"You don't seem as surprised as the mermaid," Jugi remarked, pointing to Kiana, whose mouth hung open in shock.

"I already had my suspicions about this whole 'Justice of the gods against heroes' business. Because of the gods summoned heroes couldn't they just send them back to their world? So why did they choose not to? Were they so dumb that they couldn't choose the character of the person from another world? Couldn't they use some sort of truth magic or something. Too many questions in this entire situation of the world wars," Aurianna chuckled. "And I'm sure there's more you're not telling me. Now that I'm your master, I can tell when you're lying," she added, her gaze sharp.

"Well, I might have been a bit arrogant in my younger days," Jugi admitted whiles scratching his head, but the skeptical stares from Aurianna and Kiana told him they weren't buying it.

"Alright, fine, I was super arrogant! I mean, I saved tons of people, and..." As he spoke, Aurianna and Kiana's suspicious looks deepened as they continued eating, making Jugi nervous. He hesitated before reluctantly admitting, "Well, I killed more than I saved. I got addicted to that feeling, and that's how I ended up here."

"You pretty much deserved that," Kiana scoffed. "I read that you heroes committed genocide back in those days. Most people who do that end up dead. I guess the folks from the Ruin were just lucky everyone was too tired from the war," Kiana revealed, prompting Aurianna to nervously cough under Zagan's scrutinizing stare.

"What's the problem, Zagan?" Aurianna asked, her voice cracking.

"Peh, pot calling the kettle black," he huffed, causing Aurianna to stare at him in shock.

"I know I was evil in the past, but I’m a changed man now!" Jugi declared with sparkling eyes, though Aurianna and Kiana’s doubtful gazes remained fixed on him.

"You girls are so mean," Jugi mumbled, his eyes welling up with tears.

"Let's finish eating so we can move on to the second trial," Aurianna stated, quickly devouring the rest of her meal.

Three hours later, they stood before the door, which opened before them. As they stepped inside, they were met by a bizarre sight: a ruin bathed in pink and bright colors, so intense that Aurianna felt dizzy just looking at it.

[ Welcome to the second Ruin of Avriel Kazan the Tamer. Crazy how you all made it this far. ]

[ Aurianna, you're definitely suspicious. (⁠눈⁠‸⁠눈⁠) ] The angels said, eyeing her warily.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

"Like I said, I'm just a genius!" Aurianna declared proudly. Kiana, Jugi, Boara, and Zagan gave her flat stares, but Hadina looked at her with admiration.

"I'll join you, so there's no need for us to fight!" declared a mature voice trying so hard to be cute voice. Before them stood a voluptuous, fair-skinned woman with slanted green eyes and curly brown hair.

"Huge... bondonkers! And where are your clothes, lady?!" Aurianna yelled, her face flushing as she noticed Avriel was only wearing a bikini.

"These are my clothes!" Avriel stated proudly.

"That's underwear, not clothes!!" Aurianna shouted.

"Wait, let me add a finishing touch," Avriel said before swimming behind a rock. When she emerged, she wore a long pink coat, puffing out her chest proudly.

"Wearing a coat that's open to show your underwear doesn't make it any better!" Aurianna yelled in frustration.

"This is a bikini, by the way. It totes makes me look cute!" Avriel replied in a cutesy voice, which only deepened everyone's frowns.

"You're far from cute!" Aurianna retorted.

"That's totes mean, child. What happened to kids respecting their elders?" Avriel asked, crossing her arms with a snort.

"You're far from being an elder!" Aurianna shot back, noting that Avriel looked like a woman in her twenties, even though she knew Avriel was much older.

"I don't want her in the group, it's not fair!" Aurianna whined, pointing at Hadina with teary eyes and looking toward Eva.

"Aurianna, stop being jealous," Boara and Eva said in unison, their voices flat.

"I'm not jealous, but I don't want her here anymore!" Aurianna yelled, throwing a tantrum.

"Ahh, what a cutie, so totes awesome!" Avriel giggled, hugging Aurianna tightly and catching her off guard.

‘I didn't even notice her get so close to me!’ Aurianna thought, her nerves on edge.

"Let go of me, lady! You're suffocating me! And put on some clothes, you exhibitionist!" Aurianna yelled as she struggled free from Avriel's embrace.

"I'm totes not an exhibitionist, but wearing full-length clothes underwater is seriously icky," Avriel sighed. "How do you all feel comfortable in those kinds of clothes? They totes look uncomfortable," Avriel said, her voice cracking a bit.

"Also, Boara, I find her adorable. Come on, give me that mark already! I'm totes looking forward to it," Avriel said eagerly, pointing to her eye.

‘Too easy,’ Aurianna thought.

‘Way too easy,’ Jugi thought as well.

"Do you have some sort of hidden agenda?" Aurianna asked, giving Avriel a suspicious look. Avriel stared back coldly.

"Of course not! I was just totes seduced by you!" Avriel said with a cheerful voice, prompting Aurianna to give her a disgusted look.

"Get away from me, you pervert!" Aurianna snapped, distancing herself from Avriel.

"Oh, come on, kid! It’s totes not like that. This bad Ruin atmosphere has totes ruined my nails, hair, and skin. I need a refreshing environment. Living in water is totes not my style," Avriel sighed.

"She's weird," Aurianna mumbled.

"That's my former master for you," Boara chuckled.

"I don't like this woman, Master. It's obvious she wants to steal you away from me and take my spot! Using that evil body to tempt you, Master," Hadina cried from behind Kiana, glaring at Avriel.

‘Hadina I think you're misunderstanding your relationship with Aurianna,’ Kiana thought blankly.

"What's wrong with that octo girl? She's totes freaking me out," Avriel said nervously.

"Hadina, stop it," Aurianna said, her tone tired.

"Alright, Master!" Hadina beamed.

"So, come on, cutie, let's hurry and get out of here," Avriel said with a smile.

‘She gives me the creeps,’ Aurianna thought as she stared at Avriel.