The Kingdom of Invention (2)

The light slowly fades, when the beggars led them into the deep narrow tunnel behind a weathered stone wall.

The walls of the tunnel started pressing in close, with only faint flickers of light from makeshift lanterns danging on the rusted hooks along the way.

Just ahead, the scraggly-haired man slowed his steps, seemingly holding on to something from his waist.

Then, a few other men gathered closely effectively blocking the tunnel behind Seon and Yunnie.

Finally, the men revealed their twisted smile.

"Well, looks like we've reached the end of the line." One of the men said. "Now, if you don't mind handing over those valuables, it'll save us all a lot of trouble."

Yunnie's hand went instinctively to his coin pouch and was about to willingly offer their money as tribute. But Seon immediately stopped him from doing so. Staring at him with a dead look in her eyes.

"Seriously, are you dumb?" She asked Yunnie who was cowering in fear.

"B-but" Yunnie tried to explain but he ended up swallowing his words after Seon practically about to grill him with her gaze.

"Oh dear," After dealing with Yunnie's fear, Seon sighed, tilting her head, popping her bones from her arms and neck. "And here I thought you'd be our guides."

"Guides? Sure, sweetheart—we'll guide you right to the afterlife—"

CRACK!!!

Seon's fist struck the man's chin, sending his body crashing into the ceiling. The impact cracked the ceiling above, leaving his body sprawled across it.

"HUH?"

Every thug man seemingly had their jaws wide open, and eyes about to leave their sockets, as they watched one of their brothers defeated easily by a single, fragile-looking woman.

"Humu~humu~, my strength is slowly getting better huh" Seon smiled satisfied as she waved her arms.

While Yunnie's hand trembled, probably not because of the thugs- but how he was reminded of getting beaten up by Seon the same way from the past.

With hesitation, he stepped behind and hid in one of the abandoned boxes.

'Whatever happened to them, I'm outta here'

Finally, the pitiful look she was showing a while ago, was replaced with a smile that promised no mercy.

Veins start throbbing on her forehead, as she crack her fingers all together.

"Y-YOU!"

One thug lunged, swinging a dagger toward her, but Seon sidestepped dodging it with ease. She drove her elbow into his gut, sending him reeling backward.

Thud!

Another thug charged from her right, but before he could even raise his weapon, she spun, her heel connecting with his jaw in a sharp kick that left him crawling.

Pang!

A third thug tried his luck from behind, hoping to catch her off guard. But even without Seon's Pre-Guess uniqueness, she already sensed its presence. She caught his wrist mid-swing, twisted it with a sharp crack, and then shoved him aside, watching as he crumpled against the wall.

Crack!

The last of the thugs, realizing the hopelessness of the fight, turned and ran. Their footsteps echoed frantically in panic as they tried to escape.

However, that only made Seon reveal a blood-lusted smile as she chased over them almost like a ghostly beast.

"Hey, where are you going?"

In a single bound, she closed the distance, her hand reaching out as she grabbed them by the collar. She yanked the two back, twisting them off of their feet, then with a powerful kick, sent them spiraling down the tunnel until the two collided with each other.

"Ugh!"

The dust settled as Seon dusted off her hands, casting a glance back at the mess of groaning thugs sprawled across the floor.

With a faint smirk, she began examining the collapsed bodies, stripping them one by one, taking their possessions and money.

"Hm~ I hope these beggars looted a lot today"

Yunnie who watched everything unfolded could only keep hiding from his spot until Seon was done collecting.

"Rest in peace..."

******

Back in the nameless village,

In one of the modest rooms, Flour'e sat by a small wooden desk and focused on the single paper on her table. Her quill scratched gently against parchment as she penned her letter to her sister, Seon.

__________________

Sister... I hope this message finds you well,

Flour'e and everyone had been missing you! Grandfather Ortos told me that you might have already visited the Kingdom Loerei.

Oh oh! I'm so jealous! Can sister also bring me on her journey?

Sister you did not forget our promise right? I've kept the pouch hidden very well.

Flour'e will try to be a good girl until sister returns.

Oh also, Flour'e found a friend! She's a traveler who ended up getting lost and came across the village.

I'm sure, sister will like Lilith, she's a nice friend! She even suggested a flower to give to you.

I hope you will return soon!

Love... Flour'e

__________________

She set down her quill and read over her words one last time.

A small smile tugged at her lips as she admired the letter, filled with all the thoughts she wanted to share with Seon.

Satisfied, Flour'e folded the paper, sealing it with a single petal of wolfsbane pressed over the wax.

Across the table sat a young girl with bright yellow hair. She looked up at Flour'e and smiled.

"Are you done?"

Flour'e handed the letter to the child, who took it and traced her fingers over its folds.

"Do you think Sister will like the flower, Lilith?" Flour'e asked.

"I'm sure the 'Prophet' will love it."

A spark of excitement rose in Flour'e, as she was about to jump in excitement.

But then suddenly, an uneasy chill ran across her skin.

Flour'e slowly looked back at Lilith as her brows furrowed in confusion.

"How do you know this is for the Proph—"

Her words were cut short by an icy sensation slicing through her. Her body felt strange and heavy, and a hollow silence settled around her.

Flour'e blinked in confusion, as she realized her body wouldn't respond.

Her vision blurred, and the room turned upside down, spinning. And for a moment she didn't understand what was happening.

Then slowly, everything became clear in a rush of realization.

Her head had been severed,

"L-Lili....th?"

From her new perspective, Flour'e saw the child standing above her with a twisted smile painted across her face.

Her small hands were gripping a yellow rose, and the thorn made Lilith's hand bleed.

The rose slowly turned into black as...

'Thud'

Flour'e's consciousness already faded.

"Did you know the meaning of Wolf's bane"

Lilith revealed her fangs as she picked up the fallen head and started stroking its hair.

For a moment, Lilith's face turned awfully similar to Flour'e, down to every detail, with no sign of any inaccuracy.

Even Flour'e's voice, she managed to copy it.

"It's a warning."