Chapter 76.2

In the past, such a minor injury would have healed within seconds. But now, seconds turned into moments, and Kevin's wound showed no sign of closing.

Oswald was momentarily stunned. Without a word, he leaned in and sank his teeth into Kevin's finger, drawing the blood from the wound.

Kevin: "..."

Whether as a god thousands of years ago or as a mere mortal in the world, Kevin had witnessed great spectacles and storms. His body bore the scars of eight hundred wounds, if not thousands more.

He had never flinched nor let his injuries affect him. It felt strange to be treated with such care for a small cut.

Angrily, he flexed his fingers and quipped to Oswald, "Hey, what happened to your cleanliness, young master?"

Oswald: "..."

"Alright, fine, I'll leave you to suck your own finger." This bastard felt no sentiment at all nonetheless, opening his mouth like any ordinary human.

Finally, Oswald rolled his eyes, retaliating by biting his own finger before releasing it.

Kevin rested back against the headboard, pretending to be in pain as he held his injured finger.

He watched as Oswald tidied up the mess, pointing out any remaining bits of glass from time to time, directing him, "There's one more here, and over there... no, at the foot of the cabinet, yes, there's still a small spill over there."

Even in the midst of tidying up, Oswald endured the compulsiveness and cleaned up all the shards of glass and spilled fruit.

He then walked to the sink to wash his hands, squinting as he made his way back to the bed.

He tilted his head towards Kevin and instructed, "Put your finger out again, let me see."

Kevin: "...You're impossible."

Unable to resist, Kevin extended his gloriously injured finger and waved it in front of Oswald, saying, "It's just a tiny hole, a normal person would've closed it by now."

Oswald stared at the bloodied fingertip, his expression complicated, and asked, "From now on, it won't heal on its own like before?"

Kevin shrugged nonchalantly, "The godhead is gone, it's to be expected."

Confusion clouded Oswald's face, "But you didn't have it before, right?"

"That's different," Kevin explained, "The godhead wasn't taken away from me before. I destroyed it myself. Ultimately, it still belongs to me.

"Maybe because the godhead hasn't completely disappeared, there's a chance for it to reform, and that's why the phoenix effect still works on me. As long as my heart isn't pierced, I will always remain alive."

"You've never tested it, how do you know that being pierced through the heart is fatal?"

Kevin paused for a moment, speaking casually, "Because I've seen it before... Thenis and Feisa both met their end like that. After their hearts were pierced, their bodies completely dissipated, never to return."

His words carried a weight that belied their simplicity. Despite the passage of countless years, those memories flashed through his mind, leaving him momentarily lost in a somber silence.

His dark eyes remained fixated on a point outside the window, lost in thought.

Oswald, with his short lifespan and inability to comprehend the experiences of gods thousands of years ago, gained a glimpse of that world through his encounter with Melo.

For a brief moment, he possessed the fiery godhead of a god, the spirit burning in his blood. It captured a trace of their essence.

Oswald placed his hands on the bed, his eyes locked on Kevin's. He lowered his head slowly, savoring the moment.

When their lips finally met, it was a tender, pure kiss. But there was also a hint of something more, something unspoken.

Oswald lingered, his lips brushing against Kevin's, and Kevin felt his breath catch in his throat.

He softly uttered, "Even with Melo, the creations of the gods are no less precious. They embody beauty and grace. It would be wonderful for them to live in this world with a different identity. Just like you..."

Kevin turned to look at him.

Oswald chuckled warmly, "Symbolizing hope and courage, the God of Light revered by thousands. Living like a mere mortal suits you quite well, my devious one. It's down-to-earth."

Kevin narrowed his eyes, his gaze like a sharp blade. Oswald braced himself for the inevitable blow, but instead, Kevin suddenly pressed his lips against Oswald's.

The kiss was possessive and demanding, and Oswald felt himself melting into Kevin's embrace, surrendering to the kiss's heady demands.

"It's not a bad thing for future generations," Kevin whispered against Oswald's lips. "I quite understand the thoughts of our ancestors."

The emperor, who had been watching the scene unfold, was speechless.

He had never seen Kevin like this before. He was usually so cold and controlled, but now he was all passion and fire.

Kevin found it rather amusing to observe the emperor's bewildered countenance.

With a gentle tap on the emperor's cheek, he remarked, "Ah, my dear companion, let us refrain from using such offending language. Your visage is quite admirable, and I personally don't mind indulging in lighthearted banter with you..."

His fingers were like ice against Oswald's heated skin, and he pinched Oswald's tight waist with a gentle pressure that sent a shiver of desire through him.

Oswald gasped and arched his back, pressing his body closer to his lover's.

Oswald, filled with astonishment, gradually regained his composure. His eyes narrowed, and he restrained Kevin's hand.

Harnessing his physical power, he skillfully maneuvered their positioning, making Kevin the recipient of his assertiveness as they reclined upon the bed.

Oswald knelt on Kevin's body, his fingers like iron pincers pressing into Kevin's wrists. His eyes burned with a feral intensity, like a wild animal stalking its prey.

Kevin could fight back, of course. He was skilled and experienced, and he had a good chance of winning in a fair fight. But this was not a fair fight. This was something else entirely.

Kevin lay on his back on the bed, meeting Oswald's eyes. His own eyes were dark and smoldering, filled with a mixture of desire and defiance.

"What do you want?" he asked, his voice low and husky.

Oswald smiled, a slow, predatory smile. "I want you," he said. "I want everything you have to offer."