Alice quickly realized there was no need to be afraid.
She wasn't the same as before—helpless and powerless. So, she steeled herself and shot back fiercely:
"What's there to thank you for?!"
Amon wasn't the least bit offended. She saw him chuckle softly, his gaze piercing through space to lock onto hers. With a voice dripping in amusement, he whispered:
"Found you, little Alice."
Alice instinctively recoiled. A transparent figure appeared in the room, offering her a polite smile.
"Good evening. Or… do you still care about human pleasantries?"
Alice hesitated but didn't respond to his greeting. Instead, she asked uncertainly, "If I hadn't responded to you, would you still have found me?"
Amon gave her a sly smirk and casually took a seat. Looking up at her with exaggerated amusement, he said:
"I am Amon, the Embodiment of Deception! Do you think a single word of mine is trustworthy?"
Alice fell into deep thought.
She stole a glance at Amon's ever-smirking face and, feeling a little guilty, took a step back before retorting, "Well, I wasn't wrong!"
Amon was thoroughly entertained, laughing as he asked, "So, what if I admit it? What then?"
Alice was taken aback by his question. She blinked and answered, "If you admit it, isn't it obvious?"
Amon studied her with mock astonishment, making Alice sigh. She straightened up and, with great seriousness, said:
"Fine. Thank you."
Then, hesitating, she added, "How long can my current state last?"
Amon feigned a dramatic gasp. "I am Amon! The Embodiment of Deception! Do you think a single word of mine is trustworthy?"
Alice groaned in frustration, covering her face with both hands. "I was wrong! I won't ask you that again! Just stop mimicking me!"
"Actually, I quite like it," Amon chuckled. "As for how long your state will last… Hmm… You really haven't noticed anything wrong?"
Alice frowned. "What do you mean?"
Amon gave her an infuriating smile. "I wouldn't be so kind as to just tell you, little Alice."
After a long pause, Alice finally asked, "Why do you always call me 'little' Alice?"
"You don't like it?" Amon's tone was one of exaggerated surprise. "Humans often use such terms to show affection and fondness—
"And I like you quite a lot, little Alice."
Alice shivered.
—When Amon said he 'liked' someone, it sounded like the most terrifying ghost story in existence.
Amon sighed in mock disappointment. "I think I've been quite polite to you, haven't I?
"Even before, and now too—why are you still so scared of me?
"Besides, I just did you a huge favor… And yet, all I've gotten is a barely sincere 'thank you.'"
Alice thought for a moment before responding, "That's because you treat me like a toy—no, maybe I'm worth more than that. You're treating me like a pet!"
"Ah, so you figured it out." Amon's expression remained indifferent. "After all, you can't expect me to treat humans as equals, can you?"
Alice opened her mouth to argue but hesitated and fell silent.
"What?" Amon asked, curious.
Alice paused before replying, "I know there's an intrinsic difference between mortals and mythical beings. It's a fundamental gap that can't be bridged. I was going to say that our souls should at least be equal."
Amon let out a soft chuckle. "You actually believe that?"
"No," Alice shook her head. "Gods leave their indelible marks on Beyonder characteristics, which means even at the level of the soul, mortals and gods are not equal."
After a brief pause, she added, "Perhaps we can be equals in emotions—assuming you have any. But I doubt you care about human emotions, just as I don't."
"You've figured that out too?" Amon mused, both impressed and regretful.
Alice suddenly recalled the many times Amon had poked at her vulnerabilities and realized what he regretted—
"You were trying to manipulate me again!"
"Not at all," Amon corrected her. "I studied how humans treat pets. It's usually more hassle than fun. You, on the other hand, are far more interesting. No hassle, and plenty of fun."
Alice clenched her jaw and hissed, "Thanks."
"You're welcome." Amon accepted the gratitude without the slightest hesitation.
After a short silence, Alice asked sincerely, "What exactly do you like about me? I'll change it!"
Amon laughed, looking her up and down before replying, "That might be difficult. After all, your Honorific Name includes 'the origin of disaster and chaos.'"
Alice paused, frowning. "Can a Honorific Name be changed?"
"Why would you want to change it?" Amon asked curiously.
"...It sounds too much like an evil god's Honorific Name," Alice muttered. Then, realizing something, she narrowed her eyes. "Wait a minute. Why do you even know my Honorific Name?!"
"You only just realized?" Amon looked genuinely surprised.
Alice lowered her head, feeling a bit defeated.
"I almost feel bad about deceiving you now…" Amon said with a chuckle. "Ah, well. Ever heard of 'Decryption scholar'?"
Alice ignored the first part of his comment and hesitantly guessed, "That's a Sequence in the 'Stealer' pathway?"
Amon nodded.
Alice began seriously considering ways to craft a Honorific Name that even a 'Decryption scholar' couldn't unravel.
Hmm… if I keep the same format, maybe… 'Reaper of Sweets and Ice Cream'?
"...That might actually work," Amon hesitated before adjusting his monocle. "I've never seen a Honorific Name like that before."
"You're cheating!" Alice accused.
Amon chuckled. "Isn't that expected of me?
"But regarding your Honorific Name, I have a better suggestion.
"Remember, I am… 'The Shadow That Roams Fate.'"