Chapter 32: Whispers Before the Storm

The black card in my hand felt heavier than it should.

No heat. No cold.

Just… a silent promise of chaos.

The Queen paced back and forth, her arms crossed tightly across her chest. This was the first time I'd seen her truly unsettled.

"Liam, listen to me carefully," she said, her voice sharp but low. "If the Court of Eternal Night is reaching out… it means they've found a weakness. And they believe it's you."

I raised the card, staring at the shifting runes that seemed to pulse faintly under my fingers.

"What even is this Court?" I asked.

She stopped pacing and turned toward me, her crimson eyes more serious than ever.

"They are the oldest faction of the Shadow Realm—older than the Sovereigns, older than the Abyss itself. Their leaders are immortals who abandoned their thrones to play a far more dangerous game…"

"Which is?"

"Control." She exhaled sharply. "They don't care about conquering worlds, Liam. They control the players who do."

Before I could respond, the air shifted again.

A faint, ghostly bell rang out—soft, distant, but somehow… right beside my ear.

The card in my hand grew warm.

And a line of text appeared:

[Midnight Trial: Are you ready to claim your place?]

A countdown started beneath it.

00:59:59…

I looked up at the Queen, panic rising in my chest.

"What happens if I don't respond before the timer ends?"

Her face darkened.

"Then they'll come to collect you personally."

[System Alert: New Mission Unlocked – Survive the Midnight Trial.]

Warning: Failing this trial will result in permanent consequences.

I swallowed hard.

This wasn't a choice anymore.

It was a declaration of war.

To Be Continued…