Kori dodged another swing from Akiko, her brows furrowing.
When did Akiko get this strong? Even I'm struggling. I guess all that special training actually paid off…tch! Now I regret not attending it after elementary it might have been a bit useful but then again she can't win against me afterall I got myself a better trainer.
Akiko charged at her again, irritation clear in her voice. "Kori, focus on me when we're sparring!"
Kori smirked. Charging at me? Does she really think she can beat me at my specialty?
"Wipe that smirk off your face." Akiko says annoyed.
Kori tilted her head slightly, amusement flickering in her blue eyes. Maybe she should provoke Akiko a little—it could be fun
"You know what?" Kori asked playfully
"What?"
Before Akiko could react anymore then that Kori grabbed her wrist, twisted it, and forced her to the ground, pinning her down.
"the reason why you never got a close combat skill."
"No I don't" Akiko looking done with Kori
"neither do I"
Akiko shoved Kori off and stood up, brushing dust from her clothes. "Stop joking around."
"Well, atleast I won." Kori laughed.
Akiko scowled. "You cocky little—just wait. I'm going to get stronger and break your damn bones."
Kori raised a brow, amused.
Stronger than me? Yeah, that's not happening. But it's rare to hear anyone from the family say something like that.
Kori got to her feet, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Ooo, scary, sis."
Akiko shot her a glare. "Sarcastic little shit, Just you wait. Anyway, I'm starving."
Kori blinked. That was… random.
"What, are you my pet or something?"
Without missing a beat, Akiko deadpanned, "Meow."
Silence, Kori stared at her. Akiko stared back. Both were trying to process what had just happened.
Kori shook her head and sighed. "Let's go back to the inn."
.
As they were approaching the inn's backdoor , Akiko muttered, "Today's Friday."
Kori gave her a flat look. "And?"
Akiko huffed. "You always check on me at night. Wouldn't it be easier if we just stayed in the same room?"
Kori startled. "Huh? I guess—"
A voice interrupted them. "What are you two talking about?"
They turned to see an old man approaching.
Kori steadied. "Oh, nothing much. By the way, has your wound healed yet?"
Mr. William chuckled. "Yes, thanks to the medicine you made me."
Kori nodded. "Glad to hear it."
Akiko leaned closer, whispering, "Who?"
"Mr. William. The inn owner," Kori whispered back.
Instantly, Akiko straightened, her expression shifting into something warm and refined. "Oh, it's our first time meeting, right? I'm Kori's older sister, Akiko."
Mr. William chuckled. "I know. Leah won't stop talking about how beautiful you are."
Akiko smirked. "Oh? Is that so?"
Kori side-eyed her. Since when did she talk like that?
Mr. William sighed. "I think I spoiled her too much."
Kori held back a sigh. You definitely did. She noticed the hunting gear slung over his shoulder. "Are you going hunting, Mr. William?"
"Yes. I'm planning to cook my specialty tomorrow."
Kori frowned. "Shouldn't you hire someone else for that?"
Mr. William laughed. "I may be old, but I can still take down a demon. Don't worry about me."
Kori sighed. "Alright. Have a safe trip."
As they headed inside, she thought to herself, Pretending to care about people is exhausting and head upstairs. Kori collapsed onto her bed with a heavy sigh.
I'm exhausted. I don't want to do anything. I don't even want to breathe.
Her eyes fluttered shut.
…
…
…
"Kori, wake up!"
A frantic voice jolted her awake.
She groggily sat up, rubbing her eyes. "How long was I out?"
Akiko's face was unusually tense. "That doesn't matter. Mr. William is missing."
Kori shocked. "Huh?"
"He hasn't returned. The villagers are out searching for him in the forest."
Kori swung her legs off the bed. "Then let's go help."
Akiko shook her head. "We can't. They told us to stay put. They think we're inexperienced."
Kori scoffed. "Oh, really? Well, I'm going downstairs, at least."
"Wait for me!"
They rushed down, only to find Leah sobbing uncontrollably. Kori frowned. Why is she crying so much? It's annoying.
She approached Leah, her tone cold. "Stop crying. Your father's probably fine."
Leah's head snapped up, rage burning in her teary eyes. She grabbed Kori's collar, shaking her.
"You don't even care, do you?!"
Kori unbothered. "What do you mean?"
Leah's voice trembled. "You don't even pretend to be sad. If you were in my place, you'd understand. People like you shouldn't exist!"
Kori sighed. Bruh, like I even want to exist.
Before she could respond, the door burst open. A man staggered in, carrying Mr. William on his back. Blood dripped onto the wooden floor. The entire inn erupted into chaos.
Kori turned to Akiko. "Can you save him?"
Akiko hesitated. "I… I don't know."
"You have a light attribute, don't you?"
"Oh… yeah."
Kori exhaled sharply. "Then use it. I'm going outside."
Akiko frowned at Kori's tone but rushed forward to help. Kori stepped out into the cold night, sitting on a barrel.
Even if I were in Leah's place, I wouldn't care about my father.
She clenched her fists, trying to suppress the rising irritation in her chest.
"How did I get dragged into this mess? I even warned him. It's his fault he didn't listen." She exhaled sharply, rubbing her forehead, That's when she heard it. A strange, bone-chilling sound echoed through the air, almost like the screech of a bat. Kori's eyes narrowed. Slowly, she turned toward the source of the noise. A gothic creature emerged from the shadows. Its twisted, unnatural form sent a wave of nausea through her. Her fingers instinctively twitched toward her weapon.
"For fuck's sake… what the hell is that?"