Ben had just left the nearest supermarket with two bags of groceries. The tall, blonde-haired youth kept smiling along the way. Just as Ben walked past the cigarette stall, Mrs. Puff greeted him."I feel sorry for you, Benjamin!""Mrs Puff? What are you doing here? Isn't it cold tonight?" Ben tried to make small talk before leaving the woman."Open your eyes, young man!" cried Mrs. Puff after lit a cigarette to her lips. "That little squirrel is just taking advantage of you! Tonight, she may squirm in your arms, but tomorrow she will be curled up under another man's blanket!"Ben's steps suddenly stopped. The smile disappeared entirely from his red lips. Ben squeezed the grocery bag in his hand until his knuckles turned white."Hah! Are you mad at that fact, Benjamin?" Mrs. Puff quipped as she left the cigarette stall.Ben took a deep breath and headed back to his old apartment. He knew Mrs. Puff was trying to make him angry. Ben climbs the spiral staircase while peeking inside his sh
"Mo-monsters!" Rain screamed, stifled.Mr Dauntess, who Rain had previously thought was a frail older man and would not be able to walk upright, suddenly shifted places in a swift motion. The man was tall and well-built. Rain could tell because the man had no clothes on, trousers too low at his hips."You said I was a monster?" whispered Mr Dauntess in a voice that was very frightening to Rain's ears.Rain stammers. Her body suddenly stiffened, and she couldn't move. A pair of eyes widened with an ashen face. Rain's lips parted slightly. She kept staring at the mirror-like and undead."Aaah...." Rain stammered.Rain's face turned blue. She couldn't breathe. Mr Dauntess strangled her neck from behind.Mr Dauntess's face was right next to Rain's head. Their eyes were fixed on the mirror. Rain and the man looked at each other through the reflection in the mirror."Are you afraid to die?" whispered Dauntess once more. "Or are you afraid to die at my hands?"Rain was still glaring from sho
Rain stood up and touched the door to Jace's room. She was about to turn the doorknob but couldn't. Rain remembered her cell phone running out of battery. She had not even had time to reply to her father's message she received at the station."Looks like it won't be easy. Yes, I should have realized this job would not be easy. Who's willing to pay that much for just a waitress?" grumbled Rain.She paced up and down Jace's door in frustration. At the umpteenth step, Rain stopped. She decided to return to the kitchen and talk to Erica."I can't spend my time here without certainty! I'd better find another job that makes more sense and I can do without leaving campus."Rain returned to the kitchen and found Erica nowhere. She walked around the room and saw no one there.Rain remembered her bag and clothes in the changing room. She returned to the kitchen after wandering around the ground floor. Rain's body was exhausted. The room was too big for her to explore alone.When she returned to
"Your Majesty, you cannot leave the palace at this time! Randall and Erica are not around, don't be provoked by the wolves!" said the wall clock.Jace growled with a pair of fangs sticking out. The black veins all over his body seemed to be more dense and prominent when he was angry. He stood in front of the door to his room, holding a sword firmly in his hand."That girl is here!" said the lampshade. "We don't know what will happen next.""Yeah, it's noon now! Anything can happen, right?" coax a pot of water.Jace's muscles began to loosen. All the furniture there was a little relieved. Jace tilted his head in thought."We are safe in here, Your Majesty!" repeated the old clock. "They won't be able to break through the palace as long as that witch's thorn tree continues to stand there.""And I'll never be able to get out of here without paying a fortune as long as that cursed tree is around!" Jace replied grimly.He tossed the longsword onto the bed and walked restlessly to the windo
Rain bent down and rolled quickly to the ground. At the same time, she grabbed a branch that was strong enough and slashed at the two wolves.The wood tip brushed against the muzzle of one of the wolves. However, the second wolf managed to bite Rain's hand. The girl rolled to the ground, trying to escape the wolf's bite. With her strength, Rain kicked the wolf's stomach until the edge was released.The two wolves backed away in fear. Rain crouched in a standby position. Her hands were oozing fresh blood. Rain's breath was panting with sweat dripping down. The weather was quite cold, but she was sweating profusely.The other wolves were alert and surrounded Rain. Rain was careful with her broken wood."Why are my tears suddenly falling? Why am I crying at a time like this? Is this a sign of death?"Rain couldn't move. She was so scared. Although she mastered taekwondo from her father, her father never taught her to fight five wolves at once.The wolf's movements were bizarre. They seem
"Isn't that a very reckless act, Your Majesty?" Erica hissed.At night, Jace Dauntess has to face the wrath of his icy-faced householder."Erica, you're exaggerating!" Jace protested."This anger is even less than what it should be, Your Majesty!" Erica growled as she folded her arms across her chest.The fire crackled in the tiled stove. The room still harboured traces of the Darkwood Palace's glory—a three-headed eagle of wrought gold, thick carpet, and curtains draped in an abundance of brocade.Erica's complaints were unfinished. All the list of complaints she mentioned in front of Jace as a result of his carelessness and attitude that Jace has become increasingly indifferent lately.Jace rubbed his blackened wrists. He was trying to hide from Erica. But the woman had eyes sharper than an eagle.Erica walked briskly across Jace's extensive study. She went behind Jace's desk and grabbed the man's hand without permission."This is even worse than I thought!" Erica complained.Jace d
Benjamin kept trying to contact Rain via his cell phone. The last call he made was when he had just arrived at Westlake Station. At that time, Ben could not contact Rain's cell phone. The message he sent was also not read by the girl, let alone replied.Ben walked towards the station exit. As he passed the information board, he quickly grabbed a flyer and a Westlake travel map. Ben approached one of the guards near the entrance. He opened the travel map and showed it to the station attendant."Sir, how do I get to this place?"The station attendant narrowed his eyes and looked Ben up and down. His mouth was constantly chewing gum. The big, fat officer didn't seem to like Ben's question."Are you a tourist?" asked the officer."Yes. I'm on a winter tour —probably," Ben answered hesitantly.The officer continued to chew while squinting. He glanced at Ben suspiciously."The place has long been closed by the local government. No more tourists are allowed to come there. Public transportati
"Bring her back, Benjamin!" she whispered emphatically in Ben's face.Ben left her without saying much. He was like a madman who kept running and bumping into anyone who got in his way. Ben left the old church. He hooded the hoodie and folded his arms across his chest. His steps were comprehensive and fast.Wet roads at night. The rain had just stopped when Ben arrived at the station. The rain left a lot of puddles. He had to jump and choose a path slightly to the edge to avoid the puddles.Ben stopped in front of the old Westlake housing estate. He was standing under a blue street lamp. Moths swarmed the light bulb above his head."Should I go back to them?" Ben looked very upset. "If that's the only way to find Rain, then I'll do anything!"Whoa!Ben saw a black shadow flashing fast on the roof of one of the buildings. He stepped away from the street lamp and hid in the shadow of a large willow tree. Ben looked at the tops of the houses there. Something flew out of the chimney of on
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