Dusk was fast approaching in the Kurte Mountains.

It hasn’t been long since they entered, but the sun was already setting.

Sunset.

As the two people diligently trudged forward, they suddenly stopped.

“We should probably camp here.”

“Will that be okay? If the monster shows up again…”

Elena asked worriedly.

The monster was known for its surprise attacks; there was no guarantee that it wouldn’t attack tonight.

“But it would be more dangerous to move like this. You are tired too.”

At Lexion’s worried gaze, Elena couldn’t refute him.

He was right.

Elena didn’t have the strength to walk anymore.

The excruciating pain she was suffering from was only alleviated thanks to the Rose she drank beforehand. Unfortunately, the effect was gradually diminishing and her body already felt heavy from their trek in the snowy mountains.

In the end, Elena had no choice but to agree.

“I’ll have to find out if there is a safe place nearby.”

Lexion stated as he held Elena’s hand.

It was then.

Kaing—

A cry of an animal was heard.

Lexion and Elena simultaneously turned their gazes in one direction.

The sound was coming from inside the forest they were currently in.

Kaing—

From the sound of it, it seemed to be a small animal.

Its cry was unceasing as if it was in danger.

“Lexion, it looks like the young animal is in danger. You need to save it.”

Lexion nodded at what she said.

Knowing that he would not be deterred by such a thing, he wasted no time in moving.

Elena also followed him into the forest.

Then, a cliff appeared in front of them.

A towering cliff that could inevitably lead to death if one stumbled on it.

And at the edge of the cliff was a small hand with white, fluffy fur.

Kaing!

The cries were coming from there.

A small animal was about to fall off the cliff.

Elena and Lexion looked at each other and nodded.

The two hurried straight to the cliff.

“Hang in there. I’ll save you soon.”

Elena said as she looked down the cliff.

Walking beside her, Lexion also checked the small animal.

At that moment, their expressions changed.

Elena’s eyes widened in astonishment while Lexion’s eyes glinted.

The small animal clinging for dear life and crying softly was none other than the Snow Mountain Monster.

However, the size was different from the monster the two had met a while ago.

It was small, like a child.

“It must be the cub of that monster.”

Lexion’s lips rose slightly.

He was lucky.

He had thought there was only one Snow Mountain Beast, but he hadn’t realized there was a cub.

It wouldn’t take much effort to get the monster’s blood now.

With this alone, Elena’s curse would disappear.

Lexion thought so and tried to reach out to the cub.

At that moment, Elena gently grabbed his hand.

“Lexion.”

From the moment they discovered the cub of the monster, Elena was observing Lexion.

She easily noticed his expression brightening a little.

Elena shook her head while holding Lexion’s hand.

Lexion immediately understood what she meant.

Since he knew very well what kind of woman he had fallen in love with.

“This child needs to be saved.”

Elena smiled softly.

He couldn’t harm the young of the ancient race, which was believed to only have one in existence.

She wanted to protect it.

“But Elena, I don’t want to lose you.”

“I know.”

Elena grabbed Lexion’s hand with both hands.

She knew very well how he felt.

So she didn’t feel disappointed with his actions.

If the situation had been reversed, she might have made the same choice as Lexion.

But not this time.

“This kid is young. So to the parents… we have to return it.”

Elena explained. There was sadness in her eyes, but she still smiled.

Lexion wanted to argue with her, but he couldn’t bring himself to do so.

He then let out a soft sigh.

“… All right.”

When she heard his response, Elena let go of his hand.

Lexion immediately reached out to the snow mountain beast cub.

The rescued cub felt the energy of the two and became terrified.

“Hi.”

Elena greeted the cub.

The monster’s cub tried to run away, but couldn’t move because it was still in Lexion’s grasp.

At that moment, Elena felt her vision spinning.

“Elena?”

Her consciousness was gone in an instant.

*****

Lexion stared at the unconscious Elena, who appeared to be at peace.

Soon after Elena lost consciousness, he immediately checked her condition.

The dark magic around her neck was getting thicker. Fortunately, Elena was asleep.

Lexion carried Elena on his back and moved while holding the cub of the monster in his hand.

Fortunately, it wasn’t long before he found a cave nearby.

Lexion tied the cub of the monster with the rope he had brought, then made a makeshift bed and laid Elena down.

In case she was cold, he wrapped her with all the magic items Elena had brought for him.

And when that wasn’t enough, he covered her with his own robes.

“Elena….”

Lexion grabbed her hand and muttered her name.

He glared at the monster’s cub as he felt its movements.

The cub was constantly on guard against the two.

It shrank when it sensed Lexion’s glare.

In fact, the moment Elena fainted, Lexion lost his mind and tried to harm the cub.

However, recalling what Elena previously said, he barely suppressed the urge.

Fearing that she might be disappointed with his action, he stopped.

“Ugh…”

While Lexion was glaring vehemently at the cub, Elena’s eyelids moved.

“Elena, are you awake?”

Her clear eyes were revealed, and Lexion’s face was the first thing it saw.

“Lexion.”

As soon as she saw his face, Elena smiled brightly.

“Are you okay?”

Lexion smiled back, gently stroking her cheek.

“Yes. I’m okay. But here….”

“A place I found after you collapsed. It’s late, you should rest more.”

“I see. Thank you.”

“I’ll get you something to eat.”

After summarizing what happened, Lexion tried to get up.

But Elena grabbed his hand.

“You don’t have to look. I have something for you.”

Elena slowly raised her upper body and rummaged through her pouches.

But at that moment, pain surged all over her body.

“Ugh.”

“Elena?”

Lexion hurriedly supported her.

Elena struggled to smile as if she was fine and then continued searching.

She immediately took out Rose and shoved it into her mouth.

Then the pain was completely gone.

‘The cycle of pain is getting shorter and shorter.’

Although Rose somehow relieved the pain, the curse itself couldn’t be stopped.

And so, a moment ago, she had lost consciousness.

Time was running out.

“It’s okay now.”

Elena smiled, comforting Lexion.

However, Lexion’s expression was not good.

But instead of speaking, Elena continued to comb through her bundles.

She then took out the food she had prepared beforehand.

“It was prepared in case of any unforeseen circumstances.”

There was jerky, fatigue remedies, and nutritional supplements.

“You brought these things.”

“Yes. Eat them quickly, Lexion.”

“Thanks.”

Lexion took what Elena offered, admiring her preparedness.

He then sat down.

As the big man settled himself, Elena took stock of her surroundings.

The cub of the Snow Mountain Beast was squatting at the corner of the cave.

It was clear that the cub was scared.

No matter how much they called it a monster, she felt sorry for the young cub.

Elena got up from her place with a jerky at hand.

“Elena?”

Lexion was startled by her movement and grabbed her hand.

“I’m sure it hasn’t eaten anything yet, so I’d like to share.”

“… I know. But let’s go together.”

Lexion hurriedly got up from his seat and moved with Elena.

Elena approached the cub and squatted down.

Lexion had tied it up so tightly that it struggled to move.

“Can’t you just loosen it up a bit?”

“Then it might run away.”

Although he didn’t tell Elena, Lexion’s purpose was to trade this cub with the monster’s blood.

Acquiring it this way, he didn’t need to harm the cub just like Elena wanted. 

“Can’t you at least let it move one of its hands? I want it to have this jerky….”

“… All right.”

At Elena’s persuasion, Lexion eventually adjusted the rope tied on the cub.

Thanks to this, the cub was able to move one of its arms.

“Hi. I’m sorry we tied you up.”

Elena approached it cautiously and asked:

“Are you hungry? Would you like to eat this?”

Unfortunately, the cub did not even raise its head toward her.

Elena had no choice but to put the jerky close to the hand of the young monster.

It was then.

Both the monster’s hand and Elena’s lightly brushed against each other.

At the same time, the head of the young monster turned to her.

The beast cub was also blind, but it gazed at Elena as if it wasn’t.

Then it slowly reached out to her.

“Step back.”

Lexion promptly pulled Elena’s hand back.

But Elena shook her head.

It didn’t seem like the cub was trying to attack her.

It appeared as if it wanted to hold her hand.

Hm. That was what it felt like.

Earlier, when it had touched her hand, she felt a sudden familiar strength.

Elena pushed Lexion’s hand away and joined hands with the young beast.

And the monster cub displayed an innocent smile.