She is not an investigator.

In a dark corner, Igris huddled, quietly wiping the crimson stain from the corner of her mouth.

She didn't know what was wrong with her, but she seemed unable to suppress those desires and emotions.

Or rather... if she hadn't chosen to drink blood, she wouldn't know just how far she could have gone.

For example, cannibalism?

And that guy…

He harbored no hostility toward Igris, even though Igris seemed incredibly dangerous and even though he had killed many people.

But he still harbored no hostility towards Igris; in fact, the things he said kept calming her increasingly confused mind.

why?

Who is that guy?

And... what exactly is she now?

Is it human? Igris herself wasn't sure. No one would crave blood, no one could regenerate using flames, and no one could understand that...that language.

She had never experienced anything like this before, and perhaps... the real problem she was facing was not as simple as a mental issue.

Perhaps Isabella is right; she shouldn't be around anyone anymore. She might hurt others, become the new oddity in everyone's eyes, or even…

pat.

Something strange landed in her arms, interrupting her thoughts.

Igris picked up the things that had fallen from her arms and blinked blankly.

That was a... blood bag, the kind of blood bag used in hospitals.

Why would something like this appear here?

"Won't you try some?"

hula-

A figure suddenly tumbled down from the roof, the cloak scraping against the air and making a strange sound.

She landed in front of Igris, who was sitting in the corner. Her oversized clothes made her look like a large raven, but the smile on her face made her look more like a... wicked raven.

"Isabella..."

"Not to your liking? I've never heard of different blood types tasting different."

She imitated Igris's actions and sat down next to her, hugging her knees.

This action should have seemed somewhat pitiful, but the only one who truly seemed pitiful was Igris, since Isabella was there to bully others.

Aren't you going to thank me?

"...I don't need this kind of thing."

"Oh, you don't need it."

Isabella nodded, and under Igris's somewhat resentful gaze, silently unfastened her cloak, revealing her delicate, fair neck.

"How about this? It's fresh and still warm."

"..."

Igris was silent for a moment, then pounced on her and bit her neck viciously, leaving clear teeth marks.

Unfortunately, there was no bleeding, because Igris really had no intention of doing that right now, and she wasn't hungry either.

Isabella did not resist. Even when Igris tackled her to the ground, she just smiled and watched Igris bite her neck fiercely and then shrink back pitifully.

"Tell me the truth, how does the witch taste?"

"...You saw it."

"Otherwise, why do you think I went all that way to steal a blood bag for you?"

Isabella did not get up, but placed her hands behind her head and quietly looked at the night sky above.

During this time of day, you generally won't see many stars in Byanka, but you can see the moon.

"It has no taste. I... I don't know why I did it. Maybe I'm actually a monster."

Igris shrank back and buried her head between her legs, looking extremely dejected.

Isabella came to comfort Igris, no matter how outrageous her methods were, she was indeed there to comfort her.

"So, do you remember what I said?"

"What words?"

Isabella had said so many things to her, whether it was threats, insults, sarcasm, or all sorts of provocative words, and Igris remembered them all clearly.

"You might hurt the people around you, your boss, your friends, and everyone you care about."

"..."

This statement was clearly a fact, but Igris felt it was more offensive than most of what Isabella had said.

Even more...sad.

"but."

Isabella sat up abruptly, grabbed Igris's hand, and touched her neck.

It was red there, with the teeth marks Igris had just left.

"No matter what you become, Igris, I will always be by your side, only me."

Isabella pulled Igris's body closer with some force, almost pressing them together.

She still wore that smile as she looked at the bewildered Igris, as if she were looking at lost prey, ready to strike at any moment.

“I, only me, Igris. What about Olivia, what about Alex? They can’t be with you until the end, and they can’t accept this change in you… But I’m different. You can choose to rely on me, trust me, and entrust everything to me… Yes, Igris, you are a monster, but I will never mind that you are a monster.”

She leaned close to Igris's ear, looking into her dazed and unfocused eyes, and could hardly hide the smile and excitement on her face.

"I guess... I guess you're hungry, right? Don't you want to try some?"

Her fingers landed on her collar, pulling it down slightly to reveal her delicate skin.

"Warm, fresh, and delicious blood prepared just for you."

Her voice, like a devil's whisper, lingered in Igris's ears, trying to awaken her temporarily dormant appetite and her manic side.

“I won’t refuse you, Igris…”

"..."

Gudong.

The sound of swallowing saliva rang out, and Isabella's smile began to turn exceptionally surprised and enthusiastic.

She took the bait; faced with such temptation, Igris had no choice but to comply.

If only she were a little closer, if only her lips touched her skin, if only her blood flowed down Igris's esophagus.

Then Erie.Yi*First/Premiere-Gris will belong to her forever.

It belongs only to her.

The Gods' Fool's Play - Regret: Chapter Thirty-One, How About a Multiple Choice Question?

"Come on... I won't refuse you."

Isabella's hand unconsciously climbed up Igris's back, stroking her slender body, and whispered in her ear in the most seductive voice she could muster.

Igris's fingers moved upwards, from her chest, down her neck, and down her cheek.

Finally, he grabbed her chin and forcefully turned her face towards him.

Their eyes met, and Isabella's smile became even more difficult to conceal, even turning into one of extreme excitement.

She seemed to have already imagined everything that would happen next: Igris would kiss her neck without hesitation, tear at her skin, and suck her blood. The two of them would then embrace each other and become an inseparable part of each other.

After that, they will no longer hide things from each other, and will be able to communicate honestly and enjoy each other's happiness.

She will have the privilege of experiencing the happiness she has always dreamed of, and the opportunity to humble herself.

She will be able to stroll hand in hand with Igris on any street, hugging and kissing each other.

They would then walk into that sacred, white hall, becoming each other's one and only under the gaze of countless people, whether they were envious or blessed... or even if no one blessed them.

She will truly steal everything from Igris—her heart, her desires, and the rest of her life.

Igris will not hesitate to expose all her weaknesses to her, will throw herself into her arms when she cries, will subconsciously search for her when she is afraid, and will try to ignite her and take her away with her burning body and burning soul when she is in the heat of her emotions.

She will…

Don't even think about it.

"what?"

Igris suddenly pulled herself closer to Isabella, almost within earshot, even though they could hear each other's breathing. But Igris didn't take another step, only slowly uttering two words.

Don't even think about it.

"...Are you rejecting me?"

Igris abruptly released Isabella and stood up from the corner.

"Your little tricks won't work on me, Miss Phantom Thief. No matter what you crave... you won't get anything from me."

Igris took a deep breath, suppressing the chaotic emotions in her mind, along with the inexplicable surge of appetite and lust.

She smoothed her slightly messy blonde hair, turned around without looking back, and started to leave.

But the next moment, Isabella suddenly grabbed her hand.

She knelt on the ground, looking at Igris in disbelief, her eyes overflowing with confusion and bewilderment.

"Why...? Why did you reject me? I... I've clearly done enough, why won't you even look at me? Am I really that insignificant in your eyes?"

Igris stopped and glanced sideways at her arm that was being held.

Her eyes were complex, a mixture of sadness, sorrow, and a touch of irritability.

“Isabella… I can thank you, and I would be happy to repay you and become your friend, but your desires terrify me, and I don’t want to be anyone’s possession… so…”

"Screw it! I've come this far, and you think you can just walk away like this?!"