Teeth Beneath the Quiet Sky
Lucien returned to where Evelyn stood.
He exhaled, steadied his thoughts — and allowed the Skill Web Chart to appear where she could see it. The translucent blue lines shimmered like a living constellation, branching outward in countless directions.
Evelyn leaned closer, eyes thoughtful.
Because she had become part of his Eternal Pair, the Divine Harem Ascension System allowed her to observe — so long as Lucien willed it.
Her fingers hovered gently through the air as she read.
"Mm… interesting. The 'grimoire' hides itself inside you to prevent theft, and shows others only what it wants them to see through illusion magic. Clever. I don't sense corruption. But—" her eyes flicked to him, calm, probing, "—can you control abilities taken from a Griffin of this level?"
A knot formed in Lucien's chest.
He had no idea.
Then Isabella's quiet voice slid through his thoughts.
"For now, say the name out loud. Later, you'll learn to activate without chanting. I recommend Beast Claws — the poison variant is potent."
Lucien answered internally.
"Thanks."
He stepped away from Evelyn — creating distance, just in case.
And spoke softly.
"Beast Claws."
Pain flared across his fingertips — not agony, but pressure, like bones reshaping.
His nails darkened, turning obsidian-black.
They lengthened — two centimeters — curving to a predatory hook. The air around them shimmered faintly, as if venom whispered beneath the surface.
Evelyn examined them closely.
"They resemble the Werewolf clans' combat forms… but sharper. Deadlier. I also saw a poison affinity talent. Can you infuse it?"
Isabella chuckled.
"Your mother is terrifyingly practical. If enemies assume 'werewolf,' they won't guard against poison. A fatal mistake."
Lucien flexed his hands.
He wasn't excited — not exactly.
It was more like awe.
Then Evelyn's voice shifted, quiet, serious.
"Everything seems fine, darling… but I still have one last question. Why am I younger? My cultivation regressed. And… why was I naked when I revived?"
Lucien's heartbeat stumbled.
He took a breath — then chose his words carefully, blending truth and necessity.
"That's because the thing I used to revive you had restrictions. It couldn't restore your full power. So it rebuilt the strongest version your body could sustain — when you were younger. During the regeneration… your body reshaped itself from nothing. That's why…"
He stopped.
Silence stretched.
Evelyn watched him.
"Is that all?"
Lucien swallowed.
"No. There was one more condition I had to accept."
Her eyes softened — worried — but steady.
"Darling. Tell me. I promise not to be angry. If there is a price… we'll face it together."
He whispered at first — too quietly.
She tilted her head.
"I couldn't hear you, sweetie."
Lucien forced it out.
"…Eternal Pair. I had to bind you as one of my Eternal Pairs for the revival to work."
Her brows knit.
"What does that mean?"
He couldn't look at her — so he opened the Eternal Pair screen.
The glowing text hovered.
Eternal Pair:A soul bound to the Host beyond betrayal, fate, or death.They walk beside the Host as confidant, protector, anchor — and, when destiny demands it, as heart-bonded companion.Their emotions may gradually lean toward the Host — but do not erase who they are.
Below:
Current Eternal Pairs: 1———————————Evelyn AvaritiaRace: High-Class Demon (Reborn)Age: Reformed — youthful compatibility restoredEmotional State: Happy / Confused / ShyCurrent Bond: Maternal Love
Evelyn slowly absorbed the words.
Her cheeks flushed crimson.
"Wh–what kind of mysterious grimoire is this…?"
Not lust — just shock, embarrassment, and the quiet fear of misunderstanding boundaries.
She closed her eyes.
Breathed.
Control yourself. You're his mother first.
When she opened them again, they were calm.
"We won't rush anything. We move forward only when the future demands it. For now… we survive."
Lucien nodded — relief loosening his shoulders.
She smiled warmly.
"More important — this mountain stinks of blood. The Griffin may have ruled this territory, but others will test the void."
Lucien lifted his hand.
"I have an idea. If other beasts smell its poison, they won't approach."
He extended his fingers.
"Dark Poison."
A bead of black liquid formed at the claw's tip.
hiss—
White steam rose as it kissed the soil. A bitter, acrid scent curled through the air.
"This came from the Griffin. We can mark the area. Animals will think the overlord still lives and stay away."
Evelyn's eyes widened in approval.
"That's brilliant."
She handed him a pitch-black bottle.
"This material resists corrosion. Fill it while I search for somewhere safer."
Lucien sat cross-legged, slowly channeling poison into the bottle.
The forest whispered.
Quiet.
Lonely.
He used the silence.
"Isabella."
"Hm?"
"How do I use skills without mana? I haven't even cultivated."
"These don't draw mana. They use AP — Anti-Energy. Your body produces it. Before reforming, it clashed with your mana, ruining your core. It's been inside you since your reincarnation — and no, I don't know where it came from. Or why."
He sighed.
"We'll talk later."
He finished.
Evelyn returned, took the sealed bottle, and touched his cheek.
"Thank you, darling. I found an abandoned stone shrine nearby. Old — cracked — but strong. If we work fast, we can reinforce it, wash, and rest."
They moved.
The shrine appeared from behind broken rock — half-buried, moss-covered, its doorway narrow and defensive, interior spacious and dry.
Lucien's eyes widened.
"This will work."
"How can I help?"
Evelyn smiled — summoning metal ingots, tools, and a portable furnace.
"For now, melt these so I can reshape the structure with earth magic. We'll make this place ours — even if only for tonight."
And together — beneath the quiet sky of Helheim — mother and son began to build their first shelter in a world that wanted them dead.