LOGINNunzio 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.
Elijah didn't seem surprised, as if he had already sensed Landon's presence. A faint flicker of understanding passed through his eyes before his expression settled back into its usual calm composure.He gestured toward the chair beside him, his tone even and unbothered, without the slightest hint of irritation at being interrupted. "You're here. Come in, have a seat."On the bed, Fergus had already turned to look at Landon. He lay against the soft silk bedding, the pallor from his long unconsciousness mostly gone.His complexion had returned to his usual porcelain warmth. His lips were faintly defined, and the contours of his brows and eyes carried the striking refinement passed down through the Carver family's lineage. A trace of weariness lingered from his long rest, yet it did nothing to diminish the poised presence he was born with.His gaze moved past Elijah's shoulder and settled directly on Landon. At first, a subtle trace of scrutiny flickered in his eyes—an instinctive ale
At first glance, Kael's youthful face and wide, innocent smile made him look like a naïve fresh graduate. Yet, Aria knew better—beneath that façade was someone exceptionally skilled at navigating the intricate social dynamics of aristocratic families. "Mr. Warsaw has truly entrusted me with his mo
Everyone in Ludwiten knew that Fiona had recently been trying to reconcile with the Grisham family.Lily, fresh from Janovin, was unaware of the intricate dynamics in Ludwiten. Yet, she spoke of relatives almost immediately. Perhaps her divination referred to Fiona—or the Carver family, who were ab
"I turned 41 this year. On my birthday, I cooked a full dinner. But I was secretly hoping he'd bring me a cheeseburger. Even if he didn't, I thought at least my daughter would be with me. I waited from noon until evening, then from evening until eleven at night. "I reheated the food seven or eight
"When a soul lingers in the present world or harbors unresolved regrets, it may develop resentments. Over time, the soul could become an earthbound spirit, endlessly repeating its final moments or the actions it regrets," Malric explained."You're right, Mr. Veyrith. When I dreamt of Great-great-Gran






