Second Lead Syndrome (1-187) | ✓

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Author's note: Long chapter, enjoy! And the more I write, the more plotholes I discover. This is what happens when you plan as you write (and when you know need to edit the book badly after you're finished with it), lmaoooo.

A low laughter resounded throughout the cavern, and the soft sound of water dripping could be heard.

A raven-haired woman laid on a large bed supported by a wooden frame, its white sheets were thick and seemingly comfortable. Beside her, another red-haired woman laid beside her, both of them unconscious, their eyes closed and chests rising up and down. 

Despite it being a cavern, the area the women were in was a proper room, furnished with a wardrobe, armor and weapon racks, and there was even a table for dining purposes. On the walls of the cavern room, there were a few paintings, and a piece of tiger skin laying on the ground. The wooden door leading to the room was slightly open.

The raven-haired woman started twitching, a small frown creased her forehead before she slowly blinked her eyes open. Her usual limpid, onyx eyes were hazy, and she groaned, pushing herself up. She was silent, scanning her surroundings and she inhaled deeply, squeezing her eyes close as she tried to clear her head.

Where is this place? 

Cecil exhaled, her eyes finally became clear. She scanned her surroundings again, and the memories of her saving Hana and falling asleep because of the powder rushed back to her mind. 

...this is definitely Leonaut’s hideout. 

Their hideout is in the caverns, it’s no wonder Xue had a hard time finding Hana in the novel. 

Moreover, in the novel, he didn't have the help of the alters.

From the corner of her eyes, she caught a glimpse of red hair and she gasped, glancing beside her in disbelief. 

Hana?! 

How did she end up here with me? 

Cecil reached over, shaking Hana lightly, whispering. “Hana? Hana!” 

There was no reaction from Hana, and Cecil wanted to shake Hana once more, until she heard the voices behind the opened door. 

“Oi, what ya doing here?” 

“Boss wants me to check if they are awake yet.” 

“They are sleeping like logs, don’t bother.” 

“I gotta check, man. I don’t wanna get my ass kicked by boss.”

“Go ahead, you’re just wasting time.” 

Halfway through the conversation, Cecil had already laid back down on the bed, closing her eyes. She heard the sound of the door creaking open, the footsteps of two people were heard clearly. 

“See, what did I tell ya? Just like logs.” 

The other man grunted in response. “Why did boss even let them sleep in his bed? If it were my choice…” 

Cecil heard a smacking sound. 

“Oi, you stupid?! Boss said not to touch them or move them!” 

“I heard ‘im!” the man said, sounding amused and cheeky. “But no one would know if we touched them a little, eh?” 

“Whatever, I’m not taking a part in this again, gotta report back to boss.” 

“Heh, keep an eye out for me.”