Chapter 10
The party was alive—people drinking, singing, laughing, dancing, and making memories.
Yona was having the time of her life. She knew she'd remember tonight forever… though she had no idea this might be the last time she'd ever party with her friends like this again.
The celebration had reached its peak when Yona pulled Tammy aside.
"Hey, I'm gonna catch some fresh air—walk the garden, sober up a bit."
"You okay, love?" Tammy asked, sensing something wasn't quite right.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just gonna head to the private hot springs and soak for a while, then I'll come back."
"Alright, dear. Send word if something happens or if you need anything."
"Pftt—like anything could happen to me." She snorted, amused at the thought. "If anything, they'd be the victim. I love you, I'll see you in a bit."
She slipped through the crowd and took a hidden path through a secluded corner, weaving down a narrow alleyway that led to the garden trail toward the springs. The faint pulse of music from the party still echoed in the distance as she hummed along.
Normally, she would've stayed longer—drinking, dancing, maybe trading stories—especially since she hadn't seen Elven and Faeth in forever, and they usually partied until dawn. But for a while now, she'd felt eyes on her. No matter how discreetly she cast her detection spells—both during her performance and later on the dance floor—she hadn't been able to pinpoint the source.
It annoyed her. It was killing her buzz.
Still, she acted as if nothing was wrong, laughing and dancing until she could slip away quietly. If someone was tailing her, she'd draw them out. Whoever it was must think she was a soft persimmon—easy to bruise.
Since when had anyone ever called her weak? No one dared provoke her, and when she wanted to spar or trade magic skills, most people suddenly "played dead."
Yona took her time walking the path to the hot springs, admiring the flowers, teasing the deer and bunnies that wandered through the garden. When she finally reached the fountain near the entrance of the springs, her stalker finally decided to show his face.
Yona stared at him with a blank, dead-eyed look.
Steve Avis.
"Tsk… some agenda you have, Stede Avis. You must really be a creepo," Yona said casually, the insult rolling off her tongue.
She had none of the forced politeness from the noble mixers her mother used to throw.
Dammit—it was just her luck to be stalked by this creep again.
Yona had already sent an intruder SOS message to Tammi and Elven, so they should be coming soon.
Though their presence here was irrelevant, as she was more than strong enough to handle him. Still, it was better to have witnesses to tell Gramps, the Wizard King, that she didn't start anything this time and that she was the one provoked.
"My name isn't Stede Avis, it's Steve Avera!!"
"Oh, same difference," she lazily replied, eyes on her hands, scratching her palms to ease the itchiness that had started.
"Listen here, whore—you… blah, blah, blah…" Yona blocked him out, falling into a daydream.
Hehe—Yona's hands had been itching lately, and this was a perfect moment to ease some stress.
Shit, she had planned to relax… maybe even get laid, but it seemed plans always changed like the wind unless a sunny day was guaranteed.
"Bitch, are you even listening to me!!" Stede shouted, throwing a darkblade slash at her.
Yona only crossed one leg over the other, resting her head on her hand, elbow propped on her knee.
"Ugh. No, Stede, I wasn't listening. If you had to ask, I don't like looking at your ugly face—it kills my mood."
Yona barely looked at him, worried she might catch a stye from staring at something so dirty.
She cast an instant reverse-defense spell, bouncing his own attack back with twice the strength.
Stede flew back, slamming into the barriers that activated when he stepped into the garden.
Yona felt highly annoyed by this wannabe.
"Cough cough," Stede got up, spitting blood.
Yona sat up straight, sensing something was wrong. A horrid stench made her gag.
"I told you my name isn't Stede, you bitch!!" He growled at her as he glowed with foul-smelling mana swirling around him. "Your soul, heart, thoughts, and entire being will be mine! Yona, my little beautiful priest!"
Danger!!!
Yona moved back to the opposite side of the garden, putting as much distance as possible between them, sensing the threat she hadn't felt before.
He had a forbidden item. She didn't know what exactly, but her soul and priest's spirit quivered.
Chills spread through her body as Yona froze. Run! That's what her soul shouted.
The mana around Yona soared, heeding her commands of the elements.
Yona's body reacted instantly, shifting into fight-or-flight mode. She cast an instant devour-dark spell.
Run! Escape or die! There was no other way. If she stayed, she might be forced into submission—or worse, a ritual.
She teleported—but was tossed back. Stede must have an artifact corroding space itself, making void travel unstable.
No wonder Tammi and the others hadn't arrived yet.
Not good—it was perfectly plotted.
Yona quickly brought a finger to her lips and sent a silent whistle through her monitor. Seconds later, something zipped through the sky, knocking Stede over.
Dowdo swooped Yona up, attempting to fly into the air.
Unbeknownst to them, Stede had backup. Valdo shot through the air, striking Yona in her right side just below the ribs, piercing her liver.
"Uhfft, Dowdo!" Yona cried, as half of the carpet ignited.
"It's okay, I got you!" She pushed with mana toward him, grabbing the intact side of the carpet and casting a water spell to extinguish the flames. Tears streamed down her face as she repeatedly apologized.
Her grief intensified when Dowdo's soul faded and the carpet lost its shine and beauty.
Her eyes rolled back, leaving only white irises. Her head fell back, and tears poured like a river. Her mouth opened silently, unleashing an ultrasonic scream—wild shockwaves spreading through the area, shattering windows, plants, and some buildings within a 200-meter radius.
The damage was devastating.