“Haah, they’ll catch up soon!”
May Plov, running through the streets of Batian, yelled out in frustration, but all she got in return were disapproving glares from the people around her.
“I’m sorry for causing this.”
“It’s fine, just keep running for now!”
“Okay!”
She shouted to Lucia while exhaling heavily, but deep down, May knew that if someone asked her to explain why she was in this situation, she wouldn’t be able to.
A dagger whizzed past her ears from behind.
It lightly grazed her hair, making a few strands of her reddish-brown locks flutter down like a paper boat into the sky.
Glaring at the dagger stuck in the ground, May’s eyes widened in shock.
“That crazy bastard!”
Who does something like this in the middle of the city?
But due to the crowds caused by the saint election, the dagger disappeared, trampled underfoot.
Yet, with so many people around, she found it hard to believe that someone would have the audacity to throw a dagger at her with such precision.
‘What the hell is going on?’
Why.
Why did this happen?
Let’s rewind 30 minutes back.
Sitting squatted in an alley, May was chewing on candy while sharing her story with Lucia, whose eyes sparkled as she tucked her hands into her jumper.
“Wow, you saved her just like that?”
“Yeah. Honestly, I had been unsure about my feelings until that moment. It’s like I finally realized I liked him.”
It was the story of how Daniel McLean had rescued her when she was kidnapped by Zavalanco, a former pirate officer.
“Living so romantically at 18, huh?”
That moment when Daniel had removed her blindfold with a smile was etched deeply in May’s memory.
“That’s so cool! Did you come on this field trip too? I’d love to see you again.”
“No, I couldn’t make it this time.”
“Oh, that’s too bad.”
What if she told Lucia that Daniel was excluded from the field trip for causing trouble at the Academy?
Lucia’s face would probably twist in shock, but May didn’t feel the need to go that far.
Ending the story neatly would leave a better memory for both of them.
Tilting her head slightly, May looked at Lucia. Her bangs covered her eyes, but she spoke without hesitation.
“Speak casually. You’re 18 too, right?”
“Well, yes, but…”
“Forget it, just do it.”
“…Okay, got it!”
Seeing Lucia surprisingly pleased, May couldn’t help but smirk. Just when she thought she might invite her out for a meal…
The shadow of a man loomed over the alley.
His elongated shadow felt like it could swallow the two girls whole.
“What’s going on?”
Was that the fifth-year Talois here to bother them again? But this guy was built differently.
He was a fighter who relied on his hefty physique, but the man blocking the alley looked lanky, hooded in a robe.
‘…This is serious.’
Instinctively sensing a chilling aura, May realized she had become the back-alley queen.
“Who are you? Do you know May?”
Asked Lucia with concern, thinking they were about to get into a fight, but oddly, the man pointed at the blonde girl.
“If you leave that girl, I’ll pretend I didn’t see anything.”
“What?”
Is he telling me to leave Lucia behind?
May frowned and was about to demand an explanation, but a dagger whizzed past her ear.
“…!”
“I won’t say it twice. Get lost.”
Casting a quick glance at Lucia, May silently asked if she knew anything, but Lucia merely shook her head, clueless.
‘This guy isn’t just some random punk.’
Swallowing hard, May felt an unsettling prick at her back.
“Phew, okay. I’m not planning on risking my life for someone I just met today. I’m outta here.”
May quickly turned and dashed out of the alley. Lucia wanted to run too, but the oppressive presence paralyzed her movements.
“Helios’ nun, Lucia, right? You’re the nun who’s a candidate for the saint position this time.”
“Ah…”
An assassin!
What had felt like a vague fear now gripped Lucia’s legs like sticky molasses, and she was overwhelmed by sheer helplessness, as if a chain was tightening around her body.
Breathing was becoming difficult.
It felt like her heart was caught in a vice.
“Wh-what to do.”
Nuns always kept their identities hidden. Even among their ranks, they didn’t know who their competitors were.
It was meant as a precaution for situations like this.
How the hell was he able to find her?
At the moment Lucia was flailing in helplessness…
Thwack!
A rock the size of a fist flew through the air and slammed into the man’s head.
Guh!
The man staggered, looking around, but May was already kicking him in the chest with enhanced physical prowess boosted by her mana.
The assassin tumbled to the ground.
May grabbed Lucia’s hand and bolted out of the alley.
“Let’s go!”
“May, wait!”
Why was she doing this?
Even May didn’t fully understand why she was acting this way.
The old May would have ignored it all and stayed out of unnecessary trouble.
‘They say you become like those you like.’
Having developed a fondness for a meddlesome guy who gets involved in other people’s affairs, she felt she had become similar.
And we return to the beginning.
Looking at the strands of her hair slightly cut by the dagger thrown by the pursuing assassin, May bit her lip.
“That bastard is warning me.”
“Huh?”
In response to Lucia, who seemed completely oblivious, May explained to help her understand.
“Throwing a dagger like that in a crowd means he’s confident in his skills. But he didn’t hit me.”
“…”
“He’s telling me to ditch you right now. That bastard is really looking down on people.”
“May, I actually…”
“I heard you earlier.”
Lucia, who was about to reveal her identity, just received a nonchalant response from May.
“Who would’ve thought I’d befriend one of the hottest people in Batian?”
“Friend…”
Lucia pondered over the word. May sighed as she looked around.
‘This is really dangerous.’
She wanted to call the guards, but any hint of that might result in a dagger in May’s neck.
‘It looks like the goal is to kidnap Lucia.’
He could kill her at any moment if he wanted, but the fact that he was giving warnings hinted at some kind of intention.
“Yikes!”
If she hadn’t dodged, that would have embedded itself right in her shoulder.
If the ruckus drew attention, that guy would kill her without hesitation. Amidst a crowd, it was a moment of loneliness for May to ponder her next move.
“Oh, this ice cream is really delicious.”
A female student’s voice rang out distinctly amidst the crowd.
Elise, the owner of radiant blonde hair, was speaking to herself in front of an ice cream shop with no one around, and she winked at May.
“If you turn left at the skewered meat restaurant at that intersection, eating in the alley would make it taste even better.”
“What are you talking about, miss?”
The ice cream shop owner looked confused, but May couldn’t help but stifle a laugh, saying some unmentionable words.
“How did you know? You’re a lifesaver.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“I mean someone’s come to help.”
Without wasting any time, May dashed toward the intersection, immediately turning left into the visible alley where the skewered meat shop stood.
The man, who was chasing right behind her, pulled out a dagger, thinking there wouldn’t be any people around to act boldly.
“Long time no see, Den.”
“…..”
Like snow falling from the sky.
Sen, a former member of the Chokugen Faction, appeared with her white hair billowing as she plunged a dagger into Den, who staggered as the knife embedded in his shoulder caused him to lose his balance.
“Sen?”
May turned to check Sen’s back. Although she had hoped someone would come to help as Elise mentioned, she never expected it would be Sen.
“Go on, I have some business with this guy.”
Without even giving Den a glance, Sen coolly spoke. May hesitated for a moment but then tightened her grip on Lucia’s hand and took off again.
“Thanks! I’ll treat you to a meal later!”
As May and Lucia vanished, Sen slowly steadied herself.
Den.
In order to stop the bleeding, he took off his robe’s hood, revealing his strangely disheveled white hair, similar to Sen’s.
“Sen, traitor. I got reports that you might be here.”
“You’ve formally joined the ranks, I see.”
“Unlike you, I’ve sworn my loyalty.”
Despite Den’s provocation, Sen’s expression remained unchanged as she inquired.
“I’m curious why the Chokugen Faction is after that girl. Care to share?”
“You crazy girl, do you really think I’d tell you that?”
Den scoffed, but Sen nodded, unfazed, and stepped forward.
“You’ve always been below me, yet you’ve tried to sound so convincing.”
“Shut up, you think you can talk down to me now that I’m a member…!”
Den’s vision began to blur.
The intense pain from his shoulder wound hit him, causing even the seasoned Chokugen member to emit a pained groan.
Grrrg!
“See, just like before, and even now. You were always beneath me.”
Den couldn’t comprehend what was happening. But one thing was clear: he hadn’t even been able to mount a proper resistance before getting defeated.
“Jeeez! If I hadn’t been ambushed, I wouldn’t be injured!”
“Another excuse.”
Sen stomped down harshly on the wound on his shoulder, and despite Den screaming and writhing in agony, she showed no sign of sympathy.
Meeting Daniel McLean had temporarily allowed her to forget her former self, and Sen pushed to end the situation as quickly as possible.
“…..Huh?”
It was uniquely violet.
Like a child carelessly drawing lines on paper with a pen.
A soft line grazed Sen, and a small hole appeared in her side.
“Madame?”
As she fell back, Sen locked eyes with the second-in-command of the Chokugen Faction, who stood at the end of the alley, draped in a purple umbrella, then closed her eyes for good.
