CHAPTER 19: CASSEL TURNS DARK

Rosalia — POV

"...Rosalia."

A powerful voice echoed in my ears.

It was Cassel’s voice.

Calling my name with emotion and strength.

When my eyes followed the direction of the sound, I saw him.

Behind the faint blue flames.

Amidst the surrounding darkness.

While everyone else fled—running from danger—

A tall, imposing figure walked forward slowly silently.

The closer he came, the clearer his form became.

The man before me was incredibly tall, his entire body wrapped in black.

He had always worn black.

When I used to read the novel, I always wished to see him wear brighter colors.

Something warm, refreshing, something that could make him feel—if only a little—alive and happy.

But Cassel always wore black and grey.

When my eyes met those dark, beautiful eyes of his.

I’ve noticed that Cassel was looking at me, too.

But—

"What—" My eyes widened, my pupils trembling violently.

The reason was the man standing just a few meters away from me.

I could feel his burning breath on my face now.

His face was only a millimeter away—maybe less.

I blinked once.

Twice.

Three times.

But that handsome face didn’t disappear.

How did he move here in an instant?

Had he already awakened his first ability?

My mind suddenly went blank; I couldn’t think at all anymore.

Cassel’s nose brushed against mine.

My breath stopped.

I lifted my gaze to meet his eyes.

We were standing so close—too close—

And those dark eyes stared into me so deeply I almost forgot how to breathe.

But within that darkness... I didn’t know if it was my imagination or hallucination,

I saw a faint crimson glow.

It pulsed—like a small flame flickering in rhythm with a heartbeat.

"Ca—"

I didn’t finish saying his name before the man, whose face was still pressed against mine, moved swiftly.

He wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me entirely into his embrace—shielding me beneath his protection.

Cassel raised one hand toward Liz, who was still standing frozen in the middle of her blue flames.

She wore a twisted, malicious smile—but her eyes were unfocused.

A terrible feeling struck me the moment I saw Cassel’s hand aimed at her.

Without thinking, I grabbed his large hand with both of mine and shouted, panicked,

"Stop! Please don’t kill her! It’s not her fault—her power’s out of control because she’s being mentally manipulated!"

My voice trembled with desperation.

I could feel Cassel’s fury—raw and suffocating—boiling beneath his calm exterior.

I didn’t want him to kill Liz in a fit of anger and regret it later.

"Cassel, please don’t hurt her! We have to save her!

There’s a zombie controlling her mind—one of the evolved ones. We’re in danger right now!"

This... this was the tragedy that had followed Cassel’s first loss—

When several of his subordinates died saving the heroine, Mary, on the highway.

Cassel hadn’t stopped; he led his team toward City B, but a day before they arrived, while they rested—

It happened.

Liz, once a gentle and kind person, awakened her fire ability...

only to be controlled by a high-level zombie.

She attacked everyone, killing her own friends and teammates.

In the end, Cassel had no choice but to face her—unaware of the real enemy behind it all,

unaware she was being mind-controlled.

He fought her... and nearly died in that battle.

From that day on, tragedy followed Cassel again and again—loss after loss, one heartbreak after another.

I was stupid. I thought I still had time.

I planned to warn him later—to save Liz.

How foolish of me.

I pushed aside my guilt and regret, focused on Cassel’s face, and tightened my grip on his hand.

I had said so much in one breath—but he didn’t reply.

"Cassel..."

He didn’t look at me.

Didn’t answer.

But he also didn’t push me away.

Before my eyes, Cassel’s irises turned a vivid, glowing red.

While I was still frozen in shock at this impossible sight—something that had never happened in the novel—

Cassel’s hand began to move.

From his fingertips, thin crimson threads emerged—stretching outward.

The sight wasn’t terrifying or grotesque.

It was... awe-inspiring. Beautiful, even.

I followed the path of those threads with my eyes—and realized they were connecting to Liz.

They wrapped around her forehead, then sank deeper, as if penetrating her mind.

I didn’t understand what Cassel was doing—but something in me whispered that he wasn’t hurting her.

He was helping her.

So I stayed still, afraid to interrupt him.

After a few seconds, Cassel lowered his hand.

He squeezed mine tighter—his single hand enveloping both of mine completely.

I didn’t think much of it. I just kept my eyes on Liz.

Then, suddenly, she collapsed.

Her slender body hit the ground silently.

The blue flames vanished all at once—as if they had never existed.

It was as though everything that had happened moments ago was just an illusion,

a dream.

Darkness and silence returned.

Well... not silence exactly.

There were voices.

People calling out in the distance, asking if the danger had passed.

Robin and Fred are shouting for a doctor—for Henry and Liz, both unconscious.

When I saw Henry lying pale and motionless on the ground, fear gripped my chest.

I wanted to go to him, to check on his condition—

But pain pulled me back.

Cassel was still holding my hands.

I mean... really holding them.

Was I a prisoner or what?

I lifted my gaze toward my captor, ready to ask him to let go—but I didn’t dare.

A moment ago, I hadn’t been afraid of Cassel.

Not of his power, not of his presence.

But now...

He was angry.

No—furious.

I didn’t dare speak.

So, like a scolded child, I lowered my head silently.

Even though, to my knowledge, I hadn’t done anything wrong.

But as they say:

If the boss says you’re wrong—you’re wrong. Nothing else matters.

If Cassel thought I’d made a mistake, then I had. End of story.

While I was still drowning in those ridiculous thoughts, I heard him sigh above me.

Then, in a rough, low voice that sent shivers down my spine, he murmured,

"What am I supposed to do with you?"

I didn’t even have time to process his words before I felt strong arms pull me closer—

His breath was hot against my neck.

One of his hands still held mine firmly;

The other slid to my waist, gripping tightly, pinning me in place.

His head rested against my shoulder, his face hidden in the curve of my neck.

"You—"

"Let me rest for a bit" he whispered hoarsely. "I’m exhausted."