2025-05-06 06:16:23"You're here for the banquet? With this piece of trash?" Sierra and Marcus burst into loud laughter, drawing the attention of people nearby.
"Please, I know you've spent the past few years trying to get a partnership with Nova," Sierra said smugly. "Too bad—they chose me every single time!"
"You know why that is?" she asked, wrapping her arm around Marcus's proudly. "Because I know who can help me. And you... just look at that garbage beside you. Don't tell me you actually believe he got you that invitation?"
Sierra let out an exaggerated laugh. "You're pathetic, Alice. Truly pitiful! You must've begged someone on your knees to get in, huh? Oh wait—you probably still won't get in."
Alice tilted her head, a slow, amused smile forming. "Don't worry about me. I'm exactly where I need to be."
Sierra rolled her eyes. "Spare me the cryptic lines, sweetheart. This is a Nova Company event, not a street carnival. Only invited names make it through."
"You and Ethan are perfect for each other. He's always been a freeloader, relying on whatever woman is willing to drag him along. And you? You're the underdog startup that'll never break into the big leagues. So desperate to climb that you're pretending you got invited here?" She continued.
Alice's jaw tensed, but her smile never faltered. "It's funny how threatened you sound, Sierra."
Sierra sneered. "Threatened? Don't flatter yourself."
Alice arched a brow. "You're right? Want to make it interesting?"
Sierra's eyes glittered. "Are you challenging me?"
"Let's bet," Alice said smoothly. "Whoever fails to enter tonight kneels right here at the entrance—and admits they were wrong."
A small crowd began to gather at the entrance, sensing drama brewing.
Marcus snorted. "You're seriously betting against Sierra? Her name's on every guest list from here to the capital."
Sierra didn't even hesitate. "Deal. I hope your knees are in good shape."
With that, she flicked her hair, strutted up to the security team, and handed over her diamond-embossed invitation. The guard scanned it once, nodded, and stepped aside.
"Welcome, Miss Sierra. Mr. Marcus," he said politely, gesturing them in.
Sierra turned with a smirk and winked at Alice. "I'll keep the floor warm for you."
Alice's smile stiffened. She reached into her clutch, pulled out her invitation, and handed it to the security guard with confidence.
Alice looked at the arrogant Sierra with growing frustration. She let out a cold snort and handed over her invitation letter—personally delivered to her that morning via express courier from Elsa herself. She was confident there wouldn't be any issues.
However, the security guard took the invitation and frowned.
"Miss, may I have your name?"
"Alice Morgan. My companion is Ethan Storm," Alice replied.
The guard typed in their names, then said sternly, "Sorry, Miss, your names aren't in the system. You'll have to leave."
Sierra and Marcus burst into loud, mocking laughter.
"Alice, I can't believe you'd embarrass yourself like this. Don't tell me you were fooled by that piece of trash next to you?" Sierra sneered. "Did he say he could get you into Nova's banquet?"
Sierra laughed even louder. "And you actually believed him!"
Alice's face turned pale. She looked at Ethan with a trembling voice. "W-What's going on?"
Ethan frowned and gently held her hand, trying to calm her. "Don't worry. I'll call Elsa right now and ask what happened."
"Hahahahaha! Did you all hear that?" Sierra howled with laughter. "He said he's going to call Elsa! Does he think he's someone important? Elsa Logan is an incredibly important figure—why would she take his call?"
"Shut your mouth," Ethan said coldly. "One more word, and I'll be happy to teach you what manners are."
Sierra flinched under Ethan's icy gaze, then bristled with rage. "How dare you talk to me like that, you garbage!"
Just then, a man in a suit rushed out of the banquet hall and called to the security at the entrance.
"Restart the system! Have all guests who just entered step out for a moment!"
"There's been a change to the guest list—we need to update the registrations!"
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536
The moment Ethan shouted, the room exploded into chaos.Hybrid soldiers lunged at them from every angle, claws and energy weapons sparking in the dim light. One fired a concentrated beam of blue electricity—Ethan twisted mid-roll, catching it with the edge of his forearm, the surge singing his skin but leaving him unharmed.Karpeta was a blur, slashing through three hybrids in rapid succession. Each strike left faint scorch marks on the walls, her claws glowing faintly as she drew energy from the shadows. One guard tried to tackle her from behind—she pivoted effortlessly, elbowing his jaw and flipping him over a crate. The impact echoed like a cannon shot.Norka hovered near the conduits, her aura flaring as she manipulated the energy fields. Sparks arced violently toward the ceiling, and she redirected them at the advancing guards, sending two of them tumbling into a stack of crates that collapsed like dominoes. “Hurry! These conduits won’t hold forever!” she shouted.Ethan’s eyes lo
535
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
534
The streets were quiet, deceptively so. Ethan led Norka and Karpeta through narrow alleyways, avoiding the main avenues where human traffic might draw unwanted attention. Every corner, every shadow felt heavy with potential danger.Ethan’s phone buzzed lightly, the scanner overlay pulsing on the screen. “We’re close,” he murmured. “The energy signature… it’s concentrated a few blocks ahead. Someone’s operating a base in the heart of the city.”Karpeta’s tail flicked nervously. “A base… in the human world? How? Humans couldn’t possibly handle demon energy like that.”Ethan glanced at her. “They’re not entirely human. This is hybrid work—technology enhanced with magic. Whatever they’re doing, it’s beyond normal.”Norka’s brow furrowed. “That explains the first attack. They were testing us, yes—but also testing their own systems.”Ethan nodded. “Exactly. Whoever runs this is cautious, methodical. They know demons exist, and they know us. They want control.”The three of them reached the
533
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
532
Night had fallen like a velvet curtain over the city, the streets quiet, the lamps flickering weakly in the wind. Ethan, Karpeta, and Norka had finally settled into a small, inconspicuous safehouse Elsa had arranged. The windows were shuttered, reinforced with wards and charms that pulsed faintly in the dark—barely perceptible to the naked eye.Ethan sat by the table, running his fingers over the phone, double-checking signals, scanning for any anomalies.“They’re close,” he murmured, his jaw tight.Karpeta leaned against the wall, her arms crossed, eyes narrowing. “You mean… really close?”Ethan didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he let silence stretch. The faintest hum of electricity from a nearby transformer filled the air, and the creak of the old building seemed unnaturally loud.Norka, seated on the edge of the bed, spoke finally, her voice calm but sharp. “They’ve found us. I can feel it. Whoever it is… they’re not amateurs.”Ethan’s eyes flicked to the street outside the wind
531
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
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