Chapter 2

I wandered aimlessly through the castle corridors until I stopped before an exceptionally ornate door.

I pushed it open to find a luxurious walk-in closet connected to a massive washroom.

The water in the sink was actually clean.

I raised an eyebrow, walked over, and turned on the tap. Cold water washed the grime from my face.

I picked up a silver comb from the counter and slowly worked through my tangled hair.

Fifteen years.

I finally got a clear look at myself. Water droplets rolled down my pale, gaunt cheeks.

I turned and walked toward the rows of grand wardrobes.

Without hesitation, I stripped off the sour, rotting prisoner's uniform and pulled on a soft white silk dress.

The skirt was light and airy. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, I had the illusion of being human.

The annoying blue chat exploded again.

[Is this really the time to play dress-up? Does she think this is a beauty pageant?]

[Is she out of her mind? She’s still looking in the mirror?!]

[Go hide! The other races are already hidden. Even the weakest goblins have dug their holes!]

[Oh my god, the Elder Council is arguing about using our only communication lifeline to drill the rules into her head!]

[But on a side note... this girl is actually pretty. Couldn't tell when she was covered in all that dirt.]

I continued to ignore them.

I casually snapped a thorny rose stem from the windowsill, twirling it between my fingers.

Then, humming an ancient werewolf lullaby, I walked out of the closet.

"The moon rises, the bones crack..."

It was the same song I hummed when I was seven, right as I crushed that noble’s throat.

I made my way to the castle's armory, which was piled high with dusty weapons.

I needed to deal with the nuisance on my feet first.

I picked up a heavy, clunky sword and raised it high.

Clang!

The iron chains on my ankles snapped.

I tossed the useless sword aside, rubbing my wrists. The impact had sent a numbing vibration up my arms.

Too heavy, too slow.

I picked up a lightweight dagger and slashed it through the air a couple of times.

Too short, not sharp enough.

Finally, my eyes landed on a wooden crate in the corner.

Inside lay a pair of claw blades forged from refined steel.

I slipped them onto my hands. Ten razor-sharp steel claws gleamed with a cold light under the moon.

These were weapons fit for a werewolf.

I leaped nimbly onto the edge of the bell tower, hiding behind a massive gargoyle.

From here, I had a bird's-eye view of the castle courtyard.

Outside the main gate, a dark purple barrier was flickering.

Five minutes left on the countdown.

I narrowed my eyes, my pupils shrinking into vertical slits.

Outside the barrier, ten huge, dark shadows paced restlessly. A pungent smell of sulfur drifted up on the night breeze.

Their skin was like cracked rock, with boiling lava flowing through the fissures of their flesh. They had no eyes on their faces—just massive maws full of fangs.

They dragged flaming whips behind them. By the looks of it, a single strike would peel the skin right off your bones.

But my smile only grew wider.

Interesting.

The chat kept saying I was scared stupid.

As I watched their movements, my mind was racing, calculating.

"One whip strike comes with a five-second recovery."

"Thick limbs, low center of gravity. They can climb. Speed is about 1.5 times that of an adult werewolf."

"A straight 500-meter sprint would take them thirty seconds."

"To grid search this entire castle, they'd need at least an hour."

Analysis complete. My conclusion: not much of a threat.

[What is she doing? Is she analyzing the monster stats?]

[What's the point?! One hit from that whip and you're dead meat!]

[The countdown is almost over! Go hide!]

The clock ticked down to the final ten seconds.

Ten.

Nine.

Eight.

I raised my hand and crushed the thorny stem I'd been playing with.

BONG—

A massive, dull bell tolled over the castle, startling a flock of crows into the air.

The cold mechanical voice pierced my eardrums again.

"The thirty-minute hiding phase has concluded."

"Monsters are now entering the field."

"Enjoy your death, prey."