Chapter 43
Chapter 5 – Lysei’s Peril
A few days later, Lysei found herself with a rare moment of peace. Theor, her 24/7 shadow, was away on business in another country, and even Trey had left the Rose Palace on urgent matters. She knew, of course, that unseen guards were still watching over her. Trey had assured her of this, explaining he’d doubled the usual number to five before his departure. Still, the constant, suffocating presence of Trey and Theor was gone, and she relished the freedom.
Despite the early hour, Lysei washed up and slipped into bed. This world lacked TVs, cell phones, and even the books were difficult to decipher. Exercise was out of the question; Edin had strictly forbidden her from venturing outside at night. The thought of Edin’s reaction if she disobeyed and something happened made her shudder.
Perhaps it was the early bedtime that caused it, but Lysei found herself plagued by a nightmare, a phenomenon she hadn’t experienced in this world. She dreamt of her former life, working as a club bouncer. She was breaking up a fight, pulling brawlers apart, when a prickling sensation warned her of an impending attack. She turned just as a glint of steel flashed towards her, and then she woke with a start.
At that moment, a shadowy figure materialized in the moonlit room, having slipped in through the window. A long sword gleamed in its hand. Instinct screamed danger. Lysei rolled off the bed and scrambled to the opposite side, shouting, “Who’s there?!”
Startled by her sudden awakening, the shadowy figure hesitated for a moment before lunging with the sword.
“Whoa!” Lysei shrieked, grabbing anything within reach and flinging it at the attacker. She backed away, creating distance. “What are you doing?! Talk to me! Talk!”
But the figure, clearly skilled, closed the distance with terrifying speed. If she were still in her original, weaker body, Lysei knew she’d be dead. It was only the ingrained habit of exercise, continued even after her possession of this body, that allowed her to evade the relentless attacks. However, the difference in strength between her original body and this one was stark, and Lysei realized time was not on her side.
“Damn it! Who the hell are you?!”
Seiren, who had intended a swift, silent assassination, was growing increasingly frustrated. This woman, Lysei, was like a pesky rodent, dodging her attacks and chattering incessantly.
“Who are you?! Tell me who you are, and maybe we can talk!”
Lysei continued to demand her attacker’s identity, even though she knew it was a futile effort. It was a tactic to buy time and keep her distance.
Seiren clicked his tongue in annoyance, effortlessly deflecting the objects Lysei threw. This couldn’t continue. Abandoning his silent approach, he shifted his stance, preparing a deadly strike aimed at Lysei’s throat. It was an unblockable technique, the very skill that had earned him a position as the Empress’s personal guard.
Lysei recognized the shift, the lethal intent radiating from the figure. She was out of projectiles, and screaming for help would be useless; the sword would reach her long before anyone arrived. She swallowed hard, the reality of her imminent death sinking in. She hadn’t expected to die here. She briefly wondered if she’d return to her original body upon death, but then remembered she had died there, too. So, what would happen? Would she simply cease to exist?
A strange curiosity bloomed amidst the terror. The question of what happened after death overshadowed her fear.
Then, a new thought: at least try not to die.
She scanned the attacker, searching for a weakness, an opening.
Suddenly, the figure moved.
Lysei reacted instantly, ducking low and extending her arms. As the figure lunged, she wrapped her arms around its waist.
Seiren, surprised by the unexpected move, faltered for a split second. He swung his sword down towards Lysei.
But before the blade could connect, Seiren found himself falling, the ceiling spinning above him as he crashed to the floor.
What…?!
He was bewildered, having never encountered such a technique before.
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