CHAPTER 151: CH 151: CAN YOU GIVE IT TO ME? - PART 3

Kana’s breath came out unevenly as she tugged at Lysera’s sleeve, her voice low and tense.

"Lysera... I think someone’s following us."

But before she could explain further, Lysera gave her a quick glance, calm yet sharp, and shook her head slightly.

"I know."

She murmured softly, eyes scanning the surroundings.

Irielle, walking on Kana’s other side, was just as aware; her sharp gaze kept darting around, as if tracing the movements hidden in the shadows.

Kana blinked, startled, realizing she was the only one behind on this. Before she could feel embarrassed, Irielle suddenly reached over, ruffling Kana’s hair with a little grin.

"Don’t look so worried. With us here, you don’t need to think about anything else. Just stick close."

She said lightly, though her eyes still burned with focus. Kana frowned slightly, but nodded. Still, the unease wouldn’t leave her chest.

They turned down another street, the soft chatter of distant crowds fading behind them. Kana didn’t realize when the road narrowed into a valley between dark, towering buildings.

It wasn’t until a faintly sweet, almost floral aroma reached her nose that she felt something was wrong.

The moment she breathed it in, her head spun dizzily, her already sluggish body growing heavier than before.

"Cover your nose!"

Lysera’s voice cut sharply through the haze, and before Kana could react, Irielle grabbed her hand and yanked her back, quickly shielding Kana’s face with her sleeve.

Lysera mirrored the motion, standing protectively on her other side, her other hand on her weapon.

They tried to retreat, but before they could step out of the alley, a figure appeared.

A woman walked into their path, holding a sleek, black umbrella tilted low enough to shadow her face.

Her steps were deliberate and elegant, and though her expression was hidden, the cold authority in her presence filled the narrow street.

Her voice was smooth and commanding as she spoke, each word cutting through the silence.

"Hand over the necklace. Stealing from the auction house was a very bad idea."

The woman said, her tone sharp and unwavering.

Kana stiffened. She had been tense since the moment she felt they were followed, but this pushed her patience over the edge.

"This necklace is mine. I bought it with my own money. If you’ve got a problem with that, then you can fuck off."

She said firmly, taking a step forward despite her dizziness.

There was a beat of silence.

Then, soft laughter broke through, low and amused. The woman shifted the umbrella slightly, revealing the curve of her lips but keeping her eyes hidden.

"Oh? That’s quite the attitude. I suppose introductions are in order, then."

She said smoothly.

Her voice lowered, as though savoring her own name.

"Lady Seraphine. A collector... and broker of rare things."

The weight of her words was chilling, but she spoke them like a promise rather than a threat.

"And this rare thing...is the necklace around your neck. I never lose sight of what I desire, little one."

Seraphine continued, pointing the tip of her umbrella toward Kana’s chest.

Kana’s instincts flared violently, the hairs on her neck rising. Something was wrong. There was movement.

Before she could process it, she felt a faint shift in the air—fingers reaching for the necklace at her throat from the side.

Her body reacted before her mind did; she twisted sharply away, and in the same instant, a flash of silver streaked past her.

Irielle’s blade was out in an instant, her wrist snapping with precision as she struck at the figure reaching for Kana.

A soft grunt of pain followed as the attacker recoiled, clutching his injured hand.

Kana caught a glimpse of him as he staggered back—a tall man, dressed in dark attire, his sharp features twisted in frustration.

"Dorian!"

Seraphine’s voice was cool and composed as the man retreated swiftly to her side. He dropped to one knee, his head lowered in shame.

"My lady, I failed to carry out the mission. I underestimated them."

Dorian said through clenched teeth, his hand still bleeding.

But Seraphine only tilted her head slightly, lowering the umbrella to finally reveal her piercing gaze beneath. Her lips curved into a faint, dangerous smile.

"It’s alright. I’m not angry, Dorian."

She said softly, almost sweetly. Her gaze sharpened as her voice deepened with quiet resolve.

"We still have plenty of chances to take care of this."

Lysera, standing firmly in front of Kana now, tightened her grip on her weapon, her expression dark and unreadable.

Irielle moved closer too, her posture tense, her usual playful demeanor gone completely.

Kana’s breath was unsteady, but she forced herself to stand tall despite her dizziness, her fingers brushing lightly against the pendant at her neck.

This wasn’t going to end with just words.

The alley was silent except for the faint rustle of Seraphine’s umbrella in the breeze.

Every muscle in Kana’s body screamed for her to stay sharp, her earlier exhaustion momentarily forgotten under the weight of Seraphine’s intent gaze.

The woman wasn’t here to negotiate.

She was here to take the necklace at all costs.

Seraphine’s gaze locked on Kana, sharp and unyielding as her fingers lightly tapped the handle of her umbrella.

Her voice, calm yet edged with cold steel, carried through the tense silence of the alley.

"This is your final chance. Hand over the necklace... or face the consequences."

She said, tilting the umbrella ever so slightly.

Kana clenched her fists, her body still heavy and sluggish, but her resolve burned fiercely.

"I already told you. This necklace is mine. I’m not giving it to you."

She snapped, glaring back.

For a moment, Seraphine was silent. Then, her lips curved into a faint smile.

"Very well."

She snapped the umbrella open, angling its canopy directly toward Kana and her companions.

Without warning, a faint hum resonated in the air—then a blinding flash erupted from its center, a concentrated shot of force roaring forward.

Kana barely had time to react before her vision went white. Her chest burned, her instincts screamed, and then—

[System Alert: Divine Shield: Beloved Form]

A translucent barrier shimmered to life around Kana, enveloping her and extending to Lysera and Irielle just as the blast struck, deflecting the force with a deafening crack.