Chapter 38 (1/2)

Chapter 38: Chapter 4 Alice in Trouble-9

Clang! Clang! The sharp yet light sound echoed around the hideout.

”Evil,” SoYoon mumbled as she pulled out her knife. She wanted to remain discreet, so she thought her giant sword would not be worthwhile in this moment.

As Heart and Jack battled, the men from both sides were running at each other. They were all in suits, and it was pure chaos.

She wasn't sure if it was pride or cockiness, but Heart had brought exactly 22 men with him. Including herself and Alice, each side had the same number of people.

It must have already been planned before they got here because one of Heart's men was avoiding the battle and heading toward the nearest closet. ”Don't get involved,” Heart had told her.

She heard Jack's yells. As if enjoying it, he slashed his sword at Heart and screamed.

”What! You were so full of it, but this is it? I didn't even need to bring that girl!”

SoYoon glanced over at them. Jack's sword was hovering over Heart. She was just about to run to Heart when she met eyes with someone through the battlefield. ”Worry?” he asked. SoYoon clenched her jaw.

”Are you kidding me…?”

The space between the two grew farther apart. There were so many people between them that their sounds drowned out her voice. But as if he had heard her reply, he smiled with his eyes. It was a smile that made her forget this blood- and dust-filled chaos.

The sword was already right at his nose.

”Heart!”

SoYoon screamed. At that moment, Heart moved.

His ax broke the sword. Jack fell into a chair as Heart kicked him. Buried in the wrecked throne, he gasped for air.

”Ack! Cough, cough…”

The ax was a heavy weapon. Even if Heart could withstand it with his brute strength, it would be hard to maintain for long.

Heart forced his way forward toward Jack. Even as Jack swayed, he got up, placed his feet on the armrest of the chair, and started to taunt Heart.

”Even this isn't fun with you.”

”You're a cheat...Did you trick me?”

”Cheat or not, if I didn't do this, it would get so boring. At least pretend that it was fun when you thought my sword was broken.”

Heart broke the chair that Jack had over his head. Splinters and dust fell on Jack's auburn hair. Heart taunted him.

”Now it looks red.”

Heart's hair was naturally red. Jack, who had a complex about not being a full redhead, stood fuming. SoYoon stepped toward Heart.

”Hello, my Whitey.”

Heart raised his hand and greeted her. She kicked Heart in the thigh. Her white footprint was stamped onto his leg, and he whined.

”That hurt a little. Does this mean that you were worried even though you knew the result?”

SoYoon stepped on his foot instead of answering. She knew it wouldn't hurt much through his thick dress shoes, but she wanted to make a point.

Heart laughed heartily and looked behind him. Many eyes were watching them. Heart said quietly, ”Avert your eyes.” His murderous tone made his men instantly turn away.

In the short time that Heart's attention was diverted, Jack fled and yelled, pointing.

”Bring me that girl!”

Alice! Heart turned toward SoYoon. When their eyes met, she nodded, and she ran to where Jack pointed.

”No!”

Heart yelled, but she was concentrating on the door, so she didn't hear him. Jack's men were retreating, but she was unable to register that this was a trap.

SoYoon arrived at the door quickly. She felt the presence of two people beyond the door, and she turned the knob.

Upon seeing Alice lying on the floor, a familiar sound came from above the door. It was quiet, and no one could hear it other than the heightened version of herself.

She knew something was wrong. Where did I hear that before? It wasn't Wonderland. It was not the research facility. Then where—

”Ah.”

She gasped. It was the magic trap that was sometimes triggered when she went out as an agent. She looked up. There was a small cage hanging above her.

”Get out of there!”

Heart screamed. Alice was in front of her, and Heart was fast approaching behind her. SoYoon tried to break open the trap with her hands. It must have been a fire trap because heat engulfed her fingers.