Their romance storyline only begins on the second playthrough

He didn't hug her.

But what's the difference between this and being held?

Sylvia had never been so close to a man, nor had she ever let a man embrace her—

The moment the clothes touched her skin, her muscles stiffened and she dared not move.

But more often than not, it wasn't because of shyness or fear.

Instead,

He... agreed?

He chose to help himself?

My heart is beating so fast, it's unbelievable.

As a goddess, as someone revered by others, no matter how close she is, no one would approach her with such warmth.

It was the warmth of kindness that enveloped her, and it was also the actual physical body temperature that enveloped her.

In this cold, empty world, she hadn't felt any warmth for a long time.

Rod's body heat was seeping into her skin through these tiny gaps.

It's so warm...

I feel a little better.

However, my cheeks were also a little hot—ultimately, I still felt embarrassed and ashamed.

"You...you're going to help me?"

"I will help, but there are other conditions. First, after you are resurrected, you must not harm me in the slightest for a year, and you are not allowed to oppose me."

"I promise, as long as you can save me."

“Once the words of the gods are spoken, there is no chance to take them back.”

"I understand... I agree."

Her tail twitched, causing her to break free from Rhodes's grasp.

God's consent is never just a word.

As beings who hold the cornerstone positions of the world, they will surely fulfill any promises they make to humanity and all living beings.

This is one of the reasons why most gods are more arrogant and unwilling to interact with humans—because it always brings trouble.

"I'll think about the tail. If you don't want it anymore, you can keep it for yourself." Rod patted the chubby little tail again. "Your life still has enough weight to it, I like it."

"The covenant is made, God, may your promise be remembered forever."

"Um……?"

She didn't pay attention to the contract that Rhodes mentioned, but was attracted by those two words—"like".

like?

Tail?

what is this else?

In that instant, her heart seemed to be twisted.

Wait, what is she thinking...?

"What do you like...?" she asked, her voice slightly hurried and hesitant.

"Your story. I feel like I'll hear a lot of interesting stories after saving you."

"Ah, is that so?"

For some reason, I lost all interest.

She looked away, feeling uneasy.

Is that all?

Why are you standing so close...?

Seemingly because of this slight outburst of temper, she said softly, "Could you stay away from me? Don't get too close."

Rhodes was a little surprised by Sylvia's inexplicable sense of unfamiliarity, since normally she should have said it when they first got close, right?

However, he still respected her.

Sylvia is a girl, after all.

He simply collects Pokémon and doesn't physically interfere with them.

And there's not much time left.

He could feel his body's rejection growing stronger.

"Hmm." He released her hand without lingering, taking a half step back. "I understand, sorry."

"..." She bit her lip and remained silent.

When Rod's warmth truly left her, the inexplicable emotion within her intensified, but she suppressed it, not letting it show on her face.

"You are not quite what I imagined. The Dragon God should be a more arrogant being, with a blood-boiling passion for killing."

Rhodes spoke, while reaching out his hand to mobilize the [resentment] he could control.

The slime on the ground suddenly rose up, and the cross-shaped handcuffs trembled violently, flashing with a dazzling light.

"Ah..." Sylvia felt like she had lost the ability to breathe. Her hands and feet were covered in wounds from being handcuffed, and now the handcuffs suddenly felt like they were burning, making her feel like her limbs were about to break.

If it's broken, it's broken... as long as I can live.

She gritted her teeth, and a divine aura began to emanate from her silver eyes—

"Whether it's arrogance or a love of killing, when driven by the absolute desire to survive, this is all that's possible."

Rhodes was taken aback.

He could clearly sense the purity and sharpness in Sylvia's eyes.

It was completely different from the weak and humble appearance she had just shown.

The arrogance of God does indeed exist.

Even God can change in the process of experiencing things.

Clearly, after becoming a goddess, she is no longer the same person as the one who initially cut off her own flesh to feed her people.

The reason I was so humble just now was because it felt like I had returned to the time when I was weak and vulnerable, which allowed me to make such a request.

Hmm... whatever.

He shook his head and continued to gather his strength.

“I don’t understand.” He shook his head. “The fact that you’re willing to beg me to let you live means that you have a very strong reason to stay alive.”

"But when I asked you just now, you didn't tell me about this."

"Is it because this is actually an evil act, or is it because you simply dare not speak out?"

"Would you confide in a stranger?" Sylvia winced in pain, her pretty face looking pitiful with the pain. "Just that."

"But if you need something from me, normally you would say how righteous and good you are to impress me, right?"

“…” Sylvia paused for a long time before saying, “I’ll share these things after I’m alive.”

"That's exactly what I meant. In fact, that's what touched me the most."

However, those words sound nice.

But Rod knew he couldn't do it.

Power is being frantically suppressed.

The last trace of energy in his body had been completely controlled by the [Domain].

Not only did he fail to rescue Sylvia, but he also used up a large portion of his [resentment] within him.

Clearly, his current power is still too weak, and it is unrealistic to rescue Sylvia by going against the will of the domain.

Or rather, because he was ultimately just a fake owner who had entered using a fake card, he was powerless once the core issues were touched.

There are only two ways to solve this problem.

To gather even stronger resentment, which means killing all the witches and breaking through with violence.

Or perhaps—to merge with the position of the Demon God and officially become the master of this realm.

With a clear direction in mind, Rhodes lowered his hand and gently shook his head. "Not for now."

"..." Sylvia's physical pain subsided, but a gaping hole had been carved into her heart. Her eyes lost their luster, and after a long silence, she finally managed to utter the last of her words:

"I don't blame you."

"I have a solution, but you'll need to wait three days."

After saying this calmly, Rod continued, "Three days will be enough to rescue you, so don't be discouraged."

A faint light reappeared in Sylvia's eyes, but it quickly dimmed again.

and so on.

I don't know when it will arrive.

By the time the opportunity arrives, it may be gone, and Rhodes may never enter this dangerous space again.

She knew very well that even Rhodes would never want to touch such a dangerous space.

It belongs to the corrupted realm of the demon god, and he himself may be corrupted at any time.

The fact that he said he was "willing to try" this time is actually the final word.

She... could never wait until that figure entered this world again.

The sense of loss, despair, and helplessness in one's heart can only eventually turn into numbness.

Its once-raised tail gradually drooped down, as did its face.

It's like a dead snake strung on a string.