The Prison

Lilith slammed her head against the wall.

"Why is this happening to me?! I didn't do anything wrong!"

As she spoke, countless memories of her stealing flooded her mind.

Maybe I do deserve this… but I don't want it.

She turned to Nir.

"Nir, I've decided—I'm escaping from prison. Are you with me?"

Nir looked at her in disbelief.

"And who do you think I was telling that story to?"

"From what I understood, if we meet Judge Holl, we'll die. So all we have to do is avoid him."

For the first time, Nir, despite being a fool himself, had heard something this foolish.

He didn't even bother responding. Instead, he just turned over and went back to sleep.

"Seriously, Nir? Come on, let's escape! I can't stand being here. It's cold, disgusting, and the guards are perverts!"

"Not my problem. I won't die as long as 'he' is alive."

Lilith paused.

"Who's 'he'?—"

Before she could finish, the sound of iron bars being struck echoed through the cell.

"Hey, prisoners! We're moving you to the special prison. Judge Holl didn't want to come here himself—especially after hearing that you, Nir, were arrested."

The guard's gaze was sharp as he stared at Nir.

But Nir, still lying on the bed, didn't face him.

Lilith tried to break the tension.

"H-haha… alright, we're coming. Let's go, Nir!"

Nir stood up and walked out of the cell without even glancing at the officer, which only fueled the guard's anger.

"On three."

Nir whispered to Lilith quickly.

"What do you mean, 'on three'?"

"One… two… THREE!"

Nir grabbed Lilith's hand and sprinted away.

"Hey! Stop right there!"

"W-what are you doing, Nir?! I thought you were scared of the mayor!!!"

"Don't worry. Holl isn't here, so there's no problem."

They continued running, guards chasing behind them, until they reached a hallway.

"This way!"

They hid in an alcove, pressing themselves against the wall.

Holding their breath, they waited for the guards to pass.

"Alright, I think they're gone. Let's move."

"..."

Lilith remained silent, but inside, she was thinking:

D-did Nir really just hold my hand like it was nothing? He must be crazy. W-why am I even thinking about this? Anyway, we need to get out of here.

Nir and Lilith moved cautiously through the hallways, avoiding every guard they saw.

Nir explained the plan: they needed to reach the exit, which was beyond three corridors. Each corridor had prison cells, and each was guarded by a prison officer.

They had to find a way to get past them.

After thinking for a moment, Lilith spoke up.

"Oh! I have an idea!"

"What is it?"

"How about a distraction? You distract him, and I'll take him out."

"T-take him out?"

"I mean, knock him out."

"Oh… alright."

Nir walked toward the first guard, pretending to surrender.

"Oh no! I've been caught! What should I do…?"

The guard stared at Nir, unimpressed.

"I guess I'll be captured and taken back to my cell…."

Still, no reaction.

"Seriously, what's wrong with you?"

The guard sighed and, after a brief pause, suddenly shouted dramatically:

"I just… I hate my job. I just sit here, staring at this stupid hallway. I have to endure insults and bullying from criminals all day… it's miserable. I hate it!"

One of the prisoners called out:

"W-we didn't know you felt that way! We were just joking around, trying to make things fun!"

"Yeah, we're sorry! We had no idea!"

The guard collapsed to his knees, sobbing.

The prisoners all started shouting apologies.

"We didn't know you were suffering this much! From now on, we'll be better people!"

The guard looked up at them, tears streaming down his face.

"Do you… promise me?"

The prisoners smiled brightly.

"Of course! We promise!"

Nir and Lilith just stood there, watching in stunned silence.

One of the prisoners turned to them.

"Just… give him a moment. You guys can go."

Without a word, they left.

What a weird city.

They reached the second guard and used the same tactic—it worked.

Then they reached the third.

"Alright, same as before, okay?"

Nir approached the third guard, ready to put on his act.

But before he could even open his mouth, the guard lunged at him, nearly landing a punch to his stomach.

Thanks to Nir's speed, he dodged just in time.

Seriously, what is this guy? Is he even human?!

Lilith watched the fight, unable to move.

But just as she was about to run in and help, a sharp pain struck her head—just like what happened at the festival.

She looked at Nir… and saw a copy of herself.

The duplicate Lilith ran toward the guard, preparing to kick him.

But before she could strike, a strange beam of energy shot through her stomach, making her collapse to the ground.

What… was that?!

Suddenly, the vision vanished, and she was back in reality, her head still aching.

Before she could even process what had happened, the same laser from her vision fired again—this time hitting Nir in the leg.

Nir collapsed to his knees in pain.

"HEY! YOU!!!"

Lilith screamed, drawing the guard's attention.

The moment he turned away, Nir took the opportunity to punch him in the groin.

The guard froze in place, his body shaking in agony.

No matter how strong you are, no man can withstand that.

At the same time, Lilith ran toward the source of the laser.

There, she found another guard—a weak one. She knocked him out with a few quick punches.

She rushed back to Nir.

"N-Nir! Are you okay?!"

"Yeah… but I can't stand. My leg hurts."

Lilith helped Nir to his feet.

He leaned against her as they walked toward the exit.

"Wooooow! That was an amazing show! I didn't expect you to be this skilled, Nir."

Nir froze.

That voice… impossible.

His eyes met the gaze of that person.

Lex.

Before Lilith could even react, Nir had disappeared from her side and was now in front of Lex, holding a knife.

Where did he even get that?!

His injured leg was bleeding badly, but he didn't care.

At that moment, Nir's expression was unlike anything Lilith had ever seen.

Even the pain in his leg, which he had been complaining about moments ago, no longer seemed to matter.

He lunged at Lex, aiming to stab him.

But Lex dodged effortlessly.

"Whoa, calm down, buddy. I missed you too, but don't be this excited."

Nir didn't say a word—he just kept attacking.

Lex kept dodging, completely unfazed.

"Come on, dude, relax. You're making me feel like you REALLY missed me."

Then Lex's gaze shifted to Lilith.

"Oh? Is this your girlfriend? I can't believe it—our little Nir actually got a girlfriend."

"SHUUUUUUUUUT UUUUUUUUP!!!!"

Nir screamed in fury.

"I'M KILLING YOU TODAY!!!"

Lilith shivered.

Is this even Nir?!

Lex smirked.

"Oh, look—your girlfriend is in trouble."

Nir turned instantly—Lilith was being held by a guard.

His hand trembled.

"F-fine! I'll drop the knife! Let her go!"

"Hahaha, good boy. I didn't expect you to be so obedient over a girl."

Nir threw the knife to the ground, seething with rage.

Lex gave an evil grin.

"Now, if you bark like a dog, I won't tell Holl about your escape attempt. Deal?"

Nir's body stiffened.

The thought of Holl finding out made his blood run cold.

He almost… almost knelt.

But before he could—

A shoe slammed into the back of his head.

"Are you really about to kneel, idiot?!"

It was Lilith.

It was Lilith.

"Are you really about to kneel for scum like him?"

Her words were simple, but for some reason, they hit Nir right in the chest.

He clenched his fists.

Then, he stood back up.

"I will never kneel for trash like you. And remember this—I will be the one to kill you in the end."

Lex's smirk faded slightly.

That girl… Lilith.

She was a real problem.

She had managed to make Nir shake off his fear of Holl.

She's dangerous.

Lex sighed dramatically, shrugging.

"Fine, fine. Since you're my dear friend, I won't tell Holl this time. But remember—you'll regret it if you ever try escaping again."

The guards grabbed both Nir and Lilith and dragged them back to the special prison.

Their sentence was extended due to their escape attempt.

The coming days would be truly eventful.