I Quite Like You, Actually

"And what exactly do you mean by that, Sir Ethan?"

In contrast to her earlier excitement, Riize's voice sounded grim as she stuffed Pookie back into her pocket, shielding the slime from the hunters' collective predatory gazes.

"Don't be tense, I'm merely suggesting that we borrow your little pet to hasten the task."

Ethan approached the two with casual strides. He was all smiles when he said this, but that didn't last for long as he was met with one after another step of Riize's cold unyielding retreat.

Riize glanced around, taking in the other hunter's gloating looks. They were no better than him, enjoying the show as they stayed nonchalant to the one-sided intimidation.

And yet, despite having no one on her side, Riize insistently stood her ground. "No. Drop the idea. I won't agree to this."

"Miss Riize."

Dark clouds seemed to hover over his usually bright face as the hunter's tone of voice took a sudden menacing turn.

With each step he took, Riize felt boulder after boulder of pressure pressing down her shoulders, threatening her to give in unless she wanted this incoming strike of wrath to be unleashed upon her feeble figure.

"It seems you've mistaken something, DEMON." Ethan began, pulling out his white gloves and sliding them onto his fingers, "I'm not asking for your permission, but merely stating my decision."

"Never would I have thought you were this kind of person, Sir Ethan. I thought–" Riize continued to fake her resistance, only to be interrupted by a cold laugh of ridicule.

"Spare me all that righteous nonsense. Hand over your pet or… I don't mind adding that little horn of yours to my prized collection."

Riize's figure trembled, something that Ethan as well as the other hunters didn't fail to notice.

As if he didn't intend to push things too far, Ethan softened his stance, slipping back into his easygoing persona and continuing with a gentler, if not far more repulsive voice. 

"Don't worry, I won't treat you unfairly. Once everything is over, I'll raise your pay."

He glanced at her reaction, satisfaction washing over him when he caught the tension on her shoulders.

"You better do, Sir." Tightening and releasing her fist, Riize finally forced out a fierce reply, "If not, I'll make sure the Guide Union hears of this matter."

A foolish remark for sure from a little prey whose path had all been blocked, and Ethan would make sure she forever remains that way.

Forever so foolish, so gullible, and easy to manipulate.

"Of course," He chuckled, raising his hand to motion for the others to follow behind him.

"Now, move."

…

Hiding behind a series of tall, thick boulders, the Zephirre hunters hungrily watched as the green gooey slime inched closer and closer to the target.

Now that the traps had been meticulously laid out, ready to snap at whoever was unlucky enough to step into their range, all they had to do was wait for the slime to bait the Vernons over and start the extraction.

Not wanting any part of his plan to fail or even backfire, Ethan made sure to keep the silent Riize close, continuously reminding her not to make any funny movements.

"Miss Guide, keep this in mind. Things won't go well for you either if none of us make it out alive. I know that unlike us, you Demons with Horns have a certain immunity towards the poisonous miasma. But, what if I cut them off? Without your horn, wouldn't that make you just as vulnerable as the rest of us?"

Perhaps due to the change in their position, the hunter had grown so brazen as to circle his arm around her pale neck, pulling her close enough to blow against her ear.

Under Ethan's continuous physical advances, Riize uncontrollably shuddered, this time not of fake pretense.

"Sir, please show some respect."

Unable to hide her disgust any longer, Riize shoved the man away with force, the face beneath her mask contorting ugly as if she was about to puke her entire guts out.

She didn't manage to push him far, despite the full exertion of her strength. That was just how physically powerless she had become after having her two horns forcefully uprooted.

Weak, shameful, and hurting in agony with each passing second.

The holes on her head began to prickle the instant she thought of its existence, and Riize couldn't stop the headache coming right at her when she heard him chuckle.

"I quite like you, actually." Ethan said with a smile, his gleaming eyes radiating out something that sent shivers down her spine.

That gaze of his, Riize couldn't be any more familiar with the likes of them.

It was neither love nor fondness, but pure and intense raging lust that wished to swallow her whole, leaving not a bone intact.

His next words furthermore solidified her doubts.

"You smell nice… and have a good figure as well." He drawled out, shoulders drawing close to grab at her once more, only to be met with the sharp tip of a blade.

"Sir, that's an outrageous claim. Humans and Demons can never be together, haven't you ever heard of that?" Riize didn't hesitate to point her dagger right below his chin, a position close enough to slit the throat with one swift cut.

"But that doesn't mean we can't have some fun right?" Ethan didn't seem to mind their dangerous position as his smile grew wider.

Have fun.

Is that what Kairos had thought of her as well?

Riize couldn't stop the spreading ache in her chest. Humans were truly insincere, disgusting creatures. That was why–

Every fiber of her body suddenly grew eerily calm, the rush of her blood slowing down only for the temperature to drop a few degrees colder.

Kill.

She will definitely kill them all, starting from this little piece of talking shit named Ethan.