I couldn’t move at all.

Was it because I was in a dream?

“Stay still!”

“If you make any more noise, I won’t leave you be.”

“They said you’re a useful woman, so don’t be reckless for now.”

It was almost the same memory replayed whenever I had a nightmare.

Memories of being captured by Criannet knights, being dragged away by royal soldiers.

“If you don’t want to die, stay quiet.”

“……!”

Startled by a clear voice, not the vague one from my dream, I snapped my eyes open.

Immediately, I felt the cold touch of a knife blade on my neck.

The moment I met those flickering eyes, I realized I was wide awake.

Someone, a man I had never seen before, was straddling me, gripping my hair and threatening me.

“…….”

I bit the inside of my cheek, trying to regain my senses.

Dodint’s eyes narrowed as he watched my eyes dart around.

“Kehe, heh, finally coming to your senses, huh?”

“……!”

Only after seeing Dodint move did I realize the color drain from my face.

My hood was off.

‘My face!’

I desperately tried to cover my face, but he leaned in closer.

“I told you not to move.”

Pinned down by Dodint, I couldn’t even struggle.

My lips trembled, and his sinister laughter grew.

“You’re the village doctor, right? Eh?”

Dodint, not caring, tilted the knife against my neck.

My eyes narrowed in fear.

“Did you save those idiots I used as bait? Kehek, did they all survive?”

“……”

Seeing Sharletti’s face contorted in anger, Dodint sneered dismissively.

“Start treating me now. Keck, keh, and hand over everything you have. And you’ll have to guide me out of here.”

Dodint wasn’t just lingering in the mountains.

He was waiting, planning to use Sharletti to recover and then escape safely.

‘He doesn’t know about Len.’

Thankfully, Dodint was unaware of Len’s presence.

It was a relief that at least Len was safe.

‘I need to distract him.’

My heart raced, but my mind was calm.

I had to think fast.

Dodint was in dire need of my treatment.

He had seen my face, but my identity was still hidden.

‘It’s okay. I’ve prepared for this hundreds of times.’

I clenched my fist and braced myself.

Ready, I stared straight at Dodint and spoke.

“……Hand, off.”

A horrendous frog-like croaking voice.

Dodint momentarily flinched, startled by the sound.

It was a reaction everyone had to my terrible voice.

Ignoring the familiar ache in my chest, I spoke firmly.

“I won’t treat someone like you.”

For a moment, the knife hesitated.

‘Now’s my chance!’
I was about to reach for the scissors hidden under my pillow when suddenly…

Slash! Dodint brutally struck my cheek.

“You can speak, huh?” He leered, his face inches from mine, his lips grotesquely twisted.

His grotesque and repulsive face sent shivers down my spine.

I swallowed dryly, tasting bitterness.

“So, it’s true. They said you had burn scars, but your face is fine, huh? You tricked them, hid it? What’s the reason?”

His eyes, filled with deranged madness, scrutinized every inch of my face.

This was a different kind of terror than what I experienced five years ago.

“I’ve seen many like you. Hiding faces, lying, avoiding people’s eyes. You’re in trouble if your face is seen, right?”

A stone seemed to drop in my chest, heavy and sinking.

Dodint’s grinning face was watching me, unable to breathe.

“A clear weakness. I’ve seen it! Your weakness!”

His laughter, leaking through his yellowed teeth, was disgusting and monstrous.

But above all, his earnest threats were the most terrifying.

Yet, my hand steadily searched my pocket.

“So what if my face is a weakness?”

His laughter stopped.

A fearful look on my face, I managed to lift the corners of my mouth.

“Did you think I wouldn’t be prepared?”

Swoosh! I threw the self-defense powder I had taken from my pocket.

The powder, riding on the strong wind coming through the half-open window, engulfed Dodint.

“Arghhh!!! My eyes!!!”

He clawed at his eyes, burning and stinging as intended.

‘Now’s my chance!’

I seized the moment to get off the bed, but Dodint quickly grabbed my clothes and threw me down.

Thud! My shoulder and back hit the bed board.

“…..ugh….”

Stunned by the impact, I couldn’t get up immediately.

“This damn thing!!!”

Dodint, cursing and fumbling on the bed, couldn’t see.

I tried to shrink away when suddenly…

Bang! Bang! Bang!

“Shar!”

Ren’s voice came through, pounding on the door.

I was about to warn him off when Dodint found me first.

“Your face, your face! I’ll remember it!”

His bloodshot eyes threatened me.

“I’ll remember and kill you. Or find someone who knows your face and sell you out! So stay quiet…!”

Crash!

Just as Dodint reached for me, the bedroom door shattered, and Ren burst in.

His fists were bloody as he gasped for breath.

“Shar!”

Seeing the woman curled up in the dark, Ren rushed over, but Dodint, cursing, threw his knife.

Ugh. Ren’s arm was sliced as he faltered, and Dodint used that moment to escape through the window.

“Damn, Shar! Are you okay? Shar!”

Ren ignored Dodint’s escape and immediately checked on me.