Embarrassed Kim Tae-hee
Zhao Dongxu had barely taken two steps when the sound of rapid footsteps echoed from the distance.
He turned his head—only to see a group of skeletons charging toward him at terrifying speed. At their front were three skeletal warhorses, their empty sockets burning with eerie fire.
Both Zhao Dongxu and Jenny's faces drained of color.
Panicked, Zhao Dongxu dragged Jenny harder, racing the last stretch to the boat. In just a few breaths, he scrambled aboard. Relief flickered across his face—his family had wealth, and he had learned to sail during holidays. Though this was only a fishing boat, he was confident he could get it running.
From the saddle of a skeletal horse, Ki-chul's eyes widened.
"Oh no!"
The distance was still several hundred meters. If Zhao Dongxu managed to start the boat, they'd lose him for good. Skeletons were powerful on land, but once in water, they would sink like stones.
Ki-chul clenched his fists. This boy had nearly gotten him killed—if Zhao Dongxu escaped now, he would never forgive it.
Kim Tae-hee, riding at the front, saw it all. But instead of anger, her face lit up with relief.
Through the chaos, she recognized the girl struggling at Zhao Dongxu's side—her sister, Jenny. Alive. That alone was enough.
As for Zhao Dongxu trying to use Jenny as a hostage? She wasn't worried. With her space magic, she could snatch Jenny back at any time. But there was no need to waste energy.
She raised her hand, channeling the control method recorded in the Book of Darkness. For low-level undead, her thoughts were enough to command them.
At once, a skeleton archer sprinted forward. Two others interlocked their hands, launching the archer high into the air. Mid-flight, it drew its bow, the bone string creaking.
A sharp twang!
The bone arrow streaked like lightning, piercing Zhao Dongxu's stomach and pinning him to the deck.
"Arghhh!" he screamed.
Jenny seized the chance, wrenching free and darting into a nearby cabin. She pressed herself against the wall, shaking. She wasn't skilled at sailing; jumping into the ocean would be suicide.
Before she could act, a familiar voice called out:
"Jenny!"
She looked up—and froze. Among the charging skeletons, the rider at the lead was unmistakable.
"Unnie?"
Kim Tae-hee leapt from her skeletal horse and embraced her sister tightly.
Moments later, they parted. Jenny stared at her in disbelief.
"Unnie… weren't you in America? Why are you here? And what are those monsters behind you?"
Kim Tae-hee gave a hurried explanation.
Meanwhile, Ki-chul strode to the writhing Zhao Dongxu, fury burning in his eyes.
"You little brat… I'll show you what happens when you betray your teacher."
His fists came down like hammers. By the time Tae-hee and Jenny arrived, Zhao Dongxu was already lifeless, his face mangled beyond recognition.
Jenny glared down at the corpse and kicked it spitefully.
"You bastard! You tried to take advantage of me!"
"Jenny!" Tae-hee snapped.
Jenny stuck out her tongue, sheepish. "Unnie, I was wrong. I'll be careful next time!"
Since their parents' death, Tae-hee had raised her, both feared and loved as the strict elder sister.
After thanking Ki-chul, Tae-hee directed the skeletons to raid nearby supermarkets. Soon, supplies were piled in the ship's hold—thanks enough for Ki-chul's part in saving her sister.
As the boat slowly pulled away, Jenny asked curiously:
"Unnie, where are we going now?"
Tae-hee gave her a mysterious smile.
"Just follow me."
With a flourish, she slid her hand through the air. A shimmering portal opened before them. Having only recently mastered space teleportation, she couldn't resist showing off.
Jenny gasped, eyes wide with wonder. Tae-hee's chest swelled with pride. After all, what was power for, if not to impress the ones closest to you?
But her smile froze.
The portal opened—not to a safe haven, but above the endless ocean.
Jenny blinked at her. "Unnie… if we go through there, won't we just be fish food?"
Flustered, Tae-hee waved her hand and closed it, trying to look calm.
"I stayed up all night searching for you. Of course mistakes can happen!"
She concentrated again. A second portal flared open. On the other side—snow, ice, and a crowd of penguins blinking at them curiously.
Jenny's doubtful gaze burned into her.
"Unnie… are you sure you can do this?"
Heat rose to Tae-hee's cheeks. She was about to snap when, suddenly, another portal shimmered into existence—this one opening from Xu Mo's square, directly into view.
Jenny jumped in surprise. "Another one? What's happening?"
Tae-hee froze, then quickly realized: Xu Mo was covering for her, saving her from embarrassment.
Straightening, she wiped her brow as if nothing had happened.
"Obviously, I saw you were overheating—so I cooled things down for you during the transfer."
With feigned composure, she stepped into the new gate. The instant she crossed, however, the icy air bit into her thin clothes, making her shiver uncontrollably.
Visit patreon.com/Akeyno to get 30+ chapters