Chapter 38


    Her mind was a mess.


    Mercy struggled to hold onto her fading vision.


    Arms and legs bound by magic.


    Half-copsed on the bed, there was a faint scent.


    Approaching her was the owner of this ce, Lina Rosewell.


    Ugh.


    Initially, it was fear.


    Lina Rosewell was clearly not in her right mind.


    The Bloodstone Cult drained vitality from the blood of others.


    Resistance was futile. Mercys lips trembled.


    Sweet.


    Linas lips touched Mercys neck. She expected it to draw blood, but instead, a long, red tongue trailed along her corbone. In the rough and tantalizing touch, Lina quickly bit her lips.


    Dont be too scared. Its my first time too. But itll definitely feel good. You might even want to beg for more.


    A voice worn by agony. Linas breath carried a strange heat. The contagion of blue mushroom spores. It happened through the exchange of bodily fluids. Since the process was akin to amunion, the pheromones emitted by the mediator were irresistible to the recipient.


    Lina Rosewell gently caressed her.


    Beyond the tender and ticklish touch, an incessant groan poured in. The red light emitted by the stained moon intensified the heat.


    Mercys toes trembled in the face of this fatal temptation.


    This cant be


    No matter how hard she tried to resist, it seemed impossible to withstand Linas warm breath. Rationality, fortified by fear, began to crumble like a dam with a hole.


    Thump, thump.


    A heartbeat knocking as if to break reason.


    Hah.


    A voice announcing thepletion echoed from Mercys throat. Linas eyes curved like a crescent moon.


    As Linas lips teased Mercys body, about to absorb the heated bodily fluids, something unexpected happened.


    Rustle.


    A light breeze swept through.


    Lina turned her head towards the door.


    A strand of her cold hair fell.


    Simultaneously,


    ng.


    A diagonally dotted line carved on the door split in half and fell to the ground.


    Knock, knock.


    A long leg emerged through the split door. Seeing this unexpected sight, Lina muttered in bewilderment.


    Sharon Pierce.


    Sharon scanned the room, furrowing her brows. She didnt care what the two women were doing. Her only concern was Linas condition.


    Stop.


    A rapier was suddenly thrust out.


    Lina chuckled.


    Its just like Sharon, the Frost Knight, to point your sword at me from our first meeting.


    Step away from her and raise your hands.


    I dont want to?


    Lina, fixing her gaze on Sharon, brought her lips to Mercys body. As Mercys neck twitched, her eyes grew even redder. Mercys legs trembled.


    It seems she enjoys it too.


    Rustle.


    A clean sword de.


    Instead of an answer, the opposite side of Linas hair was cut. Linas lips slightly hardened.


    Ahh. The side hair is hard to grow. Too much. Hehe.


    Snap out of it, Lina Rosewell.


    Am I not in my right mind?


    Stop the nonsense.


    You know, Sharon. Many people like those who enjoy the cold, but because of that personality, they often feel jealous and envious. Trust only in your skills and dont be too arrogant.


    Oh, did you know that too?


    Hah.


    Sharon let out a short sigh.


    What caused Lina Rosewell to change so much?


    Theres no hint as to what it might be. The n was to clean up Ian starting from the disciplinarymittee. But now, it might all be falling apart.


    Its messed up. Why?


    Does it really look that way? Lately, people have been looking at me strangely, with odd eyes. Its just wounds, wounds. Ahaha.


    Linaughed lightly.


    In that moment, it seemed like the usual Lina Rosewell was glimpsed.


    Inm.


    And then, the summoning of high-ranking spirits continued like flowing water.


    Ssh!


    The rapidly unfurled frosty mist from Sharons sword saturated the air.


    Overwhelming magical power. If she hadnt exerted her full strength, it couldnt have been stopped.


    Sharons pupils were dyed with astonishment.


    On the other hand, Lina Rosewell grinned brightly.


    But Ive be stronger than before, havent I?


    Well, what do you think? Are you starting to pay a little more attention to what I say now?


    Sharon stared at Lina in silence.


    Whether she took it as a sign of surrender or not, Lina sat back on the bed, shaking her legs and continued speaking.


    You know, Sharon. Wasnt I always a bit struggling?


    Speaking in a tone as if confiding in a close friend.


    It would have been unusual for the original Lina Rosewell.


    Always smiling, considerate to others, kind all the time. Thats how people see Lina Rosewell, right? But you know whats funny?


    Smirk.


    Lina walked towards the desk, lifting a small doll.


    Embroidered on it was the phrase To my dear friend.


    Once I started struggling, no one helped me.


    Whirr.


    The doll turned into ashes.


    Certainly, it used to be something cherished, but not anymore.


    Swish.


    Lina waved her hand, dispersing the ashes.


    Ive lived being extremely kind, you know? But when I was starving and struggling, no one came to help me. Hehe


    Linas body wobbled unsteadily.


    Despite the madness felt in her movements


    Sharon Pierce spoke up.


    Ian ckangers took care of you.


    That b*stard!


    ng!


    Lina Rosewells expression, as she mmed the desk, turned menacingly dark.


    Can you not mention that b*stards name?


    Werent you in the same ss as him? You must have been friends.


    Friends? Whats that? What a ridiculous idea. We just happened to be in the same ssroom.


    He helped you out, and that fact is already well-known.


    Sharon, isnt it the same for you?


    My case is different.


    Quite amusing. Who do you think gave you that sword as a gift? If we calcte based on what you received, you probably got more than I did.


    How do you know that?


    Just as you said, we were ssmates. I had plenty of opportunities to observe him. Ian.


    Sharon fell silent.


    Lina, having won the argument, chuckled.


    But soon, herughter crumpled.


    Ian ckangers.


    Thoughts about him once again invaded her mind.


    Lunchbox. Prepared items. Endless favors. And the betrayal and sense of being stabbed in the back.


    Suddenly feeling inferior to Ian, who was better than her in every aspect.


    Feelings of hatred and disgust.


    Just thinking about Ian made all those emotions swell up.


    Her brain burned hot.


    It felt like she might explode and be a fool.


    I hate it.


    ?


    Lina began muttering to herself.


    The items he handed over. The lunchbox he clearly made. All of that disgusts me more now.


    I hate how he gets in my way, irritates me, to the point where I want to kill him.


    But Sharon, listening to what you said, it makes sense He used to prepare food for me.


    Why do I keep thinking about that b*stard?


    I want to try it again. That lunchbox.


    With eyes deeply bloodshot, Lina Rosewell murmured while swaying her head.


    Her appearance was truly chilling.


    Sharon Pierce understood the characteristics of what she saw.


    Sharons mother had the same symptoms, and she had attacked young Sharon to suck her blood, so Sharon was certain.


    Beginning stages of bloodlust infection.


    Bloodlust?


    It means that you are bing a member of the Blood Cult.


    Not possible.


    Everyone thinks theyre the exception.


    But Ive never encountered a Bloodstone Cultist?


    Lina tilted her head in confusion.


    That she could maintain such rationality at the beginning of the bloodlust infection wasmendable. Of course, that couldnt be the reason not to spare Lina.


    Sharon thought with the handle of her sword in hand.


    Why did youe here?


    It seemed suspicious. The rtionship between you and Ian


    What do you mean?


    The Kirtos anonymous chat. There, Leaf Masksments were in favor of Ian ckangers.


    How does that concern me?


    You were the one who operated under the alias Leaf.


    Linas eyebrows twitched for a moment.


    Ahaha. Got caught, huh? Even though I purposely toned it down a bit. It seems that wasnt enough.


    At that time, you spoke favorably of Ian ckangers.


    I was just statingmon sense.


    Why is thatmon sense?


    If that guy really did something wrong, wouldnt it be enough for him to face punishment from the disciplinarymittee? Why bother coordinating stories?


    Thats what makes it suspicious. To cleanly handle a target, you need to move more surely and strategically.


    At Sharons words, Lina briefly tapped her own lips.


    Why did she put so much effort into dealing with Ian?


    Of course, she also had thoughts of wanting to eliminate Ian, but that was a collection of momentary impulses.


    Suddenly, a thought crossed her mind.


    Hey. I just remembered something now.


    ?


    Among the three of you, is there anyone who has a grudge against Ian?


    Sharons expression stiffened.


    The current Lina wouldnt miss such a sight.


    Our cold city girl Sharon has such a tense face? Heheh.


    As expected.


    What?


    Its clear that your girl, Lina, is in cahoots with Ian ckangers.


    Ian ckangers, who had recently shown a changed demeanor.


    If this woman sided with him, it would exin everything.


    Handle Lina first, then slowly deal with Ian.


    Sharon looked at the scattered Mercy on the bed.


    It should be enough evidence. The honor of the family would not be damaged.


    Exterminate the Blood Cult.


    The current Lina Rosewell was strong enough to be treated as an exception.


    Of course, even more so than Sharon herself.


    However, it could be countered.


    This entire conversation was Sharons intention.


    Sharon had read everything from Linas breath to simple gestures.


    One strike.


    One strike would be enough.


    She had confidence that she could hit it no matter how suddenly she attacked.


    So, die, Lina Rosewell.


    The moment when Sharons azure-blue sword was about to be used, aiming precisely for Linas forehead


    Boom!


    The ceiling copsed, and a figure appeared.


    Oh my. I seem to have taken a wrong turn.


    It was Ian.


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