The sound of trickling water filled the small bathroom, dimly illuminated by the faint glow of the lantern. Thick steam hung in the air, adding to the suffocating intimacy that weighed on Theresa. Her slender fingers moved slowly, touching the wet skin of Shun's back. She did it without passion, without emotion—merely following the orders forced upon her.
"How did it come to this?!" Theresa screamed in her mind, her teeth clenching to suppress the discomfort.
Every brush of her hand against Shun's body only worsened the filthy thoughts creeping into her mind. She was no naive girl unaware of what could happen in a situation like this. There was a chance that Shun would take advantage of her—or worse, force himself upon her. And the worst part was that a dark, buried part of her mind had already begun imagining scenarios that went even further.
"If I seduce him… will he actually attack me?" Her thoughts spiraled into a terrifying blend of fear and twisted curiosity.
Her hand slowed, coming to a stop on Shun's toned but not overly muscular back. Shun noticed and turned his head slightly, his eyes filled with quiet intrigue.
"Hey, what's with that face?" he asked, his voice flat but his gaze piercing.
Theresa flinched, her heart leaping into her throat. "It's nothing," she replied quickly, masking her unease. "Does it even matter to you?"
Shun smirked. "Eh, you're right. But how about this?"
In an instant, Shun spun around, standing up. Before Theresa could react, a swift kick to her legs threw her off balance. She stumbled backward, her back slamming against the cold wall. Before she could regain her footing, Shun had already pinned her against the surface.
Her towel slipped slightly. She reached for the fabric in panic, but Shun was faster. He seized both of her wrists and pinned them above her head, his body pressing against hers with no room to escape.
Shun's eyes shifted—not playful, but filled with dominance and danger. Theresa swallowed hard. She knew she was in serious trouble.
"Let me go!" Theresa struggled, her body writhing in desperation.
Shun clicked his tongue, tightening his grip. "You think it's that easy?!"
He pulled her closer, their breaths nearly merging. Theresa fought back harder, more frantically. Her nails dug into Shun's skin, making him wince for a brief moment. Taking advantage of that, she freed one hand and wrenched her body sideways, slipping away.
But Shun was faster. He grabbed her again, rougher this time. His grip on her wrist was so tight that her skin tore, fresh blood dripping onto the floor.
"Ah…!" Theresa winced, but there was no time to complain.
Unbeknownst to Shun, the blood trickling from her wound began to move—crawling toward his leg. Within seconds, the crimson liquid hardened into sharp spikes that pierced into his calf.
"Shit! What the hell?!" Shun jumped back, pain giving Theresa the opening she needed.
She darted behind him, her blood forming into a dark red dagger in her palm. With a swift motion, she drove it into his shoulder.
Shun grunted but didn't collapse. He turned sharply, inhaling deeply, and did something unexpected.
"Kneel."
His command echoed with magical force—the power he held as Theresa's master activating. But something was wrong.
Theresa merely smirked.
"You think that still works on me?"
Shun realized his mistake too late. Theresa lunged again, aiming for his throat. He dodged at the last second, twisting to the side and kicking her wrist, knocking the blood dagger from her grasp. But she had already prepared another attack—a crimson spike hurtling toward his face.
Shun rolled to the side, dodging at the final moment. "Damn it!"
The fight intensified. Theresa relied on her speed and cunning, while Shun countered with endurance and strategy. Blow after blow, the sound of impacts and ragged breaths filled the cramped space.
But in the end, Shun's superior physical strength won out. With a final, crushing strike, he sent Theresa sprawling onto the floor. She groaned, her body trembling from exhaustion.
Shun grinned. "You're quite a handful."
He raised his hand, tracing symbols into the air. Glowing red sigils spread across Theresa's throat, slithering like venomous roots embedding a command deep into her body.
"From now on, if you ever try to harm me again… this spell will strangle you to death."
A burning sensation seared through her neck. Theresa thrashed, trying to shake off the curse, but there was nothing she could do.
Shun chuckled softly. "Now then, let's see… do you still have the guts to fight me?"