I sneaked out of the Ibell Count’s mansion through a dog hole.
The reason for my secret departure at this late hour was to head to the secret guild, Anas.
Anas was a place introduced to me by Eni not long after my half-brother Deon was born.
“You might as well run away than live in this hellhole. Just buy a new identity and escape! I know a guy, and if you say I sent you, he’ll give you a discount.”
“……A discount? How much…?”
“Umm… to get a new identity, you need at least 150 million rupees, I think. So roughly…”
“What? 150 million rupees?! How am I supposed to get that!”
“Roel. Even if Lady Briella and the Madam treat you as a half, you’re still the eldest daughter of the Ibell family.”
Eni’s plan was simple.
To siphon off the count’s assets without getting caught.
With Eni’s assurance that she could help without getting caught, I told Anas I wanted to make a deal.
‘Normally, they wouldn’t have even given me a consultation.’
Thanks to Eni, I managed to strike a deal with Anas at a young age and at a relatively discounted price.
I was grateful to Anas for readily accepting me, but there was one drawback.
‘The location changes too frequently…’
The changing locations were always in remote places, which was a disadvantage as I couldn’t visit during the day under the pretense of being elsewhere.
‘But it’s close enough to return before morning.’
Of course, that was only true when taking shortcuts.
Soon, I arrived at the entrance of the forest behind the count’s mansion.
This vast forest owned by the Ibell family was so extensive that if one got lost, no one would hear their cries, hence its name – the Silent Forest.
‘…But why does it feel darker today?’
Unusually hesitant, I paused at the forest entrance.
Even in daylight, the forest was dim, but today it seemed even darker, swallowed by shadows.
As if foreshadowing the ominous events about to unfold.
‘…It’ll be fine.’
I had no idea that this secret journey would bring a tremendous change in my life.
I walked briskly for about 30 minutes, following the marks Eni had left. Then, I heard a metallic clashing sound.
Clang!
“……!”
It wasn’t my imagination. It was really the sound of swords clashing. Barely muffling an emerging scream, I quickly sat down.
‘Please, just pass by quickly…’
I knew that dangerous incidents often occurred in this deserted forest. No one would know if a beast or a person was killed here.
“Don’t take a lantern. Just follow the marks I made, and you’ll reach Anas. Always carry your robe! Got it? If something happens… just stay quiet. That’s the only way to survive.”
I followed Eni’s advice and prayed silently for the clashing to cease.
However, against my hopes, the ferocious sounds of swords only drew closer.
Soon, a thud! sound was heard nearby, and the grass that shielded me rustled, followed by heavy footsteps approaching.
“Hup…….”
I covered my mouth tightly with both hands to prevent any noise from escaping.
“Tough bastard… Surviving even after being poisoned. Monsters are really monsters, huh.”
“Ah, my hand’s messed up because of this bastard, tch.”
The voices of two men were right above me. Fortunately, they seemed oblivious to my presence and continued their conversation.
“Is this bastard really dead? Check it.”
“Hey. Hey! You dead?”
“Cough…!”
From the sounds, it seemed like the thugs were mercilessly trampling on a man.
Pained groans continued, then gradually subsided, finally ceasing altogether.
“Ah, forget it. Whether it’s from bleeding out or the poison spreading, this guy’s a goner anyway. Look, he can’t even twitch a finger now.”
“Such a tough bastard… Do you know how much trouble we went through because of you? We can’t just let you die easily. Suffer in your death.”
“Ha, that feels so satisfying. Ptui!”
The sound of the body being kicked repeatedly echoed.
When the fallen man made no sound despite the brutal kicks, the men, finding no amusement, soon left the area.
I stayed frozen in my previous position for a long while, even as their footsteps faded away, just to be safe.
After some time had passed, I realized it had been a while since I heard anything but the repetitive sound of crickets.
‘…Are they gone?’
Feeling no more signs of their presence, I cautiously peeked out from between the bushes.
“Ah… what a relief, they didn’t notice me… Hup!”
But I quickly retracted in shock. Right in front of the bushes lay a large man, motionless.
“No, no way…!”
I knew the commotion was close by, but I hadn’t expected the man to be lying right next to me.
I emerged from the bushes and cautiously examined the man.
But something was off. The man didn’t move at all.
As if he had already become a corpse.
‘Is he really dead…?’
It seemed the men weren’t just bluffing about his death.
Male lead fell into her trap — and shattered when she walked away
This is also on my reread list!
This one is a slow burn, but when it burns, it burns hard.
Definitely worth a read, y’all!
The story follows a thousand-year-old seductive spirit who, on a bet, sets out to charm the male lead—a once-promising but unfortunate cultivator.
But just when she succeeds in making him fall for her, she heartlessly leaves, driving him to madness.
Determined to find her at all costs, he captures her, keeping her by his side no matter what, even if she hates him.
I love this kind of trope—I enjoy watching the male lead suffer in agony.
The ending drags a bit with unnecessary filler, but that’s fine.
As long as I enjoy the beginning, I’m good.
Intro
As an enchantress, Su Heng possesses captivating eyes and charming beauty, easily manipulating the joys and sorrows of living beings at her fingertips.
But to enchant a god, making him taste the bitterness of love’s separation, long-lasting resentment, unattainable desires, and inability to let go…
Do you dare?
Su Heng assists a divine lord in his cultivation, aiming to make him experience all the sufferings of love, so that he can attain the Great Dao.
Only after being chased down from the heavens by the divine lord, confined and completely possessed by him, does she realize how successful she has been.
The once gentle and polite youth has transformed into someone she no longer recognizes.
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
