Chapter 41: The Fear of Death (Trending!) (Please Support and Follow)

Time slipped away quietly, bit by bit.
Along with time, Tassanya’s life was also ebbing away.
At the very beginning, she had made up her mind to die with dignity, even if it meant death itself.
Therefore, she clenched her teeth tightly, trying to keep her expression as calm as possible, unwilling to show any unsightly demeanor at the moment of her death.
It doesn't matter, Tassanya. Don't be afraid. It's just death, nothing to be afraid of. Dignity is the most important thing!
She repeated these words to herself over and over again in her heart.
However, she could clearly feel the blood continuously flowing out from her abdomen.
She could feel the temperature of her body gradually dropping.
She could feel the beating frequency of her heart gradually slowing down.
All these signs were telling her that she was dying.
The terror of not knowing when death would arrive bit by bit grated on her nerves.
The helpless and panicked sensation of complete paralysis throughout her body overwhelmed her.
Her mind began to wander wildly.
According to what Locke said, from now on, people would treat her as a laughingstock and a topic of gossip; she would become the most humiliating dragon-blooded descendant in this world.
She would be placed in a museum, and those who used to fear her could casually spit on her as they passed by.
Her life would end just like this.
Ending in this jungle, with no future left whatsoever.
She was going to die.
About to die.
Death...
Suddenly, Tassanya’s heart gave a violent jolt, and she snapped her eyes open.
Terror filled her gaze as she began to pant heavily.
Just in that fleeting instant, she had lost consciousness.
Had it not been for the instinctive reaction of her dragon-blooded physique, she would already be dead!!
She wanted to recall what had just happened, but she could remember nothing at all.
An unprecedented sense of terror pervaded her entire body.
This was death!!!
To die meant the complete loss of everything, including dignity, memories, thoughts, everything!
The terror of death swelled and magnified within Tassanya’s heart.
All that talk about not being afraid of death was a lie!
It was just that death had come too fast for fear to catch up!
She didn't want to die! In reality, she didn't want to die at all!!
Her inner panic reached its peak, and her body trembled with fright.
Nearby, Locke and Leila were comparing their heights.
"Leila, how come you seem to have gotten shorter?"
Locke used his hand to measure from the top of Leila's head to his own body. Previously, she could reach his upper chest, but now she could only reach his lower chest.
"It must be that Master has grown taller. Master, measure again."
Leila pressed closely against Locke, her little face blushing red.
Master smells so good.
This scene, falling into Tassanya’s eyes, further stimulated her frayed nerves.
This was the difference between life and death!
She was dying, and after this, she wouldn't be able to do a single thing anymore!!!
Her pupils quivered as she repeated over and over in her mind that she was going to die.
Her body shuddered with terror.
Then, in the next second, she lost consciousness once more.
"Gasp!!!"
With a violent thud of her heart,
she opened her eyes once again, the terror in her gaze even more profound.
Once more, and this time the frequency was even faster.
This meant she was drawing closer to death.
She didn't want to die, she didn't want to die!!!
The thought she had previously entertained in her heart—that death was not terrifying—was thrown to the winds; she didn't want to die!
Will someone save me? Will someone save me?!
I still don't want to die!!
Her dread of death reached its pinnacle, and under this stimulation, her tear ducts could no longer hold back. Tears gathered in her eyes, and a whimper escaped from her throat.
Hearing the sound, Locke walked over and looked at Tassanya with tears welling in her eyes, smiling as he said:
"Tassanya, why are you crying again? Is it because you're too happy about dying?"
Tassanya shook her head through her tears, just about to speak when Locke interrupted her.
"Never mind, I'm not interested in why you're crying. Keep it up, you should be dying soon, and your wish will be fulfilled immediately."
The words "dying soon" entered Tassanya's ears like a triggering keyword. Her pupils violently vibrated, and she opened her mouth, trying to call out to the turning Locke.
However, a wave of dizziness washed over her, and she passed out once again.
This time, the duration seemed much longer than the previous two. With a violent jolt in her chest, she opened her eyes once more.
By now, the word "death" had completely conquered her heart, and the terror had become crystal clear to the extreme.
She could no longer hold back; she was on the verge of a complete breakdown.
She didn't want to die! She really didn't want to die!!
What dignity? In the face of death, dignity was worth less than dogshit!!
Anyone could save her, as long as they let her live—even if it were the demon who had personally cast her into hell, she wouldn't care!
She looked at Locke, who was chatting with Leila over there, and spoke in a feeble voice:
"I... I beg you, let me go."
"Tassanya, what did you say? I didn't catch that."
Locke walked closer with a smile on his face.
Tassanya took a deep breath, mustered all her strength to stretch out a finger, and grabbed the hem of Locke's trousers:
"Please, let me go."
"Tassanya, you're really strange. Just a moment ago you asked me to kill you, and now you're asking me to let you go."
Locke lowered his head, looking at Tassanya—whose muscular physique contrasted sharply with her tear-filled eyes—and spoke softly:
"I'll give you a chance. Stand up right now, and I'll let you go."
Hearing this, a surge of intense hope flashed through Tassanya's heart.
Stand up, as long as she stood up, she could survive!
The yearning for life miraculously caused her hands to move once again, pressing down against the ground.
However, her body was already completely drained of strength. Her hands pressing against the ground naturally had no way to support her weight, especially with a broadsword still impaled in her abdomen.
Stand up, just stand up!
Failure after failure caused tears to roll down from her eyes continuously. The sensation of seeing the hope of life right before her eyes yet being unable to grasp it caused her tear ducts to completely collapse.
She couldn't do it, she couldn't do it!
Clearly, she just needed to stand up to live!
Yet she couldn't do it! She was going to die! She didn't want to die!
Tears streamed endlessly down both sides of her cheeks.
Until Locke appeared beside her and squatted down. To her incredulous gaze, he reached out, gently wiped the corner of her eye, and smiled as he said:
"Tassanya, your yearning for life has moved me. I'll give you one more chance. Become my thrall, and I will let you live."
"I'm willing!"
Without almost any hesitation, even though a thrall was no different from a slave, Tassanya wept with emotional relief, clutching tightly onto the hem of Locke's trousers:
"I beg you, I am willing to become your thrall."
To live, as long as she could live!
Anyone was fine!
As long as she could be allowed to live!!
Hearing this, Locke smiled and stood up, speaking with a grin:
"Are you willing to accept my sword-tapping ceremony?"
"I am willing!!"
Tassanya trembled all over with excitement.
Swish!!
Locke abruptly pulled the broadsword out from Tassanya's abdomen.
Blood gushed forth!
Yet Tassanya paid no heed to the pain in her abdomen, looking up at Locke with eager anticipation.
That was her only hope of survival—to live! As long as she could live!
She didn't even care how Locke intended to keep her alive.
Naturally, this was because at this moment, in Locke's eyes:
【Emotional State: Grateful, Submissive】
【Mental State: Completely Broken】
Tassanya only needed to concern herself with breaking down.
As for Locke, he had many things to consider: he needed to cast a healing spell every time Tassanya's mental state approached the brink of extinction, craft his PUA psychological tactics, and carefully choose his positioning and angles alongside Leila.
Fortunately, the result was a success; subduing Tassanya was a crucial step in the plan.
Locke gently rested the flat of the broadsword against Tassanya's shoulder and smiled as he spoke:
"Tassanya, after today, you shall take my will as your will, and my life as your life. You shall live on as my, Locke's, thrall, casting aside your ego and remaining forever loyal to me. Are you willing?"
"I am willing!"
As soon as Tassanya finished speaking, she turned her head and kissed the blade's edge.
【Enslavement】activated.
A bullseye on the first try.