Gill wore a shining scarlet coat, bright as fresh blood; under the blood moon, he fit the scene like a predator in its own red sea.

His grin curved sickly like a knife; his eyes were cruel and cold, yet a thin hunger burned there. Come on, Medith. You killed my brother; I’ll kill your sister.

We’re beasts, we’re monsters; only when the mask is ripped off can we fight like rain finally breaking a drought.

Beside Gill stood Haywood and Gus; Haywood’s face was ink-dark and drawn tight, as if he’d watched a tragedy drip hour by hour.

Gus was no better; his entire right arm had vanished into thin air, and there was no blood, no wound—his stump was uncanny, like a body never meant to have that limb.

Eddie was nowhere, a shadow that might be nesting in some crack.

...

Before Sais, Jade tore off her mask, showing the face beneath like moonlight escaping cloud.

Silver hair flashed, snowy and pure as a high white peak.

An angelic face—every frown and smile a lure—yet with fresh, girlish clarity like spring water.

Her petite frame with a cute, charming smile could spark a man’s shield-instinct like wind around a small flame.

She still wore that ninja garb, wrapping herself tight like bark around a slender trunk.

The room was narrow, lined with tools of pain like thorns in a cramped grove.

It was dim and damp; snakes, scorpions, rats, ants skittered like night rain.

Sais’s hands and feet were chained; she hung from a wooden frame, her face smeared, her flame-red hair loose and wild, falling over her eyes like a curtain of embers.

The thick reek of blood flooded her nose; even she, long used to iron and gore, felt fear crawl like frost.

But Jade didn’t look ready to torture her; her gaze was cool as still water.

She drew a basin of water, lifted a towel, parted Sais’s hair like reeds, then gently wiped her body, stroke by careful stroke.

Hiss—warm water slid over smooth skin; when it kissed a wound, pain bit, and Sais sucked in a breath like a cold wind.

Don’t move. If you get infected and die later, it’s not on me. Jade pressed her down, waited, finished the cleaning like closing a rainstorm.

She dressed Sais; color returned, and her spirit lifted a notch like dawn edging the horizon.

You... what are you really after? Confusion fogged first; words followed like mist.

Jade rinsed her hands; long jade-like fingers flicked water like sparrows. Don’t get me wrong. Your feud, I don’t care. I’m thinking of me.

If you win and take Gill’s head, when your eldest sister goes blood-mad, remember today and say a few good words for me.

Break an arm or a leg, fine; leave me alive. I’m useful, like a tool you don’t throw away. Her tone was flat, as if speaking of a stranger drifting downriver.

Sais’s doubt deepened like a closing sky. You think Medith can win?

Jade’s peach-soft lips curled; her face mixed self-mockery and resignation like rain with dust. Win? You asked it backward; it’s whether Gill can win.

They’re blind to Medith’s height; I’m not.

If nothing else, her one Magic Breaker could blow half a guild to ash; I’m already planning to run far, like a leaf before a storm.

How do you know Medith’s Magic Breaker is that strong? Suspicion pricked first; breath came after.

Just as I thought. Jade nodded, confirming it like a pebble dropping in a calm pond.

You baited me?! Shock flared first; her voice snapped after, like a spark hitting oil.

You said it yourself. Jade wore a wounded look, a fox pretending to pout.

Sais stared hard, hostility a blade across the gaze.

By the way, where did your long-ponytail Sprite get that toy?

Its force was rare in a lifetime—one five-story apartment and a hall for five hundred, gone in one breath; even Eddie died inside.

If I hadn’t moved fast, I’d be missing at least two legs. Jade crossed her legs on a low stool, as if settling for a fireside talk.

Sais listened; hatred and grief washed her face like a tide, and tears swelled unbidden.

Jade picked up a fruit, peeled a banana, shrugged helplessly like a branch in wind. I sprinkled salt on your wound.

Why didn’t you help us? With your ability, you could’ve saved Melia. Anger hit first; the words followed like sparks.

No wonder she’d felt Jade holding back—now the shape of it stood like a shadow on the wall.

Jade snorted a laugh. Oh my dear sister, who am I to you? Your life-and-death teammate, your kin?

I’m neither, and even if I were, not everyone would do that.

Humans aren’t as noble as you dream; everything I do is for me, like a traveler picking the safest ford.

You know what kind of power was on that field.

At most I’ve got more combat experience than you; in raw ability, you’re not far off me.

So how do I fight them?

Eddie’s overall strength isn’t below mine. Haywood’s instant burst shakes heaven and earth—Gill’s not sure he can take his full-force strike.

And then there’s their president, Gill.

He’s the real expert. If I move, sure, I can save a person; but I’d leave my life here like a broken spear.

Even if I didn’t die then, even if I fled, if Gill wins later, I still die.

So you watched us die, let Melia die?! If you hadn’t stopped me, none of this would’ve happened!!

Jade spread her hands, took a bite of banana, words clicking like beads. Tsk tsk tsk... mm... sister, you missing a screw?

I told you—I’m not a great person.

Who lives or dies has nothing to do with me; I only choose what favors me, like a bird seeking tailwind.

If your eldest sister were here, I’d flip sides in a heartbeat.

Sadly, she wasn’t.

Hush... look outside, the sky soaked in blood. A few strands of moonlight poured in, turning puddles on the floor into red pools.

Sais cooled, understanding Jade’s core like grain beneath varnish; fair to say, Jade had done what kindness she would.

Thinking that, she could only weep in secret, tears drip like rain under eaves.

Melia had walked with Medith from the first step—sister, mentor, friend, comrade; all in one.

In Medith’s heart, her place was likely higher than Sais’s, like a star the eye seeks first.

When Medith sees Melia’s corpse, how shattered will she be?

The blood-washed night outside already mirrors the pain inside.

Melia... Two silent lines of tears fell from Sais; for hundreds of years, Melia, a veteran among B-rank Sprites, had kept warm ties with everyone like a hearth.

Even the Queen admired her; otherwise she wouldn’t have made her a priest. Summons to Medith went through her hand like seals on silk.

Boom— While Sais grieved, the castle lurched; a massive roar rolled from the roof like thunder over cliffs.

Jade’s banana slipped to the floor; reverence glazed her face like frost. The God of Slaughter is here.