Far deeper within the sewer network—
Where the tunnels twisted into older, forgotten sections of the city—
Something moved through the darkness.
Fast.
A small figure sprinted along the narrow stone ledge beside the sluggish sewage channel.
A boy.
His hair was a strange dark purple-blue, tangled and matted with dirt. From the top of his head rose a pair of wolf-like ears, flattened tightly against his skull.
A thin tail flicked sharply behind him as he ran.
His body was covered in wounds.
Scratches.
Bruises.
Dried streaks of blood ran across his arms and legs.
The ragged clothes hanging from his body barely counted as clothing anymore—torn scraps of fabric clinging loosely to his thin frame.
Yet despite the injuries—
He moved with desperate speed.
His hands and feet struck the stone in a fluid rhythm as he ran on all fours, faint mana wrapping around his limbs to reinforce his movements.
His breathing was ragged.
Harsh.
But he didn't slow down.
Behind him—
Voices echoed through the sewer tunnels.
"Don't let the brat escape!"
Footsteps splashed violently through the filthy water.
Torches flickered against the damp stone walls as several figures rushed through the narrow passages in pursuit.
One of them shouted again.
"He went this way!"
The boy's ears twitched at the sound.
Fear flashed across his glowing blue eyes.
His mana surged slightly as he pushed himself faster, claws scraping sharply against the stone as he launched forward.
He turned sharply into another tunnel—
Trying to lose them in the maze beneath the city.
But the pursuers weren't far behind.
The sewer tunnel ahead suddenly split into three dark passages.
Water dripped steadily from the cracked stone ceiling.
Moments later—
Footsteps splashed into the chamber.
Seven figures emerged from the darkness.
Six men.
And one woman.
The woman stood slightly ahead of the others, her long purple hair tied loosely behind her back. Unlike the men, her clothing was clean and refined—far too elegant for someone wandering through the foul depths of a sewer.
It was obvious who was in charge.
One of the men glanced around the tunnels nervously.
"Damn it… we lost sight of the brat."
Another crouched near the ground, examining faint claw marks etched along the stone.
"He couldn't have gone far," he muttered. "Look around. He must be close."
The woman sighed softly.
Then she spoke.
Her voice was calm.
Almost affectionate.
"My darling…"
Her eyes slowly lifted toward the ceiling of the tunnel.
"…I don't like this."
A soft smile spread across her lips.
"Why are you still hiding from me?"
Above them—
On a narrow stone ledge near the ceiling—
A pair of glowing blue eyes stared down silently.
The boy.
The moment their eyes met—
He moved.
BOOM
He launched downward like a feral animal, claws flashing as he aimed directly for the woman's throat.
But the instant he struck—
CLANG
A shimmering barrier appeared around her.
His claws slammed into it and stopped cold.
The impact rattled the air.
The woman didn't even flinch.
She simply tilted her head slightly, her smile never fading.
"I thought I already showed you how much I love you."
Her tone remained soft.
Gentle.
"But I suppose I haven't shown you enough yet."
Her eyes glimmered faintly with cold amusement.
"Since you're still showing so much aggression."
The boy bared his teeth, a low growl rumbling deep in his throat as he glared at her.
At the same time—
The men had already reacted.
"There he is!"
"Grab him!"
"Don't let the brat escape!"
They rushed forward with weapons drawn.
The boy immediately pushed off the barrier, twisting midair as he tried to escape.
One blade slashed toward him—
He ducked beneath it.
Another man swung from the side—
The boy twisted his body sharply, avoiding the strike by a hair.
But a third attack caught him.
SLASH
Blood sprayed lightly as the blade cut across his side.
He didn't stop.
Ignoring the pain completely, the boy slipped past them with animal-like agility. His claws scraped against the stone as he launched forward into another tunnel.
And kept running.
The boy vanished into the darkness of the passage, his claws scratching faintly against the walls as he fled deeper into the maze.
For a brief moment—
Silence filled the chamber.
Then the woman's smile slowly faded.
Her eyes turned cold.
"…Useless."
The word echoed through the sewer tunnels.
All six men stiffened instantly.
She turned toward them, purple hair shifting over her shoulder as her gaze swept slowly across their faces.
"Six grown men," she said calmly.
"And you still couldn't stop a child."
None of them dared respond.
Her mana began to seep out slowly, the pressure spreading through the tunnel like a heavy fog.
"Move immediately."
Her voice dropped slightly.
"Do not let him get away."
The men straightened at once.
"Yes, Madam Serethra!"
But just as they were about to run—
Her voice stopped them again.
"And one more thing."
They froze.
Her eyes gleamed faintly in the dim torchlight.
"Do not lay a finger on him."
Her lips curled back into a faint smile.
"I'm the only one who's allowed to do that."
The men nodded quickly.
"Yes, Madam Serethra."
Then they moved.
Boots splashed through the foul water as the six men rushed down the tunnel after the fleeing boy.
Behind them—
Serethra stepped forward slowly, mana rippling gently around her body as she followed at a far calmer pace.
Her smile returned.
"Run all you like, my darling…"
Her voice echoed softly through the darkness of the sewer.
"I'll catch you eventually."