I Killed The Game's Protagonist
Chapter 44: Bound by Fire and Silk

Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Bound by Fire and Silk

Noah tried the handle.

Locked.

He clicked his tongue, back against the cold wall of the bathroom. His fingers flexed, half-ready to reach for something—Veilpiercer, perhaps, though he doubted it would help now.

The air was thick.

He had felt them closing in before the strike—three silhouettes in the dark corridor, silent and deliberate. He hadn’t seen their faces at first, but as they stepped into the light, it was impossible to mistake them.

Aqua. Gaia. Fire.

The legendary spirits of Lys.

Their forms pulsed with primal energy—fluid blue light, shifting emerald vines, and that ever-present burn of smoldering crimson.

Noah’s eyes narrowed. "You tried to kill me just now."

Aqua and Gaia shook their heads slowly, almost apologetically.

Fire, the fire spirit, gave a single downward nod. Unapologetic.

Noah let out a sharp breath. "Of course. Of all of you, he’d be the one to admit it."

He stepped back again—only to find he was out of room.

"All right. Joke’s over. I’m not in the mood right now."

But the spirits didn’t stop.

They advanced.

One step. Then another.

"Guys—seriously? What the hell are you—"

Too late.

Power surged in the air. Noah tensed, his body reacting automatically, muscle and mana woven together by instinct. But three spirits at once? He was fast. He was strong. But not a god.

The impact came like a wave.

And darkness followed.

Rough fabric. Cold tile. The faint scent of lavender and blood.

Noah groaned through the gag tied tightly around his mouth. His wrists were bound behind his back with what felt like enchanted silk, wrapped and knotted around the base of the toilet. He shifted, but every movement tightened the restraint.

In front of him stood the three spirits—now reduced to miniature forms.

Aqua shimmered like a droplet in midair.

Gaia hovered in a coil of roots and moss.

Fire... remained full-sized just long enough to slap Noah across the face with a flick of flaming fingers.

"Bgbg—! BGBG—!" Noah muffled, glaring at them with fury.

The three spirits drifted back.

And then the door creaked open.

Soft footsteps. The rustle of ceremonial fabric.

A familiar voice, calm and dangerously sweet.

"Noah, Noah... oh my dear Noah," said Lys Everin, stepping into the bathroom. She wore a deep blue ceremonial dress, slightly ruffled from haste. Her short blue hair was pinned to one side with a small silver star ornament, and her grayish-blue eyes glinted under the dim lighting. Her mask was gone.

She looked young. Beautiful. And unhinged.

"I really wanted to believe it was just an act," she said, crouching before him. "But I saw how close you were. Laughing, whispering... touching her arm like that. Cordelia, right?"

Noah let out a muffled growl, shaking his head. She tilted hers, smile faint.

"I mean, if you wanted to bring a date to the auction, you could’ve just asked. I would’ve said yes, Noah."

He thrashed again.

Lys gave a soft sigh. "Don’t move too much. That silk’s tougher than it looks. And I had Aqua bless the knots."

She stood up and began pacing slowly.

"I didn’t want it to be like this. But you lied to me. And now..."

She turned again, eyes narrowing.

"I’m not angry, Noah. I’m just disappointed. And a little sad."

Noah forced the gag loose with effort, pushing at it with his tongue until it dropped against his chin.

"Lys—listen to me. Please. Before you do anything."

She froze in place.

Her gaze met his. Calm. Cold. Waiting.

"I’m listening," she said softly.

"But if you say her name again, I’ll have Fire singe your eyebrows off."

Noah exhaled slowly, doing his best to stay composed despite being tied to a damn toilet.

"Okay," he said, voice hoarse. "No excuses. Just the truth."

"I didn’t plan any of this," he said. "Not you. Not this night. I’m just trying to stop something dangerous from happening."

Lys didn’t blink.

He continued. "Someone’s trying to bring back a monster—something that shouldn’t return. I can’t tell you every detail, but if they succeed, it won’t just be me or Cordelia in danger. It’ll be everyone."

Lys tilted her head.

"And you’re the one saving the world?"

"No. I’m just trying to delay its collapse."

A flicker of conflict crossed her face, but it vanished just as quickly.

"You looked pretty cozy with her tonight," she said. "Not like someone risking everything."

"It’s part of the mission."

"And I’m supposed to believe that? After everything you said to me?"

Noah went silent.

"I didn’t come here to fall for anyone," he said at last. "But I meant what I said before. You... you’re not just part of the plan."

Lys’s jaw clenched.

"You said I was yours," she whispered. "You don’t say that to someone and then flirt with another girl in front of everyone."

"I know," Noah muttered. "I screwed up."

She didn’t answer.

He looked at her, tied, tired, and sincere.

"Just... give me a chance to fix it. Not with lies. With actions."

Lys stepped back, arms still crossed.

"I don’t trust you," she said plainly.

And with that, she turned toward the door—leaving the scene and the answer to his plea hanging in the air.

Noah let out a shaky breath and looked up at Lys.

"...What do you want from me?"

She didn’t hesitate.

"A date."

Noah blinked. "That’s it?"

Lys narrowed her eyes, and for the first time, her voice turned cold.

"Yes. Only that."

She stepped closer. "Is it that hard to believe someone might just want to spend time with you?"

"No, I—That’s not what I meant."

"Then what did you mean?" she asked, voice sharp. "Because every time I talk to you, it’s Cordelia this, mission that—do you even remember what you told me?"

Noah clenched his jaw. He didn’t want this to spiral, not now.

"I remember," he said quietly.

She didn’t answer, only crossed her arms again.

"I’ll take you on that date," he said. "Gladly. But right now, I need your help."

Lys exhaled slowly, her expression tightening. "Of course. There it is. The but."

"It’s not like that. Listen—Saphielle is planning to—"

"Oh my gods," Lys hissed, stepping back. "Another woman? Are you serious right now? I ask for one thing and you start talking about her?!"

Her voice cracked, brittle and bitter. "Do you enjoy rubbing it in?"

"No! I’m trying to explain what’s happening. Please—just listen."

She said nothing, but her eyes shimmered, stormy and hurt.

Noah swallowed hard. "She’s trying to bring her master back. Something dangerous. If I don’t stop her, people will die."

Silence stretched between them.

"I didn’t come here to flirt with Cordelia. I came to stop a disaster. And right now, you’re the only one who can help me do that and still make it out in time for the second phase of the auction."

Lys didn’t reply. Her eyes stayed on his, unreadable. Aqua hovered behind her, nervous. Fire cracked a tiny ember at Noah’s foot.

Noah stayed still. Waiting.

Lys stood still for a moment. Her expression unreadable. The spirits behind her waited without a sound.

Then, finally—

"Go on," she said.

Noah didn’t waste the moment.

"Cordelia is only helping because she can. Because her family has money. That’s all."

Lys’s face twitched, just slightly.

"She’s not here for me. She’s here because I convinced her that letting Saphielle win would be a disaster. That’s it."

Lys didn’t say anything, but her eyes lost some of their edge.

"If we win the bid," Noah continued, "we take that artifact out of circulation. No fights. No blood. No mess. Just a quiet win."

He looked at her directly.

"I’m trying to stop this before it becomes a catastrophe. But I can’t do it alone."

The silence that followed was thicker than before—but different. Not anger. Just hesitation.

Lys exhaled slowly. Her eyes softened just a little.

"...You better not be lying to me, Noah."

"I’m not."

"I’ll help," she said, voice low. "But don’t think this makes things right."

Noah nodded. "I’ll make it right. One thing at a time."

The spirits floated behind her, watching quietly. Fire gave a reluctant puff of smoke, like an annoyed sibling forced to agree.