Karpeta followed Norka out of the room, her fists clenched slightly at her sides, heart still racing. Outside, the corridor was quiet, but tension clung to the air like a heavy fog. “She doesn’t even know what she’s dealing with,” Karpeta muttered. Norka gave her a sideways glance. “Neither do you, child. That’s why we’re going to set things straight.” Karpeta’s eyes widened. “…You’re going to confront her?” Norka smirked, a dangerous glint in her eye. “I wouldn’t call it a confrontation. More… a lesson in humility.” Karpeta groaned. “…I don’t think she’ll take that well.” “You’ll be surprised,” Norka said calmly, her steps confident as they approached Elsa’s room. They stopped just outside the door. Norka rapped sharply, the sound echoing down the hall. A moment later, Elsa opened the door, her sharp gaze immediately landing on Norka and Karpeta. “…What is this?” Elsa asked, tone cool but alert. Norka didn’t answer immediately. She stepped in, letting Karpeta follow, e

The night air was thick with smoke and the metallic tang of blood, but Ethan didn’t breathe deeply. He couldn’t afford to relax—not yet. His eyes swept over the streets, the rooftops, the alleyways, each shadow a potential threat.Norka and Karpeta flanked him, both alert, senses stretched to the limit. For the first time in the human world, their demon instincts blended with a cautious awareness of human fragility.Ethan pulled his phone from his pocket again, tapping quickly. “I need to know who sent them.”A screen lit up in response: a network of encrypted signals, traces of energy, and digital signatures. The attackers had tried to cover their tracks—but not completely. Ethan’s eyes narrowed.“They came through multiple channels,” he muttered, “but all signals converge on one node… and it’s old. Very old.”Karpeta frowned. “Old how? Like… ancient demon tracking, or human technology?”“Both,” Ethan said. His fingers danced over the interface, isolating what remained of the attacke

Ethan’s fingers brushed the cold metal of the side door, feeling the faint pulse of residual wards. He inhaled slowly. “On my mark,” he whispered. “Three, two, one—go.”With a soft click, the door swung inward. Darkness swallowed them, but Ethan’s eyes adjusted instantly, enhanced by a subtle glow from the edges of his vision. Karpeta followed closely, silent as a shadow, while Norka’s aura hummed faintly as she monitored the magical currents around them.The interior was dim, industrial. Dust hung in the air, illuminated by thin shafts of moonlight streaming through high windows. Crates stacked unevenly created narrow corridors, and in the center of the room, faint blue lights pulsed rhythmically—magical conduits feeding what looked like a half-finished experiment.Ethan crouched behind a crate, signaling the others to halt. “Energy signature—very strong,” he whispered. “Two dozen human-grade guards… and a few hybrid operatives. They’re experimenting with demon energy to enhance huma

The apartment was silent except for the faint hum of the air conditioner. Ethan moved quickly, checking the living room first, eyes scanning every corner. His fists clenched when he didn’t see her. “Elsa?” His voice was quiet, almost tentative. He didn’t want to sound frantic, but the empty apartment gnawed at him. Karpeta was sitting on the edge of the couch, legs crossed, fiddling with her claws like it was the most natural thing in the world. Norka leaned against the kitchen counter, her arms folded, trying to look casual. Both of them seemed almost too calm. “I didn’t see her either,” Karpeta said, her voice light, teasing even, though her eyes flicked toward Ethan as if daring him to panic. Norka shrugged, feigning mild annoyance. “She might’ve gone out. You’re making it sound like she disappeared into thin air.” Ethan’s stomach twisted. “Out…? She didn’t say anything? She didn’t leave a note?” “Nope,” Karpeta said with a small smirk. “Gone. Poof.” “Ethan,” Norka sai

The word landed clean.Final.Malikar blinked once.Still smiling.“…No?”“They are under our protection,” the Elder said calmly. “We will handle it.”Another pause.Then Malikar leaned back slowly.“…Of course.”His tone was light again.Too light.“I wouldn’t dream of interfering.”The Elder nodded once.Then turned.“And I trust,” he added, “that you will respect that.”Malikar’s smile didn’t falter.“Always.”The door opened.Closed.And just like that—The room was empty again.⸻Silence.Stillness.Then—CRASH.The glass on the desk shattered as Malikar’s hand slammed down.Fragments scattered across the floor.His breathing turned sharp.Uneven.“…No.”Another object flew.Shattered against the wall.“They refuse me.”His voice dropped.Low.Dangerous.“They deny me.”He paced again.Faster now.Less controlled.“That old fool thinks he can protect them?”A harsh laugh.“Protect them from me?”His eyes burned.“Ethan…”The name came out like a curse.“You think you’ve won.”A p