62-63 (Patreon)

Chapter 62

Little, surprised, removed her eyeball, gazing at the swiftly fading mark on her forehead, and asked: "Is this—what marriage is?"

The Witch God Skull, smiling warmly, lovingly explained, "No, dear—this is just a mark that allows you two to understand each other better—it's not marriage. Of course—if one day you find it unsuitable—it can be erased. If, after a long time, you still don't find each other disagreeable—that's when the true mark of marriage appears."

Her smile was one of pure happiness, like a mother witnessing her daughter's growth.

Little, curious, remarked, "I see—so that's how it is."

Though not fully understanding, it seemed like a wonderful thing. Because she immediately felt a magical connection with the doctor!

Little eagerly (✪ω✪) extended a tendril, bringing the o(╥﹏╥)o state Lynne to her face, and said: "Doctor—it's a wonderful—connection."

The 'face-hugger' that had been muffling Lynne snapped off under the Witch God Skull's control, freeing Lynne to speak.

Looking into Little's innocently unaware eyes, Lynneo(╥﹏╥)o said: "How should I explain this to you..."

It was all too fast! This whole sequence of events was incredibly rapid! So fast that he couldn't react, so fast that he didn't even know how to explain the current situation. And from the moment the Witch God Skull covered his mouth, he realized that she must have known this was a misunderstanding, that she was feigning ignorance! What a great determination it must be, so eager to marry off her daughter!

No! He must find an opportunity to explain the complex situation to Little in detail! Otherwise, things would really become troublesome!

Unaware of the complexities, Little (✪ω✪) joyfully placed Lynne on her head. Turning to her mother, she asked: "Mother—can we go now?"

The Witch God Skull smiled Favorabilityately, "Yes, we can—ha ha ha ha."

At last, a deep-seated obsession in her heart was fulfilled.

...

Evening.

The black fog swirled. By a small hill in the desolate wilderness, Lynne sat despondently, accompanied by the curiously-faced Little.

Noticing Lynne's dejection, Little extended a tendril, gently prodding his shoulder. "Doctor—are you unhappy?"

Lynne lifted his head, staring blankly into the distance, "How can I be happy? This happened so suddenly that I didn't even get a chance to speak before signing that kind of pact with you, Little."

"I'm sorry—" Little, perplexed (✪‸✪), said, "I thought—the Doctor also wanted—to enhance our relationship—"

Lynne helplessly hung his head. He knew it wasn't Little's fault; though powerful, her mind seemed quite young, easily influenced.

Lynne, disheartened, said, "It's not that I don't want to deepen our relationship, but... Little, do you know what marriage is?"

Little blinked, "It's like with mom and dad—a better playmate and friend—"

Lynne gave a wry smile, "No, that's not it. Marriage is a sacred thing. It means spending a lifetime with someone, a holy vow made after a long period of emotional build-up."

Little looked puzzled, not quite understanding.

The evening breeze blew.

Lynne sighed and shook his head. How could Little possibly understand? Though immense in size, by giant standards, she was still a child, wasn't she?

In Lynne's mind flashed the introduction from Little's parents' profile. Heads fallen from a higher world... Living on with resentment and curses...

War.

Death.

Titans...

Lynne stared blankly ahead, his gaze falling on Little's oblivious and pure face.

A Titan... beheaded? Then what about Little? Could it be that 3,000 years ago, at that very point, Little too was beheaded, plummeting from a higher world into this hellish realm? If that were the case...

"Little, may I ask you a question... How old are you?"

Little, bouncing curiously (✪ω✪) and causing the ground to tremble, replied, "Daddy says I'm five—Mommy says I'm three thousand and five—I don't remember anymore—"

Lynne was shaken. Five years old... He murmured. Could it mean...

"Have you always been without a body? Or is it just here?"

Little, puzzled (❁´◡`❁), said, "I seem to remember—having one long ago—then suddenly not anymore—it's too distant—can't recall clearly—"

Lynne sat there, stunned.

Could it be... At the age of five, during that war they experienced, Little was beheaded... Then fell. And eventually became the current Headhunter...

Lynne suddenly felt an indescribable chill growing within him. If even children were not spared... Then what they experienced back then might have been a true genocide...

Lynne turned his head, looking at Little with an added layer of emotion in his gaze. Perhaps it was sympathy. Or maybe pity. Especially seeing her still innocent demeanor, seemingly without any memories of her past life. How exactly had she died back then... A calamity. He closed his eyes. His hands clenched slightly.

Little gazed curiously at Lynne's face and asked, "Doctor—what's wrong? Are you unhappy again?"

Lynne lifted his head, standing up from the ground. The evening breeze tousled his hair, and a smile appeared on his face.

"Nothing!" He brushed the dust off his clothes. "Just thought of something."

Turning, he smiled and extended his hand towards Little, suddenly asking: "Little, do you want to return to what you looked like when you had a body?"

Little, puzzled yet curious, responded, "Eh?"

Lynne opened his arms with a smile and said: "Yes, like me, Doctor, having parts other than just a head. Would you like that? If you do, I can help you!"

Little instantly brightened up, excited.

"Really—can you?"

"Really! It will only be for a short hour, but that's enough."

Lynne slowly extended his right hand towards her, his face brimming with a warm smile.

"Because I too am eager to see what the real Little looks like."

In the wilderness.

"What! You allowed our daughter to—form a soul contract—with that man—?!"

Titan Skull, in a fit of rage, extended massive tendrils, lashing out towards the Witch God Skull.

The Witch God Skull confronted him with a cold sneer, venomously retorting: "So what if I did—since it's a creature my daughter fancies—naturally, I'd do anything—to keep it around—"

Hearing this, Titan Skull was nearly driven mad with anger. His eyes bulged in fury, his expression growing more grotesque as he cruelly spat: "You're insane—a madwoman—my daughter is only five years old—how dare you—you're testing my limits—!"

The Witch God Skull stood firm like a mountain before her, replying with a cold laugh: "Hey—we've been dead for three thousand years—do you still think it's the past—if you hadn't lost back then—my daughter wouldn't have to suffer here— My poor child—beheaded at the age of five—she was so young—knew nothing—It's all because of you, this worthless being—now you dare accuse me—!"

As the Witch God spoke, her anger intensified, the venom and chaos in her enormous eyes growing more evident. A sinister, pitch-black aura began to manifest around her head, a vicious curse spreading recklessly in the surroundings.

"Get out of my way—I'm going to kill that human—right now—"

He roared, his massive head instantly knocking the Witch God Skull dozens of meters away. He looked furiously towards the night sky. His enormous head, like Mount Tai, thundered in the direction he faced.

How could he not understand the madwoman's intentions? She felt she had wronged her daughter, so after becoming this monster, she obsessively sought to atone for her guilt towards her daughter. She desperately tried to let her daughter live a normal human life.

But how could that be possible!? It was nearly delusional! And how could his daughter, form a sacred contract of the Titan tribe, with such a frail race?!

But just then, behind him.

Whoosh—

Tendrils, like pythons, suddenly shot out, coiling tightly around his head.

"You dare to—strike me—"

Titan Skull raged, his eyes wild with fury.

The Witch God Skull, venomous and cruel, controlled the tendrils, saying, "You useless waste—you really think our daughter—is still that five-year-old child from back then— If it weren't for you—my daughter would have grown up—become a distinguished Titan—I'm telling you—if you dare—interfere with my daughter's preferences today—I'll tear you into bloody shreds—"

Almost the instant she finished speaking, the Witch God Skull, with a whoosh, maneuvered her tendrils. A foul, horrifying maw viciously clamped onto his face.

Squelch—

A large chunk of flesh was torn off by her and swallowed.

Titan Skull, humiliated and enraged, eyes wilder than ever, like a madman, instantly burst her binding tendrils into countless bloody fragments.

"You madwoman—it's all you—all you! Curse! You've robbed me of peace—you deserve death—"

Squelch—squelch—

His massive tendrils instantly pierced the Witch God Skull's eye sockets, crushing her eyeballs into blood. Yet the Witch God Skull seemed to feel no pain, frenziedly gnawing at his head.

"Ha ha ha ha hee hee—you useless thing—the madder you get, the more useless you are—you can't return to the past no matter how angry—ha ha ha ha—you're just a twisted monster—" She laughed venomously.

The two heads frenziedly tore at each other's flesh, grotesquely. The suppressed curses and malice once again swept over them. Clarity in their eyes quickly gave way to chaos and venom. But they seemed immortal. The flesh they gnawed off each other rapidly healed, visible to the naked eye, and with each healing, the curse grew stronger.

Squelch—

Titan Skull viciously tore off her entire face, torrents of blood flowing between his teeth.

In a fury-driven onslaught, the Witch God Skull was violently struck, and sent hundreds of meters away. And once the anger surged, it grew uncontrollably wild, sinking deeper into hate and despair!

Titan Skull abruptly turned, furiously heading towards Lynne and the others.

"Ha ha ha ha hee hee—you useless waste—ha ha ha ha—you only know impotent rage—hee hee hee—"

Tendril after tendril again shot out from behind him, dragging him firmly back. But Titan Skull no longer cared about the madwoman behind him, dragging the jeering, laughing head as he furiously trudged forward.

"Death—all shall die—"

…

Meanwhile, atop the hill.

The evening breeze gently tousled Lynne's forehead hair as he extended his hand towards Little with a smile.

"Little, if you're ready, just relax your mind. Only if you trust me, without any guard against me, can I perform that spell."

Little nervously replied with anticipation, "Really—can you—?"

Lynne smiled, "I believe I can do it. Here we go!"

His expression instantly turned serious, focusing all his mental energy on Little. Perhaps it was sympathy, or maybe pity. He suddenly thought, why should such an unjust fate befall a girl, naive and curious about everything?

She knew nothing. She might even have been asleep. Just like that, beheaded without reason, falling into this dark hell, becoming a monster no one dared approach... If that's the case...

In an instant, Lynne's eyes filled with countless tiny specks of light.

[Ding! You are about to use the skill "Remnants of the Past." Do you wish to intervene with the target immediately?]

"Yes!"

Without a doubt, the description of that legendary skill appeared in his mind. Even if it was only for an hour, or even shorter due to her being of Origin-level, if it could bring back the Little of the past, even if not forever, it would at least be... A consolation.

[Ding! Please set the time point for the reappearance!]

"3000 years ago, the moment before her head was severed."

[Ding! Setting complete, analyzing the target's rejection of the host...]

[Ding! Analysis complete. Current target's rejection of you: 0, resistance to you: 0, trust level towards you: 200]

"Really..." Lynne looked at Little, who was gazing back with expectation (✪ω✪), and his lips slowly curled into a smile. "This is truly moving, Little!"

In an instant, [Remnants of the Past] activated!

Chapter 63

Buzz—

A blinding light instantly enveloped Little in front of him. The radiance emitted from the enormous head, in the dark night shrouded by black mist, was like a curtain of light tearing through the night, illuminating the surrounding darkness in an instant.

...

In the distance, the Titan Skull, driven madly by fury, inching closer to this location, also caught sight of the surging colossal curtain of light.

It was as dazzling as the sun, as grand as time itself. It was as if they were transported back to the upper world of a sudden, with the sun hanging high and light warmly enveloping them.

The Titan Skull stopped in astonishment. His entire face was illuminated by the grandeur of the light.

Behind him, the Witch God Skull, at the moment the curtain of light appeared, stood there dumbfounded, unable to utter a word.

In the Dark World, there is no blazing light. Only the eternal, unchanging black mist and the lifeless sky. The only light you see is the dim soul lamps flickering in the mist, their light born of suffering fueled by souls and blood. Never before this moment, had there been such sunlight-like radiance, falling upon this pitch-black hell.

But at this moment, they saw it... Light... Blinding, magnificent light! Like time rolling backward, in an instant, amidst the chaos and malice, echoes of nearly forgotten... remnants from their past lives resounded.

Buzz—

After the immense beam of light dispersed in an instant, it transformed into countless points of light that slowly faded away in the air. And within that light, a figure so familiaro dearly missed, and even tear-inducing at the mere thought, appeared before their eyes like an illusion.

"That is..."

The Titan Skull's eyes trembled. His uncontrollable, endless rage collapsed at the moment his gaze met that figure.

"My daughter..."

The Witch God Skull muttered lifelessly.

Unbeknownst when, a line of crystal-clear, murky tears streamed down the grotesquely flesh-torn cheeks, dripping onto the ground. The light faded away. Before the small hill, a pair of crystal-clear, emerald green eyes opened vacantly, like a tranquil pool of water. Atop her head was a large butterfly bow. Her long, smooth golden hair cascaded delicately down her round cheeks, resting on her chest.

Dressed in a snug nightgown embroidered with buds, her slender arms hugged a pillow, sitting bewilderedly with a "w" expression at the front of the hill, gazing blankly at Lynne on the hill, who seemed doll-sized in comparison.

"Huh?"

She looked down in surprise and bewilderment. Gazing at her delicate hands, long, fair legs, and feet.

"It's... it's real..." Little's emerald eyes widened in amazement and joy as she suddenly leapt up, exclaiming excitedly: "I have a body now! This is so magical! Truly magical!!"

Boom—

Her leap nearly toppled the small hill.

Lynne, looking up in astonishment, struggled to keep his balance, gazing at the girl, several meters tall, speechless in front of him.

Is she... The Little from 3000 years ago?

Though gigantic, her body's proportions were unexpectedly perfect and harmonious. And clearly not matured, she really looked no different from a proportionally enlarged human girl. And, she was truly beautiful! Exquisite!

Though youthful, anyone could tell at a glance, what a breathtakingly beautiful girl she would become when she grew up!

A... Golden-haired, blue-eyed loli?!

"Doctor! Doctor!! Doctor!!!"

Little, nearly bursting with joy, quickly sat down with a "w", drawing close to the miniature Lynne on the hill, and said with utmost delight: "That's amazing! You are so amazing! Little really has her own body now!"

She spread her arms wide in a cheer. Then, reaching out, she joyfully scooped up the tiny Lynne, holding him tightly against her chest, cuddling him with her cheek like a beloved doll.

"Wuwuwu—this is incredible. Doctor, you are indeed a super amazing doctor!"

Little was extremely happy.

[Ding! Little's Favorability for you +50]

[Ding! Little's Trust in You +40]

[Ding! Little's Trust in You +50]

[Ding! Little's attitude towards you has changed from "Trust" to "Adoration." You have gained 200 Experience]

[Ding! Your epic achievement "Origin's Close Friend" has successfully advanced to "Origin's Best Friend." You have gained 500 Experience]

[Origin's Best Friend: A second-stage epic achievement. Achieved when an Origin-level being's trust in you exceeds 100, and their favorability for you surpasses 500. Each time trust is gained, there is a small chance to advance. This signifies that you have earned a best friend from the dark world. Permanent attribute boost: All attributes +20, Little's Favorability for you +50.]

[Ding! Adoration unlocked!]

[Introduction: At this crossroads, you must decide whether to continue deepening the friendship and trust or to develop towards a higher aspect.]

Lynne: "???!"

Before Lynne could react, Little, unable to suppress her elation, joyfully extended her tongue and affectionately licked Lynne like a kitten.

Slurp—

Slurp—

"I really like the Doctor! The Doctor is so amazing! Wuwuwu—I really, really like!"

Just after a few licks, Lynne was soaking wet. Obviously, even though she had temporarily reverted to her original form, the habits of Favorability developed as a monster over the years couldn't be changed.

"Wait a minute! Wait a minute! Little, stop licking for now! Listen to me..."

Slurp—

"I'm soaked! Completely drenched! I'm dirty, covered in dust!"

Slurp—Slurp—

"Why is she getting more enthusiastic with licking!!"

Slurp, slurp, slurp—

"......"

In the distance, the Titan Skull and the Witch God Skull stood side by side, staring blankly at the scene. The wounds on their heads from the recent bloody battle were rapidly healing under the curse's influence.

"Is this... our... daughter?" The Witch God Skull muttered.

The Titan Skull, usually enraged, was now unusually devoid of anger, his lips moving slackly as he gazed at the familiar little figure from his memories. In that instant, his tumultuous mind was once again flooded with the scenes from before their defeat.

In the midst of the roaring flames and flying ashes that engulfed his tribe, he watched, with eyes wide open, as his daughter, waking up bewildered in her sleep, had her head severed right in front of him... And he was so close at that time... He had rushed forward in a frenzy, yet still, he couldn't save his daughter's life in that final moment...

At that time, she was so young, completely unrelated to that war. And from that moment, the unquenchable rage turned into a curse that drove him mad for three millennia.

He was mostly in a state of confusion. Because whenever he came to his senses and saw his daughter, still as naive as before, with her pure, happy eyes, he was reminded of that scene, of that blood-red knife descending.

He lived perpetually in the night of that raging battle. Therefore, he neither wanted nor was willing to acknowledge the time that followed, the three millennia of hell, or face the present...

Because in his memory, His daughter was always that little and sensible child who would joyfully pounce on him in the morning, affectionately calling him daddy...

In an instant, tears, hot and mixed with confusion, flowed from his eyes, large as rooms. Even snot trickled down.

"Is it an illusion?"

Yes. It must be an illusion. The confusion brought by the curse must have clouded his mind again. But if he could maintain this vision, he would rather forever forego clarity and live in the curse of this chaos.

Seemingly sensing their presence, the mountain-like little girl holding Lynne twitched her ears and then, with a puzzled look, turned her head towards them.

The moment their eyes met, both the Titan Skull and the Witch God Skull trembled, even holding their breaths. And the next moment, the golden-haired little girl's eyes suddenly brightened.

A sparkle appeared.

"Daddy! Mommy!!"

Little quickly jumped up from the ground, holding Lynne, and joyfully ran towards them with a delighted cheer.

Upon hearing her utter those four words, both the Titan Skull and the Witch God Skull shook uncontrollably, tears and snot streaming down uncontrollably.

"My... daughter..."

The next moment, Little joyfully embraced the two heads, closing her eyes and pressing her cheek against theirs. It was as if they had returned to a time long past, to a distant memory so blurred it was barely recallable. It seemed like such scenes were an everyday occurrence back then. Tranquility, peace, free from worries.

In an instant, feeling the warmth of their daughter's cheek, sensing her real body, both the Titan Skull and the Witch God Skull finally couldn't hold back and burst into uncontrollable sobs. Those were the remnants of the past. The affection was lost to time and curse.

In this hell, in this dark and mysterious world, they had even forgotten their own appearances from life. But why, why did they remember this child in front of them so clearly? So clearly that they couldn't forget, no matter how hard they tried.

Wailing. Crying out loud. Hugging tightly for a long time. Even their words were choked, unable to be spoken.

Meanwhile, Lynne sandwiched in the middle while being held in Little's arms, was somewhat terrified of being crushed by her immense size. Unnoticed by anyone at this moment, as he looked up at the tears streaming down the faces of Little's parents, he felt a sense of comfort in his heart.

Actually, if it weren't for this dark world, in the world they lived in before their deaths, they too were a happy family of three. He hadn't planned any of this, but seeing such an ending, he too felt very happy. He closed his eyes, folding his arms, a small smile unknowingly forming on his lips.

...

Ten minutes later.

Little sat on the ground, blinking her eyes, holding Lynne to her chest. Her long golden hair swayed like a wheat field in autumn's breeze.

"Just like this!" Little lifted Lynne up, happily nuzzling him with her cheek again. "It was the amazing Doctor who gave Little a body, really, it's like a miracle, so incredible!"

[Ding! Little's Favorability for you +1]

[Ding! Little's Adoration for you +1]

Instantly, the Titan Skull's stern gaze fell on Lynne. Meanwhile, the Witch God Skull, still next to Little and wiping her tears, gently combed her long golden hair with her tendrils, as if touching a fragile treasure.

"Is it because of—him?"

The Titan Skull looked serious, his eyes filled with doubt.

Lynne raised his head and coughed, saying, "It's not that incredible, just a natural ability I have to make past things reappear. After understanding Little's situation, I just tried it out casually, and didn't expect it to actually work."

He looked up and saw Little looking down at him with blinking eyes, his face blushed, and he coughed: "Sorry, I didn't expect Little to be so adorable~"

Stare—

Stare—

Lynne instantly felt two terrifying gazes piercing him. He widened his eyes, swallowed, and raised his hands: "I was just saying."

The Titan Skull still looked at him with doubt and disbelief, as this was unimaginable. To him, this guy was just a slightly capable but weak human. Except for charming his daughter, he seemed to have no other merits! But he never imagined that this human had such a bizarre ability.

"Can it—be maintained—permanently?" The Titan Skull identified a crucial point.

Lynne seriously held up a finger, adjusting his cracked monocle, and said: "One hour, that's my current limit."

Even though he had guessed that this ability couldn't possibly be permanent, a whole hour still surprised him. Because in this dark world, they were almost top-tier Origin-level beings.

The Titan Skull asked solemnly, "What is this ability of yours called?"

Lynne, with eyes closed, replied, "Remnants of the Past."

The Titan Skull murmured those four words. Remnants... of the past... Indeed, a fitting name, for a power that allows the dead to momentarily relive their past... right? His gaze towards Lynne became more complex.

"Just an appearance—not actually reverting back—is that right?"

Lynne raised his head to meet his gaze, confirming, "Yes."

A hint of sadness flashed in the Titan Skull's eyes.

Lynne knew what he was thinking. But it was something impossible. Because that would mean reversing time, reversing life and death, something beyond his capabilities. Even if this skill could do it, the cost would be immense.

His [Remnants of the Past] was merely a reenactment of the past. A true illusion. Beneath the facade of the illusion, nothing had changed. Little was still the Headhunter, she was still... beheaded...

Silence fell around them.

Then Lynne suddenly felt Little's hand move, and she placed him in her palm, bringing him close to her face, so close that he could see her lake-like azure eyes. She blinked at Lynne.

"I like you!" She said playfully.

Lynne was initially startled. Then he saw her pure, lively eyes.

Lynne smiled slightly, leaning on her hand, giving her a thumbs-up, showing his white teeth.

"Likewise!"

[Ding! Little's adoration for you +1]

[Ding! Little's adoration for you +1]

[Ding! Little's adoration for you +1]

Lynne: "!!!"

Wait! Wait! Stop! Stop!

Lynne panicked.

"Little, you must understand, when I say likewise, it's the kind of liking that normal friends have, nothing more. Just a pure friendship kind of liking, do you understand?"

Little (✪ω✪) looked at Lynne, "Understood!"

Lynne breathed a sigh of relief, "Good."

[Ding! Little's adoration for you +1]

[Ding! Little's adoration for you +1]

Lynne: "!!!"

What's happening?! Why is it increasing even faster?!

(ΩДΩ)!!

Seemingly noticing Lynne's discomfort, Little playfully flashed her white teeth, her eyes sparkling, then immediately hugged him like a doll, happily holding him in her arms.

"I like~~? Mwah~"

...