Holinia stepped out of the "Black Mask" guild with confident strides, heading toward the Raven District in the capital. She wasn't just visiting any tailor; she was preparing for the "Great Heist" to reclaim her land—which, ironically, was never actually hers to begin with!
She kicked the tailor's door open with a loud bang, sending the poor man tumbling to the floor in terror. Before he could even ask who it was, Holinia was already sitting in the nearest chair, legs crossed, speaking in a tone that allowed no argument:
"You... I want a suit in less than a day. Can you do it? Or should I say... you will do it?"
The tailor gulped; he recognized her instantly. She was the "Mad Fox," a name that spread like wildfire. Trembling, he brought a pen and paper. She sketched an all-black design: long, practical trousers and a hooded shirt to completely hide her face.
"Use your best fabric, and here—take this!"
She threw a bag of coins directly at his face, knocking him down again. As she left, she added: "The package goes to the Duke of the East's house in two days. And don't forget... put a shiny star on the chest. I love stars; they remind me of the glow of gold!"
Family Reunion and "Bone-Crushing Parties"
When she arrived home that evening, her two brothers were waiting for her. Holinia sighed in annoyance as she stepped off the carriage.
"Good grief! Seeing strange creatures at the end of the day really ruins the mood. Why are you two standing there? Were you expecting me to show up in a wedding dress?"
Her second brother asked anxiously, "Holinia, where have you been?"
She replied coldly, "Making friends with some lunatics in hell. Want an invitation? The parties there are great—we drink tea peacefully after we break people's bones. Care to join?"
Her brother put his hand over his face in total defeat, while she swept past them like a hurricane, shouting to the servants: "Prepare my bath and dinner! I'm going to sleep the moment I'm done!"
Zero Hour: The Suicide Mission
Two days later, the package arrived. Holinia almost went back to crack the tailor's skull for being late, but the quality of the suit and the shiny star made her reconsider. She marched into the Guild Leader's office—the man she nicknamed "The Snake"—without knocking.
"Are you ready?" she asked.
The Leader sighed deeply. "I'm ready for death. I've already bought my funeral permit and written my will!"
Holinia smirked wickedly. "Good. Make sure you left all your wealth to me!"
"And who are you to take my fortune, dear?" he snapped. "I'll be the one taking your soul if you don't shut up!"
The four of them—Holinia, the Snake, and two shadow mages—sneaked toward the Duke's palace through the forest. Holinia stopped at a decaying tree and told the Leader: "Dig here!"
"And why am I the one digging?"
"Do you want me to ruin my beautiful nails in this filthy dirt? Dig and be quiet!"
Sure enough, they found an old secret door leading to a foul-smelling underground tunnel. Holinia held her nose. "My sinuses are going to explode! But for the sake of my land, I'll endure it."
The Leader whispered, "It's not your land, you crazy woman!"
"Shut up, Snake!" she snapped back.
Inside the Lion's Den
They slipped through the luxurious servants' hallways. Holinia hid behind a knight's statue while the Leader jumped to the ceiling as guards passed by. When they reached the Duke's central study, the door was locked. With a confident smile, she pulled out a hairpin and bent it skillfully.
"Thank you, past life skills!" she thought to herself.
The door clicked open to reveal a magnificent room: a black wood desk, towering bookshelves, and golden candelabras.
"Look at this jerk's wealth! I envy him so much!" Holinia muttered as she searched frantically.
The Leader whispered sarcastically, "Why envy him when you're currently stealing his property?"
Suddenly, amidst a pile of papers, she whispered excitedly, "Found it! My land!"
But the joy was short-lived. The door swung open, and the Duke appeared. With flaming red hair and piercing green eyes, he spoke in a voice that shook the room:
"I smell filthy rats in my room... Do thieves really think they are invisible?"