Was today the day the truth would finally surface—who he really was…?
The island lay eerily deserted.
Siya stopped and looked around carefully before speaking.
"This can't be right," she said to George. "No island stays this empty while a serpent this massive guards it. Something is wrong here. And whatever it is—we need to find out."
George didn't respond.
He was only looking at her.
She turned toward him sharply.
"Honestly, sometimes I feel like killing you," she said coldly. "But unfortunately, you're still useful. Don't think that means I won't hurt you. What are you staring at? Move. Walk ahead of me. If the snakes attack, I want them to bite you first."
George smirked, amused.
"A serious, stone-cold woman like you… joking?" he teased, stepping closer, invading her space. "Could it be that Siya has fallen in love with me?"
Siya's eyes flashed. She pulled out her knife and held it inches from his face.
"Control your tongue, child," she warned. "If it moves any more, I'll cut it off right now."
George only smiled and walked ahead.
As they moved deeper, Siya observed everything carefully. Suddenly, something brushed against her foot. She looked down—and before she could react, a snake lunged straight at her.
George reacted instantly. He grabbed her, and both of them fell to the ground.
For a split second, Siya stared at him.
Why did he save me… without caring for his own life?
Before she could process it, she realized they were running. George still held her hand.
She yanked it free and stopped abruptly.
Behind them—thousands of snakes slithered toward them, ready to tear them apart.
Panting, George shouted, "Why did you stop? Do you want to die? Want to get bitten by all of them?"
Siya looked at him once… then calmly splashed vinegar over herself.
George stared at her in shock.
"Now give me some," he said.
She mocked him.
"That's all I had."
In a bitter tone, he snapped, "You cruel woman. You really want me dead."
Seeing his expression, Siya laughed.
"I told you already—one less demon is a profit for me."
Suddenly, George grabbed her wrist tightly.
"You won't let me die," he said softly. "I know that."
Something about his expression made Siya uneasy. She shoved him away.
The snakes were closing in.
Just as one snake was about to bite George, Siya noticed something disturbing—there was no fear on his face.
He was only looking at her.
She instantly shrank the snake and crushed it in her hand.
In a grave voice, she said, "Seems like you're not afraid of death."
George laughed it off.
"If you're with me, how can I fear anything, goddess?"
Siya stared at him.
Her suspicion deepened.
Handling danger after danger, I never noticed…
Why don't I feel threatened by him?
Why did I protect him?
This twisted, cruel man—George would never behave like this.
Who is he… really?
She decided to stay alert.
"Where will we find the one who can help us?" she asked.
"I'm not entirely sure," George replied. "But they say he lives in a cave. From the inside, it looks nothing less than a palace."
They kept walking.
An entire day passed—searching, wandering—but they found nothing.
Siya wasn't tired.
She was desperate to find that cave.
George joked again, "Siya, I'm exhausted. I'm starving. Unlike you, I can't satisfy my hunger by drinking blood."
She looked at him sharply.
"I drink blood?"
He grinned.
"Yes. Mine. You've been sucking my blood all day."
She warned him, "Don't get too comfortable. I may not drink it myself, but I can surely feed you to these snakes."
She suddenly felt it.
Someone was watching them.
George rushed and clung to her.
"Someone's watching us. I'm scared," he whispered.
She pushed him away and grabbed his collar.
"You weren't scared of snakes biting you. Don't overact—or I'll tear you apart myself. Move."
She focused.
A figure stood there—human, but blurred in the darkness.
Suddenly, a snake shot toward them at terrifying speed. The vinegar had no effect.
It was about to bite Siya—
She caught it mid-air.
The snake spat venom directly into her eyes.
She didn't panic.
Without looking, she snapped its neck.
"Good move," she shouted into the darkness. "You succeeded. Now come out. I know you're watching us."
Her vision faded. She stepped back—and nearly fell.
George caught her.
She realized—he was helping her.
She held his hand.
"The venom will take time to fade," she said calmly. "I can't see with my eyes, but my inner vision is clear. Find us shelter. We'll stay here tonight. By morning, we'll find him. One thing is certain—he's on this island."
George nodded.
He found a small cave.
"It's between the mountains," he said. "We'll have to climb. In your condition, it's the safest place. No snakes up there."
She agreed.
"Want help?" he asked.
"If I were weak, I wouldn't be here," she replied sharply. "I'm injured—not weak."
Without seeing, she leapt straight into the cave.
"Come up."
George followed.
Siya sat in meditation.
He reached out his hand.
She grabbed it firmly.
"I'm blind, not stupid," she said coldly. "Only my body is blind. My soul sees everything. Sleep quietly. If you're hungry, go find food below."
George turned and lay down.
Soon, Siya began murmuring—telepathically connecting with Ali.
Ali asked anxiously if she was okay and whether they found the person.
"No," Siya replied. "But we know he's on this island. He attacked us."
"Are you hurt, boss?" Ali asked nervously.
"I'm fine," she said. "Snake venom blinded me temporarily."
Ali and Andy panicked.
"We're coming there. We'll reach by morning."
"There's no need," Siya assured them. "I'll get treatment by tomorrow. You both rest. Take care of Clara. Keep an eye on Mann. Stay away from that room. Do not open it."
They agreed.
Siya opened her eyes.
George muttered half-asleep, "No peace even at night with these people."
She shoved him lightly and told him to sleep.
As silence returned, one thought echoed in Siya's mind—
What new disaster would greet them by morning…?