Scarlet felt a surge of emotion; her pupils briefly contracted. It meant fear, but more so, concern. “Boss! Wake up!”

Telicia remained unmoved, a soulless puppet, her mind occupied by the commands triggered by the bronze bells. She charged toward Scarlet, who dodged twice, afraid of injuring her. This hesitation cost her ground.

Grinding her teeth, Scarlet steeled herself. Unable to harm Felicia, she evaded another attack, then changed course, charging toward the robed man observing from the sidelines. Subduing him and taking the bells would free Felicia.

With that thought, Scarlet attacked swiftly and with incredible speed.

The robed man reacted coldly, unconcerned. He stood his ground, exuding arrogance, as if Scarlet were insignificant. However, he never expected her to stop three steps away.

A gunshot rang out. A warm, blood-red stain bloomed on the robed man's chest, though barely visible beneath his black robe. Scarlet blew the smoke from her pistol, quietly impressed by Felicia's foresight in providing it. Were it simply a matter of fighting, Scarlet might not have been a match for the robed man, but within three feet, the pistol’s speed was unbeatable.

Her expression cold, Scarlet fired a second shot.

The robed man reacted quickly, clutching his chest and dodging, simultaneously shaking the bronze bells. He barked a new command, “Come with me!” and darted into the nearby woods.

It was dark, the forest pitch-black. In a blink, he vanished. Scarlet fired three more shots to no effect; he was gone, and her pistol was empty.

Panicked, Scarlet turned to find Felicia standing still, tilting her head. The robed man's command had taken hold, and Felicia immediately followed him. “Boss! Come back!”

Scarlet’s expression hardened. No longer hesitating, she rushed after Felicia, fearing the robed man's control. Finding her would be nearly impossible. Scarlet's outstretched hand barely brushed Felicia's clothes; a corner of her garment slipped through her fingers. "Felicia," Scarlet whispered, chasing after her, only to grasp at empty air.

The robed man descended the mountain, the sound of the bronze bells fading into a distant echo. Felicia followed, seemingly oblivious to the sharp rocks and thorns; blood flowed, but she showed no sign of stopping.

Reaching the mountain's foot, Scarlet spotted a car parked in the distance, the robed man inside. The car door stood open, seemingly waiting for Felicia.

Scarlet raced to intercept her, ignoring her own wounds, but she was too late. Just as Felicia was about to enter the car, two sharp horn blasts rang out. A blinding beam of light illuminated the scene, momentarily stunning Felicia. Even unconscious, the light made her squint. Scarlet immediately recognized the people emerging from the car; they were the same ones who had been surveilling Felicia outside the clinic. There was no time to waste.

Scarlet shouted, “Stop them! Don’t let her get away!”

Thankfully, these mysterious people obeyed, blocking Felicia’s path. Felicia’s face was emotionless; without a word, she attacked. The situation spiraled wildly out of control.

Seizing the opportunity, Scarlet made for the robed man, determined to seize the cursed bronze bells.