"Just bring Koa," Neri demanded. Her breathing had become heavy and shaky, her skin pale.

Inside, it felt like she was being torn apart, shredded into millions of pieces.

"Enya, bring out the soundproof barrier Koa gave us," she rasped.

Enya quickly set the device. "Should I go now?"

Neri nodded. "Hurry!"

Enya slipped out through the balcony, disappearing into the forest. Neri fell to her knees, clutching her chest. She didn’t fight the poison—she let it flow freely.

A scream tore from her lips as the venom coursed through her veins.

So this was the power of Gehenna.

Gritting her teeth, she slowly stood and caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Her reflection stared back—her veins black as ink, crawling across her skin.

She touched her face. Tears fell silently.

Another wave of agony hit her, stronger than the last, and she dropped to her hands and knees again.

"It hurts..." she whispered. "It really hurts."

There was no one to help her through this. There never had been.

She remembered the cold, concrete room her teacher used to lock her in after poisoning her. She would cry, scream for help, but he only stood and watched.

"Get up, Nyssa. Fight me," he would say.

Eventually, she stopped asking for help. No one was coming. She stood. She fought. She learned to hide the pain.

Then one day, the room was left unlocked.

She walked the halls freely, but the guild members turned away from her. They called her Monster. Demon.

Once, she passed a mirror and froze. A creature stared back—veins like black lightning, pale lifeless skin, eyes devoid of emotion.

It was her.

She began locking herself in the training room, turning her pain into power.

She became stronger than anyone. She developed new abilities. She rose to match her teacher.

They no longer looked down on her.

They called her Nyssa, Weapon of the Shadows.

She sighed shakily. "I suppose I never had a choice. I either died or survived."

All she had was Koa. They had been taken by the guild together.

The doctor saw potential in Koa and took him in. But Koa took care of her—through every poisoning, after every mission.

Though she had never been seriously injured before, today was different.

"Koa..." she whispered.

"Nyssa!"

She turned as Koa jumped onto the balcony, running toward her.

"I brought Althaia. Swallow it quickly."

She took the pill without hesitation.

"Brace yourself," he warned.

"Enya, wait outside the door and keep watch."

"Yes, Master."

As soon as the door shut behind Enya, Neri collapsed to the floor again.

"Koa, how long?" she growled as the effect began to take hold.

"Give it fifteen minutes. You’ve lost a lot of blood, so the healing will be slower."

Her vision blurred. Her eyes stung. She took a shaky breath, trying to steady herself, but it was no use.

Koa watched as Nyssa tried to stand but failed. Her eyes met his—eyes full of torment.

The golden veins glowed beneath her skin. Her eyes lit up like burning suns.

He clenched his fists. Althaia was working, but at a terrible cost.

If only he could create something less painful.

"It’s not your fault," Nyssa said suddenly. "Nothing comes free in this world. Everything has a price."

She stumbled to her feet.

"How did you—"

"It’s written all over your face," she interrupted, chuckling weakly.

He watched her look at her reflection again.

"Nyssa, you aren’t a monster. Believe it or not, you look pretty cool. It’s like there’s lightning flowing through you, and your eyes are glowing. You’re... unique."

Nyssa scoffed. "Sure. Thanks for trying to comfort me."

Koa shrugged. "I’m only stating facts."

She stared at him.

"What? Don’t look at me like that," he said.

"Like what?" she tilted her head.

Before he could answer, she dropped again, coughing up blood.

"Nyssa! You’re in the most painful stage. Why didn’t you say anything? Why do you always keep it to yourself?" he muttered angrily.

"I didn’t want you to worry or feel guilty," she said weakly.

Neri looked him in the eyes. "It’s my fault that I’m like this. So stop worrying and looking so guilty."

Koa sighed. He gently picked her up and laid her in bed.

"No matter what, I’ll always worry about you."

She chuckled faintly. "I’m the last person you should be worried about."

He raised a brow. "I believe quite the opposite."

They both chuckled.

Neri winced. "How much longer?"

"Fifty seconds."

She sighed. "Just a while ago, it felt like an eternity."

Koa stayed until she drifted off to sleep. He rose and opened the door slightly, signaling for Enya.

"Nyssa’s asleep now."

Enya nodded. "I figured. She’s been through a lot today. It must be harder for her since she can’t act freely."

"Why did she use her ability? And how did she get injured?"

Enya sighed. "I wasn’t there. Master said she had to use her body to protect Lord Lucien. Nyx couldn’t find me in time, so she handled it herself. She made Lord Ikar lose consciousness. She didn’t have time for martial arts—so she used her abilities."

Koa narrowed his eyes. "An assassination attempt. Not many guilds would dare challenge the Shadows. Seeing those wounds... an animal? No way—was it the Arlo Guild?"

Enya looked impressed. "You caught on quickly."

He smirked. "I’m not called Nyssa’s assistant for nothing." His expression darkened. "Arlo never dared cross us. They were either threatened... or paid a lifetime’s fortune. Either way, I’ll look into it."

Koa disappeared over the balcony.

Enya moved to gather the sound barrier devices, returning them to their box. Then she began cleaning the room.

"Perfect," she murmured to herself.

A light tap at the door startled her.

She walked over and opened it slightly. "Forgive me, but the lady is currently resting. Please come back tomor—"

Before she could finish, someone shoved the door open, pinning her against it.

She prepared to fight—until she saw the red eyes beneath the hood.

He released her and walked silently toward Nyssa’s bed.

"You must be—" she began.

A sharp glare from him cut her off.

She sighed, rubbing her neck. Like teacher, like student, she thought.