MMORPG: Rebirth as an Alchemist

Desira was still bewildered by the abrupt turn of events, and found herself facing Azazel's extended hand. 

The air was charged with an indescribable energy, and she couldn't help but feel a strange mix of fascination and uncertainty as Azazel stood before her, grinning at her like nothing happened.

"W-what . . . what are you doing?" Desira uttered in confusion. 

What indeed? Ren and the others thought. 

They had anticipated that Azazel would defeat Desira and extricate them from their predicament, but it became apparent that the Demon Lord had different intentions.

"What is he doing?" Elena whispered to no one in particular.

"I'm sure he's going to do something idiotic again," Lorelai pointed out.

Ren and Evie withheld their comments and observed as the scene unfolded.

"Desira . . . ," Azazel began.

Desira was startled and slightly took a step back. "W-what . . . ?"

"I believe there's been a misunderstanding. I consider you nothing less than family, more significant than a lover, more than what a wife could ever be," Azazel solemnly stated. "You know I would choose my family over anything else — over a lover, a girlfriend, or a wife. Your status is higher than that."

. . .

. . .

A tense silence hung in the air as everyone awaited Desira's reaction. When her face darkened, tension reached its peak.

"I knew it wouldn't work," Elena lamented.

"That idiot is going to get us killed," Lorelai seconded.

Vivi sighed. "That's typical of Lord Azazel."

"I don't think what he said was wrong," Evie chimed in. "Look, even Desira is blushing."

"Eh?"

Everyone stared at Desira and noticed that indeed, the woman was blushing and fidgeting.

"Huh?!"

Surprise rippled through everyone at the unexpected reaction.

Desira's anger dissipated, and she fidgeted from side to side. "Important than a lover . . . N-no way . . . Does that mean . . . I am the most important woman in his life?"

'No . . . You've misunderstood,' the others collectively thought.

Azazel grabbed Desira's hand and said seriously, "Release us from here and give me back the corruption. You know that you're better than this, Desira. Don't let the corruption consumed you."

'There's no way that's going to work,' the others thought.

He had said the same thing a moment ago. Desira might feel that he was only saying those sweet words because he wanted the corruption back. 

She would surely get mad this time, and now, she might actually kill them all.

However, to everyone's surprise, Desira only reverted back to her former self and shyly nodded. "Alright."

". . . EGH?!"

The others almost went out of their skin. 

"THAT WORKED?!" They thought out loud.

Desira underwent a transformation. The lines of anger and frustration that had marred her face began to soften, replaced by a serene and almost ethereal expression. 

Desira's eyes, once ablaze with intensity, now held a certain warmth and vulnerability. The dark aura that had surrounded her lifted, and an air of tranquility enveloped the surrounding.

Her form underwent a subtle metamorphosis. The tenebrous mist that clung to her dissipated, revealing skin that glow with a dark radiance. 

Desira's once disheveled hair now cascaded in silky dark green and black waves around her, catching glimmers of unseen light. 

The fabric of her attire transformed into something resembling delicate shadow silk, adorned with intricate patterns that seemed to dance with a life of their own.

The transformation wasn't just physical; Desira's entire demeanor changed. The fierce and commanding presence she had exuded moments ago gave way to a more delicate and love-struck aura. 

It was as if a veil had been lifted, revealing the true beauty that lay beneath the surface.

Simultaneously, an unexpected burst of dark and radiant light emanated from Desira, spreading outwards and engulfing everyone present.

The mingling energies created a mesmerizing play of shadows and brilliance, casting an enchanting glow upon the entire scene.

As the light enveloped Azazel, the corruption, once clinging to Desira like a malevolent force, began to recede. 

The atmosphere, once heavy with tension, now vibrated with an eerie yet enchanting energy. It was as if Desira's transfer of corruption to Azazel had unleashed a paradoxical fusion of darkness and light, creating a moment of profound beauty amidst the chaos.

Everyone were initially frozen in shock, and could only watch in awe as Desira stood before them, a vision of unearthly beauty.

After accepting the corruption, Azazel went into a deep slumber, finding solace in Desira's tender embrace. 

The witch, who had appeared frail with skeletal features and sickly skin adorned with runes and tattoos just moments ago, underwent a profound transformation.

"W-who . . . who are you?" the others asked, mouth agape.

Desira simply placed a palm on her own cheek and shyly spoke with a meek voice, "It's me. It's Desira. Nice to meet you, everyone."

". . . Egh?!"

Everyone's mouths dropped wide open.

"You're kidding!" Elena exclaimed in surprise.

Vivi sighed. "That's really her true appearance."

Lorelai added, "With your beauty, you can find anyone and leave this idiot to the dust!"

Desira smiled and gently brushed Azazel's hair, whose head was now on her lap. "In the past, everyone sought me for my beauty and body . . . but only Lord Azazel sought me for my power and just for being . . . me. Being with him makes me happy, and I could no longer imagine a life without him.

"I have already lived through those years . . . and I don't want to repeat it again," Desira solemnly said. 

She then added, looking closely at Azazel's face, "I have given a second chance to be with him again. And this time, I will do everything in my power to save him from this corruption . . . no matter what the cost."

The others exchanged a look with each other.

"It's Lord Azazel now?" Lorelai commented to the side, and Elena jabbed her to keep her mouth shut.

Desira chuckled and offered her apologies. "I'm sorry that I almost killed you. Know that it was intentional."

"Ah, don't worry about that–" Elena paused and pondered for a moment. "Wait a moment . . . there's something wrong with what you said."

But before she could finish her line of thought, Desira ignored her and sighed while looking at Azazel's face like she was lost in her own world.

Then she muffled a laugh as if resisting a burst of happiness. "He said that I'm the most important woman in his life. Eheeheehee . . . Does that mean I am more than the status of a bride?"

Desira laughed to herself, lost in her own world, while the others could only sigh and shake their heads.

Azazel might be an idiot and dense, but Desira was equally delusional. 

And thus, more misunderstandings were sure to come in the future.