When the plot-skips players into the game world

It was not merely a simple injury of having a heart pierced... Such an injury was no longer instantly fatal to Aiwass at that moment.

This was the self-sacrifice, the most sacred of rituals, the purest dedication.

Aiwass offered himself as a sacrificial offering on the altar, devoting himself entirely to his demon—

In an instant, his pupils became dim.

As if he was pierced through the heart by the Shadow Demon upon the giant's Magic Cauldron.

All his life force dissipated in an instant.

Aiwass immediately died, his body falling backward powerlessly. The shadows that bound the salt spears oozed out from the three wounds like living things, enveloping him completely.

He plummeted into the egg of shadows. Countless shadows spread out like a spider web, snuffing out the three candles offered to the Candle Master with a tremble. Subsequently, these shadows were dyed a fresh red, casting the entire room in a horrifying blood-red glow.

It was not like before, merely a sacrifice of blood and mana. This time, he offered his life, soul, and will entirely.

If the Shadow Demon made no response, this would be a completely selfless sacrifice without any demand in return.

Aiwass would die then and there. His life, his soul, would become part of the Shadow Demon.

"...Ah."

However, the "Shadow Demon" sighed.

It wasn't Miss Assassin's saccharine voice, nor was it "Beyard's" aloof and intellectual mature voice. Instead, it was a new voice that was ethereal and hoarse, whispering like a dream:

"—I am willing to offer everything I have in exchange for my master's return from the void."

That was the last step of the Nurturing Skill.

Nurturing had to be selfless, so it could not seek any reward.

In other words, one could never bind the other to "return the favor" in any form.

Therefore, the sacrifice that entailed offering everything including the pact, life, and soul was the most selfless sacrifice. A risky act of Transcendence.

Only when the other party responded, could one reclaim all that was offered.

In an instant, the egg of shadows dissipated as if time had reversed.

After the Shadow Demon returned Aiwass's sacrifice, he emerged still covered in bloodstains and extraordinarily weak. The injury of his pierced heart remained, and his vitality was fragile, but he was still alive.

Yet, behind him stood another unfamiliar presence.

She embraced Aiwass from behind to keep him from falling to the ground.

The demon had a human upper body, with features resembling both Beyard and Aiwass. Fierce crimson wolf-like eyes incited intense fear.

Her long black hair, soft and smooth, fell to mid-thigh and was wildly fluttering behind her. She had a pair of insubstantial wings made of shadows on her back, their silhouette resembling crow's wings.

She was naked, wrapped in invisible shadows at her private parts, but there were strange yet oddly alluring dark red bloodstains from her cheek to her waist. From the waist down, she had an indeterminate, gas-like body that emitted black smoke. Her arms from the elbows down were covered in completely matte black transparent skin. The claws looked ferocious, yet they did not harm Aiwass in the slightest as they embraced him.

When she appeared, the entire room overflowed with a crimson hue.

That was the Night Fiend, an Upper-Level Demon whose appearance heralded a blood-soaked night.

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As an Upper-Level Demon who wielded the power of the Path of Love, it also mastered the forces of shadows, blood, and curses.

Rumors said the Night Fiend would fulfill the wishes of the envious, granting them strength and seducing them to seek revenge.

Those who made deals with the Night Fiend shared one common trait, they would lose their own shadows during the day. And when night fell, their shadows would control their bodies, doing deeds they themselves dared not do.

After fulfilling the bargain, the Night Fiend would then reap the individual's blood and soul in a Blood Night, leaving only memories of the Blood Night's occurrence, but none of the person who once existed.

In many places, it was worshiped as the "Blood God" by the ignorant.

The Night Fiend wasn't even on the evolutionary tree of the Shadow Demon.

This was one of the highest-ranking demons borne of the Brand of Jealousy, its status and power equal to that of the Penalty Demon.

The Night Fiend was an "executor" who helped the Fallen Celestial Marshal reap the souls of sinners, as well as a "debt collector" for those who had arrogantly made and then defied promises to the Fallen Celestial Marshal.

The Night Fiend gazed coldly at Yulia, her crimson eyes filled with undisguised, nearly insane jealousy.

That look was enough to make anyone falter, but Yulia merely hesitated for a moment before her gaze swiftly turned icy.

"Shadow Demon... no, you should be called Night Fiend now."

Aiwass's weak voice rose.

Seeing Aiwass regain consciousness, the Night Fiend immediately handed over a candle to him.

Aiwass lit the candle and grasped the flame. The Rite of the Sacred Fire began to heal his wounds continuously, and his body slowly recovered. Explore more stories at My Virtual Library Empire

He lifted his head in the Night Fiend's arms, looking up at the Night Fiend who floated at least two meters above the ground.

"Long time no see, Shadow Demon."

He smiled and said softly, "Nice to meet you, Night Fiend. How should I address you?"

"...Call me Beyard... no, call me Vinesse."

That ethereal, raspy voice with an echo came from behind Aiwass, "Vinesse Emile Zola Beyard... that was my name once, my master."

Unlike when she was a Shadow Demon, she now openly acknowledged her past.

Having devoured all of "herself," this was now her most complete form.

The corners of Aiwass's mouth turned up slightly.

"It's a shame you can no longer turn into a little snake, a little dog, or a little cat..."

Aiwass said softly, "Then how about I call you little bird?

"My loyal, loving... the little crow who brought my life and soul back in its beak?"

As Aiwass's voice trailed off, Vinesse behind him dispersed into a mist and transformed into a shadow crow with crimson pupils, quietly perching on Aiwass's shoulder.

"As you wish, my master."

She whispered softly, like a graceful young lady.

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