Lackey's Seducing Survival Odyssey

Chapter 882: Fu##! What have you done, Aether?: Part-4

”What are those?” Liora muttered, her brows furrowing deeply as her sharp eyes took in the bizarre sight before her. The surrounding reality itself seemed to be cracked like fragile glass, fractures spreading in every direction.

From within those eerie cracks, metallic chains slowly emerged, slithering into existence.

The metallic chains werenʼt like the Chains of Eternal Slave... No, they had a completely different feel. They were grey with a subtle hint of silver, resembling the smooth sheen of stainless steel.

”A-Aether?” Aria called out hesitantly, her voice laced with unease. She had a bad feeling about this.

Aetherʼs sharp gaze darted around, his senses on high alert. ʼLog? What the hell are those?ʼ he questioned inwardly, his muscles tensing as he readied himself for whatever was about to unfold.

[Cut Maelonaʼs source before they take her away!]

The moment Logʼs words echoed in his mind,

Clang... Clang...

One of the metallic chains suddenly shot forward, streaking through the air like a hunting predator—its target? Maelona, who was still trapped in the net!

Step!

Without a momentʼs hesitation, Aether flashed forward, appearing in front of Maelona just in time to shove her out of harmʼs way.

Thud!

”Everyone, do not let those damn chains catch her!” Aether shouted.

The group didnʼt understand what was going on, nor did they have the time to figure it out, but one thing was clear—Aetherʼs tone carried a level of dread that sent chills down their spines.

This was bad... Really fucking bad!

Lioraʼs body morphed in an instant, her form shifting into that of a massive wolf. Raven unsheathed her long, thin sword in a single fluid motion, while Thalia cracked her knuckles, the sharp sound of bone-on-bone echoing through the tense air as they all formed a protective circle around Maelona.

The metallic chains lunged toward them like striking vipers.

Liora growled and slashed out with her powerful claws, deflecting the chains with sheer force. Ravenʼs blade moved so fast it became a blur, slicing through the chains over a hundred times in mere seconds. Thalia, on the other hand, didnʼt bother with finesse—her fists hammered against the approaching chains with raw power, treating them like mere punching bags.

The chains shattered upon impact, breaking apart as if they were nothing more than fragile twigs. Even though they had felt solid like metal, they crumbled like brittle glass under their assault.

However—

[Cut the source, Aether! No one can stop them otherwise!!]

Logʼs voice was practically screaming inside his head now.

Aetherʼs eyes widened in shock as he watched in horror. The chains that had just been destroyed—shattered into countless pieces—began to move again. It was as if time itself was reversing.

The broken fragments reassembled, reforming into their original shape before launching toward them once more.

Aether clenched his jaw. This wasnʼt going to stop. ʼCut the source... What the hell is it?ʼ he muttered inwardly.

His gaze flickered to Aria, who was slowly approaching Maelona with hesitant steps.

”M-Mom... Itʼs me... Mom... itʼs me... your daughter... can you hear me?” Aria whispered, her voice trembling as she cautiously reached out toward her mother, whose sanity seemed to be lost.

”Aria, donʼt touch her!” Aether barked, his voice sharp and urgent as he took a step forward, trying to stop her.

But—

”Itʼs my mother... she wouldnʼt hurt me,” Aria said firmly, her voice shaking slightly but her resolve unwavering. She didnʼt know what had happened to her mother... but no matter what, she knew one thing for certain—her mother would never harm her.

That was her mother.

Ariaʼs fingers twitched as she slowly reached toward Maelona. ”Mom... Itʼs okay... Mom, no one is going to hurt you... Look at me,” she murmured softly, her voice laced with desperate hope. Her hand inched closer, almost touching the net that trapped Maelona.

A sharp, guttural screech escaped Maelonaʼs throat. ”Scrrch!” Her body flinched, recoiling slightly as Ariaʼs hand neared her. But then—

”Itʼs okay, Mom... Iʼm right here. I am your lovely daughter, Aria... You know itʼs me... Aria,” Aria whispered, her voice quivering, her eyes stinging with unshed tears. Seeing her mother like this... it was unbearable.

Aether kept his body tense, every muscle coiled, ready to act in an instant. His sharp eyes darted around, still searching for whatever ʼsourceʼ he needed to cut. Log had been screaming about it, but what the hell was it? His gaze finally landed on something—something that stood out amidst the chaos.

The unruffled butterfly wings.

His mind reeled. This had all started after that butterfly and Maelona drank his nectar... and now, those very butterfly wings were attached to her, pulsing with soft blue energy.

Aetherʼs stomach twisted.

ʼHow the hell did Maelona become stronger than a Sovereign just from drinking my nectar?!ʼ

His eye twitched in frustration.

ʼJust what the fuck is wrong with my pee-pee?!ʼ Aether mentally screamed, baffled beyond belief.

His dick was apparently causing more miracles than even he could comprehend!!

”Mom... Itʼs okay... I love you no matter what... Just calm down,” Aria murmured, her voice gentle, soothing, filled with nothing but raw emotion.

”Scrhh...” Maelona groaned again, her gaze locking onto Ariaʼs. Her pupils flickered, shifting slightly, as if something deep inside her was struggling to return.

She slowly leaned forward, her raised hand reaching toward Aria.

Aether narrowed his eyes.

Maelonaʼs wrist had been severed earlier—Raven had cut it off—but she didnʼt seem to be in pain at all. There was no hesitation, no reaction. It was as if she didnʼt even acknowledge the injury.

Still, Maelona just stared at Aria, her remaining hand moving closer and closer.

”Yes... thatʼs right...” Aria nodded encouragingly. But just as she felt a glimmer of hope, Maelona suddenly screeched, her eyes darting toward the net she was trapped in. Her face twisted with fury. ”No need to be afraid... Itʼs okay... See?” Aria said gently. With a simple snap—

The net vanished.

Aetherʼs entire body tensed... He had to stay on guard.

But seeing that Maelona wasnʼt making any sudden movements, he exhaled slowly. Aria was keeping her busy... This was his chance.

He moved carefully, quietly, positioning himself behind Maelona... He had to cut the source. That was the only way to end this.

”Nobody is going to hurt you...” Aria whispered as she inched closer. Her hand gently touched Maelonaʼs bleeding wrist... Seeing that caused her even more pain.

The moment their skin connected, something unnatural happened.

Ariaʼs hand darkened as if something was being drained from her. But she didnʼt flinch. She didnʼt even react. She simply held on, enduring the pain, forcing a soft smile onto her lips. ”Iʼm not going to hurt you, Mom.”

Maelona stiffened. A brief flicker of emotion passed over her face.

For a second—just a second—she calmed. She leaned into Ariaʼs warmth, her trembling form finally finding stillness.

Aether silently pulled a sword from his storage, his grip tightening as he carefully positioned himself, lining up the perfect angle to sever the butterfly wings. His sharp eyes locked onto the gap he needed to strike.... the point where the wings and her back flesh connected...

He raised his blade high—

Ssllcch!!

He slashed—

Or so he thought.

The moment his sword should have sliced through, a sudden resistance stopped it dead in its tracks. His brows furrowed in confusion. He tried to move, to push forward—but his weapon wouldnʼt budge.

A chilling sound echoed through the air.

Clink... Clank...

The source of the resistance became painfully clear.

Chains.

Metallic chains had wrapped themselves around his sword, tightening like a vice, rendering it completely immobile.

And it wasnʼt just his weapon—

Liora, Raven, and Thalia—who had been fiercely covering—were also caught. The chains coiled around them like living threads, weaving around their limbs, torsos, and throats with eerie precision.

They were bound.

Trapped.

Before, these chains had been easy to break. They had shattered effortlessly under their attacks.

But this time—

They couldnʼt even move a finger.

As if saying, once it bounded... it would not break or something!

Crack... Shsfftttrrr!

The sound of shattering steel echoed through the air as Aetherʼs sword splintered into countless fragments.

Maelonaʼs elven ears twitched at the sharp noise, her instincts immediately alerting her to danger. She spun around,

”Hah... Hello?” Aether muttered, his voice strained.

”SSSCCRRRRRCCHHHH!!” Maelonaʼs voice rang through the area as she flared her wings wide. Their radiance glowed even more as it fiercely flapped and shot towards the sky, her speed leaving behind a trail of shimmering dust.

”MOMMMM!!” Aria screamed, her voice thick with fear as she saw the chains lunging toward her mother, twisting and writhing like hungry beasts seeking their prey.

”Fuck!” Aether hissed, his body igniting with purple flames as he propelled himself forward with a powerful burst.

ʼFaster! Come on, faster!!ʼ Aetherʼs mind roared as he pushed himself to his limit, streaking through the air like a comet. Meanwhile, Aria seized Ravenʼs thin sword lying on the ground.

”I need this,” she muttered, securing it against her bow as she pulled back the string, aimed at the sky.

Above them, Maelona danced through the sky, twisting and rolling in a desperate attempt to escape. The chains pursued her relentlessly, striking at her from all angles, their movements almost sentient, anticipating her every maneuver.

She banked sharply to the right, her wings curving elegantly as she barely avoided a lash of shadowed metal.

Sssssshhhhhhhh!

Her wings hummed as she soared higher, reaching toward the vast sky where no fractures of reality marred the sky... But just as she was about to break free, the atmosphere itself convulsed. The sky groaned as cracks splintered through its fabric, an unseen force tearing it apart and shooting directly down at her.

From the ruptures, more chains erupted, piercing through space with unnatural precision.

She had no time to react before one of the chains coiled around her throat, yanking her back with brutal force.

”SCCCRRRRCCCCCHHHHHHHH!!!” She shrieked in agony, her body thrashing as she clawed at the chain. The metallic grip burned against her skin, sending jolts of pain through her.... She flailed, trying to free herself, but the more she struggled, the tighter it became.