"One soul?" Ryu stared at Velista, his eyes blazing with confusion and anger. "Explain it to me. Now!"
Velista returned his gaze, a faint smile on her lips, yet her eyes were cold—hard as frozen crystal in a lightless winter.
"So you want to know?" she whispered slowly, her voice sweet like poison. "Very well. But once you know… you won't be able to run anymore."
Ryu swallowed. His eyes widened, his body tensing.
Velista stepped closer, smiling faintly. But before another word could leave her lips—
Creeeak!
The old wooden door groaned open. A gust of cold air swept inside. Velista instantly turned, her gaze sharpening, her eyes darkening.
A man in a black jacket stepped in with a thin smile.
"Hello. I've arrived, my Queen," he said calmly.
In an instant, Velista raised her hand.
The air trembled.
Blaaam!
The man was violently hurled backward, his body smashing against the stone wall. He struggled, clutching his throat—even though Velista hadn't moved an inch. The choking force came from afar, telekinetic power crushing his windpipe and lungs as if the world itself had wrapped its fingers around him.
"Hahaha…" Velista let out a short laugh, her eyes gleaming. "Where have you been, bastard?"
Ryu could only stare in horror.
"Y-Your Majesty… please… release your grip…" the man coughed, his face reddening, voice hoarse with pain.
Velista slowly lowered her hand. He dropped to the floor, gasping like someone dragged up from the ocean's depths.
"You're late," Velista said flatly as she walked back toward Ryu, her fingers brushing his face—gentle, yet cold. "No report. And worst of all… you startled my guest."
Ryu turned his face away, rejecting her touch.
The man bowed deeply. "I was delayed dealing with two mages who killed the troops you assigned to me, my Queen."
Ryu's expression instantly changed. His jaw tightened, his eyes burning red as he glared at Velista.
"So you're the mastermind behind all this?!" he shouted.
Velista looked at him without emotion.
Suddenly—
Blaaagh!
Her foot slammed into his face. Ryu was thrown backward, blood spraying from his lips.
Velista pressed her right foot against his mouth, forcing it shut.
"I told you not to scream…" Her voice was soft, cold, razor-sharp.
Without even looking at her subordinate, she asked, "Well?"
"I merely had a little fun with them," the man replied, still bowing. "I wanted to test their strength. But when Your Majesty summoned me through energy, I had no time to kill them."
Inside, he cursed. I didn't even get to see their faces beneath those masks…
Velista slowly removed her foot.
But before Ryu could catch his breath, he shouted again, blood dripping from his lips.
"Bastard! If you're behind this, I'll kill you! Do you know what you've done?! You sacrificed countless lives—including my family, you monster!"
BANG!
Velista kicked him again, his head smashing against the wall. Blood splattered.
She pressed her foot over his mouth once more—harder this time.
"Noisy," she muttered coldly.
She exhaled softly. "Haa… whatever."
Turning slightly toward her subordinate, she added, "Leave. I want to be alone with him."
The man glanced once at Ryu's bloodied body and nodded quickly.
"Very well. But don't take too long."
He closed the door and left.
"Tch… whether it's short or long is up to me," Velista muttered, rolling her eyes.
---
Outside the Old House
The man walked through the thick fog, letting out a long breath as he tried to calm himself.
But his steps halted when he heard faint noises from a storage shed behind the house.
Screams… male voices.
Curiosity overpowered fear.
He slowly opened the door—
And froze.
Inside, two naked men were bound. Their bodies were covered in wounds. Blood pooled on the floor. Parts of their limbs had been… severed.
One twitched weakly. The other was barely alive.
The man quickly shut the door, his face pale.
"My God…" he hissed. "That woman… is terrifying."
He leaned against the wall, staring at the sky.
"If I ever cross her… my fate will be worse than theirs," he muttered bitterly.
---
Back Inside
Velista stared at Ryu's unconscious body.
"Ahh… what is this? Just two kicks and you're already out?" she scoffed, flicking his head lightly as if inspecting a broken doll.
Suddenly—
BRAGH!
Ryu's eyes snapped open, and he lunged at her. The movement was fast, instinctive—pure survival reflex.
In slow motion, Velista spun lightly, evading with the grace of flowing water. Ryu nearly touched her shoulder—
SLAP!
Her fist crashed into his head. The impact was heavy. Ryu fell to the floor again, weak.
"Tch… you tricked me," Velista said coldly. "What kind of cheap tactic was that?"
She crouched down, her face close to his as he gasped for air.
"Listen carefully," she whispered softly, laced with threat. "Tomorrow, I will show you something. Something that will answer all your questions… and perhaps destroy everything you think you know."
She smiled faintly, her cold fingers brushing his cheek.
Ryu glared at her, lips trembling with fury.
"Bastard…" he hissed weakly.
---
Meanwhile — Monster Hunter Camp
Night had fallen. The moon hid behind gray clouds. The bonfire crackled softly in the castle courtyard.
Evelyn sat leaning against a large tree, staring blankly at the sky. The night wind gently moved her black hair. The others had already returned inside to rest.
Leon approached carefully.
"Evelyn… you're not sleeping?" he asked gently. "It's dangerous to stay outside alone. Come inside."
She shook her head slowly. "Don't worry, Leon. I just need some time alone. Go rest first. I'll be fine."
Leon sighed. "Promise you won't stay too long. You might catch a cold."
Evelyn gave a faint smile. "Yeah… thank you."
Leon walked away reluctantly. From the castle window, he continued watching her.
"Ryu… do you even know how much she worries about you?" he murmured. "You're so oblivious, my friend…"
---
Moments later, Julian and Ethan approached.
"Hey, Evelyn!" they greeted together.
She crossed her arms lazily.
"Don't be so sad," Julian said casually. "You've got us. Besides, what's so special about that weakling Ryu? Why worry so much?"
The air grew still.
"Stop talking about Ryu like that," Evelyn said coldly. "If you came here just to get closer to me, leave now before I lose my patience."
They exchanged pale looks.
"A-ah, we didn't mean—"
BAM!
Evelyn kicked Ethan in the chest, then spun and punched Julian's jaw. Her movements were precise and swift—high-level combat technique in every strike.
They rolled across the ground in pain.
"You don't know who I am, do you?" Evelyn said coldly, her eyes glinting like ice.
"A-alright! We're leaving!"
They scrambled up and ran.
Leon watched from the window, smirking faintly.
"Idiots," he muttered.
---
Near the bonfire, Jake and Akira sat watching the glowing embers.
"Do you have a plan, Commander?" Akira asked calmly.
Jake did not answer immediately. He simply stared into the fire, orange light reflecting in his steady eyes.
"Tell me," he said quietly, "who do you think our real enemy is?"
Akira narrowed his eyes. "Hard to say. This world is unpredictable."
Jake smiled faintly. "If the world is unpredictable… then perhaps we must become just as unpredictable."
Akira remained silent.
"Tomorrow," Jake continued, "you will lead the troops to search for Ryu. I… will handle something else."
"You have a hidden plan, don't you, Commander?" Akira asked.
Jake's gaze remained on the flames.
"Yes. I plan to capture Velista… and rescue Ryu at the same time."
Akira nodded slowly. "I hope it succeeds."
Jake looked toward the dark forest in the distance. The wind stirred the flames as if responding to his thoughts.
"Velista… will you take the bait tomorrow?" he murmured inwardly.
"We shall see."
To be continued…