Argh!
A blissful sound escaped Ricky's lips as he felt a heavenly sensation envelop his figure, his newly regrown antenna twitched, his compound eyes flickering as they adjusted to the light once more.
Having lost the flow of time, it was only when the mysterious power vanished did clarity return to Ricky's eyes.
He felt oddly hollow, as if something precious had slipped away. A strange sense of annoyance flickered in his heart—he wanted that blissful sensation back, even if only for a moment longer.
Wring! A chaotic tug at his soul.
Then suddenly, something seemed to click in his mind and painful memories of his immediate demise came rushing in like a fountain.
How just a moment ago, he was about to be erased from reality by that demonic woman.
"I am still alive…" Ricky muttered in realization, feeling immensely grateful to the one who had saved him just now; if it wasn't for that, he would be dead for good.
In Just a span of few days, he was so close to death first at the hand of that young knight and now ...
Just as Ricky was contemplating, he heard a light chuckle.
"Hehe…Who could have thought I'd be the one to save the high and mighty Ricky Stormwind's ass.."
The voice seemed to come from a far-off void, not heard with ears but etched into the very threads of Ricky's soul.
Hearing his real name being mentioned by the mysterious voice made Ricky's scalp tingle in fright. Shocked beyond belief, he asked in a slightly shaky voice, "W~who are you…"
Ricky's reaction was understandable. In this vast world, no one knew his name, after that was a name when he was still human, and suddenly an entity beyond comprehension appeared out of nowhere and called him out directly.
It felt like he'd just become a piece in a cosmic conspiracy.
The mysterious entity seemed to understand Ricky's spiraling thoughts and spoke again:
"Oi! Oi, calm down. No need to overthink—I mean no harm. And if I did want to harm you, this whole planet would already be space dust, so just chill."
The mysterious voice tried to calm down, Ricky's nerves.
However, Ricky's tiny heart trembled in disbelief once more. The stranger's absurd claim should have sounded like madness, yet something deep in his gut told him—it was most likely true.
While Ricky and the mysterious entity spoke like two long-lost friends, Demon Queen Noctyss stood frozen with a dazed look, as if trapped in a powerful illusion.
"Then tell me how you know my name…"
Ricky asked with unexpected courage.
The mysterious entity let out a hearty chuckle, clearly amused.
"What's so funny?" Ricky frowned, his tone slightly suspicious, thinking he was being mocked.
"Rest assured, I mean no harm. As for how I know your name…"
The voice began to fade—like someone was actively trying to suppress it.
Ricky strained to listen, but the words blurred into gibberish.
"Wait—what are you saying? I can't hear you!" he shouted, feeling cheated as if the other person was purposely playing with him.
The entity sounded surprised. "You truly can't hear me?"
"Yes! Your voice suddenly disappears!" Ricky immediately replied.
"Oho! Then you better not ask too many questions—else we'll both be in trouble…"
This time the voice came through faintly, barely a whisper against a raging storm.
It was clear—something or someone didn't want this conversation to happen.
The mysterious voice growled in frustration.
"Damn your Absolute Order… won't even let me talk. Just you wait—someday I'll make you my bitch…"
Realizing time was running out, Ricky quickly asked, "At least tell me your name, so I can thank you later."
The mysterious man sighed.
"Well, you can call me Damien Harrier. As for why I helped—it was you who asked for it and not just that you also asked me to deliver a message…"
"Use the Mother Son Poison on Demon Queen Noctyss as soon as you can… or you'll regret it forever."
"She's trapped in an illusion right now. Do what you must."
"…Damn you, Absolute Order…"
"I don't have much time left… let me send this to you so you can understand better…"
"Use this as your motivation and get stronger—fast…"
"Remember… you only have a hundred thousand years…"
Damien's voice faltered as if something massive shifted in the world. The connection was forcefully severed—Ricky even heard a faint groan and what sounded like cursing as it cut out.
Ricky mind shook, hundred thousand years, absolute order, he failed to make sense of the situation.
In next moment, Ricky's soul trembled and unknown—but strangely familiar—memories flooded his mind.
A single glance told him what it was.
It was a vision of the future that would have unfolded if Damien hadn't interfered.
He was mercilessly slain by Demon Queen Noctyss.
His sole friend, Dark Shadow, was butchered without dignity.
And the entire Thousand Emerald Green Forest was engulfed in crimson flames.
The brutality of the scene sent a chill that stabbed straight through Ricky's core.
His mind was thrown into chaotic turmoil.
Huff!!!
He had to take several deep breaths just to stay upright.
Then his eyes snapped open and locked on the naked figure standing in the distance.
Noctyss's violet eyes remained dazed and unfocused.
Ricky's instincts screamed for him to shred her to pieces—but he gritted his teeth and held back the overwhelming urge.
First, because he couldn't fully trust Damien yet.
And second, Damien had explicitly told him to use the Mother and Son Poison.
There had to be a reason.
Suppressing the rising bloodthirst, Ricky carefully flitted forward and landed on her soft, round breast. Without hesitation, he drove his proboscis into her flawless skin, feeling ancient energies ripple in response.
Immediately, waves of lifespan surged around him.
[30 days of lifespan absorbed].
[21 days of lifespan absorbed].
Ricky ignored the notifications.
This time, lifespan wasn't the goal.
Focusing intently, he slowly muttered, "Mother and Son Poison."
His proboscis began to glow with an otherworldly light. Ancient runes shimmered into existence, pulsing with forgotten energy as they coursed into Noctyss's bloodstream.