[Amon's POV]
I wasn't sure how much time had passed.
When I opened my eyes, I found myself lying in an endless field of crimson flowers.
Dark clouds hung overhead, keeping me away from the sunlight.
I stared at the sight for a few seconds longer, then slowly stood up.
Only then did I notice I still had a hole in my chest.
Corny as it may be...
Could this be the afterlife?
"Would you like it to be?"
A calming voice rang out from behind me.
When I turned around, I saw a slim figure standing amidst the crimson flowers.
She wore a veil that obscured most of her features, but even still, I could see her bright white eyes.
"Who are you?"
She plucked one of the crimson flowers.
Then, with calm steps, she approached me, handing me the flower.
Although I was confused, I accepted it.
"Who I am doesn't matter. You dying for a third time, however, does."
She tapped my forehead.
I felt as though my consciousness was pushed out of my body.
Soon enough, I felt as if I was floating, looking down from above at my body that was suspended in place.
But then, the woman glanced up at me, meeting my gaze.
"Cheat death once, shame on you."
"Cheat death twice, shame on me."
"Cheat death for a third time... What am I supposed to do with you?"
I stared back at her.
"Don't you think if I'm able to survive this many times that the universe just doesn't want me dead?"
Of course, I was speaking out of my ass.
She chuckled.
"You of all people should know there's no such thing as a higher power."
"..."
With the snap of her finger, I was pulled back into my body.
Yet the crimson flower in my grasp wilted away immediately.
"You died while saving the one you loved. But due to your impressive constitution, she was able to kickstart the regeneration of your Dragon Heart."
"But tell me, Amon. Do you think cheating death this many times comes without a price?"
"..."
Of course not.
But then who was this woman?
And what kind of price was she talking about?
"You are no longer a human."
She passed me another flower.
This one was different than the others.
It was a beautiful rose.
"Death has also corrupted you slightly... I cannot disclose what changes you will face. Whether you use those changes and gain power from them, or succumb to their temptations, is beyond my scope of predictability."
Despite everything that she had just said... I was strangely calm.
I am no longer human?
Who decided that?
Death corrupted me?
So what?
I'll just fight off whatever the corruption is and convert it into power.
In the end, I wasn't fazed at all by the woman's warnings or the price for my death.
As if reading my thoughts, she let out a giggle.
"You're very amusing. I hope we cross paths again in the future. But until then, make sure to not die again, and don't underestimate your opponents."
I nodded at her.
I was at least 50% sure she was somehow connected to the 12 Calamities, just like the woman I talked to before getting my Lightning Affinity.
As for underestimating my opponents... She was right.
The attack the Vampire Nobles used was called Blood Cataclysm.
One of the ultimate attacks of the vampire race.
It was stupid of me to think I could completely block it with only Advanced-ranked Telekinesis.
...If only I had more time, I could have at least protected my back with Clorafite.
But then again, I wasn't invincible or anywhere near the strongest being alive.
As I turned toward her, I realized she was already gone.
Even the rose I had in my grasp had vanished.
Bit by bit, the strange flower field began to disintegrate, as even the sky grew dark.
After just a few minutes, I was once again floating in darkness.
It was strangely calming.
But soon, I heard a heartbeat.
Then another, and another.
I could feel my hands and feet again.
And the moment I took a deep breath, the darkness faded.
CRACK!
Where was I?
CRACK!
I noticed a bit of light coming through the cracks.
Was I inside some kind of egg?
Ew...?
CRACK!
Finally, the cracks expanded to the point where all I needed to do was push the membrane outward.
And so, by extending my hand, that's exactly what I did.
It felt slimy and gross, but my hand soon tore through the egg.
I continued tearing my way out of this egg, and once I was finally free, I realized that this egg resembled a dragon egg.
It had thick and durable black scales.
I could definitely use this to make some armor.
But before I could even take a breath of fresh air, I felt warm hands wrap around my naked waist.
As I felt the squishy feeling against my back and warm breaths gently brushing the back of my neck... I knew exactly who this was.
"Clementine..."
I wanted to turn around, but she was holding on so tightly, I couldn't resist her.
"Do you have any idea how reckless you were?"
"..."
"I'm sorry."
Her sharp nails dug into my skin.
But I ignored it.
Soon, quiet sniffles resounded, and through a cracking voice, Clementine spoke:
"Y-You... I thought you died... D-Did you e-even consider what I would have done if you actually d-died?"
"..."
"Promise me... Promise me that you won't risk your life for me like that ever again."
Oh, Clementine.
How can I promise something like that?
"I'm sorry. I can't promise that."
For a few seconds, we stood in silence.
As her sniffles turned into full-blown sobs, she hugged me even tighter.
"T-Then... Promise me you'll never leave me again."
Leave you?
As if I would ever leave you.
After all... she's the only person I care about in this whole wide world.
Despite her hugging me tighter, her trembling hands felt surprisingly weak.
So I easily broke out of her grasp, and after turning around, I stared into her deep, tear-filled, obsidian-colored eyes.
She looked over my naked body from top to bottom, but I wasn't nearly as embarrassed as I expected.
I smiled softly at her.
Then, I wrapped one hand around her waist, and with the other, I lifted her chin slightly.
As her wide eyes stared at me, I leaned in, placing a kiss on her soft lips.
At first, she was shocked.
But soon enough, she closed her eyes and melted in my embrace as she returned the kiss.
She messily stuck out her tongue, almost like she was replicating what she had read in manga.
Since I had a bit more experience, I guided her tongue with my own as the two of us indulged in our buried feelings for what felt like tens of minutes.
When we finally separated, I smiled at her again.
Then, I wiped off the blood in the corner of her mouth, as well as our saliva, as I stared at her straight in the eyes.
I had no intention of ever leaving her.
The trauma and vulnerability she must have felt because of me...
"I promise I'll never leave you again."