Rachel Forrest still wanted to defend herself, but Paige Summers was in no mood to entertain her any longer.

The situation couldn’t have been simpler. She saw the weapon shop thriving and grew jealous. Watching Paige Summers rake in so many Crystal Cores, she became consumed by resentment.

So, she chose betrayal, selling out Paige Summers in exchange for the Crystal Cores she so desperately coveted.

But she never once considered the price Paige Summers had paid.

Twenty years of dedicated study and meticulous research in her past life. The vast majority of her short existence had been poured into her craft. The carefree days enjoyed by ordinary girls were something she had never known.

To gain anything, one must offer something of equal value in return. That is an immutable law of the universe.

But this was a truth not everyone understood.

Just then, Marcus Monroe appeared, bringing with him the other star of today’s drama.

With his hands bound, Leo Forrest was dragged over, stumbling silently.

Marcus Monroe carried a backpack in his other hand.

Clearly, he had caught Leo on his way to rendezvous with his sister.

Seeing this, Rachel Forrest’s eyes instantly filled with despair.

She had been clinging to a sliver of hope. ’If Leo doesn’t see me for a while, he’ll definitely get suspicious. He’ll come back to find me, and maybe he’ll have a chance to rescue me!’

’But now... it’s all over...’

In stark contrast to his sister, Leo Forrest was silent, but his eyes were brimming with tears.

Paige Summers gave Marcus Monroe a puzzled look.

He nodded. "He doesn’t know about what Rachel Forrest did. I already questioned him. Rachel just said she wanted to leave and told him to wait for her at a specific time and place. I believe he’s telling the truth."

’He was going to leave without even asking why?’ Paige sighed to herself. From the very beginning, Leo Forrest hadn’t seemed like his own person, but more like an extension of Rachel.

"Rachel..." Leo Forrest cried out when he saw that Paige’s blade was still pointed at his little sister.

Paige’s gaze swept over the two of them before settling on Rachel. "Things have gone too far. Sparing you is impossible. In Bloodfall, there’s only one fate for traitors. You should know that!"

Rachel Forrest’s face was ashen. She bit her lower lip so hard her expression contorted. After a moment, she suddenly dropped to her knees with a THUD before Paige. "You don’t have to do it. I’ll do it myself! But... can you let my brother go? He’s just a fool, he doesn’t know anything! I... I beg you, please let him go..."

Paige was silent for a moment before nodding. "I agree."

"Paige!" Claire Chapman cried out anxiously. "You can’t do that!"

The Forrest siblings were exceptionally close. If Rachel died at their hands, how could Leo possibly not seek revenge? This was just asking for trouble down the line!

But Paige looked at her, her voice slow and deliberate. "Leo wasn’t involved."

’Even if he seeks revenge one day, that’s a problem for another day.’

’Right now, Leo is innocent.’

’He’s a member of Bloodfall, too. He’s fought and bled alongside us on missions outside the city.’

’He can’t be held accountable just because his sister is a traitor.’

Paige’s pointed look silenced Claire Chapman. A conflicted expression crossed her face, but in the end, she reluctantly conceded.

Leo Forrest, the subject of their debate, said nothing at all. He simply stared intently at his sister, Rachel, his eyes overflowing with immense sorrow...

’Why did you do this?’

’Why didn’t you tell me?’

’And now that it’s come to this, you’re trying to bear it all by yourself again?’

...

Having secured Paige’s promise, Rachel Forrest slowly got to her feet.

At this moment, she kept her head slightly bowed. She could feel Leo’s eyes on her but didn’t dare to meet his gaze.

She was afraid—afraid of seeing disgust in his eyes.

To the outside world, it looked like Leo was the one who depended on her. But she knew in her heart that it was she who had always relied on her brother.

As a Water Ability User, Leo was an indispensable member of many Hunting Parties. He could have had a much better life years ago if he’d wanted. But back then, her Defense Ability was barely enough to protect herself. She was essentially useless, and no one was interested in a superpower like hers.

He had given up so many opportunities for her!

It was because she understood this that she had latched onto Paige and her group, using them as a chance to get to Central City.

She wanted him to have a bright future; she didn’t want to be a burden on him!

’But when did that simple hope begin to change? It was probably after Summers Armaments took off...’

’The growing stability of their lives gave her more time to dream and to admire, which eventually festered into deep, gnawing jealousy!’

’A single transaction, one weapon, could bring in bag after bag of Crystal Cores.’

’She was completely blinded by their dazzling brilliance!’

’If she and Leo could get their hands on that many Crystal Cores,’ she thought, ’would Promoting even be an issue?’

’And once we Promote, fame and fortune would surely follow, right?’

’With fame and fortune comes even more Crystal Cores!’

’The more she thought about it, the more plausible this virtuous cycle seemed!’

’But compared to Paige, or even Claire, she and Leo received so little.’

’Promoting seemed like a distant, unreachable dream.’

’Obsessing over it day and night, she felt like she was on the verge of madness.’

’And that was when someone approached her about a deal...’

It wasn’t that she didn’t feel guilty.

She wasn’t nearly as self-righteous as she acted.

It was just that the desire for a better life had seized her, making it impossible to cast aside her greed.

Rachel Forrest shook her head, casting aside those useless memories.

Surrounded by members of Bloodfall, she knew there was no chance of making it out alive today.

She abruptly lifted her head and gave Leo a radiant smile.

She watched as her brother’s eyes flew wide and he charged toward her.

But before he could reach her, she flipped a dagger into her hand and plunged it deep into her own chest. With the last of her strength, she curled into a ball and fell, her back turned to Leo.

’I don’t want him to see my face, twisted in agony.’

’I hope... he only remembers my smile. And then... lives a good life...’

"Rachel—!"

A howl like that of a lone wolf tore from Leo’s throat, startling everyone. They never imagined that the man who was usually as silent as a mute could produce such a heart-wrenching sound.

Watching him stumble and collapse over Rachel’s body, Claire Chapman gave the others a look, signaling them to retreat.

’That scream was too loud; it’s sure to have alerted other people.’

Paige walked over and, with an upward flick of her knife, severed the ropes binding Leo. They fell away to the ground.

But he seemed oblivious, simply lying over Rachel’s body and weeping in anguish.

As Paige and the others got into their vehicle and drove away, that was the last image seared into her mind.

No one spoke a word on the drive back.

After all, Rachel had spent some time with them. People aren’t made of stone; some attachment had formed. Neither her betrayal nor her death was anything to celebrate.

The same went for Leo.

The man cherished his sister as his own life. There was no telling what would become of him now.

It was destined to be a somber night, especially for Paige.

So much had happened recently. So many people were gone. Her spirits had been low for a while. She could force herself to get through the day, but at night, a suffocating feeling—like she was sinking into the ocean, unable to breathe—made it impossible to rest or focus on her Cultivation.

’This can’t go on!’

Lying in bed, she resolved that starting tomorrow, she would get her head on straight and begin the preparations for leaving the city that she had been putting off.