Chapter 144: ¹⁴⁴Harvesting Miya

?A biting chill greeted them as the ancient iron door creaked open.

?Beneath Zenithar Academy, a steep flight of stone stairs plunged into the depths of the earth. The muggy air was thick with the scent of ancient minerals and damp black moss clinging to the walls.

?Ethan Valen led the way.

?His black shirt and dark coat blended seamlessly into the shadows. Deep within his dark brown irises, faint flickers of crimson and golden-white cut effortlessly through the gloom. His steps were firm and unwavering.

?Isolde von Rosenberg followed close behind, the hem of her travel dress sweeping across the stone steps.

?Trailing at the very back, Miya Evarett walked with trembling, weak knees.

?A black-and-white maid dress wrapped around her petite frame. The elf’s pointed ears pinned flat against her head—a panic reflex she couldn’t hide.

?Miya clutched her leather medical bag tightly to her chest. Beneath her garments, the crimson rose-shaped Lust Brand on her left thigh throbbed warmly, shattering any lingering impulse to flee.

?Isolde glanced back from the corner of her eye, harboring a subtle trace of sympathy without uttering a single word.

?Their footsteps came to a halt before a massive, circular stone door. Ancient carvings across its surface glowed faintly.

?Ethan raised his right hand, placing his palm directly over the center of the door.

?Swoosh!

?Dense, reddish-black Sin Mana seeped from Ethan’s pores, creeping like thick smoke to breach the grooves of the stone carvings. The archaic runes instantly recognized the aura of the Demon Lord.

?The colossal stone door shuddered violently, grinding loudly before sliding slowly to the side.

?A circular chamber unsealed itself beyond the darkness.

?At the center of the room stood a waist-high altar of pure marble, its surface spiderwebbed with cracks. A dense aura of darkness spilled outward. Runic circles etched into the obsidian floor ignited in a deep crimson, pulsing in perfect harmony with the beat of Ethan’s heart.

?Miya froze, her feet glued to the threshold.

?Ethan stepped toward the marble altar and turned around slowly. His gaze pinned the elven healer, who was still clinging to her medical bag.

?"Leave your bag," Ethan commanded in a low tone. "Come here, and get up."

?Miya’s fingers trembled violently as she released her grip. The medical bag—her last line of defense—hit the stone floor with a dull thud.

?Dragging her feet as if they were made of lead, Miya forced herself toward the altar. She climbed up and sat atop the cold marble surface.

?Bzzzt!

?The Lust Brand on her left thigh suddenly flared brightly through the fabric of her dress. A surge of warmth rushed through her neural pathways, priming her body for what was to come.

?In the corner of the chamber, Isolde leaned against the obsidian wall. Arms crossed over her chest, her icy blue eyes remained half-lidded as she monitored the ritual of union.

?Ethan closed the distance, standing directly in front of Miya.

?He raised his right hand, resting it atop the elf’s head. His fingers stroked her silky blonde hair before gently brushing against her pointed ear, which twitched in sensitive reaction.

?Miya squeezed her eyes shut, tears of anxiety pooling at the corners of her eyelids.

?Ethan leaned in, lowering his lips near Miya’s ear. He whispered a low command—not to harm her, but to shatter whatever remained of her mental defenses.

?Miya’s rapid breathing gradually smoothed out, even as her body remained rigid with tension.

?Ethan’s fingers slid down to cup Miya’s chin, tilting her face upward. Her pale purple eyelids opened, locking eyes with the crimson gaze that threatened to drown her soul.

?Ethan stepped up onto the altar, trapping Miya’s petite frame between his arms.

?"Strip," Ethan commanded coldly.

?Miya’s lips quivered. Her stiff fingers began unbuttoning her maid dress one by one. The fabric slid off, exposing porcelain-pale skin and fragile shoulders. On her left thigh, the crimson rose Lust Brand bloomed in full brilliance.

?Without breaking eye contact, Ethan unbuttoned his black shirt and let it drop to the floor.

?Miya caught her breath.

?Her Master’s broad, sculpted chest was laid bare before her. Directly over Ethan’s left breast, the Horned Crown tattoo throbbed intensely, directly resonating with the mark on Miya’s thigh.

?Ethan wrapped an arm around Miya’s waist, pulling her tight against him.

?The elf’s cool skin flinched against the radiating heat of Ethan’s body. Ethan buried his face in the crook of Miya’s neck, his lips brushing her pointed ear as he began to claim her complete surrender.

?"Ngh...!" Miya gasped out loud.

?Her body went taut. Her hands gripped Ethan’s shoulders, her nails digging in helpless surrender as sharp sensation pierced her consciousness.

?Ethan did not rush. He held still, allowing Miya time to adapt to the intrusion. Twenty seconds drifted by in silence, broken only by their intertwined breaths.

?Gradually, the tension in Miya’s muscles eased. The Lust Brand on her thigh pumped surges of warm Sin Mana, transforming the discomfort into an overwhelming, intoxicating sensation.

?A soft whimper escaped Miya’s lips.

?Sensing the shift, Ethan resumed his movement. His rhythm was deliberate, measured, and calculated. Each thrust drew Sin Mana from deep within Miya’s body, forging an invisible bridge of energy connecting their mana circuits.

?Ethan’s right hand gripped Miya’s narrow waist, his fingers pressing into her pale flesh. His left hand crept upward, caressing her arched back before settling at the nape of her neck. He pulled her head back, exposing her slender neck, and sank his teeth gently into the skin over her pulse point.

?"Ahh...!" Miya gasped, though not from pain.

?Ethan quickened his pace. Every movement shifted Miya’s petite body higher against the marble. Her breath grew shallow and rapid, cold sweat glistening across her forehead and neck. Her pointed ears twitched wildly each time Ethan exhaled hot breath against her skin.

?Miya bit her lower lip, but her moans could no longer be contained as the Sin Mana scorched her sanity. Her head arched back, her spine curving gracefully over the cold stone. The hands that had been clutching Ethan’s shoulders slid down his back, her nails leaving faint crimson trails in their wake.

?"M-My Lord... ahh... I... I can’t..." Miya whimpered between gasps.

?Ethan paid no heed. Instead, he drove deeper, adjusting his angle until he hit the precise mark that elicited a stifled scream from the elf.

?At the edge of the chamber, Isolde held her breath as well. The black rose root tattoo on her back throbbed with heat, harmonizing with the tempest of energy swirling above the altar. Her crossed arms unconsciously tightened, her fingers clutching the fabric of her gown. Her icy blue eyes watched with a mix of awe and desperately suppressed desire.

?Ethan accelerated his rhythm with ruthless precision. Miya’s delicate frame trembled violently with every thrust. The sound of clashing skin echoed through the obsidian chamber, mingling with moans and whimpers that could no longer be disguised.

?"Let go," Ethan whispered with absolute authority.

?Miya’s mind dissolved into a blank, blinding void. Ethan pushed deeper, driving her far past her physical limits.

?"Ahhh!"

?Miya cried out softly, her nails digging red streaks into Ethan’s back as the first wave of climax crashed over her.

?The Lust Brand on her thigh erupted in a blinding flash of crimson light.

?At that exact moment, Ethan felt a massive vortex of energy surge through their magic bridge. His Sin Mana went to work instantly—absorbing, digesting, and replicating the innermost essence of the S-Rank Sage.

?The brilliant golden-white glow of [Crimson Radiance] swirled wildly through Ethan’s mana circuits, merging seamlessly into his crimson fog.

?Ethan did not stop. He guided Miya through peak after peak without mercy, etching the blueprint of corrupted light magic deeper and deeper into his soul.

?Tears streamed freely from Miya’s purple eyes.

?Miya let out a long, trembling cry before finally collapsing, completely spent. Her body lay slick with sweat upon the marble as the glowing runes on the floor began to dim.

?Ethan withdrew and stood tall atop the altar.

?Clang!

?A sound like shattering glass echoed inside Ethan’s mind, followed by the appearance of a crimson holographic notification panel before his eyes.

?[Blueprint Etched: Crimson Radiance.]

?[Status: Unlocked. Available for permanent purchase via Asmodeus’ Shop.]

?Ethan closed his eyes, sensing the newly prepared spell blueprint.

?Open, Ethan commanded internally.

?"Fufufu... what a magnificent night, My Lord," Asmodeus’ raspy, seductive voice whispered inside his mind. "Four absolute blueprints are waiting for you to claim. Isolde, Kaelia, Valera, and your little elf girl."

?How many points do I need in total? Ethan asked coldly.

?"Each blueprint costs five hundred Desire Points. Two thousand in total. Your current sin balance stands at two thousand three hundred points," Asmodeus replied.

?Buy them all, Ethan ordered without hesitation.

?[Transaction Successful. -2000 Desire Points.]

?[Remaining Points: 300 Points.]

?[Permanent Active Skills Acquired: Black Ice (Isolde), Crimson Sin Fire (Kaelia), Crimson Gold Beast (Valera), Crimson Radiance (Miya).]

?Ethan opened his eyes. Four absolute powers—soul-freezing ice, sinfire, demigodic physique, and corrupted light healing—were now permanently etched into his soul.

?Atop the altar, Miya slowly fluttered her eyes open.

?Her pale purple irises now held a faint, golden sheen. Her pointed ears twitched sensitively.

?"M-My Lord..." Miya called out raspy.

?Ethan stepped down from the altar and put his shirt back on. "You’re fine," he said calmly.

?Miya attempted to sit up. Though weak, a dense new power surged through her veins. The Lust Brand on her thigh had evolved into a layered rose with golden glowing edges.

?Isolde stepped forward, helping Miya put her maid dress back on before helping her down. The Archmage’s cool hand touched Miya’s shoulder with uncharacteristic gentleness.

?"Welcome to our world, Healer," Isolde whispered softly. "You are now half-demon. Just like me, Kaelia, and Valera."

?Miya stared at her palms. Her mana flow felt significantly darker and more ancient. Yet beneath that darkness, a steady power throbbed within.

?"C-Can I... still heal people, My Lord...?" she asked trembling.

?"You can," Ethan answered without looking back. "Your [Crimson Radiance] has evolved. Now, you won’t just heal. You can kill."

?Miya swallowed hard. The word "kill" felt foreign on her tongue. Yet the Lust Brand on her thigh throbbed warmly, as if affirming that it was now a part of her essence.

?Tears of relief trickled down Miya’s cheeks. She bowed her head deeply. "T-Thank you, My Lord..."

?Isolde looked at Ethan. "Are you going to the library now?"

?"Yes," Ethan replied curtly.

?Isolde nodded, asking no further questions. Yet before Ethan could walk away, she reached out, her fingertips lightly touching the sleeve of his coat.

?"Are you... all right?" Isolde asked softly.

?Ethan turned his head. Isolde’s icy blue eyes met his with a look that differed from her usual demeanor. It was no longer the mechanical obedience of a property. There was genuine concern.

?Ethan didn’t answer. He merely gave a faint nod before striding toward the stone door.

?Isolde drew her hand back, a slight lingering warmth remaining at her fingertips.

?Fifteen minutes later, the three of them navigated deeper into the subterranean corridors.

?Ethan stepped into pitch darkness, followed by Isolde and Miya.

?The forbidden library resembled a mausoleum of knowledge. Colossal wooden bookshelves towered high, packed with yellowed parchment scrolls.

?Ethan walked to the deepest aisle until he discovered a solitary stone podium. Resting atop it was an ancient scroll sealed with reddish-black wax.

?The moment Ethan’s fingers brushed the scroll, a violent shudder surged up his arm. The Horned Crown tattoo on his chest throbbed intensely.

?"Be careful, My Lord," Asmodeus whispered solemnly. "That is no ordinary spell crafted by mortal races."

?Ethan broke the red wax seal and unrolled the parchment. The text within was inscribed in dried ancient blood.

?To seal the Queen of Darkness back into the dimensional void, the executor must surrender that which is most precious to them.

?Ethan’s eyes scanned the next line. His breath caught for a second.

?Not a sacrifice of blood. Not a sacrifice of life. The absolute dimensional seal demands but a single toll: the bond you cherish most.

?Ethan went rigid, his eyes locked onto those final words.

?Inside his head, Asmodeus’ voice whispered once more. "The bond... you cherish most. Hmm. Who could that be, My Lord? Elara? Isolde? Or perhaps... one of your properties?"

?Ethan did not answer. He stared at the scroll in his hands for a long time, his grip tightening slightly around the parchment.

?The word bond echoed in his mind. He possessed many bonds now. Elara. Isolde. Kaelia. Valera. Miya. Lilith. Laras.

?But if he had to choose one...?

?Meanwhile, hundreds of miles away from Zenithar Academy, night deepened along the borders of Valen Village.

?Inside her bedroom, Elara Valen jolted awake.

?Her small frame was drenched in cold sweat. Her white-filmed eyes stared blindly at the ceiling, her heart hammering against her ribs.

?Something was wrong.

?Elara felt something dark and ravenous creeping in from outside.

?"Brother Ethan..." Elara whispered hoarsely.

?She clutched her blanket tighter.

?Outside her window, the night wind howled fiercely. And in the distance, beyond the fracturing village barrier, a pair of blazing red eyes glared straight toward the Valen estate.

?Crack...!

?The golden magical barrier enveloping the village shuddered violently. Fine fissures webbed outward in a massive spiderweb pattern.

?Outside the barrier, Crimson Moon tilted its head. A gruesome grin carved across its pale face.

?"Soon..." Crimson Moon whispered coldly.

?Behind it, amid the darkness of the frozen pine forest, hundreds of glowing red eyes materialized from between the trees.

?The pureblood host of the Vampire Queen had gathered, awaiting the fall of the wall.