Righteous_One's smirk didn't falter. If anything, it widened, his beady blue eyes glinting with something almost... amused.

"You really don't get it, do you?" he said, shaking his head. "This isn't about power. It's aboutunderstanding."

I raised a brow. "Understanding?"

"Yes." He exhaled, his expression turning almostmockinglypatient. "You ran your mouth so much back then, acting like you knew everything. Like you had the answers to every problem, every flaw, every mistake." His gaze darkened. "So I want to see it."

I narrowed my eyes.

"Youclaimedthe game was bullshit," he continued. "That there werecountlessthings that could have been changed. That Damien Elford could've fought back, taken control, broken free of his fate." He took a step forward, his massive frame looming. "I want to see youprove it."

Tch.

So that was it.

I crossed my arms, my jaw tightening. "So you dragged me here just to back my words up?"

Righteous_One's smirk didn't waver. "Exactly."

I scoffed.

Then I shook my head, letting out a sharp, dry laugh. "Maaaan," I drawled, "your ego iswaymore fragile than you make it out to be."

His smirk twitched.

"Righteous_One, my ass," I sneered. "You're just a loser who can't take an L at all."

Silence.

For the first time since this conversation started, his expressionactuallycracked.

Not much.

Just a flicker of something behind his eyes.

But it was there.

And that meant I had struckgold.

Righteous_One's smirk twitched—then vanished entirely.

His beady blue eyes darkened, his thick fingers curling into fists at his sides. The amusement, the smug confidence—it all drained from his face, leaving behind something raw.

Anger.

"You think this is funny?" he muttered, his voice lower now, quieter—but there was a sharpness to it, an edge cutting beneath the words. "You think life is just that easy?"

I tilted my head, smirking. "Oh? Did I hit a nerve?"

His nostrils flared slightly, his lips pressing into a thin line. "Loser... that's a harsh word, don't you think?"

I snorted. "Nah, I think it fitsperfectly."

His jaw clenched. "You act like—like everything is so simple. Like people like mechoseto be like this. Like wewantedto be treated like shit, to be stepped on, ignored, cast aside—"

I waved a hand dismissively. "Cry me a river."

His eyesblazedat that.

But I wasn't done.

"That's the difference between people like you and people like me," I continued, my smirk widening. "Youwantto be a victim. Youneedthe world to be unfair so you have an excuse. So you don't have to actuallydoanything about your situation."

"You don't knowshitabout my situation," he spat, his entire body trembling now.

"Yeah? And whose fault is that?" I shot back. "Who let themselves rot away in self-pity instead of changing anything? Who sat behind a screen, whining about how unfair life was while doingnothingto fix it?" I scoffed. "That'swhy you're a loser. And that's why you'llalwaysbe one."

A sharp breath. His fists clenched tighter.

And then—

"Enough!"

The voidshook.

A powerful forcerippedthrough the space around us, like a silent explosion. My body lurched, weightless for a split second—

The void pulsed with raw, crackling energy as Righteous_One glared at me, his entire body trembling with rage.

"You think this is a game?" he growled, his voice sharp, seething. "You think pissing me off will do you any good? You shouldknow your place."

I smirked. "Oh yeah?"

Without hesitation, I lifted my hand—

And flipped him off.

"Fuck you."

His eye twitched.

"If I were you," I continued, voice dripping with mockery, "I'd just kill myself." I tilted my head, my smirk widening. "At least that would save some space in the universe."

The moment the words left my mouth, his facetwistedin pure fury.

"You—!"

The void trembled again, but this time, it wasn't from him.

Somethingelsewas coming.

The space around us pulsed, the very air thickening with something heavy, somethingpowerful.The pressure was suffocating, like reality itself was holding its breath.

And then—

A voice. Smooth, rich, carrying an elegance that cut through the tension like a blade.

"My, my. Starting a tantrum already?"

Click.

The sharp sound of heels echoed through the void.

From the darkness, she emerged.

A woman—graceful, poised, every step radiating effortless confidence.

Her long legs stretched from beneath an open slit dress, revealing flawless skin with every slow, measured movement. She moved with the kind of presence that didn't demand attention—itcommandedit.

Her crimson lips curved into a knowing smile as she took her place between us, her piercing eyes locking onto Righteous_One.

And the moment he saw her—

His entire expressionchanged.

Shock.

Panic.

Fear.

Anger.

Righteous_One's face twisted as he took a step back, his beady blue eyes wide with a mixture of fury and disbelief.

"Selene!" he spat, his voice trembling with rage.

The name hung in the air, heavy with venom.

Then, like a dam breaking, he exploded. "Youbitch!You dare show your face here afterbetrayingme?!"

Selene barely spared him a glance.

Instead, her golden eyes flicked to me, her expression unreadable as she studied me with mild curiosity. Then, finally, she exhaled through her nose, shaking her head.

"I was just passing by," she mused, her voice slow, almost lazy. "And then I noticedthis." She gestured vaguely toward Righteous_One, her crimson lips curving into somethingcloseto amusement.

Then, with a tilt of her head, she added—

"Who would have thought? Your pathetic ass is now searching for mere mortals." Her smile widened just slightly. "Tell me, how much lowerwillyou go?"

The words struck like a whip.

Righteous_One's entire bodytensed, his fingers twitching as if he wanted to strangle her where she stood. His face darkened, his lips curling in sheer, unfiltered rage.

But Selene?

She didn't look the least bit concerned.

I watched the spectacle unfold before me, arms crossed, leaning back slightly as if I were enjoying a private show.

And honestly? I kind of was.

Selene.

She wassomething else.

The way she carried herself, the way her golden eyes gleamed with amusement, the way she spoke to Righteous_One like he was nothing but a speck of dirt under her heel—it was captivating.

But more than that...

'She looks really beautiful. I wonder how good she would taste?'

The thought came unbidden, slow and lazy in the back of my mind. A fleeting curiosity, but an honest one.

And then—

She looked at me.

Directly.

A slow, knowing smirk curled on her lips.

"Your thoughts are kinda cute," she mused, tilting her head, "for a mere mortal."

I stiffened, my mind catching up to what just happened.

'Tch. So she can read minds.'

I exhaled through my nose, pushing down my initial surprise. After everything I had witnessed—the void, the transmigration, thisentiremess—her being able to peek into my head wasn't even the strangest thing anymore.

I met her gaze evenly, forcing myself to relax. "And?"

Selene chuckled, clearly entertained. "I quite like your character," she said, stepping closer. "You fit my taste."

Her gaze flickered with something almostplayful—but just as quickly, it faded, replaced with something more distant.

"But," she added, tilting her head slightly, "you should go now. Your consciousness will not be able to stay here for much longer."

Before I could react, Righteous_Onesnapped.

"Selene!" heroared,his voice cracking with sheer frustration. "This isnotyour concern!"

He moved to step forward—

But she simply lifted a hand.

And with aflickof her fingers—

Everythingcollapsed.

My world wentdark.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com