Glitched Goddess: My Skills are maxed out

Seraphine's fingers trembled slightly as she tightened her grip around Kana's wrist, pulling her out of the dimly lit hallway.

The air was heavy with the stench of burning wood and chemicals, and the sound of distant crackling grew louder with each step.

They pushed open the final door, stumbling out into the night air—just in time for the building behind them to erupt into a roar of flames.

The blast sent a hot wave rushing past them, forcing Kana to shield her face with her arms.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Seraphine placed a hand over her chest, breathing heavily, trying to process the fact that they had made it out alive.

Kana glanced at her, equally shaken, and muttered.

"That was… too close."

Seraphine nodded faintly, finally releasing the breath she'd been holding. Relief began to wash over her—at least, until she heard hurried footsteps approaching from behind.

Dorian appeared from the shadows, panting, his expression shifting into one of immense relief when his eyes landed on Seraphine.

"My lady… thank the heavens you're safe."

His voice cracked, as though he'd been running nonstop. Without hesitation, he stepped forward, reaching out as if to embrace her.

But Seraphine's instincts screamed at her. Something was wrong.

She took a step back, her expression sharpening.

"Dorian, how did you find me here?"

She said coldly.

He blinked, momentarily stunned by her reaction. Then, forcing a crooked smile, he let out a short laugh.

"Ah… Lady Seraphine, you wound me. There's nothing I don't know about you. Of course, I'd find you."

Seraphine didn't laugh. Her silence was heavy, her piercing gaze unwavering. The tension in the air thickened as her suspicion deepened.

Dorian's forced amusement faded quickly under her scrutiny, his expression hardening into something far darker.

Slowly, he began walking toward her, step by deliberate step. Seraphine instinctively backed away, her hand clutching Kana's sleeve for stability.

"Dorian, stop!"

She warned softly, her voice firm despite the tremor beneath it.

He didn't.

When her back hit the wall, she realized too late that he had cornered her. His eyes, once warm and loyal, now gleamed with something obsessive—possessive.

"I'm the one who cares for you the most. I've always been the one… so why won't you see that?"

Dorian whispered, his voice low, almost reverent.

Seraphine froze. A cold chill ran down her spine as his words sank in. This wasn't devotion. This was obsession.

She tried to move, but her legs wouldn't obey her. Fear gripped her tightly, locking her in place.

Dorian's hand reached toward her cheek, his fingers trembling slightly as if desperate to touch her—

And then—

A sharp crack rang out.

Dorian staggered forward, disoriented, his hand instinctively reaching for the back of his head where Kana had just slammed a heavy piece of debris against him.

"Run! We don't have time for this!"

Kana yelled, grabbing Seraphine's wrist and pulling her away from the corner.

Seraphine stumbled at first, still shaken by the betrayal, but Kana's firm grip anchored her, dragging her back to reality.

She forced herself to push down the panic clawing at her chest and followed Kana without another word.

Behind them, Dorian let out a low, guttural groan as he steadied himself, blinking through the dizziness. He touched the back of his head and saw faint traces of blood on his fingertips.

His lips twisted into a bitter snarl.

"You…Kana…"

His voice was hoarse, but it carried venom.

The girl who dared to take Seraphine away from him.

His expression contorted into something unrecognizable, his gaze burning with fury and desperation. He straightened slowly, shoulders trembling with restrained rage.

"If you stand in my way...then I'll remove you."

Dorian muttered under his breath, his voice dangerously calm.

Kana and Seraphine dashed into the winding alleyways, their hurried footsteps echoing against the narrow walls.

Seraphine's breathing was ragged, but her mind spun faster than her body could keep up. Dorian's words, his expression, his obsession—all of it crashed together in her thoughts, leaving her reeling.

She had trusted him once. She had relied on him. And now… he had become her hunter.

Kana glanced back briefly, noticing the faint silhouette of Dorian in the distance, his pace relentless despite the blow he'd taken.

"He's following us."

Kana said urgently, tightening her grip on Seraphine's wrist.

Seraphine nodded wordlessly, forcing her trembling legs to move faster. There was no time to process, no room to hesitate. They had to escape.

But even as they ran, she knew one thing with chilling certainty—Dorian wouldn't stop until he had her.

And to him… anyone who stood in the way, including Kana, was just an obstacle to be erased.

_______

Kana's lungs burned as she sprinted through the narrow alleyways, dragging Seraphine behind her.

The air was thick with smoke and fear, each footstep pounding like a drumbeat in her ears. Behind them, Dorian's relentless pursuit echoed off the walls, his boots striking the ground

with steady, chilling precision.

Her heart raced, but beneath the rising panic, there was a sharp edge of anticipation thrumming through her veins. Her goal was clear—get Seraphine out alive, no matter what it took.

"Faster!"

Kana urged, glancing over her shoulder. Dorian's shadow loomed closer, his expression dark, eyes fixed entirely on Seraphine.

Then—

Bang!

The sharp crack of a gunshot split the night air. Kana flinched instinctively, her ears ringing, her body tensing for impact. For a heartbeat, she thought she'd been hit—

But then she felt Seraphine's grip on her wrist tighten violently… before going slack.

Kana's breath caught in her throat.

She turned her head in horror, seeing Seraphine stumble, her knees buckling beneath her.

"No—Seraphine!"

Kana's voice trembled, panic flooding her chest as she reached back to grab her before she collapsed completely.

The chase had just turned into a fight for survival.

Kana's pulse roared in her ears as she pulled Seraphine close, her trembling hands pressing against the growing warmth on Seraphine's side.

Dorian's footsteps drew nearer, steady and unyielding, like a predator closing in on cornered prey.

Gritting her teeth, Kana forced her body to move—she couldn't stop now, not here.