Chapter 14: Ananova and a Chance
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Sayru was taken aback by what he discovered—the disappearance of the greatest shackle that had ever bound him.
It was… the "Emotion Seal."
In his past life, Sayru had received that seal as a divine punishment for breaking an oath he had sworn to the heavens.
That seal was a curse—a binding placed upon his seven core emotions:
"Joy – Rage – Happiness – Sorrow – Hatred – Love – Desire."
He often referred to "joy" as merely a part of his six destructive desires. That was why he had once been addicted to killing—so much so that he developed an overwhelming Killing Intent.
The suppression of his emotions had even dulled his sense of pain. In a way, it was a tiny blessing wrapped inside a devastating curse.
He was supposed to be freed from that seal upon ascending to the "Life and Death Realm."
But back then, Sayru had used black mana instead of natural energy—along with demonic mana.
As a result, the heavens had punished him further, and the curse remained.
The true reason he remained cursed was his use of black mana.
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"F-finally… have my emotions returned?"
Sayru wasn't entirely sure if the Emotion Seal had truly been broken.
But the happiness he felt in that moment confirmed it.
"I had really forgotten what it was like to feel joy. This feels… so strange!"
That rare moment of peace didn't last long. Sayru's aura abruptly shifted into a murderous storm.
The sheer weight of it suppressed Mimin completely—freezing her in place.
"W-what are you doing!?"
Mimin cried, startled.
But Sayru's smile remained fixed…
Yes—that smile. A demonic grin saturated in bloodlust.
"Now I'm sure.
I can't let her live.
The moment the Emotion Seal disappeared… I understood it all.
This emotion I've always felt toward her… born from my divine body… was pure, unfiltered hatred.
I don't know why I hate her.
But she must die. Today."
His deadly aura flared outward, surging toward the sacred-body girl.
The girl instinctively conjured a defensive aura around herself.
But it was futile—Sayru's Killing Intent pierced through her defenses and dragged her into a horrific illusion.
"Please, Sayru… you promised to give her a chance!
Just once—one chance, please!"
Mimin pleaded desperately, but Sayru was unmoved.
"Why are you trying so hard to protect her?
Is this… a spiritual revelation telling you to do so?"
His eyes grew cold with suspicion.
"It's not that! I swear it's not.
I'm doing this for you, Sayru!
The first clause in our contract says: 'I have full authority to stop you from doing anything not in your best interest,' right?"
Tears fell from Mimin's eyes for the first time.
And it stunned Sayru.
He withdrew his aura and asked her,
"Convince me.
Give me one good reason why her survival benefits me.
Or even your tears won't stop me from killing her."
Mimin began listing her reasons—why keeping the girl alive might serve Sayru's future.
She pointed out that he would need multiple special-bodied girls to complete his grand array.
But Sayru dismissed that. Such girls were far too rare to make that a reasonable plan.
Then she mentioned her second reason:
If Sayru truly intended to form his own clan someday, he would at least need one disciple to start it.
Even if he left her behind in the mortal world when he ascended, she'd still be useful.
But again, Sayru wasn't convinced.
Mimin continued her barrage of arguments—her healing abilities, her usefulness in daily matters, even her potential for nighttime needs…
But Sayru remained unmoved.
"That's it? Those are your reasons?
Then there's no point in letting her live."
Just as he prepared to descend, Mimin shouted—
"Fine! I can't convince you.
But since when did you become so stupid that you forgot something crucial about her body—you, of all people, the 'obsessed with special bodies' freak!"
Sayru blinked, confused.
So he began recalling the traits of the Sacred Healing Water Body.
"First: strong healing ability.
Second: affinity with water, light, and holy laws.
Third: a naturally durable physique. That's all.
My divine body can already use all elements and holy laws and curses—and it'll soon be physically invincible too.
So what use is her body to me?"
Mimin smirked—as if mocking his ignorance.
"Looks like you really forgot the most important thing.
Use your Golden Eye. Look at her again—and see."
Sayru channeled spiritual energy into his eyes and focused on the girl.
This time, he saw red lines around her sacred body mark.
And in that instant—he understood.
"Her sacred body… can evolve!"
For the first time in a long while, Sayru's face showed genuine shock.
Unable to decide what to do, he returned to his bed, lost in thought.
Meanwhile, the girl—trapped in the overwhelming grip of his Killing Intent—had barely regained consciousness.
But she still called out to him—
"M-master…!"
Sayru finally made his decision.
He turned to Mimin and released her from his aura.
"I'll give her one chance—just one.
And as I always say… I trust no one.
And above all—I despise betrayal."
He descended toward the girl.
The moment she saw him, she began trembling out of primal fear.
He stood before her and asked—
"What's your name?"
Even though she was terrified, she managed to respond:
"M-my name is… Ananova."
Sayru stared at her for a moment, then muttered—
"What a stupid name.
Tell me—what do you want from me?"
Ananova dropped to her knees and declared:
"Please!
Make me your disciple!"