64: [Bonus chapter]Karma is real.

[Bonus chapter]Karma is real.

"Hah…" Fog formed in front of the man's mangled lips, panting for air as he fought to keep his consciousness. His swollen eyes made it difficult for him to keep one eye open.  1

The chilling breeze left bruises on his skin, kneeling on the layer of frost with nothing on him. No clothes, no accessories, not even a tie to keep him down. Yet, he didn't move from his spot, nor did he attempt to run away despite having such freedom. 

Why?

Why wouldn't he run away? 

The answer was the person — no, that devil before him. 

The man slowly raised his blurring vision, immediately catching a woman's figure standing several steps from him. Unlike him, who had nothing on him, the woman was wearing a thick and long black fur coat. Her curly hair floated back along with the breeze, but the temperature was nothing compared to the coldness in her phoenix eyes. A few men were surrounding her, wearing thick attires that could keep them warm. 

"He — Hera." The man's voice was shaky as his mangled lips quivered. 

The woman quirked a brow at the man's call. She cocked her head to the side, raising her brows as she waited for what he wanted to tell her. 

"You damn heathen." The man laughed weakly as if cursing her right to her face was an achievement. 

Hera smirked. "I bet swearing took away a lot of pent-up frustration in your heart, Bishop."

"I'm not afraid of dying. I did nothing wrong, Hera." The man shook his head, forcing a smile to his almost paralyzed face. "However, you should be very terrified of death. Because once you die, you'll be going straight to the pits of hell."

"I know that." Confidence exuded from her as she marched toward the naked man, squatting down in front of him. "I believed I mentioned that as I confessed my sins. I even attended the mass, asking for forgiveness and signs if what I am going to do is right."

"Hah! You came to make your confession… but you cannot live with the fact that someone knew your deepest desire?"

"That is right. Bishop, perhaps you are being punished. Out of all the priests out there, I came to you." Her smile was enough to make one's hair rise. "If your God truly hears your prayers and protects you, then why you, of all people?"

Hera chuckled with her lips closed, eyes drooping menacingly. "If you don't know, then I'll gladly tell you. It's because God despises those who called themselves a man of God, but couldn't apply the holy teaching to themselves."

"What is it again? Thou shall not use God's name in vain," she added in a knowing tone. "My sins and yours… are not different. The only difference between us is I admit my evil doings while you use your position to quench that sinful flesh."

"People know I am bad when they see me, but you… they see you as an embodiment of hope, only to realize it is the gruesome hell that awaits them." Hera grabbed his jaw, pressing her fingers on either side of his cheek. "Be grateful I'm wearing a glove. I would've loved to sink my claws in that face. People like you are the likes I enjoyed deboning. You're lucky, though. I am a little busy at the moment. Thus, I cannot stay with you until the very end."

"Boss." 

Hera snapped her eyes up, catching her most loyal soldier approach. "The trade is about to start. Everyone is just waiting for you."

"Okay, Bear." Hera tossed the man's face away, accepting the handkerchief Bear handed her to wipe her leather glove. "Secure the goods first. See to it all those people will fucking die tonight."

"Boss, that is not what the client wanted."

"The client… I want his head tonight. Also his money." Hera cast Bear a quick look. "I'll set him as an example for those who will try to use my organization with their filthy dealings."

Bear kept a stoic expression before he tilted his head down slightly. "Give me three hours. I will deliver his head to you."

"No." Hera gazed down at the naked man kneeling before her. "Your time limit is based on how long he'd last."

Bear glanced at the Bishop and sighed. That man wouldn't last long, but it was enough time for him. Certain people in the underground had grown cocky, dragging their group into such disreputable dealings. They had kept quiet for quite some time now, so it was time for them to put everyone in place. 

"Keep watch of him." Hera turned on her heel, tossing the handkerchief indifferently. "If he dies before Bear finishes his task, make sure to dig three graves for both of you and Bear."

"Yes, Boss."

The other two bowed, already used to their boss' casual threats, which weren't empty. Hera never spoke of things so lightly. If she said she would kill them, she would, and they would accept it willingly. Twisted as it may sound, that was one of the biggest factors everyone in the organization respected her. Her personality filtered incompetent bastards from joining the organization and inspired the members to excel.

"Karma is real." 

Hera's steps halted when the Bishop's shaking voice caressed her ears. She looked back, only to see the sneer on the Bishop's face. 

"Hera, karma is true. It might get delayed, but it will come to you at the right time," the Bishop mocked. "You might think you are at the top of this world right now, but one day, you will regret everything. It might not get you, but it will get your lover or children. Didn't you say your biggest wish is to have a family of your own? You might claim it was untrue, but I've dealt with different people. I could tell that isn't a lie."

"Thank you for thinking of me, Bishop," Hera smirked. "Fret not. I have neither a lover nor a child. Not now, not never."

*

*

*

GASP!

Heaven jumped up as soon as she opened her eyes, finding herself in the chair beside Sebastian's bed. Beads of sweat covered her forehead while the color of her lips turned pale.

"Are you alright?" Sebastian's voice brought her back to reality, watching her look back at him. "Did you have a nightmare?"

Heaven gulped, soothing her drying throat as she forced a smile. 

"Yes — I mean, no." She breathed out, relaxing her tensed shoulders as she realized she was now Heaven Liu, not Hera. "I just had a bad dream, but I'm okay now that I see you. Did you nap well?"

Her life as Hera was something she was neither proud nor ashamed of. Back then, the life she used to have never scared her, even for a moment. But now, looking at Sebastian, her heart was filled with fear she never felt before.

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