LOGIN"You have reached your destination." Ahead of them, the gilded characters of Saint Joseph's Hospital soon came into view, standing out against the building's white facade. The car rolled slowly into the hospital parking lot. The moment it stopped, Paisley unbuckled her seatbelt almost immediately. Her eyes reddened again before she could compose herself.Aria and Landon got out of the car in perfect synchrony. Landon gently released Aria's hand but kept her close at his side as his calm gaze swept over the bustling crowd and hurried medical staff. He carried himself with dignity and aloofness, yet remained steady and dependable."Over here, Aria and Landon. My grandfather is in the special observation ward next to the ICU on the third floor." Paisley's voice trembled faintly. She wiped the corner of her eye and hurried toward the inpatient building. Every step was filled with urgency, yet she kept glancing back to make sure they were following, afraid she might lose them.Land
Landon drew Aria a little closer, guiding her away from the edge of the road. It was a natural, thoughtful gesture. "Stand close to me. Be careful of passing cars. This place may be remote, but there could still be traffic."He positioned himself on the side closest to the road, shielding her from any potential danger. His gaze held unwavering protectiveness. The two of them stood quietly by the roadside. Aria leaned against his shoulder, gazing at the mountains and sky. She had never imagined that one day she would stand beside him on such a remote stretch of road, waiting for a ride.There was nothing luxurious about it, only the simple warmth of ordinary life. Yet somehow, it felt more comforting than all the riches in the world.After an unknown stretch of time, the faint hum of an engine drifted from the far end of the road.Aria immediately straightened and turned toward the sound. Landon looked up as well, his fingers still wrapped around hers, the warmth of his palm l
Just like that, Aria and Landon walked side by side out of the secret realm. The moment they stepped out, the morning wind brushed gently against their faces, carrying the fresh, earthy scent unique to the deep forest.A thin veil of mist lingered in the air as towering ancient trees spread their branches overhead. Sunlight filtered through layers of leaves, scattering across the forest floor like flecks of gold.From time to time, the crisp calls of birds echoed through the woods, accompanied by the gentle murmur of a nearby stream. The forest that had seemed so terrifying in the darkness now felt quiet and peaceful.Aria tilted her head and looked at him. "So the place we were in earlier can actually heal injuries?"Landon glanced at her. "That secret realm has been there for a very long time. No one ever discovered it. I found it by accident."Aria nodded. "I see. At least I can finally breathe a little easier. Now that Greenshade Guild, Suncrest Sect, and Grayburn Sect have
Aria's lashes clung damply to her cheeks. Her lips were pale and cracked, marked with deep bite marks from clenching her teeth the entire way. The faint stench of blood still lingered in her mouth. Her clothes were already soaked through with blood, and the old wound across her shoulder and back still oozed, staining Landon's fingertips red. Her arms and wrists were covered with cuts of all sizes from thorns and traps, some old and some newly formed. Even her hand that had clutched that scrap of cloth so tightly was covered in tiny cuts from jagged stones, the skin torn and bloodied.This was how she had made it to him—one wounded step at a time, surviving danger after danger, following the faintest trace he left behind until she finally found him. Landon swallowed hard, the pain in his eyes almost overflowing. In his usually calm and gentle gaze, unmistakable guilt and anguish now lingered. With movements as careful as if he were holding the most fragile treasure in the world
Weathered by a thousand years of wind and rain, its surface was scarred with deep and shallow cracks, with moss creeping through the gaps. It looked ancient and imposing, carrying a deathly stillness that seemed to cut it off from the living world.The wall rose several feet high. It stretched endlessly to either side before vanishing into the dense forest and swirling mist, like a barrier between life and death.The blood trail stopped at the base of the wall. It didn't continue forward or turn back. It simply ended there, as if it had never existed. Aria slowly crouched down. Her trembling fingertips traced the cold stone, then moved over the dirt at the base of the wall, the scattered gravel, and the dried leaves. She searched again and again for any traces of Landon—one strand of hair, a shred of fabric, or even a single drop of dried blood.However, she found nothing. The place was so clean it looked as though no one had ever come here.Every clue she had followed, every stu
An ancient and tranquil presence filled with the scent of stone and wood replaced the eerie atmosphere around her. At last, the dense forest ahead began to thin. After walking a few more steps, Aria came to a stop at a towering gate. This was already her second time here.The gate, made of massive greenish stones, rose several feet high. Three robust, ancient characters were engraved on its lintel—Grayburn Sect. Time had etched its mark across the gate, each scar telling the story of countless battles. Despite being weathered and mottled, the two solemn stone beasts still stood proudly on either side of the gate.However, the place no longer carried the grandeur it had when she first arrived. Only a heavy silence hung in the air. Aria stood before the gate, drained of strength and barely able to remain upright. She reached out and braced herself against the cold, rough stone wall beside her. The chill from the rock spread through her palm and up her arm, clearing the fog in her
This was Troy Jepson, whom Aria had met outside Caesar Hotel. Wasn't he Landon's assistant from before?Aria looked confused as she swayed her glass of beer. Had she saved a member of the York family?Troy didn't expect to meet the fake daughter of the Kent family here in Janovin, either. He didn't wa
A large crowd suddenly formed. Will stared at the unbelievable scene before him. Despite having his shoes trampled on several times and his collar askew, he refused to leave.Even after straightening his collar, he remained hesitant. "Ms. Carver, are we just leaving like this? If you want that candle
Sam's nose twitched, and he leaned closer. "She feels abnormal, unlike an ordinary person."Aria knew that Sam hadn't fully recovered yet. However, he had sharp senses due to his nature. Anyone he determined abnormal might have an incomplete soul or be latched onto by some impure entity. Aria's gaze
Owen's head throbbed, his expression etched with pain. He stammered, "Rainbow, I never meant for things to turn out this way. I only spoke harshly because I never met you. I didn't know it was you. I—"Aria cut him off, her voice firm. "Mr. Carver, your daughter is standing right next to you, not me.







