How many years has it been since I last had a man? Or a partner?

The exact number is a hassle and a pain to recall but I don't doubt the immense value.

Dryads can survive purely on just sunlight, air, and water but in order to bloom into something truly magnificent, we will need more than just those three.

To us Dryads, a person's soul is equivalent to what a human called supplement. Not only does it help our growth but it is also quite addictive. A taste was all it need to set a Dryad down the road of debauchery.

Time flew by and millennium of years came and gone. Dryad has long been generalized as an imitation of a Succubus. Although they weren't exactly correct, our misdeeds could hardly help in denying the claims.

It's unfair.

Pigs have been raised to be slaughtered. Chickens, Cows, Goats, too shared the same fate.

Humans to our eyes, are something akin to cattle. Just like the said animals are to them.

So, why is it wrong for us but not for them?

They too have consumed lives to keep living. They too can survive purely on the greens but they indulged in other's lives purely for their desire to thrive.

So, why is it wrong for us to do the same?

It's just not fair.

I do not care.

Most of us didn't.

Day by day, I lured the unsuspecting ones into my nest, a tall tree at the center of a clearing, as I gave them euphoria before clamming their lives for my own thrive.

My life of debauchery seem to goes on till the end of times but I was wrong. The last thing I expect to be wrong of.

I met a human boy.

He wasn't unsuspecting. He was well-aware of what I am and what I am capable of but yet, he didn't show any antagonism towards me. He wasn't naive either.

The boy..... He saw us differently. The usual cautious hostility for a Dryad was replaced with sympathy.

We were told about a Shepherd, a Harbinger, the one who will guide a tremendous change to the world for better. It was a prophecy told to us by the ascended ones but none of our kind truly take it to heart. It was an absurd wishful thinking.

When I met the human boy, his gentle compassion really made me believe in the prophecy. I thought he could be the one.

Sadly, he isn't but it doesn't invalidate how good of a person he is.

Due to his unconditional kindness, I came to know the true meaning of love. I want to let him experience the euphoria I had always gave to my victims but not with the intention to consume him. I just want to make the one I love happy.

Soon, he too open up his heart to me.

We made a promise.

We would always meet everyday. Everyday, we share our love and our profound bond only grew stronger.

Our promise went on for years. His time flashes before my eyes. Before I knew it, he was already a man. A promising man with a bright future that is wasted upon me.

He was a general of an army. A well-respected general, loved by his people and the masters he served.

Our secret appointments became less frequent.

Up until it completely stopped.

I was angry.

I felt betrayed.

I thought he forgotten about me.

I even contemplated raining my fury on his hometown but my fiery rage was doused by the unexpected fact of his absence.

He didn't betrayed me neither did he forgot about me. He just wasn't able to visit me any longer.

I only knew this when a girl came in his stead. She was a young lady with nice features. She was carrying a churn.

With a bitter face and trembling shoulders, she scattered the contents of the churn onto my nest, the overgrown roots of a tall tree. When the churn have been completely emptied, she left the tree while dripping tears along

And as for me, I was left shocked and devastated for I knew of what she scattered onto my nest.

The contents were ashes. The ashes of the human boy that I fell in love with.

That day, I experienced true sorrow. My first time in my long years of life, I experience a heartbreak.

In order not to betray his memory, I recluse myself in my own forest and nest. I ceased all my acts of debauchery.

And not a day when where I didn't think of him. His unconditional love for me.

I thought I could live on until my last moments with his memories to sate my desires. I thought it was possible. After all, I have been doing so for more than dozens of millennial.

My thinking was proven naive when I chanced upon the prophesied one. The Harbinger, the Shepherd.

I was instantly reminded of my deceased beloved.

His sympathy.

His kindness.

His gentleness.

His compassion.

And additional trait that my deceased beloved lack--

-- Empathy.

I can feel my heart began beating and burning again. I'm starting to yearn and crave for a man's warmth again. Not just any man but a man who reminded me so much of my true first love.

Unable to withheld my desires any longer, on a night like any other for the past millions of years, I pulled him to my nest.

With the sole intention of devouring him, affectionately and passionately.

"You said you have something important to talk to me about but judging from the current situation I'm finding myself in, I don't think that's your intention at all, am I wrong?"

The boy who has barely come of age, the Harbinger, the Shepherd, Hyx asked. If anyone saw us right now, we will be caught in a very compromising position that would cause mountains of misunderstandings.

But it's strange.

Unlike many of my victims, he doesn't put on any mask to hide his fear or uncertainty. Some of my previous victims even took the aggressor or dominating role but they all fell.

Not this boy.

It was almost as if he doesn't care if anyone saw his true self nor did he care about his integrity as a man.

"This is all your fault." I told him as I placed his hand on my left breast. My chest weren't as large as his lover but it is ample enough to attract the attention of many men.

"Heh?"

He let out a cute sound and it only got louder as I pressed his hand. To further entice him, I moaned at the same time.

"Do you feel that?" I asked.

"Um....."

"Or do you need the thin piece of clothing in between to be gone?" I asked, licking my lips wet as I stare straight into his eyes.

"If you're sick or anything, I'm sure Kirin will have something for you."

How amusing. He could even say such things in such situation. His voice wasn't trembling but was neither compose.

"I'm not sick. It's just that..... I long for a man's embrace. You have no idea how long I had been in abstinence. I thought I could hold out until my end of times but then you came.... showing me what I had forgotten. Showing me, what I had lost..... In a way, I guess you can say I am sick."

"Ah...." Came his reply.

For a second, I can tell his mind wasn't on me and I pulled it back with a kiss. It wasn't just a simple kiss. I forced my tongue into his mouth. He didn't fight back. He didn't succumb to it either. He was just letting me do what I want.

When our exchange of saliva ended, he pulled me into an embrace.

"I'm sorry."

He apologized.

"I can't go any further than this."

"Why not?" I whispered into his ears. "Is it because I have lost my charm? Do you not see me as a woman? Or perhaps you despise a monster like me?"

Coward. How cowardly of me to said such things when I knew his answer would only be filled with gentleness and kindness.

"I don't want to hurt her."

Of course that would be the reason.

But.....

I don't think I can accept this kind of reason in my current state.

"No!" My desperation leaked out in a burst. I pinned his hands on the ground and forced an exchange of saliva once again. Not a shred of love could be found in this exchange. It was just an old temptress trying to relive her glory age.

I keep telling myself that I was wanted the feel of the warmth that I lost but deep down, I was just reaching out to my suppressed debauchery instinct.

While thinking so, I could feel my Mana being drained. I lost my strength and the tables were turn. No. It was more like flipped. Now, he was on top of me.

"You shouldn't have done this." He said.

But not with eyes of contempt but pity.

I don't want your pity, is what I wanted to say but I couldn't.

"Now, what should I do with you?" He said, with a smirk this time.

To my surprise and the contrary of his previous resistance, he went for my neck. He planted kisses and licked my nape. Moreover, he even left a bite mark which induced a shriek from me.

What's with the sudden change?

"Hyx?"

A voice resounded in the hollow cave at the bottom of a tree. The voice made me froze but he had an expression as if he was waiting for it.

When I looked beyond his shoulder, I saw the figure of Senna Tenrum looking at us in a compromising position. Her face says horrified and her eyes say disgusted. Her whole expression turned ugly in a snap.

"Just what do you think you're doing?" Her Mana flare up with her rage. Her majestic light and dark wings manifested to show her assertion of the situation.

"Um.... oops?" Hyx gave an unconcerned shrug.

How are you still so calm?

Even though I prepare for this but the real thing was nothing that can be compared to.

"Last chance." Coldly, she asked the boy. "What is going on here?"

Before I can speak, the boy cupped my mouth with his hand.

"Exactly what you think is happening?" He retorted.

What....? Why would he said.....

An even uglier expression formed on the Nephilim's face. "Is that it? Was everything about you in the end, a one fat lie? Any woman will do as long she fits your taste?" It was a tone mixed with sorrow and rage.

I see.

He knew.

He knew she was coming. He knew she was looking for him.

Realizing that I would incurred the wrath of a Nephilim if we get caught, he decided to take the blame instead.

Gosh... Hyx.

How chivalrous.

But how could I let such chivalrous person be blamed?

"Eh?"

He squeaked as I wrapped my arms around him. I clung tightly onto him, sinking the expression of the Nephilim further.

"My my. Perhaps you should have keep a closer eye on your man. After all, men like him are hard to come by." For maximum effect, I licked his temple.

And the ground beneath Senna cracked at the same time. It cracked due to the pressure of her aura.

Though I gave my best deviant smile, I can feel it faltering. If this went on any longer, I would loose my mind. I would go insane just from being stared at with contempt and jealousy by an S-rank Nephilim. I was confidence with my insanely high Mana pool but I wasn't a fighter. I would not last long against a destruction-oriented spell caster.

"What are you doing? I'm trying to help here. You could get disintegrated for this." He didn't said it out loud but that was what his eyes were telling me.

I returned his kindness. "I know." Is what my eyes told him.

"You are overestimating me here. Even if I'm the prophesied Harbinger, I'm no match for her."

How cute. His over-flustered face and panicking face is just too cute. I unintentionally leaked out a grin.

"Oi. I'm still here you two lying sack of soils. You got some guts to be lovey dovey in front of the woman you're cheating on."

"Ara~? But he didn't. It was I who tried to seduce him, you know?"

Ah. Her contempt has been directed to me.

"He did a good job of resisting my advance at firs but eventually, everyone would give in to a Dryad's charm."

I could feel him nudging at me to stop my provocations but I persist. This was my fault. I should be the one taking the fall.

"I guess in the end, he chose me over a thousands of years old self-proclaimed virgin."

And that was the snapping point for the Nephilim.

I could see her lunging for my neck. Although I could see her, I was too slow to follow her.

Closing my eyes, I succumb to my fate.

"Oh for fuck's sake, stop this madness!" screamed the Shepherd and the wings of Senna who was going for my throat stopped just a few inches away from my skin.

"Madness?" She asked but she didn't take her eyes off of me. "How is it a madness? I'm just trying to take back what was stolen from me."

Hyx sighed. "Even if that was the case, how does killing her equivalent to taking me back?"

"Why are you helping her?" She asked again, a tear welling up.

"I'm not helping anyone. I'm just trying to clear this misunderstanding."

"Misunderstanding?"

"Yes. A misunderstanding. Nothing happened between me and her, okay? I'm sorry for contributing to the misunderstanding but I have a bloody good reason for it."

"Nothing happened between you and me, yet." I added.

He sighed and stuck his face close to mine.

Before I could ask of his intention, my whole world shook.

My world spun and I collapsed to the ground.

Apparently, I have been headbutted.

"You are not helping. So quit it." He sternly told me.

How curt, to headbutt a woman. But his unexpected actions is as expected in itself. There wasn't any significant strength put into it, of course. Therefore, I was pretty much unhurt.

And after an hour of attempt to untying the knot of misunderstanding, the rough seas had calm. The rage of the Shepherd's lover, a Nephilim has been contained but her grudge was still apparent. I find myself sitting on my knees with the boy just right beside me in the same position. The whole atmosphere felt tense and slightly awkward.

I can hear him muttering "So this is a seiza." under his breath. Why are you smiles for?

"I thought the misunderstanding is cleared." He asked, seemingly directing the question at himself. There was just something about him tilting his head in confusion with a wry smile struck the soft spots in a person's heart.

"It is cleared but my anger is not."

At her reply, he lowered his head while still retaining his wry smile. Although it was in a low voice, I heard him saying "Touche."

"In all honesty, why do you think lying about the whole picture would do well to quell my anger?"

Hearing that, his eyes blinked wide. He raised his head to meet the Nephilim's gaze. He had an amused and confused face.

"What's with the additional sophisticated words?" He laughed as he asked.

I'm starting to wonder if the Shepherd is just an idiot or someone who takes great pleasure from pain.

As I expected, the Nephilim flared up. Her aura danced furiously like wildfire which made the boy stiffened up. "Seems like you need more direction and guidance before you could realize how deep of a boiling water you're in."

Seeing his cramped face with faint curved lips, I can tell he was holding back a retort. Gosh, this boy is really asking for it and he wasn't even looking the least bit afraid. On the contrary, his eyes had said nothing but affection the whole time while looking at the Nephilim.

He really does love her.

"I'm sorry, Angie. I-I didn't know what I was thinking. I-I could be an idiot sometimes."

As soon as he apologized with a downcast gaze, the Nephilim melted. Not in a literal sense but the vibe and expression she was giving was close to something akin to "melting". Of course, the Nephilim was desperately trying to not show her lost of composure.

"F-fine.... I'll forgive you this time. B-both of you.... but I won't forget about t-this...."

And the boy returned a kind and gentle smile to her forgiving words.

"J-just promise me that you won't lie to me again. Not even minor and petty stuffs like this, okay?"

"Okay."

"I mean it."

"I know. I won't lie to you again even if it's an ant-sized issue."

With that kind of smile, it made me remember that the Shepherd is no more than a fifteen years old boy but no doubt he is actually older than he looks.

What a lovely couple. Truly.

However, this is truly vexing at the same time. Flaunting your affections toward each other in front of an eternally single woman.... I am very bothered by this. Perhaps I should add some spice to it?

"Speaking of lying....."

Ara~? He is already looking at me in terror. His eyes were telling me "Whatever you're planning, don't." Looks like the boy has good instincts.

"....aren't you an awful liar too?" I asked the Nephilim.

My words pique his interest and his eye brows.

"W-what are you s-saying?" The Nephilim responded in a fluster.

"What could I be saying? I'm talking about your virtue, of course." I added a sly smile for more effect.

"I didn't lie about that~! I am a virgin!"

"Really? Thousands of years old without a single moment where you get swept away by a heat of passion? I find it hard to believe."

"That is the truth. I-I'm not a slut like you~! Besides, I even bled on my first night with Hyx."

In the corner of my eyes, the boy is burying his face in his palm. His shoulders were trembling.

Slut..... Although I have proclaimed myself to be one time and time again, hearing it coming from other people still stings. I was planning to just tease her a bit but now that she had done it, I'm going to keep going.

"Maybe you are a virgin but that doesn't mean you haven't done it"

"W-what... what are you talking about?"

"There's a lot of ways to go about this without making it bleed, you know?" And I proceed to give her a few examples.

At a lost, she was now stuttering on her every words. Her intimidating presence from before was gone and she was now looking just a like a girl in her puberty. Despite how she looks, she is incredibly naive and innocent. Even after so many nights of passion, she gets red when the topic is raised outside of bed. Hard to think she lived for thousands of years.

There was no way she wasn't a virgin but I'll keep that to myself.

With beet red cheeks and teary eyes, she turn to her beloved, the Shepherd. "P-please believe me, Hyx.... You were really my first.... I swear."

He wasn't looking at her. He was still burying his face in his palms with trembling shoulders.

"H-hyx.... are you angry at m-me....?" Her hand reached out for him but she hesitated.

"Pfff......" A weird blowing sound was let loose.

She tilted her head while I was hiding my curving lips behind my hand.

And then, the boy burst out laughing while crying tears of bliss.

"Hyx?" She called out in a daze.

He was still laughing while holding his stomach. Noticing her teary eyes, he stopped his guffaw and faced her straight.

"Like I care about stuff like that, Angie. That kind of thinking is so old."

"Mou~! I'm serious here, Hyx. I really am a virgin. Well.... was a virgin...."

He finally stopped laughing completely. "I know, I know. I believe you but point is, I don't care about that, alright? If I wasn't your first or second, I don't care. I just want to be your last, okay?"

"H-how is that okay~!? I don't want you to see me as a loose woman...."

"I won't. Never. I can't judged you on things that I have no prove of and plus, if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be able to still be laughing whole heartily like this. Okay?"

Her response was stuck on her trembling expression and she make do with a vigorous nod while shedding tears of joy.

Without any concern for a third party, they embraced.

Wow, that was so sweet.

But I'm still kinda vexed. How about I --

-- and hours flew by like an arrow. Times sure fly faster when you're in indulgence.

"So, how was it?" I asked in between my heated breaths. It is the first time that I find myself beaten in bed. Not to mention he was doing with two.

"It was..... exhilarating." He answered with a smile. Even after long hours of continuous acts, he regain his breath in just minutes. It wasn't that his stamina was unlimited but rather, his recovery rate was too fast.

"You are truly amazing. Most people would be in too much bliss to even give a straight answer.

"I'm not most people." He gave me his answer without looking at me. Instead, he's still ever gazing at the Nephilim. Unlike me, she gave out faster than I thought. She definitely lacks efficiency. "Neither are you."

His words gave me a jump but not literally. "What do you mean?"

"You're very.... persuasive. I don't think I can think up of anything to say to convince her to share." He said and stroke the Nephilim's cheeks and hair. She respond with a purr that almost sounded like a cat.

"Is that so?"

"That is so..... what's wrong? You look sad."

"N-nothing." I said and turned away.

"You sure?" He poked his head into my view. I turned away again but he did the same thing. It last a few times until I gave up with short bursts of laughter.

"It's just that.... I have been called manipulative, cunning, sly, shrewd. And the most obvious, seductive, alluring, tempting..... bitch.... but never persuasive. That was really mild."

"With those as comparison, it does sound tame."

"I'm persuasive, eh.... Do you really think so?"

"Me?" He pointed at himself. "Well, I think people are idiots. Manipulation and persuasion are similar but they are not the same. Only the ignorant ones and those who sought convenience would think they are the same."

"How so? I didn't think there was a difference."

"I guess you're an idiot too."

Oh. How rude. "Then pray tell this humble idiot here, what is the difference between the two? Was it the intentions behind it?"

"Nah. Not the intentions. Intentions mean jack shit when you're manipulating someone. Both persuasion and manipulation, they both mean to bend one's will or resolve to other's intent but one do so by revealing the truth and the other do so by obscuring the truth. So no, I don't think you're manipulative but you are good at taking advantages."

Jeez.... Just how much you want to torment me? I'm feeling so tormented with your empathy.....

If I was your lover, I would have maul you up day and night without rest but..... it is what it is....

"Still, you're satisfied?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Am I satisfied?"

I gave him a gesture at the Nephilim.

"I guess I am." He answered as soon as he caught on.

"Really? Seems to me, you can keep going, can't you?"

"I have enough."

Or so you say. "Hyx...." I called his name, something I haven't done in quite a while. I turned his head to face me with only a finger. He didn't resist.

"W-what...."

"Remember, you're not a human now. It is not good to keep it pent up. Your whole biology differs to that of your average sapiens. If she can't satisfied you, you need to find an alternative."

I prepared myself for his anger. After all, my words were insensitive. I expected a storm but I received a calming wave instead.

"I can't do that to her. Even if it hurts me. I know you mean well but..... I can't do it...."

In a way, his response is expected. His understanding and his loyalty to his woman. Ah.... how enviable.... However....

"Hyx, a monster suppressing its own instincts is one of the most foolish things in the world. The rebound from this foolishness is unimaginable in terrible ways. Don't forget that."

"Thanks for the advice. I appreciate that but I will sought for an alternate solution that don't involve hurting her."

Despite my harsh words, I was repaid with gentle kindness. I didn't even sense a trace of anger in him. He really can empathize well with people. Although, he seemed to lack sympathy.

"Anyways, would you like to go again?" Can't be helped. This is who I am and I have such a rare and fine man before me and I have the permission of his woman. I think.

"Do you think she'll mind?"

"We shall see, tomorrow." I said, inching closer to him with heated breaths.

He laughed quietly and dryly. "You really are asking for it."

"So are you."

And so, just like that, my last passionate night passed by, ecstatically.

Once again, I'm left alone.

They have finally left.

After about a week of the best years of my life....

Once again, I'm in complete solitude.

Without the core, Kiralhirin, the whole forest has begun wilting but it wasn't quite apparent yet.

As I'm left to my own shadows as my sole company, not counting the other beasts in the forest, I waited for my end. Which shall come in a few years from now.

But....

I was wrong.

It came much.... much more earlier.....

An immense sense of dread enveloped me. I turned to meet the source of this gigantic dread.

A figure of an old man with wounds leaking some strange substance that seemed to have substitute his blood.

{I can see that I am too late.}

He said in a tongue that was older than me. Even his voice carries the dread he emits. Everything around him, has wilted into an abominable state.

{Took you long enough, Voidling.}

I respond in kind with the same tongue.

{And you are right, the Shepherd and the last of the Ancient Dryad is long gone. You are too late.}

He laughed to my statement.

{Am I late? No doubt but is it truly too late?}

Right after those words, thousands of monsters appeared from the empty spaces around him. Monsters of all kinds in the dungeon. Now each a thrall to the Voidling before me.

{I can see you have been busy. Quite an army you have there.}

{And now, you will be a part of it.}

I see. This is truly me end before I meet my demise, I must ascertain that he shall not have it.

With the little time that I have, I gave up my Divine Arts. Now, she should have full control of it.

Now, I can take me leave from this world.

Forgive me, Hyx.....

.... but now....

I wished I have gone with you.

This is my final regret.