SHE RAN AS FAR AS her feet could drag her. Twigs were slapping, whacking, and hitting her face, and stones were digging her skin underneath her feet. But no matter how painful it was or how tired she felt, she continued to run.The unknown creature followed suit, but unlike her, it was chuckling while it pursued her. It didn't even feel tired or exhausted. Instead of feeling all those things, it was relishing every moment. Like its prey's anguish was what's making it more eager to continue the chase."Ah!" The young girl groaned. The pain from her knee to the shin crawled like a giant needle pricked her. But instead of giving it her attention, she focused on crawling away from her pursuer.Using a tree as a support, she tried to stand up. But she slumped back to the ground due to exhaustion, pain, and most especially fear. When her efforts to escape were made futile, all she could do was cry and wait for her end. She closed her eyes tightly, hoping that it would end quickly and painle
“Don’t expect,” Euben said, “to be picked as the next katona with this kind of ability. Heck! Don’t even expect to survive as a night hunter if you’re going to do this. You’ll not only let yourselves get killed, but you’ll end up dragging everyone’s feet.”After that, he left.Finn sighed. Even though Euben wasn’t looking at him, he knew that those words were meant for him. He didn’t even have to say his name. Euben already showed his distaste towards him since the beginning.“I’m sorry,” Day mumbled. “It’s my fault. I couldn’t even do one simple task.” Trying her best not to cry, Day ended up on her knees while holding her mouth. She stifled a cry, not able to suppress her feelings any longer.Finn walked towards her, and tried to console her. “No. It’s my fault for attacking without thinking first. We both didn’t know that he’s carrying a sword with him.”“He’s not carrying it with him,” Kiel stated. “It was hidden behind his back so we didn’t see it. It’s another spell to hide obje
The search for Limos, one of the four arc shadows, became easier after defeating Thanatos. After all, they seldom venture far from each other.“It’s not like they have anywhere else to go,” said Day. “They can only go here in Flexure to hide. Going to Parastin and Banhar to hide would be difficult for them, since security is tighter, and most of the most skilled elite army are stationed there.”“What about in Fract?” asked Finn. He didn’t mean to mention the place, so he almost scolded himself. He was just curious why they seldom talk about the place, and they didn’t even consider the place as a hiding place for the criminals.“The four arc shadows are originally from here, so they hate that place like all of us.” Day said that in a matter-of-fact tone.Rina continued nonchalantly, “I’d rather hide in Banhar too where the higher-ups are living than go to that filthy place.”Finn clenched his fist to prevent himself from saying anything reckless. He didn’t want to keep asking questions
As the group traversed through the dark and chilly mountain, Kiel could feel it: the eerie sensation under his skin, brought by excitement and anticipation. There was something in this place that he couldn’t put his fingers on. Something mysterious that he couldn’t wait to see.Aside from the rustling of trees and the cold breeze, there was nothing on this mountain. At least something that they couldn’t see.The mountains at Fract were as dark and as chilly as this one, but Finn could tell that it was definitely different here. He could feel the hair at the back of his neck standing, and he felt like someone was watching him from behind. But whenever he would look back, he would see nothing but the creepy branches of the trees that looked like fingers and faces. He swore they were alive.When the wind blew harsher, they all stopped and covered their eyes to prevent dirt and dust from getting in. But they were all sent flying when a sudden gust of wind hit them, like someone threw the
“I heard a lot of things about Thanatos,” Day started after everyone settled inside their room. They spoke in low voices so as to not disturb the two new workers from next door. The rooms weren’t soundproof, and there might be someone who would eavesdrop on whatever they would be talking about tonight.“He’s a former dragoon,” she added.“We discovered,” Honey said, “that the four arc shadows are former night hunters. Meaning, the other three might also be skilled hunters like us, or maybe even better.”Finn looked away. This might be more dangerous for him than he thought. But knowing that these three would be with him for his new mission somehow lessened the doubts he was feeling a moment ago.“The Nokogiri mountain,” Finn said. “Someone saw one of the four arc shadows on their way there. I’m not really sure if what I gathered is reliable, though.”“That’s fine,” Day said. “We can always confirm it as long as we have a lead.”Their heads shot up to the window when it opened abruptl
Sphere opened his eyes slowly, trying to make out her surroundings. They were no longer in their opulent mansion. Instead of the familiar white and blue, the environment was now vibrant and colorful. Strange creatures, some with two, four, or many legs, roamed the area. "Oof!" she grunted as something heavy hit her stomach. "Sorry," a voice apologized. She looked at the person beside her and realized she wasn't alone in this crowded place they found themselves in. She wiped his face and stood up. She left the captain, who followed suit. "What's your plan?" Jikan asked while observing the surroundings. They went to a part of the place where many homes were visible. Structures almost covered the moon. Many people were just preparing to close their shops, but there were some who were just about to open. "I don't know." "You don't know?" Sphere just nodded and continued walking. "Why did you leave the palace if you didn't know what you were going to do?" "That's the point. I didn
“Let’s go,” said Euben, not looking back even once to wait for the others. He hid his face with the mask and placed his hood securely. “Aren’t we going to wait for them?” Rina asked while pointing at the headquarters where Day and the others were preparing. “No need to do that. We won’t need them.” After waving towards the others, Rina looked ahead and walked beside him with her hands inside her pockets. “I know that, but it’ll be fun if we do it with the others.” He scoffed. “You just want the newbie to watch and praise you.” Grinning, she said, “That’s a given, you know. I want him to see how good I am at fighting.” They jumped from one roof to another, and Rina just followed him. It looked like Euben already knew where to start. Or maybe he already started. “He already knows that. He was gaping at your fight a while ago and can’t help admiring you. Dude’s almost drooling.” Rina beamed, “Really? I didn’t see that.” “You were too focused on the fighting. How the hell will yo
When Finn’s group reached the town, they used their masks to cover their faces. Instead of walking like normal mortals, they hid behind shadows. They hopped and jumped from one roof to another. And it was only possible since the houses here were almost the same height.They needed to find information about the Four Arc Shadows, who escaped from the Aysgarth Prison. Day already oriented Finn about the four prisoners, and they just had to gather information from the townspeople.“This is where we separate,” Day said. “After an hour of gathering information, we’ll get back here at this inn and discuss what we’ve gathered.” Finn raised his hand. “No need to raise your hand. Just speak your mind.”Kiel snorted. “Are you in grade school?”Finn ignored him. “Can we not use a disguise while gathering information? I think it’ll be more effective for me to ask around instead.”Day nodded. “It’s up to you on how you’ll do it. Just don’t get caught and act like a normal mortal.” He nodded. “Any m
Thunders roared as smoke and fog covered the already dark sky. The bright moon glared at the Tempest castle that stood on the highest mountain of Izvor. Ravens and bats flew out of the cave when the mountain shook. Hundreds of decades-old trees from the forest surrounding the mountain swayed like it was going to uproot from the ground.Penelope Tempest stood abruptly at her throne, hands shaking with rage because of the news everyone seemed to be used to."Where the hell is my goddamn daughter this time?!" she growled, throwing the glass of wine at the person in front.Jikan Kyojin closed his eyes and hissed when the glass hit his face. His face sizzled as the shards slowly dropped on the ground. He grimaced as the wounds started to heal.For a small and petite mortal, Penelope's strength is something else."The heiress is at the front gate, stuck, and wouldn't be able to open it, your highness," Jikan answered in the smallest and softest voice he could possibly mutter."Well then, br
Finn held his chest, trying to stop the fast pounding of his heart. But it was futile. He could hear it throb faster and faster as time went by. Who wouldn’t? He was facing their instructor right now.Seeing Ronim’s missing leg, Finn tried to convince himself that he could somehow put up a good fight despite being a newbie. But this was their instructor. He was no instructor without a reason. After years and years of teaching night hunters, he must have seen a lot already. Finn believed that experience was second to hard work, not talent.Whether he admitted it or not, there was a possibility as well that Ronim was a good fighter not just because of experience. Someone was telling Finn that there was something about Ronim that was why he became an instructor of night hunters. He just couldn’t put his finger to it yet.Finn stared at the gun he was holding. He decided to pick this since this was his best choice right now. He wouldn’t have to attack Ronim head on with this. He couldn’t