"Even if I revive your lover. Would you not?"’

Stunned by his words, Misha looked at the demon in bewilderment. After seeing the monster alive, she was sure that Michael had died, and this confirms it.

The demon had killed him, and yet here it was trying to bargain for his life.

She wanted to be angry about it, lash out, and pluck its tongue for uttering those words. But she remained still in her place as the words continued to ring in her head.

The monster would revive him, it says.

Her first instinct was to disapprove of its word. She wanted to believe it was a lie, a sly tongue, a con, and the way to deceive her in doing its bidding. This was the way of demons and how they operate.

Yet Misha believed in him. And how wouldn’t she, when she was the living proof of it. The demon had the power to revive one, and he was offering her what she desired.

’Michael...’ Misha thought, remembering their days that had been cut short.

In the last year, she had come to love Michael like anything. She knew his act of cold and aloofness was just a facade to hide the pain. A wound that was eating him from the inside.

She wanted to heal her, give the warmth he needed. But none of it happened. All because of this dungeon. Her death was on the demon’s hand, yet she couldn’t get angry with it.

The monster was right.

She would do the same if someone were to enter her home. It was her fault, and she paid for it with her life.

And that should’ve been the end of it.

"No..." Misha simply shakes her head.

"WHat... why?" Confused by her choice, Lucian was stunned. How can she deny it? He was expecting everything from her, but a simple ’no’ wasn’t on the list.

"I won’t betray my friends, my family, my race, and on top of all, Michael, by helping you do something." She replied, not wanting to be part of anything the demon proposed.

"Just listen to me. Can you at least explain to me how exactly you would be betraying your race?" Lucian insisted.

She was the only way to salvation, and he would be dammed to let it go easily.

Sighing, she looked at the man lying on the ground and scratched her head, "You want me to heal him, right? I won’t help create the weapon that would destroy the world. I won’t be a part of it."

Pausing, she turned her head, facing the demon, she spoke her mind, "He should be dead, and so should you."

Hearing these words, Lucina thought for a moment, and multiple ideas appeared in his head, but none of them would move her. After a moment of thought, he appeared honest with her.

"See, Misha... that’s your name, right?"

"Uhm..hmm" Misha nodded her head, surprised that it knew her name.

"I don’t want to destroy anything. My master is kind and has often said how he wanted to help humans by letting them use the resources of the dungeon. We aren’t some monsters who would kill because we like it..."

Hearing these words, Misha was about to refute the claim, but Lucian interrupted her.

"There is good and there is bad in everyone. I don’t kill anyone because of my pleasure, the same way you don’t enter my home just to kill us. There is a hidden meaning behind all or action."

"The hidden meaning was to protect your people... the same I was doing. You, me, us... We all are ready to sacrifice ourselves for the betterment of our people..."

Pausing, he glanced at her, wiping the tears from his face, Lucian continued.

"See. You love Michael, and I’m devoted to my master. Think, how would you show your face to Michael in this kingdom of light after knowing that you would’ve revived him but choose not to do it?"

"N-no he understands." She shuttered.

Nodding his head, the demon agreed, "I’m sure he would. But would your own conscience allow you to see him... realizing that you could have spent the rest of your life together, but to choose to throw it away."

Hearing these words, her heart skipped a bit. For some reason, a greed began to emerge in her heart, knowing the possibility. All of a sudden, she began imagining Michael, creasing her cheeks in care.

Still, she shakes her head and utters her intention, "I’m a hunter before Misha."

His lips curved a little as the demon continued.

"Yes... of course. But are the hunters not allowed to be loved, to live their lives? Who is to decide that for you, and why would you listen to someone who doesn’t listen to your needs?"

"...."

"I say, break that system that doesn’t let one enjoy their life."

"..."

"But... you are not that Misha. You are a healer. Your work is to heal someone... before working on a wounded one shouldn’t look at their race. So, I beg of you, because of some prejudice, don’t judge us. Like you, we also deserve a second chance. And I will guarantee that you won’t regret healing master."

"..."

"We will be of great help to the humans..." Saying these words, Lucian stopped, letting her contemplate for a moment.

After remaining silent for a while, Misha looked at him before folding her legs, sitting in a lotus position.

’Can’t I just be selfish for once...’ Her lips quivered as thoughts began to form in her head.

Often gets praised for following the rule, Misha had always been a good kid. The kind parents and society never had to worry about. She always listened to the elders, did her work without complaint, and was satisfied with what she had.

But something had changed as she grew up. She began to feel chained by all these expectancies. As if obedience was required to earn the love.

Taking a deep breath, she looked at the demon and asked, "How can you guarantee that you won’t harm us after I heal your master?"

His lips curved in a full-blown smile as Lucian instantly muttered, "I swore on my master that I will never harm any of you."

"And that you will revive Michael."

"...Ahh!! Yes, I will revive Michael as well." Lucian blurted, agreeing to everything she asked.

Misha nodded her head and moved toward the man lying on the ground. As her step got closer to him, second thoughts began to appear, but she drove them away.

Reaching him, she bent down and began weaving mana.

Standing beside her was Lucian, reviewing every move of hers. His master was at his most vulnerable position, and any mistake could take his life away.

He saw as Misha concentrated all the mana into a single point, forming some sort of golden liquid in her hand. Raising Dhruv from the ground, she poured the liquid into his mouth.

"This is the best I can do at tier 1," She said, placing him on the ground and moving away.

With each passing moment, Lucian was getting anxious when his master suddenly gasped for air.

Arghhh!!!

Crying in pain, Dhruv opened his eyes. The world felt like burning, as wave after wave of pain hit him.

"Master, quickly start the evolution..."

Before he could process anything, a shout came his way. Turning around, he saw Lucian moving and slithering toward him.

"Wh—"

Interrupting his words, an ancient voice whispered in his head.

[Warning! A large portion of the body is damaged.]

[You have reached the maximum level. It is advised to evolve.]

[Do you want to start the evolution?]

[Yes/No]

To this, Dhruv nodded his head, as his consciousness drifted in the nothingness once again.