CHAPTER 334: CHAPTER-334

Sitting by the window, Kaya felt the cold wind brush softly against her cheek. She paused, her gaze drifting toward the sky. The night was calm—serene even. Crickets chirped in rhythm with the glasshoppers, and somewhere in the distance, unknown insects sang their strange little songs. The soundscape of the night wrapped around her like a lullaby, and for a fleeting moment, Kaya almost felt sleepy.

It’s so peaceful... so unreal, she thought. This place felt like a piece of heaven hidden on earth. The crisp, clean air, untouched by pollution, kissed her skin with every passing breeze. For a moment, Kaya wondered—so this is what it feels like to live in a world that still breathes.

But that peace was only a thin cover.

In truth, she was just killing time. Her fingers tapped the windowsill impatiently as her eyes scanned the quiet darkness outside. Irritation slowly replaced calm. When the hell is this bastard going to attack? she thought, gritting her teeth. Half the night had already passed, and still—nothing.

Are they even good assassins? she scoffed silently. I’m sitting here, completely defenseless—a weak, harmless little girl—and still, they can’t make a move? She leaned her head against the window frame, sighing in disbelief. Her "mates," as people called them, were away, leaving her as easy prey. Yet, the forest slept on, unbothered and unbroken.

Just as Kaya’s patience began to snap, she froze.

There—footsteps. Barely audible, soft as a whisper against the ground. She closed her eyes, a faint, knowing smile tugging at her lips before fading into composure. Her senses sharpened. The sound was too delicate, too precise. Whoever—or whatever—it was, they weren’t walking like a human.

Beast form, she thought. Finally.

Soon, four small paws came into sight, gliding silently over the ground—and then, out of the shadows, came a mongoose.

It was larger than any ordinary mongoose, nearly twice the normal size, its fur sleek and glinting faintly under the moonlight. The creature paused, sniffing the air, its ears twitching sharply. It was listening—listening for the rhythm of Kaya’s heartbeat, to know if she was truly asleep or just pretending.

But her heartbeat was calm. Steady. Too perfect.

Convinced, the mongoose crept closer, step by step, moving with calculated silence. Then, in a single swift motion, it leapt.

Midair, its body twisted—the fur shrinking, limbs stretching—and in a blink, it shifted into human form. A man with the same sharp glint in his eyes, his claws extended, ready to plunge straight into Kaya’s neck.

But the moment before he struck—

Kaya’s eyes snapped open.

Her hand shot up like lightning, catching his wrist midair. The mongoose-man froze, eyes widening in shock. For a breath, silence ruled the room. Then, slowly, a sly grin curved across Kaya’s lips—a grin that spoke of both amusement and danger.

In one seamless motion, she rose to her feet and drove her heel hard into the side of his head. The blow sent him flying across the balcony and into the small garden below. Dirt scattered as his body hit the ground.

Groaning, the mongoose-man staggered to his feet, glaring up at her in disbelief.

"Weren’t you sleeping, you bitch?!" he spat, anger and confusion twisting his expression.

Kaya tilted her head slightly, brushing back a loose strand of hair with her fingers. A faint, almost teasing smile tugged at her lips.

"We soldiers are trained like that," she said calmly. Then she sighed. "Ah, forget it. Why am I even explaining this to you?"

She drew her gun.

The mongoose stiffened. His eyes flickered to the weapon—and something in them changed. Recognition. His breath hitched, and his expression faltered, trembling for the briefest second.

Kaya noticed.

Her smile deepened, but this time it was quieter, sharper. "Interesting," she murmured under her breath, her tone carrying both curiosity and a hint of threat.

The mongoose glared at Kaya, his eyes blazing with fury. A low hiss escaped his throat, sharp and animalistic. Then, without warning, he raised his clawed hand and slashed toward her face.

Kaya tilted her head slightly, the attack missing her by a breath. But the mongoose was quick—his second swipe struck the gun in her hand, sending it flying. It clattered onto the grass outside, glinting faintly under the moonlight.

Kaya’s gaze followed it for a second. Then she clicked her tongue softly.

"Tch."

Her expression shifted—calm amusement melting into cold precision. The playfulness vanished from her eyes, replaced by something sharper, steadier. She’d been feeling bored anyway.

The mongoose lunged again, claw raised high. But this time, Kaya moved first. She sidestepped with a fluid twist of her body, bent low, and drove her fist straight into his stomach.

The impact landed with a dull thud. The mongoose’s breath caught, his body jerking backward as the air left his lungs.

The mongoose doubled over from the blow, gasping for air, but his eyes burned brighter with rage. He lunged again, faster this time, claws slicing through the night air like lethal blades.

Kaya didn’t flinch. Her eyes narrowed, muscles coiled like springs. She ducked under his first strike, then rolled to the side, coming up behind him in a blur. Her elbow smashed into his ribs, cracking bone with a sharp, sickening sound.

The mongoose snarled, spinning around midair, his claws raking toward her shoulders. Kaya blocked with her forearm, feeling the sting of scratches slice through her skin, but she gritted her teeth. Pain was secondary. Precision mattered.

She kicked out, hitting his knee, sending him staggering. He recovered instantly, lunging with a speed no human could match. Kaya’s eyes flicked to the moonlight glinting on his teeth—sharp, predatory. But she was faster. She ducked, grabbed his wrist, and twisted. A loud pop rang as the joint screamed under her pressure.

The mongoose roared in fury and pain, swinging with his other hand. Kaya leapt backward, barely dodging the lethal swipe. The ground beneath them was torn up from their movements, dirt and leaves flying into the night.