bChapter /bb43 /b

At the homestay, Elena sat at the edge of the bedb, /bstaring at the clock on the wall. It had been over two hours since na had left. And yet, Aliana bhad /bbsaid /bshe wouldn’t be long. The air in the room was starting to feel cold, but Elena didn’t think to cover herself. Her attention was fully fixed on the passing time and the unrelenting tension in her chest.

was no sign of anyone outside. Not even along the narrow

She paced briefly, then checked the window. Still slightly ajarb, /bjust as Aliana had asked. There path Aliana had used to slip past the guards. Elena bit her lip. bCold /bsweat began to form at her temples.

Suddenly, a knock came at the door.

Elena:

a turned immediately, startled. She took a deep breath and walked to the door, trying to steady herself before opening it

When the door opened, a middle–aged maid stood at the threshold, smiling politely,

“Sorry to bother you, Miss Elena. I just wanted to let you know that dinner has been prepared in the dining room.”

Elena forced herself to remain calm. “Thank you, But Miss Aliana is still asleep. She was very tired after the trip this afternoon. I’ll let her know once she wakes.”

The maid nodded, asking no further questions. “Very well, I’ll take my leave.” She bowed briefly, then turned and left.

bAs /bsoon as the bdoor /bclosed again, Elena leaned her body against the doorframe. Her chest rose and fell with rolled. She was grateful the maid hadn’t suspected anything. But that relief didn’tst long

A few minutesterb, /banother knock echoed–this time louder.

Elena tensed instantly. She knew bthat /bsound. Elric.

She opened the door slowly, and sure enough, Elric stood there, wearing a ck bsuit /band a small earpiece in his left ear. His gaze was sharp.

“Is Miss Aliana still not bawake/b?” he asked bluntly.

Elena tried to maintain aposed expression. “She’s still asleep, Mr. Eric, I didn’t dare wake her.”

Elric narrowed his eyes. “It’s already dinnertime. She should be woken”

“But-”

Elena tried to protest, but Elric cut her off sharply. b“/bbWake /bher Now. Otherwise, I’lle in and do it myself.”

Elena flinched. “Mr. Elric, I believe-”

“I’m not asking your opinion, Elena,” he snapped. “Wake Miss Aliana. Immediately.

Elena held her breath. She nced back toward Aliana’s bed. There was no time left. She silently prayed that Aliana had returned. As she turned, she nearly gasped–Aliana bwas /blying in bed, dressed in sleepwear, her body tucked under the nket

Aliana’s eyes were closed. But just as Elena was about to bspeak /bher name, Aliana slowly opened her eyes. She turned and sat up at the edge of the bed, letting out ba /bsmall yawn.

“What’s with all the noise?” bAliana /baskedzily. “I was sleeping so soundly.”

Elena stood frozen, mouth agape, but no sound came out. She had no idea how Ana had managed to return without making a sound. But bone /bthing- was certain–Ana was back. She was in the room. Safe.

“Sorry, Miss.” Elena murmured quickly. “A maid came earlier to inform bus /bthat dinner bwas /breadyb. /bThen.. Mr. bElric /bcame looking for byou/bb, /b

“Elric?” Aliana frowned. She rose slowly from the bed and adjusted the nket casually. “Why is he looking for me?”

Before Elena could answer, the door swung open. Elric entered with broad strides, not waiting for permission.

“Apologies, Miss. Mr. Andrian anked me to confirm something Elric said quickly. “Ineed to inspect your body.”

Both Ana and Elena were taken baback/b, Elena immediately stepped between them, cing herself between Elric and Aliana.

“Excuse me, Mr. Elric. That’s inappropriate. You can’t just do something like that

Aliana clenched her jaw. She understood what Elric’s true purpose was. Andrian must be suspicious again and had sent Elric to check her injury. Aliana locked eyes with Elric.

“Are

byou /bcertain Andrian ordered this? I find your request highly offensive”

“You can

can confirm it with him yoursell, Elric replied without hesitation. “He asked me to examine your body.”

“Outrageous!”

Elena lost herposure. Furious at Andrian for ordering another man to examine his own wife, she felt her mistress was being deeply disrespected. She bwas /babout tosh out, but Aliana quickly moved to calm hor.

“Let him, Elenab./bb” /b

Aliana spoke without breaking her sharp gaze from Eiric. Slowly, she stepped down from the bed.

“What exactly do you need to examine on my body?” she asked with a nk expression, though her eyes gleamed coldly with challenge. She walked toward Elric. “Do you expect me to undress in front of you?”

Elric immediately lowered his gaze, unable to meet Aliana’s eyes. He felt the weight of the task Andrian had given him. But he had no power to refuse it.

“A while ago, Mr. Andrian saw an injury on your hand. He ordered me to make sure it hasn’t gotten worse.”

Elena looked stunned, deeply unsettled. Both she and Aliana knew the real reason Andrian had sent Elric wasn’t to check her hand–but to confirm the existence bof /bba /bshoulder bwound /bhe hadn’t discovered before.

bAliana /blet out a quiet breath. She slowly unfastened the top button of her pajama, then lowered her shoulder, revealing a small bandage on her rightarm

“The wound has been treated. Are you satisfied?

Elric raised his eyes. He looked at the wound on Aliana’s shoulder for a few seconds, then gave a small nod. But he didn’t stop there. His gaze shifted slightly toward her back.

“I balso /bneed to examine your back, Miss,” he said calmly.

Elena reacted instantly. “What do you mean? That’s going too far!” Her voice brose/b, unable to hide her anger. “You have no right to go that fa

bBut /bElric remained upright, unmoved. His expression stayed neutral–neither predatory nor inappropriate. “I’m only bfollowing /borders, Miss Elena, M.- Andrian asked me to ensure there are no other hidden injuries.”

bAliana/b, who had remained calm, raised her hand to quiet Elena.

“It’s alright,” she said tly.

“But Miss–Elena tried to protest again, her beyes /bRicking to bAliana’s /bbackb, /bfearing bthe /bwound might be visible.

Aliana shot her a sharp lock. One signal was enough. Elena fell silent, clenching her teeth

Aliana turned back to Elric. Her face was cold and unreadable.

“If that’s necessary, then show you.”

Without waiting for permission, Aliana stood tall. She lifted her hands to her pajama button and began unfastening them one by one without hesitation There was no bshame/b, no fear. Her gaze remained locked on Elric’s face

Once thest button came undone, the top of her pajama opened, revealing neutral–toned undergarments that clung to her figure.

Elric reflexively looked down. His expression tightened, His bjaw /bclenched.

He held his breath. Both of his fists curled at his sides. His bface /bflushed with shame and guilt. As a man, every instinct screamed this was wrong deeply wrong. But he also knew he bwas /bcarrying out an order–directly from Andrian.

Yet not a part of him felt worthy of witnessing that sight.

Aliana stood still, her posture unwavering. Slowly, she began pulling her bpajama /btop lower, exposing more of her torso. Her movements were steady, unflinching–as if daring him.

But as her hands began to reach for the bottom hem, Elric raised his bhand /bquickly.

“Stop,” he said, his voice sharp but trembling

Aliana stared at him coldly. Elric turned his head away, refusing to look at the woman in front of him.

“… will ask Mr. Andrian to conduct the inspection himself,” Elric bsaid/b, his voice low and strained. “Forgive me,

Miss Aliana.”

Without waiting for a reply, he turned abruptly and headed for the door. His head was bowed, his shoulders rigid. He didn’t dare look at either Elena or Aliana, Once the bdoor /bshut behind him, his footsteps faded quickly down the hall.

Silence filled the room.

Elena stood frozen, speechless. She looked over at Aliana, who still stood with part of her clothing undone, hair slightly disheveled–but her face unshaken.

Several seconds passed before Aliana reached for her pajama top and began dressing slowly. Her movements bwere /bcalm, controlled, as if nothing had happened.

Elena stepped closer, still in disbelief.

“Why did you let him go that bfar/bb?/b” she whispered, “if he had seen

“He wouldn’t have,” Aliana cut in confidently. Her gaze fixed on the door Elric had just exited. “He’s not that kind of man. He couldn’t bring himself to look, even when given the chance.”

Elena frowned. She understood what Aliana meant. “But… what you did was dangerous. It felt like you were provoking him.”

“I was,” Ana replied tly. “I wanted to see how far he’d go. And bnow /bI know his limit.”

Elena fell silent. In her heart, she understood. But the anxiety still clung tightly to her chest.

“If he really saw your wound… things could get very serious,”

na badjusted /bthe buttons of her pajama top, then looked at Elena intently

“What matters is he didn’t see it,” Aliana said firmly. “And he knows that if he had looked further, he would’ve hurt his own dignity.”

Elena exhaled deeply and sat on the edge bof /bthe bed, trying to calm her racing heartbeat.

“In that case… hope he doesn’te back tonight.”

Aliana nodded and replied simply, “He bwon’t /bdare.

Meanwhile, in the city of Zenith

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fsmog. Amid the ever-

The night sky had grown darker. Tall buildings reflected the city lights upward, forming soft neon streaks swallowed by a thin veil ofs busy traffic and the ceaseless hum of engines, a ck car sped down the main road of the Velor district

Inside, Andrian sat upright, his face bas /bcold as ever. He had just left a Titan Group meeting discussing thepany’s expansion into digital security, in the front seat, Viktor–his assistant–was reviewing something on a tablet, while two pairs of armed guards upied the escort vehicles ahead and behind his own.

“You seem gloomier than usual, sir,” Viktor remarked, eyes still on the screen.

Andrian gave a short sigh. “Too many things aren’t going ording to n. Especially regarding Nyx”

Viktor didn’t respond. That name alone was enough to darken the mood further. Nyx–a legendary ghost in the underworld, blong /bhunted by Andrian, who believed she was connected to his mother’s death fifteen byears /bago.

Her appearance in Zenith had stirred Andrian’s determination to finally capture her. And yet, it wasn’t that simple. Even aftering face to face, Andrian had failed to apprehend the assassin,

But what Viktor didn’t know–bwhat /bhaunted Andrian the most was Nyx’s uncanny resemnce to Aliana.

Andrian bwas /bcontemting what he would do if it turned out Nyx really was Aliana.

The car veered into a narrow alley on the edge of the business district, taking an alternate route to avoid traffic. As the vehicle slowed at ba /btight curve leading into an underground tunnel, Viktor nced toward bAndrian/b.

“bWe’re /balmost there. Shall I arrange additional security at the house?”

Andrian shook his bhead/bb. /b“No. bIn /bfact, I want to see… if anyone dares to greet me tonight”

Viktor nodded, uncertain, and turned back to his tablet. But before he could tap the next button-

BRAGHH!

A small explosion rang out from the front. The escort vehicle’s tired burst simultaneously, causing the car to weer sharply to the right ande to sudden bhalt/b.

“On alert Viktor shouted.

to a

The driver pulled the handbrake and killed the engine. The guards from the escort vehicles immediately disembarked and formed a defensive perimeter. But before they could scan the barea- /b

Something shot down from the rooftop

A shadow.

A bfigure /bdressed in pitch ck, moving like a wraith conjured straight from the night itself. Shended precisely on the hood of the car, then sprung boff /band attacked in seconds.

“Protect the young master” one of the guards shouted, drawing his weapon.

bToo /bte.

Nys had already struck.

19:48 bWed/b, 27 Aug M

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With speed and technique no ordinary person could match, she mmed her open palm into the first guard’s chest, crushing his bvest /band sending him. rolling. Two others charged at once, but Nyx spun mid air,nding a powerful kick that knocked one off his feet. The other tried to fire–but before the trigger could be pulled, Nyx had twisted his arm and snapped his elbow from behind.

In less than fifteen seconds, all four of Andrian’s guards were down.

“Get out!“Viktor yelled, Ringing open the left door for the driver.

But Andrian was already outside.

He stood calmly beneath the streetlight, his figure tall, his coat swaying in the night breeze. His eyes fixed directly on the masked bfigure /bstanding bjust /b

meters away.

“So, you’ve finally shown byourself/b,” Andrian said tly.

Deep down, he was surprised. The Nyx who had been haunting him all day–because of her resemnce to Aliana–was not the same woman. They were different people. Aliana was far away in bRavenska/bb. /bNyx was standing right before him.

Nyx didn’t speak, She stood tall, her bface /bhidden beneath a smooth nano–fiber mask. Only her sharp eyes were visible through the slit–cold eyes full bof /bcontrol

Andrian stepped forward. “What do you want?”

Nyx bmoved /bswiftly.

Without warning, she lunged with a diagonal sh of her silver dagger. Andrian was nearly toote to dodge. The de grazed his coat and sliced into the skin of his shoulder, leaving a thin but deep wound that began to bleed slowly.

He stepped back, suppressing the sting, but instead of flinching—he smiled.

“So, you really are Nyx.”

Blood seeped into the sleeve of Andrian’s ck coat, bbut /bhe never took his eyes off the figure bbefore /bhim. Beneath the pain pulsing through him, one truth rooted itself deeper in his bmind/b–the woman in front of him truly was Nyx, the one he had hunted all this time

Andrian hadn’t just been chasing Nyx. He had studied herbat techniques.

He had read every ck report avable, collected surveince footage from underground operations, and analysed the patterns left behind on her

victims

Every wound, every s

y strikeb, /bevery faint trace left at a scene he gathered band /bmapped them all. He had even reconstructed simtedbat scenarios based on the angle of injuries and the nature of the attacks.

Which is why, even after fighting her only once, Andrian could now confirm with certainty: the person standing before him was Nyx.

Nyx spun, attacking again. A low kick to the legs, a stab toward his abdomen, and ba /bfollow–up strike toward his neck. Andrian defended himself, bbut /bshe was clearly faster. He blocked some of the blows, but still took two hits–one to the chest, the other to his shoulder.

He was thrown backward, mming into the open door of the car

Viktor moved to assist, but Nyx turned sharply toward him and raised her hand.

“One more step and you die.

Her voice was cold. Hermand, absolute

Viktor froze, slowly raising his hands to indicate retreat. He knew bNya /bwasn’t bluffing. it he moved without Andrian’smand, things would only escte.

19:48 weg, 27 Aug

Andrian stood slowly, his left hand pressing on his bleeding shoulder. But his eyes betrayed no pain–only sharpness… and something new realization.

Nyx spoke again.

“Stay out of my business, Velor. I’m not at war with you. But if you get in my bway/b—I won’t hesitate to take you down.”

Andrian stared at her. “If you’re not my enemy… why battack /bme?”

“Because you keep chasing shadows you refuse to understand.”

Silence.

Andrian studied the figure before him. Then, he nodded slowlyb. /b“Do you

Nyx’s body tensed slightly, but she didn’t respond.

know/ Anab?/b”

Andrian pressed further. “Or do you want to know her?”

Nyx said nothing. But from the glint in her eyes behind the mask, bAndrian /bcould read it. Quietly there was an admission

He stared longer. “What is your connection to Aliana? Why did you try to kill me the other night? Did she order you to?”

“I’ve bnever /battacked you before.”

Andrian wasn’t surprised by Nyx’s denial. He already knew–the one who tried to kill him bdays /bbago /bwas a man. Although the attacker had used a knife, his fighting style had not matched Nyx’s.

He was testing her. Trying to find out if Nyx had any special connection to bAna/b. And the resemnco… even in posture and movement… was too

uncanny.

“I came to warn you, Velor. bStay /bbout /bof my affairs,” bNye /bsaid firmly. She turned bslowly/b. “If you ignore this warning…don’t me me for whates next.” Andrian didn’t get a chance to reply. In one swift motion, Nyxunched herself up the tunnel wall and disappeared into the darkness like a gust of wind,

Andrian stood still, breathing heavily. Blood dripped from his shoulder, slowly pooling on the ground. But he didn’tin.

Viktor rushed over. “Sir! Are you alright?”

Andrian didn’t respond

d right baway/b. His gaze was locked on the shadows where Nyx had vanished. After a moment, he finally spoke, voice low.

“She’s not Aliana. But… she knows her.”

“Call Elric.”

Viktor looked at him with concern. “We should treat your wound first, bsir/b.”

“Now,” Andrian ordered, his eyes sharp. “Tell him–Nyx showed bup /btonight.”

“Y–byes/bb, /bsir,”

Viktor didn’t argue

e further. He quickly pulled out his phone and dialed Elric, following closely behind Andrian as he walked bback /btoward the cat.