Thud! Thud!
Soft footsteps approached, and seconds later, Pala walked into the room. Unlike her usual baggy clothes, she was dressed in a tight bodysuit that covered her from neck to toe.
It seed like she wasn’t wearing any shoes.
Seeing seated cross-legged on the floor beside my bed, with Rai’ki laying next to , clearly spooked her.
"You..." Pala muttered but quickly regained composure.
"I can sll a rat a mile away," I said, my eyes narrowing, though I didn’t move yet.
Pala’s gaze sharpened, and her deanor shifted—cold and vicious, completely different from the jovial instructor I knew back at the academy.
"How did you know I was coming?" she asked, a tinge of suspicion in her voice.
Her question only earned her a mocking chuckle as I shook my head.
"Who sent you to kill ?" I asked, ignoring her question. "Was it your decision, or are you acting on behalf of the Watchers?"
Her eyes darted around the room frantically, as if searching for soone. She seed perplexed that I knew this much about her intentions. After all, who would expect his horoom teacher to be the one trying to take his life out of the blue?
It was only natural for her to be suspicious.
"How did you know?" she asked, her hands slowly reaching behind her.
"Didn’t I tell you already?" I said with a straight face. "I can sll a rat a mile away."
Silence...
Her hands froze behind her while I remained seated. We stared at each other, waiting for the first to make a move.
This version of Pala was cautious, unlike the reckless person I once knew.
Bungee Jump!
Pala hopped and phased into the ground, vanishing from sight. But I didn’t panic. I shut my eyes and let myself feel the world around .
I’m not human anymore.
My senses are sharper.
My reflexes are superior.
As long as she’s in this house, I’ll find her.
Behind!
Grabbing Rai’ki, I spun to my feet, slashing all around ruthlessly!
But there was no one there—just fresh blood splattered across the wall. I glanced at my bloodstained weapon and frowned slightly.
I didn’t think her [Bungee Jump] could be canceled halfway.
If that’s the case, catching her would be a bit troubleso.
"I can’t believe you would harm with the weapon I gave you," Pala’s voice ca from behind, clearly amused.
I didn’t turn. I simply looked over my shoulder and saw her standing there, her bloodied palm stretched out for to see. My blade had sliced her hand when she reached for , but she had withdrawn just in ti, so the wound wasn’t too deep.
"If you had tried this a few months ago, you probably would’ve succeeded. Right now, you can’t kill ," I said coldly.
Pala didn’t respond. She stood quietly, observing my back with a thoughtful gaze.
"The Watchers see you as a threat since you’ve decided to fraternize with the governnt. They want you gone," she said out of nowhere, and my frown deepened.
Was she saying all this because she realized she couldn’t kill ?
Or was she trying to make lower my guard?
I turned to et her gaze, my mind racing through countless possibilities. I had always been interested in Pala, because her ability was one of the few I truly coveted. Yet, I hadn’t been able to draw out much information about her.
Maybe that’s why I was a bit anxious here.
"It’s natural for people to fear what they can’t control. I refuse to be a pawn, so it’s only natural for them to try and remove ." I chuckled, but my grip on Rai’ki tightened.
Pala frowned and lowered her bloody palm.
"You don’t get it, do you?" she asked, raising a brow.
I watched her wrap her arms around her chest and wear that innocent expression she always had at the academy. It was crazy to see her act like she hadn’t just tried to kill a mont ago.
"It’s not about control. It’s about risk," she said. "You know about us, so the group fears you might rat us out—or even turn on us—if given the right reasons."
"Reasons like the one you’re giving right now?" I raised an eyebrow, and her expression turned blank.
It felt like she only just realized this was a bad move now that I’d pointed it out.
’Is this girl playing , or does her ability co from a child-like mind?’ I couldn’t help but wonder as I watched Pala ponder my words.
"I’m the one that brought you in. So if you tell, it’ll all be my fault..." Pala’s voice trailed off—and suddenly, I felt weak.
My fighting spirit vanished in an instant, leaving demoralized.
"If I planned to tell, don’t you think that would’ve been the first thing I did to keep myself safe?" I raised an eyebrow. "Or do you think I’m stupid enough to rat and not take precautions against you guys?"
Pala blinked at , muttering, "Ooh."
Ooh?
This bitch ca to take my life without thinking things through?
Seriously?
"But how did you know I was coming?" Pala’s tone turned serious. "Did soone tip you off?"
I shook my head and sighed heavily.
"As you can see, I’m not the sa person you t months ago. My Wild Talent allows to grow stronger—including heightened senses," I lied with a straight face.
"But it makes you sick, doesn’t it?" Pala’s question caught off guard.
The shock on my face was visible—but only for a mont. A second was all Pala needed to see through .
"I’m in constant pain. Always cold," I admitted, and she nodded slowly with an expression that made it feel like she already knew.
"Every power cos with its flaws and backlash," Pala shrugged while looking at her palm. "So harsher than others."
She sounded sad when saying that last part—as if it had sothing to do with her.
"Now it’s my turn to ask questions." My voice made her snap her gaze to mine.
"Who sent you to kill ?" I asked coldly.
Pala’s expression turned blank, making it hard to read. After a few seconds, she smiled sheepishly and shook her head.
"Kill you?" she raised her hands and turned around, as if to show she had no weapon. "Who said I ca to kill you?"
My eyes narrowed.
Her childish innocence always made her difficult to read—and it pissed off.
"Then what were you trying to do?" I asked.
"Hold your shoulder?" she answered quickly, showing her bloody palm. "You had your belly split open by an orc and didn’t die. How can holding your shoulder kill you?!"
Buzz!
It was my turn to look shocked—especially since her words made absolute sense.
’Lee Bai, that bastard!’ I couldn’t help but curse.
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