The Forest, Hours Later
Deep within a dense forest, where the trees pressed against each other as if conspiring, Karsu sat in silence near a faint fire. The girl was tied to a tree, struggling in vain to free herself.
Karsu stood up, gazing into the stretching darkness around him, where he had carefully placed deadly traps. He knew the First Merchant would not come alone... and he was prepared for that.
A cold, lifeless smile formed on his lips.
"Now... let's see if he will think with his mind or his emotions."
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The Next Day…
The First Merchant's envoy arrived at the designated location, using Qaz الرياح, which granted him extraordinary speed, making his steps tear through the air. He stopped at the edge of the forest, glaring at the dense shadows that surrounded the place. Anger was clear on his face, but he could not hide the unease creeping into his heart.
The Envoy (through gritted teeth): "Where is the girl? We are here to negotiate, as you requested!"
Karsu emerged from between the trees, his face cold and devoid of any emotion, as if death itself were staring at the envoy. He wore a black coat, with traces of ash clinging to it, as if something had recently burned.
Karsu (calm and icy): "No negotiations. Either your master pays one hundred thousand gold coins... or I send him her dismembered body."
The envoy's eyes widened for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure, struggling to contain his mix of anger and distress.
The Envoy (furious): "One hundred thousand? That's impossible! My master could never afford such a sum!"
Karsu (with a lethal smile): "Your problem. Tell your master… if the money doesn't come, I'll return her to him—one finger at a time… then the arms… then I'll hang her head on the gates of his home. The choice is yours."
That moment was enough to ignite a blind fury in the envoy. He surged forward using Qaz الرياح, appearing like a streak of light, attempting to land a swift strike at Karsu's neck.
But Karsu did not move.
At the last instant, he tilted his body slightly to the side, dodging the attack as if it were unbearably slow. His hand clamped onto the envoy's wrist with terrifying strength, and the sound of bones breaking echoed through the air.
"Crack!"
A monstrous scream of pain burst from the envoy, just before he felt a cold blade slicing into his shoulder.
Karsu (with chilling calm): "This speed?... Pathetic."
With precise control, he twisted the envoy's wrist until it was completely bent, then drew a slender sword from his waist. In a single stroke… he severed the envoy's arm completely.
"Shhhhhhk!"
Blood gushed like a waterfall, splattering crimson drops onto Karsu's emotionless face.
The Envoy (screaming): "Aaaaah! My hand! My hand! Oh God…!"
He collapsed to his knees, his body trembling like a slaughtered bird, while Karsu continued watching from above—like a hunter observing his prey's demise.
Karsu (in a whisper-like tone): "Do you still wish to negotiate… or shall I continue cutting?"
The envoy shuddered, trying to endure the pain, but he lacked the courage to lift his eyes and respond. Blood pooled beneath him, and with each passing moment, he seemed closer to losing consciousness.
The Envoy (weakly): "W-What… do you want?"
Karsu (dark smile): "The price is now one million gold coins. And any attempt at betrayal… I will start cutting off her fingers in front of her father."
The Envoy: "But… how will he afford such a sum?"
Karsu: "If he doesn't care about her life… he doesn't deserve to be her father. Deliver my message… now."
The envoy stumbled away, blood trailing behind him as he limped back to the First Merchant. Meanwhile, Karsu slowly wiped his sword clean, as if the entire ordeal had been nothing more than routine practice.