At the outer border of South Nirwana City, a mobat sat lifeless in the middle of a deserted road. Rhona—now dressed in Anex tribal clothing, her blonde hair loose around her shoulders—was bent over, pretending to inspect the engine. The vehicle’s owners, a man and a woman, stood at a distance watching impatiently.

  “Hey! Can you fix it or not?!” the man shouted rudely.

  “Just a minute!” Rhona called back, waving her hand. Truthfully, she didn’t understand engines at all. Her knowledge extended only to articles she had once read about cars—not amphibious mobats like this. She was merely trying her luck.

  Leaving Sewor’s house had proven far more difficult than she had imagined. Her life was uncertain again. She needed a few Ren just to fill her stomach and find shelter. Everything felt surreal, as if she were still trapped in a long, exhausting dream.

  Rhona climbed into the cabin and tried starting the engine. The owners approached with hopeful expressions.

  A second later—

  BOOM!

  A small explosion erupted, followed by thick black smoke. The engine caught fire.

  “What did you do?!” the man shouted, his face flushed red.

  “I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to…” Rhona said, stepping back slowly.

  “You ruined our mobat!” the woman screamed.

  “Yes, I’ll pay for it! I will! Just—not now!”

  Without waiting for a reply, Rhona turned and bolted. The couple gave chase for a moment, but Rhona realized something astonishing—her steps felt incredibly light and fast. Within seconds, she disappeared around a corner, leaving her pursuers gasping for breath.

  Thank you, Sewor, she thought. The inner power awakened by the Cygnus Leader was no joke. But speed could not mask the sharp ache in her stomach. The sun was nearly setting, and she hadn’t eaten since morning.

  Rhona arrived at a place she knew very well: Red Moon Resort. She had once come here as an honored guest. Now she stood in the courtyard as a freelance laborer. Pitiful—but she had no choice.

  A gleaming silver mobat had just parked. Rhona hurried over and knocked on the driver’s window, trying to imitate a professional porter.

  “Sir, would you like your vehicle washed or your luggage carried?” she asked.

  The window rolled down slowly. Rhona froze.

  Behind the wheel sat a red-haired man wearing sunglasses she knew all too well.

  “Sev…” she breathed.

  Sev’s eyes widened. News from Kafarupi had already spread among the Cygnus members: Rhona Dingzu was immune to the memory-erasing poison. However, the Leader’s orders were clear—Rhona was under a special agreement and must not be harmed.

  Sev smirked, removing his sunglasses to reveal his intimidating red contact lenses.

  “What a coincidence. We never did finish our business.”

  “Well, look at you. A porter now!” came a voice from the back seat. It was Winn.

  “Perfect timing. We actually need one,” added Regawa, seated beside Sev.

  Rhona felt her knees weaken. Was this her fate? To serve those who were supposed to become her hosts—or perhaps her new allies?

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  Regawa stepped out and shoved a large suitcase toward her. She staggered, nearly falling before clutching the heavy luggage against her chest.

  “Aren’t we not staying overnight?” Winn asked in confusion.

  “It contains valuables. I just want her to carry it,” Regawa replied casually.

  Rhona had just adjusted her grip when Sev stacked another suitcase on top. “Carry mine too. Don’t scratch it,” he ordered with a malicious grin.

  “Yes, sir,” Rhona replied, swallowing her irritation.

  “Hey, she’s the President’s daughter. Isn’t this a bit much?” Winn muttered—loud enough to make Rhona panic. What if someone overheard?

  Sev and Regawa only laughed, unconcerned about her status. They headed toward the lobby, leaving Rhona struggling behind them with a stack of luggage blocking her vision.

  There was one advantage to carrying luggage piled high in front of her face—her own face was hidden. Unfortunately, she couldn’t see where she was going. Her foot caught on a large rug in the lobby.

  Rhona nearly fell forward. Two heavy suitcases flew from her hands. Winn, standing directly ahead, reacted instantly. He caught the suitcases, but seeing Rhona about to hit the floor, he tossed them aside and used his kinetic energy to steady her before she could slam into the tiles.

  Rhona felt herself lifted briefly before landing upright again. When she looked up, something terrifying caught her eye. In the corner of the lobby stood several men in suits she recognized instantly—Yodanians. Her father’s subordinates.

  In panic, Rhona pressed herself against Winn’s chest, burying her face there.

  Winn, completely unaware, smiled broadly. “It’s okay. My friends are actually nice,” he said confidently, wrapping an arm around her.

  “Don’t touch me! Stay quiet!” Rhona hissed without lifting her head.

  “I think you were the one who grabbed me first,” Winn replied, startled, raising both hands.

  When she felt safe enough, Rhona lifted her face. Winn’s green eyes stared at her in confusion. But his good looks did nothing to ease her annoyance.

  “Carry our luggage properly!” Regawa grumbled, shoving his suitcase back at her.

  “That’s right! You’re a porter, not flirting with Winn!” Sev added.

  Rhona snorted and picked up the luggage again. But Winn, the idiot, suddenly shouted, “Rhona, as the President’s daughter, you don’t need to do this!”

  Rhona froze.

  Winn’s voice echoed across the lobby.

  In that instant, her eyes locked with a man she had once seen in the Yodanian palace.

  “Miss Rhona?!” he exclaimed.

  “Miss!” the others turned.

  Without thinking, Rhona hurled both heavy suitcases at them with all her strength.

  CRASH!

  The suitcases slammed into their bodies, knocking them down. Rhona spun around and sprinted toward the darker interior of the resort.

  Sev and Regawa stood frozen, staring at their luggage lying open on the floor. The electronics inside were shattered.

  “Damn it!” Regawa growled.

  Winn burst into laughter. “That’s what you get for teasing her.”

  “She has to pay for all of this,” Sev hissed, his face flushed.

  “Oh, she’s rich. She’s the President’s daughter,” Winn replied lightly.

  “Not with money,” Sev cut in with a mysterious grin, which Regawa seemed to approve of. Winn simply shrugged and suggested they head to the restaurant since he was hungry.

  “I’m going to take a shower first,” Sev said, leaving his destroyed luggage behind.

  As they walked toward the restaurant, Regawa muttered, “I’m not sure it’s wise to let the President’s daughter—who knows our identities—roam freely.”

  “What choice do we have? It would be chaos if she ended up dead here. Wils Dingzu would flatten this place,” Winn replied.

  “I hope she really follows that agreement. By the way, what exactly was the Leader referring to?” Regawa asked curiously.

  “We’ll ask at the meeting later. Besides, our memory-erasing poison is useless on her now if it only works for twenty-four hours.”

  Rhona ran through the winding wooden corridors of Red Moon Resort. Her breathing was ragged, but she dared not stop. Her father’s men were relentless—the heavy sound of their footsteps echoed behind her.

  “Miss…!”

  Their voices rang out—ridiculous, yet threatening in their persistence. Rhona spotted the sliding door leading to the hot spring baths and rushed inside. She hoped the thick steam would serve as cover.

  The area was deserted. Thin mist drifted over the calm surface of the water, stirred by the cool evening breeze. Rhona stepped backward slowly, eyes fixed on the entrance, bracing for her pursuers.

  She stood too close to the edge.

  So close that her heels nearly touched the water.

  Suddenly, the stillness of the pool shattered.

  Without warning, a strong hand shot up from beneath the surface and clamped around her ankle.

  Rhona let out a short scream. She lost her balance completely. Before she could grab anything for support, her body was yanked backward—and she plunged into the steaming hot spring pool.