Chapter 117 Welcome To The Real World II

Words : 668 Updated : Sep 17th, 2025

The rest of the mission wrapped up as cleanly as it could. The priest wasted no time heading off to their local Istgah Faraja. Not long after, officers arrived, scooped up the unconscious kids, and hauled the last man standing off to rot in the dungeon. Layla barely said a word the whole time. Her face was pale, eyes distant. She wasn't... there—not really. Malik tried talking to her, grounding her, but she barely reacted. Like the whole thing had drained something out of her. Ignoring that for now, Malik returned to the priest, helping out here and there. When it was all finally over, they made their way back to the orphanage, silent. The moment they stepped inside, Huda rushed to greet them. Her face was full of worry, but she forced a smile. "Y-You're back! How did it go?" Malik shrugged. "Handled. The fuckers that kidnapped them are dealt with. The kids will be back after they're healed." She looked at him, then at Layla, then at the priest, before finally asking: "Were they all...?" Malik shook his head. "Only two. The last one was sent to the dungeon. A blonde." The second that word left his mouth, something in the little girl's face shifted. Her body stiffened, and before anyone could react, she suddenly lunged straight behind the still disillusioned Layla. In the blink of an eye, her body shifted, warping, stretching—not as drastically as the ones before, but just enough to show her true appearance. Her hand darted into her sleeve, and when she pulled it out, a small dagger was pressed against Layla's throat. "If you want her alive..." Huda snarled, her voice losing all warmth. "Have them release him. Now." "W-What are you doing?!" Layla stammered, snapping out of it, panic finally hitting her. Malik, meanwhile, just sighed and glanced at the priest. "You knew?" The priest looked genuinely disturbed. "She... she was brought here two months ago... I swear, I didn't know." Malik nodded, then turned his attention back to the woman. "I-I think..." Her reply came in a tremble. She was clearly shaken, but her thoughts seemed to have cleared up. That was enough for him. Ticked off, Huda had the dagger spill more blood, cutting a deeper wound. "If you won't cooperate then shut up!" Malik sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Okay, okay, let's calm down." He raised his hands in surrender, his stance loose and unthreatening. Then, ever so casually, he stepped towards the orphanage doors. Slow. A step. Then another. "That's better." Huda followed, dragging Layla with her. She was so focused on Malik, so determined to keep him in her sights, that she didn't notice Layla's right hand inching toward her own. "Cursed touch." Then, just as that chant resounded, Huda's hand... withered? Right... Just before their eyes, life drained from it. Explore hidden tales at My Virtual Library Empire Her skin tightened and shriveled as if years had passed in an instant. In turn, her grip failed, her fingers spasming, leaving the dagger to clatter to the ground. "What—?!" Before Huda could even process what had happened, Layla snapped her head back, slamming it into her face—right on the nose—with a sharp crack. A yelp of pain. A stumble. And that was all Layla needed to twist away from her grasp. Malik didn't waste the opportunity. With the same casual ease as swatting a fly, he stepped forward and backhanded Huda straight across the face. The impact sent her crumpling to the ground, out cold before she even hit the floor. ...Silence. Malik turned to Layla, the corner of his mouth quirking up. "How's this for adventure?" She let out a short, bitter chuckle, still catching her breath. "It... it really wasn't what I had in mind." He raised both his hands, spreading them wide to his left and right. "Then welcome to the real world."

Chapter 117 Welcome To The Real World II

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