Chapter 123 Walking Into Hell
Elena’s POV
The moment they dragged me into the labyrinthine cave system, I knew I was walking straight into hell. Flickering torches cast dancing shadows across the rough stone walls, leading me deeper into what felt like an ancient tomb. At the far end of the cavern, a creature twice the size of his subordinates lounged on a makeshift throne carved from black stone. But it wasn’t the monster that made my blood run cold.
It was the woman.
She knelt at his feet in nothing but torn underwear, a heavy chain wrapped around her slender neck like a dog collar. Tears streamed down her face as she whispered desperate pleas that echoed off the cave walls. Her terror was so raw, so pure, that it hit me like a physical blow.
I scanned the shadows for other captives, but she appeared to be alone. Whether this beast kept a stockpile of victims or hunted fresh prey on demand didn’t matter. What mattered was getting this girl out of here alive. She couldn’t be much older than me, which made my stomach churn with a sickening realization.
Young women were exactly his type.
“Elena.” The creature’s voice dripped with mock courtesy as his lips curved into a predatory smile. “I was beginning to think I would never have the pleasure of meeting you.”
“Let the girl go.” My voice cut through the cave like steel. “Then we can have our little chat. Just you and me.”
His laugh was a harsh rasp that made the woman flinch. “But she is my dinner
reservation.”
“Your reservation just got canceled.” I stepped forward, my boots crunching on loose gravel. “The meal you had last night was your final course. Release her.”
“How dare you march into my domain and issue commands.” His eyes flashed with fury, but I caught the hint of uncertainty beneath the bravado.
“You’re right. I can’t force you to do anything.” I shrugged with deliberate casualness. “But I can always turn around and leave. Of course, I might get bored on my way out
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and slaughter every single one of your pets just for entertainment.”
The master leaned back against his stone throne, his grotesquely long fingernails drumming against the armrest as he studied me. That sinister smirk never left his face, and his minions began to snicker like hyenas sensing weakness.
I glanced over my shoulder at the pathetic creatures, then back at their leader.
“Cute intimidation tactic.” I flexed my fingers, letting my claws extend with a metallic whisper. “But I brought my own.”
The woman’s eyes widened in fresh terror until I caught her gaze and winked. Trust me, I mouthed silently.
“Impressive weaponry,” the creature acknowledged with grudging respect.
“Thanks. Now I have a couple questions for you.” I took another step closer, deliberately casual. “Do you die the same way your little minions do? And more importantly, do they all drop dead when you do?”
“Why would I provide you with that information?” His tone was mocking, but I detected genuine curiosity.
I shrugged again. “I was hoping you’d be a good sport about the whole thing. Guess I was wrong about you having any honor.”
“I suppose you were.”
I moved forward again, and the terrified woman pressed herself against the cave wall, as far from both of us as her chain would allow.
“You’re frightening my dinner,” he observed with dark amusement.
“Then let her go.”
“I heard you possessed a sharp tongue. I must say, you exceed expectations.”
“That’s because I’m not afraid of you.” The words came out flat and matter–of–fact.
His laughter echoed off the stone walls. “You should be terrified.”
“Funny.” I smiled back at him. “I was about to say the exact same thing to you.”
“What are you talking about?”
Instead of answering, I spun around and hurled my backpack into the center of the cave. It landed with a wet explosion, synthetic blood erupting from the ruptured bags
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and coating every minion within twenty feet. A few drops splattered across my arms, but I ignored the minor sting.
The master dove behind his throne like a coward, avoiding the crimson spray entirely.
His minions began screaming immediately. They writhed on the cave floor, clawing at their skin as the synthetic blood burned through them like acid. The sound of their agony was music to my ears.
“There.” I dusted off my hands as the master emerged from his hiding spot. “Now we have ourselves a fair fight.”
“I assumed you would bring your wolf pack for backup,” he said, seemingly unbothered by his servants‘ suffering.
“This is personal business. Just between us.”
Another cold smile crossed his features. He didn’t even glance at his dying minions as they begged him to end their pain.
“If you really want to put them out of their misery,” I offered conversationally, “I can arrange that.”
“They are weak. Your blood merely incapacitates them. It will not kill them.”
“Then allow me to finish the job properly.”
I drew the large hunting knife from my belt. The blade wasn’t silver, so it couldn’t hurt me, but it would slice through these creatures like butter. Moving faster than lightning, I began my dance of death across the cave floor.
Heads rolled. Blood sprayed. Within seconds, I stood on the opposite side of the cavern, surrounded by corpses.
The master watched the massacre without flinching. He knew he was alone now. I could sense his awareness of every death, every severed connection to his network of minions.
“You have certainly evolved since our last encounter.” His voice carried a note of genuine admiration. “You were not this ruthless before.”
“A lot changes in time.” I wiped the blade clean on my jeans.
His response was swift and brutal. He yanked the woman’s chain, dragging her in front
of him like a human shield. Her terrified whimpers filled the sudden silence.
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“Now then,” he purred against her ear while keeping his eyes locked on mine, “shall we continue our negotiation?”
