LOGINAs Nunzio crossed the turbulent Slaining Demon River, every demon and spirit along the way shrank back into their nests. Sensing his millennia-old demonic power and the malice radiating from him, they didn't dare make a sound. Exhaustion mounted with every step. Nunzio felt darkness creeping at the edges of his vision, and his soul root throbbed with sharp, tearing pain. It was an unmistakable sign of the severe injury inflicted by Aria.He clenched his teeth, pressing the tip of his tongue against them. The metallic-sweet taste of blood filled his mouth. Sylas' warning echoed relentlessly in his mind. "If you can't succeed, withdraw immediately. Never linger in battle. Never put yourself in danger. Come to me. I will handle everything else."Only by reaching the place Sylas had specified could he finally lower his defenses and begin healing his fatal internal injuries.Nunzio ran for some time before finally reaching a mist-shrouded mountaintop. A secluded courtyard lay nestl
Nunzio understood what was happening at a glance. He slowly lifted his head, his dark eyes sweeping over Landon before settling on the hand pressed against Sam's shoulder, and finally resting on Aria. A half-smile, half-smirk curved his lips as he studied the scene in amusement."So that's how it is," Nunzio remarked softly. His voice was smooth and pleasant, yet it carried a chill that seeped into one's bones. He raised his hand and curled a finger toward Landon. A subtle wave of inky energy drifted toward him, brushing against his spirit barrier before settling on his shoulder.Landon froze. A ripple flashed through his eyes, and the dark mist surrounding him thickened severalfold. He grunted and took a sharp step back.Aria's chest tightened. Just as she was about to move forward, Nunzio raised his hand to stop her. "There's no rush. I'm not interested in either of you," Nunzio said lazily, glancing at her. When his gaze returned to Landon, a trace of caution flickered in h
The sinister energy that hurt Aria felt completely different from the way Sam experienced it. It flowed over his skin like a gentle stream. Instead of draining his life force, it was effortlessly absorbed into his body. A nearly invisible dark-gold glow surrounded him. Power surged from deep within, neutralizing the devouring force of the Soul-Locking Evil Manifestation and transforming its unholy energy and the spirits' resentments into nourishment for himself.Sam spun in a circle curiously. The decaying leaves beneath his feet crackled as they froze from the unholy energy, yet he felt completely at ease, as if soaking in warm water. He grabbed a strand of thick green-gray mist and sniffed it. His face lit up with delight as he murmured, "This feels so nice. It's way more fun than anywhere I've been before."The more violently the manifestation pulled and the thicker the mist wrapped around him, the more excited Sam became. He skipped through the fog, swatting at strands of u
Aria continued, "The Soul Lock Grove is spotless, as if no one has ever set foot inside the forest. The government has assigned me to take charge."She frowned slightly, her fingers tapping lightly against her arm as a sharp sense of unease crept into her mind. "This isn't an ordinary disappearance. No normal person could vanish without a trace. Even the search dogs refused to go any farther."There's only one explanation. A manifestation has been set there, and there may be evil spirits lurking in the shadows. Those young people weren't lost; they were taken. And they may already be dead."Landon remained calm. "We'll know once we see it for ourselves."Aria nodded. Knowing that seven lines were on the line, she wasted no time. She picked up her phone and called the Special Missions Unit. Her voice was crisp and decisive. "Notify all members to gather at Mount Grayburn's Soul Lock Grove in 10 minutes. Contact the local police and seal off all access routes into the mountains. "P
The mist was bone-chilling, unlike any ordinary fog. The instant it touched the group's skin, it seized their nerves, froze their blood, and locked their limbs in place. "Ah! It's so cold!" Lanzo screamed. He felt all the warmth drain from his blood, his limbs turning stiff and numb. His fingers refused to bend. His headlamp slipped from his hands with a clatter, immediately going dark as it hit the leaf litter. Wera immediately reached out to grab Matteo, who was beside her. But the moment she stretched out her hand, she felt a strange pulling force from deep within the white mist. The grip was so strong that it didn't feel human. It was as if an invisible hand had grabbed her soul and was dragging her deeper into the mist. Wera couldn't resist at all. Her body was lifted off the ground against her will, and the world spun around her. Her companions' figures blurred into distorted shapes. "Wera!" Linden yelled as he lunged toward her. But the moment he stepped into the mist,
Elijah's warning lingered in the room, sharp and unyielding. The evening sunlight spilled gently across the floor, yet it did nothing to soften the taut tension between them. Even the scent of sandalwood seemed to fade, as though the very air were holding its breath.Fergus, propped against the soft pillows, made no effort to ease the atmosphere. He merely gazed calmly at Landon. Gentle and magnanimous as he was, he shared Elijah's intensity when it came to protecting Aria.Today's confrontation was the sternest and most genuine test for the man who sought to join the Carver family and win Aria's hand. Fergus waited for Landon's answer—one that could finally put them at ease. Landon remained seated in a perfect posture. Even the way he held the glass between his fingers was impeccably still.Each word from Elijah struck like a blow to his heart, yet not a trace of anger showed on his composed expression. Only his eyes—so deep they seemed to hold an endless galaxy—stirred faintly.
"Priscilla, thank you. However, I'm already so old. Whether I have much time or not, we should let nature take its course." Clyde smiled kindly, masking his real thoughts. However, his demeanor caused Priscilla to think he was difficult to deal with.Over the years, Priscilla had treated Clyde li
Lily clenched her fists. If she hadn't dodged in time, the silver needle would have left a scar on her face. Aria wanted her dead.Ever since she arrived at Ludwiten, Lily had been revered. Yet, Aria still treated her like this. Her gaze flickered as she reached up, covering her face. "Aria, I k
Society's expectations toward women were inherently unfair because they demanded them to be everything all at once. Women were expected to be perfect mothers and corporate elites. Upon marriage and motherhood, the world often expected them to abandon their careers and stay home.Even if they didn
At that moment, Alaric realized Aria knew something—especially about his feelings. As he stopped hiding it, his gaze settled back on her. "I did something that upset your mother. She probably sees me as some scoundrel who takes what he wants and ruins families." "To be frank, even if my mother h







