Merci crouched low on the jagged cliff overlooking the human settlement.
Her sharp eyes traced every movement inside the barrier, her claws flexing against the rock.
From here, she could see the young man—Verus—sweating in the training grounds. His stance was still rough, but the raw potential in him was unmistakable. He was her mission, her prey.
Her lips curled into a smile.
'Finally. He's right there, within reach.'
Her crow familiar circled above her head, eager and restless. Merci stroked its feathers once before sending it forward, ordering it to scout the barrier's weak points.
The bird obeyed, wings slicing through the air, but the moment it drew too close, the barrier shimmered.
A wave of energy snapped out like a whip. The crow let out a screech before its bones cracked and flesh folded in on itself. Its body crumbled to ash.
Merci froze, her smile vanishing.
'Tch… so it's stronger than it looks.'
