The Origin of Sin

Just as the man reached for Heesoo, Calix’s eyes snapped to him—and his fist followed.

Thud.

“AUGH!”

A crash rang out as the man flew sideways into a table, smashing bowls and glasses as he tumbled across the floor. The tavern erupted into chaos. Splintered chairs, broken furniture, shattered dishes—all of it lay strewn across the room.

Blood streamed down the man’s face—maybe from his nose, maybe from a broken tooth. He groaned, clutching his cheeks, his features smeared red.

Whatever normalcy had existed a moment ago vanished in an instant. People gasped and stared, frozen in horror.

Calix stood over him, cold and unflinching. Heesoo’s heart pounded so hard it hurt.

She couldn’t help it—his face overlapped with the overseer’s. The one who used to whip her back in the mine.

“Oh no, oh no... Dennis! Stay with me!”

The innkeeper pressed a towel to the man’s face, trying frantically to stop the bleeding. Then she turned on Calix.