bChapter 61 /b

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    The fake Nyx remained silent, leaving Lucas confused about how to interpret her reaction. He couldn’t tell whether she wanted him to stay or leave.

    Without a word, Nyx stepped forward toward Julian, who was still unconscious and unaware of the imminent danger looming over him. Her steps were slow but threatening, and Lucas watched with his heart pounding. Despite his fear creeping back, he decided to stay, watching closely how Nyx approached her prey.

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    The atmosphere in the basement grew even more ominous. Lucas stood motionless, holding his breath as he observed Nyx’s every move. She was now only a few steps away from Julian. He realized he was about ito /iwitness the true cruelty of Nyx firsthand.

    Nyx woke Julian roughly. Her left hand gripped his hair and yanked it upward, forcing his head back painfully, straining his neck. Julian awoke with a muffled cry, his eyes widening in terror as he saw the masked figure before him.

    “Nyx…?” he croaked, fear and confusion thick in his voice.

    Nyx gave him no time to think. She leaned in close and gave a thin, intimidating smile.

    “Finally, we meet.”

    Julian frowned, not understanding. She acted as if this was their first encounter, though they had met just two days ago.

    “What do you mean? We just-”

    “Silence,” Nyx snapped. Her gaze stabbed like daggers.

    Julian fell silent instantly, his lips shut tight by the terror crawling from the base of his skull down his spine. His breathing

    grew heavier.

    Nyx then pulled a phone ifrom /ithe inner pocket of her jacket and shoved it in front of Julian’s bound face.

    “Give me Kestrel’s number.”

    Julian’s eyes flew wide open. “W–What?! Kestrel? I… I don’t know what you mean-

    A sharp strike hit Julian’s knee. Nyx kicked him without hesitation.

    Julian screamed in agony. His chair jolted from the force of the blow.

    “I don’t have time for lies. You know who I mean,” Nyx said coldly, in full control.

    Without waiting, she kicked his leg again–harder, repeatedly. Julian’s chair finally tipped over, and his body copsed sideways on the ground.

    Lucas, who had been standing in the bcorner/bb, /bsank to the floor, his body going limp at the brutal sight. He knew Nyx was cruel–but he had never imagined he’d witness something this merciless.

    Julian whimpered loudly, trembling in pain. But Nyx didn’t stop. She grabbed one of Julian’s now–exposed legs and then–

    21:01 Fri, 29 Aug

    Crack!

    The sound of a bone snapping made Lucas’s skin crawl. Julian’s scream echoed throughout the basement.

    “Give me the number,” Nyx said tly, as if nothing had happened. “Or your other leg will be next.”

    Julian bit down on his lip hard to endure the overwhelming pain. He shook his head slowly.

    “Okay… okay… I’ll tell you! I’ll tell you!” he cried desperately.

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    Nyx drew a sharp de from a small sheath at her waist. With one swift motion, she cut the rope binding Julian’s hands. But rather than offering relief, she followed it up without mercy.

    With no pause, Nyx struck Julian’s right hand with a crushing blow from her elbow.

    Crack! – Julian’s hand was broken.

    His scream was even louder than before. Lucas shut his eyes tightly and covered his ears, his breathing erratic. Still, he

    didn’t dare move or meet Nyx’s gaze.

    Nyx spoke again, “If you lie to me, the remaining hand and leg will suffer the same fate.”

    Julian nodded frantically, his face pale, drenched in sweat and tears.

    Nyx held the phone out again. With his trembling left hand, Julian slowly began to input a string of numbers onto the screen. Each digit was pressed with extreme care and hesitation. When finished, Julian looked up at Nyx’s cold, unreadable expression.

    “T–That’s the number…”

    Nyx stared at the screen for a few seconds, then looked back at Julian.

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    “If this number is fakei, /iyou’ll live just long enough to regret it,” Nyx said as she pocketed the phone and took a step back.

    Julian quickly shook his head, panicking. “I–I swear! That’s really Kestrel’s number! I wouldn’t dare lie to you!”

    Nyx stayed silent, watching Julian trembling on the floor. Her gaze briefly flicked toward Lucas, who sat pale and shaken, staring at the horrifying scene. Lucas quickly lowered his head, not daring to meet Nyx’s eyes.

    The atmosphere was heavy with dread–so still that Julian’s ragged breathing echoed through the room. Suddenly, Nyx crouched down and stared at Julian’s face up close. In one swift motion, she pressed her de under his chin, making him freeze in terror,

    “What’s your connection to Kestrel?” she asked quietly, her voice dripping with threat.

    Julian stammered, “I’m just a courier… I’ve never even seen his face. I only get instructions through calls.”

    Nyx pressed the de a little deeper, fresh blood beginning to drip from Julian’s chin.

    “Then this number must be correct. Now… there’s another debt I need to collect from you.”

    21:02 Fri, 29 Aug

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    Julian looked up at her, confused and terrified, sweat pouring down his temples. His breathing grew morebored, pain spreading through every part of his body.

    “W–what do you mean? Wh–what debt? I don’t owe you anything,” he asked, his voice trembling.

    Nyx didn’t answer his confusion. The cold gaze behind her nanofiber mask sharpened. She pressed the de closer to his throat as her voice cut through the silence.

    “Do you have anyst words, Julian?”

    Julian’s eyes widened. Panic gripped his chest.

    “W–wait… Are you going to kill me? But I gave you the number!”

    Nyx didn’t answer. Instead, she tilted her head slightly and spoke again in a t tone.

    “Don’t you want to apologize?“–

    Julian froze. Then, realizing she meant Alicia, the woman he had wronged, something in him snapped. A surge of twisted

    defiance emerged beneath his pain.

    He scoffed harshly, then shouted with rage, “Apologize? You want me to apologize for Alicia Velor?! That whore… I have no regrets raping her. In fact, I felt satisfied sharing her with all my men!”

    Lucas, upon hearing Julian’s words, stiffened in ce. His eyes widened in terror as a chilling wave of fury emanated from Nyx, who now stood still. Lucas realized that Julian had just made a fatal mistake.

    For a moment, Nyx remainedpletely still. Her jaw tightened. Then, faintly from beneath the mask, her lips curled into a terrifying, icy smile.

    “So those are yourst words,” Nyx whispered coldly, her tone calm but brimming with deadly promise. “Very well. I’ll make sure you remember them until yourst breath.“,

    Without hesitation, her gloved hand shot forward. Hér fingers mped around Julian’s jaw, forcing his mouth wide open. Julian, still consumed by pain and rage, panicked as he realized what was happening. His eyes bulged.

    Before he could resist, Nyx grabbed his tongue and pulled it outward, drawing a choked, pitiful sound from his throat. His body convulsed with fear and unbearable pain.

    “I told you… you’d remember your words until your final second,” she whispered venomously, then raised the gleaming

    de in her other hand.

    With a single, steady swing-

    sh!

    Blood sprayed from Julian’s mouth as the cold de severed his tongue. It flopped to the ground, twitching for a moment before going still. Julian let out a long, garbled scream–more of a gurgle than a sound. His eyes bulged, tears and blood pouring down his pale face.

    His body writhed violently on the cold basement floor as Nyx stood over him, her gaze icy andpletely devoid of

    21:02 Fri, 29 Aug

    remorse.

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    “This isn’t over,” she said coldly, not a hint of sympathy in her voice. If anything, she looked almost satisfied.

    In the corner of the room, Lucas couldn’t take it anymore. His terror boiled over, his whole body trembling. He felt warmth seep down his pants. The boy had lost control of his body, copsing to the floor, sobbing soundlessly.

    Julian continued writhing, his hands and legs shattered. Nyx stared down at him, then crouched low, whispering clearly despite her calm tone.

    Remember this, Julian. Today is thest day you’ll ever speak freely. And thest day you’ll ever be a man.”

    Julian didn’t have time to process her threat. Before he could fullyprehend the meaning behind her words, Nyx moved the bloodied de toward his lower body.

    Julian’s eyes widened in horror as he realized what wasing. He thrashed and screamed voicelessly, staring at the blood–soaked de inching toward him.

    Nyx’s face remained unreadable. “I’ll make sure you understand the meaning of loss–not because you’re weak, but because you’re vile.”

    With one stroke, she shed his clothing, cutting away thest piece of dignity he had left.

    Julian’s body tensed, his breath caught. He waspletely aware of what was about to happen.

    Fear surged through him, more intense than any pain he’d endured so far. He struggled with every ounce of strength he

    had.

    His cries remained muffled, his tongue already gone.

    Nyx stepped closer, raising her de high. But instead of immediately acting, she leaned in and whispered something into his ear–so softly only the two of them could hear it.

    “This isn’t just revenge,” Nyx whispered. “This is a warning to all predators like you. I am your Goddess of Death.”

    Julian’s expression changed instantly. His eyes, once filled with rage and hatred, now overflowed with pure terror–fear of

    total annihtion.

    Nyx moved the de again as she leaned in. What she did next was beyond description–unspeakable brutality that made Julian scream into silence, for he no longer had a tongue to cry out.

    Lucas, who had witnessed everything, could no longer bear to watch. His body trembled violently as he sped both hands over his mouth, trying to suppress a sob and the wave of nausea rising in his throat.

    When Nyx finally stood back up, blood dripped from her hand. She calmly wiped her face, then looked down at the two severed pieces of Julian’s body lying lifelessly on the floor.

    Julian no longer screamed. He simply trembled in helpless agony, staring at his mutted manhood.

    A thin smile appeared behind Nyx’s mask. “Justice doesn’t always make a sound. But tonight–you’ll remember it…

    forever.”

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    Nyx straightened up, sheathed her de, and pulled out her phone. She took several photos of Julian’s severed body parts, then walked toward Lucas, who was still shivering on the floor.

    “You said you wanted to be my trusted man, didn’t you?”

    Lucas flinched at the question but quickly nodded, even though his body was still shaking.

    “Y–yes. I meant it. I’m ready to help you–whatever you need.”

    Nyx stared at Lucas for a moment. Though her face was hidden behind the mask, the terrifying aura she radiated was

    undeniable.

    “Keep that man alive. And make sure he doesn’t go anywhere. I’lle back for him.”

    Lucas nodded quickly, this time his voice clearer. “Yes, Miss. I’ll protect him with my life.”

    Without another word, Nyx turned and walked out of the room with calm, deliberate steps. Lucas let out a long breath, realizing he hadn’t been breathing properly for thest several minutes.

    Once Nyx disappeared behind the warehouse door, Lucas got up. He looked at Julian, still curled up on the floor, with a mix of fear and pity in his eyes. Then he walked over to the door and locked it tightly from the outside. He took another deep breath, fully aware that he was now deeply entangled in Nyx’s horrifying world.

    Meanwhile, outside the warehouse, Nyx–already far from the scene–reached for the number of Kestrel she had obtained

    from Julian. From beneath her ck glove, her silver bracelet shimmered faintly under the overhead light.

    With calm precision, Nyx wiped Julian’s blood from the bracelet, then typed a message to Kestrel:

    ‘I’ming for you.‘