Divine Enmity (Catnipz)

XXIV. Damsel in distress? As if!

Haerin couldn't believe what she was seeing.

The scene was too much for her.

She thought she was going to cry.

Had Kim Minji really said her name while smiling at her? It was unreal.

Stupid! She's dying, and all you can think about is her saying your name with a smile?

Right, right.

There would be time for that later.

The reality of the situation hit Haerin like a cold wave. Minji was on the ground, bleeding and surrounded by monsters, about to be devoured. Haerin felt her heart tighten and her hands tremble, but there was no time to think about that. She had to act, and fast.

Without a second thought, Haerin raised her hand, invoking her divine heritage. It was the first time she had used that power; her charms had always manifested in small amounts, but at that moment, she managed to project a significant part.

Wonyoung had told her about the powers of the children of Aphrodite, the ability to control desire completely. However, none of her siblings had used it beyond captivating their romantic interests; fighting wasn't an option for them. But Haerin thought that the best way to use that gift in battle was as a distraction.

Please, let it work.

A soft, radiant aura emanated from her body, filling the dark hallway with a warm and enticing light. The monsters, momentarily distracted, turned towards her, their yellow eyes fixed on the glowing figure. The monster that was on top of Minji started to move away from her, allowing the girl to breathe without the weight on her.

"Come on, beasts!" Haerin shouted, with a confidence she didn't quite feel. "Here I am."

The monsters, drawn by Aphrodite's charm, began to move slowly towards Haerin, their growls diminishing in intensity as their gazes became dreamy, but their mouths drooled intensely. The influence of her voice was too powerful.

However, the monsters weren't the only ones entranced by Haerin. Minji, still bleeding, couldn't take her eyes off Haerin. It was incredible how, even covered in dust and with the little light available, the daughter of Aphrodite shone so brightly.

But she would die before admitting that. She wouldn't give Haerin the satisfaction of knowing she found her attractive. Well, if only attractive. The fact that she was coming for her and putting herself in danger to save Minji, attracting the monsters, didn't help her cause. It only made Minji feel a warmth spreading through her body, replacing the cold.

It must be the loss of blood, I've stopped feeling cold because of that, she thought.

Who are you kidding, Minji? She could hear Hanni's voice in her head.

She hated her so much.

Not just Haerin, Hanni too, but her best friend was another story.

Minji was losing her mind at that moment. Haerin's charms were affecting her too much, surely that was it. Her scent had intensified, filling the room with its distinct sweet fragrance.

Haerin glanced at Minji, seeing how she seemed to be in a trance.

What is she doing? Idiot! Snap out of it!

She tried to get her attention, trying to lock eyes with her until she succeeded. Then, she directed her gaze to her backpack, making gestures for her to quickly take something to eat.

Minji snapped out of her reverie and, seeing the opportunity, quickly pulled out a small bottle of nectar from her backpack and took a deep drink, not worrying about the dose at that moment. She felt energy returning to her body, adrenaline coursing through her veins. The exhaustion disappeared, she felt full of energy, and she saw her wounds closing little by little, stopping the bleeding and leaving only scars.