What does that mean? She pondered, about to fall into contemplation, when her arm churned like it was being skewered atop hot coals. She gritted her teeth to endure the excruciating agony. Her breath turned hasty, cut short at times.
Sometimes, she hissed just to tolerate the pain.
Amidst the agony, blurry images abruptly flashed through her mind. More blurred, indescribable shapes and visions came and went, piling one after another.
Her expression contorted in anguish. Then, one image became clear.
Rows of books stretched infinitely. Towering shelves piercing the heavens.
Shifting her eyes to the sky, her pupils dilated.
A colossal figure was chained on all fours. The chains descended from the heavens, stretching beyond the clouds.
Messy hair obscured his face, and a ragged beard hung loosely. He wore nothing but a single cloth covering his most vital part.
Distant, ancient words whispered in her mind.
"Between the heavenly earth.
"Separated by the hellish sea.
"Forsaken by the blessed land.
"Yet worshipped by the past decree."
[Library of Perfect Fables.]
The flashes ended. Her vision went blank for a second.
Instantly, she heard a faint whisper.
'Will you come to this place? A haven of answers. You will, right?'
"Haa!"
Rakina opened her eyes abruptly. She took a sharp breath, like a child who almost drowned.
She coughed violently a few times. Saliva splattered to the ground.
What was all that? she thought to herself, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.
Then she noticed the trembling of her hands.
I must calm down, she said inwardly.
As she tried to steady herself, the runes attached themselves one by one, like stickers pressed to a wall. They glowed briefly before fading away.
The pain slowly subsided, letting her sort through her thoughts.
What were those images? What did those whispers mean? Who was that chained figure? And that place… does it truly hold the answers she seeks, or is it just another lie?
She didn't know, but it might be worth checking later.
With that settled, she quickly cast a small cloud above her arm. It rained snowflakes. The burning sensation cooled almost instantly.
She let out a sigh of relief and drifted back into thought, shifting her focus to Courteous.
The monster's state was similar to Ordinal, yet he didn't seem like a worshipper of the dark—just a mentally ill being on the loose.
Just what is going on in the world? Will she start encountering more like him in the future? Why is this happening?
These questions flashed through her mind, but there was no point in musing further.
Yet, as she listed these questions, she realized the world might be more than just leveling up, conquering Towers, clearing rifts, and killing beasts.
Such a realization gripped her heart tightly, making her restless.
Wait, calm down. There's no point thinking about these kinds of things, she reminded herself, forcing her mind to settle. Her gaze turned to the vending machine.
She paused for a moment and got up.
After inserting the required bill for the drink she wanted, the machine dropped the can. Rakina crouched slightly and picked it up.
She opened the lid; it hissed softly. She took a sip. The refreshing, cool sensation calmed her nerves to the core.
***
The hallway stretched silent, bathed in the golden sunlight streaming through the windows. Golden rays painted bright, clean lines across the polished floor.
Rakina stood within that light, her figure almost glowing against the empty corridor.
But just beyond the reach of the sun, under the muted shade near the far corner, two silhouettes lingered. Motionless. Hidden. The light didn't touch them. In that dim strip of shadow, their presence felt heavier, darker—like stains on an otherwise peaceful hallway.
The contrast was stark. Light and shadow. Seen and unseen.
Just as she was enjoying her drink, she saw them from the corner of her eyes. She finished the can and tossed it into the trash before focusing her gaze on them.
What is it this time? she muttered, slightly annoyed, losing her composure a little.
It was one after another. She just couldn't enjoy her peace without something knocking on the door to disturb it.
She stepped to the middle of the hallway and summoned an ice blade. It formed out of thin air, and as it materialized, it left behind a cold mist.
"Who are you?" she asked, raising her guard and assuming a fighting stance.
They stepped into the light, revealing themselves. They wore black robes streaked with gold, covering their bodies—reminiscent of ancient mages.
"The Witch Association?" She recognized their clothes and frowned slightly, wondering why they were here.
"Pleasure to meet you, Disciple of the Hideous." One of them bowed slightly. "My name is Zirgo, and this is my partner, Lucias."
He paused for a moment, letting Rakina remember their names.
"What does the association want from me? And that nickname you've given me… it's revolting." She stopped mid-line and spoke again with a sharp tone, filled with rage.
Zirgo smiled faintly. "We were ordered by the association to bring your head."
---
Rakina clenched her blade tighter. "My head? Did I do something so unforgivable to the association that they desire this lost lamb to die?"
"The Witch Association was established for the witch community to protect each other from His gaze, His influence, and His corruption. You, however, have betrayed that very will.
"Your existence is tied to Him. His power flows through your veins, and there's a small chance that He may awaken. We will not take that risk, lest His awakening brings imbalance and chaos to this world.
"You are a ticking time bomb and mustn't be left alone."
Zirgo raised his palm, a red, fiery flame gathering within it. His partner, however, didn't move a muscle—just stood there, intimidating.
"I see. So you've come to execute me," Rakina said with calm acceptance, not even trying to beg for mercy. She knew it would be useless. The members of the Witch Association pledged their lives for the greater cause. Unless someone in the upper ranks said otherwise, they wouldn't stop.
"Please, kindly surrender to make things easier for us. We haven't eaten since this morning just to keep tabs on you." Zirgo sighed, his stomach rumbling in protest.
They've been watching me? she thought. Her shoulders stiffened, then dropped as she exhaled forcefully, unease crawling into her chest.
"You must have lost your mind to think someone would simply give up their life."
Zirgo shrugged casually and gave a knowing smile. "Who knows. It was worth a try."
"Let me meet Yukki," Rakina tried to negotiate.
"Why would you think one of the Four Fools would grant you an audience?"
The Fools. A title granted to witches who stood at the pinnacle of magic and oversaw the Witch Association.
Indeed, someone bearing such a grand title wouldn't even cast a glance at a mid-level witch. But…
"I know her. She's the one who taught me magic. My mom and her were close friends."
Zirgo chuckled. "Yukki taught you magic? Your mother was close with her?"
He laughed, mocking her. "If that's the case, then my brother and mother also know Yukki too!"
Rakina clicked her tongue, feeling herself cornered.
"Moreover," Zirgo's smile faded, his tone turning cold, "your execution order came directly from the Fools."
"What?"
His words struck Rakina to her core. Her pupils widened. She almost forgot to breathe.
"That… can't be."