Rain's body was crushed. Her muscles felt stiff and tense like a crowd had just beaten her. It was excruciating pain even to breathe. Rain was trying to squirm in her bed when she faintly heard the sound of birds chirping in the distance. Rain suddenly woke up. Her eyes opened wide even though her body was stiff and she couldn't move. Rain had only heard birds chirping in the morning for the first time since she came to Darkwood Palace. "Wait, am I still dreaming?" she thought. Rain wasn't sure she had heard the birds chirping. Even though Darkwood Palace was on top of a mountain and surrounded by dense forests, Rain felt like she was in a void. In Darkwood Palace, no one could hear the cooing and squawking of the beasts, apart from animals and birds on certain nights. Rain felt very lazy. She realized the sun was already quite high that morning, though the dressing was still the same—grey. Rain refused to move from her soft and warm bed. The experience she had gone through last n
A man with oval glasses wearing a dark suit walked unsteadily by the side of the road. He pulled his tie loose, and his hair looked disheveled. In his right hand, he is carrying a briefcase, while in his left hand, he is holding a piece of paper that is tattered from being opened and closed too often. A light breeze brushed against the skinny man's face and body. The traffic beside him was full of the glittering vehicle and street lights."Die... die... die...." The man whispered, following the voices in his head.He continued walking along the sidewalk until he reached the bridge connecting Hambara Town and Haridra Town. In his head kept flashing the image of the boss's cursing and anger this afternoon at the office. He failed to reach the sales target that month.The man dropped his briefcase onto the sidewalk. The termination paper in his left hand was blown away by the wind and fell onto the wide surface of the Hambara River under the bridge. The man's eyes
"Are you sure, Erica?" asked Samantha, who suddenly appeared under Erica's feet and formed a shadow of her body. "Last night, the Prince just had a tantrum and lost control. Now you're allowing him to travel even deep into the middle of nowhere that we have no control over?""Of course I'm not that stupid, Sam! I can't just let it go without a well-thought-out plan," Erica answered confidently."So what's your plan, you know-it-all miss?" quipped Samantha."I have prepared all forms of security in the city they are going to. I've got everything ready.""Then, what are we going to do alone in this gloomy and pitiful palace?" Samantha complained."Of course, we'll follow them," Erica smirked. "Come on!" Erica gave a long whistle, and a very dashing jet-black mare appeared with a long, beautiful mane."You are terrible Erica! I thought you wouldn't be able to just let the Prince off your guard."Erica jumped first onto the horse's back.
Once they survived the old warlock's attack, Rain hugged Jace tightly because she was so scared. A few moments later, Jace's body suddenly felt unsteady, previously as solid as a rock. Rain had to support Jace's heavyweight even though he looked pretty slender.Rain struggled to support Jace's weight and sat in the carriage seat. Jace lost consciousness. He collapsed with a body that felt very weak and shivering with cold."Jace?" Rain whispered into the man's ear. "Can you hear me? Are you hurt?"Rain caressed Jace's cheek, which felt very cold. Jace's body seemed to freeze. Rain immediately took off her coat and wrapped it around Jace's body. She took the spare blanket in the upper cabin and quickly wrapped Jace's body.Rain had forgotten about the train attendant who fell and passed out in the middle of the carriage. There were no other passengers besides Rain and Jace. Nothing can help the poor man. Rain was still busy trying to warm up Jace's body, w
Jace and Rain stood outside Haridra City station. Jace sat on his trunk with a slight bow and folded his arms across his chest. A black coat covered Jace's body until his head. Rain stood a little further from Jace at the curb and looked down the busy street."Are you sure I can count on you?" quipped Jace.Rain pouted and rolled her eyes upwards. She wanted to show that she was distraught."Then should I rely on you who never came out of the Darkwood forests and caves?" Rain quipped back."Okay, then what are you waiting for?" replied Jace."Can't you see I'm trying to wait for a taxi? Too bad in Haridra City there is no horse carriage that will take you everywhere. Okay? Here we have to take a taxi."Jace just shrugged. "You underestimate me too much, Miss Orwell. You think I don't know what a taxi is?" Jace looked offended. "Actually I want to offer a more practical and more convenient way than having to wait for a taxi on the side of the
Rain walked alone, leaving the station not knowing which way she was going. Rain slung her backpack over her shoulder with her head bowed slightly. The girl limped along the sidewalk. "Is Jace really going to be all right if I leave him there alone?" thought Rain. "What if something happened to him? But it's not my fault! I never asked him to come with me! This is very annoying." Rain stopped and was ready to go back to Jace. Before she could turn around, someone grabbed her shoulder from behind. "Benjamin? How did you—" Rain was very surprised. She didn't expect to meet Ben there. "Where have you been Rain?" Ben showed his annoyed face in front of Rain. "How long do you think I've been looking for you? I even went so far as to report you to the police. I thought something bad happened to you!" Rain could only stare. "I-I… just…" Rain was speechless. She wasn't at all ready to give any explanation for her being gone to Ben all this time. Rain recalled the last time she left Ben
Jace Dauntess paces around his luxurious new residence in the middle of the city. He got the new place with the help of the workers who had accompanied him on his journey to Haridra Town—where Rain Orwell had been living all this time. "Alex!" call Jace. The phoenix perched on the window transformed itself into a young teenager. He hopped onto the couch and sat with his legs crossed a short distance from where Jace was pacing. "Do you need anything, sir? If you're so worried and nervous about her, why did you let her go to the station?" "Mike, you're being rude," said a man in a black suit emerging from a swirl of smog near Alex. "Oh, come on, Randall. I'm so tired. For these five days, I kept pacing the air to keep an eye on this place. Ms. Erica didn't even let me take a second to take my eyes off the condo. She is apprehensive about Young Master." "Erica is here?" Jace shouted as he stopped in his tracks. He spread his arms and glared in disbelief. "Oops! I'm speechless." Al
Benjamin continued to run, looking for the whereabouts of Rain, who had suddenly disappeared. In short, the music accompanying the dance is not attractive. Every girl wearing a dress the same color as Rain caught Ben's attention. "What's your name?" asked the man in the red hood. Rain turned stiffly and tried to smile to soften the tense atmosphere she was feeling. Whatever the purpose of the man in producing by confining Rain in a warehouse, it's not a good thing. The dim light in the barn fell through the tall, dust-stained barred windows. There is a lot of garbage, such as piles of electric wires, disco lights that have broken glass, and new paint numbers. Everything is dusty and musty. "Ra-Rain." answered the girl doubtfully. "Good name." The red hooded youth approached the Rain. He treads carefully between the stretched wires just in case any remains. In the dim light, Rain looked half alert. She was draped in Princess Jasmine's dress like an angel in a jacket she hadn't e
Rain walked out of Chiel Burley's private residence after single-handedly defeating the ripping demons. A few steps after crossing the street, Chiel's house exploded. Enormous flames soared into the night sky. Rain grinned while wiping the blood dripping down her forehead."The ripping demon must be buried with their maker. They must be ripped apart together and put into the deepest hell."Gazing up at the dark sky, the full moon shone brightly above her head. Black clouds rolled across the sky. Rain felt a very strong magical energy coming from somewhere.Erica had just arrived at the city of darkness, where she met West and briefly explained everything. Point in seconds, the entire army of darkness from the city of darkness rose and appeared at the border box together; they attacked the pack of wolves trying to protect the city. War is unavoidable.A large, dark creature with wide wings landed right before Rain. Rain had never seen this creature before, but she often heard its name
Rain had turned around and was about to leave Chiel Burley's house. However, the warlock suddenly sat up straight while clutching his sore neck."Who gave you permission to leave here?" muttered Chiel.Rain's steps stopped, and she turned back to Chiel. "No one needs your approval or permission. You don't even have the right to speak before me!"The peak of the full moon is only a few hours away. Rain must quickly find Jace and save him. Rain didn't know that the impact of the curse she had given would be this terrible. Rain had to stop it before something worse happened.Chiel grinned. He stood up with difficulty and challenged Rain. The face of the warlock in the body of a 10-year-old boy looks annoying.Rain really can remember everything. Her past, especially her childhood. Rain remembered always playing together with Chiel in the Darkwood forest. There was one question that always bothered Rain's mind at that time. Chiel's body never grows old or taller, while Rain continues to g
"You were born from a forbidden relationship between King Dauntess II and the palace witch—Alyssa Cruise," Chiel said to Rain."King Dauntess II? Jace Dauntess' father?" Rain almost screamed. "Not!"Rain's eyes flashed red. Something burst from within the girl."Markus Orwell is not your father! Your name should be Rain Cruise. Your mother—Alyssa Cruise, never married a king. You have no right to inherit the Dauntess name."Rain shook her head vigorously. A demonic figure that was uncontrollable and which Rain never realized was stored inside her is now present and wants to take the girl's consciousness.Rain choked Chiel's neck suddenly, very strong and fast. Rain pushed Chiel until he fell from his wheelchair. Rain forced the warlock against the wall as she continued to choke him.On the other hand, Haramon was lying unconscious with a pool of blood seeping from his head. Moments ago, Haramon tried to attack Rain, who threatened to kill Chiel. With just one swing of Rain's left hand
Rain stood up, panting. She held her stomach, which felt like it was being stabbed. God knows how long and far she ran from the Darkwood forest to Westlake City. All the way in Rain's mind, there was only one name. Currently, the distance between Rain and the owner of that name was only separated by a double black door.Without hesitation, Rain immediately pressed the button beside the door hard, fast, and repeatedly. The owner of the house did not appear to answer the door. Rain has no more time. She's racing against time.Rain clenched her fists and started pounding on the black door with all her might. She no longer cared about the throbbing pain in her knuckles. She kept banging on the door like a madman.On the umpteenth bang, the door finally swung open. It was still too dark when the house owner was forced awake to receive a disturbing visitor."Where is Chiel?"Haramon, Chiel Burley's personal assistant, answered the door. He stood confused. His pair of sleepy eyes could not b
The wolf's lips were drawn back so that its sharp teeth showed clearly. Rain saw his red tongue sticking out. There was hatred in his eyes when he saw Erica. It was hatred that was pure and uniquely human.Rain started to think. "The wolf is no stranger! But, where have I seen him before, huh? Was he the pack that attacked me in the Darkwood forest? Or is he part of Hardy's pack?"Rain's thoughts were broken when she heard Erica's voice."Are you coming for the girl or me?" With sweat pouring from her temples, Erica asked, but her hands were steady and tightly gripped by the whips in her hands.The wolf stepped towards Erica with a low growl."There's still time," Erica said. "Markus will definitely want to take you back. Just leave Mayor Flynn."With a growl, the wolf lunged. Erica shouted as she swung her whip in the air to chase the wolf into the wolf's side. The wolf backed away, and Rain saw the blood dripping between the dense fur. Blood flowed again as the wolf tried to attack
After slapping Erica in such a daring manner, Rain wished she could glean some explanation about her father's connection to everything that had happened. However, Erica remained silent like an unshakable rock.The door closed behind Erica, leaving Rain alone in Jace's room. There was only Rain's heavy breathing and the sound of her fingertips trying to tug at the door handle and banging, all to no avail."Damn it! Erica locked me in here. What does she really want? And my dad, why is he involved in all this? He was behaving very strangely. He's not like my dad, but someone else who is a complete stranger."After trying various ways to escape Jace's room and failing, Rain finally smashed herself against the door again and again until she was tired. Her side ached. Rain slumped to the floor and tried not to cry."Somewhere, my dad is taking Jace somewhere, and I don't know what he's going to do with that young man. I should be more worried about my dad. But now, I feel disgusted and ang
"I want your promise first," Erica said firmly one more time."First? You don't believe me, Erica?" Markus smiled humorlessly. "I will definitely do as you have asked. A promise is a promise. Although I was a bit surprised when I received your message. I didn't think you would mind living in a palace as grand as this. You never like being in silence?""You don't know how that feels," Erica hissed. "Every time I feel afraid if the child dies.""That's right. I don't know." Mark's voice sounded sad as if he pitied Erica. But there was dislike in Mark's eyes. There was also reproach in his tone. "If you haven't succeeded in resurrecting the witch, you shouldn't have called me here."Erica's face contorted. "It's not easy to restore her strength. People have to find a way, but nothing works. Including… us." Erica's voice trembled."You mean that fragile prince?" Markus turned to Jace, who was tangled in thorns on one wall. Mark chuckled. "Kids grow up fast, don't they? The last time I saw
Rain heard Jace screaming in his room in the east tower. When Rain ran and pushed open Jace's bedroom door, she saw the room filled with swirling black mist.Rain was confused by the situation that occurred. When she approached while calling out Jace's name in panic, pain spread across Rain's arms, cheeks, and even all over Rain's body. The girl screamed. Then instinctively, Rain covered her face with her hands.Rain felt something wrapped around her body. Feels like the barbed wire that is sharp and stabbing. Rain squirmed and struggled. However, the entanglement felt increasingly piercing the skin until it penetrated the flesh."Not! What's this? Jace, are you all right? What's going on here?"Rain couldn't see anything other than the dense fog clumping around her. She thought Jace was again possessed by the monster inside him. However, Rain heard the sound of footsteps."That's enough!" shouted Erica in a calm voice.Erica waved her hand in front of her face, and instantly, the bla
Rain turned to Erica and let go of the woman's grip. Then she turned to Ben. Now, Rain looked at Ben seriously and said something only they could hear."No one knows how to cure it," said Rain. "Jace has been injured by a powerful ripping demon. No mortal doctor knows how to treat a wound like that."Ben had already opened his mouth and was about to issue words to refute Rain's statement. Ben thought he had many different ways of treatment that may be Rain didn't know about. But, suddenly, Ben chose not to speak and fell silent. Ben realized it would all be in vain. Because Ben knows that when Rain has made a decision, the girl will not turn away from her commitment.Erica felt disappointed, and she thought Rain would instead join Benjamin. Erica did not blame the girl's decision. Because of the situation, if you look at it from anywhere, Jace looks really detrimental to Rain. Thus, Erica turned around and returned to her friends."She doesn't want to come with us?" asked Samantha dis