The morning sun crept into the room, soft and unassuming—but it did nothing to soften the scene inside. Blood splattered the floor, a crimson river reflecting the faint golden light.
Leo lay face down, her brown hair matted with dried blood. She was unconscious. The chains around her wrists and ankles had snapped, clattering quietly against the floor.
CLANG!
The iron door burst open, two demon guards stepping inside, clad in bronze-light armor that gleamed faintly.
"Hey! Didn't the boss tell you not to kill her? Looks like she's… dead," one shouted nervously.
"I only hit her! She's just too weak," the other replied, fear etched into his face.
Ugh… this won't do. "We need Sir Battler to heal her, or she's done for!"
"Yes, we must hurry!" the first guard agreed, and the two scurried out.
In the Mafia Boss's room…
"So… that woman still claims she's my version?" Leo[Pride] murmured, fingertip resting on his sharp jaw, eyes narrowing like blades as he glared at Battler.
Battler and Elizabeth stood tensely beside him. Leo[Pride] leaned back, legs crossed, radiating authority and danger.
"Yes, my boss… I deeply apologize for not having an answer for you," Battler said, voice tinged with guilt.
"Huh?! You know you can't!" Elizabeth snapped, crossing her arms and narrowing her eyes at him.
"But you failed too, didn't you, Elizabeth?" Battler countered, his gaze icy.
"Huh?! I only failed because of YOU! You stopped me when I had her! As the left arm of my boss, I WILL get an answer today!" Elizabeth shot back, voice slicing through the tension.
"Enough. Both of you," Leo[Pride] said, raising a hand.
Both froze, statues in the silence.
"Yes, my boss," they murmured, heads bowed.
"Make sure to get an answer today. If you fail…" Leo[Pride] paused, standing from his chair. He stepped closer, his presence suffocating, eyes sharp enough to pierce steel. Battler and Elizabeth's faces tightened with nervous sweat.
"Then… I will find the truth myself tomorrow."
"We won't fail, boss!" Battler stammered.
"We promise," Elizabeth added firmly.
"Fine. Get out of my sight," Leo[Pride] commanded, resuming his chair with an almost casual elegance.
"As you wish, boss," they chorused, exiting the room.
As Battler walked down the floor, panic hit.
"Sir! Sir!"
Two demon guards barreled toward him.
"What's the matter?" Battler asked, calm but alert.
"That woman… she's barely holding on. Her condition is dire," one said.
"You mean the brown-haired girl?" Battler's voice sharpened.
"Yes, sir!" they confirmed.
Battler exhaled, a long, controlled sigh. "Fine. Show me."
In the torture room…
CLANG!
The door swung open, and Battler's gaze fell on Leo. Bloodied. Broken. Unconscious.
"You sure can endure pain," he muttered, stepping closer. Sitting beside her, his fingers gently ruffled the matted strands of brown hair.
"Uhh… fine then." He smirked, brushing her forehead with a glowing green hand. Slowly, her wounds stitched themselves closed, the agony of the night fading like mist.
Battler stood, letting out a triumphant laugh. "Well… she's alright again! Hahaha!"
The sound reached Leo's ears. Her eyelids fluttered.
"Uh… where am I…?" she murmured, testing her movements.
Fully awake, her gaze locked on Battler—smirk and all. Instinctively, she rose to her feet.
"Huh?! You again! Why won't you let me go?! Didn't I tell you—" Her voice cracked with fury, body trembling with rage.
"My, my… how ungrateful," Battler said, grin wide. "I'm the one who healed you, aren't I?"
Leo looked herself over, amazed. "Heal? My body… it feels fine. All the torture… all the pain… it's gone…"
Her eyes locked onto Battler, burning with frustration. "Then why? Why heal me?"
"To know your true goal," he replied smoothly, brushing his long, shiny blue hair aside.
"I… how many times must I repeat myself? Didn't I tell you?!" Leo shouted, fists clenched, teeth biting down on her fury.
"Well… your answer is invalid for me, so," Battler said, mocking, eyes glinting with amusement.
"That stupid… guy…" Leo muttered, gritting her teeth.
"Hey! Both of you!!"
Elizabeth's roar of rage sliced through the room, reaching both Leo and Battler like a thunderclap.
"Cut the drama! I know that woman is still lying," Elizabeth snarled, stepping closer to Battler, her eyes blazing like molten fire.
"You're worthless. You don't even know how to get the truth," she spat, her fury directed straight at him.
"Oh, really? Then why are you even here?" Battler replied, his face twisting in irritation.
"I came because you can't get the truth!" Elizabeth shot back, raising a finger threateningly.
Battler's gaze flicked toward Leo, voice dropping into a low, dangerous rumble. "If you think you really know the truth, then… let's see."
Leo's heart raced. What the heck is happening here!? They still don't believe me. Panic and annoyance twisted her features.
"Of course. See this!" Elizabeth advanced toward Leo like a predator closing in.
"What are you trying to do to me!?" Leo shouted, stumbling back in terror.
"Don't worry, I will just—"
Before she could finish, Elizabeth's red-and-black katana whipped free from her back.
SLASH!
"AGGHHH!!"
Two of Leo's fingers flew from her hand, severed cleanly by the blade. She collapsed, clutching her bleeding fingers as crimson pooled around her.
Elizabeth didn't pause. She raised the katana, cold and sharp, to Leo's neck, eyes glinting with merciless intensity.
"Tell me now. Who are you, exactly?"
"Uh… ahh… I told you I am L—"
SLASH!
Leo's words died in her throat as Elizabeth sliced her left shoulder. Pain lanced through her body, rage and agony mingling in her trembling frame. Blood poured from the wound, painting her sleeve crimson.
"Tell me the truth, woman!!" Elizabeth shouted.
That girl… she's a pure monster… aghh, it hurts… Leo thought, clutching her shoulder in desperate pain.