Goddess's Yuri harem: Chosing the Empress is hard-Chapter 137: Human Stalker - Part 2

Lina stood still for a moment before tilting her head slightly.

"I am fulfilling my duty of looking after you. That is why I came out here."

She said, her voice monotone.

Auriel frowned. There was no hesitation in her words, no emotion behind them. It was unnatural.

She studied the girl in front of her, debating whether this was some kind of trick or a genuine show of concern. Auriel found herself doubtful of Lina’s intentions.

’She didn’t even show emotions when I questioned her earlier. And now she’s following me?’

"This is dangerous. You need to head back."

Auriel said, keeping her voice firm.

Lina didn’t move.

"I said, go back."

Still, she did not budge.

Auriel’s irritation flared.

"Lina—"

Before she could finish, a strange sensation pulsed through the air, stopping her mid-sentence.

She turned sharply toward the dungeon entrance behind her.

The dark energy emanating from it was unlike before. It was pulsing—no, calling to her. A silent, unnatural pull tugged at her senses, urging her forward.

Auriel felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up.

The sensation was familiar. Almost too familiar.

Her previous suspicions were right—this was no ordinary dungeon.

Her focus shifted entirely from Lina. Whatever this was, it needed to be investigated now.

Without another word, she started toward the dungeon.

Behind her, Lina followed without hesitation.

Auriel didn’t stop her.

______

Inside the dungeon, the air was thick with tension. Auriel felt it pressing against her skin—something unnatural, something twisted.

It wasn’t just darkness. It was something worse.

She stepped forward cautiously, taking in her surroundings. The deeper they went, the colder it became. The walls of the dungeon were damp, and faint whispers echoed through the corridors, though there was no one in sight.

Behind her, Lina followed silently, her expression unreadable.

"This place..."

Auriel muttered.

She could feel it now, that same suppressive energy that had weighed down her powers earlier. It was even stronger here.

It wasn’t just affecting her, either.

Lina, who had moved like a quiet shadow before, was now visibly sluggish. Her breaths were shallower, her steps unsteady.

Auriel glanced back at her.

"You’re feeling it too, aren’t you?"

Lina gave a slow nod.

"Yes."

Auriel frowned. A normal human shouldn’t be able to feel this energy so acutely.

’What exactly is Lina?’

Before she could ask, a sound echoed from deeper within the dungeon.

A slow, deliberate scraping sound.

Auriel stiffened. Her instincts screamed at her—something was in here with them.

Then, without warning, the walls around them shifted.

The air itself seemed to twist as dark tendrils crept along the stone.

Auriel immediately stepped forward, placing herself in front of Lina.

"Stay close to me."

She ordered, her voice sharp.

Lina obeyed without a word, stepping into Auriel’s shadow.

A shadowy figure loomed ahead.

It was neither fully formed nor entirely formless, a swirling mass of darkness that moved unnaturally. Its presence alone sent a sharp wave of discomfort through Auriel’s body.

Whatever this was, it was ancient. Powerful.

It had been waiting for them.

Auriel clenched her fists. "Who are you?" she demanded.

The figure did not answer. Instead, the shadows around it pulsed, and a voice—not a voice, but a whisper—filled the air.

’You have come... at last...’

Auriel’s muscles tensed. There was recognition in that voice.

’It knows me.’

She took a slow step forward. "What do you mean?"

The shadows stirred.

’It is not time yet... but soon... soon... you will understand.’

The pressure in the air grew heavier. Lina’s breathing hitched behind her.

Auriel felt her own body struggling against it. Whatever this entity was, it was suppressing not just her powers—but her very being. freewēbnoveℓ.com

She had to act.

"Lina, get behind me. Now."

She called.

The human obeyed without hesitation.

Auriel’s hands glowed faintly with divine energy, but the moment she tried to summon more, the force pressing down on her became unbearable.

She gasped.

The shadow figure chuckled—or at least, it made a noise that resembled laughter.

’Not yet... You are not ready... But you will be... soon...’

Then, before she could react, the figure vanished, dispersing into the surrounding darkness.

The weight in the air lifted almost instantly.

Auriel let out a shaky breath.

"What... was that?"

Lina’s voice broke the silence.

Auriel shook her head.

"I don’t know."

She clenched her fists.

This wasn’t just some random dungeon. This was something far worse.

Someone—or something—had lured her here.

And they were waiting for her.

Slowly, Auriel turned back toward the entrance.

"Come on. We’re leaving."

She said.

Lina hesitated for just a second before nodding.

As they made their way out, Auriel couldn’t shake the feeling that she had walked straight into a trap.

And worse—this wasn’t over.

Whatever was happening here...

It had only just begun.

By the time Auriel and Lina emerged from the dungeon, the morning sun had already risen, casting golden light over the village.

The air was filled with noise—shouts, hurried footsteps, and hushed whispers carrying through the streets. The entire village was in an uproar.

Auriel narrowed her eyes.

’What’s going on? What is all this noise?’

She hadn’t expected such a chaotic scene upon returning. Had something happened while they were gone?

The moment they stepped out into the open, a familiar presence surged toward them.

Seraphina.

The demoness moved fast, her eyes sharp with unspoken tension. The instant she saw Auriel, her entire body relaxed—shoulders dropping, fists unclenching. Relief flashed across her face.

Then, just as quickly as it came, her expression twisted into one of rage.

"You—!"

Seraphina began, stalking toward them with a fury that made even the nearby demons step away cautiously.

Auriel braced herself for an argument, but before she could even say a word, Seraphina turned on Lina instead.

"You useless, good-for-nothing human!"

She snapped, grabbing Lina by the front of her dress and yanking her forward.

"Where the hell did you take her? What were you thinking, disappearing with the goddess like that?!"

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