Eden had never seen this scarlet rock before. It looked like it had been scorched red by fire, but it felt cold to the touch.She was immediately drawn to it, even though she didnโt think much of it as she picked it up.At first, she thought it might be something unpleasant. But as soon as she touched the rock, a surge of limitless energy flowed into her body, making her realize that her power had reached a new level.Alain finally snapped back to reality, pulling Eden into his arms and patting her head. His voice was rough as he said, โCan you please avoid doing things that make me worry like this?โEden was taken aback. She had only picked up a rock. What was he so worried about?Then she realized that Alain and Horace had probably seen the mist enter her body.โAlright. Iโll let you know what Iโm doing next time.โOnly then did Alain seem to relax.He looked at the rock in Edenโs hand and said, โThis is called a Styx Rock. An old man gave it to me a few years ago after I sav
The last time Horace was kidnapped, Eden did everything she could to save him.Caelus had been with her for a long time and followed her every command. She wouldnโt just let him die.The two of them had just left the entrance when Horace came rushing over.โI heard Eden is awake. Let me see her!โHorace had been outside organizing the search for the murderer. When he heard Eden was awake, he left everything and came straight over.He treated Eden like a younger sister, so of course, he wanted to visit her now that she was awake.โYes, Iโm awake,โ Eden said with a gentle glance at Horace. Then, she gave a slow, meaningful smile as she curled her lips. โIโm going to save Caelus. Come with me.โHorace suddenly shuddered.She turned to Alain. โWhatโs with her? Why did she smile so frighteningly?โAlain didnโt respond and got into the car.Horace followed them without delay.Caelus had been in the ice coffin for three days, and his body was already starting to deteriorate.Eden
Eden had just walked out of the room when Sinead arrived.โYouโre finally awake. Iโve been so worried about you,โ Sinead said, taking Edenโs hand. She then checked Edenโs forehead and pinched her face. Once she was sure Eden didnโt have a fever, she finally relaxed.โIโm really sorry for making you worry,โ Eden said, her usual shyness showing.โNo need to apologize,โ Sinead replied. โIf it werenโt for you trying to save us, you wouldnโt have gotten hurt so badly. Iโve been feeling guilty about it, so donโt say anything thatโll make me feel worse, okay?โSinead glanced around at the nurses in the villa, knowing Alain had recruited them recently. โI know these nurses have been carefully selected, but they canโt compare to me taking care of you myself. Why donโt you come back with me? Iโll look after you personally and make sure you get all the nourishment you need.โโAlright,โ Eden agreed immediately.Alain, who was behind Eden, could only watch silently.It seemed he had definite
โIโฆ I wouldnโt dare,โ the young nurse said, taking a few steps back, visibly trembling.Eden looked up at her. It was clear that the nurse was frightened, though she was trying to hide it.โWhatโs your name?โ Eden asked as she ate the oats, which tasted fresh and just right.โMyโฆ My name is Gem. Gem Scarlet,โ the nurse replied, her eyes fixed on the floor, avoiding Edenโs gaze.โHow old are you?โ Eden inquired. Though she was only slightly older than Gem, she exuded a calm, dependable demeanor.โEighteen,โ Gem answered quietly.Eden stroked her chin, observing Gem. โDo you stutter?โโHuh?โ Gem looked up in surprise. โNo.โEden continued eating. โAre you afraid of me?โGem seemed too stunned to stutter anymore and nodded instinctively. โYes.โBut she quickly corrected herself. โNoโฆ Iโฆ Iโm not afraid of youโฆโGemโs eyes filled with tears, and she struggled to hold them back.She bit her lip and, with her head lowered, explained, โItโsโฆ Itโs Mr. Brooks. He said you have a bad
Even though Hades was known as the king of all Banevermins, it wasnโt always active. Once the person implanted with Hades had consumed enough blood, Hades would fall into a deep slumber.He had just committed several murders, which meant that Hades had been fully fed and wouldnโt be triggered again anytime soon.Eden figured the reason for his sudden activity was that he was searching for a safer place to hide.โThe Johnsons?โ Liam repeated thoughtfully. โSince Alain is investigating them, and so are you, did they really do something theyโre trying to keep hidden from outsiders?โEden considered this and then decided to share the truth with Liam. โHave you ever heard of the Shamblers?โโShamblers? One of the kids at the Agency was reading a horror novel a few days ago, and I overheard them mention itโฆโ Liam said, pausing as he stood up suddenly. โWait, are you saying the things in those novels are real?โEden thought about it and nodded slightly. โNot entirely, but itโs not too f
Liam was genuinely impressed with Edenโs progress.If his own children had achieved as much, heโd be able to die happy.Eden, however, had a headache.She already knew about it.When Alain told Horace, she was in the same room and overheard it. She was unsure whether to tell Alain or not, wondering if he could accept the world she was part of.The world where the war would take place.After thinking it over, she finally said, โIโll take it.โโAlright, Iโll send the reply.โJust before hanging up, Liam remembered something. โYouโre in Estburg finishing your senior year, right? Almost ready to graduate?โโYeah.โโWith how smart you are, Iโm sure youโll have no trouble getting into a good university. Have you thought about studying in Rielton? We could grab coffee when weโre both free.โEden replied indifferently, โThe Agency must have a lot of free time these days, huh?โโWell, not exactly. Iโm working on something pretty complicated and staying busy, but Iโm making time to c
Eden massaged her head, glancing at all the nurses surrounding her.They watched her anxiously, afraid they might upset her.โAll of you can leave. I donโt need everyone here,โ she said, irritated by the crowd.As soon as the nurses heard her, they began to cry. โDid we do something wrong? Tell us and weโll fix it. Please donโt fire us!โ"That's right. Mr. Ward warned us that if we make you unhappy, heโll kill us.โโWe donโt want to die; please let us stay.โEden froze, then muttered under her breath, โDarn it.โWas Alain out of his mind?Since when did he become so ruthless?Eden lowered her gaze, feeling the tension rise in the room. She glanced at the nurses, who were now kneeling in front of her, sobbing.Frustrated by the crowd, she said, โJust go. Alain wonโt kill you.โTurning to Sulien, she instructed, โPay them five times their salary and send them away.โSulien, once obedient only to Alain, now followed Edenโs lead. Without hesitation, he paid the nurses as she as
Alain rarely mobilized his organization, and it was even more unusual for him to take a personal interest in anything. But Sinead knew it was serious if he had to step in himself.She remembered the call she had received from the Gardner family earlier, and a sense of unease settled over her.Could the person Alain and Horace were talking about be connected to that?If so, Rielton would become a living hell.The moment Sinead realized this, she quickly pulled out her phone and dialed a number as she walked outside. "I need your help."Three days later, at Pear Garden.Eden woke up shortly after Alain had left.As she opened her eyes, a young woman stood in front of her, staring at her.After a moment, the young woman excitedly exclaimed, "Ms. Griffith is awake, Dr. Sulien. Look!"She had barely finished speaking when dozens of people rushed into the room. Eden instantly frowned.She had only been unconscious for a little while. What... happened?Where did all these people co
Alain arrived just after the rest of the Ward family had left."Why are you here? Is Eden awake?" Sinead asked. She wanted to stay in Pear Garden to take care of Alain and Eden, but with the Ward family pressuring her for answers, she returned to the family residence to handle them first.They had just left when Alain arrived, and she thought Eden might have already woken up."She's still unconscious," Alain replied, unbuttoning the top button of his blazer as he sat down. "Iโm here to see grandpa, and then Iโll head to the company."Sinead nodded. "He just woke up. Your uncles were here, arguing with me. He thinks itโs too noisy and doesnโt want anyone disturbing him, so donโt go in for now.""Got it," Alain said, lighting a cigarette. "Can you go stay with Ed in Pear Garden?""Alright."Sinead didnโt say much, grabbed her purse, and left.She had just reached the entrance when Horace rushed in. Without even greeting her, he hurried to Alain."Alain, heโs shown up again."Ho