The house was in ruins. Each of Ye So's attacks shook the walls, shattering furniture and breaking windows. The once-quiet home had become a battlefield. No one could sense anything because daki used unnoticed power, no one could see the house getting ruined or any noise coming out of it.
Daki dodged effortlessly, each of her movements sharp and deliberate, her black coat flowing like liquid shadow. The ceiling cracked, and the lights flickered as Ye So's tentacles ripped through the walls, trying to reach her opponent. But Daki was too fast—every time she struck back, her claws left glowing scars on Ye So's skin.
"This isn't fun," Daki said coldly, ducking another wild swing. "You're so weak… it disgusts me."
Furious, Ye So picked up a chair and hurled it with unnatural strength. It spun toward Daki like a blade, but Daki didn't even flinch.
With just a flick of her hand, the chair split midair, reduced to splinters without ever touching her.
"Why do you have to butt in?!" Ye So roared. "This has nothing to do with you! DIE!"
Tentacles came at her again, and again Daki evaded, calmly smirking as the house collapsed around them.
"Who do you think you are?!" Ye So screamed, eyes burning. "Who are you to ruin this for me?! How dare you say that word!?"
That word—Pawlja. The moment it echoed again in her mind, something inside Ye So snapped.
Suddenly the world shifted.
The walls melted into blood-red, the floor beneath their feet soaked in shadow. All around them were human remains, twisted and broken—horrifying artwork of the demon's many victims.
Daki looked around, almost impressed.
"Should I praise you... or scold you?" she said with a mocking smile. "What a nice little art gallery you've built here."
"Shut up!" Ye So screeched, lunging at Daki with everything she had.
But just before the fatal blow landed—
"STOP!!"
A small voice cut through the madness.
Lee Bo Ah. The girl had run back into the room, tears running down her cheeks. She leapt between them.
SHLICK.
A tentacle sliced across her side.
Blood splattered.
She fell.
"Bo Ah?" Daki blinked. "Tch."
Ye So froze, her tentacle twitching.
Daki stood there unfazed, but something strange was happening.
Ye So stared down at the child, her expression suddenly twisted in conflict. The tentacle that struck Bo Ah trembled... it refused to move again.
"What?" Daki narrowed her eyes. "It's not killing her…?"
She stepped back, her gaze sharp now, more curious than amused.
"There are two souls inside this body." Daki's voice dropped. "One is the demon… and the other… the real Ye So."
Bo Ah, trembling, looked up at the creature that had once been her mother.
"Mother… please… stop," she cried, voice shaking. "It's enough… Why are you doing this? How did you turn into this? Why did you lie to me?"
Tears welled in Ye So's eyes—real, human tears.
From within the monstrous body, the mother forced herself to speak. Her voice cracked, faint.
"Run…"
Her lips barely moved. Her hand trembled, fighting against the demon's will.
"I'm sorry… Bo Ah…"
"Mom…" Bo Ah whispered, sobbing.
Suddenly, the demon regained control. Ye So's face twisted back into rage, and her claws reached for the child's neck.
"No—!" Daki growled.
In one motion, Daki launched herself forward, slamming her heel into Ye So's chest. The force sent the demon crashing into the wall. Daki didn't hesitate—her claws slashed deep, cracking through the demonic armor.
"NO! Don't hurt her!" Bo Ah cried, crawling forward, blood dripping from her wound. "She's innocent! She's still my mother!"
Daki paused, watching the broken child. Her red eyes softened only slightly. Then she pulled something from her coat—a black orb, swirling with light and shadow.
"Play time's over." Her voice echoed with power.
Ye So's body tried to escape, but it was too late.
The orb glowed.
A vortex of dark wind and energy sucked the air from the room as Ye So's demonic soul was ripped from the body. The demon screamed in agony as its form was pulled into the orb, which sealed shut with a flash.
The once-beautiful woman, Ye So, collapsed. Her body was now pale, lifeless, and dry. Her face, in the end, was peaceful.
Bo Ah fell over her mother's chest, crying uncontrollably.
Daki looked at the girl—then turned her back and walked toward the door.
"You should hate me," she muttered. "But you should also be glad. I saved what little of her was left.