Ch-180 the search and training

Victor walked alongside Ruby through the quiet park, the evening light fading into soft shades of amber and purple. His hands were shoved into his jacket pockets, his jaw tight as the weight of uncertainty pressed against his chest.

"Leona's never gone this long without telling me something." Victor's crimson eyes darkened as his brows furrowed. "She's reckless sometimes—but not careless."

Ruby's red eyes glinted thoughtfully as they passed under the shadow of a large oak tree.

"If Violet's with her, then maybe they're caught up in something dangerous." Ruby's tone was casual, but there was a sharp undercurrent beneath her voice.

Victor's gaze narrowed. "Dangerous?"

Ruby's smile faded slightly. "Yeah."

Victor's steps slowed. His eyes sharpened.

"What aren't you telling me?"

Ruby's gaze darkened.

"You knew about Violet, didn't you?" Victor's voice lowered. "But you didn't seem surprised that she was missing."

Ruby's expression remained calm. "Violet isn't exactly… normal."

Victor's jaw tightened. "What do you mean?"

Ruby's red eyes narrowed. "You're not ready for that answer."

Victor's gaze sharpened. "Try me."

Ruby's smile widened faintly. "Persistent, huh?"

Victor's expression hardened. "I'm not letting this go."

Ruby's gaze softened slightly as she studied his tense expression.

"You really care about Leona, don't you?"

Victor's crimson eyes flashed. "Of course I do."

Ruby's smile sharpened. "Then you'll need to accept that there are things in this world that don't make sense—things that people like you aren't supposed to see."

Victor's gaze darkened. "People like me?"

Ruby's eyes gleamed faintly. "Ordinary humans."

Victor's jaw tightened. A strange, uncomfortable sensation crawled down his spine.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

Ruby's red eyes narrowed slightly.

"It means that if you keep walking this path…" Ruby's smile faded. "You're going to find out sooner or later."

Victor's gaze sharpened. "I don't care about that. I just want to find Leona."

Ruby's red eyes darkened faintly. "Fine."

Suddenly—

Victor's phone buzzed in his pocket.

He pulled it out, his eyes widening slightly when he saw the screen.

"A text?"

It was from an unknown number.

Victor's eyes narrowed. He tapped the message open.

"If you want to find her, come to the old church at midnight."

Victor's eyes sharpened.

"What the hell…?"

Ruby leaned over his shoulder, her red hair brushing against his arm. Her eyes narrowed as she read the message.

"Looks like you got invited." Ruby's tone darkened. "A trap, maybe?"

Victor's jaw tightened. "I don't care."

"Reckless." Ruby's smile widened faintly. "I like that."

Victor slid his phone back into his pocket.

"I'm going."

Ruby's gaze narrowed. "You don't even know what you're walking into."

Victor's eyes flashed. "Doesn't matter."

Ruby's red eyes gleamed faintly as she studied him.

"You really are interesting."

Victor's gaze darkened.

"Midnight, then."

Ruby smiled. "Guess I'll tag along."

Victor shot her a sharp glance. "Why?"

"Because…" Ruby's red eyes glinted dangerously. "I have a feeling things are about to get… interesting."

Victor's gaze sharpened as the tension in the air deepened.

"Let's hope you're right."

---

[At the Void]

Violet's crimson eyes narrowed as the dark chains wrapped tightly around her limbs.

"Tch—!"

The burning pulse of the contract flared beneath her skin, sending sharp heat through her veins.

Leona's golden aura crackled faintly as her jaw tightened.

"What is this?" Leona growled.

Ah Ming's golden-crimson eyes gleamed.

"It's the weight of your contract." Her voice was playful, but her gaze was sharp. "You agreed to serve my husband. Now… you'll either rise to meet that contract's power—or break beneath it."

Violet's breath steadied.

"And if we survive?"

Ah Ming smiled.

"Then you'll become stronger."

Leona's golden eyes narrowed.

"And if we don't?"

Ah Ming's smile widened faintly.

"Then you won't live long enough to care."

Violet's gaze sharpened.

"Fine."

Her crimson eyes flashed as dark red chains pulsed beneath her skin.

Leona's golden aura flared violently.

"We're not going down that easily."

Ah Ming's golden-crimson eyes shimmered.

"Good."

Suddenly—

A dark crimson sigil ignited beneath their feet.

The weight of the void increased instantly, pressing down on their chests like a crushing tidal wave.

Violet's body trembled as her crimson aura flared against the pressure.

Leona's golden light crackled violently as her fangs sharpened beneath the weight.

"Let's see if you survive Round Two." Ah Ming's gaze sharpened dangerously.

The sigils beneath them exploded with crimson and golden light—

—And the second trial began.

---

[At the Park]

Victor stood at the edge of the park, his gaze dark as he stared toward the horizon.

"Midnight."

Ruby's red eyes gleamed beside him.

"Ready?"

Victor's gaze sharpened.

"Let's find them."