Magic—the power to manifest the unseen into reality.
Like swordsmanship or martial arts, anyone could learn it with effort. But also like those arts, there existed an insurmountable wall of talent no amount of training could overcome.
Magic had existed on the continent of Crea since ancient times, yet it was never humanity's exclusive domain. This truth became painfully clear during the Demon King's invasion. The magic wielded by his forces was so devastating, so utterly destructive, that human sorcery paled in comparison—a merciless weapon designed solely to slaughter, annihilate, and scorch.
To the wizards of the continent, who treated magic as a scholarly pursuit, it was a horrifying revelation. This disparity was why humanity suffered repeated defeats in the war's early days.
If human magic was a matchstick, the Demon King's was a raging inferno. Victory seemed impossible. Everyone would have abandoned the idea of opposing the Demon King's army with magic…
Had she not descended from the heavens to unveil a new horizon of sorcery.
Thanatos El Krezel.
After marrying the hero Ion Reyhard, she became Thanatos El Krezel Reyhard—a living myth, the object of reverence for every wizard on the continent. During the Holy War, her prowess in magical combat eclipsed even the other four goddesses. True to her title as the Goddess of Death, Thanatos delivered countless deaths to the Demon King's forces.
The enemy sorcerers, who had slaughtered human mages like ants, realized too late as her spells rained from the sky:
They were the ants.
And she was the boot poised to crush them.
Human magic was a match. The Demon King's, a furnace.
But Thanatos' magic?
It was the eruption of a volcano, spewing forth rivers of molten death.
Her power defied all earthly logic.
"Did you already know I was here?"
I kept my voice low as we walked side by side, the rhythmic click-clack of Thanatos' heels echoing beside me.
"I sensed you the moment you crossed the barrier." She smirked. "As you know, Krezel is wrapped in a rather… special magical field."
The Magic City's prosperity came with its share of crime. To combat this, the wizards of Krezel had woven an intricate, invisible barrier around the city—one of many security measures.
"Wait, so you personally monitor everyone who enters?"
"Mmm? Of course." She stretched lazily, as if discussing the weather. "I maintain the barrier alone. No one else touches it."
I blinked. Maintaining a city-spanning barrier single-handedly was absurd even by goddess standards. It seemed the so-called "Lord of Seduction" was more than just a pretty face.
"You just returned from Lepothesia?"
"Yes. I was with Demeter."
"And how is she?"
"...Fine."
I nodded, careful to keep my expression neutral. Thankfully, Thanatos didn't press further.
We strolled through the streets like any ordinary couple—albeit one composed of a legendary hero and a death-dealing goddess. Yet, no one so much as glanced our way. Though we'd dropped our disguises, Thanatos had cast a subtle perception-distortion spell. To the crowd, we were just two more faces in the sea of people.
"About that golem earlier—any leads?"
"Some fool tried forbidden monster-conversion magic." She sighed. "Reanimating corpses is banned for a reason. One misstep, and you get today's mess."
A cold smile curled her lips.
"The culprits will face appropriate consequences. Very… appropriate."
The way she lingered on the word sent a chill down my spine. Whatever punishment awaited those idiots, it wouldn't be pretty.
"Heyyy, gorgeous~! You free tonight?"
A pair of thugs swaggered into our path, leering at Thanatos as if I were invisible.
"Damn, you're even hotter up close!"
"Ditch this loser. We'll show you a real good time~."
They were aggressively ignoring me. The perception filter didn't work on those actively hunting for prey—and Thanatos, in her body-hugging qipao, was irresistible prey.
Not that I blamed them.
Her beauty was lethal:
Haughty yet inviting—a paradox that ignited conquest lust.
Curves that defied fabric—ample breasts and a wasp waist barely contained by black silk.
Legs for days—the scandalously short skirt left nothing to the imagination.
Any red-blooded man would've had… thoughts.
"Hmm… what to do~?" Thanatos tapped her chin, feigning hesitation.
I nearly choked. Since when does she entertain trash like this?
The thugs, mistaking her act for interest, reached for her wrist—
"...Huh?"
Their hands froze mid-air.
"W-what the—?!"
"GHOST! FUCKING GHOST!!"
A flaming skull materialized before them, jaws gnashing. The men stumbled back, screaming, before bolting like spooked horses. Bystanders laughed, assuming they'd lost their minds.
"Only we could see it," Thanatos mused, dusting off her hands.
Then she looped her arm through mine, grinning like a cat with cream.
"Now then… shall we continue?"
Ah. So that was her game—messing with me.
"Y-yeah…"
I nodded dumbly, still processing her little "joke."