The rain had not stopped by morning.It fell steadily across the city, turning streets into mirrors and slowing movement everywhere except in places where urgency lived. Inside Mercedes Tower, however, everything appeared perfectly normal — polished floors, quiet elevators, controlled smiles.Appearances were important.Clinton Mercedes believed appearances were the first line of defense.He stood inside the executive conference room long before anyone else arrived, reviewing the city through a wall-sized digital display filled with financial data, shipping routes, investment flows, and security analytics. Numbers moved constantly, updating in real time.To anyone else, it looked like business.To Clinton, it looked like patterns.And patterns were beginning to break.The door opened behind him.Victor entered first, followed by Elise Navarro — head of corporate intelligence. She carried a tablet tightly against her chest, her expression tense.“That face tells me the morning is alrea

Night had already settled over Alerion City when Dean’s car turned into the private road leading to Eden Royalty Mansion.Rain fell steadily, tapping against the windshield in soft, endless rhythms. Streetlights reflected across the wet asphalt like broken ribbons of gold. Inside the car, silence lingered — heavy, thoughtful silence.Dean sat in the back seat, eyes half-closed, fingers resting against his temple.Too many pieces were moving.Halcyon.The unknown caller.Clinton’s sudden restraint.And the growing certainty that someone was studying him carefully instead of attacking outright.That unsettled him more than violence ever could.Philip, seated in front, glanced back through the rearview mirror.“You’ve been quiet since we left the office,” he said.Dean opened his eyes slowly.“I’m thinking.”Philip gave a faint grunt. “Thinking usually means trouble.”Dean allowed a small breath of amusement.“Everything lately means trouble.”The mansion gates opened as the vehicle appr

The next morning did not feel different.That was what unsettled Dean the most.Sunlight stretched across Alerion City as usual. Traffic moved. Markets opened. News anchors smiled on television screens as if nothing beneath the surface had changed.But Dean knew better.War rarely announced itself loudly.Sometimes it arrived quietly — disguised as inconvenience.Inside Eden Royalty Headquarters, the atmosphere had shifted slightly. Employees still worked efficiently, but whispers followed every notification alert. Phones rang more often. Meetings lasted longer.Uncertainty had begun creeping in.Dean walked through the executive floor with Philip beside him. Staff greeted him respectfully, but he noticed the subtle tension in their eyes.They were waiting for reassurance.Fear spread fastest when leaders appeared calm but silent.Clarice joined them near the conference room, tablet pressed against her chest.“We have another issue,” she said immediately.Dean nodded. “Tell me.”“One

Adrian’s heart nearly leapt out of his chest when the front door burst open with a loud crack. He spun around, knife already halfway raised—but it wasn’t a vampire. Not yet.It was a woman—young, maybe in her early twenties—drenched in sweat and trembling like a leaf in a storm. Her eyes were wide, wild with panic, and her pale hands fumbled with the lock behind her as if death itself was chasing her down the hall.“Wait—what the hell?” Adrian snapped, his voice sharp with fear. He took two quick steps back, heart hammering as he raised the knife more defensively now. “Who the hell are you?!”The woman jerked in surprise at his voice. She looked at him as if she’d only just noticed he was there, eyes swimming with tears, breath coming in ragged gasps.“I—please—I live next door,” she stammered. “I—I’m your neighbor! Apartment 3F. Please… let me stay here.”Adrian blinked, recognition finally sparking behind his eyes. She was familiar—he’d passed her in the hallway a few times, earbuds

Adrian stood in the middle of the bloodstained living room, surrounded by ten armored figures still saluting with impeccable discipline. Though their expressions were hidden behind their visored helmets, their eyes—visible through reinforced lenses—reflected a startling humanity. He blinked once. Twice. These soldiers looked too real. Not like digital constructs or NPCs from some game.“Are they… human?” he muttered under his breath, suspicion curling in his gut.A soft chime sounded in the air, and with a flicker of pale blue light, a new holographic screen materialized before his eyes:[The Knights you summoned are military-trained human beings. They possess the knowledge, skills, and expertise required to perform their assigned tasks. As for their memories, they are created with none. Their only recollections will originate from the moment they are summoned. Additionally, being human, they experience hunger, require sustenance, can form interpersonal relationships, and most importa