Chapter 43
**CHAPTER TITLE: Michael, Who Is Already a Demon, Is Still Bleeding**
**LT**p**GT**His pupils were exactly like those of someone who had been completely devoured by demonic energy deep within their body and spirit.**
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**LT**p**GT**They gleamed with a blood-soaked crimson, swirling like fresh crimson flames.**
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**LT**p**GT**The clouded eyes were brimming with an intense, inexplicable hunger.**
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**LT**p**GT**Anyone who had changed under that gaze...**
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**LT**p**GT**‘They became monsters and slaughtered people.’**
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**LT**p**GT**Those consumed by demonic energy began to hate every living thing.**
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**LT**p**GT**Humans, beasts, even the flying insects that would have been too small to matter—Irene had seen countless warriors lose control, eyes flashing with the sheer inability to tolerate even their presence.**
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**LT**p**GT**‘Why... Michael...!’**
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**LT**p**GT**Irene’s mouth fell open on instinct as she imagined the moment Michael would turn into a monster.**
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**LT**p**GT**If it were anyone else...**
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**LT**p**GT**‘Everyone would be in danger.’**
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**LT**p**GT**Once demonic transformation began, humans grew even more savage, wielding strength no human could muster.**
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**LT**p**GT**Only a group of knights could barely restrain them.**
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**LT**p**GT**But if Michael transformed... no one in the fortress would be able to stop him.**
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**LT**p**GT**“A...”**
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**LT**p**GT**She tried to scream at the severity of the situation, but her voice caught.**
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**LT**p**GT**SMACK!**
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**LT**p**GT**His hand clamped over her mouth.**
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**LT**p**GT**“Stay quiet.”**
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**LT**p**GT**The voice was quiet and composed—far too calm to believe he was already consumed by demonic energy.**
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**LT**p**GT**He continued to hold her gaze, then spoke again.**
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**LT**p**GT**“It’s still... it’s still fine.”**
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**LT**p**GT**A lie.**
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**LT**p**GT**Irene swallowed the words.**
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**LT**p**GT**In the darkness, the thick stench of blood wafted from his body right in front of her.**
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**LT**p**GT**Her stomach churned at the sudden wave of terror that came with it.**
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**LT**p**GT**She trembled, not knowing what to do, when he spoke again in that low voice.**
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**LT**p**GT**“Please purify me.”**
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**LT**p**GT**The word hit her like lightning.**
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**LT**p**GT**‘He’s still sane!’**
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**LT**p**GT**His eyes were fully blood-red with demonic energy, yet he spoke in a quieter, softer voice than usual—without thrashing, without trying to kill her.**
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**LT**p**GT**So purification right now... he would surely be okay.**
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**LT**p**GT**No—there was no other choice.**
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**LT**p**GT**Irene gripped his hand that covered her mouth, fear shaking her to the core.**
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**LT**p**GT**Normally she would have hesitated before purifying him, but now the embarrassment meant nothing.**
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**LT**p**GT**The only thought left was to save him—to keep him alive and to keep Michael alive.**
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**LT**p**GT**She stared into his eyes, gripping his hand tightly with both of hers.**
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**LT**p**GT**As if waiting, the demonic energy that had spilled from his body rushed into hers.**
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**LT**p**GT**“H...”**
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**LT**p**GT**She had endured it before, but absorbing demonic energy still hurt.**
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**LT**p**GT**After absorbing it several times, her body trembled violently, yet she quickly began to draw in his energy.**
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**LT**p**GT**Tiny sparks burst in front of her eyes, spreading pain-filled pleasure along her veins.**
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**LT**p**GT**“Ah... ah...”**
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**LT**p**GT**Her body reacted to the spreading stimulation.**
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**LT**p**GT**Her breaths came in ragged gasps, and a tickling sensation bloomed deep in her lower abdomen.**
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**LT**p**GT**Irene held back the surging wave of lust with all her might, her lashes growing wet with tears.**
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**LT**p**GT**She would have taken a proper breath otherwise.**
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**LT**p**GT**The hand pressing her nose and mouth allowed only the barest air, making her gasps even rougher.**
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**LT**p**GT**Even so, his gaze remained fixed on her.**
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**LT**p**GT**He should have been calming down by now, but the burning hunger in his crimson eyes burned even hotter.**
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**LT**p**GT**What burned inside him wasn’t just a desire to kill.**
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**LT**p**GT**It was something far deeper, denser.**
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**LT**p**GT**But undeniably dangerous.**
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**LT**p**GT**Irene refused to look away, trembling.**
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**LT**p**GT**The corner of his mouth curved in a satisfied arc.**
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**LT**p**GT**Yet his eyes remained glowing, warning that if she looked away even for a second, he would tear out her throat.**
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**LT**p**GT**The blood that had drenched him slowly began to purify.**
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**LT**p**GT**In the darkness, Michael’s figure gradually became clearer.**
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**LT**p**GT**Irene noticed something strange.**
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**LT**p**GT**After prolonged time in a dungeon, one became addicted to demonic energy—but this level of corruption usually only happened after a fatal injury.**
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**LT**p**GT**Demonic claws or fangs tore into flesh to cause deep contamination.**
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**LT**p**GT**‘...There are no wounds.’**
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**LT**p**GT**His face, neck, and arms—where the red blood had once been—showed no scars.**
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**LT**p**GT**That wasn’t the only odd thing.**
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**LT**p**GT**‘Where on earth has he been fighting monsters like this?’**
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**LT**p**GT**The man who always handled high-level threats with perfect cleanliness.**
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**LT**p**GT**A mid-grade dungeon that should have cost lives.**
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**LT**p**GT**Yet he returned looking cleaner than someone who had simply gone for a walk.**
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**LT**p**GT**If he was this drenched in blood now, it had to have been an ultra-high-grade dungeon—with monsters so difficult they were among the highest rank.**
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**LT**p**GT**‘There’s no such dungeon right now.’**
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**LT**p**GT**Irene examined his body further, puzzled.**
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**LT**p**GT**Then, in the darkness, she spotted red blood still clinging to the upper part of his abdomen.**
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**LT**p**GT**Unpurified blood.**
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**LT**p**GT**Irene reached toward it.**
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**LT**p**GT**But Michael snatched her wrist, yanking her hand back to his own body.**
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**LT**p**GT**As if he didn’t want her to let go even a little.**
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**LT**p**GT**‘I can’t leave it like this.’**
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**LT**p**GT**There was still a wound left there.**
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**LT**p**GT**Irene carefully kept her distance from Michael, moving her hand along his body.**
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**LT**p**GT**Her fingers brushed over the firm muscles of his arm.**
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**LT**p**GT**“...Is it okay if it falls off?”**
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**LT**p**GT**Unlike before, when he had gripped her roughly, he now let her hand stay exactly as it was.**
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**LT**p**GT**Gathering courage, Irene continued without pulling away.**
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**LT**p**GT**Her slow movement made his muscles twitch wherever her hand touched.**
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**LT**p**GT**He moved her hand across his abdomen as if savoring the sensation.**
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**LT**p**GT**Irene followed his every motion without understanding why the slow, lewd rhythm stirred something in her.**
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**LT**p**GT**“This blood...”**
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**LT**p**GT**He whispered into her ear.**
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**LT**p**GT**“...It’s not monster blood.”**
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