"Hiss!"
A sharp tear sliced through the air. The Jaguar Warrior, still hanging from the tree, shrank her pupils and frantically nodded.
"Wait, wait! I'll talk, I'll talk! Ask anything, I'll answer!"
Samael casually lifted his hand, halting the sickle just inches from her throat.
"Tch, that ridiculous hood really gets on my nerves. Just let me kill her already."
Ana stepped up to the tree, frowning as she let out a cold snort. Her violet Mystic Eyes gleamed with icy malice.
From this jaguar's Spirit Origin, she could smell a heavy stench of blood.
No doubt about it—this one had never been a good person.
"So then, dear Jaguar Warrior, mind telling me why you and Kukulkan came to the Mesopotamian world?"
"You're not short on land or followers. You hold no deep grudges against humanity, and you've got little connection to this region. Unlike those other two."
The ancient serpent paced slowly, circling the suspended Jaguar Warrior two or three times before finishing his quiet question.
"I... I'm kinda dizzy. Let me down first, and once I've recovered, I'll talk."
"Really?"
"What kind of bad intentions could a feline have? I'm totally honest, meow!"
Samael raised his hand slightly. Ana suppressed her hostility and loosened the chains a little.
The Jaguar Warrior fell head-first to the ground, then quickly brushed off the dead leaves and dirt. Glancing at the surrounding bushes, she gave Samael a strange smile and leaned closer.
Too careless, meow! Cats are the craftiest creatures!
Just as her eyes flashed with menace and she began planning her hostage gambit...
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Explosions erupted all around. One jaguar cry after another echoed through the jungle. Golden particles scattered and vanished into the air.
From behind the bushes, Merlin and Ishtar walked out, casually dusting their hands, both looking perfectly at ease.
"All taken care of?"
Samael cast a sideways glance at his two teammates, his eyes drifting briefly to the rear.
"Every last half-beast familiar they summoned—gone."
"Too easy. Just a bunch of weaklings."
Ishtar folded her hands behind her head, chin raised proudly. But after a moment, she clicked her tongue in frustration.
"Tch. I thought they'd be tougher. I ended up wasting so many gems for nothing!"
It was a smooth and satisfying battle—and one that helped restore some pride—but the sheer number of enemies made it too costly.
"Keep track of the gems you used. I'll file for reimbursement with King Gilgamesh when we get back."
With that simple line, Samael instantly made the pouting Ishtar's eyes light up.
Wait... another payout?
Kid, you really get it. No wonder I've taken a liking to you.
Ishtar was positively glowing with joy. Even the way she looked at Samael seemed to heat up.
To show her affection, the goddess instinctively reached out to pat him on the shoulder as a sign of encouragement.
But just as her fingers were about to make contact, a wave of chilling dread washed over her. She jerked back in alarm.
No helping it—she still hadn't found a way around the Protection of the Underworld.
After tossing a few chunks of smoked meat to the greedy goddess to keep her spirits up, Samael turned with a smile toward the Jaguar Warrior, who had already crept right up beside him.
"So, why are you standing so close?"
"Uh... meow?"
The scheming feline stiffened, fur bristling as her claws instinctively retracted. After a pause, she forced a dazed expression onto her face, her tone suddenly soft and harmless.
Trying to play cute to slip by, huh?
Samael looked at the suspicious jaguar with a cold, unreadable gaze.
"Your little buddies are already toast. Don't you think it's time to talk?"
"Uhh... talk about what? If I say the wrong thing, Kuku will kill me."
The Jaguar Warrior shook her head wildly, eyes flicking nervously toward the depths of the forest.
"Alright then. Ana, give her a reminder."
As the purple-haired girl menacingly tightened the chains and raised her glowing purple sickle, the Jaguar Warrior immediately tensed, her ears drooping as she lowered her head in resignation.
If she talked, she was dead. But if she didn't talk, she'd be dead now. What choice did she have?
Live one more day, meow.
"Kuku and I came here because we were invited, meow!"
Seeing Ana glaring daggers at her from the side, the Jaguar Warrior quickly blurted out half the answer.
"The Will of the World—that part I know. Then what?"
Samael stared expressionlessly at the evasive jaguar, his right hand slowly starting to lift.
"To make amends! Kuku came here not to destroy humanity, but to try and make up for past mistakes..."
Under the mounting pressure, the Jaguar Warrior crouched down, hugging her head, ears flattened in surrender.
"That's still too vague. Humanity doesn't want a war with this main deity either, so I need something more specific."
"You've already betrayed Quetzalcoatl. Might as well be clear about it. A few more betrayals won't make a difference."
"Besides, we'll protect you—three delicious meals a day, all the meat you want, plenty of rest, no constant work."
Seeing the defeated look on her face, Samael softened his tone, gently coaxing and tempting her while slipping a few pieces of smoked meat into her hands.
"But Kuku set up the Sun Temple deep in the jungle. She has no shortage of mana. To maintain my form, I can only rely on her."
"Don't worry. Uruk can support you. The Astrology Tower has plenty of Magi, and the Temple is full of priestesses. They're all experienced in divine service."
The ancient serpent crouched down, and before he realized it, his palm was resting on the jaguar's short-eared, orange-haired head, gently stroking it.
"I am the proud Jaguar Warrior, meow. Letting you pet me so easily... is kind of embarrassing, meow..."
She tried to sound serious, clinging to some shred of divine dignity.
"An—"
Samael had just turned his head to speak when her paw clamped his hand in place.
"Ahaha, but it feels pretty good. I don't mind. Go ahead, pet me more—meow meow meow~ ...mff meow..."
The Jaguar Warrior's survival instincts kicked in fast, and it reminded Samael of his past life—of days spent at home, petting his cats.
Yup. All felines are the same. Easy to train.
After a brief struggle, with no way out, the Jaguar Warrior finally gave in and began explaining everything.
"Kuku and I fought twice. She won both times, but the result was the extinction of the humans from the Two Suns Era of the Mayan world."
"She regretted it. Blamed herself. She actually loves humanity as a species..."
"But what's done is done. Even if she beats me ten times a day, it doesn't change the past."
She rubbed her head, recalling the trauma—it still seemed to ache just thinking about it.
Then she turned to Samael, her voice tinged with seriousness and reflection.
"While she was heartbroken and taking her anger out on me, she sensed another group of humans on the brink of extinction..."
"The humans of the Mayan world were gone, but this time, she had a chance to make it right..."
Seeing realization dawn on Samael's face, the Jaguar Warrior gave a small nod.
"That's right—it's you. The humans of Mesopotamia!"
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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