OVERPOWERED BOUNTY HUNTER

The sun had barely risen when I heard the knock at the door. My hand went instinctively to the hilt of my sword, but I didn't reach for it — not yet. Yoon-Hee was already awake, her eyes darting to the door as if expecting trouble.

"I'll check," I murmured, my voice low.

I moved toward the door, my feet light, my movements practiced. It wasn't a surprise that trouble had found us so quickly. The Blood Moon Cult wouldn't let go of a grudge so easily. But there was something more to this — something that felt deliberate.

When I opened the door, there was no one there. But at the threshold, a small black envelope waited, sealed with the same dark red wax.

I picked it up and closed the door behind me.

Yoon-Hee had already slipped out of bed and was watching me. "Who was it?"

"Nothing," I said, unsealing the envelope. The script inside was familiar, even elegant, but this time, it was more cryptic.

"The Pavilion waits at the Red Lotus Temple. Come if you wish to play the game. But beware — the game is not kind to those who hesitate."

I set the letter down and leaned against the wall. "They're forcing my hand."

Yoon-Hee moved closer, her expression a mix of concern and curiosity. "The Crimson Serpent… What do they want from you?"

I paused. "What they always want. Power. Control. Influence."

"And you're going to meet them?"

I met her gaze. "I don't have much of a choice. But don't worry — I'm not the one who will be playing their game. I'll just be watching."

Her eyes narrowed, a mix of skepticism and worry crossing her face. "You won't get dragged in, will you?"

I gave her a half-smile. "I'm not someone they can control."

But as I said the words, doubt gnawed at me. There were things happening in the shadows — things I couldn't yet understand. And while I was sure of my abilities, the Crimson Serpent Pavilion had its own kind of power. Power that I wasn't certain I could defeat alone.

We left the inn before the sun had fully risen, blending into the morning crowd, our footsteps silent as we made our way to the Red Lotus Temple. The streets were eerily empty, as if the world itself was holding its breath.

By the time we reached the temple's gates, the sun was climbing higher, casting long shadows over the stone courtyard. The temple's red pillars loomed above us, its arches stretching into the sky.

It felt… wrong. There was an oppressive aura in the air, thick with hidden danger. The Crimson Serpent's influence was palpable, like a spider's web wrapping around the temple, drawing everything in.

A figure emerged from the temple's shadows, a tall woman cloaked in blood-red robes. Her face was hidden behind a mask of black lacquered wood, but her presence was undeniable.

"You came," she said, her voice smooth and cold.

"Why?" I asked bluntly.

Her head tilted slightly. "Curiosity? Or perhaps you think you can defeat us?"

I didn't answer immediately, my eyes scanning the courtyard, looking for any signs of hidden threats. But I didn't need to — I already knew this was a game, and one that I was going to play on my terms.

"I came because you made it impossible to ignore," I replied finally. "What do you want from me?"

The woman stepped closer, her footsteps making no sound against the stone. "We want what we've always wanted. Power. Your power, to be precise. But not through force. No… we prefer a more subtle approach."

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

"The game," she said. "You see, our Pavilion thrives on challenges. On trials. The ones who succeed in our trials gain power beyond their wildest dreams. But those who fail…"

Her voice trailed off as her eyes flicked to the shadows behind her.

Yoon-Hee stepped closer to me, her hand brushing against my arm. "What happens to those who fail?"

The woman's mask shifted slightly, as if she were smirking. "Let's just say they vanish. Lost, forgotten, or worse…"

I felt a tightness in my chest. The Blood Moon Cult had their own methods of controlling people, but this was something darker. Something that lingered in the air like a poisonous mist.

"Your trials. What are they?" I asked, my voice steady.

"The first trial will be simple enough," the woman replied. "Defeat the champion. If you win, you'll gain our favor. If you lose, you'll join the rest."

A chill ran through me. The first trial. That meant there would be more. More challenges. More games. And each one would grow more dangerous.

"I'll play your game," I said, my voice cold.

The woman's eyes gleamed with approval. "Wise. Very wise. Follow me."

She turned, her robes fluttering behind her like a crimson wave. I followed her into the temple's inner sanctum, my thoughts racing. The Crimson Serpent Pavilion was playing with fire — but I was no stranger to flames.

I was going to make them regret ever inviting me to play.