Recognition X Dependence

Under the scrutiny of this enormous snake head.

The tension between the two was palpable.

In this environment rife with Resentment, it's impossible to determine the other party's intentions or malice.

It seems the review is complete.

The snake's head slowly retracted, coiling back onto the ground, ignoring the two of them.

"So, we've passed?" Melusina couldn't help but ask.

Kevin was sweating slightly and nodded.

The pressure brought by such a behemoth is much greater than imagined.

That seems to be the case now.

"So now..." Melusina looked at Kevin.

Kevin thought for a moment and turned his head, "Since you acknowledge us as one of you, how about we find a hideout here?"

We need to find a place to stay; they're both small, so they don't take up much space.

The two quickly found a decent place.

Beside a small stream.

Several giant trees grew and intertwined, forming a small platform around their trunks with vines.

This is the territory of the Resentful Eater Snake.

In such an environment rife with Resentment, there won't be many small animals.

"This place isn't actually that far from that tower. Do you think the Mechanical Chip on you might have recorded information about these snakes?" Melusina asked curiously.

The two of them had some understanding of the Resentful Serpent, but now that they had actually entered its lair, they realized that their understanding was not deep enough.

I couldn't help but want to use data from Mechanical Chip for comparison and exploration.

Upon hearing this, Kevin said, "Actually, I'd like to too, but as you saw before, the detection method requires gathering a burst of Nen Aura and then striking the target's body to achieve the scanning purpose."

This is a very offensive act, and could even be considered an act of aggression.

This is the Dark Continent, where the strong prey on the weak.

No living being is without vigilance.

If it were a creature weaker than Kevin and his companions, it would be one thing, but for something as clearly powerful as the Resentful Eater Snake, such behavior would definitely be considered an attack.

If it causes any negative impact, then the losses will outweigh the gains.

So even now, Kevin has suppressed his thoughts and is not allowing himself to do such a thing.

Upon hearing this, Melusina nodded in realization. She was unaware that the probe Nen Bullet from the Mechanical Chip were actually provocative attacks.

Because she didn't believe Kevin would attack her, she didn't pay attention to the Nen Bullet she had experienced before.

"That's not right. When you scanned my information, didn't the Resentful Eater Snake' appear on my profile? There's no matching information?"

"Very little, more information is being described about your human aspects; clearly, he judges human aspects as the main focus."

Either the Data Chip contains very little information about the Resentful Eater Snake, or it provides different information depending on the scanning conditions.

This is not something that is easy to judge.

"Let's wait a while, until we get to know these snakes better, then we can learn more about them."

They've only just arrived here. Although we acknowledge them as our own kind, we shouldn't rashly do anything inappropriate.

Melusina nodded, agreeing with what she said.

He simply collapsed inside the tent.

"Phew, at least I can finally rest."

She unconsciously relaxed.

Kevin leaned against the tree trunk beside him and nodded.

"This place never lets anyone have a moment's peace."

"Is this still the place you've always dreamed of?" Melusina suddenly asked with a smile.

Kevin glanced at her, grabbed her hand, and pulled her up.

Melusina nestled into his arms, adjusting herself into a comfortable position.

He looked up at Kevin and reached out to touch his chin.

The hands, which should have been clean and soft, had some tiny cuts and wounds.

"I-"

Before Kevin could say anything, Melusina hand, pinching his lips and wiggling them twice.

A gentle smile appeared on her face.

"Don't say it. I know what you're trying to say."

Looking back now.

I was indeed too relaxed during that period, and my interpretation of the Prophecy Poem was too hasty.

Melusina was dragged along to suffer in this awful place, which was far from Melusina dream destination.

Melusina's life wasn't exactly that of a princess, but her treatment was pretty much that of one.

As Saintess, she was prepared to Sacrifice from the very beginning.

Therefore, their lives were naturally pampered from a young age.

Living in Castle, with maids, and aside from being unable to walk, she could practically be considered a little princess.

The result was that they ended up in this extremely dangerous place, in a harsh environment where they had to fight against nature.

And yet, I can still laugh and joke with myself every day.

She noticed Kevin's emotions.

Melusina simply flipped over and pinned Kevin down.

Kevin lay down on the vine without resisting, staring blankly at the other person.

Melusina supported herself with her hands, looking down into Kevin's eyes, their gazes meeting.

"For me, this is a place I've always dreamed of," Melusina said, her eyes fixed on him.

His eyes revealed determination, as well as overflowing tenderness.

A slight upturn at the corners of his lips revealed a bright smile.

Just like in a comic book, the male and female protagonists experience numerous dangers due to their external environment, forging a deep bond and sharing hardships together.

This is what I've always dreamed of.

After saying that, she lay down on Kevin, her head pressed against his chest.

Kevin embraced her with both hands, placing his right hand on Melusina's face and gently stroking it.

Even though I know the other person is just trying to comfort me.

But he was very happy.

"You really are a hopeless romantic."

"Love-obsessed?"

"Yes, love-struck."

"Hmm--" Melusina savored the word.

His eyes lit up, and he shook his head slightly, looking a little happy.

"That's so apt! Then I'm just love-struck, love your love-struck mind."

As he spoke, he pulled himself up and pressed his head against Kevin's face.

They parted with lip slaps.

Fits perfectly.

Their lips parted after a long while.

"Hehe." Melusina hugged Kevin's neck as if she were being affectionate. Kevin looked at her with doting eyes, patted her head, and wondered what he had done to make her happy.

"Hmm?" The two sensed something and turned their heads to look to the side.

A snake head made of Nen Aura tilted its head and stared at the two of them, as if observing something.

Spray!

This is getting a little annoying.

Is this the time that should come?

A slight ripple was felt.

Clearly, the smallest of the Resentful Eater Snake seemed to be talking to Melusina about something.

Melusina's face was slightly flushed.

"Go away, what do you know?"

A wave of the hand seemed to be a gesture of shooing them away.

The Resentful Eater Snake was somewhat displeased, but it didn't leave. Instead, it just coiled up there, staring intently at the two of them.

"What did it say?" Kevin couldn't analyze this communication method between the Resentful Eater Snake, so he needed a translator like Melusina.

Upon hearing this, Melusina blushed slightly and glared at him, completely losing her previous coquettish demeanor.

"I'm telling you, you're a complete idiot."

"Do snakes use the word 'big fool' in their communication?" Kevin asked, looking at her with a smile.

He reached out and pinched the other person's cheek.

Melusina punched Kevin.

"You're so annoying."

Kevin chuckled and sat up. Melusina sat on his lap, her legs wrapped around his waist, hugging him.

Clearly, she didn't want to get off him anytime soon.

"I'm very curious, is this considered intelligence gathering?" By communicating with each other, Resentful Eater Snake.

How can this not be considered intelligence gathering?

"Hmph." Melusina gave a snort, but still honestly recounted their previous conversation.

She said that the way I was eating wasn't working.

"They even said I was trying to lay eggs, that I was malnourished and that I shouldn't lay eggs now—how annoying!"

Although she's love-struck, she still gets shy about this kind of topic, and after she finished speaking, she buried her head in Kevin's chest.

"Huh?" Kevin was a little confused.

He had assumed the conversation would be about something in that direction, but he never expected it to be such a direct and strange topic—what the heck is laying eggs?

The state of mind has shifted away from the previous state of relaxed mood.

He frowned and began to think carefully.

"She—meaning this little snake is also female?" Kevin couldn't help but ask.

Upon hearing this...

Melusina suddenly woke up, raised her head, and frowned deeply.

"Yes, all the snakes here are female. I didn't even notice before."