"Acckk!"
The mercenary groaned as I thrust the dagger into his throat, just before his dagger could reach me. Blood splattered over me, so I pushed him aside.
How many attempts had there been within the day? I'd lost count.
I wipe the blood from my face and glance up at the moon, letting out a slow sigh.
Exhaustion weighs on me, but sleep is a luxury I can't afford—not when the thought of being trapped in a loop lingers in the back of my mind.
I wipe the blood from my face and look at the moon, letting out a slow sigh. I'm so tired, but I can't sleep. If I do, I might wake up trapped in the loop again.
I walk to the river and kneel by the edge, scooping up the cool water to wash my face. It stings where my skin is cut, but I don't mind.
As the water settles, the moonlight shows my reflection. My silver hair hangs in messy strands, still sticky with blood. My pale face looks worn, dark circles under my eyes, lips pressed in a thin line.
This is not me.
I can't remember what my past life was like, but I know I don't belong to this world. The only thing I knew when I woke up was that this girl is a mercenary. She was born in an orphanage and later adopted by a noble family.
She thought she had finally found the family she dreamed of—a home filled with love and care. But fate was cruel to her.
Instead of being cherished, she was treated as a mere servant, abused for things that were never her fault. Until one day, she found the courage to escape that noble family. With nowhere else to go, she became a mercenary.
"Samara, there you are." I looked where the voice come from.
Anastasius. The man that I met and work within mercenary, panting heavily
"What are you running for?" I asked with a cold tone.
"I panicked... when I woke up and you were gone," he said between breaths, his eyes darting to the dead body not far from where he stood.
"You really pissed off Jubel big time," he added with a chuckle.
Not long ago, I had been partnered with Jubel's group. They assumed I was just a fragile girl who had somehow ended up a mercenary. Thinking I was an easy target, they tried to harass me while I slept. I killed one of his men and ran.
Now, they're hunting me.
And that's also how I discovered that I keep looping back before the worst things happen to me in my sleep.
As I wash my hair, I sense him staring at me. "You better keep your eyes off me before I scoop them out," I warn.
I hear him laugh.
"Do you still want to become a mercenary? You're a woman, after all."
"Not every woman is destined to be a servant," I reply, adjusting my hair beneath my hood.
My silver hair will draw attention when we reach the capital.
"If you want to be a servant, go ahead," I say and walk off. I hear him run after me.
"You're heartless."
I don't answer as we walk down the path. His words linger in my mind. I wonder to myself.
Since the moment I woke up and continued living in this world, I haven't been able to feel anything.
*rustle*
"I'm just concerned you know?"
I stopped when I heard a rustle from the bush not far from where we stand.
"I know someone from the—" I clamped a hand over his mouth, cutting off his chatter, and pulled him behind the tree.
He tried to pry my hand away, but I silenced him with a death glare.
A woman clutching a basket dashed toward the path we had just walked. She kept glancing over her shoulder, as if fleeing for her life.
She stumbled from the rock that made her fall. Flowers were scattered on the ground when the basket rolled down. She look back once again as a man figure running towards him.
"There you are, you little wench!" the man shouted as he approached her, brandishing a sword.
"N-No! Please!" she begged.
Anastasius removed my hand. "What are you doing? Let's help her!" he whispered urgently.
I grabbed his arm just as he was about to move toward them.
"Wait," I said, stopping him. "We can't reveal ourselves." I continued to study the man carefully.
"Are you nuts?! She's in danger!" Anastasius protested.
I know. I'm not dumb.
I caught a glimpse of an insignia on his sword, though the moonlight was obscured by the leaves, making it hard to see clearly.
I grabbed Anastasius's dagger, weighing it in my hand. We couldn't just rush in—our lives would be in danger too.
"I just hope it lands on the target," I whispered, taking aim.
"How dare you run away from me!" the man bellowed, raising his sword. "A wench like you should be—"
Fwip!
Bullseye.
The sword—and the body—collapsed to the ground. The woman screamed.
Anastasius dashed toward her, while I walked to the fallen man.
"It's okay, miss. You're safe now," Anastasius reassured her.
I retrieved the dagger from his skull. I didn't realize I still had that kind of aim—like hitting the bullseye on a dartboard.
"Do you this man?" He asked. She nod as her body trembles from fear.
I walked towards the basket and slowly picked the flowers that were scattered.
A Lunaria Veil.
She must've pick these since it's only bloom at night.
"I-I don't know. I w-was just picking the flowers and he a-appeared out of nowhere," she replied between sobs.
As I finished gathering the flowers, I walked over to her, helped her to her feet, and handed back her basket.
"Th-thank you," she whispered, still trembling.
"Samara, look."
I turned to Anastasius. He was holding the dead man's sword, examining the handle.
"He's a member of the Fatui," he said, pointing to the insignia on the sword.
The Order of Fatui—an elite faction formed by the Harbingers. They're infamous in the mercenary world.
Many aspire to join, but it's nearly impossible unless you're personally acknowledged by a Harbinger.
"He could've stolen it," I said. Better not to get involved with them.
I turned my attention back to the girl. She was calmer now, though still gripping the basket tightly.
"Where are you going? We'll take you home," I offered.
"I'm heading to the Rikuya Estate," she said.
"I'll take the lead," Anastasius volunteered as we began walking. Did he know where it was?
"Why were you picking Lunaria Veil alone?" I asked.
She smiled faintly, eyes fixed on the flowers in her basket. "I didn't want to bother anyone."
I frowned. What kind of people was she staying with at that estate?
"You seem to know a lot about these flowers. Are you a botanist?" she asked.
"No," I answered shortly.
We continued in silence. Only the rustle of leaves and the quiet chirping of crickets filled the still air. No one dared to speak.
Not far ahead stood a large manor, with a group of people gathered at the front. They must've been workers from the estate.
"Nari!" a little boy shouted.
The girl beside me ran toward them and wrapped the boy in a hug. A quiet reunion.
"What happened to you?!" an old woman exclaimed, her eyes scanning Nari with concern. She must have been her mother.
"I was attacked, but these mercenaries saved me," Nari explained, pointing toward us.
The old woman approached Anastasius and reached for his hand. "Thank you for saving her," she said.
Anastasius nodded and laughed it off, humble as always. I stayed at the back, adjusting the edge of my hood.
"What's your name? We'll inform our master—we owe you a great debt," she added.
"I'm Anastasius," he replied.
A brief silence followed. I felt a few eyes settle on me.
Anastasius gently pulled at my hand, but I kept my head down.
"This is Samara. She's just shy," he said with an awkward chuckle.
I quietly slipped my hand from his grasp.
"The two of you must've been tired. Come on in, I'll let our master know." She said.
But before I opened my mouth Anastasius speak.
"That will be great! We actually need a place to sleep." He said. I nudged him but he ignored it.
Damn you, Anastasius.
As we entered, the manor's big doors opened with a quiet creak, showing a hallway lit softly by lanterns. The air inside was cool, with a light smell of wood and old paper.
Above us, the high ceiling had carved pictures of animals and flowers twisted together like they were dancing.
Silk banners hung between the pillars, and gold thread on them shone a little in the dim light.
The floors were made of smooth white stone, cool under our feet and shiny enough to show the light from the flames on the walls.
"Please, have a seat. I'll inform the master," the old lady said.
"Ahh, it's so cozy in here," Anastasius remarked as he leaned back.
Before I realized it, he had pulled back my hood. I shot him a glare, but he just flashed a peace sign.
I was about to speak when a few servants entered, carrying trays of food. I glanced at Anastasius—he looked like a starving dog finally seeing a feast.
Some of the servants gave me quick looks and whispered among themselves, making me feel uneasy.
A few minutes passed when a man entered the room.
His hair is light blue that matches his eyes. His face is breathtaking with a mole under his lips.
He wears a white robe with blue and gold embroidery, a high-collared shirt, and a blue vest.
This must be the owner of this house.
"Greetings. You must be the mercenaries who saved one of my pupils," he said calmly as he sat across from us.
Pupil? So she's not working here.
"I'm Aizen Rikuya, owner of Rikuya Estate," he introduced himself and extended a hand.
I looked at it for a moment before shaking it. "Samara. This is Anastasius," I said, nudging Anastasius to stop eating.
He smiled, making his eyes disappear, "It's alright—let him eat."
"As for gratitude, what reward would you like?" he asked, changing the subject.
"We don't need any reward," I replied bluntly. Anastasius coughed when he heard my answer.
Yes, choke yourself, dumbass.
Mr. Rikuya studied me for a moment. "May I ask why?"
"We don't accept rewards or payments if it's not a commission. We just happened to help one of your pupils who was alone in the middle of the night," I said, meeting his gaze.
"Samara," I heard Anastasius whisper.
I couldn't say the name of the Order of the Fatui—it might cause a disaster by morning.
"A bandit was chasing her, and we just happened to run into her," I explained.
Mr. Rikuya didn't respond, his gaze still fixed on me. I didn't look away either.
"Very well," he said, smiling once again. "Then, in return for your help, you'll allow me to offer you a place to stay tonight, right?" he added in a teasing tone.
"No—"
"Thank you, Mr. Rikuya," Anastasius cut in before I could finish. "My friend here is just tired. Please forgive her," he added as he placed a hand on my shoulder.
I slid his arm off and shot him a glare.
I couldn't protest anymore—Anastasius needed rest before I worked him to the bone tomorrow.
"Alright. I'll leave you two alone," Mr. Rikuya said, standing up.
"Oh, Lady Samara? If you'd like to rest now, the maid will show you to your room," he added with a smile before leaving.
As he exited the room, I slapped Anastasius on the head.
"What?" he said, his mouth still full of food.
"I hope you choke," I muttered, standing up.
The maid silently followed and guided me to where I would be staying.
When we arrived at the room, she opened the door, revealing a spacious chamber. The interior was once again immaculate, and everything placed inside looked expensive.
It resembled the kind of room meant for nobility.
"Please ring the bell if you need anything," the maid said before leaving.
I removed my cloak and bag and began to roam around.
I found myself standing in front of the mirror.
The body I now possessed—silver hair and blue eyes—was breathtaking. Her face was gentle yet strong, with high cheekbones, a straight nose, and soft lips. Her dark eyelashes made her eyes stand out even more.
No wonder people kept looking at me.
I threw myself onto the bed. "It's so soft," I mumbled.
Suddenly, I felt my eyes begin to close. "No," I murmured again.
"Don't sleep."
It felt like the bed was devouring my body and soul. But I couldn't sleep—what if I got trapped in another loop?
"Don't... sleep," I whispered once more.