Black Lotus

Ch 2 Red Eyes

Something poking her cheeks woke her up. She blinked her eyes a few times to realize that she was in the middle of the woods, and the small bird awakened her. Ryujin's consciousness was instantly alarmed, and she got up immediately, making the little bird go away. The short girl looked around for a few seconds to ensure she was safe. The raven-haired girl was about to exhale heavily when something struck her.

Chaeryeong was nowhere in sight.

"Chaeryeong!" She shouted panickily.

Ryujin remembered what had happened to her, how Chaeryeong asked her to join her little rendezvous in the woods, and how everything suddenly went wrong. Her lotus tattoo was burning with fire. She hurt Chaeryeong unconsciously, and her best friend screamed in pain. Then, the fire blazed uncontrollably, and she heard the unknown voice leading her to a mystery portal.

"Chaeryeong, where are you?" She looked around frantically, her heart thumping in her chest in worry. Ryujin remembered Chaeryeong following her through the portal to save her.

"Damn it. She was the one that I was meant to save. Why would she follow me here?" The raven-haired girl wondered aloud. "I could never forgive myself if something happened to her."

Her brown iris looked around frantically. She was searching for her tall best friend. Worry began clenching her heart when she couldn't find her despite walking for about 10 minutes. "Where are you, Chaeryeong?"

The raven-haired girl didn't realize a few pairs of eyes had been watching her like a hawk nearby. A few men appeared before her when she went deep into the woods.

"Well, well, what are we have here? I think this girl is lost, don't you think?" A big muscle man grinned maniacally when he saw Ryujin.

"Yes, boss. Glad she is alone." The big fat guy beside him was laughing.

"Who are you?" Ryujin's eyes widened in fear.

The big muscle guy smirked. "Well, don't your mom ever tell you not to come into the woods alone, little girl?" The guy showed her a big knife. Beside him, the two fat guys also do the same. Ryujin realized these guys must be bandits or something.

"Give us your money or something valuable, or my knife will slash you, little girl." The big guy warned her.

Ryujin gritted her teeth. She didn't like this situation for a little bit. She must deal with these bandits while handling another matter. "I don't have any money with me. I don't have time to deal with you!"

"Huh, feisty, aren't you?" The big guy, who seemed their leader, grinned. "However, you should know before. Lying is bad, right? Did your mother tell you before, little girl?" The man eyed her gold necklace when Ryujin realized it was too late. "Give me that necklace, or we must forcefully do it."

The raven-haired girl unconsciously grabbed her necklace. It was her birthday gift from her mother before she passed away. There was no way she would give it to those guys. Ryujin treasured her necklace with her life.

"I don't want to!" Her heart was beating loudly. She was scared, but she couldn't give up. Despite her petite body, she was sure that she would escape somehow. "Get away from here, or I will scream!"

We hear the bandits laugh. "Scream? Don't you realize that we are in the woods? No one can hear you!" The muscle guy sneered at Ryujin. Now, where are we? Oy, take her necklace!"

The two fat guys gripped both of Ryujin's arms. Ryujin tried to break free, but those guys were too strong for her tiny body. One of them grabbed the little girl's necklace and pulled it. Ryujin closed her eyes; she felt hopeless and couldn't do anything to save herself. Suddenly, one of the fat guys was thrown forcefully.