was involved?
Because she loved him too?
"I understand, girl," I said. "You're in love with him too, yes? It's no wonder. He is an amazing Fenrir, and I bet he would be even better at pounding my insides. So, I don't know, perhaps we could share—uh, what are you doing?!"
Look at me, trying to be civil, offering sportsmanship to a rival, and she had the nerve—
She knelt by Ravenswood, licking his face sensually, her eyes flitting to me with a taunting glimmer.
Who was this human?!
How could one girl be so endlessly irritating?!
She was doing this on purpose—she had to be.
And it was working!
"You! Desist at once!" I cried, as she cupped his face, drew him close, and pressed her lips to his.
A strange ache stirred within me—not jealousy or anger, but something... intriguing.
The way she licked her lips when she was done... I wanted that too.
I wanted to taste my husband too!
But... perhaps I should kill her after all.
My blood boiled over, my fangs bared, and my claws extended further.
I would kill her!
But I stopped.
Why not challenge her to a duel instead?
A proper contest, one that would let me avoid explaining to my husband why his companion ended up as feast.
"Girl," I called, interrupting her as she traced her fingers over his unconscious body.
"What?! Can't you see I'm busy?!"
Haaahhh, I'm being looked down upon.
"Calm yourself. I'm no longer aggressive," I said, steadying my voice. "Why don't we... battle to see who will solely have Ravenswood?"
"Ravenswood? You mean Ruby?"
Argh. I detested that pet name.
"Y-yes," I managed, restraining my ire. "If you win, I'll grant you one absolute order. I vow to obey anything you demand—even if it is to end my own life."
Her brow rose with interest.
"Continue," she commanded, her voice domineering.
"But if I win," I resumed, "you must abandon all hope of being with him. You shall never again speak of your love for Ravenswood. Are you fine with these terms—"
"I agree."
So fast!!
She accepted before I even finished speaking!
Where did her confidence come from?
She had witnessed my overwhelming victory against Ravenswood, hadn't she?
Did she truly believe she could contend with me?
"As you must have guessed by now, I am Leviathan. May I know your name?"
She shot me a sidelong glance, tilting her head with maddening arrogance.
"For a moment, I considered withholding it," she said. "But I suppose I could tell you. Rejoice, as it means I find value in your otherwise worthless existence."
I could scarcely believe it.
This little girl...
"You may call me Alicia. Alicia Blonde."
Blonde?
"Any relation to the newly added Mortal Power?" I asked, genuinely curious.
"I get that a lot. And yes, my father is the seventh Mortal Power."
Ah, that explained the flood of magic she wielded.
But still, this child had no idea what she was getting herself into.
No. Judging by how rapidly the black beads devoured magic, Alicia's magical reserves might even surpass Job—the second Mortal Power.
But having absurd magic power didn't necessarily equate to true strength. Without battle experience or proper training, even the mightiest well of power could run dry when faced with real danger.
Alicia stepped forward, closing the gap between us until only a few feet remained.
No stance. No preparation.
If anything, she seemed... bored.
As I suspected, she was a sheltered girl who hadn't yet glimpsed the world's true darkness.
She still believed that everything in her life would somehow work out, that fortune would always favor her.
I'd shatter that delusion now.
But for Ravenswood's sake, I wouldn't harm her—just a little demonstration of power to instill fear.
She was a dear companion to my beloved, after all. Still, if I could, I'd have him all to myself.
Deep blue essence poured out of me like a slowed explosion, my magic saturating the air.
I spoke through the roar of my power, my voice echoing with authority:
"Let me show you, Alicia Blonde, what the definition of 'overpowered' truly means."
***
Dry...
The ground beneath me, once covered in water, had become parched.
The water had retreated several paces away, only now trickling back to reclaim its former place.
I lay on my back, staring up at the sky, mouth agape, eyes even wider.
Utter confusion.
"It's my victory..."
Alicia's voice came cold and indifferent, as she slowly brought a hand to tuck a stray strand of short hair behind her ear.
Her victory...?
Yes. It truly was her victory.
Everything had happened too quickly to comprehend.
After challenging her, an absurd surge of raw magic had struck me—in the blink of an eye. No, in less than an instant.
The next thing I knew, I was paralyzed on the ground—beaten.
…Beaten?