The Crimson Barrier.

Lykon and I were standing in front of a massive door. We had discovered that the cut on my arm wasn't just a cut—it was an invitation. The wound revealed a cryptic, cursed text that wrapped halfway around my arm, hinting at something sinister.

This part of the school was isolated, and I felt a strange familiarity with the area, like I'd been here before. Maybe that brat had dragged me here once.

"How are you feeling?" Lykon asked, glancing at the cryptic text on my arm while examining the door.

"Will you quit focusing on me? I said I'm fine!" I shot back, feeling more than a little annoyed. She was so persistent, always asking how I was feeling. It was like having a worried mother hovering over me.

Though I had other reasons to be frustrated—like my white hair being dyed black, that awkward incident with Lykon's chest, and her insistence on calling me "Flower." Tch, she's lucky she's taller than me.

I looked up and noticed some strange circular things hanging from the ceiling. "What are those?" I asked, pointing at them.

"CCTVs. They're used for security and observation. You haven't seen them before?" she replied, not taking her eyes off the door.

Seen them? Not that I could remember. My past was a blur, like a hazy dream. The only clear thing I knew was my hatred toward someone, but even that person's appearance was lost in the fog of my mind. I needed to find her, needed to—

"Got it." Lykon interrupted my thoughts as the door swung open, seemingly by magic.

My jaw dropped in amazement. "How did you do that? You're good at this!" I couldn't help but be impressed.

"I used my ID card from the school," she replied casually, holding up the card. It was all so simple for her, as if opening a locked door in a restricted part of the school was just another mundane task.

I followed her inside, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. We had no idea what was waiting for us behind that door, but the cryptic text on my arm told me it wasn't going to be anything good.

Whatever it was, we'd face it together—even if I had to put up with her calling me Flower.

When we stepped inside, the door slammed shut behind us with a heavy thud, the sound echoing through the empty hallway.

"Isn't it a bit stupid to come in through the front door? It's like walking into a trap," I muttered, glancing around the vast, eerily quiet corridor.

"It's no use sneaking in. That invitation and everything—they're expecting us," Lykon replied, her eyes scanning the area, alert for any threats.

I turned to look in the opposite direction, trying to stay vigilant. "Flower."

My cheeks burned with embarrassment at that name, and I shot her a glare. "I said quit calling me—" But before I could finish, she suddenly shoved me aside.

A gunshot rang out, the sound painfully loud in the enclosed space, making my ears ring.

I hit the ground, my heart racing. I turned back to see Lykon lying on the floor, motionless. She had been standing right where the shot was aimed. My eyes widened in shock and fear.

"Oi!" I scrambled over to her, my hands shaking as I checked for injuries. She wasn't moving, and I couldn't see any blood, but her stillness sent a chill through me.

"Oi! Wake up!" I called, but she didn't respond. What had just happened? Was she hit, or was this some kind of trap?

Then I heard footsteps approaching, getting louder with each passing second. My pulse quickened as I realized that we were not alone. The footsteps were coming from multiple directions, echoing through the hallway.

Panic surged through me. I needed to find a way to get Lykon to safety, but the corridor stretched out endlessly, with no clear exit in sight. I was trapped, with someone closing in, and Lykon was unresponsive on the floor. 

If I used my Alice here, it might drain my strength and spread the poison faster than I could handle. But I couldn't just leave Lykon here. She could be annoying, but she was also a valuable ally. Fine.

I sighed, deciding to do what that brat—Lucian—would have wanted. Maybe that would keep him from nagging me for a while.

With a snap of my fingers, red crystalline petals sprouted from the ground, forming a protective barrier around Lykon. The intricate shield pulsed with energy, but the effort made me dizzy. The poison was taking its toll, and my vision blurred for a moment.

It wasn't long before the enemies revealed themselves. A man, dressed in the same school uniform I was wearing, emerged from the shadows, clapping as he walked toward me. His men surrounded us, forming a tight circle.

"Amazing. I can't believe there's really people who can use Alice, even with the Alice prohibitor active," he said, mockingly, with a grin on his face.

"What do you want, human?" I asked, shielding myself against the crystalline flower protecting Lykon. I needed to stay on guard, but my body felt weaker with each passing moment.

"Human? You talk like you're not one of us," he said, raising an eyebrow. Technically, he was right—I wasn't entirely human. "Besides, aren't you the one who needs something? Aren't you worried about what the poison might do to you? Aren't you here for the antidote?" he continued, his tone dripping with condescension.

I noticed his men inching closer, surrounding me with a sense of menace. "Tell them to stop, or I won't hesitate to erase all of them," I warned, my voice cold and sharp. Despite my weakened state, I wasn't about to back down without a fight.

The man raised his hands, signaling his goons to halt. "Easy, easy," he said, smiling like he had everything under control. "Let's not get too hasty. We just want to talk. There's no need for violence."

I wasn't buying it, but I kept my eyes on him, ready to use my Alice if things went south. The tension in the air was thick, and I knew that one wrong move could trigger a battle. But I wasn't about to let these guys get the upper hand. Not while Lykon was under my protection, and not while I still had strength to fight.