“Why are you like this...?”
Max was caught out of nowhere and imprisoned, and was confused.
Ryan looked a little sad when he saw him alive and well, then looked at me and said.
“Can I just stand guard in his place and kill her right away?”
“Who are you killing?!”
I shook my head.
“No. I’ll be the bait.”
“...Are you crazy?”
“Bait? What the heck does that mean?!”
I interrupted from time to time and patted Max's arm as he was astonished.
“Just stay still, I’ll speak slowly.”
And said to Ryan.
“You know, I...”
There is one blessing that I cannot bring, which is the ability to copy any power.
It was the father's <disarming>.
Well... it was obvious.
Because the moment my father uses <Disarm>, my <Mirror Eye> also turns off.
And the moment when my father turns on <Disarm> again is impossible to 'recognize'.
<Poem of Retrograde> No matter how much the holder of it rewinds time in front of you, it is impossible to obtain it because it cannot be ‘recognized’ unless it regresses to companionship.
So, my father was more specialized in ‘controlling’ me than anyone else.
That is <Footsteps of Darkness>.
Winter of my nineteenth year.
After my brother, Richard, died, my hatred for the family reached its peak.
Let's run away.
Let's run away and gain strength.
No matter how much I thought about it, that was the only way to stand up to that damn family.
Just once, I have to escape my father's clutches.
I planned to hide abroad, somewhere I could avoid Wassenberg's pursuit, and practice the offensive blessings I possessed.
Even if my father realizes that he has lost me, there is nothing he can do.
Even if you try to stop me from practicing Bless with <Disarm> from afar, wouldn't it only be for a moment?
After all, Wassenberg's power stemmed from this ability. There was no way my father could continue to maintain the "powerlessness" that ruled over all his brothers.
“Did it taste good?”
“Are you anxious?”
Kali asked me.
We had arrived at the port, and there were many knights from Wassenberg leaving with me.
Running away blindly was obviously hopeless, so I spent months pretending to be the 'daughter who has come to her senses and decided to follow her father's will.'
As a result, I got the chance to take a boat and pretend to go on a short trip.
After being branded a reactionary in the family, even if I was allowed to travel abroad, I had to go with either my father, my eldest brother, or my second eldest brother...
This time, there is no surveillance from the person with the ability.
It was my last chance to give it my all.
“Nike!”
And it's time to say goodbye.
As promised, Nike came to see me before leaving.
There was no one who didn't know that we were lovers, so there was no reason to suspect anything when I briefly said goodbye to him.
A moment of separation, not knowing when we will meet again.
Still, I wanted to break up with a smile.
An empty waiting room.
“Don’t get sick. Don’t get hurt. And make sure you eat.”
"...Yes."
“...”
“...”
A hand held tightly. His fingers rubbed my palm repeatedly, as if he didn't want to let go.
“Ahaha...”
I hugged Nike's neck, which didn't seem like it would let me go, and kissed his lips.
“...You have to go.”
"Yes..."
Tears welled up in my eyes. I whispered, weeping, as I smelled his scent, just a few feet from my nose.
"I'll be back as soon as possible. By then, I'll be truly... different. Not this weak me... not this foolish me... really, truly strong..."
"I love you."
"...me too."
Nike kissed me. The last kiss tasted like tears. Sadly.
And now, really, it's time to leave.
"Ah."
My wrist was grabbed.
“I really have to go, you idiot. If you keep doing this, I won’t want to go...”
A strong pulling force.
Nike's hand, which had pulled me, immediately began to strangle my neck.
“Ugh...”
Oh, why all of a sudden?
My mind went blank.
Nike's expressionless face grew silent as he gradually tightened his grip on my neck.
Why?
Eyes that had lost their light, unlike a moment ago when he had told me hw loved me.
And the tears welling up in those eyes.
I realized it the moment I saw it.
That it is not moving by Nike's will.
"Oh my!"
When I was almost out of breath, Nike let me go.
I held my neck and continued to stare at Nike, catching my breath.
He took a dagger out of his bosom and held it to my neck.
“Sister!!!”
I shouted.
“Sister, don’t... Gasp. Haa, please, please don’t do that...”
At my request, Nike paused for a moment, then threw the dagger to the floor.
Soon, assassins dressed in black burst in from outside. They were members of the "Shadow Corps" commanded by Marina, the eighth sister.
"I apologize for your noble nature. If you use force, things will get worse, so I ask for your cooperation."
And then, just then.
Footsteps of Darkness
Marina emerged from Nike's shadow.
‘That’s ridiculous...’
Footsteps of darkness.
Stage 4 of Completion: The holder can control the body of the target who has swallowed the shadow, treating them like a puppet.
‘It was already at that stage...?’
Marina was the one whose face was the hardest to see among the siblings.
Because my father kept a close watch on me to make sure I didn't get her blessing.
However, for security reasons, the best I could do was to plant someone next to Marina and keep track of her location.
“Nike...”
Nike, who had finally been freed after being subdued, looked at me and twisted his body violently.
“Hey, hey, stay still. If you make any noise, I’m going to slap her in the face.”
When Marina threatened me, Nike stopped struggling and bit hia lip.
It was a situation that could not be responded to from the beginning.
Any human being who casts a shadow under the sun can never be free from Marina.
Nike may have been shadowed by Marina without even knowing it...
It was only at this very moment, when his body was unable to move as he wished, that he realized Marina's presence.
“What? I’ll be back as soon as possible.”
Marina walked towards me.
"Your trip wasn't supposed to last more than two weeks, was it? Why are you saying goodbye like lovers about to be separated for life?"
“...”
“Answer me, you fucking idiot!!!”
Marina shouted.
“You scary girl. How dare you fool your father? Huh?”
“I’m not lying. I’m really traveling...”
"Do you feel different after traveling? You said you'd become stronger? Why would you become stronger?"
“...”
“You’re such a jerk, really. You’re a good actor, too. Do you know how happy your father is that you’re listening to him so well these days?”
Marina said something surprising, poking my forehead.
"Isn't this what your father told you to do? He trusted you and sent you on your way, knowing how good your acting was. But you betrayed that trust."
“...”
“As expected, people never change? It’s a good thing I kept suspecting you, Next.”
“Sister, I heard you went to Rome on a mission your father told you to do...”
“Did I go? Do you think you’re the only one who knows how to think? I can use it too! I pretended to go to make you let your guard down, why!”
“...Did you have to go that far?”
"Yeah! You even have someone by my side! You're always crawling out and bothering your siblings, but strangely, it only happens when I'm not around."
“...”
“At that point, anyone who isn’t an idiot should have noticed, you piece of shit. I’ve only chased, but this is the first time I’ve been chased again. It was a refreshing experience, thank you.”
“Then, doesn’t mt father know? Did you come here alone?”
“Pfft!”
Marina laughed.
“Well, I guess it’s worth a try if you’re the only one who follows me around secretly?”
Immediately, someone entered the waiting room.
My first brother, David.
The moment I saw him, I burst into a hollow laugh.
"You know you're going to get beaten up by your brother today. I bet even your father won't let this one go. And, did you see my blessing just now?"
Marina laughed.
What for me?
“Because your father wanted to set you free.”
“That’s really funny...”
“But you know it’s all over now, right?”
Marina chuckled and cupped my cheek with one hand.
"The moment you take my blessing, your freedom is gone. You'll just have to live the rest of your life locked in this house under surveillance, you princess."
“Let’s go now.”
David approached me with the sound of his shoes clacking. He grabbed my arm. I braced myself and held on.
Holding on...
I looked at Nike.
What could possibly be the last time I see myself, so stupid and helpless…
Marina blocked our gaze and taunted Nike.
“Now that I’ve gotten over it, I have nothing left to worry about.”
“...”
"So, please, listen to me. If you think about meeting him one more time, I really can't stand it."
“Ah!”
At that moment, David grabbed my hair, which I had been holding on to, and pulled it violently.
I was dragged out like a dog.
That's how it is...
What happened after that?
Just as Marina said, I was locked up and under 24-hour surveillance.
‘It was like hell...’
Since I had Marina's blessing, it was easy for me to run away, so I couldn't help but watch.
Fortunately or unfortunately, the confinement did not last very long.
Not long after I was imprisoned, Ryan came to kill them all.
Anyway, the reason I volunteered to be the bait to catch Marina is.
“You know, I need to get that guy’s blessing.”
“...”
Silence immediately fell.
I know. It's extremely dangerous.
Ryan shouted.
“Is this haunted by a ghost that died because it couldn’t eat anything!!”
Max was caught out of nowhere and imprisoned, and was confused.
Ryan looked a little sad when he saw him alive and well, then looked at me and said.
“Can I just stand guard in his place and kill her right away?”
“Who are you killing?!”
I shook my head.
“No. I’ll be the bait.”
“...Are you crazy?”
“Bait? What the heck does that mean?!”
I interrupted from time to time and patted Max's arm as he was astonished.
“Just stay still, I’ll speak slowly.”
And said to Ryan.
“You know, I...”
***
There is one blessing that I cannot bring, which is the ability to copy any power.
It was the father's <disarming>.
Well... it was obvious.
Because the moment my father uses <Disarm>, my <Mirror Eye> also turns off.
And the moment when my father turns on <Disarm> again is impossible to 'recognize'.
<Poem of Retrograde> No matter how much the holder of it rewinds time in front of you, it is impossible to obtain it because it cannot be ‘recognized’ unless it regresses to companionship.
So, my father was more specialized in ‘controlling’ me than anyone else.
He permitted her brothers to acquire this ability, but strictly forbade them from training in offensive-type blessings.
And there was Bless, who had been thoroughly monitored to prevent them from obtaining it at all...
***
Winter of my nineteenth year.
After my brother, Richard, died, my hatred for the family reached its peak.
Let's run away.
Let's run away and gain strength.
No matter how much I thought about it, that was the only way to stand up to that damn family.
Just once, I have to escape my father's clutches.
I planned to hide abroad, somewhere I could avoid Wassenberg's pursuit, and practice the offensive blessings I possessed.
Even if my father realizes that he has lost me, there is nothing he can do.
Even if you try to stop me from practicing Bless with <Disarm> from afar, wouldn't it only be for a moment?
After all, Wassenberg's power stemmed from this ability. There was no way my father could continue to maintain the "powerlessness" that ruled over all his brothers.
“Did it taste good?”
“Are you anxious?”
Kali asked me.
We had arrived at the port, and there were many knights from Wassenberg leaving with me.
Running away blindly was obviously hopeless, so I spent months pretending to be the 'daughter who has come to her senses and decided to follow her father's will.'
As a result, I got the chance to take a boat and pretend to go on a short trip.
After being branded a reactionary in the family, even if I was allowed to travel abroad, I had to go with either my father, my eldest brother, or my second eldest brother...
This time, there is no surveillance from the person with the ability.
It was my last chance to give it my all.
“Nike!”
And it's time to say goodbye.
As promised, Nike came to see me before leaving.
There was no one who didn't know that we were lovers, so there was no reason to suspect anything when I briefly said goodbye to him.
A moment of separation, not knowing when we will meet again.
Still, I wanted to break up with a smile.
An empty waiting room.
“Don’t get sick. Don’t get hurt. And make sure you eat.”
"...Yes."
“...”
“...”
A hand held tightly. His fingers rubbed my palm repeatedly, as if he didn't want to let go.
“Ahaha...”
I hugged Nike's neck, which didn't seem like it would let me go, and kissed his lips.
“Should I go?”
"Yes..."
Tears welled up in my eyes. I whispered, weeping, as I smelled his scent, just a few feet from my nose.
"I'll be back as soon as possible. By then, I'll be truly... different. Not this weak me... not this foolish me... really, truly strong..."
"I love you."
"...me too."
Nike kissed me. The last kiss tasted like tears. Sadly.
And now, really, it's time to leave.
"Ah."
My wrist was grabbed.
“I really have to go, you idiot. If you keep doing this, I won’t want to go...”
A strong pulling force.
Nike's hand, which had pulled me, immediately began to strangle my neck.
“Ugh...”
Oh, why all of a sudden?
My mind went blank.
Nike's expressionless face grew silent as he gradually tightened his grip on my neck.
Why?
Eyes that had lost their light, unlike a moment ago when he had told me hw loved me.
And the tears welling up in those eyes.
I realized it the moment I saw it.
That it is not moving by Nike's will.
"Oh my!"
When I was almost out of breath, Nike let me go.
I held my neck and continued to stare at Nike, catching my breath.
He took a dagger out of his bosom and held it to my neck.
“Sister!!!”
I shouted.
“Sister, don’t... Gasp. Haa, please, please don’t do that...”
At my request, Nike paused for a moment, then threw the dagger to the floor.
Soon, assassins dressed in black burst in from outside. They were members of the "Shadow Corps" commanded by Marina, the eighth sister.
"I apologize for your noble nature. If you use force, things will get worse, so I ask for your cooperation."
The assassins bound Nike, who was chuckling and obediently extending his arms, so he couldn't move.
Footsteps of Darkness
Marina emerged from Nike's shadow.
‘That’s ridiculous...’
Footsteps of darkness.
Stage 4 of Completion: The holder can control the body of the target who has swallowed the shadow, treating them like a puppet.
‘It was already at that stage...?’
Marina was the one whose face was the hardest to see among the siblings.
Because my father kept a close watch on me to make sure I didn't get her blessing.
However, for security reasons, the best I could do was to plant someone next to Marina and keep track of her location.
“Nike...”
Nike, who had finally been freed after being subdued, looked at me and twisted his body violently.
“Hey, hey, stay still. If you make any noise, I’m going to slap her in the face.”
When Marina threatened me, Nike stopped struggling and bit hia lip.
It was a situation that could not be responded to from the beginning.
Any human being who casts a shadow under the sun can never be free from Marina.
Nike may have been shadowed by Marina without even knowing it...
It was only at this very moment, when his body was unable to move as he wished, that he realized Marina's presence.
“What? I’ll be back as soon as possible.”
Marina walked towards me.
"Your trip wasn't supposed to last more than two weeks, was it? Why are you saying goodbye like lovers about to be separated for life?"
“...”
“Answer me, you fucking idiot!!!”
Marina shouted.
“You scary girl. How dare you fool your father? Huh?”
“I’m not lying. I’m really traveling...”
"Do you feel different after traveling? You said you'd become stronger? Why would you become stronger?"
“...”
“You’re such a jerk, really. You’re a good actor, too. Do you know how happy your father is that you’re listening to him so well these days?”
Marina said something surprising, poking my forehead.
"Isn't this what your father told you to do? He trusted you and sent you on your way, knowing how good your acting was. But you betrayed that trust."
“...”
“As expected, people never change? It’s a good thing I kept suspecting you, Next.”
“Sister, I heard you went to Rome on a mission your father told you to do...”
“Did I go? Do you think you’re the only one who knows how to think? I can use it too! I pretended to go to make you let your guard down, why!”
“...Did you have to go that far?”
"Yeah! You even have someone by my side! You're always crawling out and bothering your siblings, but strangely, it only happens when I'm not around."
“...”
“At that point, anyone who isn’t an idiot should have noticed, you piece of shit. I’ve only chased, but this is the first time I’ve been chased again. It was a refreshing experience, thank you.”
“Then, doesn’t mt father know? Did you come here alone?”
“Pfft!”
Marina laughed.
“Well, I guess it’s worth a try if you’re the only one who follows me around secretly?”
Immediately, someone entered the waiting room.
My first brother, David.
The moment I saw him, I burst into a hollow laugh.
"You know you're going to get beaten up by your brother today. I bet even your father won't let this one go. And, did you see my blessing just now?"
Marina laughed.
“Do you know why Dad never let me give you my Bless? It was all for you.”
It was a Bless that could easily escape, so they made sure I could never obtain it.
“That’s really funny...”
“But you know it’s all over now, right?”
Marina chuckled and cupped my cheek with one hand.
"The moment you take my blessing, your freedom is gone. You'll just have to live the rest of your life locked in this house under surveillance, you princess."
“Let’s go now.”
David approached me with the sound of his shoes clacking. He grabbed my arm. I braced myself and held on.
Holding on...
I looked at Nike.
What could possibly be the last time I see myself, so stupid and helpless…
"Hey there, Your Royal Highness. You don't want to twist that guy's neck again, do you? Even though you two are disgustingly glued together, I had to hide Bless and couldn't follow you..."
“Now that I’ve gotten over it, I have nothing left to worry about.”
“...”
"So, please, listen to me. If you think about meeting him one more time, I really can't stand it."
“Ah!”
At that moment, David grabbed my hair, which I had been holding on to, and pulled it violently.
I was dragged out like a dog.
Perhaps tormented by the helplessness of merely watching, Nike trembled before me, swallowing the blood that burst forth from his torn lips...
***
What happened after that?
Just as Marina said, I was locked up and under 24-hour surveillance.
‘It was like hell...’
Since I had Marina's blessing, it was easy for me to run away, so I couldn't help but watch.
Fortunately or unfortunately, the confinement did not last very long.
Not long after I was imprisoned, Ryan came to kill them all.
Anyway, the reason I volunteered to be the bait to catch Marina is.
“You know, I need to get that guy’s blessing.”
“...”
Silence immediately fell.
I know. It's extremely dangerous.
Ryan shouted.
“Is this haunted by a ghost that died because it couldn’t eat anything!!”
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