“This isn’t how it’s supposed to go…”Adonis muttered to himself, his gaze fixed on the night sky. While he couldn’t recall every single detail from the past, this particular incident was engraved in his memory.‘The kidnapping of Billy and Alicia… it’s supposed to happen way further in the future!’Sure, a lot of things had been altered now, but he hadn’t expected such a drastic change to the original timeline.‘They’ll nearly be sold at the slave auction a few days after being captured, but thankfully the investigation was done before the auction was completed.’As a result, the Royal Knights swooped in and apprehended a lot of criminals in the Black Market and Slavery World.Unfortunately, this huge victory came with a great loss.‘Alicia’s mental state became unstable and she went insane. Billy was fine, but he was so concerned with Alicia’s health that he didn’t focus on training any longer…’Eventually, Alicia’s mental health deteriorated to the point where she eventually commi
“Haha! Is it all done?” A hefty man, his belly protruding, emerged from the 'staff-only' room.He had blood stains on his hand, and each finger had rings on them. His fat-ridden body moved slowly as he cleaned his bloodied hands with a rag and flung it to the side once he was done.“Oh, Leader? Did you kill that woman already?” One of the men who had secured both Alicia and Billy said with a somewhat disappointed face.“What do you think?” The fat man replied, a twisted grin on his faceThough he had cleaned his hands, stains of red still appeared in some areas.“I-I see… I shouldn’t have asked in the first place."In all honesty, this man—as well as the rest of his six comrades—wanted to have his way with her.He had been looking forward to enjoying the waitress for some time now.‘When we killed her Boss and took over this shop, I expected my time to come soon…’He felt frustrated that his Leader had done away with her already.“She intentionally tripped, that woman. I was watching
The deal was sealed after that.Aldred Winsley used an Enchanted Item to calculate the amount of Monster Cores in each sack, and by multiplying them with the agreed price, they arrived at the selling price.It turned out to be a whopping 4,650 Platinum Coins!‘I still can’t believe this…’Rey was trying his best to remain composed after hearing such an insane number, but his heart raced uncontrollably.Adding that to his balance of 1,251 Platinum Coins, he now possessed 5,901 Platinum Coins in total.‘I never thought I’d get this much at once… let alone now!’ Rey felt like he was pulling off a scam, but he didn’t feel guilty. Why would he? This was the Black Market, after all.‘Once the Monster Cores start flooding in, these guys will be in trouble. I should probably avoid this place for a while…’Rey felt a sense of satisfaction knowing he had enough money for the moment. Now, it was time to focus on training; distractions like this were unnecessary.“As always, it’s a pleasure d
‘Ah… I see. So that’s how it is…’Rey smiled as he stared at his opponent.Even though his eyes were on the BigFoot-like creature, his senses also observed the ceiling where it fell from.‘There are more of them lurking above.’ Rey couldn’t see them even if he tried. There was a reason he hadn’t detected any until this one landed to confront him.‘A Camouflage Skill, maybe? Interesting…’ These creatures were masters of blending into their environment, making them nearly impossible to detect unless someone paid close attention.‘Even now, I can only detect their movements due to the sound they make and slight distortions they cause in space.’He still couldn’t see them properly.‘I already have [Stealth], which basically allows me to be invisible. But I guess this isn’t too bad either.’ When Rey raised his head and studied the Skill, he figured that the camouflage ability would be more than enough for it to be registered by [Doppel].He sighed softly and turned his attention back to
“What do you think about all this, Aldred?”As Rey’s question echoed in the air, Aldred gave a knowing smile—as if he already expected the question.“It’s probably a ruse. The actual Warehouse must be hidden underground.” Rey made a slight grimace underneath his mask.‘Just as I suspected…’Even with this discovery, it didn’t change what they had to do. ‘We still have to invade. The entrance to the underground passage must be here somewhere.’Rey almost felt like he was invading the territory of a mafia group or some sort of cartel. He hadn’t done it before, but it seemed like this was how it would feel.“This establishment is run by Evals Redart, the biggest guy in business in the South.” Aldred went on, his tone still retaining the same hint of amusement from earlier.“I don’t imagine that we’d run into him here, but if we do, then the KariBlanc Group would like to stay out of it.”Rey let out a sigh and shrugged lightly.“I hadn’t planned for both of you to come inside with me a
Beth's POV I woke up the next morning pensive and annoyed, partly because I had a restless night punctuated with brief dreams and overthinking. I was motionless for a minute as I tried to remember the details of the dream but gave up when I couldn't recall it.I looked at my phone and groaned as I saw the time. I had overslept which was something that happened rarely as I was a stickler for routine. With a manic burst of energy, I got up and began preparing for work. I needed no one to tell me that my day was only going to get more weird.Once my schedule was broken, it was only natural that the rest of the day became shitty. I knew that much from experience.My pensive mood continued as I drove to the office and I only heard my name after I had been called at least thrice. I snapped at Brenda when she got in my business then asked her to call a mandatory meeting for all employees.She didn't hurry to do it but hesitated a bit and I knew she was curious as to why I was calling a me
Dorian's POV I stared uninterestedly at the runway as the plane shuddered to a stop, and the seatbelt sign dings off. I stood up, unbuckled and lurched forward, only to be stopped by the wall of bodies cramming the aisle and I was almost pushed over.I scowled deeply when people began yanking their bags from the overhead compartments like it was a race, the same way Americans did. It was everything different from what I thought Germany to be.Someone’s backpack swung dangerously close to my face and I ducked. I gripped the armrest, exhaling through my nose as I waited for the madness of the economy class to die down.I glanced at my phone—no signal yet. The flight attendant was smiling that tired, practiced smile, reminding us to be orderly. No one listened. The line inched forward, the guy ahead of me struggling with an overstuffed duffel. I shifted my weight impatiently, my carry-on wedged between my feet. The air was hotter and stuffier, like the plane itself was urging us to lea
Dorian's POV That night, as soon as we were alone in the hotel room, words became unnecessary as we rushed at each other. The tension and the raw emotions that had been simmering beneath my skin all burst free the moment I kissed her. Anna melted into me, her fingers threading through my hair as if afraid I would disappear.I wasn’t sure if this was real or some cruel illusion, but I didn’t care. She was warm, solid, alive—and that was all that mattered.We spent the night tangled together, whispering each other’s names and relearning the feel of one another’s bodies. Every touch was urgent, every kiss desperate, as if making up for lost time. And when exhaustion finally claimed us, I held her close, unwilling to let go even in sleep.The next morning, sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains, casting golden patterns on the bed. Anna stirred beside me, her bare skin warm against mine. I watched her face for a moment, memorizing the peaceful rise and fall of her breathing, the way
Anna's POV "You were meant to be an experiment," Dr. Reinhardt said to me leaning over to emphasise his words.I wondered what I had done to warrant the attention of this mad German scientist. I knew though that it had to be because of Dorian mixing up with the wrong crowd.The heavy door behind Reinhardt hissed open and a guard in a black uniform stepped in and Reinhardt nodded toward me."Prepare her for transport."I yanked at the restraints with all the strength I could summon. I wasn’t going to let them win like this.The guard moved closer and just then the lights flickered.The sudden dimming made Reinhardt pause and looked up at the overhead lamps which buzzed as if it was struggling for power. Then, in a blink, red emergency lights flooded the room.A low alarm groaned through the facility and the pitch kept increasing.Something was wrong.Reinhardt’s expression tightened as he turned toward the guard. "Find out what—"~BOOM!!!~The entire room shook and dust rained down
Sophia's POV Before I could react, hands grabbed me from behind, yanking me backward. I thrashed around but they were too strong. A sharp sting burst across my skull as someone struck me, my vision blurring with pain."Dorian—" I barely managed before they forced me down.I caught a glimpse of him fighting, moving like a blur—until a taser’s electric crackle filled the air. His body convulsed, muscles locking up as he collapsed.“Dorian!”A thick bag was shoved over my head, muffling my scream. Then—darkness.When I came to, my head throbbed like I’d been hit by a freight train. My body was heavy, sluggish. I tried to move, but resistance met me—straps. Thick, unyielding. My wrists, my ankles, even my torso were pinned to a cold metal table.Panic surged through me. My breath came in ragged gasps as my mind raced. Where was I? Where was Dorian?Footsteps. Slow, deliberate.A shadow passed over me, the dim overhead light shifting. Then, a voice—smooth, practiced, unsettling.“Anna.”
Anna's POV The train rocked gently as it sped through the tunnels and Dorian and I were pressed into a corner near the doors, heads down as we tried to blend in. My heart was still beating rapidly as I was jittery from what we had gone through.Across the car, a man in a dark jacket shifted slightly, glancing at his phone. I stiffened. Was he watching us? Or was my paranoia getting the best of me?Dorian must have noticed my tension because he leaned in, voice low. “Stay calm. If they had people on the train, we’d know by now.”I nodded, but the tension coiled in my chest refused to ease. The train rattled through the tunnels, fluorescent lights flickering overhead. Everything felt like a threat and I hated how jumpy I felt, not that I could help it.Dorian’s grip on my wrist tightened—a silent reassurance. “Breathe,” he murmured.The man in the dark jacket stood, heading for the next car. I tracked his movements until he disappeared.Still, the unease remained.“We need to get off
Anna's POV The neon light of the rundown motel flickered as Dorian parked the motorcycle behind the building, out of sight from the main road. My legs were shaking as I came down, barely catching myself before my knees gave out. Every muscle in my body ached, but I forced myself to move. We couldn’t rest yet.Dorian scanned the empty lot, his sharp eyes searching for threats. When he was satisfied we weren’t being followed, he gestured for me to follow. The motel’s chipped paint and broken sign told me everything I needed to know—no security cameras, no questions asked.Inside, the air smelled of stale cigarettes and mildew. The receptionist barely glanced at us as Dorian handed over cash, securing a key without a word. He didn’t ask how long we’d stay, and I was grateful for that.The moment we stepped into the room, I locked the door and sagged against it, pressing my forehead to the cold wood. The adrenaline was wearing off, leaving only exhaustion and the lingering terror of how
Anna's POVThe cold night air was too much for me as we ran past Berlin’s darkened alleys. The city lights were particularly bright but we kept to the shadows so we wouldn't be seen.My heart pounded as I ran but I kept moving. Dorian’s grip on my hand was firm, pulling me forward, guiding me as if he could sense the safest paths.We barely spoke, just exchanged quick glances as we wove through the streets. Dorian tried calling the organization’s emergency line, his jaw tightening when no one answered. A second call. Nothing. The third went straight to voicemail. He cursed under his breath. We were on our own.The weight of that realization pressed down on me. Whoever had attacked us knew exactly where we were. They had planned this. And now, with our protectors possibly dead, we had no backup. No weapons. No safe place to go. I shuddered as I feared what they'd do if they caught us. A distant shout echoed behind us, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps. My stomach twisted. The
Dorian's POV That night, as soon as we were alone in the hotel room, words became unnecessary as we rushed at each other. The tension and the raw emotions that had been simmering beneath my skin all burst free the moment I kissed her. Anna melted into me, her fingers threading through my hair as if afraid I would disappear.I wasn’t sure if this was real or some cruel illusion, but I didn’t care. She was warm, solid, alive—and that was all that mattered.We spent the night tangled together, whispering each other’s names and relearning the feel of one another’s bodies. Every touch was urgent, every kiss desperate, as if making up for lost time. And when exhaustion finally claimed us, I held her close, unwilling to let go even in sleep.The next morning, sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains, casting golden patterns on the bed. Anna stirred beside me, her bare skin warm against mine. I watched her face for a moment, memorizing the peaceful rise and fall of her breathing, the way
Dorian's POV I stared uninterestedly at the runway as the plane shuddered to a stop, and the seatbelt sign dings off. I stood up, unbuckled and lurched forward, only to be stopped by the wall of bodies cramming the aisle and I was almost pushed over.I scowled deeply when people began yanking their bags from the overhead compartments like it was a race, the same way Americans did. It was everything different from what I thought Germany to be.Someone’s backpack swung dangerously close to my face and I ducked. I gripped the armrest, exhaling through my nose as I waited for the madness of the economy class to die down.I glanced at my phone—no signal yet. The flight attendant was smiling that tired, practiced smile, reminding us to be orderly. No one listened. The line inched forward, the guy ahead of me struggling with an overstuffed duffel. I shifted my weight impatiently, my carry-on wedged between my feet. The air was hotter and stuffier, like the plane itself was urging us to lea
Beth's POV I woke up the next morning pensive and annoyed, partly because I had a restless night punctuated with brief dreams and overthinking. I was motionless for a minute as I tried to remember the details of the dream but gave up when I couldn't recall it.I looked at my phone and groaned as I saw the time. I had overslept which was something that happened rarely as I was a stickler for routine. With a manic burst of energy, I got up and began preparing for work. I needed no one to tell me that my day was only going to get more weird.Once my schedule was broken, it was only natural that the rest of the day became shitty. I knew that much from experience.My pensive mood continued as I drove to the office and I only heard my name after I had been called at least thrice. I snapped at Brenda when she got in my business then asked her to call a mandatory meeting for all employees.She didn't hurry to do it but hesitated a bit and I knew she was curious as to why I was calling a me
“What do you think about all this, Aldred?”As Rey’s question echoed in the air, Aldred gave a knowing smile—as if he already expected the question.“It’s probably a ruse. The actual Warehouse must be hidden underground.” Rey made a slight grimace underneath his mask.‘Just as I suspected…’Even with this discovery, it didn’t change what they had to do. ‘We still have to invade. The entrance to the underground passage must be here somewhere.’Rey almost felt like he was invading the territory of a mafia group or some sort of cartel. He hadn’t done it before, but it seemed like this was how it would feel.“This establishment is run by Evals Redart, the biggest guy in business in the South.” Aldred went on, his tone still retaining the same hint of amusement from earlier.“I don’t imagine that we’d run into him here, but if we do, then the KariBlanc Group would like to stay out of it.”Rey let out a sigh and shrugged lightly.“I hadn’t planned for both of you to come inside with me a