Her voice dropped.
Slower now.
Colder.
Commanding.
"Jump into the pool and find the key if you want to live."
She turned away immediately and sat down, crossing one leg over the other like someone waiting for a late delivery.
"Wait—what?" Sebastian asked.
The confusion in his voice wasn't even hidden.
He pointed at her.
"Why should I trust you? You're the reason I'm here." His face tightened as he spoke, frustration and suspicion mixing together. "You dragged me into this."
She stared at him for a moment.
Then sighed.
Her own patience was clearly running thin.
"Kid," she said flatly.
"I'll be frank with you."
She gestured lazily toward the pool.
"That pool could absolutely be a trap. And I would rather not step into it first."
Her eyes slid back to him.
"But you? I doubt it would affect you."
She leaned back slightly.
"Like I said earlier—that thing has been inside you for who knows how long. If it wanted you dead, it could've done it anytime. It could've dragged you here whenever it pleased and done whatever it wanted with you."
Sebastian opened his mouth—
Her hand snapped up.
"Don't."
He froze mid-question.
Then something about her changed.
She tilted her head.
Listening.
Slowly she turned, angling her ears toward different directions. She paused between each movement, concentrating.
Left.
Right.
Behind her.
After several seconds she stopped.
"It isn't as far as I thought," she murmured.
A pause.
"But thankfully… not too close either."
"What the fuck are you talking about?" Sebastian snapped.
His denial was obvious.
Disgust simmered beneath his skin.
His jaw clenched tight and his breathing became shallow.
"I don't know what kind of game you're playing," he said, voice tight. "I don't even understand how I ended up here. Maybe this whole place is some fucked-up illusion you built just to mess with me."
He forced himself to inhale slowly.
Then looked at her again.
His eyes were cold now.
"I'm not playing along with whatever this is."
His voice hardened.
"If you want to kill me, then just do it."
A brief pause.
"But understand something first."
His fists clenched.
"I'll fight you with everything I've got."
He glanced down briefly before adding quietly,
"Even an ant's bite hurts and—"
Her laughter exploded.
Loud.
Sharp.
Uncontrolled.
It completely drowned out the rest of his sentence.
She laughed for several seconds before finally calming down.
"Don't deceive yourself," she said mockingly.
Her eyes glittered with amusement.
"Who exactly put you on the same level as an ant?"
She leaned forward slightly.
"Your capabilities are worth less than a newborn insect so please stop deluding yourself."
She glanced around the room again.
Then added calmly,
"And as for killing you… I wouldn't even dream of doing that while I'm still in here."
Her expression shifted as she looked around again.
Something uneasy settled across her face.
"This place…" she murmured.
"I'm not sure what it is."
She tapped her temple lightly.
"I'm just as new to it as you are."
She pointed to herself.
Then to him.
"The only difference is where we stand."
Her finger stopped in front of his chest.
"I'm the predator."
Then she tapped him.
"You're the prey."
She leaned back again, continuing calmly.
"The first soul I killed, I found immediately. There were no structures. No traps."
Her lips curled slightly.
"Just a small dim flame."
Her fingers snapped together.
"Snuffed out."
A crazed smile appeared on her face for a moment.
Then she looked back at Sebastian.
The smile faded slightly.
"Yours though…"
She tilted her head.
"…is like comparing a bonfire to a really small fire."
"A lighter?" Sebastian offered carefully.
She blinked.
"I don't know what that is."
Then waved her hand dismissively.
"Just understand the difference was ridiculous."
Sebastian frowned slightly.
"So you're saying out of everyone you've killed… I'm the most unique?"
She shook her head.
"Unique doesn't cover it."
"I've encountered souls stronger than average before."
Another pause.
"But yours?"
She shook her head again slowly.
"It isn't just bigger."
Her eyes narrowed.
"It's hotter."
She inhaled slightly through her nose.
"And it has a scent."
Her gaze sharpened.
"I only noticed it properly once I entered your soul."
She hadn't been active in a long time.
But she was certain of one thing.
His soul was… eye-catching.
"And this might be because of that thing?" Sebastian asked quietly.
She shrugged.
"Maybe."
A pause.
"Maybe not."
She pointed toward the pool again.
"I'll answer that question once you get the key."
"You swear?" Sebastian asked immediately.
He raised his hands.
"Hands up. No folding."
She rolled her eyes.
"Just get the key."
She leaned back again.
"I'll tell you everything else I know afterward."
A pause.
"I haven't lied to you so far."
She gestured around the room.
"And the information I just gave you should already be more than enough to build some trust."
"One more thing," Sebastian said suddenly.
She frowned.
"If I'm supposedly that delicious…" he continued slowly, "why haven't you killed me already?"
He gestured toward himself.
"And why don't I look like a flame?"
She stared at him.
Her expression shifted into something between disbelief and irritation.
"If a cub eats prey meant for an adult lion," she said slowly, "prey that has been nurtured for a long time…"
She leaned forward slightly.
"…what do you think happens?"
Sebastian blinked.
"Nurtured?"
Goosebumps erupted across his arms.
"Are you saying I'm being prepared to be eaten?"
"That's what it seems like," she replied flatly.
Silence filled the room.
"Then can you help me?" Sebastian asked suddenly.
The desperation in his voice slipped out before he could stop it.
"Help you?" she said.
She looked down at herself.
"Do you see the state I'm in?"
"I'll try," she added after a moment.
"Just get the key."
Sebastian stared at her carefully.
"You're not sincere."
His eyes narrowed.
"I can see it in your eyes."
He slowly sat down.
"If helping me is pointless… then fine."
He folded his arms.
"Might as well rid the world of one killer before I die."
Anger flashed across her face.
For a brief second.
Then vanished.
She stood up suddenly and walked to the pool.
Without hesitation she dipped a finger into the water.
Nothing happened.
She glanced back at him and sneered.
"Seems like your help isn't needed."
A smile crept onto her lips.
"Let's hope you survive this encounter."
Her eyes gleamed.
"So I can enjoy dealing with you later."
Before he could respond—
She jumped into the pool.
Seconds passed.
Then she surfaced again.
Breathing harder.
Her fist was filled with keys.
Fuck.
It really had been a trap.
Thankfully… not a strong one.
She stared at Sebastian for a moment.
Something predatory flickered in her eyes.
Then vanished.
She walked straight to the door and began testing the keys.
One.
Two.
Three.
Each one failed.
Finally—
Click.
The door opened.
She glanced at him again.
Then turned back toward the entrance she had originally come from.
Her face darkened.
"It's here," she whispered.
Then she looked back at him.
"Maybe you'll slow it down."
She rushed through the doorway.
And slammed the door shut behind her.
The moment the door closed—
Sebastian shot to his feet.
His earlier bravado meant nothing now.
He hadn't even seen half the country yet.
Let alone half the world.
Dying here?
No chance.
He rushed to the door and pressed his ear against it.
Listening.
Counting slowly.
One.
Two.
Three.
Once he was sure she was gone, he stepped back.
Control what I can.
Leave what I can't.
He looked around the room again.
If this place really was inside his body—
He winced.
No.
That sounded wrong.
If this was his soul… then surely he should have some advantage here.
Right?
He grabbed the handle and tried the door.
It didn't move.
Huh?
He tried again.
Harder.
Still nothing.
His eyes slowly drifted toward the keyhole.
(╬▔皿▔)╯
"This bitch…"
He muttered under his breath.
"Fuck you and your family."
"I hope your next life is just as fucked up as this one."
Maybe there was another key.
He turned and ran toward the pool.
If the water didn't hurt her—
Then it wouldn't hurt him either.
He dove in.
The water didn't burn.
But it felt strange.
There was a subtle pulling sensation, almost like the water wanted to drag him downward.
Gold and jewels clung strangely to his clothes as he searched.
His lungs began burning.
Finally he surfaced, gasping for air.
He rushed back to the door.
His hands trembled as he tried each key.
He missed the keyhole twice.
"Fuck…"
He muttered.
"Why is my aim this bad?"
"I might need retraining."
Key after key failed.
Finally he kicked the pile in frustration.
"Seems like I'll have to try again."
He turned toward the pool.
And froze.
A gasp tore from his throat.
His legs gave out.
He collapsed against the door behind him.
His stomach twisted violently.
Almost enough to make him vomit.
It.
No.
She.
Stood there.
The owner of the chained, blood-soaked foot.