Amidst the endless void of space, a white van-shaped spacecraft slowly drifted upward, breaking through layers of atmosphere and piercing a curtain of clouds, leaving the planet Siw Venus behind.
By the window seat, Rese sat gazing absentmindedly at the vast scenery beyond, her expression like that of a heroine in a novel stepping out of the palace for the very first time.
Across from her, Kai leaned forward and spoke softly.
"Today you look a little sad, Rese. Is it because you didn't want to leave this planet?"
Rese heard him, smiled faintly, and turned back toward the window, her thoughts echoing inside.
"Heh… heh… heh… I've been waiting for this moment."
She swiveled her head back toward Kai, putting on a sorrowful face.
Kai, bewildered, asked gently, "What's wrong, Rese? Are you feeling unwell? I'm worried about you." His voice was tender and warm.
Rese's mind fluttered. "W-wait… what did he just say? Did my boss really say he's worried about me? And with that soft, sweet voice… oh no, I'm going to die from embarrassment!"
From the pilot's seat, Eugene's voice rang out, sharp and loud.
"That's just an act, Kai! You're being fooled by that bespectacled girl."
The moment Rese heard him, her face twitched. She let out a sharp, annoyed sigh before snapping back into her usual cheerful self.
"Fine, fine, you caught me. That was just a performance—trying to get my boss's attention. But of course, the redhead just had to butt in."
Eugene chuckled under his breath. "A trainee in the art of seduction."
Rese whipped around, her face burning with indignation. "Who are you calling a kid? I'm already 123 years old!"
Eugene exhaled heavily, shaking his head. "Sigh… still just a child. I'm 300, you little brat."
Rese straightened her back, smirking with newfound confidence. "So you're just an old hag with red hair, huh?"
Kai, watching their quarrel unfold, couldn't help but mutter inwardly,
"What the—? They're both ancient? I thought they were younger than me! And yet, they look no older than eighteen. This universe really is full of mysteries."
He smirked strangely and pressed a fist against his chest.
Rese, realizing her mistake, turned quickly toward him, her eyes sparkling.
"Boss… how old are you exactly?" she asked eagerly.
Kai frowned a little and answered, his voice barely above a whisper.
"I'm… twenty-three. Twenty-three years old, miss."
The words struck Rese like a bolt of lightning. She froze, face paling as if the ground had fallen out from under her.
Then she forced a smile, her voice trembling with resolve. "Age is just a number, boss. You're still my boss no matter what. And besides, I look young too. So… can I be your underling?" She spoke with a pleading tone, almost like a child begging for affection.
Kai chuckled softly. "Of course. Age doesn't matter. You'll always be cute to me, Rese."
Her eyes lit up like stars, her cheeks flushed red, and in a near whisper she hadn't meant for anyone to hear, she murmured, "I love you, boss."
Quickly, she turned back toward the window, hiding her burning face.
The spacecraft drifted steadily past countless stars. Suddenly, Eugene stiffened, his eyes locking on a shape in the distance—something massive, coiling around a small planet. Its body was as vast as a world, black with streaks of white-gold scales, its form that of an enormous serpent.
The creature's crimson eyes glowed like embers as it stared directly at their ship.
Eugene's voice trembled. "Damn it… there's no mistake. That's a Beast God."
Kai's brows furrowed. "What is it?"
Eugene replied grimly, "A chosen creature. Just like us, but animals too… some of them are chosen, and they wield power beyond reason."
At that instant, the serpent stirred. Its colossal coils tightened like a noose around the planet, energy gathering in waves. Then, with a hiss that seemed to chill the blood itself, it bared fangs sharp as poisoned blades and lunged.
The strike hit with cataclysmic force. Metal tore apart, the spacecraft shuddering violently as if it would split into pieces.
"No, no, no!" Kai shouted, rushing to shove Rese into an escape capsule.
Eugene, caught in the beast's furious assault, was flung into the void. His body stiffened as the cold seeped in, his eyes dimming. With his last breath, he whispered, "So… this is it. My life ends here…"
The serpent struck again, its single bite shredding the vessel apart. Kai's body was hurled into space, blood slowing, limbs numb, vision fading. No words escaped his lips as darkness closed in.
Inside the capsule, Rese pounded on the glass, her tears streaming endlessly.
"No, no, no! Boss! Eugene! Don't leave me! Don't leave me alone—I'm scared! I'm so scared!"
She curled into herself, clutching her head, sobbing uncontrollably as the capsule drifted into the endless night.