Chapter 39: Irina Zi Getting More and More Excessive

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Liyakade slowly opened her eyes. The sky was pitch black, with an unusually enormous full moon hanging overhead.

She realized that she was currently hanging upside down on a dead tree. The whole world seemed completely inverted.

On a towering cliff stood a massive black fortress, from which countless rivers of lava gushed out, flowing down like molten rivers. Thick black smoke drifted through the air.

“Where am I?”

“Hello, Liyakade.”

Just as Liyakade was wondering where she was, a voice suddenly called out from behind her. The voice was youthful yet sinister, irresistibly alluring as if it carried an immense temptation.

“My other half, you finally answered me.”

Startled, Liyakade turned around to look at the source of the voice. Upon seeing the figure, her expression of surprise deepened.

Sitting leisurely on the branch was a white-haired girl who looked almost identical to herself, equally petite in stature.

There was a beauty mark beneath one corner of her eye. Although her hair color matched Liyakade’s, hers was short. Despite her small frame, her ample chest could rival even Alice and Field.

Besides that, a pair of goat horns sprouted atop her head. From her small cherry-like mouth extended two fangs of just the right length. Combined with her youthful face, she appeared both adorable and fierce.

Her forearms and calves were covered in black beastskin, her feet ending in cloven hooves. Behind her hung a pair of twisted wings even larger than Liyakade’s own. Underneath the fluffy black palms extended five long, sharp claws.

Her attire was bold and revealing, with the beastskin barely covering the three key parts. Large patches of pale skin were exposed, even showing the northern hemisphere.

“Who are you? How do you know my name? And where is this place?”

Liyakade felt a bit dizzy. She tried to recall her memories before arriving here. She only remembered that during the day she was still at the Academy.

After weighing the loss of her virginity or facing Irina Zi, she chose to keep her purity and didn’t go back to the dormitories with Alice and Field.

Afterwards… Irina Zi never came, and she just fell asleep.

Is this a dream?

“It could be a dream, but it might also be your inner world,” Korim explained to Liyakade.

“You may call me Korim. We are family connected by blood. I am the origin of your bloodline.”

“What?”

Liyakade scrutinized Korim. This creature was clearly not human, but a high-ranking Demon Race with intelligence.

“Connected by blood? I’m human.”

“Do you really think you’re human?”

Korim’s retort made Liyakade uncomfortable.

“Look at yourself carefully.”

Korim’s tone suddenly turned stern, causing Liyakade to tremble. Following Korim’s suggestion, she examined her body. Somehow, her body had transformed to be just like Korim’s: beastskin, hooves, claws, wings—all there.

She trembled as she touched her head and actually grasped a short goat horn.

“What’s going on? Is this your doing?”

Liyakade questioned Korim in horror.

“Heh, laughable,” Korim said as if hearing the greatest joke.

“You were always like this!”

“What… does that mean?”

Liyakade was utterly confused, both angry and fearful toward this stranger who suddenly invaded her dream.

Korim didn’t answer her question. Instead, she ignored Liyakade’s words and spoke on her own.

“Are you willing to be ruled by humans like this?”

“Of course not…”

Liyakade knew what Korim meant. After a moment’s silence, she replied despondently, “But what can I do? I’ve been trying, but the Contract’s restraint on me is too severe.”

“Ridiculous. If you want, you can break free from Irina Zi’s control in an instant.”

“It’s easy for you to say. I definitely want to, but no matter how hard I try, I can’t. What do you suggest I do?”

Liyakade felt Korim was speaking without knowing the pain firsthand. She was a Demon Race, after all, and not afraid of this so-called Slave Contract.

“Simple.”

Korim snapped her fingers and looked at Liyakade. “You just need to embrace me and accept the response of our bloodline.”

“Is that… really possible?”

Liyakade remained wary of Korim. “Besides, I told you, I’m human.”

Korim did not directly answer. Instead, she took her leave.

“Time’s up. I look forward to our next meeting.”

“Crack.”

“Hey!”

The branch Liyakade was hanging from suddenly snapped. She felt the world spinning, about to fall into the lava pool below.

Korim merely sat above calmly, silently watching.

Liyakade desperately tried to flap her wings but found them useless, like mere decorations.

“Help!!!”

With a splash, Liyakade fell into the lava pool. But the scorching heat she expected did not come. Instead, an almost icy shock struck her, the bone-chilling cold waking her instantly.

“Cough… cough cough…”

Liyakade coughed painfully. Every hair on her body stood on end. Her vision blurred as water dripped down her face and hair, soaking her through.

She realized she was back in the real world—but not in bed.

She was tied up against the ceiling, arms and legs bound, suspended in an extremely humiliating position, unable to move.

“Slap—”

Suddenly, a slap came down, snapping Liyakade out of her daze. Her eyes cleared slightly.

“Awake now?”

Irina Zi looked up at Liyakade, who was hanging from the ceiling. At her feet was a basin of water—the water used moments ago to splash and wake Liyakade.

“M-Master…”

“I told you, don’t make me wait. Not only did you deliberately disobey, you didn’t come back all night. Are you tired of living?”

“No… last night, I just went to meet some friends. I definitely didn’t go against your wishes.”

“Oh? You even made friends?”

Irina Zi’s glare grew fiercer.

“Slap—”

Another slap landed.

“How dare you make friends? What right do you have to make friends?” Irina Zi lifted Liyakade’s chin.

“You only serve me!”

“Y-Yes…”

“Before dawn, you’re forbidden to use magic.”

The Curse Mark on Irina Zi’s hand glowed faintly. The reason for preventing Liyakade from using magic was to stop her from freeing herself with magic after Irina Zi left.

Having said that, Irina Zi walked over to the bed and tore the sheets and blankets into shreds.

“You still sleep so comfortably. No sense at all! Remember this well—next time it won’t be this easy!”

After venting her anger, Irina Zi slammed the door and left.

She didn’t untie Liyakade, who remained dripping wet and suspended in midair.