CHAPTER 38: CH 38: CANNOT IGNORE - PART 1

Kana sat in silence, curled into the corner of the couch with her knees pulled up and arms wrapped around them.

The house was still—too still. The quiet buzz of magical wards and soft creak of distant wood were the only sounds she could hear.

Irielle had left her here alone, insisting it was safe, but with each passing second, the silence thickened and pressed down on her.

She glanced around, hoping for a distraction.

Her eyes landed on the bookshelf nearby. With nothing else to do, Kana stood and walked over, fingers trailing across the spines of books she’d browsed through before.

Most were stories—some romances, some fantasy epics. She reached for one with a worn spine, but her hand stopped halfway.

There, lying on the table where she swore she hadn’t left it, was the world story book.

Kana froze.

"I put that away. I... I put it in the back."

She whispered to herself.

But there it was. Sitting perfectly centered, as if waiting for her.

Her body went cold.

She took a step back. Something in her gut screamed don’t touch it. Her chest tightened, breath catching as she quickly pulled up her system interface. There it was again—intuition: maxed.

That did it.

Kana took another step back. Her instincts were clear. Whatever that book was, it was dangerous. Something about it didn’t belong here—not in this world, not in her hands.

But then she backed into something.

No—someone.

A soft, firm shape pressed into her back. Warm. Alive.

Kana froze in place, her breath stuttering in her throat. A chill ran down her spine, worse than any she’d felt since that night in the mansion.

This wasn’t Lysera. This wasn’t Irielle.

She didn’t know who or what this was.

She didn’t dare turn around.

Her hands clenched at her sides as she tried to take a step forward, but the person behind her moved faster.

In one smooth motion, a pair of arms wrapped tightly around her waist, pulling her back into a firm embrace.

Kana’s heart slammed against her ribs.

"Don’t move. Don’t be scared. I’m not here to hurt you."

A soft female voice whispered into her ear.

Then why are you holding me like this?! Kana wanted to scream.

Panic surged through her, and she struggled, trying to twist out of the stranger’s grip—but it was useless.

Her strength meant nothing. Her arms shook as she tried to pry the woman’s hands off her, but they wouldn’t budge.

’What’s the point of maxed stats if they never help me when it actually matters?!’

She cried out in her mind.

The woman’s voice remained calm, almost amused.

"You’re stronger than you think. But strength isn’t what you need right now."

Kana’s stomach turned. Who was this person?

The grip tightened slightly, not painful, but close. Almost possessive.

Soft hands travelled over her clothes in an almost calming manner. It almost felt too good for Kana to resist.

Her body wanted more of this touch and Kana felt starved for more. She almost wanted to stop thinking and let this person continue.

"It feels good, right? I can tell how tense you are. You need to let go of all your worries and just give into the feeling. I know you want to drown yourself in please and not think about anything else."

The female spoke in a soft voice and Kana felt more and more compelled to let her do even more.

"I won’t do more if you don’t want to, and I will give you a chance to break free as well. If you feel uncomfortable and don’t want me to go any further, you can break my hold and I’ll let you go."

The female was even asking for consent and Kana finally looked up, only to see one of the most beautiful faces she had ever seen.

’H-How do I even say no to that? I know this is not conventional, but I don’t think I mind going further...’

Was it morally correct for Kana to do anything further with the female holding her she did not even know? Surely not.

But people had one night stands with strangers all the time, and this felt like one as well. Surely, it would be fine.

Besides, when else would Kana get a chance to be this close to another attractive female who clearly wanted her and was interested in her.

"Looks like you have made up your mind. Now, do you mind if I steal a kiss from you? Your lips look rather inviting."

The female spoke as she leaned down and pressed her lips against Kana. It was a short kiss and had no pressure, but Kana felt the need to push back.

She had never kissed anyone before, mainly because it was considered taboo to kiss the same gender in her circle, but it felt so nice. The pressure was just right and she felt like she could forget about anything and everything...

And then—

The front door slammed open with a loud crack, and a blur of silver flew through the room.

Kana barely had time to react and break the kiss when she felt the change in air.

A dagger sliced through the air, aimed with precision at the woman behind her.

In a flash, the grip around Kana vanished as the woman twisted her body, narrowly dodging the blade.

Kana stumbled forward and fell onto her knees, gasping as the warmth behind her disappeared.

She turned just in time to see Irielle storm into the room, another dagger in hand, her eyes glowing with fury.

The strange woman stood near the window now, graceful and composed, her long hair falling like dark silk around her face. Her smile was unreadable.

"Well, that was rude."

She said, brushing something off her shoulder.

"I’m warning you. Touch her again and I won’t miss next time."

Irielle growled.

Kana’s hands trembled as she tried to push herself up. Her heart wouldn’t stop racing.

That woman had been in the house. Behind her. Touching her. And she never even heard the door open.

"I didn’t come here to fight. I just came to say hello. She’s important to all of us, isn’t she?"

The woman said, still smiling. Irielle didn’t lower her weapon.

"Leave. Now. I don’t know who you are, but you are not welcomed here."

The woman tilted her head, gaze flicking to Kana, then back to Irielle.

"Hmm, I don’t want to. Why should I listen to you?"

The red-haired female asked as she sat down on the sofa, almost as if she owned this place.

Irielle’s eyes were almost blood-red with anger. She stalked her way over to Kana, who had collapsed after what just happened and she pulled Kana up.

Before Kana could know what happened, Irielle pulled her down into a kiss as well. Unlike the kiss before, this one felt possessive and filled with passion.

Even breathing felt like a challenge for Kana when Irielle was pushing up against her like that.

They finally broke the kiss and Kana tried to breath, but Irielle would not let her go and went in for another kiss, this time, her tongue mapping out Kana’s mouth.

Kana felt lightheaded and on the verge of fainting.

But thankfully, a cough brought her back to what was happening and the red-haired female gave them both an amused look as they pulled back.