"And please, take this thing off my neck." Beroba reached up and touched a collar around her slender neck. Raven had put it on her to prevent her escape.
"You want me to let you go?" Raven poured a cup of coffee and glanced at Beroba playfully, his gaze lingering on her legs.
Today, Beroba was wearing long black stockings that were different from the show, and she had swapped her shoes for thin high heels. Because her skirt was shorter, her beautiful legs were fully exposed. Her makeup was also less dark and gothic. Overall, she was quite a pleasing sight.
"That's impossible. You'd just go out and torment other people, wouldn't you?" After a quick appraisal, Raven shook his head.
Although Beroba hadn't had the chance to cause much trouble yet, she was definitely a menace in the original series. She had no room for redemption. He felt obligated to seal this wicked woman, which is why he kept her by his side.
"Who did I torment? You're being unreasonable!" Beroba said with a wronged expression. Having lived for centuries, this was the first time she had felt so utterly powerless. She couldn't fight back at all, especially since even Suel was killed.
"Power is the only reason. Don't you understand that yet?" Raven finished, then playfully squeezed Beroba's delicate cheek before leaving.
Beroba gave him a look of deep resentment and resigned herself to following him. She couldn't escape even if she wanted to now. Without Raven's permission, if she moved more than ten meters away from him, the collar around her neck would tighten.
So, for the foreseeable future, she had to stay right by Raven's side. Even while sleeping, she had to stick close to him and hold onto him to prevent him from accidentally leaving.
…
Time flew by. In the blink of an eye, many more days had passed in the Geats world. The system finally prompted that the progress bar for this world was complete.
During this time, Raven had gathered the women from his different worlds into the palace in the Helheim Forest. They had all gotten to know each other and were getting along harmoniously.
Except, of course, for Beroba.
Although she had moved from outright resistance and reluctance to habitually clinging to and relying on him, she still harbored deep hostility toward the other women around Raven. She was completely uncooperative and nearly had friction with Neon every day.
Both women were heavily dependent on Raven, which gave him a huge headache. Beroba usually initiated these incidents. Even after being disciplined by Raven, the little cow persisted in her wicked ways. It seemed old habits truly die hard.
Left with no choice, Raven decided that when he traveled to the next world, he would temporarily keep the little cow by his side. Otherwise, his 'backyard' would truly catch fire.
He walked into his backyard and opened the door that traversed different Rider worlds, intending to scout the location first.
Stepping out from the other side of the door, he found the same courtyard, then walked into the main hall. He noticed a few subtle changes. The surrounding equipment looked slightly older.
Finally, Raven glanced at the calendar. The date read 2006.
"2006? The Rider this year should be… Kabuto," Raven mused, rubbing his chin.
Just then, a figure swiftly darted out from behind, attempting a sneak attack!
Raven smiled slightly, reversing his move to subdue the figure and pin them onto the bar counter.
It was Beroba.
It turned out that after she realized Raven had left, she had followed close behind him.
"You sneaking off alone, did you want to hurt me?" Beroba complained plaintively. Her collar was still on her neck, after all.
"That was indeed an oversight on my part," Raven said apologetically.
"Then why don't you take it off? Don't worry, I won't run away," Beroba said coyly, making a cute face.
"We'll hold off on that for now. I don't trust you without this thing on you."
Raven then walked out the door, intending to see what part of the Kabuto world's storyline they were currently in. Beroba sighed and had no choice but to follow obediently.
"What world is this one?" She had followed Raven to the Faiz world and the Gaim world during this period, so she had learned a lot.
"A new world." Raven smiled faintly.
Unbeknownst to them, Raven and Beroba walked around the neighborhood. Beroba, feeling bored, began to plead again.
"Just let me go off for a little while, please."
Saying this, she wrapped her arms around Raven's neck and kissed him.
After a long moment, they separated.
Raven said helplessly, "I'll give you an hour of free time. Remember, don't cause any trouble."
"Only an hour…" Beroba frowned.
"Then let me kiss you again." She immediately started again.
"An hour and a half. That's the limit. Come find me when the time is up." Raven stated.
With that, he stopped paying attention to Beroba and wandered the nearby streets alone.
"Leh~" Beroba stuck out her tongue and made a face at Raven's retreating back. Then she joyfully departed. Even though it was only an hour and a half, it was still a release.
…
Meanwhile, in a nearby location.
A young girl riding a bicycle had a very panicked expression on her face. Her name was Hiyori Kusakabe, and she was the younger sister of the protagonist, Soji Tendo, in this series.
Just moments ago, she had witnessed a Worm attack two police officers and then mimic one of them. She was now being targeted by the creature and was frantically fleeing.
Unknowingly, she cycled toward an apartment building. The path behind her was already blocked by the Worm.
Hiyori abandoned her beloved bicycle and fled into the apartment building.
Not far away, Raven also arrived, sensing an unusual aura. This aura came from two sources: the Worm that had mimicked the police officer and Hiyori Kusakabe.
Those who had watched the series knew that Hiyori Kusakabe was secretly a Native Worm, although she herself was unaware of this fact.