Ugh—
The thug's fist went limp.
The dagger had pierced his windpipe with precision!
He clutched his neck, gasping for air like a broken bellows, emitting a faint hissing sound.
Soon, the thug collapsed.
The factory worker saw the man standing behind the thug.
He was dressed in a shabby work uniform but looked energetic.
"Are you alright? Can you stand?"
His voice was gentle as he extended his hand toward her.
The factory worker grabbed his hand and managed to stand up.
The pain made it difficult for her to keep her balance, and she almost leaned completely into his arms.
"Thank you!"
She wiped away her tears.
"My name is Marei, and I'm glad I found you in time, or it could've been dangerous."
"Marei… I don't even know how to thank you… Oh, I… I'm Arila…"
The factory worker, Arila, stammered, still in shock.
"The beautiful Miss Arila, it was the least I could do."
It was the first time Arila had ever been addressed like that.
She had always felt invisible.
Her coworkers constantly got her name wrong.
And the factory overseer would always shout at her, "Hey! You! Useless!"
Ever since her parents had worked themselves to death at the factory, no one had shown her any care.
Perhaps one day she would die, and no one would even notice she was gone.
But today, Arila once again felt the warmth of being cared for.
She looked at Marei, seeing him as so gentlemanly, so kind.
Especially those blue eyes—they seemed to exude trustworthiness.
"Where's your home? I can take you back," he offered.
"I really don't know how to thank you! I live in the C43 area, Room 502…"
Marei frowned slightly.
"C43 is quite a distance from here, and your injuries shouldn't be left untreated for long. I live nearby. Let me take you to my place to patch you up."
Arila instinctively wanted to refuse, but looking into Marei's eyes, she found herself nodding without even thinking.
"Alright… Thank you!"
Going to his place for some first aid sounded like a good idea.
If she didn't treat her injuries soon and they worsened, it could affect her work tomorrow, which would be a disaster!
She couldn't afford to lose her job—or she'd starve to death!
"Hold on a bit longer, we'll be there soon."
Marei supported Arila as they left the area and headed toward his place.
Behind them, the thug lay on the ground, clutching his neck and struggling. He gasped in barely audible words.
"Help... me... someone, please save me!"
But no one could hear his cries for help.
His breath grew more labored as he realized he was close to death.
Fear and regret washed over him.
Holy Emperor, Governor, someone, please save me!
He watched Marei and Arila walk away before his body went limp, and he lost all signs of life.
He was dead.
Arila followed Marei through the winding corridors of the complex, until they finally reached the entrance of a communal dormitory.
For some reason, she smelled a foul stench and felt a sense of unease.
"It stinks!"
Marei covered his nose in disgust.
"Those filthy people never wash themselves, they stink like corpses!"
He looked at Arila apologetically. "Bear with it. Once I've bandaged you up, I'll take you home right away."
"Okay."
Arila agreed and followed him inside.
As soon as she stepped through the door, a strange fragrance filled the air, and she heard the door lock click shut behind her.
The room ahead was pitch black, and she couldn't see a thing.
For some reason, a strong sense of unease crept over her, making her hair stand on end!
In the darkness, Marei's voice cut through the tension, calming her.
"Don't be afraid. All my roommates are on night shifts. It's just the two of us here…"
Arila's heart settled down again.
Marei had saved her. She believed this gentle man wouldn't harm her.
"Wait here for a moment, I'll get a lamp," Marei said, letting go of her hand and disappearing into the darkness.
There hadn't been any electricity in this complex for ages, and the only light came from the faint glow of the emergency strips in the building's corridors.
So there was no chance of having electricity, let alone a lamp, inside this place.
Light was a luxury only available in the Royal District or the residences of government officials.
Even a lamp was considered a rare luxury.
Just as Arila began to wonder how Marei could afford such a precious item, he returned with the lamp.
Marei's shadow approached, and he kindly reminded her:
"Close your eyes first, and then slowly open them so the light won't hurt your eyes."
Hearing this, Arila quickly closed her eyes.
"Mister Marei, I've closed my eyes!"
Marei gently turned the lamp's switch, and with a crisp click, a warm yellow light flooded the room.
"You can open your eyes now!" Marei's voice held an excitement he could barely contain.
Arila slowly opened her eyes.
In the yellow light, she saw Marei standing in the middle of the room, watching her.
And behind him—the unspeakable horror of the ritual!
The entire room was drenched in blood!
Women's flayed corpses were nailed to the walls, their flesh mangled and arranged in grotesque poses.
Some of the women were still alive, writhing like worms, but their vocal cords had been severed, leaving them to scream silently.
Around Marei, extending outwards, was a blood-painted inverted pentagram, its twisted symbols enough to chill the soul.
At various key points of the ritual lay piles of infant corpses, women's heads, and heaps of entrails.
It was hell on Earth!
Arila's terror peaked. She wanted to scream for help but couldn't produce any sound, only managing to cover her mouth in horror.
She didn't even have the strength to turn and run.
"What a beautiful masterpiece. Can't you appreciate their beauty?"
Marei spread his arms wide, presenting his most perfect creation to Arila.
The pentagram pulsed with a ghostly blue light, its glow flickering like a living thing's breath.
Marei walked over to her, gently taking her hand and leading her toward the pentagram.
"This is my gift to the All-Knowing Lord of Eyes. He will love it!"
"M-Mister Marei, p-please… let me go…"
Arila stammered in fear, barely able to speak.
She looked into Marei's blue eyes, her face filled with desperation and helplessness.
At that moment, she was like a lamb awaiting slaughter.
Marei stroked her face, tucking her hair behind her ear.
"You can't leave. You are the best gift I could offer to the Lord of Eyes."
As his hand moved over her face, Arila felt her body stiffen, paralyzed.
She looked at the writhing women on the walls, seeing her fate reflected in them.
Fear consumed her, and her tears flowed like an unstoppable flood.
"No... please... no!"
"My poor little lamb, don't be afraid. Just sit down and rest…"
Marei gently wiped Arila's tears with a silk handkerchief, his eyes filled with concern and reassurance.
He led her to a broken bed by the wall and helped her sit down.
"You are different from those other women. How could I bear to kill you?
No, instead, I will grant you the most exalted power from the Lord of Eyes!"
Marei quickly crossed the room to a wooden box in the corner, carefully retrieving an object covered in a black cloth.
With a swift motion, he tore the cloth away, and a brilliant blue light spilled out, dazzling and mesmerizing!
(End of Chapter)