Gunpowder scented the air.

  No blood was sprayed. A compressed bullet lay on the floor, as if it had collided against a steel wall.

  "What...?" he whispered.

  Violet spikes shot from the ground, piercing through his organs. The camouflage effect shattered, revealing a young man. Blood stained his clothes, yet its patterns were identical to the woman's.

  He heard the blood rushing in his ears. The warm, salty scent climbed his throat as it burned. He tried to scream but only choked on his own blood.

  "It appears slackness has truly gotten to me. Nevertheless, you should be happy for at least catching me off guard," Kura said, softly rubbing her head.

  Although she wasn't worried about being in danger, that didn't prevent her from being cautious in advance. Once she saw that invisibility cloaks were being used, she used her abilities to further strengthen her physical properties.

  But a gun of this caliber caught her attention; she wasn't expecting it to cause her to black out for a moment.

  The man coughed, staining Kura's skirt. The latter sighed in return.

  "Pitiful. You know how hard it is to wash blood off? Well, no matter—your disposal will be compensation."

  Another spike fired below, impaling his chin. His limbs dropped immediately, killing any remnants of resistance.

  The woman on the ground screamed, though they were only muffled. She scuffled her feet back until her back slammed against the cabinet. She alternated between her comrade and Kura, but never met her eyes.

  "Are you afraid?" Kura approached her, leaving a trail of bloody prints behind. She held the aura blade against her neck, burning the woman's skin.

  Her throat throttled in pain, eyes tearing up while her skin blackened.

  "You should've expected this, and here I thought you had resolve. But never mind that—tell me where you hid the little ones," Kura demanded, slightly easing the blade off.

  So would she stupidly take the bait and admit they're responsible?

  The threads that sealed her lips unraveled. She immediately clasped her neck, her breaths unsteady.

  Her lips trembled, hesitant to open. Suddenly losing the ability to speak shook her—let alone all the other things she witnessed. And to be holding a baby in her arms? She couldn't tell if she was confident or reckless.

  "Who are you?" she asked, her tone uneven.

  Kura's sight narrowed after being slightly pricked by her question.

  "You don't know? And I'm supposed to believe you did all this in complete ignorance?" Kura replied in disbelief.

  The woman's shoulders noticeably tensed, weariness crossing her face before she carefully picked her words. The truth is, she didn't know who Kura was, nor how it was possible to do what she did without any Huska Tools.

  "I know it sounds unbelievable, but we weren't expecting anyone else but Fyinn to be here," she admitted.

  My husband is the target?

  Kura thoughtfully rested her chin against her palm.

  It makes sense—if they were after me, then the attack would've commenced before Fyinn arrived. It also explains why all the intruders so far have only been ordinary humans, but why are people with this kind of technology after him? This is a direct violation against the Unity Council's laws.

  No longer wanting to derail the important matters, she pressed further on the children's whereabouts.

  "Well, I'm sure you were surprised. Now tell me where you're concealing the little ones."

  The woman gripped her wounded leg in frustration. There was no escape. After she told her, her life would have no value.

  Her eyes landed on the bullet that was by Kura's foot.

  Wait, I still have another card left.

  "Of course, don't worry—they're safe. But I'm afraid that won't resolve your predicament. They're not the only ones you should be worried about."

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  "Are you threatening my husband? Are you not aware how unwise that is?"

  "Hold on! Don't misunderstand," the woman quickly added. "Listen, that gun isn't ordinary. I'm sure you noticed, but inflicting heavy damage isn't the only thing it's capable of."

  Kura crouched down and grabbed her by the neck. The woman choked for air, her cheeks beginning to pale.

  "The fact you still haven't answered my question leaves me to wonder—do you think I don't know what you're planning? I'll give you five seconds to respond. Waste more of my time, and I'll strangle you with your own veins." Kura released her grasp.

  The woman coughed, stricken with the fear of a slow death. The second she was beginning to recover, she already saw the purple blade ready to slice through.

  "They're in the living room's closet!" she blurted. "They're unconscious, but they were only meant to be hostages just in case!"

  Kura nodded before raising her hand, skewering the woman's limbs with spikes.

  "Aughhh!" she howled, face reddening through the sudden rush of blood.

  "I better not find out you're lying. Otherwise, I would have to change my mind about giving you a peaceful death."

  Kura exited the kitchen into the living room, ignoring the woman's wailing. Fyinn watched her pass by, uncertain of what had just transpired.

  "What did you do in there?" he called. Whatever happened was out of his sight—he had heard screaming, flesh tearing, and so on, but it didn't feel right not to ask.

  "Just a light interrogation. Nothing you should be too unfamiliar with."

  Though what's considered light may be subjective. And Fyinn didn't have to see to know that—her blood-stained dress spoke for itself.

  "You were their person of interest. Any thoughts?" she asked, already approaching the closet door.

  Fyinn was still losing blood, his mind growing foggier.

  Does she not realize I'm dying? Does she even care?

  Nothing felt real anymore; only the warm blood that ran down his stomach was keeping him tied to reality. Even this dome that Kura created was still perplexing, making him question if he ever knew his wife. But at the very least, the baby was safe.

  "I can only think of one group," he answered.

  Kura opened the closet.

  "Damnit! Back off or he gets it!" the heavy voice commanded. Two girls lay passed out on the ground, a boy wrapped in a man's arms with a gun held to his temple. But he was still unconscious.

  Kura breathed deeply.

  She didn't mention someone was hiding in the closet—was that intentional?

  The man was agitated. Although he couldn't hear and see everything, he witnessed the woman create that purple dome. The closet was cracked at the time—he was backup just in case Fyinn somehow managed to get the upper hand on his companions.

  But he didn't expect this.

  Fyinn gripped his gun tightly. He attempted to signal his wife to dismantle the barrier, but she didn't turn around. Though he could tell it wasn't because she couldn't see him.

  "Are you sure you want to do this?" she questioned, her tone remaining neutral.

  "I'm not fooling around! I've killed many his age! Don't test me and get out of the way!"

  Kura gently lowered her gaze.

  Killing the man instantly isn't the issue, but Besar will be cut up. He'll likely survive, sure, but Fyinn would definitely have something to say afterwards. But there's also a risk he may accidentally pull the trigger after being impaled, terminating Besar.

  "You can kill him if you want—he's not my son anyway. But since Fyinn holds these pests so closely to him, I'll have no choice but to dismember you and sell your organs as an apology gift."

  Both the man and Fyinn's jaws dropped.

  "Bullshit! That detective would nev—"

  "Kura, are you insane!??" Fyinn banged against the barrier, his face scrunched in disbelief. He never thought he would hear those words leave her mouth.

  "Forgive me, darling." She cradled the baby closer to her chest, playing with his tiny nose. "I refuse to be manipulated. I'll offer my life after, if it makes you feel better."

  Fyinn dropped to his knees. "You're—you're joking. Why are you doing this? Just let him kill me! I'm what they're after!"

  She's delusional! Am I really going to die here? Why didn't the organization mention anything about her? the armed man thought. He wanted to wipe his sweat, but he couldn't afford to do that. There's a reason why I'm still standing and the others are nowhere to be seen.

  She took out Siax and Terra, even with the invisibility cloaks, and somehow got one of them to reveal my location. This casual, uncaring demeanor must be a facade—she wants me to lower my guard. The second my gun leaves this boy's head, she'll strike. But if I'm fast enough to aim the gun at her—

  "You might get a shot off," she spoke suddenly.

  He tensed.

  "What was that?"

  A cold smile surfaced. "Oh, nothing. But what on earth could you be thinking so deeply about? It's not like you have many options."

  The man's palms were sweaty; hearing his pulse unsettled him. He thought about concocting a new plan, but what other option was there? Calling her bluff?

  Cracking sounds echoed from the closet ceiling, but his sight never left her, assuming it was the house adjusting.

  Kura's features turned sour upon seeing the ceiling slowly collapse. Her feet were quick to move as she shielded her baby.

  Dust fell in front of his sight.

  "Shit!" he cursed. He turned towards the source. The ceiling was bulging, ready to break any second.

  And in the same moment, he felt something grab his gun. Panicking, he fired without even looking.

  The gun burst into pieces.

  "Aughh!" He dropped Besar and gripped his hand. Blood trailed down his twitching wrist. The muzzle of the gun remained in Kura's hand, its entry point covered by her palm.

  Besar fell past Kura, but she didn't catch him. Instead, she extended her palm towards the man. He looked up, uneasiness climbing up his skin.

  "I won't go out like this!" He charged at her, withdrawing a knife with a particular glow.

  "Manifest," she whispered.