'And here I thought she might just be a magician or something. But that throne... that's no regular stone. That thing looks like a chunk of divine marble or some high-rank artifact material and she just crushed it like clay?!'
His eyes narrowed as he studied her frame.
'There's no way. Physically, she doesn't even look that strong…'
And yet, she was.
Without wasting another second, Razeal straightened his back. His instincts screamed at him to act fast.
He didn't bow he wasn't some dog groveling at someone's feet. Most people might have, thinking that was the "right" thing to do. Especially when begging forgiveness and also in need from that same person. But Razeal wasn't most people.
He spoke calmly, firmly, with as much control as he could summon.
"I apologize if I offended you, ma'am. Please understand I didn't know that title was… disrespectful."
His words were carefully chosen. No lies. Not even half-truths.
She could see through those like glass.
"It was my own ignorance nothing more. My insight led me there, but I should've admitted I don't know anything. Truly, I've never heard of you before. I came to this space with no information… none at all."
He lowered his head slightly not a bow, but an act of sincerity.
"So please, accept my apology."
The woman watched him in silence. Her face was unreadable cold, unmoving.
But it didn't last long.
Her gaze scanned his face… then softened slightly.
She saw it. The truth behind the words.
"I see," she murmured.
[Host, you have died again.]
"WHAT?!"
Razeal's voice echoed in his own head as his body reformed once again.
'What the hell is wrong with this woman?! Didn't I just apologize?! Is she seriously just playing with my life?!'
Anger boiled beneath his skin.
'I swear she's just toying with me. Like I'm some damned NPC in her personal playground…'
[Villains are often unpredictable, Host. And yes some are absolutely insane.]
Razeal grit his teeth, suppressing a groan.
'Are all high-rank villains this psycho?! Can't even be reasoned with?!'
Still, he didn't let the frustration show. There was no time to wallow.
And anyway… dying here didn't hurt. Not really Since she kills him before he even feels pain. Just that weird, detached sensation again vague, like trying to remember a dream you forgot the second you woke up.
Still uncomfortable, but manageable.
So he stepped forward again.
He had to calm the situation.
"Ma'am, I think it would be best if we properly introduced ourselves."
She stared down at him from the throne, her expression now dripping with something new boredom.
Her emotions changed faster than any person he'd ever seen. One second, fury. The next, indifference.
It was terrifying.
"Let me start," he said, pressing on despite the sudden shift in pressure.
"My name is Razeal. I'm sixteen this year. And I'm… I'm very good at~~~"
He continued, making a sincere effort. Putting on his best composure. Lining his words with genuine energy.
He wasn't lying. He wasn't embellishing. Just giving her what he could.
Trying to be respectful.
Trying not to die. Again.
But mid-sentence..
"Alright, alright, that's enough." She yawned, covering her mouth with one delicate hand.
"It's the rightful thing to do, sure… But No, I hate being bored."
Razeal stopped mid-breath. His eyebrow twitched violently.
'What the hell?! I'm pouring everything into this speech and she calls it boring?! I'm literally doing it right! I even stripped it clean of lies just because I know she'll catch them!'
Still, he didn't react outwardly. Only a small twitch of the mouth betrayed his inner rage.
"Let me introduce myself then," she said, a faint smirk returning to her face as she rested her cheek on her hand.
Razeal straightened up even more, subtly adjusting his posture.
'Finally... something's progressing.'
His eyes narrowed, fixed on her. She seemed calmer now less murderous, at least. Maybe this was the moment.
He'd finally get to understand her what kind of monster she really was, what personality she carried, and more importantly, how to behave to get something out of her.
Useful knowledge. Power. Maybe a skill or two.
All within his reach if he just played it right.
But then
She went completely silent.
No expression. No breath. Just... still.
Seconds passed.
Then more.
And more.
Razeal blinked, confused.
'Uh… did she freeze?'
Still nothing.
'Did her system crash or something? Does she need a reboot?'
The longer the silence dragged, the more awkward it became. He didn't dare move, though.
He thought maybe standing like a respectful statue would be the right choice.
Still, it was getting ridiculous now.
"Hey, System… she didn't fall asleep with her eyes open, right?"
He whispered through the corner of his mouth without moving.
[She is thinking, Host.]
"Huh? Thinking what? Wait… wait don't tell me. In my words… did she find some loophole? And now she's trying to guess some absolute bullshit that somehow will end up being correct?"
[Umm… no, Host. She's contemplating very deeply.]
"Be fast, damn it! Why are you pausing halfway through?!"
[She's… contemplating how to introduce herself.]
Silence.
"What?" Razeal blinked again.
"You're telling me that someone of her level someone who can guess how I'm being revived now has to think about how to introduce herself? Are you kidding me?"
[It happens, Host. When someone reaches a level where introductions become… obsolete. You no longer need to say your name because the world already knows it. So when that need disappears for long enough… well, it becomes strange to introduce oneself. She probably hasn't had to do it for tens of thousands of years.]
The System paused.
[…You might not understand now. But maybe, if you become someone great one day, you will. Real pride lies in the moment when your name no longer needs to be spoken.]
"Bullshit." Razeal scoffed under his breath, visibly disgusted.
"Someone with a brain sharp enough to almost perfectly guess how I'm reviving… and she's out here struggling to remember how to say her name? Nah. Total nonsense. She's thinking something else."
He eyed her cautiously again. Still silent. Still staring at nothing.
And then
Her lips moved.
"To introduce myself?" Her voice broke the heavy silence like a blade.
A strange smile curled at the corner of her mouth.
A smile that didn't belong to a sane person.
"Let me start."
And then
"I am the mother… who tried to kill her just-born daughter… by myself."
---