As expected, we really chose the wrong place. Yet another person who overheard our conversation from outside decided to join us—Kim.As soon as Neil saw Kim, he felt guilty and immediately apologized for revealing Kim's secret without permission. Surprisingly, Kim wasn't angry at all. Instead, he was grateful to Neil, thanking him for letting him know about Maria's whereabouts."It's okay, Neil. Thank you. This way, I can also find out about Maria," Kim said, patting Neil on the shoulder, a hint of relief in his eyes. Not only that, he urged everyone to set off immediately, insisting that we reach Maria's house today.Since everyone agreed, we decided to head to the powerful magician's house together. Those of us who had been there before knew that reaching Maria's house wasn't easy, except for the last time when I was injured and Maria had removed the protective barrier. For safety reasons, I and the two magicians were split into three separate cars.Ethan led Peter and Kim since the
"From the way you’re talking, it seems like Roy is really important to Yolanda," Maria remarked."Maria, why do you think Yolanda needs Roy so much? Is there some kind of dark magic that can bind them together?" Ethan asked."The only things I can think of are the two spells she’s been secretly practicing: mind control and magic absorption," Maria replied."But Ethan and Lisa mentioned that those dark spell books have already been destroyed. Yolanda won’t have the chance to master those dark arts, plus, the magic box is with us. What other power could she have?" Harry questioned."What about other magic boxes?" she continued."There are magic boxes?" I echoed in surprise, looking at Maria."Other magic boxes?" Lisa was equally puzzled."As far as I know, there are three magic boxes in total: one for the magicians, which can only be opened by a magician; one for the werewolves, which can only be opened by a werewolf together with a magician; and one for the vampires, which can only be
"If Yolanda's goal is indeed to open the magic box and release the spirit, it implies that the spirit would assist her in some way, perhaps by spreading magical abilities," Harry said, frowning.Ethan nodded in agreement. "Exactly."Harry continued, "But if the vampire’s magic box is really in Yolanda's possession, what exactly does she intend to do with it?"Lisa interjected, "If she has the support of other vampires, it all makes sense.""But in that case, she wouldn't need Roy. Roy is a werewolf," Harry said, shaking his head in confusion.Peter suddenly spoke up, "Could she be after the werewolf’s magic box?"I couldn't help but chime in, "Even I didn't know the werewolf’s magic box was with me. How could she possibly know?"Harry sighed, "That still doesn't add up."Maria smiled slightly; her expression enigmatic. "Perhaps only Yolanda herself knows the answer to that."At Maria’s house, I felt a bit fortunate. Being more familiar with Maria, she assigned Neil and me to the same
The black wolf stood tall and formidable, exuding an aura of power and wisdom. Its deep, penetrating eyes seemed to peer into my very soul, carrying an ineffable strength and intelligence. I was stunned, almost rendered speechless by its ability to talk. The wolf's gaze locked onto mine, cutting through the virtual facade and reaching the core of my being. In that moment, I felt a powerful sense of awe and wonder, my heart racing. Unable to contain my curiosity, I asked, “How did you know I was one of your kind?”The black wolf's response was imbued with mystery and an extraordinary wisdom. Its gaze was gentle yet profound, and its deep voice carried a sense of comfort and understanding. "I sensed your presence," it said. "Even in this virtual world, the noble aura of the wolf clan that you emanate cannot be hidden." Its words left me both astonished and bewildered, adding to my confusion."Isn't this a virtual world?" I asked cautiously.The black wolf replied slowly, “Although this
The comment sent us into fits of laughter, the absurdity of the comparison too delightful to resist. Peter, in mock indignation, seized Neil and began tickling him mercilessly. Neil's laughter quickly became uncontrollable, and he begged for mercy as we watched with amused smiles. The laughter and playful banter provided a welcome escape from our real-world troubles, allowing us to savor a rare moment of lightheartedness and joy.In addition to these wonders, we discovered many more intriguing places and magical creatures. Inside a mysterious cave, we found glowing gemstones that, if sold, would surely fetch a handsome price; unknown to Neil, the three CEO behind him eyed them with visible covetousness. In an enchanted forest, we encountered a talking ancient tree, which, without warning, shot out vines to envelop us in a rather comical embrace. By a dreamlike waterfall, we saw a rainbow bridge, a sight so enchanting it defied reality. Every discovery filled us with awe and excitement
Maybe I had held back too long, waiting for this moment with Neil Black for what felt like an eternity. I hadn't anticipated just how strong my desire for him would be. As soon as I caught my breath, I wanted more. "One more time, okay? Please?"I pressed Neil against me, our sweat-slicked bodies melded together, the heat between us reigniting. My arousal was still buried deep inside him. Neil's breath quickened, his eyes glazed over, and soon enough, he was lost to my relentless hunger once again.I turned him over, gripping his waist as I made sure his head rested safely on the pillow. His hands clutched the sheets, legs spread apart. That familiar, intimate invasion resumed.The intensity of it all made Neil's body shudder, his hips lifting to meet my movements, his skin flushing from a gentle pink to a vivid red. His exhausted, weak moans filled the room, making him all the more enticing.I traced my tongue over his skin, nuzzling and licking, leaving a trail of heat in my wake. I
We left Maria’s house and headed towards the designated meeting place set by Roy. Tension hung heavy in the air, each step we took felt like treading on thin ice. Inside the car, silence reigned, broken only by the sound of the wheels rolling through the night. Neil sat beside me, his palm sweaty, his hand gripping mine tightly, unwilling to let go. I leaned in and whispered, “Don’t worry, I’ll protect you.” Neil gave a faint smile, “I trust you.”The road ahead seemed endless, shrouded in darkness and uncertainty. As we drove, the weight of the situation pressed down on us, but the bond we shared provided a glimmer of hope. Each of us was lost in our own thoughts, preparing mentally for what lay ahead.Harry, seated in the front, occasionally glanced back, his eyes filled with a mix of concern and determination. Peter and Ethan were deep in conversation, strategizing quietly, ensuring we were ready for any eventuality. Lisa, sitting beside Harry, held the Soul Lock Ring, her fingers
Harry and I faced off against Roy, now a vessel for the malevolent spirit. His power was visibly amplified, with every strike carrying immense force. Despite our best efforts, the pressure was overwhelming. Roy sneered, his expression twisted with malevolence. "You can't defeat me!" he taunted. I gritted my teeth, pushing myself to the limit in a desperate counterattack. Despite the intensity of my efforts, a sense of futility gnawed at me.Meanwhile, Yolanda was engaged in a fierce magical duel with Ethan and Lisa. Yolanda's magic was formidable, and despite Ethan and Lisa's best efforts, they were clearly at a disadvantage. Each of Yolanda's attacks was laced with a chilling malice. She sneered, "You low class magicians are no match for me!" Ethan and Lisa kept trying, striving to find a way through her relentless onslaught.Peter faced the resurrected servants alone, wielding a seemingly modest staff that looked insufficient, yet each strike was precise and effective. Despite their
Harry stood in the shadows, a subtle smile playing on his lips, his eyes radiating calm confidence. “Of course,” he replied, raising an eyebrow with that trademark mix of humor and certainty, as though he had the situation effortlessly under control. Harry was always like this—composed, astute, unwavering—seemingly born with the spirit of a fighter who refused to bow to fate. I looked at him, filled with gratitude and relief. The bond between us had long surpassed life, death, and honor; no matter the crisis, he was always there.As he turned his gaze toward Ken Yimo, a ripple of relief ran through me. Yes, Ken Yimo had indeed gone to Harry rather than taking some darker course of action. Unable to contain myself, I asked, “Ken Yimo, I’ll admit, I’m glad you actually brought Harry. Now, what about Neil?” My voice betrayed a hint of urgency, a worry that was impossible to hide. Neil’s condition had been weighi
Ken Yimo simply gave a cold smile, completely dismissing my warnings. There was no trace of pity or warmth in his eyes as he turned and walked out of the cell. I stood there, helpless and furious, watching him leave, fully aware that I was trapped here and powerless to stop him. As the heavy door slowly closed behind him, a sense of helplessness overwhelmed me, and despair and anguish surged in my chest. I was locked in this cold, isolated cell, surrounded by thick stone walls that shut out even the faintest trace of light, leaving me in total darkness. There was no way to reach out, no phone, no tool to call for help. My thoughts began to be consumed by the shadows, yet Neil's face lingered in my mind, refusing to fade. Would he, once again, fall prey to Ken Yimo’s control and cruelty, triggering another episode of sleepwalking? The thought twisted my heart with an unshakable sense of dread and fear. As night fell, darkness engulfed
I stared at him, unwilling to waste words. Instead, I asked directly, “Where’s Neil?” The question was like a weight pressing on my chest, and this man before me was the only one who could answer it.Ken Yimo’s expression was one of indifference, as he replied coolly, “Neil? He’s resting. He’s very simple-minded. As long as I tell him to stay put, he won’t wander off. So, unlike with you, I don’t have to keep him chained up.” His words dripped with a detached cruelty, as though Neil were nothing more than a toy he could control at will. My fists clenched involuntarily, and a simmering anger began to burn within me.I knew then—Ken Yimo must have done something to manipulate Neil or force him into submission. I wanted to press him further, but Ken spoke first, a sly smile twisting across his face. “Ah, but it seems that when kids grow up, they’re not so easy to keep
“I’ve had enough.” Finally, my patience wore thin. Soft tactics weren’t working, so it was time to be firm. I stood up, bundled Neil up tightly in his blanket, ignoring his struggles or pleas. Before long, Neil was sitting at the small table, his head poking out from the blanket while the rest of his body was wrapped up snugly—held there by my bear hug, replacing any other form of restraint.I should have done it this way from the start. It saved time, kept the food warm, and, most importantly, even though he was wrapped in a blanket, I could still hold him close, care for him, protect him—letting him sit on my lap and lean against me.“Wow.” Seeing his eager expression, I couldn’t help but feel a bit proud. “I know you love these dishes, so I made them just for you. What do you want to eat?”"My favorite pasta.""My favorite pancakes."
I rambled on while watching the stars twinkle silently in the night sky. The breeze caressed the woods outside the tent, and the night was as gentle as a dream. Unconsciously, fatigue crept into my eyelids, and finally I fell into a deep sleep in the stillness of the night.I didn't know exactly how long I slept until a beam of morning light shone through the transparent tent roof and shone on my face, waking me up from my slumber. In a daze, I blinked, as if last night's worries and hesitations were still swirling in my mind. But the scene that came into my eyes next completely turned all my imaginations upside down.“Neil!!! what are you doing?!” I instantly came to my senses and sat up with a jolt. Right in front of me, Neil was kneeling beside me, head bowed, with a serious look on his face as he tried to help me with my natural morning reaction. He didn't look hesitant at all, as if it was a matter of course.
My heart sank, realizing that it wasn’t just innocent childish behavior—it was a desperate search for affection, a need to please, a struggle to win more care and love from Ken Yimo. In that moment, I suddenly understood that Harry's words might have been true—their relationship was far beyond a typical father-son bond.I struggled to steady the emotions stirring within me, and looked up at Neil’s innocent face. He probably didn’t recognize the true meaning behind those gestures—their intent was not simply familial love, but a deep, almost physical craving for attention, a kind of dependence on being favored. A quiet ache settled in my chest as I wished with all my heart that he would never be caught in that dark emotional whirlpool again.I smiled softly, gently steering the conversation back to where it had started. "So, to get back to the point, I am your one and only, aren't I?" On this quiet night, I
"Yes, every day." Neil nodded firmly, his tone pure, almost childlike."Then, is this kind of missing me something unique?" I pressed on, as though I were hoping to hear a one-of-a-kind answer from him."Unique?" He blinked, looking as though he didn’t quite understand the meaning of the word.I patiently explained, "What I mean is... is this something that only I experience? Like, the way you miss your dad—does it feel the same as the way I miss mine?"Neil shook his head slightly, his voice soft as he replied, "It's different. I miss Ryan more."A flicker of delight stirred within me, but I kept my expression neutral and asked, "What about compared to your elder brother and your little brother? Is it different with them too?"Neil thought for a moment before nodding with certainty. "Yeah, I miss Ryan the most.""So, only I,
As I processed Harry's bombshell, I turned to Ethan and asked, "Have you checked if Fred Yimo is really Ken Yimo's biological son?"Ethan's expression turned serious as he pulled out his phone. "I'll have someone look into it now."Peter furrowed his brow, clearly skeptical. "You suspect Fred Yimo might be adopted too?""I actually hope so," I replied firmly. "It's a lot less messy than the unethical theory.""Ken Yimo really isn't simple," Harry remarked on the phone, sounding almost impressed. "When I was around, Fred was a bit more relaxed. But the moment I left, he turned into a mouse—didn't even dare to breathe too loudly, but a little bit “sticky” though."I let out a cold laugh. "Doesn't that completely clash with the surveillance cameras he set up at home?"Peter nodded thoughtfully. "You’re right. Which of these sides is the r
As Peter and I sat off to the side, watching them laugh and chat, a tangle of emotions stirred within us. The scene was heartwarming, yet there was an undeniable sense of loss. Here we were, two grown men, holding our glasses, sitting on the fringes of this cozy gathering, as if the world had forgotten about us.Peter let out a heavy sigh. "Why does it feel like I'm drifting further away from my own precious one?" His gaze lingered on Nick and Neil, a hint of sadness in his eyes.I took a sip of my drink, my voice low. "It feels like everyone else is getting closer to Neil than I am." The words left a sting in my chest, as though something inside me had been pierced.Ethan, overhearing our conversation, smiled softly and leaned in to offer a quiet word of reassurance. "Don’t rush," he said gently. "You’ll grow closer in time." He set down his soup spoon, his demeanor calm and wise. "When the bond is strong, n