"Help!!"
Drap drap drap!
"Don't let him escape!"
Dral drap drap!
The sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the dark forest, leaving deep prints on the damp ground. Fear, panic, and anxiety blended within the man's soul. Sweat drenched him from head to toe. He was exhausted — yet the foreign bandits behind him kept chasing without rest.
Slap!
Damn it! A wild boar trap snapped around his leg, rendering him immobile. It didn't take long for the bandits to catch up.
"Tell me what you know about the Lotus Snow Sect!" one of them barked.
The man stayed silent.
"Answer me, bastard!"
"Hah… you think I'd tell you that easily? Pathetic scum!"
Jleb!
A sword pierced his leg. Fresh blood gushed out as he screamed in pain.
"Talk now, or I'll slice off both your legs!" the bandit hissed.
"I told you… it's useless," he spat through gritted teeth. "His Majesty is not as simple as you think, you filth!"
From behind, the sound of hooves approached. A woman with short crimson hair appeared, riding a black horse. Her face was beautiful yet stern; her cold eyes pierced through the night. Her voice was deep — echoing with command.
"Take him to the back. He's useless now," she said flatly, clutching a rolled parchment tightly in her hand.
The man was dragged away, limp and bloodied. The woman — clearly the leader of the bandits — unrolled the parchment. A faint smile curled on her red lips as her eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
"Move. We head to the destination immediately," she ordered calmly.
The sun descended from its throne, letting twilight devour the sky. Darkness crept between the trees, and the distant howls of wolves began to echo.
Back where the man had fallen, blood soaked into the soil. A carrion bird landed beside his head, pecking at the remains.
Night descended completely.
And from that moment — the story began.