On the way back, Vincent and the others had already told Rory everything Aren had endured in the succubus clan.
She knew––he had suffered.
Aren nodded hard at her gentle voice, as if clinging to it.
"Female Master… I have something for you." He let go of her. Then, without hesitation, he raised his hand—and drove it straight into his own chest.
"Aren!"
Rory and the others cried out at once.
"Don't be afraid… I'm fine."
Blood spilled instantly from the torn flesh.
Aren endured the pain, his lips curving into a faint smile as he slowly pulled something out.
A fruit.
Pure white, glowing faintly, as if lit from within. He held it in both hands, reverent, almost worshipful, and offered it to her.
"Female Master… I got the Beast God Fruit. It's for you."
The very thing he had protected through torture, through pain, through everything—now rested in his trembling hands, presented to her without a second thought.
