"Aiko-girl! Is this truly the limit of your purity? How utterly disappointing!"
Saikyō Aiko trembled as she crawled from the bathroom.
Behind her, Taisu's towering shadow followed—his prehensile tendrils coiling lazily around her ankles.
His deep, scolding voice echoed through the chamber that had once been her apartment, now transfigured into a temple. He spoke not as a god but as some tyrannical father chiding a slothful daughter.
"If you're going to commit, do it properly! Even if you faint a thousand times, you never give up mid-way! How shameful—how can I call you my companion in this world if you collapse from so little?"
"Listen well! Your body's far from complete. There are still enhancements to test… and to enjoy!"
What—what was that supposed to mean?!
Why was he lecturing her like this, towering above as though standing on some divine pedestal?
What did he expect—was she supposed to just nod and continue?
Enough was enough! Even flesh and blood—and whatever she had become—had limits. Any sane person would have broken long ago.
But Taisu didn't care. If anything, he sounded pleased as he conjured excuses to satisfy his own amusement.
"There's still so much for you to learn! Once, a devout maiden sought eternal life from me. She performed her offering ritual for six whole days and nights before I finally consented."
"Now that's dedication! Come now, Aiko-girl, a true woman doesn't say 'I can't' so easily! Show me your spirit!"
Her fists clenched. Hard.
Did he just compare her to another girl?
That smug, arms-crossed, chest-puffed idiot—oh, she wanted nothing more than to muster what little strength she had left and punch that arrogant grin right off his face.
But she didn't.
She held herself back.
Because she knew—this was exactly what he wanted.
Her frustration, her futile resistance—it would only amuse him further.
And when it came to perverse games of dominance, she would never win against this infernal creature.
"Alright, alright," he drawled cheerfully. "Rest time's over. Now, let's continue! Your body still needs work, and I've come up with a few delightful new modifications. Little 'gimmicks,' you might say."
Great. The evil god's creative streak was waking up again.
As the "Great Artist of Degeneracy," Taisu's imagination knew no bounds.
Aiko squeezed her eyes shut and went limp, legs splayed out—a classic "playing dead" maneuver. It wouldn't stop him, but maybe it would buy her a moment of peace.
Of course, that only made him more excited.
But before he could act—
Thud, thud, thud.
Someone knocked on the door.
The sudden intrusion shattered the tension like glass. The air froze, absurdly awkward in its timing.
From outside came a clear, youthful voice—soft but firm.
"Miss Saikyō? Miss Saikyō, are you home? I thought I heard your voice. Please—I need to see you, it's important."
Aiko's body stiffened instantly. Her blood ran cold.
"…Oh no…" she whispered. "That's Ms. Niwa Shino—the landlord. She's… she's a kind person. She's helped me so many times."
"Please, Taisu-sama—don't—"
"You can do whatever you want to me, just… just don't scare her. Don't hurt her, please!"
Kneeling properly, Aiko bowed low. Her voice trembled. Then, hesitating only a second, she bent forward to brush her lips against him, pleading like a supplicant before an idol.
For once, Taisu's tone shifted—dark mirth fading into solemn gravity. He straightened, his immense frame seeming to draw the very shadows tighter around them.
"Aiko-girl," he said quietly, "you misunderstand me."
"That you're capable of gratitude—that you value kindness—that pleases me. I do enjoy a follower who remembers favors. But this misunderstanding wounds me."
"Do you truly think I'm some wicked god?"
His voice deepened, resonating through her bones, a thunderous echo of pride.
"Always, it is they who come to me! They seek my blessing, my gifts—and I, in my boundless mercy, grant them as I see fit. Do you imagine I would scheme to make someone mine?"
He raised his head higher, sneering, divine arrogance blazing through every word.
"Should I beg someone to accept my immortal grace? Should I force blessings upon the unworthy?"
"Who could possibly be worth that!?"
"In this world of billions, do you think there exists one person singular enough to deserve such privilege? How insulting—to think I would stoop so low!"
Yes, he was indecent. But never lowborn.
People could call him demon, devil, or god of desecration—but never thief. Never clown. Never dog.
"Manipulation? Flattery? Romantic tricks?" His laughter boomed. "I, Taisu, need none of that!"
"It is always the girl who kneels, the girl who prays, the girl who serves! What fool believes in some fairy tale about an 'arrogant evil god falling in love with a mortal'? How ridiculous!"
He extended a hand, talons gleaming, expression both mocking and coldly regal.
"Aiko-girl, you simply don't know me yet. That's understandable. But ignorance doesn't spare you from discipline."
He leaned in close, voice dropping into a soft growl.
"For this… I must give you a little punishment."
"Now go—answer the door. And no matter what happens, do not let that kindhearted Miss Niwa suspect anything unusual."
Aiko froze, staring up at him—heart twisting with something she didn't have the words for.
He was everything monstrous... yet utterly commanding.
Even in his madness, his conviction burned bright as a god's.
Just as the wicked seek their own savior, and the powerless worship tyrants to escape uncertainty—perhaps it was natural that a broken girl might come to love a creature so absolute.
Outside, small hands trembled.
"Miss Saikyō! Please open up, it's time to collect the rent!"
Niwa Shino—barely in her twenties, petite and nervous—rubbed her sore knuckles and took a steadying breath.
I can't back down now, she thought fiercely. Not this time. I'll get that girl out of there, no matter what!
She pressed her lips together, bracing her courage—
—and then the door slowly creaked open, revealing a sliver of darkness inside.