Chapter 49

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I STIFLED a yawn, carefully placing the vials into the Aether Pouch. The sleek material shimmered faintly as it absorbed each container. Convenient, indeed. At least those grueling five hours weren’t wasted. My shoulders sagged in relief as I secured the pouch, brushing stray strands of hair away from my face.

“Here’s your lunch, my lady,” a soft voice interrupted. I turned to see a servant carefully setting a tray of food on the table. Her movements were precise but heavy, as though each step drained her energy. Her pale complexion and the dark circles under her eyes didn’t escape my notice.

I offered her a small smile, softening my voice. “Thank you.” Her tired gaze met mine briefly, and she gave a polite nod before retreating. Poor girl. Was it because of the Empress’s abduction? Everyone in the palace seemed worn down since that day. It had been a week now. Rumors swirled that the Empress had died—and then miraculously returned to life.

The thought made my stomach churn. How absurd. Yet, as I picked up my fork, a memory surfaced, unbidden. It reminded me of the time I first met the real Arthemice, when I lost consciousness during my battle with the otherworldly monster. There was something eerily familiar about it—almost as if she, too, didn’t belong to this world. A chill pricked the back of my neck. Coincidence? Or something more sinister?

I shook the thought away and took a bite of the food. The rich flavors exploded on my tongue, making my eyes widen in delight. “Waaaa, ang sarap!” I muttered, shoveling another spoonful into my mouth. The savory aroma and perfectly balanced seasoning were unlike anything I’d tasted in days. What’s the occasion? This kind of feast didn’t come without reason.

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A new predicament will be sent at any moment.

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The system’s announcement flashed before me, causing my hand to freeze mid-air. My brows knitted together as I chewed slowly, the words sinking in. Predicament? Now? In the middle of training? A heavy sigh escaped me as I rolled my eyes. Of course. This system never knows when to give me a break. And here I thought it was getting kinder.

Once I finished the meal, I flopped onto the bed, letting out a groan. Another dull day, it seemed. My fingers absentmindedly tugged at a lock of my hair, now streaked with faint silver-white strands. The black still dominated, but the change was promising. At least I knew I was recovering. My strength was slowly returning, and with it, my resolve to sever the head of that Emperor.

I let out a long breath, my eyelids growing heavier. As the weight of exhaustion pulled me under, a small, determined smile played on my lips. Every day brought me closer to my goal.

Sleep came swiftly, carrying me into the unknown.

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The distant sound of terrified screams rippled through the air, slicing through the palace’s false sense of security. I squinted toward the door, annoyance flickering across my features. What in the world is this racket?

The desperate cries grew louder, mingling with the metallic clang of weapons and the pounding of boots. The palace was in chaos—a symphony of panic and violence

“There’s one maiden here!”

The muffled voice sent a chill down my spine, followed by the unmistakable rhythm of approaching footsteps. I straightened immediately, my muscles tensing as I prepared for what was coming.

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A new predicament has emerged!

Crimson Night

Flee the palace and defeat anyone who dares stand in your way.

Reward: 15% increase in life span, and daggers upgrade. Failure: Death.

Decide your course with great caution!

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Crimson Night? I let out a sharp breath, disheveling my hair in irritation. The system had a twisted sense of timing. From the sounds of it, this wasn’t just an assassination attempt—it was a full-blown massacre. This palace is truly a den of madness.

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The ability [Evoke] has been activated.

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A familiar warmth coursed through my veins as my daggers materialized in my hands, their gleaming edges thirsting for blood. I tightened my grip, my lips curling into a sly smile. “You’ve chosen the wrong chamber, gentlemen.”

The door creaked open, and as the intruders stepped inside, I hurled my blanket toward them. The heavy fabric enveloped them like a trap, their startled curses echoing in the room.

“Do you think I’m some helpless prey?” I said softly, my voice laced with venom.

I leaped from the bed, landing silently on the cool floor. The intruders wrestled with the oversized blanket, cursing under their breath.

“Damn it!” one growled, slashing through the fabric with his blade. The shredded remains fell to the ground, revealing two knights clad in dark armor, their faces twisted in fury.

Knights? Rebellion? Political war, of course. How utterly predictable.

I moved swiftly, my daggers whistling through the air as I threw them with precision. One struck the first knight dead center in the forehead, a sickening thud marking its deadly accuracy. The other plunged into his companion’s stomach, drawing a guttural cry of pain.

Without hesitation, I darted to my pouch, retrieving a small vial of poison. The surviving knight clutched his injured comrade, blood pouring freely from the man’s forehead.

“Joah!” he cried, his voice trembling with rage and desperation.

The bloodied knight staggered to his feet, his eyes blazing with fury. “You’ll pay for this!” he snarled, charging at me with his blade raised.

I sidestepped his clumsy lunge, a smirk playing on my lips. “Didn’t I warn you?”

Before he could recover, I uncorked the vial and flung its contents at him. The liquid hissed as it made contact with his armor, came seeping through to his skin. He dropped his weapon, his body convulsing as the poison took hold.

He fell to his knees, clawing at the floor as he glared up at me, his breath ragged. “I’ll...kill you...”

I crouched down, meeting his gaze with a cold smile. “That’s unfortunate,” I murmured, twisting the dagger lodged in his abdomen. “It seems you’ll die before you get the chance.”

With one last shuddering gasp, his grip on my ankle slackened, and his body went still.

I stood, wiping the blood from my face with the hem of my sleeve. “Now, now,” I said, turning to the other knight’s lifeless form. His wide eyes and slack jaw painted a pathetic picture of terror.

Gripping the hilt of my dagger, I yanked it free from his forehead, blood spurting in a crimson arc. I wiped the blade clean, the metallic scent lingering in the air.

“Escape the palace, huh?” I muttered, sheathing the daggers. My steps echoed in the eerily quiet room as I moved toward the door, my resolve solidified. “Let’s see who else wants to test their luck tonight.”

Before stepping out of the chamber, I paused, glancing at my reflection in the tall, cracked mirror. The woman staring back was almost unrecognizable. My once silver-white hair, now tainted black, shimmered faintly under the dim light. Strands of silver-white were beginning to reappear, fragile threads of moonlight weaving their way back into existence—a sign of my slow recovery. My eyes, once ginger, now burned a vivid crimson, with a faint hint of their original color.

Turning away, I reached for a cloak from the wardrobe. Its obsidian fabric was soft yet durable, draping over my shoulders with a satisfying weight. The shadowy folds enveloped me as I fastened the silver clasp at my neck. I adjusted the hood carefully, ensuring it would obscure most of my features without hindering my vision.

I retrieved the Aether Pouch from my desk, its glowing runes warm against my fingers, and secured it snugly under my cloak. Sliding my twin daggers into their sheaths and checking the hidden knives in my boots, I ensured every weapon was in place—ready for the dangers ahead.

With practiced ease, I tied my hair into a loose braid, securing it low against my neck to prevent it from becoming a liability in combat. My fingers brushed against the strands of silver-white threading through the black, and a small smirk tugged at my lips. You’re coming back, aren’t you? Slowly but surely. I adjusted my gloves, their fabric worn but reliable, before pulling the hood over my head.

Stepping out of the chamber, the cold air bit at my skin, sharp and unyielding. The scene before me unfolded in grim detail. The once grand and pristine palace was now a haunting battlefield, drenched in blood and death. Bodies lay sprawled across the marble floor, their lifeless eyes staring into nothingness. The metallic scent of blood mingled with the distant echoes of despair, thickening the air until it felt suffocating.

I paused, my eyes scanning the desolate corridor, every nerve on edge. Not a single soul stirred except for me. I was alone amidst the carnage, the sole survivor of this merciless purge.

Carefully, I tread forward, ensuring my steps avoided the corpses that littered the ground. My heart was steady, yet my grip on the dagger tightened instinctively. Each move was deliberate, calculated, as if the palace itself was watching, waiting for my next mistake.

A sudden shuffle of footsteps broke the heavy silence. I froze, my senses sharpening. From the shadows of the grand archway ahead, a group of knights emerged, their armor gleaming faintly under the dim, flickering torches. Their swords were already drawn, their eyes locked on me like predators cornering their prey.

One of them stepped forward, his voice a deep, commanding growl. “Surrender now, and we’ll grant you a swift death.”

I tilted my head, a sly smile tugging at my lips as my eyes gleamed with a cold, dangerous light. “Swift death? How considerate of you. But I have other plans.”

Before they could react, I lunged forward, my body moving with the precision of a predator. My daggers gleamed as I twisted and slashed, each strike lethal and unrelenting. The first knight barely raised his shield before I drove my blade into the gap of his armor, his weapon clattering uselessly to the ground as he crumpled.

Two others charged at me, their swords arcing through the air. I sidestepped gracefully, ducking low as their blades narrowly missed. With a fluid motion, I drove a dagger into one knight’s thigh, twisting it cruelly before pulling it free. He howled in agony, collapsing as blood gushed from the wound.

The remaining knight hesitated, his confidence faltering as he watched his comrades fall like leaves in a storm. I met his gaze, my lips curling into a smirk that promised no mercy. “Go ahead,” I said, my voice dripping with mockery. “Make your move.”

With a desperate roar, he charged. But his desperation was his downfall. I sidestepped again, effortlessly evading his clumsy attack. In one swift motion, I spun behind him, driving my dagger into the back of his neck. He gasped, his body stiffening before collapsing to the ground with a dull thud.

I stood amidst the fallen knights, their blood pooling around me like a macabre tribute. My breathing was steady, my movements precise as I cleaned my daggers on the edge of one knight’s cloak.

“Well,” I murmured, my voice echoing in the silence. “If this is the best they’ve got, escaping this palace will be disappointingly easy.”

With that, I continued forward, my steps light and unyielding, ready for whatever—or whoever—dared to stand in my way next.

Now, I just needed to get out of the palace. My footsteps echoed softly as I moved through the dimly lit corridors, the weight of the night pressing down on me. The distant sound of the gate creaking in the wind spurred me forward.

As soon as I reached the main gate, I pushed it open with a swift, deliberate motion and stepped outside. The cold night air hit me, carrying the scent of damp earth and distant trees. Freedom at last.

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Congratulations! You have successfully completed the predicament! Rewards will be given shortly!

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I exhaled deeply, my breath visible in the chilly air. The system’s announcement hovered before me, its glowing text a stark contrast to the darkness around.

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Updating character details…

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Another screen materialized, filling my vision.

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Character Profile

Eiliyah Arthemice Loughsin

Title: The Ruthless Villainess Current Life: 80% Reputation: 20% Power Level: Paramount Abilities: Beast Tamer, Evoke, Alchemy

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I narrowed my eyes, scanning the data. It had been a while since I last viewed my stats, and this time, I couldn’t help but smirk. Not bad. I’ve come a long way.

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Upgrading your two daggers…

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Moments later, another message followed.

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Success. The rewards have been given successfully to the player. Congratulations!

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My twin daggers pulsed in response, their once plain surfaces now adorned with intricate, glowing patterns that seemed to crawl and shift like living creatures. The weight in my hands shifted—lighter, more balanced. I tested the blade’s edge against the air, feeling its newfound sharpness hum through my grip. Perfect.

I turned my gaze toward the dark expanse of the forest ahead. The towering trees swayed gently under the moonlight, their shadows shifting like silent sentinels. The path ahead was unclear, but I had no time to waste.

“Now,” I muttered, sliding my daggers back into their sheaths, “let’s see what else is waiting out there.”

Without hesitation, I pulled my cloak tighter around me and stepped into the forest, the darkness swallowing me whole.

fin.