Chapter 176
Finnian and Francis returned from their hunt with a wild rabbit, only to encounter Atlas and Sophia along the way. Reluctantly, they turned back together.
As they arrived, the delicious smell of spicy food immediately filled the air.
They glanced toward the neighboring house and saw Freya grinding small chili peppers, Selah washing fish, Stellan tending the fire, and Odalys cooking.
The table was piled high with dishes; fish head stew, spicy fish fillets, pickled peppers, steamed mushroom soup–everything looked mouth- watering, a feast for both the eyes and the nose.
Time to eat,” Stellan called as he brought out bowls.
Everyone sat at the stone table, trying to shield themselves from the scorching afternoon sun by sipping on hot soup.
But as they are, they couldn’t help but notice the others still standing outside, staring at them: Selah raised an eyebrow and asked, “Aren’t you going
to cook?”
“With all that food, do you think you’ll finish it!” Atlas asked, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
Freya smirked, chewing on a piece of fish head as she retorted, “If we can’t finish, we’ll just heat it up later. Are you really so squeamish about leftovers!” Her tone was teasing, but it also made a clear jab at Atlas and Sophis’s inability to cook.
“After all, we’re not into dieting here,” she continued, glancing at Sophia, but it looks like Sophia’s lost quite a bit of weight. Are you Okay. Sophia?” Sophia’s stomach growled loudly in response, and she forced a smile.
She realized she had indeed lost weight, and the hunger pangs were starting to get unbearable,
The feeling of starving and thinning out was not pleasant at all. She quickly turned her face away.
“We should go make something ourselves, Sophia suggested, trying to avoid the uncomfortable conversation.
Atlas noticing that the others had no intention of inviting them to join, cast Odalys a resentful look before turning to help. They had little skill in the kitchen, though
Normally, their meals were prepared by their parents or assistants, and if they were out, they’d either have a manager take
of it
or order
takeout
Cooking from scratch was an entirely different challenge, and after hours of struggling, they only managed to make a few mediocre dishes. They brought their creations to the table, but n mixed with frustration settled in the air.
no one was particularly excited about it. Looking at the food the others we
were enjoying, a sense of envy
“Im so full. I’ll probably have a little belly now! Freya said, rubbing her stomach. “My manager’s going
g to kill me.
“Before she does, you should eat more!” Selah teased with a grin, thoroughly enjoying Freya’s predicament. Hur Odalys, who had been sitting silently until now, suddenly looked grim. Her expression darkened, and the playful atmosphere quickly turned
“Odalys, what’s wrong” Freya asked, noticing the change in
in her mood.
Cadalys‘ gaze sharpened as she replied in a low voice. “There’s bloodshed in your future.”
The air seemed to chill instantly. Everyone fell silent, staring at Odalys, their eyes widening-
“What! Me?” Freya asked, pointing to herself, a nervous laugh escaping her lips.
Selah, equally unsettled, Iraned forward and asked, “What about me? Do I have it too
Odalys shook her head, her voice solemn “Only Ferya. And it’s compected to romance.
The group fell will, a deep sense of unease spreading among them.
“Freya, wherever you go today, you stay close to me, dalys undered. “We have enough food, and we’re not going anywhere today. You three stay
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6:42 PM c
Chapter 176
you might still be affected.”
and y
close to me as well. Even though you’re not directly involved in the bloodshed, we are a team, an
Stellan, heating this, stood up immediately, his voice deep with concern. “If it’s related to romance and a man, that means it’s me, right? I’m the only min here. I’ll keep my distance, and it should be fine, right?”
ie there t
Odalys met his gaze, her expression unchanging. This has nothing to do with you. Stay close to Freya. If something happens, you’ll be
Stellan nodded, clearly unsettled, but he respected Odalys authority.
Freya, though frightened, stayed by Odalys’s side, her fingers trembling as she softly asked, “Odalys, am I g Selah, equally anxious, looked at Freya with wide eyes, clearly worried for her friend.
I going to die?
Odalys shook her head, but her eyes held a depth of concern. She gemly poked Freya on the forehead, trying to calm her. “Don’t be silly. It’s just a small misfortune, you won’t lose your life over it”
Her words were reassuring, but the worry in her eyes e couldn’t be hidden. This bloodshed wasn’t just a minor threat. It was something serious. Odalys reached out, took Freya’s hand, and bit her own finger, drawing blood. She wrote a character on Freya’s palm, watching as it spread across her skin, then faded
“Remember, don’t wash your hands today. Don’t let it come into contact with water,” Odalys warned sternly.
Freya nodded quickly, clenching her fist tightly, determined not to let her guard down.
it with care.
Selah rushed inside the house, returning quickly with a bandage to tend to Odalys’s bleeding fingertip, applying it with
The group sat in the courtyard, trying to stay calm under the intense midday sun, which was starting to feel oppressive. But the shade from the trees was a welcome relief.
“Don’t worry too much. Nothing serious will happen, Odalys tried to reassure them, though her own unease lingered in her eyes.
Freya forced a smile but seemed far from at ease. She looked over at Odalys and said, “How about we play some
y some cards! I could use a distraction” “Good thinking. Odalys, I see you brought some cards!” Freya said as she got up and dashed inside to grab the deck
Selah, sull
seasy, watched Freya hurry inside. “Freya’s trying to act casual, but I can tell she’s really scared, she murmured, her voice tinged with
Before anyone could respond, a piercing scream came from inside the house. Freya’s terrified scream echoed through the walls.
Everyone sprang to their feet, rushing toward the source of the sound. But the door to the room was locked, and no matter how hard Stellan pushed against it, it wouldn’t budge.
Without hesitation, Odalys kicked the door with all her strength. It crashed open with a loud bang-
Inside, they found Freya sitting on the floor, her forehead covered in blood. Her face was pale, and she looked completely shaken.
“He ran, Freya stammered, her finger pointing toward the window. “He ran out the window.”
The group followed her finger to the open window. They were all shocked.
- When they first moved in, Odalys had locked all the windows. They never o
opened them. But now, the window was wide open. It was clear that someone had been inside the rooin
“Till go check,” Stellan said, his face hardening with anger.
He was the only man in the group, and the sight of Freya injured, especially under such mysterious circumstances, filled him with rage. He had to
But before he
could take another step, Odalys grabbed his arm
“Don’t go, ale whispered, her voice low and urg
Stellan was puzzled. He looked at Odalys with a scrutinizing gaze and said in a low voice, “Odalys, the person ran out through the window. They must have jumped when they chuuled out. It’s not that high, but in a panic, their legs would’ve gour weak. They wouldn’t have gotten far
He added, “If I go now, I should still be able to catch up.”
Chapter 176
understand why Odalys was stopping him from gusher the perviti
Odalys gently released his arm, her voice soft yet firm. “Aside from us, the only people here are the villagers. Group A is busy cooking, to the only ones hiding in the rooms are the villagers”
