Storm Snake

I swung the Prime Sword. Like light, my attack, infused with the element of space, entered the portal. Shortly after, I heard a woman's scream. "Ahh! Why are you attacking me?"

"Why are you talking as if you're the victim? This is a fight; it's natural to attack one another."

"Ugh... I just wanted to test your strength," said the goddess, like an innocent girl who had been teased.

"So, what now? Want to stop here?"

"Yes, I've seen enough of your power. Go ahead and take the Holy Sword, and let's get to know each other."

"Why don't you come in your real body?" I asked, sounding disappointed.

"There's a lot of work I need to do," she said before sighing wearily.

The portals closed before I descended back into the cave. Inside the auction house, the members of the Order of Lunaria had already gathered to capture the criminals still frozen in place. When they saw me walk in, naked because my clothes had been burned by the Goddess of Light, they screamed in shock, their faces blushing.

"Kyaaaah! Who's that naked man!?"

"A pervert!"

"Wait, don't close your eyes!"

"His body is too sexy to miss!"

"Even though his face looks like a woman, just seeing his body makes me wet."

"Isn't it too big? Can that even fit inside!?"

Are they the perverts? But that's fine. If they're interested in me, that means there's a chance we could sleep together.

"I knew you were a pervert, but I didn't expect you to have an exhibitionist fetish," Selena said as I landed.

"My lady, stay away from him!" said Naevys. "You might catch his perversion!"

"I did think about being an exhibitionist, but I don't have that fetish yet. My clothes were burned during the fight."

"Your clothes burned?!" Selena said in surprise. "Weren't they made from extremely strong fabric? Who could burn them?"

"I fought against the Goddess of Light earlier."

"Really?" she said in a flat voice, not believing me.

"Listen, your teacher here is very strong, even able to compete with the gods."

"Cover your ears, my lady. This man is nothing but a liar. He must have taken off his clothes just for exhibitionism."

"You've been noisy for a while now, little girl!" I said to Naevys.

But she just stuck out her small tongue at me in reply.

"Whatever," I muttered as I walked away and got dressed.

I stood in front of the Holy Sword. Unlike before, I managed to pull it out without any resistance. But once again, my actions caused an uproar around me.

"The chosen hero has appeared!"

"He is Her Highness's teacher, meaning the hero is on our side."

"Not only sexy but also a hero; I'd gladly sleep with him."

"It would be an honor to bear his child."

Being a hero chosen by the Goddess of Light had many perks. Even women and girls would willingly sleep with me just because I held the Holy Sword.

Selena rushed over to me before whispering in my ear. "What kind of trick did you pull?"

"Why are you suspecting me?" I frowned. "As my disciple, you should be the happiest about this."

"There's no way a pervert like you is the destined hero meant to save the world. You must've used some sneaky trick — with your immense power — to pull out the Holy Sword."

"It's not what you think. I got permission from the Goddess of Light to wield the Holy Sword after proposing to her."

"You proposed to the Goddess of Light!? That's the most disrespectful act a human could do!"

"The only disrespectful thing here is your mouth!" I snapped at my beautiful student. "I'm stronger and more honorable than you think. Show some respect for your master!"

Selena's face twisted, as if she were forced to swallow a bitter truth. "So, how did it go?"

"I haven't received an answer yet. For now, we're trying to get to know each other, using the Holy Sword as a medium for communication."

"How selfish. You two are using the Holy Sword — which should be used to save the world — as a tool for communication. What about the world's safety?"

"Why are you asking such a stupid question? It's already been answered."

"Huh…" Selena looked confused.

"You're the one who should save the world. This is my first task for you as your master."

"Why should I bear the consequences of your selfishness?!" she yelled angrily at me.

"Can't you do it?"

"Of course I can!" as usual, Selena replied arrogantly. "But because it's troublesome, I don't want to."

"Then do it."

I then walked away, leaving Selena stomping the ground in frustration.

After that, the Lunaria Order arrested all kinds of criminals involved in this black market, whether they were sellers or buyers. Even Velaria was caught, though she wasn't chained like the others. She was still imprisoned in an ice tower; no one wanted to touch her poisonous body. As for the slaves and other victims, they would be sent to the capital.

As for me, I leisurely emptied the treasure vault inside the auction house. There were mountains of gold here, and the money I spent earlier to buy Selena's subordinates had already been replenished.

"Wait, don't take all the money," Selena suddenly stopped me.

"Why?"

"We need funds to survive in the succession war."

"Alright."

I wasn't as interested in money as I was in ancient artifacts.

"Even so, how are we going to carry all this money? It's too much."

I handed her a ring. "Use this."

"Don't get mistaken. Although I'm willing to serve your lust, I don't want to be your wife."

"You're the one with the mistaken impression! This isn't a proposal! I'm giving you this ring because you're my disciple. This ring has storage space inside. You can use it to store the money."

"A legendary dimensional artifact. This is such a luxurious item that even the royal family struggles to obtain one, yet you're just giving it away. How rich are you?" Selena said, astonished.

"You don't want it?"

"Of course, I want it." She then took the ring and began storing all the treasure inside it.

After everything was done, we walked out of the cave. Selena's subordinates smiled proudly, satisfied with having completed their noble work. Likewise, the freed slaves and victims had relieved, happy smiles on their faces. The only ones without smiles were the criminals, as they faced a bleak future.

Outside the cave, I noticed the sky had darkened. But there, in the sky, a terrifying monster was dancing.

In the gloomy, fear-filled sky, a monstrous snake-like creature loomed, terrifying all who saw it. Its enormous body coiled through the air, not covered in scales like a typical snake but with thick feathers resembling those of a bird. These feathers were a bluish-purple color, shimmering faintly in the shadows of the dark clouds, making it seem like a creature born from nightmares.

In the middle of its terrifying face was a single, massive eye that gleamed with deep hatred. That eye was enormous, as though it could pierce the soul of anyone who gazed at it, evoking an indescribable fear. Its mouth, far too wide for its already large size, gaped open, with thick saliva continuously dripping from its sharp fangs, which looked like swords ready to slice. Each drop of saliva that hit the ground sizzled, as though poisoning the earth upon contact.

This serpent monster flew in the sky without wings, floating with an eerie elegance. Its presence in the air was accompanied by the howling of strong winds and darkened skies. Every movement it made instilled a deep fear in the hearts of all living creatures, heralding inevitable destruction.

"The Storm Snake… why is the monster that has terrorized the world for centuries here?"

"What should we do?"

"Can we make it home safely?"

People's expressions shifted, turning to fear. Even Selena's proud subordinates began trembling in terror.

I, on the other hand, smiled in excitement. This might be my chance to look cool. Maybe, just maybe, these elf girls would fall in love after watching me fight this monster.

But after taking my first step, my hand was grabbed by Selena. I turned around to see her shaking her head at me.