Anya found a secluded, abandoned greenhouse at the far end of the Volkov estate, its glass panes shattered and its once vibrant flora now a tangled mess of weeds. It was far from comfortable, but it offered concealment and a temporary respite from the biting night air. She used some discarded burlap sacks to fashion a makeshift bed and, with a sigh of relief, settled down. The System had rewarded her with a 'Basic Healing Potion,' which she immediately consumed. A warm, tingling sensation spread through her ankle, and the throbbing pain subsided, leaving only a dull ache. She still couldn't put full weight on it, but it was a vast improvement.
"Quest: Survive the Night. Objective: Avoid fatal harm until dawn. Current time: 00:30. Dawn: 06:00. Sub-objective: Find secure hiding place. Status: Complete. Reward: Basic Healing Potion, 20 System Points. System Points: 20."
She checked her 'Status' panel. Her physical attributes had slightly improved, a direct result of the rudimentary cultivation and the healing potion. It was a slow process, but it was progress. She then opened the 'Shop' again. The 'Basic Cultivation Technique' was still there, along with other basic items. She had 20 System Points. Not enough for anything significant, but it was a start.
Sleep, however, eluded her. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. Kaelen Thorne. The wooden bird. The fragmented memory of the man beneath the ancient tree. Her betrayal. The System. It was all a tangled web, and she was determined to unravel it.
As dawn approached, painting the sky in hues of soft pink and orange, Anya heard the distant sounds of the estate stirring. Servants, guards, and the general bustle of a wealthy household. She knew she couldn't stay in the greenhouse indefinitely. She needed a plan. A way to not just survive, but to thrive.
She spent the next few days in the greenhouse, observing the Volkov estate from a distance, using the System to analyze her surroundings and plan her next moves. She practiced the rudimentary cultivation technique, feeling her strength slowly return. She also began to experiment with the System's 'Skills' tab, discovering that while she had no active skills, she could theoretically unlock them with System Points.
Meanwhile, within the opulent walls of the Volkov mansion, whispers began to circulate. Anya Volkov, the frail, sickly girl, had vanished. The initial reaction was a mix of relief and annoyance from Lady Volkov, who saw it as a convenient way to be rid of a nuisance. But then, strange things began to happen.
Servants who had mistreated Anya found themselves tripping over unseen obstacles, suffering minor but embarrassing accidents. Elara, the cruel maid, developed a sudden, debilitating rash that covered her entire body, forcing her into isolation. Minor objects went missing, only to reappear in unexpected places, causing confusion and suspicion.
These were not grand displays of power, but subtle, almost imperceptible manipulations. Anya, from her hidden vantage point, was testing the waters, using her newfound understanding of the System's basic functions to subtly influence her environment. She was not yet strong enough for direct confrontation, but she could sow discord, create doubt, and subtly shift the narrative.
The whispers grew louder, evolving into rumors. "Anya Volkov was always a strange one," some said. "Perhaps she ran away with a secret lover." Others, more superstitious, muttered about curses and vengeful spirits. "She was always so quiet, so meek. Perhaps she was just biding her time."
Lady Volkov, initially dismissive, grew increasingly agitated. The strange occurrences were disrupting the household, causing unease among the staff. Her carefully constructed image of order and control was beginning to crack. She ordered a more thorough search, but Anya, with her heightened senses and the System's guidance, remained elusive.
The rumors, though varied, all pointed to one thing: Anya Volkov was no longer the insignificant, easily dismissed girl she once was. Her disappearance, far from being a relief, had become a source of growing unease and intrigue. And as these whispers spread beyond the Volkov estate, they began to attract the attention of those who sought power, those who dealt in secrets, and those who were always looking for a new pawn in their intricate games.
[End of Chapter 7]