"Uh... Ugh..."

"P-please..."

The members in military uniform writhe on the ground. Each one of them had their revolver aimed at one another.

Bang–! Bang–! Bang–! Bang–!

"No! No, don’t! No, no, no!"

"Aaaahhh—!!"

"Stop, please stop! I beg you... Please–!!"

Each military man’s face was filled with desperation and pleading. But despite all their effort, their bodies moved on their own, each finger curling around the revolver naturally.

Bang–! Bang–! Bang–! Bang–! Bang–! Bang–! Bang–! Bang–! Bang–! Bang–! Bang–! Bang–! Bang–! Bang–! Bang–! Bang–! Bang–! Bang–! Bang–! Bang–! Bang–! Bang–! Bang–! Bang–! Bang–! Bang–! Bang–! Bang–! Bang–! Bang–! Bang–! Bang–! Bang–! Bang–! Bang–! Bang–!

Out of thirty men, only one survived the execution.

The young man’s hand bent towards his own forehead. The cold barrel touched his forehead.

"N-no...!"

He gripped his gun in a reverse grip.

"P-please... Madam Vin. Just this once!"

He pleaded to the women dressed in cherry colour.

The women turned. "Hm? One survived?"

She grinned and walked closer to him. "Well aren’t you a lucky one."

The young boy nearly peed his pants.

No matter how sweet or innocent she looked, she was actually the contrary.

Vin’s red eyes narrowed as she crouched down in front of him. Her cherry hair fell over her shoulders. She tilted her head with a smile that did not reach her eyes.

"Thirty people..." She said softly.

The young man’s body trembled. The barrel against his forehead shook with him.

"Thirty people." Vin repeated."I sent thirty people to capture two women, one man, one shitty spirit and a cripple boy."

She tapped her finger against the young man’s cheek gently.

"Thirty trained military men. With guns, swords. And years of experience hunting people down."

"And you all made a fool of yourselves."

The young man’s eyes filled with tears.

"M-madam... please... I did not even fight them. I was just guarding the south exit. I never even saw them..."

"Shhh."

Vin pressed her finger against his lips.

"That is exactly the problem, sweetheart. You did not even fight them."

She stood up slowly and looked at the bodies of his comrades scattered around the alley. Pools of blood spread across the broken pavement, and the smell of gunpowder mixed with the stench of something sour.

"It was supposed to be a win-win for me." She muttered.

She turned back to the young man.

"You all ruined it."

The young man closed his eyes.

He knew what was coming.

"M-madam... I am sorry..."

Vin smiled.

"Pull the trigger, sweetheart."

The young man’s finger moved on its own.

Bang–!

Half his head exploded. Blood and brain matter splattered across the pavement.

A single drop landed on Vin’s cheek.

A disgusted look fell all over her face.

"What a mess." She muttered.

* * *

[4 Days Had Passed]

Irene sat across from Leon and observed the dripper connected to his wrist.

It had been four days since she had lost Will.

They had run away from the underground tunnel with the help of Rumi and Cyan. They could have fought the succubus too, but they all rejected the idea because Leon was with them.

Retreating and playing defensive was the correct strategy here.

Irene stood up and walked around the wooden floor, reaching for a cup over the table. The smell of old wood and smoky cigars had become a habit for her now.

They were staying inside a wooden tree house at this point. The house was carved inside the tree trunk, perfectly hidden from any traces. Anise had already planted several defensive spells around the area. And while Irene and Anise took turns taking care of Leon, Rumi and Cyan were the only ones left who dealt with the rebels.

For the past four days they had changed seven locations and were in a bad shape too. The food and fresh water they had gathered were all being used majorly on Leon’s healing and treatment.

Irene had last eaten two days ago. This was the reason why her skin looked so pale.

She sat beside Leon all day.

[5 More Days Had Passed]

Things had taken a major turn that night.

"Huh... wh-what? Where is Cyan?"

Irene asked Rumi who had just returned alone.

Rumi was slightly transparent.

The fact that she had been drained of the Elven mana core she had once consumed was now showing on her body. She was hardly getting materialized anymore. She looked as if she would vanish any moment.

Anise, who was preparing medicine on the small wooden counter, had her eyes widen as she noticed Rumi’s condition too. She slowly set down the bottle she was holding and walked closer.

"Rumi..." Anise muttered.

Rumi did not answer immediately. She floated slowly into the room. Her silver eyes looked exhausted. Her once jewel like glow now dimmed to a faint shimmer.

"The rebels have gotten more aggressive." Rumi finally said. "The nobles who once controlled the city are now all dead. The situation was handed over to Vin, the succubus."

Irene’s heart sank.

Rumi continued.

"Cyan and I just had a two on one fight with her. And even with me on his side... we could not deal with her."

Rumi looked at Irene with sad eyes.

"Cyan... bought me time to escape."

"No. This is insane." Anise said. She had to grip the edge of the counter to steady herself. "Even Rumi you... how could it be possible? That succubus is only a White core, that must be the same level as you, right?"

Rumi shook her head slowly.

"With my current state, I can barely perform two high tier spells at best in a day. My body needs a full recovery. And..."

She looked at Leon.

"Him."

She turned back to Anise and Irene.

"I am sorry Anise. Irene. But with my remaining strength, I do not think I will last any longer. It needs to be saved for when Leon wakes up..."

She lowered her head.

"I need to bind myself back to his existence now..."

Irene’s eyes widened.

"You are leaving us?!"

Rumi slightly smiled while still lowering her head. Her body was demateralizing now. The hem of her dress turned into snow that drifted upward and slowly disssolving into nothing.

"Everything will be fine." she gave anise one last look.

"Anise. Remember the promise we made. Alright?"

Anise bit her tongue. She hated it, but, this is all they can do now. She shook her head at Rumi.

Rumi flashed a bright smile at her, and with that, her body vanished.

Irene slumped to the ground.

"You... you are kidding..."