Chapter 152: The Masochist And Neve’s Desperate Threat!
For the past two days, Neve did not know what was happening.
Neither did Popi.
All she had done was punch Varek on the face out of pure anger and irritation. She had done it just so he would leave her alone and stop bothering her. She had done it to make him understand that she would not tolerate his advances or his predatory behavior.
But she had been wrong about the consequences.
Varek had been visiting every single day since that punch. He came consistently, like clockwork. And he came with just one wish. One single desire.
He wanted Popi to hit him again.
Neve thought it was just a dare at first. He thought Varek was setting up some kind of trap. He thought that if Popi hit him, Varek would use it as an excuse to retaliate and do something terrible to her. He thought it was manipulation.
But no. Neve was wrong.
Judging by the perverted look on Varek’s face and the drool on his lip every time Popi refused him, he was not lying. He really wanted Popi to punch him. He really enjoyed the violence. He was getting off on it.
Neve had seen these kinds of perverted people on the internet when he was in his former world. He had read about masochists and sadists and people with extreme fetishes. He could not believe he would actually see one here in person. He could not believe he would meet someone who enjoyed pain in this way.
Maybe this was worse. Maybe this was more disturbing because it was real. Because it was happening right in front of him.
"I’m already on my knees, just hit me one more time," Varek begged, his voice carrying desperate hunger.
His eyes were glazed with desire. His breathing was heavy. His body was trembling with anticipation.
Even after Popi sent him away multiple times, he did not listen. He kept coming back. He kept begging. He kept pleading for violence.
"Can you just hit him, Popi?" Neve asked, his voice carrying desperation and exasperation. He was exhausted by this situation. He was tired of Varek coming back every day. He was scared of what might happen if Varek snapped and decided to take what he wanted by force.
"Hit him hard enough that he stays away for a while. Just one punch. That’s all it would take to keep him satisfied for a few hours."
Popi shook her head vehemently.
"I don’t even want to touch him," Popi said, frowning in anger and disgust. "I don’t want to give him what he wants. I don’t want to encourage this behavior. He needs to understand that his perversions are not welcome here."
But Varek just smiled, unfazed by her rejection.
Suddenly, someone appeared from the other side of the cave entrance.
Zyreth.
The snake king wore a shocked look on his face like he was genuinely surprised to see his brother in this position. Like he could not quite believe what he was seeing.
"Varek?" Zyreth called out, his voice filled with confusion.
Varek suddenly turned his head to look at his brother. His entire expression changed instantly.
The look in his eyes became cold. Dangerous. Predatory.
It was the same cold look he had given two days ago when he first came to touch Popi. That was the real Varek. Not this perverted beggar version. Not this masochist version.
That was the true nature of the snake king’s brother.
"What do you want?" Varek asked, glaring at his brother for ruining whatever perverted moment he was having.
Zyreth stepped fully into the cave, his eyes moving between Varek and the prisoners.
"I should ask you that question," Zyreth growled, his voice becoming darker and more threatening. "What do you want with my prisoners? These two belong to me. They are under my protection. They are not for you to use or touch or play with."
Varek sighed as he stood up, beating the dust off his knees and legs. He was clearly annoyed at being interrupted.
He looked between Neve and Popi, his gaze lingering on each of them.
"Prisoners, huh?" Varek said, his tone becoming casual. "So you’re keeping them for yourself. I understand. You always did like to hoard your toys."
He paused, then made his request.
"Can I have the female?" Varek asked bluntly. "You sure want to keep the pregnant male for yourself so I don’t want him. I don’t have any interest in the red panda. But the female. She’s got spirit. She’s got strength. She would be fun to play with."
The way he said it made it clear exactly what kind of playing he meant.
Zyreth considered the offer for a moment.
He had brought Popi here for this reason anyway. He had brought the female specifically so that his brother would keep his hands off Neve. Neve was the valuable one. Neve was the one with the healing abilities. Neve was the one who could cure Maren’s mother and secure Maren’s loyalty.
Popi was just collateral.
Zyreth parted his lips, about to give his consent. About to agree to let his brother have Popi. About to sacrifice the female so that he could keep the male safe and useful.
But then Neve spoke.
"Once you give Popi to your wild brother, I’ll kill myself," Neve said flatly, his voice carrying absolute certainty.
The words hung in the air like a physical weight.
Zyreth froze.
Varek froze.
Both of them stared at Neve as he stood up from where he had been sitting. The red panda walked closer to both of them, his golden eyes burning with determination and rage.
"Are you threatening me?" Zyreth asked, his voice becoming dangerously quiet.
The quietness was somehow more threatening than a yell would have been.
A smirk appeared on Neve’s face.
"What does it look like?" Neve asked, his voice filled with defiance. "Of course, I am threatening you. That’s exactly what I’m doing. I’m threatening the king of the outcast snakes."
He stepped closer, his voice becoming stronger.
"Give her to your brother and all your plans would go down the drain," Neve threatened, his heart racing in his chest. He was scared. He was terrified of what Zyreth might do to him for this insolence.
But there was no way he was going to let them take Popi.
"You brought me here because you wanted me to cure Maren’s mother," Neve said, laying out the facts. "You want to gain Maren’s loyalty and support for your revenge plan against Vaelthorn and the other tribes. You want me alive and healthy and willing to cooperate."
He paused, letting Zyreth process his words.
"If you give Popi to Varek, if you let him do whatever perverse things he wants to do to her, I will kill myself," Neve repeated, his voice becoming harder and colder. "I will slash my wrists. I will stop eating. I will do whatever it takes to end my life."
He looked directly into Zyreth’s cold snake eyes.
"And then your cure will be gone. Your plans will be ruined. Maren will have no reason to help you. And you will have nothing but a dead red panda and a grieving outcast king who will probably want to destroy you."
Neve’s breathing was heavy. His entire body was shaking with fear and adrenaline. But he stood his ground. He did not back down. He did not show weakness.
Popi was staring at him with shock and wonder. She had not expected Neve to stand up like this. She had not expected him to threaten the king directly. She had not expected him to fight for her this way.
Varek was watching the exchange with clear entertainment. He found amusement in conflict. He found pleasure in tension.
Zyreth was silent.
The silence stretched on. Long and heavy and filled with the weight of a decision that could determine everyone’s fate.
Neve’s heart was racing in his chest. He was scared. Terrified actually. He had just threatened the most powerful beastman in the outcast territory. He had just put his life in danger with his words.
But there was no way he was going to let them take Popi.
There was no way he was going to sacrifice her.
There was no way he was going to allow his friend to be used and abused by this perverted masochist while he did nothing.
Even if it meant dying.
Even if it meant facing Zyreth’s rage.
Neve had made his choice.
And he was going to stick with it no matter what came next.