2025-12-25 06:51:46
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Inside the taxi, Eric leaned back against the worn seat, his gaze unfocused, distant, and his heart was troubled because Calvin’s words really struck deep inside him.‘A heart carved out of stone.’Eric let out a slow breath through his nose.‘Why does he talk like he knows me better than I know myself?’The thought unsettled him more than he liked to admit.Then he remembered Landon and his team. The dungeon. The moment he crossed that line.The first time he killed someone… or people all at once.It was still clear as day in his memory.And the worst part?He felt no guilt at all and still don't.It also felt easy, like he had done it a lot of times.Calvin had been there. Calvin had seen everything. Maybe that was why he spoke with that smug certainty, like he had peeled Eric open and looked inside.‘Hell,’ Eric thought bitterly, ‘I don’t even know what’s inside.’His phone began to ring, snapping him out of the spiral.He looked down at the screen and saw it was Sheila.A tired s
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Eric arrived at the address Calvin had given him and saw him standing in front of a tall building, partially concealed as he peeked out from its side.“Why am I here?” he asked.“Shhh,” Calvin muttered, pulling him further into the blind spot beside him. “This is the third C-rank gate to appear in Westford in two days.”Eric peeked out and saw the gate suspended in the air not far from where they were hiding, its surface rippling with unstable energy.Still puzzled, he looked at Calvin. “Alright. So why are we here?”Calvin straightened and met his eyes. “I went through the raid records yesterday and discovered that there are more teams like Landon Caroll’s who always take in last-minute additions. And in every single case, those additions die. Eric, after what happened to us, you can’t tell me that’s a coincidence. They’re offering them up to the magic beasts.”Eric grew more attentive and asked, “And why do you think they're offering people up?”Calvin shrugged. “I mean, the motive
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“What happened to you?” Eric asked, alarmed by how she looked.Kim’s face was all swollen and purple, all bruised up like she’d been severely beaten up.“You get into a fight or something?”She whipped her head away, fingers digging into her sides, trembling. “Why do you care? It’s none of your damn business.”Eric frowned. “How’s it none of my business? I'm your brother…”“I said it’s none of your business!” Kim barked, cutting him off. Then she got up furiously. “And seriously, why are you even back? You're married now to the Patels. Weren’t you supposed to be at some ridiculous family meeting or whatever? Stay there.”Eric was speechless for a moment, looking at her like she had a few screws loose in her head.Then he scoffed, shaking his head in amusement. “Wow, you're something else, Kim. You always manage to tick me off, no matter what? Look at you. Tell me, who did this to you? You look like a damn mess. Someone actually beat you up, so who?”“And what are you going to do about
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Outside the Patel family villa, Sheila’s fingers clung to Eric’s hand as if letting go would break something fragile. Her voice was low but insistent. “You should go home with me, Eric. Tomorrow, you can bring your things.”Eric sighed as he looked at her. “It’s not that simple, Sheila. I understand I signed a contract and I get all that comes with being a live-in son-in-law. But I cannot leave my father’s house, and my sister as well.”Then he gently removed her hand from his. “I’ll go home first, then we’ll talk later.”Sheila’s shoulders slumped. She wanted to argue, to insist, but she knew she couldn’t force him so she nodded reluctantly.Eric hailed a taxi and immediately headed home.Inside, his phone began to ring and he recognized the hunger to be Regan’s. They must be really curious.The moment he hit the answer button, Regan’s angry voice came through. “Are you mad, Eric?! Do I have to call you before you’ll know what you need to do?! This should better not repeat itself or
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Eric stared blankly for a long moment, completely stunned by Kalex’s sudden revelation.‘Noir Group is mine? How is that even possible?’ he asked inwardly.‘It is possible. You simply do not know it yet,’ Kalex replied calmly.Xerxes’ voice followed. ‘This is actually very easy to understand. Have you never heard of Kalex Storm?’Eric’s good eye widened.Of course he had.Kalex Storm was a legendary name, whispered across Silverland. A presence that carried weight even among the elite.‘Then why didn’t I realize it?’ he thought, unsettled.Xerxes had said they had always been around. If that was true, then how were they sealed into the bands on his arm?He waited for an explanation.None came.Even Oracle remained silent.Eric let out a slow, frustrated breath. More mysteries. Always more mysteries.“Hey!” Brett snapped, waving a hand in front of Eric’s face. “Have you gone mute? Or are you rethinking your miserable life right now? Because let’s be honest, you’ll never afford a suit l
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Eric had to settle for something simple. None of his suits fit anymore, his body having changed far beyond what they were tailored for. In the end, he wore straight black jeans, a plain T shirt, and a jacket.Outside the house, a black Range Rover waited by the curb.The door opened and an angry woman stepped out. The moment her sharp gaze landed on Eric, his presence visibly irritated her.“You… you…” she snapped, eyes scanning him from head to toe. “Why are you dressed so plainly? Do you have any idea how embarrassing this is? Wearing cheap things like that in public.”His mother in law, Elise Patel, spoke with ice in her voice.Elise was striking. She looked like an older version of Sheila, graceful and refined, carrying herself with effortless elegance.“Mom, please. Not now,” Sheila pleaded.Eric’s calm, indifferent expression only made things worse.“Are you deaf or mute?” Elise barked. “Look at you. A complete loser. My daughter marrying someone like you feels like we have hit
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