Holena marched toward the Black Mask Guild with unwavering steps. The place was a filthy tavern, reeking of damp secrets and mercenary swill. She wasn't the type to knock politely; instead, she kicked the door open with such force that it slammed against the wall, the thunderous bang echoing through the room and startling everyone inside.
Ignoring their shocked stares, she headed straight for the tavern owner. Her voice was sharp and cold.
"I want to see the man in the black mask. Now."
The man stammered, trying to evade her. "What are you talking about, miss? You can't just barge in here and—"
She didn't let him finish. Grabbing him by the collar with unnatural strength, she shoved her fist inches from his eyes.
"I don't have time for your chatter. Tell him I'm here, or I'll make this fist the last thing you ever see."
Gulping hard, the man pointed toward a dark room in the back. There sat a man in his forties, shrouded in an aura of mystery. Without an invitation, Holena threw herself onto his black sofa, crossing her legs with excessive pride.
"Hey, you... you idiot," she said mockingly. "I need a plot of land in the Mountains of Death, and I want to buy a noble title. Tell me how it's done."
The man laughed dismissively. "Forgive me, little girl, but we don't deal with children."
Holena didn't flinch. She leaned in closer, whispering with lethal intent. "Really? Shall I expose your secret to the Emperor and the entire nobility? A man with brown hair and hazel eyes, wearing glasses, who never misses an Imperial meeting... Should I continue, or have you heard enough?"
The man froze, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. She had uncovered his true identity, hidden behind the magic of his mask. He stood up abruptly, his voice trembling. "Fine... I'll do as you ask."
She tossed a pouch of precious jewels at him. "This is for your services. I trust it's more than enough."
As he opened the bag, his eyes widened at the brilliance of gems that even high-ranking Dukes didn't possess. "This is the first time I've seen a girl throw away a fortune as if it were pebbles!" he gasped.
"I don't need jewelry," she replied coldly. "I need money and power. Oh, and find me a book titled The Red Chain."
The man's magical mask fell away, revealing Louie with his long brown hair. He bowed deeply. "At your service, my elegant lady."
"Don't call me disgusting names like that!" she snapped, stepping out of the room while brushing imaginary dust off her dress.
Chaos at the Café
Stepping out for fresh air, Holena sat at a small neighboring café. But the peace didn't last. The whispers of a group of women reached her ears: "Look at her... she's weak. Just a troubled girl her mother got rid of."
Her patience snapped. She rose and moved toward them like a hurricane.
"Talking about me while I'm standing right here? Have you lost your minds?"
One of them laughed provocatively. "And who's going to stop us, you fool?"
In the blink of an eye, Holena's hand was buried in the girl's hair. She hissed, "I'll be the one to teach you manners! It seems the dogs have been barking too much; it's time to muzzle them!"
She slammed the girl's head onto the table with brutal force, then tossed her aside like a feather. She turned to the next one, grabbing her clothes and raining down rapid punches. "You wanted a monster? I'll show you hell beneath your feet!"
She lifted a heavy wooden table with one hand and smashed it over the wreckage. Louie rushed out, horrified by the screaming. "She turned into a beast in less than a day!" he whispered to himself in shock.
Holena turned to him, her green eyes glowing with rage. "Shut up before I break every tooth in your head!"
Dead silence fell. Holena pulled out a chair she had been about to smash over someone's head and sat on it with regal pride. She looked at Louie.
"You... go fetch the carriage. My feet are tired."
One of the girls tried to stand up, sobbing. "I'll tell my father! You'll see what he does to you!"
Holena let out a hysterical laugh that shook the café. "Oh, look at me, trembling with fear! Show me what your father can do. I'll crush him and you together."
Before leaving, she raised the chair and brought it down hard on the girl's back. "And that's the price for annoying me with your empty talk. Stay silent forever."
She stepped into the carriage that had just arrived, leaving behind nothing but destruction and a lingering sense of dread in the hearts of all who remained.