The next morning, Hazel slowly opened her eyes as pale sunlight seeped through the cracked wooden window. The light was weak, almost like dusk, unable to pierce the endless layer of black smoke hanging over the realm.
Orion stood beside the sofa with his arms folded.
"Morning, Sis Hazel."
Hazel rubbed her eyes and sat upright.
"You're finally awake. Today's our last day here." He glanced outside the window. "The government officials have already arrived. They're collecting votes from the people... but the way they're treating them..." His jaw tightened. "Even stray dogs deserve better."
Hazel walked toward the window and looked down at the crowded street.
Men dressed in black coats stood in long rows while frightened civilians waited with lowered heads.
Her expression remained cold.
"No matter where you go," she said quietly, "those with power always look down on those beneath them."
Her emerald eyes reflected the ruined streets below.
"This is a world where a person's worth is measured by power, wealth, and status... never by the kindness in their heart."
She looked at Orion.
"The more loyal you are to someone... the easier it becomes for them to break you."
She turned away from the window.
"This isn't the time for philosophy. We have to move before he arrives. If we miss this opportunity, we won't get another."
Orion grabbed his cloak and laughed.
"So... are we finally going to kill someone?"
Hazel smirked as she packed her belongings.
"If he's a terrible person..."
She slung her katana across her back.
"...then yes."
Her smile widened ever so slightly.
"I enjoy it even more."
"Now stop distracting me and get ready."
Within minutes, the room was empty.
Their luggage was light. A few clothes, travel supplies, weapons, and forged trader documents. Nothing more.
Hazel blew out the small lantern before Orion closed the wooden door behind them.
The hallway fell silent.
At the reception desk, the elderly receptionist immediately stood up.
His tired face brightened the moment he saw them.
"Miss Vale... Raven..."
His voice trembled.
"We will never forget what you've done for this district."
He lowered his head respectfully.
"You brought back the happiness these people had been searching for over many years."
He looked toward Orion.
"And you too, Raven."
"Thank you."
"We'll always be grateful."
Orion scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"It wasn't anything special."
"We only helped a little."
"I'm sure anyone else would've done the same."
The receptionist smiled warmly.
"I don't think so."
"Thank you... for staying with us."
Hazel gave him a faint nod before walking outside.
The streets were already crowded.
Government officers dressed in black uniforms were forcing citizens into lines. One after another, people were made to sign official papers before being shoved aside without another word.
A middle-aged man gathered enough courage to speak.
"There's only one name on this paper."
His voice shook.
"He's corrupt."
"I don't want someone like him ruling us."
The officer's expression darkened.
He grabbed the man by his collar and yanked him forward.
"And who are you..."
"...to decide who's fit to rule?"
His voice echoed across the street.
"Sign the paper."
"Or I'll kill you and your entire family right here."
Silence swallowed the crowd.
No one dared to move.
Hazel casually lit a cigarette.
She took one slow drag before exhaling toward the smoke-covered sky.
"...Idiots."
She hadn't even noticed Orion walking away.
By the time she looked back—
Orion had already reached the officer.
He grabbed the man's wrist and pulled it away from the frightened civilian's collar.
"We're not slaves."
The officer slowly turned toward him.
"You've got a lot of courage."
"You don't know who you're standing against."
Hazel covered part of her face with one hand.
A long sigh escaped her lips.
"There he goes..."
"He just had to create trouble."
The guards hadn't even recovered from the argument.
Before Hazel could stop him—
Thud!
Orion's fist slammed straight into the officer's face.
The guard stumbled backward, blood dripping from his nose before crashing onto the ground.
Silence.
Then chaos erupted.
"He's attacking!"
"Capture them!"
Every soldier instantly raised their rifles.
The civilians screamed and scattered in every direction, abandoning the voting lines. Children cried while shopkeepers hurriedly shut their doors. Within seconds, the peaceful street transformed into complete panic.
Hazel slowly turned toward Orion.
"...Seriously?"
Before the soldiers could pull their triggers, she grabbed Orion's arm.
"Run!"
The two dashed through the crowded street.
Behind them—
"After them!"
Boots pounded against the stone road as dozens of soldiers gave chase while the remaining officers stayed behind to keep the terrified civilians under control.
Hazel glared at Orion while sprinting.
"I told you not to cause trouble!"
"Now escaping this realm just became ten times harder!"
Orion struggled to keep up.
"You're running way too fast!"
"I can't keep this pace!"
Hazel didn't answer.
She simply ran faster.
Suddenly—
More soldiers rushed out from the street ahead, blocking the entire road.
"There!"
"They're over here!"
Without hesitation, they opened fire.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Bullets rained toward them.
Hazel extended one hand.
A translucent green barrier instantly unfolded in front of them.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Every bullet bounced harmlessly away.
At the same time, Hazel snapped her fingers.
Green flames erupted beneath several soldiers.
"AAAH!"
Their uniforms ignited as they rolled across the street, screaming in pain.
Orion stared in amazement.
"Whoa..."
Hazel didn't even look back.
"Keep running!"
They changed direction and disappeared into a narrow side street while gunfire echoed behind them.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Bullets shattered windows and chipped away at the old wooden buildings.
After several sharp turns, Hazel spotted a massive timber factory.
Without slowing down, she kicked open the entrance.
"Inside!"
The enormous warehouse was filled with stacked lumber, towering wooden crates, conveyor belts, saw machines, and heavy industrial equipment. The smell of fresh-cut wood mixed with machine oil filled the air.
The two slipped inside.
Orion caught his breath.
"Sis... why don't we just fight them?"
"If we defeat everyone here, we won't have to keep running."
Hazel shook her head.
"If we kill all these soldiers, the government will be placed on full alert."
Her emerald eyes narrowed.
"And then..."
"...we'll never get another chance to assassinate the Elder."
She ducked behind an enormous stack of wooden crates and cautiously peeked around the corner.
Outside...
The factory doors burst open.
Groups of soldiers stormed inside.
One officer shouted at the workers.
"Did any of you see a green-haired woman and a young man enter this factory?"
The frightened workers quickly shook their heads.
"No, sir."
"We haven't seen anyone."
The officer slammed the butt of his rifle against the floor.
"Move."
"We're searching every inch of this place."
Hazel immediately gestured toward Orion.
"This way."
The two quietly slipped deeper into the factory, weaving between gigantic machines.
The deafening roar of engines echoed through the building.
GRRRRRRR...
Massive circular saws spun endlessly.
Conveyor belts carried enormous logs across the warehouse.
Hydraulic presses slammed down with earth-shaking force.
THOOM!
CLANG!
Hazel spoke without taking her eyes off the machines.
"Watch your step."
"One mistake..."
"...and these machines will kill you before the soldiers do."
Just then—
BANG!
A bullet struck one of the machines.
Sparks exploded into the air.
Hazel slowly turned toward the sound.
A grin appeared on her face.
"Oh..."
Her eyes gleamed with excitement.
She looked at Orion.
"This..."
"...is going to be fun."
Then she glanced back at the maze of moving machinery.
A dangerous smile spread across her face.
"Now..."
"...this factory is about to become a house of death."