Chapter one

The building next to Liquor 26 throbbed with booming music, signaling Elina's unwanted presence. Drowning in her troubles, she found temporary relief in alcohol. Burdened by the weight of her depression, she had no one she could trust enough to confide in. Among the noise—the laughter, the clinking of glasses, and the cheers—she felt utterly alone in a world that seemed indifferent to her existence.

Her once-beloved best friend, someone she'd considered family, had betrayed her, leaving Elina without hope. Life had nothing left to offer but emptiness. Although she had never been one to frequent bars, her broken state had turned her into a regular, seeking solace in fleeting moments of oblivion. She set her glass down, watching as the bartender poured another shot of whiskey. She drank it quickly, the sting a brief reminder of the numbness she sought. Surrounded by happy, lively people, Elina felt like the complete opposite. Realizing she had reached her limit, she knew it was time to stop before things got worse, knowing no one would come to her rescue. She paid the bartender, left a few dollars as a tip, and stepped into the night, leaving behind the cacophony of laughter and music.

It was already 12:30 AM as she stumbled out of the bar, her tired body fighting to stay awake. The walk home felt endless, and she wondered if she'd cry herself to sleep once she reached her pillow.

With each step, the street grew quieter. The distance between the bar and her house was far, and at this hour, taxis and buses were scarce. She had to return to work soon; she had missed too many days. Thankfully, her colleague Clara, aware of her situation, had helped her come up with an excuse: she had been unwell and needed medical attention. Maybe it was true—her life felt like it was falling apart.

A sudden chill swept through the air, making Elina's skin prickle. She shivered and quickened her pace, feeling an unease she couldn't shake. As the night deepened, the streetlights flickered and went out, plunging the world into darkness. A sharp instinct told her something was wrong, and she broke into a run.

Ahead, a group of men appeared, cloaked in black with faded clothes that seemed out of place, like remnants of another era. The eerie sight made her heart race, but her feet froze. She couldn't look away, the curiosity overpowering her fear.

One man stepped forward, his presence menacing. With a swift motion, he pulled a sword from his side and thrust it into the chest of a defenseless man who had knelt before him, perhaps begging for mercy. Elina's breath caught in her throat, and she instinctively pressed a hand over her mouth to stifle the scream rising in her chest.

Her heart pounded as panic set in. She needed to run, but dizziness clouded her thoughts. Just as she was about to flee, the killer turned toward her. His dark, cruel eyes locked with hers, sending a chill through her bones. His gaze held her captive, and she could feel the weight of a malevolent force drawing nearer. Slowly, his hand brushed against her face, and her vision blurred.

Was this it? Would she die here, never having truly lived? How pathetic her existence had been.

---

Unconscious, Elina collapsed into his arms, and one of the men, wearing a cruel smile, stepped closer.

"What a frightened, beautiful little thing. Bad luck for her. Let's end it now," he sneered.

"Damien," the man called, raising an amused eyebrow. "Ramiel, today is my lucky day. Should I make her suffer longer? No, a single strike will do. It'll be a pleasure to watch her pain, but I won't give in to the temptation to save her."

"Leave us," Ramiel ordered, his voice calm but firm. The others, including Damien, disappeared with a wave of his hand.

Damien's words lingered as he winked at Ramiel. "You really are an amusing killer. She's irresistible, yet you're unmoved by her beauty. Not suprise because you are the most boring demon i have ever met." He chuckled and vanished into the night.

Ramiel sighed, staring down at Elina in his arms. She was unconscious, and yet, she had put on a dramatic show. It was almost as if she were pretending, revealing a pathetic side of her humanity. How strange.

---

Slowly, Elina's eyes fluttered open. She was lying beneath a glass ceiling. As she took in her surroundings, she realized she was in a modest room in the after life, with a yellow amber painting on the wall and a simple closet. For a moment, she entertained the thought of being in some other world, where maybe the afterlife had a place like this.

A small smile touched her lips.

Then, her gaze was drawn to a woman who looked like something out of a dream. She was elegant, with soft green curls pinned in an intricate updo, wearing a royal blue dress adorned with pearls. She radiated grace and regality, and Elina couldn't help but wonder if she had crossed into some royal afterlife.

"Can't one find peace even in the afterlife?" Elina mused, sitting up.

"Did you bump your head, too?" the woman replied with a soft laugh.

"I'm surrounded by impolite people, even in the afterlife. Could it get any worse?" Elina muttered.

"Awake at last, dear. And I'm afraid I must crush your hopes—this is not the afterlife," the woman said with a calm smile.

Elina's eyes widened in disbelief. She pinched herself, just to be sure.

"I'm… still alive?" she whispered, astonished.

"So, that's what all the fuss was about. I suppose you're one of the lucky few who still have the gift of life," the woman said with a knowing smile.

There was something about her—the woman's composed, graceful demeanor hinted at something extraordinary. Elina, still reeling from the shock, finally found her voice.

"Who are you?"