"P-Punishment?"
Stussy's voice trembled as she instinctively turned her face away, unable to meet Daren's deep, penetrating gaze.
As his hand began to roam freely, her body shuddered, a wave of tingling numbness washing over her like a current. Her legs grew weak beneath her.
Even though this wasn't the first time something like this had happened—and the damned man before her clearly knew what he was doing—Stussy couldn't shake the feeling that this time was different.
From absolute confidence at the beginning... to utter defeat now.
She hadn't yet adjusted to the shift. Everything had changed too fast, leaving her disoriented and... off balance.
"That's right..."
Daren gently stroked her smooth, pale cheek, his smile full of teasing amusement.
"What was the bet again?"
He pretended to think.
"Do you still remember?"
The bet...
Stussy's face flushed a deep red. A flood of embarrassment and shame surged in her chest, and she squirmed involuntarily.
Was she really about to accept defeat and say that humiliating word?
No!
She couldn't lose like this!
Suddenly, Stussy gritted her teeth, and the air around her shifted sharply. A fierce determination flickered in her eyes.
Whoosh!
A pair of slender black bat wings burst from her shoulder blades, ripping through her evening gown and unfurling wide.
Her soft golden eyes turned blood-red, and sharp vampire fangs sprouted from her mouth!
With a powerful flap of her wings, she broke free from Daren's grasp in an instant.
A wild wind swept through the banquet hall, sending plates of exquisite food flying. Dishes crashed to the floor and shattered everywhere.
At the same time, a long, thin black tail slipped out from beneath her skirt, swaying in midair with an arrow-shaped tip.
Ribbons of phantom-like black flames wrapped around her body, giving the floating Queen of the Pleasure District an aura of mystery, nobility, allure—and danger.
"Daren, I'll never submit to you!!"
She glared at him, gritting her teeth, as she unleashed the powers of her newest breakthrough.
"Don't think you're the only one on this sea who can grow stronger. I'm not who I used to be!"
Vampire: Perfect Form!
"So you've awakened your ability. No wonder you've got the guts to fight back."
Daren didn't seem surprised by her sudden outburst—just watched with mild interest.
"The Devil Fruit's development went further, huh? Even grew a tail…"
His gaze lingered on the swaying tail behind her, and a strange look crept over his face, as if something had just occurred to him.
Stussy immediately noticed his expression. After all they'd been through, she could guess exactly what kind of filthy thought had crossed Daren's mind.
Her face burned with fury and embarrassment.
"You're asking for it!!"
Whoosh!
With a flap of her black wings, she vanished.
Her speed reached its peak, leaving countless afterimages flickering through the air.
The Vampire form's true strengths—speed and agility—were on full display.
In the blink of an eye, she reappeared behind Daren like a ghost.
A sweet fragrance closed in.
Stussy opened her mouth wide, and her razor-sharp fangs aimed straight for the Vice Admiral's neck.
If one looked closely, they would see swirling strands of purple-black aura encircling her fangs, reflecting a deadly gleam under the ornate lights.
In that moment, confidence surged in her eyes.
She hadn't invited Daren to this banquet without preparation.
To prevent him from denying the bet or going back on his word, she'd spent a long time using CP0's internal resources to push her strength to the limit.
Not only had she developed her Vampire form to its "awakened" state, drastically enhancing her vitality and regeneration...
She had also strengthened her Armament Haki.
Though she hadn't reached Internal Destruction, she had studied extensive CP0 archives—especially intelligence on the "Indestructible Body."
With her current level of Haki and raw power, she was certain she could break through Daren's defense!
It wouldn't kill him—but it didn't have to.
She just needed a single wound.
Once she broke through, even slightly, she could use her Vampire Fruit's powers to put him into a deep sleep—maybe even alter his memories.
Then, she'd have him under her control.
Closer...
At this range, with this speed—he couldn't possibly react in time!
A bright, seductive smile curled at the corners of Stussy's lips.
She bit down hard!
"Giggle... looks like I still won—"
Crack!
A crisp sound snapped through the air. Stussy froze mid-flight, her triumphant smile abruptly locking into place.
Fine fractures spread across her four vampire fangs...
Then, with a soft snap, they broke clean off.
Stussy: "..."
Daren turned his head with practiced calm, glancing at her with a trace of exasperation.
"Haven't you used that move before?"
Stussy stared blankly, as if caught in a dream.
"This... this can't be real!"
She snapped back to her senses, disbelief flooding her voice.
"My strength—I've clearly gotten so much stronger this time!"
Daren shook his head, his expression turning oddly solemn.
"You really have no idea... how many times I've been to the toilet in the past two months."
Stussy: ???
He raised a hand and touched his neck, where four shallow indentations remained.
Yeah, not even a scratch.
If this had been two months ago—before enduring Magellan's 'toilet hell'—his "Indestructible Body" might've only had a 90-point toughness. Maybe then she could've pierced the skin.
But now? After suffering through endless, soul-crushing bouts of diarrhea day and night, his physique stat had climbed to a solid 96.
His rectum—no, his whole body—had reached unknown levels of resilience.
"Anyway... done with the foreplay?"
Daren tilted his head, smiling.
Stussy stiffened.
Her heart seized, a sudden wave of fear rushing through her chest.
With a snap of her wings, she instinctively tried to escape.
But Daren moved faster.
In a single blur of motion, he stepped forward—faster than lightning.
A rough, powerful hand clamped tightly around her throat.
"Damn it!!"
Stussy gasped in panic.
But in the very next moment—
Daren's other hand shot out...
And grabbed her tail.
Stussy jolted violently.
The fierce anger on her face evaporated, replaced by an uncontrollable flush. Her entire face turned beet red.
Daren paused, puzzled by the unexpected reaction.
Then, driven by a strange curiosity, he gave the tail a squeeze.
"Mm—!"
Stussy let out a soft, involuntary moan, delicate and sweet, as if her entire body had short-circuited. The sound was soft as silk and impossibly alluring.
Her strength drained away like water.
She collapsed bonelessly into Daren's solid arms, her lips parted as she gasped for air. Her eyes shimmered, teary and dazed.
Daren blinked.
Looking at the black demon tail in his hand, he fell silent for several seconds.
Then his smile slowly twisted.
...What the hell kind of switch did I just find?