Voyage Of The Villainess

Malaya quickly cut the arrow's tips. Before she could pull the arrow, she looked everywhere if there was anything she could use to stop the bleeding once she pulled it out.

"Darn!" She frustratingly rubbed her head when she couldn't see anything but endless desolate land. 'Without my items or anyone, why am I so useless?!'

She cursed herself. 'The only thing I have now is the red ring and Trinity.' Then suddenly her line of sight caught the silver bracelet that was on her wrist. The one that the saleslady gave her before. The plain silver bracelet had a single red star on it now.

Then she remembered those people in her dream. "Hey, if you could hear me, please help me." Malaya frustratingly said as she held Hyun Jae's pulse.

But she was only answered with silence then she suddenly remembered the Goddess of Light that brought Hyun Jae to this world.

"Please help her, Goddess Lumiera." Malaya desperately said as she held Hyun Jae but her weariness intensified when she felt that Hyun Jae's pulse was weakening.

Malaya gritted her teeth when nothing happened. She immediately tore her coat and held the arrow that was stuck at the lower-left chest of Hyun Jae. She firmed her trembling hands as she immediately pulled the arrow.

With the cloak she had, she immediately pressed the wound to stop any blood from coming out.

"That is not enough to save her." she suddenly heard a cold voice behind her. And all of sudden someone pulled her out from Hyun Jae.

That familiar black hair was what Malaya first saw. "Kayden."

Kayden didn't respond as he went towards Hyun Jae. From his pocket he brought out a small bottle of potion containing a white liquid, he then poured it toward the wound of Hyun Jae.

After a few minutes, Hyun Jae's breathing began to normalize.

"With this, my debt back at the dungeon and at that time are cleared." Kayden stood up. 

Malaya was filled with relief when she saw that Hyun Jae was finally back at normal. "You're not a cat anymore?"

Kayden gave his fiercest glare towards Malaya. Malaya just awkwardly smile as she avoided his gaze. 'I guess with all those acts of shamelessness, I could understand why he will be mad at me.'

"Tsk." Kayden just clicked his tongue as he started to walk away.

"Wait! Before you go, may I ask if you know this place?"

Kayden halted his footsteps and decided to walk ahead again without answering her.

'I guess he doesn't know either.' Malaya just faintly smile as she slumped her tired body on the barren ground. 

'I didn't expect so many things right now.' Malaya glanced at the sky full of dark clouds. The wind was also very cold that even her coat was not enough for her.

She couldn't also start a fire, if she did, it might attract unwanted beasts lurking around the area. And with all these people with her, she would not be able to protect them all if they got attacked.

Malaya covered her eyes with her right hand. 'I'm so useless.'

{"And now you are playing a hero saving the damsel in distress."

"And here I thought you would do something great that would save the people, where they could find you interesting."

"You surely so full of yourself."}

All those snarky remarks from Iris played like music towards Malaya which made her feel heavier inside. 

'And perhaps I'm doing those things so that people would not see me someone as useless. To gain recognition from them?'

{'Carolle, please don't leave us.'}

"Why am I so useless even here?"

*Fwoosh!*

"Just sleep," 

Malaya was surprised when she heard Kayden's voice. Then she found herself covered with his coat.

"I'll keep watch to all of you tonight. So rest." Kayden said as he started to light a fire. Now it wasn't that cold anymore.

Stare...

Malaya eyed Kayden with suspicion which somewhat irritated him. "I think I'll just..." Kayden started to stand up.

"Ah yes!" Malaya immediately covered her face with Kayden's coat. Rose's scent immediately assaulted her nose which made her feel at ease.

Soon she found herself drifting to dreams.

After a few more minutes, soft snores could be heard accompanied by the crackling of the fire.

'For her to sleep right away without her guard upon me, she's really a fool.' Kayden was standing just an inch from the sleeping Malaya.

He then turned around when he suddenly felt a familiar presence.

Black flames surged out from his hand as he fired it towards her.

"Whoah there!" But she just simply raised her palm and the flame vanished.

"Why are you so mad?" The goddess of mischief, Virena just laughed off.

But instead of an answer Kayden just fired her with more fireballs.

"Ah I get it," Virena said. "You must be upset that I transform you into an adorable cat, hahaha!"

Now, Kayden was filled more with anger. 

"It was really interesting."

Kayden appeared with a dagger in his hands towards Virena. But Virena just simply stopped it with her two fingers. Kayden tried to pull it back but Virena's hold was quite firm and strong.

"Just who are you and what do you want with me?" Kayden gritted his teeth. All his life, these women had nothing to do but to play with his life.

"I'm not a plaything to anyone of you!" Kayden gnashed his teeth as he looked at Virena with so much hate.

"Yes, you are," Virena spoke in a nonchalant manner as she let go of the dagger. Kayden immediately created a distance within them.

"Not only you but also that girl there." She said as she gave Hyun Jae a sideways glance. But then she noticed another girl behind Kayden.

"..."

'Hmmm...That's strange.' Virena started to walk towards the sleeping Malaya. She crouched down as she was going to pull out the coat covering Malaya's face.

As her hand was nearing her, a sudden spark suddenly emerged from the silver bracelet Malaya was wearing. 

Virena suddenly found herself in a dark empty void. "Don't touch her, lowly goddess!"

A voice of both man and woman resounded that sent great fright to Virena. She couldn't speak nor even produce her powers. But then when Virena blinked, she found herself back at the desolate lands.

"That's!" 

Virena turned around to Kayden with a huge mischievous smile.  "Interesting! Hahaha!"

"Dear Champion of mine," Virena spoke as she started to walk towards Kayden. "If you want to fulfill your goal, I advise you to stay closer to her group or more specifically to her." 

"Now then, I should go now before the others find that I'm here," Virena said as she started to disappear. "The game now is truly an interesting one. Keep entertaining me until the end. Ah, and one more thing if you don't do as I say, I'll make you into an adorable cat once again hahaha!" Her laughter echoed until her presence completely vanished.

"I'll become stronger," Kayden said, clenching his fist. 'I'll become stronger until I can slay both you and that witch.'

'I'll make both of you regret toying with my life."