Chapter 7: “The First Beast: Seras the Redcoil”

I never believed in reincarnation, fate, or any of those conveniently mystical ways the universe tries to justify its randomness. But maybe I should’ve—because the moment the serpent started speaking inside my head, I realized two things:

1. I wasn’t hallucinating.

2. My life had just officially gone off the rails.

“...We’ve met before, haven’t we?”

Her voice wasn’t loud. It didn’t echo. It just was. A whisper in my brain, like a thought that wasn’t mine. Soft. Serene. Dangerous.

My first reaction was to stand up and look around like a complete idiot. As if she was hiding behind a bush or something.

The big red-scaled serpent stared back at me, golden eyes glinting. Coils rested against the temple ruins we had taken shelter in. The faint red glow from earlier had returned, but more subtle now—like it had become part of her.

“I should’ve just died in that ravine,” I muttered.

:: That’s a terrible thing to say after saving me. ::

Yep. Definitely talking snake. Probably divine. Possibly eldritch.

Also, still better than Rein and the Hero Party. At least she hadn’t insulted my intelligence yet.

“You evolved,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “From the little serpent I saved... to this.”

I waved vaguely at her massive form, which had the kind of sleek, terrifying grace that made you unsure if you wanted to run away or pet her.

:: Seras. My name is Seras. And yes. I became what you needed. ::

“Oh great. A snake that adapts based on trauma. You’re like a spiritual emotional support animal with scales.”

She slithered closer, coils brushing the ancient stone as if testing her own power. Then, with a shimmer, she changed. The air rippled, and her form compressed, twisted—until standing before me was a tall woman.

Well. Mostly.

Her long hair gleamed the same shade of red as her scales. Gold slit-eyes blinked at me, and her body—ahem—was the kind of mature, seductive figure the system now loved to remind me I had “increased affinity” toward.

She wore minimal clothing. Just wrappings over the essential parts and some serpentine armor that didn’t do much to stop my teenage brain from imploding.

"Seriously?" I said, turning away. “This is sexual harassment. You’re my familiar. My magical beast. Not... this.”

:: Is this form displeasing? :: she asked, stepping closer.

“No, it’s the exact opposite of displeasing. It’s dangerously appealing,” I replied flatly. “And that’s the problem.”

She laughed softly. It was a warm sound—too warm. Something between motherly affection and seductive teasing. What kind of broken goddess made this my starter companion?

:: I took this form because it is familiar to you. Comforting. ::

My heart skipped.

“Familiar?” I echoed. “I don’t—”

:: You don’t remember... yet. But we’ve met before, when you were small. ::

More riddles. More half-truths. I was starting to get used to it.

I sat on a stone, ignoring how she knelt beside me like a loyal servant with predatory eyes. Every motion of hers screamed both “I will protect you” and “I might eat you alive.” Not metaphorically. Literally.

“Are you saying you were... my pet?”

:: Your guardian. ::

That made my stomach twist. Not out of fear—but confusion. Nostalgia? Guilt?

There was a faint warmth inside me when I looked at her. Like I had cried once, as a child, in the dark. And something had wrapped around me to keep me safe. A dream I forgot. But she remembered.

I didn’t like it. It felt too close.

“So, what now?” I muttered. “You follow me around like a glorified pet? Help me fight demons? Bathe in hot springs together for fanservice?”

She blinked slowly. Then smiled.

:: Is that an offer? ::

My brain froze. System pop-up followed.

> [Affinity Boost: Divine Familiar Seras - Favor Level Increased!]

“You saw her scales, but she saw your scars.”

New Title Earned: Serpent-Tamer of the Redcoil

“Great,” I groaned. “Now I’m getting titles from my beast blushing.”

Seras tilted her head. “I’m not blushing.”

“You are literally glowing red.”

“That’s my natural divine radiance.”

“Tell that to my nosebleed.”

She stepped forward, leaned down, and whispered, “Then perhaps I should dim it… Master.”

I flinched.

“Okay, never say that word again in that tone.”

She just smiled. Then, with a flicker of movement, she was back in her serpent form—still large, still intimidating, but at least not throwing erotic dialogue at me every five seconds.

The silence returned.

“...Thank you,” I muttered. “For choosing to stay. Even though I’m a mess.”

:: I chose you before you chose yourself. And I’ll do it again. ::

Her voice in my head was calm. Protective. Ancient.

Somewhere deep inside me, something stirred. A locked memory? A forgotten promise?

My hand touched the red pendant around my neck—the only thing left from my real family. I hadn’t even realized I was clutching it.

:: The Goddess wasn’t wrong, you know. You are her legacy. It’s in your blood. ::

I looked up.

“Then why the hell was I abandoned?”

Seras didn’t answer.

Maybe she couldn’t.

---

The stars had started to fade when I finally closed my eyes. Coiled beside me was a divine snake with a human woman’s soul. Bound to me. Loyal to me. Affectionate, apparently.

I should have felt triumphant. Like I’d finally begun my story.

Instead, all I could think of was this:

If she’s tied to my past…

Then how many more are?

And how many of them will want to “nurture” me too?

Because if that system prompt was telling the truth...

This was only the beginning of something I wasn’t ready for.

Not mentally.

And definitely not hormonally.

---