Seele knew that the voice that had suddenly sounded meant someone had appeared behind her.
Perhaps they were so skilled at concealing their presence that she had failed to notice them.
Or perhaps they had simply appeared there out of nowhere.
Either way, the moment they reached her back, she had already lost the initiative.
Whether they carried a blade or a firearm, the time it took her to turn around would be enough for them to plunge a dagger into her or fire several shots.
Seele did not cling to the hope that she might escape.
As far as she was concerned, letting her hear their breathing meant they had deliberately sought her out.
Trying to escape now? Was that even possible?
At that thought, Seele could not help silently berating herself. I let my guard down after all.
She was a hunter hiding among the crowd, but she was also prey being hunted.
It was just like the dark forest theory Oleg had mentioned before: in a dark forest, whoever exposed themselves first became the prey.
Clearly, she had exposed herself and drawn a skilled hunter.
Seele had nothing to fear from death. Wildfire's fighters never feared dying.
She only felt some regret that she had failed to protect Bronya, let Chief Oleg down, and failed her boss, Chu Mu.
Yet the sharp blade she had imagined never plunged into her, and no gunshot rang out.
If this was an assassin, they were taking far too long.
As Seele puzzled over it, a gentle voice came from behind her:
"Why are you so tense? Relax. It's me."
Seele turned around in disbelief, her eyes instantly reddening.
Chu Mu reached out, gently ruffled Seele's hair, and said:
"Leave security to me. Stay here with me until the ceremony ends."