The child's fate was not merely at odds with his own—it actively threatened it. On that fateful day, the old man had been plagued by dreams from a distant past, visions long buried in the sands of time. It became clear that his unnatural existence, suspended between life and death as a half-human, half-ghost, was tethered to the very essence of that unborn child.A shadow crossed his eyes as he clenched his fists. "Perhaps I should have altered my perspective earlier. It's time to take a proper look at that child... the one I couldn't read, no matter how hard I tried."Morwenna's voice, filled with venom, cut through the silence. "The Carvers have always been a thorn in our side. They were a problem then, and they remain one now. We should've eliminated that woman before she could interfere."The old man shot her a sidelong glance. "You need to keep your presence hidden in Farshya. Stop drawing attention by appearing in their churches. I've told you before not to provoke the Farshya
"But he does look familiar." This was the first time Morwenna had such a feeling. It was as if the man from the York family was even more noble than her. Before him, she felt like a nobody. The idea of that provoked Morwenna. She was a deity from Krowo, so who was he to make her feel this way? "I think you should find a chance for me to meet that guy from the York family sometime." Morwenna met the old man's eyes. "The Yorks are the true noble family when it comes to protecting the nation. They've just been focused on commerce for the past century, which made us overlook them. The Yorks might be helpful to us." "I'll look into it." The old man glanced aside. "But why haven't you completed the tasks I assigned?" William stepped forward and said, "Sir, I came to bring good news. We've located the celestial essence you sensed earlier. Rest assured, we'll present it to you soon." "Good." This was the first time the old man showed satisfaction in days. "Before you bring it, inve
After the old man said those words, the clouds outside began to churn, and the clear sky suddenly turned dark. People on the street quickened their pace to seek shelter from the rain. Only a black motorcycle cut through the fog like a blade, heading straight for its deepest part. As Aria tracked Sam's energy, she stopped near a roadside café. It was a circular outdoor plaza with lawns and food trucks. They were colorful and beautiful. But despite the pleasant scene, Aria could smell blood hidden beneath the tranquility. This was different from anything she had smelled before. No ordinary bloodshed would draw so many wandering spirits from all directions here. The blood was mixed with Sam's energy. Aria had never seen such chaotic energy so exposed in all these years. She rarely worried about anything, but this time, she pulled the black chain from her waist. To others, it looked like a thin decorative waist chain. However, the other end held the Emperor Coins. Its cold yet fl
Noir and Blanc had not even reacted when she created a barrier with just a wave of her hand. Despite their official positions, they were still spirits at their core. They could not break through barriers created by someone stronger. But they never expected to see such powerful magical formations in the modern world. They had found her suspicious since the last time they met. Who was this young woman, and where did she train? Why was she even more powerful than Homer when angered? All spirits were kept outside the plaza, including those evil beings trying to take advantage of the situation. In these circumstances, even Noir and Blanc would not dare breach the barrier despite their doubts. After all, this barrier helped them do their job. Still, Blanc was worried. "Should we report this to the lord? Is it safe to let her go alone?" "Of course not. But can you even break through that barrier?" Noir tested it. An old lady who had been walking by glanced at him again, shaking he
Smelling blood, Sam could not hold back anymore. He threw down his black bag and leaped onto the wall, breaking nearby branches. His behavior was no longer human-like. With his eyes narrowed and fixed on one spot, his body wreathed in black mist. That once-innocent face was now unrecognizable. As he lowered his head to sniff something, he could barely think straight. Aria had once told him to chat with their neighbor Edith like a human. She said to stop killing Edith's fish, or he would have to pay for them. During his first bath, Aria stood outside and gave him rubber ducks and bubbles to play with. Georgina had made him chocolate cupcakes and declared it was his birthday on that day. He remembered all this. He knew he should not be acting like this now, but he could not control it. The scent was intoxicating. Sam's eyes turned completely black. With another leap, he pinned down an evil being as his pupils fixed on something in the distance. The two men in black whom he had co
The two men in black exchanged glances before splashing the beast of fortune's blood forward. Chaos was known for its violence and bloodlust, so this was the perfect way to provoke it. Once it was fully transformed, people at Mount Dracotigris would arrive. Then they could quietly take the beast of fortune while half the arcane practitioners from Mount Dracotigris fell! As for Chaos... The more havoc it wreaked, the better. It would be best if it crushed Farshya's fortune! Sam was indeed provoked. Moments ago, he could still remember Aria's teachings—like how the fundamental difference between humans and animals was not eating what should not be eaten—how Sam was human, so he should walk properly and behave well. But now, his mind went blank with only one thought. He was starving. He wanted to eat and to devour everything. Sam threw back his head and roared. His eyes and legs transformed. Nearby, arcane practitioners in robes all stopped walking. They turned to look with swords
"Caw!" The crow swooped down from Landon's shoulder to the ground. "You Krowonian priests are truly wicked. You're actually trying to pin this on Chaos!" Eyes darkening, the crow declared, "Your lives are worthless now. Caw!" In ancient times, crows were sacred creatures with iridescent black feathers. They possessed one innate gift—their death omens never failed. Especially now when it took matters into its own talons. The men in black drew their final breaths without knowing their killer's identity. Their hopes of reporting back to the master were mere wishful thinking. Their last sight was of the man approaching Chaos, reaching out to press his hand against its head. Then darkness took them. Through the black mist, Landon pressed his palm down and looked at Sam. "How can she keep caring for you in this state?" Already showing signs of transforming into Chaos, Sam snapped at him with open jaws. Landon caught him one-handed. When their eyes met, his pupils suddenly dilated.
Sensing it hit the right note, the crow quickly continued, "She absolutely pays attention to you! She's even offering you devotion. She must adore you to give something so precious to you!" Landon's eyes flickered. "Is that so?" "Definitely! Think about it, my lord. Devotion is priceless to arcane practitioners. She needed deviation back when she first practiced, which is why she took you—" The crow cut itself off mid-sentence! Caw! Stupid beak! How could it speak of things better left unsaid? The crow froze. He looked nothing like a primordial beast and more like a fried chicken with its wings splayed in panic. Landon's elegant face remained unchanged as he waved away the surrounding energy. Even if arcane practitioners had come here, they would have found no trace of what had happened. His fortune could perfectly mask and suppress Chaos' violence. Just as the crow started to relax, it found its wings immobilized. Imagine how ridiculous a bird would look when it was stuck
Orion slammed his phone onto the table, his fury so intense that it was giving him a headache. "Didn't you say that everything was going smoothly? How did the couple end up getting arrested?"The meeting earlier had already put him on edge. Investors who had previously committed to increasing their funding suddenly claimed they needed more time to decide.Orion couldn't understand it. What other family could possibly compete with the Draycotts? Their discussions had been progressing well—why the sudden hesitation?The reason for his anger was obvious, but what puzzled him more was one investor's cryptic question. "Did you offend someone recently?"Offend someone? If anything, people should be afraid of offending the Draycott family, not the other way around.Of course, there was still the Carver family to consider. Orion had already looked into them.Fergus Carver, the eldest son, was a rising star in Parker Street's investment scene. He was renowned for his unbroken streak of su
The room fell silent as Nova's unrestrained yelling echoed, leaving everyone stunned. Her vicious words about Luna were far more venomous than anyone had expected from a mother.Meanwhile, Aria remained calm the entire time. She even responded to Nova, "She wouldn't have died if she had no dignity. You asked what she was after. Of course, she thought she could give you all the money."You claim to treat all your children equally, yet you gave your son a thousand dollars a month while Luna only got a hundred. Isn't that the difference?"Nova gritted her teeth. "My son eats more. Why can't I give him more pocket money? And yes, Luna did give us money, but we never forced her.""You didn't force her?" Aria's calm tone didn't waver. "Yet you constantly complained about regretting sending her to school. You even said women were better off marrying as soon as possible."Nova was completely baffled by her words.The truth was now painfully clear to everyone. The couple had always favore
The Hansons' theatrics were clearly an attempt to garner pity from the crowd. However, Aria's question quickly brought everyone's thoughts back into focus. "I noticed Mrs. Hanson's phone ringing repeatedly. The calls were from the insurance company," Aria stated plainly. Her extensive experience with similar cases had taught her that when financial interests were involved, people's actions often revealed their true motives."Did Luna take out an accidental death insurance policy?" Aria stepped closer, her voice steady. "Now that she's gone, the insurance company is likely calling to inform you about the compensation. Is that why you're in such a rush to claim her body?"Her words struck a nerve. The Hansons' expressions shifted dramatically, their unease palpable. Nico and Nova exchanged a nervous glance, and their anxiety deepened when they recalled that Aria had been Luna's classmate.Had Luna confided in her? How else would she know about the insurance?The murmurs among the o
Nova shrank timidly but murmured, "I don't want Luna to suffer."The scene was heart-wrenching.If Luna's family took her body away, the police might lose crucial evidence. Despite the officer's clear explanations, the couple seemed unable—or unwilling—to comprehend. Some younger officers began to grow restless.But did they truly not understand?Aria's gaze shifted to the phone tightly clutched in Nova's hand. The screen flickered repeatedly with incoming messages.Raising an eyebrow, Aria stepped forward. "Mr. and Mrs. Hanson, is it?"Nova frowned. "And you are?"Aria lied, "I'm Luna's classmate."At this, Nova and Nico exchanged wary glances. They'd heard that Luna's classmates had taken her to the bar, and hostility flickered in their expressions."Classmate? Students like you are nothing but bad influences!" Nova snapped. "All you care about is plastic surgery and partying."Aria remained silent as Nico interjected, his tone bitter. "Everyone knows Luna went to the bar l
A scene like this naturally drew a crowd. A middle-aged man sat on the ground, wailing loudly. "Come, everyone, see for yourselves! I can't even bring my daughter home. They even shoved me!"Dealing with people like him was never easy. In an age when anyone could record videos and spin narratives, law enforcers had to tread carefully. They couldn't afford to be too aggressive, especially when the other party had valid grievances.The commotion had already attracted onlookers snapping pictures and whispering among themselves."It's not that you can't take her back. The investigation is still ongoing," a law enforcer explained patiently.Nico Hanson's anger flared. "Ongoing? You brought us here to tell us she jumped off a building after partying at a bar. Everyone knows what happened, yet you're saying the case isn't closed? How could you treat us like this?"Poor people's lives mean nothing to you, huh? But do you have to torment us this way?"His fury stemmed from the suggestion
Sam was still fiddling with his keyboard. Looking up, he noticed Landon watching him with a piercing gaze. Instinctively, Sam adopted a defensive posture. Landon raised an eyebrow and pulled out his phone. At the sight of the familiar motion, Sam's eyes brightened.At first, Sam thought of turning around to let Landon scan his QR code. But then he realized there was no QR code on his shirt.Sam pursed his lips and signed for Landon to wait. He had neither his watch nor phone with him.As Langon glanced outside the bar, one of the York family's Dark Shadow guards immediately entered. "Boss, here is the new phone you ordered."Sam was overjoyed after getting a new phone.Landon stood there elegantly. "Go and take a walk."Sam started to leave but paused when he noticed the crow. His sharp eyes flicked toward it, contemplating whether to take it with him.Finally, Sam decided to bring the crow along, worried it might escape. If it did, he'd miss his chance to enjoy the roasted cr
"Go and remind Priscilla to send some gifts to the Gibson family," Orion ordered disgruntedly. "We can't afford to turn enemies with them, especially since we were once in-laws. My ex-brother-in-law is fortunate, though. With the higher-ups at odds, he's been promoted significantly."He's quite useful for our current project. Once we secure it, the Chamber of Commerce will be ours. Tell my foolish sister to fix the mess she made with the Draycott family. She knows exactly how she got her medispa."His secretary, Arlo Finch, nodded. On the surface, Ludwiten seemed unchanged as the Carver family prepared to return. Yet, some small merchants had subtly shifted, though it was hard to pinpoint the exact nature of the changes.Arlo sensed that the Carver family still held some lingering influence, but he wasn't sure how to broach the topic with Orion. After all, the Draycott family would be in trouble if the police found any evidence at the bar.Thankfully, everything seemed under cont
The insidious wave of online comments, designed to sway public opinion, threatened to bury the truth forever. In most investigations, such a barrage of negativity would undoubtedly hinder the police's progress. However, Aria's rapid understanding of the intricate web of corruption within Nocturne and her discovery of the influential individuals orchestrating the cover-up had prompted a swift escalation of the case's confidentiality level to the highest degree.Beneath the surface of a seemingly tragic suicide lay a massive scandal, a tangled web of collusion between powerful officials and unscrupulous businessmen. Not only had the Special Missions Unit been dispatched, but even the Supreme Court was poised to intervene.Meanwhile, the orchestrated public outcry continued to simmer, fueled by the relentless dissemination of fabricated information.Orion, however, remained unfazed, his focus solely on the desired outcome. His secretary, ever efficient, delivered the news. "Mr. Drayc
The passage was short. Aria reached a door after walking about 60 feet. When she was about to open it, she realized it was locked from the other side.In most situations, one would instinctively search for the lock mechanism and attempt to unlock it. However, Aria, ever vigilant, paused, her senses alert. A faint sound, a muffled whisper, emanated from the other side of the door, indicating a presence within.She raised her hand to signal Landon to pause.Aria, well-versed in criminal psychology, knew that criminals often returned to the crime scene, whether to dispose of evidence or for other, less discernible reasons."It's just as you said," a voice whispered from within, "no one has investigated this place. I knew I could trust you. See you tomorrow at the Chamber of Commerce."Aria knew she couldn't intervene immediately. However, she had confirmed the presence of someone within, a crucial piece of evidence.These individuals were arrogant, believing the surveillance cameras