A Slave’s Promise

“…Huh? Ah, yeah, good thinking.”

I was slightly taken aback by the unexpected reaction, but I didn’t show it and nodded my head.
Of course, I wouldn’t be able to see the man walking towards the door with his back to me.

“Then, where are you going to go now? Bahalgras is destroyed too. Do you have a place to go?”

“Do I have an obligation to tell you. You told me to leave.”

“…I take that back. That was a bit harsh. Sorry. But if you tell me your destination, I’ll help you.”

“I intend to go see the Emperor of the Empire.”

“Why?”

‘What is he talking about now? He’s suddenly going to see Baalzeph? Why?’
The conversation flow was so incomprehensible that I didn’t even have time to ask back.

“You said he’s collecting the hearts of beast-kin chiefs.”

My jaw dropped at his emotionless continuation.

“B-but why are you going to Baalzeph? Are you a nine-tailed fox? Do you have nine hearts or something?”

“I only have one, but since its owner says she doesn’t need it, I should give it away as charity to someone who wants it.”

Watching his back as he unhesitatingly headed for the door while spitting out sarcastic words, I tried to stay calm.

‘…Anyone can see he’s testing me. Don’t fall for it.’

It’s his life anyway, he’d be crazy to go. It’s obvious he’s just trying to scare me into clinging to him.
Thinking I now understood this cunning wolf to some extent, I answered confidently.

“Well, it’s your heart. Do whatever you want. Have a good trip.”

“I probably won’t be able to return. But I will.”

“…Do you think I’ll fall for such an obvious threat?”

“Did I threaten you. I just corrected a wrong statement.”

‘Strange. His patience should have run out by now.’
He still reached for the door without hesitation.

“A-anyway, it’s your life! I don’t care whether you die or not.”

My voice cracked because I spoke too fast.
Ahem, I tried to steady my voice and heart, then shouted at the back of his head as he grabbed the doorknob.

“You seem to be under the illusion that I’ll stop you, but I will absolutely! Not stop you! I don’t care if you die!”

“I will tell him that Awakener Shinbi sent me.”

“…What?”

“So it becomes your achievement.”

Karvan turned the doorknob without even looking at me standing frozen.
The room door, made of black wood with sound-absorbing properties, swung wide open.

Thud, thud.

Following that, he took unhesitating steps, and the man’s back quickly receded.
Just as the black coat, fluttering like a long tail, was about to completely disappear through the crack of the door.

“…A-alright, I got it!”

I slipped my hand through the crack and tightly grabbed the hem of his coat.

However, the man didn’t stop walking.
As if that wasn’t the spell to stop him, he kept walking down the corridor, dragging me along.
If I left him be, it seemed he would really go straight to Baalzeph.

“Wait, hold on! Listen to me, don’t go!”

Even though I tried to hold on, the smooth fabric of the coat kept slipping from my hands.
Having no choice, I threw my arms around his waist, but I was still dragged along.
‘I’m not a sled dog!’

“…I-I need you. Karvan!”

Just before my grip on his tensed waist gave out, I finally shouted those words.

“I need you, so please… ugh, just! Stop for a second!”

Only then did the man’s unhesitating footsteps suddenly halt.

Over his slowly turned head, the full moons beneath his snow-tousled hair stared at me piercingly.

“Again.”

“I, need you.”

“More.”

“…Don’t go.”

Only then did the face that had been frozen like eternal snow thaw.
The darkness cleared from the fiercely glowing eyes, finally returning to a golden hue.

“L-let’s go back to the room for now. What if someone sees us.”

I quickly snatched his hand and headed for the room.
It was unbelievable how he, who had been pushing forward like a bulldozer with me hanging from his waist just a moment ago, was now walking along docilely like a new bride being led.

After dragging him back, closing and locking the door, and leaning my back against it, I finally let out a sigh.

“…Haa.”

Rubbing my throbbing forehead, I looked at him standing a few steps away.
The man also looked back at me silently.

‘The stronger the survival instinct and the harsher the environment a beast lives in, the more it has the habit of never letting go once it bites.’

As I faced that persistent gaze that seemed ready to strip me to the bone, a documentary I had watched once suddenly came to mind.

‘The moment it lets go of its bite, the prey escapes and it is forced to starve. A failed hunt directly correlates to the probability of survival. Therefore, once they bite their prey, they never let go until it is completely theirs.’

And the moment I met those long, beast-like slit pupils, I realized.
This man had bitten my neck, and he had no intention of letting go until he died.

…No, seeing how he persistently came looking for me like this even after I had already died once, it was clear he wouldn’t let go no matter how many times I died.

“Fine. Tell me. What is it you want?”

And yet, knowing that, I offered my neck again.
At first, I was bitten and couldn’t escape, and now I’m afraid the wolf might starve to death without me.

“Let’s hear it. What do you want?”

“Let’s make a contract.”

“…That damn contract, contract! Even a demon wouldn’t be as obsessed with contracts as you are….”

I felt dizzy at the answer that returned as if he had been waiting for it, but with a groan, I mumbled while covering my face.

“What is it, this time!”

“If you acknowledge me as your mate, I will hide the fact that I am the Valta.”

‘If you play the part of my mate, I will hide the fact that you are an Awakener.’

…This is a dream.

Even though I rubbed my eyes repeatedly, the face with its mouth corners twisted aslant was astonishingly identical to a few months ago.

“You really haven’t changed a bit, have you? Huh? Very consistent!”

“You seem to have changed. Telling me you don’t need me.”

The man chattered on as he took another step closer.
His relaxed eyes were filled with my tearful face.

“Of course, you didn’t mean it, but still.”

Every time he moved, the metallic clinking sound was clearly heard.
He was definitely the one wearing handcuffs, so why did I feel like the prisoner?

“In any case, we’ll stay together and slowly look for an opportunity. As you said, the time doesn’t seem right yet.”

“Who said you could….”

“If you are too shy to reveal me as your mate, you may say I am your s*ave. I will accept that much.”

“Who’s shy!”

‘This bastard has been doing whatever he wants since earlier!’
A suppressed shout naturally burst out at the conversation that was glossing over everything.

“You can just go out and look for an opportunity yourself. Or ask the Suras for help!”

“No one is coming.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

‘No one? Then what happened?’
I suddenly felt anxious at his seeming avoidance of mentioning the Suras.
He probably didn’t know how many days and nights I had nightmares after seeing the phrase ‘Destroyed Bahalgras’.

“What happened to the Suras? Are Tegen, and Mashak, are they all okay?”

“Are you more worried about them than me.”

“Don’t change the subject and answer.”

“Later.”

“Why do you keep saying ‘later’! Have you decided not to tell me again? If you’re going to be like that, I won’t talk to you either!”

“I will say one thing. I’m not going anywhere without you. Bi.”

“Is that something to say? When you were just threatening to go tattle to Baalzeph a moment ago!”

“I believe you were the one who first threatened me with the words that you didn’t need me.”

He spoke nonchalantly while flicking a piece of ice, whose origin was unknown, ting, ting, in his hand.

I was at a loss for words and just chewed my lip while glaring at the man.
Even though it was a monster pattern I had anticipated and knew in advance, I felt like I hadn’t been able to dodge it once and took the full damage.

“…Fine. But if we get caught, I’m throwing you away.”

In the end, I was defeated by the man again, and ended up dancing to his tune.

“If it gets dangerous, I’ll pretend I don’t know you, and I’ll blame everything on you, I’ll pin it all on you. Got it?”

“As you wish.”

He replied without batting an eye even when I threatened him fiercely, then reached out his hand and said something absurd.

“So. Are you done talking.”

“…Why, what are you trying to do now?”

My neck prickled at him beckoning me as if calling a puppy instead of answering.
Really, not a single thing has changed, even this.

“This isn’t Bahalgras. You said to take you in as a s*ave? Then act like a s*ave.”

But I won’t yield this time.
Thinking I’d be dragged around again if I let it be, I snapped to my senses, drew a line, and stepped back.
What’s so pretty about him showing up after months and acting however he wants without explanation.
Bending once was enough; not twice.

“I’m the one holding your leash right now. I am the master!”

When I shouted challengingly while pounding my chest, the man raised an eyebrow.

“…It seems you are misunderstanding something.”

Looking at me quietly as if he had heard something bizarre, Karvan took my hand and placed it on his neck. Below the man’s left ear.
The mark, clearer than before, gleamed.

“You have always held my leash. Always.”

‘Funny. You’ll pull the leash and run off if things don’t go your way, talk is cheap!’
Dumbfounded, I just blinked, then snatched my hand away and spoke haughtily.

“If so, then follow my words! If you’re a s*ave, act like a s*ave!”

“Yes. As you wish.”

It was almost embarrassing how fiercely I had spat out those words, seeing him agree so readily for once.
He looked at me with both hands raised as if surrendering, but his gaze seemed so overly docile that I started to feel nervous.

“…However, I don’t know well because I’ve never been a s*ave.”

When our eyes met, I flinched and backed away from the large body approaching slowly.
My heels touched the wall.

“What am I supposed to do?”