Genesis Code: The Genetic Awakening-Chapter 127: Count Seres (2)

"Who’s there?!"

David looked around cautiously, his gaze shifting toward the direction of the voice. In the far corner of his study—away from both his desk and the door—stood the silhouette of his uninvited guest.

The gender or race of the being didn’t matter nearly as much as the fact that they’d managed to sneak in without alerting his men.

’I can’t blame them if I can’t even sense this person’s presence,’ the count thought, narrowing his eye as his hand tightened around the hilt of his sword. He glanced at the door, then the windows.

"Don’t bother. You can’t escape," the figure said, their voice now clearly feminine. "And no one will be interrupting us either."

"Who are you, and what do you want?" David growled, his brows furrowed and his aura flaring slightly.

"Oh? Is that how you treat your acquaintances?"

"I’m not the one hiding in the shadows," he shot back.

"Right..."

The count instinctively stepped back as the dark figure stood and stepped into the light. For a brief moment, he was taken aback by how strikingly beautiful the woman was.

He quickly regained his composure, his thoughts racing to identify her. ’I don’t think I’ve seen anyone like her before,’ he concluded after a few seconds of intense scrutiny.

"From the look in your eyes, I can tell you don’t know me," the catwoman said with a casual smile, placing her left hand on her waist. "That’s a shame."

David remained silent, keeping a steely gaze locked on her every move. His life could be in danger, and he wasn’t about to look away from this woman for even a second.

She moved with the carefree grace of someone who felt no threat, and David was smart enough to know what that meant—she was more powerful than he was. That was the only reason he hadn’t tried to make a move, despite being so close to the door.

"I think I’d remember coming across someone as pretty as you," David said slyly, hoping to lower her guard.

"Hehe..." She chuckled. "I’m afraid your words are wasted on me, Count Seres. I’m already spoken for."

Jess strode confidently to his desk.

Before his eyes, she moved to sit in his chair, crossing one leg over the other as she propped them up on the table. She gave him a smug smile, clearly inviting him to act out.

But the count wasn’t a fool. He knew she was trying to provoke him, and he had more pressing concerns than someone taking his seat.

’From what she said earlier, she may not be alone. That could be why my hidden forces haven’t responded.’ He swallowed hard, his thoughts drifting to his family.

"What do you want?" David asked again, this time pointing his blade at Jess.

"Straight to the point, then." Jess sighed. "I’ll just pretend I didn’t hear the conversation you had with your little scout."

"!"

David’s heart skipped a beat, cold sweat trailing down his spine. No one was supposed to have heard that conversation.

Ignoring the flicker of panic in his eyes, Jess continued.

"About two months ago, you hired the Dack Knights for a mission, remember?"

She saw the confusion in his expression—clearly, he hadn’t thought much of it after it was done.

"It was about some distant relative of yours who fancied a woman he met in Sunspire City?" Jess added, watching as realisation slowly settled in.

Then, realisation turned into a scowl. David’s anger flared alongside his aura. There was no use playing dumb; the catwoman was here because of that mission.

What he didn’t understand was why.

"I’m assuming that woman was you," David said flatly. "Clearly, those morons failed. And in case you weren’t aware, I was benevolent enough to call it off."

"Benevolent?" Jess raised a brow, the scorn in her voice cutting. "I’ve heard better excuses. We both know that was only because of the king’s decree."

"!"

"I... I lost most of my party members that day," Jess said, her expression darkening. The air grew heavy. "Calling it benevolence is an insult to their lives!"

The tension snapped, and Jess’s aura exploded outward, slamming into the count like a wave.

Bang!

"Mmgh!"

David crashed into the wall, eyes wide in shock and terror. He’d known she was strong—but this strong? Bones groaned, muscles flared in pain as he collapsed to the ground.

"You can take your benevolence and shove it up your ass," Jess muttered, approaching the writhing count with cold resolve. "You’re going to pay for your crimes, Count Seres."

"Y-you don’t know what you’re doing," David hissed through clenched teeth, looking up at her. "Touching a noble is punishable by death."

"You don’t say..." Jess sneered, stopping a meter away. Looking down at him, she added. "I wonder what the punishment is for plotting to kill the Royal Family. If you think His Majesty isn’t aware of your little schemes with the others, then you’re sadly mistaken."

David’s eyes widened in disbelief. There’s no way she should know that! The details of that mission shouldn’t be known to outsiders!

Panic surged. His heart pounded against his chest, sweat drenching his back. For a moment, he forgot she was still standing there.

"Ah!"

A brutal kick slammed into his side, sending him flying into a bookshelf. Wood splintered as it collapsed on top of him. He lost his weapon from that impact, but it didn’t matter.

’I... I have to get out of here!’

Snapping out of his daze, David scrambled to his feet, eyes locking onto the nearby window.

’My chance!’

Without hesitation, he activated a speed spell. Mana flared to life around his body as he launched himself forward, hand outstretched for escape.

"I told you earlier..."

Jess appeared right in front of him, her smile savage.

"You aren’t going anywhere!"

Crunch!

Her right fist crashed into his face, sending him hurtling back into the desk.

BOOM!

The count’s world spun as pain wreaked havoc on his senses, his breathing coming out in heavy pants. He bled profusely from his broken nose while he struggled to get back on his feet.

Despite his current state, the count was not defeated. He may be in a pile of splintered wood, but he wasn’t out of the fight–not yet.