"You're awake!?"
As Novak descended the stairs, Dane's voice echoed beside him. Her eyes were filled with excitement but, catching herself, she quickly composed her expression. She gave a soft snort and strode towards her bedroom. Still, the lightness in her steps suggested that she felt a weight lift off her shoulders.
Novak glanced curiously at her retreating figure.
This girl, once tamed and obedient under his influence, had previously shed her stubborn and wild demeanor. Yet now, after just two days of not seeing him, she was acting like this again?
It didn't take long for Novak to understand why.
When he reached the living room, a sweet, almost melodious voice greeted his ears:
"Master!"
The title caused Novak's eyelid to twitch. He then saw a woman in an office-style uniform, her exceptionally long legs dressed in black stockings, which clung tightly to her form. It was Ruri, her cheeks slightly flushed. In her twenty-some years of life, she had never imagined addressing a man several years younger than herself in such a way. Yet after spending an entire day preparing herself for this moment, the word slipped out effortlessly as soon as she saw him again.
Novak eyed her with amusement and nodded.
"You're awake!"
The surprise in Daphne's voice was evident as she approached. Novak noticed her eyes were slightly darkened, a sign of the fatigue from the last two days. Clearly, things hadn't been as calm as she had hoped. Despite her tired appearance, Daphne still radiated energy and determination.
Seeing her approach quickly, Novak offered, "It seems like you haven't rested properly. Why don't you take a break later?"
His rare gesture of concern made Daphne smile, but she quickly shook her head. "There are only a few hours left. The family shelter has been prepped and secured, but I still need to personally check everything."
Novak nodded thoughtfully, then asked, "Are you wearing contact lenses?"
The question caught Daphne off guard. She blinked and shook her head. "I don't like wearing those things."
She had never seen anyone with pupils that color before
Daphne, sensing the confusion in their eyes, quickly took out a compact mirror and looked at her reflection. Underneath her slightly darkened eye circles, likely from lack of rest, her fox-like eyes gleamed with an unnatural, dark purple hue. They appeared mysterious, seductive, and held an indescribable allure.
"How is this possible?!" Daphne gasped, covering her mouth in astonishment. After decades of knowing her own face, she never realized she had such a peculiar feature.
Novak, now understanding, sat down on the sofa. He gently pulled her close, seating her on his lap, and smiled. "Don't worry, this is probably your talent awakening. Even though it may be a bit early, it's clear your talent level will be far from ordinary after the apocalypse hits."
In Novak's previous life, Daphne never experienced this kind of change. Her eyes remained ordinary throughout the decades, showing no sign of this transformation. But this time, things were different. With Novak's assistance, she had slain a zombie with her own hands, coming into close contact with several more. In the eyes of the Cosmic Will, she was now a seed with considerable potential.
Although Novak wasn't sure what her exact talent was, one thing was clear: her talent rating had definitely risen. When the apocalypse struck in a few hours, Daphne's talent would likely be far greater than it was before.
Novak wasn't worried in the slightest. He had always known that the woman in his arms harbored great ambition. If Daphne were to surpass him in strength, it would be a result of his own shortcomings—not her excellence.
If such a day came, Novak figured he wouldn't be deserving of speaking about igniting divine fire or condensing godhood, let alone conquering the Dark Mother Goddess herself.
However, this realization seemed to ignite something within Daphne.
Her eyes sparkled with newfound determination. She leaned forward, her body positioned seductively on Novak's lap, her arms resting on his chest as she gazed up at him with excitement.
"How strong can I become? Could I be as powerful as you?" she asked breathlessly.
Novak's gaze fell on her, taking in her posture. The graceful curve of her neck, like that of a swan, and the rise and fall of her chest, which seemed to heave with excitement. The ambition in her eyes blazed brightly, threatening to consume everything.
Novak smiled faintly. It seemed he had been too soft on her these past few days. She had forgotten her place. Even his small display of care had emboldened her.
Without answering her question, Novak locked eyes with Daphne and slowly extended his hand. His palm closed around her slender neck like a steel trap.
As Daphne's eyes filled with panic and Ruri stood frozen in shock, Novak retrieved an object from his backpack space—an item he had only used twice before. The first time was on the nurse, Aria, and the second was on the woman currently in his grasp.
Novak knew from experience that ordinary affection and tenderness were useless when it came to someone like Daphne. People like her didn't need compassion. What they responded to was something much more tangible.
Ignoring her pleading gaze, Novak affixed the purple leather collar around Daphne's neck and secured it with black iron chains.
Ruri, still in shock, watched closely. She had always viewed Madam Song as a proud and dignified figure. Yet here she was, submissively following Novak as he guided her to the large, four-meter-tall window in the living room.
The scene was surreal.
Novak stood confidently in front of the window, while Queen Song, once commanding and arrogant, knelt on the floor before it, her eyes fixed on the darkening sky outside.
Together, they awaited the countdown to the end of the world.