Chapter 29: Flight

The tide of battle shifts in my favor. The panther hybrid sprawls across the floor, unconscious, his chest rising and falling in slow, ragged breaths. His once-feral presence is now reduced to silence, and for now, he's no longer a threat.

I waste no time and turn back to the capsules. The woman with wings presses her trembling hands against the glass, her wide eyes pleading. Without hesitation, I locate the release switch and disengage the locks. A sharp hiss of escaping air fills the chamber before the viscous fluid drains away, leaving her weak and shivering.

She stumbles forward, and I catch her before she collapses. Up close, her wings look even more fragile—white feathers streaked with faint traces of silver. They twitch slightly, unsure whether to spread or fold, as if even her own body isn't used to them.

I glance at the next capsule, and my chest tightens. The man with the scorpion tail is already gone. His lifeless body floats in the liquid, face eerily still. He didn't even get the chance to fight for his freedom.

I lower my head and whisper a quiet prayer. Rest now. No one will hurt you anymore.

Turning back to the winged woman, I pull off my jacket and drape it over her shoulders, carefully tucking it around her wings to keep them hidden. "We need to move. Stay close to me and don't make a sound."

She nods, gripping my arm as we navigate through the dimly lit corridors. Every shadow feels like a threat, every distant noise a warning that we're not free yet. But I clench my fists and push forward.

We're getting out of here. No matter what.

As we move through the darkened corridors, the woman beside me suddenly speaks, her voice soft yet filled with emotion.

"May I know your name?" she asks hesitantly. "At least… the name of my benefactor. I don't mean to be rude, I just—I'm truly grateful to you."

I glance at her, noting the sincerity in her gaze. After a brief pause, I reply, "Tang Su Yan."

A smile of gratitude spreads across her face, but then her expression shifts into surprise. "Tang Su Yan? Are you… related to Big Sister Su Ah?"

I stop in my tracks. My eyes meet hers, and I nod. "Yes. She is my twin."

She gasps, gripping my arm slightly tighter. "Big Sister Su Ah… she protects us before, back when we are all trapped in the facility." Her voice trembles, as if recalling something painful.

"She endures torture nonstop for our sake because she tries to shield us. They promise her… they swear that if she cooperates, they won't harm us." Her fingers clench against my sleeve.

"But they lie. After she returns, she isn't the same. She barely speaks, barely reacts. And then… they experiment on us all. Just like they do with her."

Her words make my blood run cold. I clench my fists, swallowing the anger rising inside me. I don't say anything yet—I can't. But in my heart, I know one thing for certain.

They will pay for what they did.

Now that we are under the moonlight, she looks at me more closely, her eyes filled with quiet admiration.

"Now that I can see your face clearly… you're as pretty as Big Sister Su Ah," she says with a soft smile. "But you're different. You're more fierce, while Sister Su Ah has a calm and joyful presence." She hesitates for a moment, then quickly adds, "I'm not saying this in a bad way! You're both beautiful, just in your own way."

I study her expression, noting the sincerity in her words. There's no flattery—just an honest observation.

I give a small nod. "I see."

She smiles again, relieved that I don't take offense. The moment lingers between us, quiet but filled with unspoken understanding.

A sharp, dark wave slashes toward us, cutting through the air with deadly precision. I instinctively pull the winged woman behind me, my muscles tensing for impact. But the attack misses, striking the ground instead. A violent gust erupts from the impact, sending dust and debris swirling around us.

As the dust settles, a heavy presence looms over the area.

Near the facility gate, the Overseer stands motionless, his piercing gaze locked onto us. The dim moonlight casts jagged shadows across his form, making his presence even more ominous. He doesn't speak. He doesn't need to. The sheer intensity of his stare is enough to make the air feel heavier, suffocating.

Overseer smirks, his voice dripping with amusement. "Do you miss me that much, Su Yan? You must, considering you decided to pay me a visit here." His tone is mocking, but there's something unsettling beneath it. "I'm flattered, truly."

His gaze lingers on me, dark eyes glinting with something unreadable. Then, he chuckles, tilting his head slightly. "I was furious just moments ago, but seeing you now... it actually makes me really happy."

I tighten my grip on my weapon, my body tensing at his words. "In your dreams," I snap. "The last thing I'd ever do is come here for you."

"Oh, you wound me, my dear," Overseer says with a mocking sigh, placing a hand over his chest as if truly heartbroken. "You see, I'm simply preparing our people—for the glorious kingdom I plan to build, starting from here." His voice carries an eerie certainty, a twisted conviction that sends a chill down my spine.

I narrow my eyes, my grip on my guns tightening. "What kind of kingdom?" I demand. "A kingdom built on anguish and suffering?" My voice drips with disdain. "I'll stop you, Overseer. No matter what it takes, I'll put an end to your twisted plans—starting now!"

Without hesitation, I raise my twin handguns and fire. The bullets rip through the air, aimed straight at his heart. But before they can reach him, a swirling mass of darkness unfurls from his body—a black, shifting cloak-like substance that absorbs the shots effortlessly.

Overseer chuckles, his menacing gaze locking onto mine. "Oh, Su Yan... I love your fierceness."

Suddenly, Overseer vanishes. In a split second, he reappears right in front of me. Before I can react, he flicks his hand—a deceptively casual motion, yet it carries overwhelming force. The impact slams into me like a wrecking ball, sending me flying through the air.

I crash onto the ground, skidding across the dirt before coming to a painful stop. A sharp ache spreads through my body, the force of the attack rattling my bones. Gritting my teeth, I push myself up.