"Ah~ I suddenly feel so bored."
Genji stood atop the high tower in the center of the city, gazing at the royal capital, which was now shrouded in darkness. Compared to the high-rise buildings she was accustomed to, the capital seemed brighter, even at night. Yet, all she could see before her were endless shadows, with only the scattered glow from portal windows offering any light.
The familiar scent of blood lingered in the air once again...
The capital city had grown far from ordinary in recent days. Mysterious murders had been occurring with increasing frequency, causing the knights to patrol the streets, even late at night. But in such a vast royal capital, it was impossible to cover every corner.
Following the direction of the scent, Genji found herself in a strange area. This part of the capital was considered remote, and the buildings here were far more modest than those made of stone in the city's core.
Her ability to fly and sense things even at night made it easy for Genji to move through this area without being hindered. She could even see things that ordinary people could not.
Why would a young girl be out walking at night? In the royal capital, few would venture out after dark, especially with so many murders happening. And she was just a young girl.
This made Genji's curiosity grow even stronger. The girl wore a black cloak to blend into the darkness, her movements erratic, as if she were searching for something. With a curious heart, Genji silently followed her from above.
---
"Boss, the stuff is already in hand," a man's voice spoke, his tone low.
He looked down at the object in his hand—a faintly glowing item. Then, he pulled out a piece of paper with drawings on it, comparing it carefully under the flickering candlelight.
"It looks like this is it... Is this what they call a 'magic power-up'?" he muttered. "Well, no matter what it is, at least I paid 20 gold coins for it."
He carefully placed the paper over the candle flame, watching it burn.
"We have what we need. Let's go."
The remaining subordinates silently buried the two bodies in the room and began preparing to leave. In the capital, such events weren't uncommon, especially when money was involved.
A group of men quietly pushed open the door, scanning the area. After waiting for a moment and ensuring the street was empty, they left in a hurry.
---
"Could this be considered stalking?" Genji thought to herself. She had been following the girl for a while now, and after some time, she realized she was following her for no clear reason.
"It's really a headache..." Genji sighed. "But it's been a quarter of an hour, and that guy still hasn't made a move?"
The scent of blood was growing stronger, and it was no longer coming from the girl. That meant...
Genji soon saw a group of three men running toward her, moving with purpose and as if trying to hide from something. They appeared to have just committed a murder.
The girl had hidden herself in a corner, holding her breath and drawing a dagger from her waist.
That was it.
Genji now understood the situation—she wasn't just waiting for anything. The girl's purpose was clear: she was targeting these three men.
The trio, still reveling in their recent success, believed their bounty was within reach. But they were too distracted to notice the impending danger.
A blur of motion shot from the corner, and a precise strike aimed straight at the head of the man in the middle drove deep into his skull.
Before the other men could react, the girl leapt behind him, her movements swift and deadly. She drew another dagger, prepared for whatever came next.
Genji's eyes widened. The girl was stronger than expected.
The man in the middle let out a scream of pain before collapsing to the ground.
The attack had been swift and efficient, but it also left the girl exposed. The other two men quickly moved to surround her, drawing their weapons and preparing to strike.
The girl clenched her teeth, hatred radiating from her. She may not have been a formidable opponent on her own, but the two men knew that they had the advantage. They flanked her, moving from opposite sides to trap her.
Genji stayed still, waiting for the right moment. The girl didn't act recklessly, though she was clearly on edge.
Then, one of the men pulled out a small bottle filled with powder and tossed it at the girl's feet. It hit the ground with a soft thud.
"Die!" he yelled.
The powder was a trick, something he had planned to use to secure the stolen items. But the girl had intercepted him unexpectedly, throwing off his plans.
As the powder dispersed, Genji saw the girl's movements slow. Her vision blurred, and she seemed to struggle with the effects.
Without hesitation, the two men rushed forward, weapons raised.
---
The sword swung in a perfect arc, heading straight for the girl with terrifying speed.
Blood began to seep from her wound, but she was quick enough to avoid the fatal blow. However, she still took a cut on her arm, the pain sharp and overwhelming.
"It hurts..." she gasped, clutching her bleeding arm.
"Who are you?" one of the men demanded, eyeing her curiously. "I don't have any grudge with you, do I?"
The girl gritted her teeth, forcing herself to speak through the pain. She pulled off her hat, revealing her blue hair beneath the moonlight. Her eyes were filled with hate, and her expression was one of pure anguish.
With great effort, she forced out the words, her voice thick with emotion.
"Milia... please... die... and avenge my parents..."