The Bait is Set

Elliot stared at his reflection in the tall mirror, running his fingers down the embroidered fabric of his outfit. The tailor had insisted on something eye-catching—deep red silk with intricate gold embroidery tracing swirling patterns along the sleeves and hem. The high collar framed his sharp features, while the fitted waist and flowing layers gave him an almost otherworldly elegance.

He hated it.

Aurelian, lounging against the counter, smirked. "You look perfect."

Elliot shot him a glare. "I look like a noble trying to escape an arranged marriage."

Kieran, who had been inspecting weapons by the door, glanced over and said flatly, "Good. That means they'll notice you."

Elliot sighed, turning back to the mirror. He had seen the pattern already—every person who had gone missing fit a certain mold. Ethereal, striking features. A presence that drew the eye. And, apparently, he fit that description too well.

[System Notification: New Status Effect – Unnaturally Alluring]

[You are now significantly more eye-catching. Congratulations! beauty comes at a price.]

Elliot stared at the prompt. 'Excuse me?'

[System Alert: Side effects may include unwanted attention, mysterious kidnappings, and being sacrificed to eldritch horrors.]

Elliot dragged a hand down his face. 'I hate you.'

[That's unfortunate, considering I'm here to stay.]

Aurelian snickered. "You're making that face again."

Elliot groaned but focused back on the plan. He would be the bait, walking through the town alone at night while Kieran and Aurelian observed from the shadows. The goal was simple—draw out whoever was behind the disappearances and catch them before they could escape.

It sounded easy.

Elliot had a very bad feeling that it wouldn't be.

The town was eerily quiet at night. The lively market stalls had long since packed up, leaving only the flickering glow of lanterns to push back the darkness. The cobbled streets stretched empty before him, his own footsteps echoing too loudly.

He walked with deliberate slowness, letting his presence be known. His red and gold attire shimmered under the lantern light, making him stand out even more against the dim surroundings. He looked like something that didn't belong—a wandering noble, a lost prince. A perfect target.

[System Notification: New Passive Skill – Walking Red Flag]

[You now attract even more dangerous attention. Try not to die!]

Elliot twitched. "This system is going to be the death of me."

[Oh, most certainly. But not today. Probably.]

Something shifted in the shadows.

Elliot didn't react, but he felt it—a presence watching him, lingering just out of sight. His heart pounded. Here we go.

The night air felt heavier as he continued forward, keeping his pace measured. The presence followed, silent, patient. Whoever it was, they weren't in a rush.

Then he heard it.

A faint whisper, almost too soft to catch.

"What a lovely face…"

Elliot stiffened. His fingers twitched toward the small dagger hidden in the folds of his belt, but he forced himself to keep walking.

[System Alert: Unknown entity detected. Presence: Hostile.]

[Do you want a detailed analysis?]

'Yes?! Obviously!'

[Error.. Unable to analyze entity, Too spooky.]

Elliot inhaled sharply. Great. Even the system is useless.

The whisper came again, curling through the air like smoke.

"So perfect… you'll be beautiful forever."

A chill ran down Elliot's spine. He resisted the urge to turn around. The presence was closer now. Too close.

Aurelian and Kieran should be nearby, waiting for the right moment to strike. But something felt off.

His instincts screamed at him—this wasn't just a human kidnapper.

Then, from the corner of his vision, something moved.

A figure emerged from the alleyway ahead of him. They were draped in flowing dark robes, their face obscured by a smooth, expressionless mask. Behind them, more figures appeared, silent as wraiths, each one dressed the same.

Elliot forced a breath. Okay. I hate that.

[System Notification: Quest Updated – Find the Missing People]

[New Objective: Try not to be one of them.]

The masked figures did not speak. They simply stood, their presence an unnatural weight pressing down on the street.

Then, as one, they moved.

Fast.

Too fast.

Elliot spun just as hands reached for him. He twisted out of their grasp, yanking his dagger free, but before he could strike—

Aurelian dropped from the rooftop like a blade of divine judgment, his sword flashing in the moonlight. The nearest masked figure recoiled as steel met cloth, but no blood spilled. Instead, the figure cracked, like shattered porcelain, before dissolving into a mist-like substance.

Kieran was there a second later, moving like a shadow. His dagger struck another figure's mask, shattering it instantly.

Elliot stumbled back, eyes wide. "What the hell are these things?!"

Aurelian didn't answer immediately, slicing through another one of the masked figures before turning to him. His expression was grim.

"They're not human."

[System Alert: Entity Identified – Faceless Servants]

[Former humans stripped of identity. Bound to serve an unknown force. Weakness: ???]

Elliot swallowed hard. "Oh, fantastic. I love eldritch horrors on a Wednesday night."

More figures stepped forward, undeterred by their fallen kin. The whispering returned, curling through the air.

"Join us… become eternal…"

Kieran's voice was tight. "We need to fall back. Now."

Elliot didn't argue. He turned on his heel and bolted, Aurelian and Kieran flanking him as the masked figures gave chase.

[System Notification: New Status Effect – Being Chased by Nightmare Fuel.]

[Run faster!]

Elliot gritted his teeth. Working on it!

The whispers grew louder.

"So perfect… so fleeting… but we can make you last forever."

Elliot ran.

His breath came fast, boots slamming against the cobbled streets as the faceless figures pursued. Aurelian and Kieran flanked him, their weapons drawn, slicing through the masked figures that got too close.

But no matter how many they cut down, more kept appearing. Emerging from alleyways. Stepping out of the darkness. Their smooth masks reflected the moonlight, empty, expressionless—wrong.

[System Notification: New Status Effect – Being Chased by Nightmare Fuel.]

[You should really run faster!!.]

"Almost ours… almost eternal…"

Elliot's pulse pounded. His body moved on instinct, weaving through the narrow streets, searching for an escape. Kieran was already ahead, clearing a path, while Aurelian stayed close, his blade flashing with deadly precision.

They were almost at the outskirts of town. Just a little further.

Then—cold fingers wrapped around Elliot's wrist.

His entire body locked up.

The world seemed to slow as he turned his head.

A hand—pale, elongated, wrong—had reached out from the shadows. It emerged from the space between two buildings, gripping his arm with an unnatural strength. The fingers were too long, too thin, curling around his wrist like steel bands.

A voice, softer than the others, whispered directly into his ear.

"You were never meant to be here."

Elliot's breath hitched.

Before he could react, the hand yanked him into the darkness.