Win No Matter What

CHAPTER 35 - BETRAYALS REVEALED

You slowly open your eyes, your eyelids feeling heavy, and blink a few times to bring your surroundings into focus. Your mind isn't very lucid at first, but within seconds you snap your eyes open, remembering what had happened. Your first thought is to check where Ji Min is and, thankfully, you see that he is next to you on the floor. He's still not awake though and you wonder whether the effect of Lord Luciferous' incantation was more potent on him than on you. You conclude that Ji Min's monthly episodes might have gradually made him weaker and more susceptible to control. You scan your current situation.

You are in a dimly-lit and musky room with your hands and legs tied together. Other than the door, you see five windows, which means are six possible escape routes. Even though your limbs are tied, you manage to use all your core strength to stand up and hop towards the door. As you suspect, there is a demon guarding the room outside. You then make your way to one of the windows. You crane your neck to look through it and see a sheer drop into an abyss. Ok, so there's no obvious way out. Let's find another way.

Just as you finish that thought, you hear the door open. You stare at the person walking in.

"Uncle Hak Kun! Wh-, what are you doing here? Did they capture you too?" you ask, not really believing your own words since it doesn't look like he's about to be incarcerated. In fact, he's still in the burgundy cloak and looks to be leading in the demons behind him.

Speaking very darkly, "Oh dear Rumi, how naive you've been. I was hoping you'd keep your nose out of other people's business, but it doesn't seem like you could help yourself. And look at what you've done. Your nosiness has put Ji Min in danger too."

Your eyes are starting to prickle with tears. There were so many layers to his cruel words, but you will not give him the satisfaction of seeing their effect on you. He's just baiting you.

"I don't think my 'nosiness' is what has put Ji Min in danger. I think you being in league with Lord Luciferous is what's put him in danger. Whatever you both have planned, we will fight you," you respond in defiance.

Sighing, he says, "If you say so Rumi, but let's see now, you are currently both tied up, have no wands to defend yourselves and nobody knows you're here. I don't think it's looking too good for you is it?"

You have no response at first since everything he's said is true. Then it dawns on you, "Oh my......., you're the traitor that Yoongi was talking about. You're the one who was outside his room feeding him lies about me. Why are you doing this? How can you betray Principal Bang and the guys like this? You've been with them for years! What could Lord Luciferous have possibly offered you to make you do such a despicable thing?"

Hak Kun looks like he's about to say something, but then decides against it. He casually walks towards Ji Min and instructs the lackey on his right, "You know where to take him. Everything is ready." Then pointing at you, he tells the other one, "Take her to the secondary chamber. Get her prepped and we'll call for her when needed."

You stare at the demons as they follow Hak Kun's instructions. "Wait, where are you taking him? Take me with him. Hey, let go!" you say as the demon in charge of you lifts you off the ground. Your struggles are in vain as Hak Kun mutters a spell that knocks you out again.

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Meanwhile, Jin, Ho Seok, Min Ho, and two of his classmates soon reach Jung Kook at the Lake of Despair. Tae Hyun and Soo Bin are already there with him. Jung Kook waves at them as they approach, "Hi guys, about time! There's been no action here so far. Thanks Ho Seok hyung for calling Tae Hyun and Soo Bin. That was a genius idea!" Then seeing their changed expressions, he says, "Hey, what's wrong?"

Seok Jin and the others in front of him stare in horror at the beings flying towards Jung Kook.

"Guys, duck!" Seok Jin yells. A storm of malspirits suddenly soar through the water at the other end of the lake. It's likely they were biding their time before making their move. Everyone quickly takes their wands out, shouting defence and attack incantations at furious speeds. One of Min Ho's friends gets injured and Seok Jin immediately tends to his wounds. The skill of the Bangtan and TXT guys means the malspirits are quickly subdued, most of which lay on the ground stunned. Some retreat back into thelake.

Panting furiously, Ho Seok says, "Come on everyone, let's follow those malspirits, we don't have time to waste." While they're all running, he explains, "That attack must mean they're almost ready for Ji Min's coronation and don't want us interfering."

While they all dive into the portal to the other realm, the rest of the guys, Nam Joon, Yoongi, Beom Gyu and Yoon Jun, find the other secret entrance in the library. After essentially following the same route as Ji Min and Rumi, they find themselves standing in front of the famous waterfall. Soon they hear the rustleof footsteps and all turn around, wands ready.

"Oh it's you guys, did you come through the lake? Why are you one student down?" Yoongi asks.

Ho Seok answers, "We were attacked by a hell of a lot of malspirits and one of the students got injured. He wasn't badly injured though because Seok Jin's miracle medicine worked well, but I had to send the kid home. Other than that, we're all ok."

"Yeah," continues Seok Jin, "that......was not pleasant. Whatever we have to face next, it won't be so easy."

"Well, it's good we're all here," says Nam Joon. "Strength in numbers is just what we need right now," he says, indicating to the waterfall. "I'm guessing we have to go behind that thing."