CHAPTER 25: CHAPTER 25: SECOND PLAN IN MOTION[GTG]

"Ugh!" Lyra groaned, clutching her side and trying to stem the flow of blood. Her voice was strained, but her gaze was sharp and fierce as she fixed her eyes on me. "What did you do to her?" she demanded, her expression darkening as she took in the sight of Maria in my arms, unconscious.

Yes... the first phase of my plan had finally begun.

And that plan was to conquer Maria.

Originally, I’d set my sights on Lyra, but her teammates made any chance of isolating her impossible. She was also far too powerful to take on directly. That’s when I realized another opportunity. Maria was a strong fighter, even able to stand toe-to-toe with someone like Lyra. Plus with her, I won’t face the usual restrictions since she wasn’t a heroine.

With this new goal in mind, I began devising a strategy.

I remembered two items from the shop that would help tilt the odds in my favor:

[Flora’s Desire]

A desire to manipulate.

Details: This item casts an illusion on the inflicted person, forcing them into a deep, guilt-ridden sleep.

Condition: Victim must possess some level of attraction toward the user.

Note: Victim will remain unconscious for a minimum of twenty minutes. Effects are unpredictable; use with caution.

Price: +3000 AFP.

[Phantom’s Cloak]

A wish to remain hidden.

Details: A one-time-use potion granting the user complete invisibility for twenty seconds.

Condition: Usable only once every 24 hours.

Note: Safe to use... for now.

Price: +1000 AFP.

First, I used the Phantom Cloak potion to vanish, rendering myself invisible. When Lyra shot her arrows towards Maria, I used that advantage to position myself perfectly for a counter. I fired my gun but though she evaded the full blow, the bullet grazing her side.

As for Maria, the moment she parried the next arrow, I lunged forward and struck her with Flora’s Desire, now in the form of a dagger. Upon contact, the weapon shattered into shards of light that were absorbed into her body. Her eyelids fluttered, and then, as expected, she fell unconscious. Just as she began to collapse, I caught her in a princess carry.

And now... here we were.

"It would be best if you leave, Lyra," I warned, pointing my gun at her as dark energy gathered in the barrel. "You’re injured. You can’t win."

The truth was, if Lyra fought me seriously, I might not have a chance. But I was banking on the intimidation factor; she’d just seen me take down Maria in seconds, and her mind was racing, likely second-guessing her own chances.

But time was running out. I needed to escape with Maria before she regained consciousness, or everything I’d done would be wasted.

"I have just one question," Lyra said, her gaze steady, even as she used her mana to seal her wound, halting the bleeding entirely.

"What is it?" I asked, attempting to place Maria down to free up my hands. But before I could, her arms locked around my neck in a surprisingly tight hold. I tried to pry her hands off, but she wasn’t budging.

"What the hell is she dreaming about...?" I muttered under my breath.

*[A never-ending torment, countless scenarios with the same agonizing end. You truly are a heartless dog.]*

... I couldn’t help but smirk to myself.

"How do you know me?" Lyra demanded, her grip on her bow tightening as she looked at me, eyes full of accusation and confusion.

"What do you mean?" I replied with a casual shrug. "You’re my classmate; of course, I know you."

It was a lie, and we both knew it.

"Lyra Trina Esteria..." she began, her expression hardening. "The sixth elven princess of Nevana. I never told anyone my full name... so how do you know it?"

For a moment, I felt my heart race, but I kept my face neutral. I let a small, confident smile play on my lips. "I have my ways," I said, keeping my voice steady despite the panic bubbling beneath the surface.

She took a deliberate step closer, her piercing gaze filled with suspicion. "Then... who are you?" she demanded, her voice low.

To this, I let a smirk stretch across my face. "Find out yourself," I taunted, and without hesitation, I pulled the trigger.

"You—!" Her eyes widened as she staggered, clutching her wound before sinking to her knees. She looked up at me, shock mingling with hatred in her gaze.

I caught her before she could hit the ground entirely, holding her upright even as her legs began to give way. She’d hate me more than ever for this, of course. Perhaps enough to become my mortal enemy. But if she despised me now, why not give her even more reason to loathe my very existence?

With a playful grin, I leaned close, my voice low. "... and by the way, I was the one who stole your first kiss."

Before she could react, I sealed the statement with a kiss. Her lips parted in shock, and her gaze became hollow, stunned into silence.

The impact of what I’d done seemed to register just before her body went completely limp in my arms.

"Um..."

*[Your days are numbered,]* the voice in my head warned ominously, but I simply couldn’t suppress the grin spreading across my face.

"The things I do to survive," I murmured, but my grin told a different story.

*[... Degenerate]*

Looking down at Lyra, now slumped and unconscious, I let out a slow breath. This was just the beginning, and if everything went according to plan, it would all pay off in the end.

I shifted Maria’s weight slightly, glancing around to ensure we were still alone. I couldn’t risk anyone else seeing me in this position, holding two unconscious people, let alone in such compromising conditions.

My mind raced with the next steps. I needed to secure Maria somewhere safe and hidden. She’d wake up feeling unsettled and deeply confused, haunted by guilt from Flora’s Desire, and in her dazed state, she’d be vulnerable—vulnerable enough to manipulate, just as I intended.

And as for Lyra... I’d just bought myself a bit of time. This attack would set her back, and though she’d be seething with questions, she’d have no immediate answers. But her memory of what I’d done tonight—of her first kiss stolen in a moment of helplessness—would be carved into her mind.

"Haah," I sighed, looking at Lyra and then at Maria. They were both such valuable assets in their own ways, and having them both woven into my plans gave me leverage I hadn’t anticipated.

"Time to go," I muttered, adjusting my grip on Maria and carefully laying Lyra against a nearby tree. For now, she was out of commission, but I wouldn’t be surprised if this only fueled her determination to hunt me down.