Chapter 18 : The Crimson Light in Her Eyes

After Gyeol left, Jinhyuk exhaled quietly and looked down, letting out a small breath of relief. The night air was still warm. The area was quiet, and a sleek, luxurious car sat parked neatly just a few meters from the sidewalk where he and Han-na were standing.

Before Jinhyuk could say anything more, he noticed two unfamiliar figures emerging from the parked car.

Two women—stylish, elegant, and clearly not ordinary. Both wore face masks, but their beauty still radiated: pale skin, slim figures, and eye-catching outfits. At a glance, they looked like models or celebrities. And yet, something felt… off. The air, which should have been cool, suddenly felt too warm.

One of them, wearing a short skirt, began walking toward Jinhyuk.

Han-na glanced at them with suspicion, wondering who they were. Maybe just new customers? Though honestly, they didn't match the humble diner behind them at all.

Han-na tried to lead Jinhyuk away. But something was wrong. Jinhyuk was staring at the approaching woman—blankly. His eyes were wide open, as if he'd lost all awareness.

And in the woman's eyes… a faint shimmer. A subtle, smoldering glow of pinkish-red flickered behind her pupils, like embers behind glass.

"Jinhyuk?" Han-na called out.

He didn't answer. He simply stood still, staring at the woman like a child awaiting instruction.

She stopped in front of him and said gently but firmly, "Come with me."

Without hesitation, Jinhyuk began walking.

His face remained emotionless. Though his eyes were open, he moved like someone walking in his sleep.

"Jinhyuk?!" Han-na's voice rose in panic. She rushed forward and grabbed his arm, shaking him, but his body was stiff. No reaction. He just kept walking—toward the woman.

They began heading toward the car, leaving Han-na behind in growing confusion.

"Hey! What's wrong with you?! Hey!" she shouted, running after them.

Jinhyuk kept moving, crossing the pavement toward the black car with tinted windows. The two women exchanged a knowing smile.

One opened the back door, and without a word, Jinhyuk stepped inside. The door shut softly, and the car began to drive away.

Han-na pounded on the side of the moving vehicle. "HEY! HEY!!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

She chased it a few steps, but it was no use. The car was already pulling away. Calm… but fast.

Han-na froze, breath caught. Was that… a kidnapping? But there was no force. Jinhyuk went willingly. Yet clearly, that hadn't been him.

Biting her lip, she whispered, "Is this… another magical incident? Like what happened at the park? This is bad. What do I do?"

She tried to remember every detail. Jinhyuk's face, the woman's glowing eyes, the strange shift in the air.

Panicked, she scanned her surroundings. No taxis. The street was always quiet at this hour.

She pulled out her phone to call the police—but stopped. How could she explain it? A grown man who "followed a beautiful woman into a luxury car"? It would sound like some weird romance drama, not a crime.

Then she remembered Gyeol. "Maybe… he can help."

Han-na ran in the direction he'd gone. But he was nowhere to be seen—vanished into the night.

She stood there, frozen. Her knees weak. Her breath quickening.

"I have to… I have to do something," she muttered.

But what? What could she do? And who were those two strange women?

For the first time, Han-na truly felt that the world she knew was beginning to crack. And someone close to her was being dragged into a darkness she couldn't understand—let alone reach.

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Meanwhile, in the luxurious car gliding smoothly through a winding hill road—

Jinhyuk sat quietly in the back seat beside a young woman in a sleek black mini skirt and casual top. She slipped off her jacket, revealing a long, smooth shoulder. Her skin glowed. Her straight, chestnut-black hair flowed down to her chest, gently curled at the ends.

She leaned in toward Jinhyuk, brushing his jawline with a soft, familiar touch—like a lover reuniting after a long time.

"I heard… you're no longer with Yoon Seri?" she whispered playfully. There was flirtation in her voice, but pressure too. Her gaze was sharp, and her pupils shimmered faintly pink—no longer human, not quite beast… but something else entirely.

Up front, the driver—a younger woman in a black suit—spoke calmly, "Miss Seo, where shall we take him?"

"To the villa," Miss Seo replied softly, still brushing Jinhyuk's shoulder as she leaned her head against him.

The car continued, passing through multiple security gates of an elite residential zone, until it stopped in front of a sprawling villa styled in Eastern European semi-classic architecture. Stone pillars framed the entrance. A tidy garden bloomed with red roses and white lilies. Warm yellow garden lights bathed the area in an elegant, eerie glow.

Several large bodyguards bowed politely as they arrived. Two women in brown-black uniforms opened the car door with a quiet gesture of welcome.

"Ye-eun, guard the perimeter. Make sure no one disturbs me tonight. Especially that annoying old man," Miss Seo said coldly.

"Yes, Miss Seo." Ye-eun moved swiftly, giving orders through a small earpiece.

Jinhyuk said nothing. He walked lightly, eyes half-lidded, letting Miss Seo guide him into the villa.

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They entered the master bedroom.

The room was drenched in a classical romantic style—deep maroon and soft cream tones. A crystal chandelier glowed dimly. Velvet drapes pooled to the floor, half-covering wide windows. The air smelled of roses, sandalwood, and a hint of red wine from a nearby aromatherapy diffuser.

A large white-canopied bed stood in the center, adorned with satin sheets and elegant pillows. On the wall, a Renaissance-style painting added an even richer sense of intimacy.

Miss Seo shut the door. She now stood before Jinhyuk, gazing into his eyes.

Her own eyes glowed red—brighter than before. Her cheeks were flushed. Nervous? Excited? Or something deeper?

"Jinhyuk…" she murmured. Her voice was soft, almost like a lullaby.

"I've waited so long for this," she whispered again, gently pushing him to sit at the edge of the bed.

Without hesitation, she sat on his lap—facing him. Her arms wrapped around his neck, breath warm, body exuding a sultry heat that almost shimmered.

Her face moved closer, and closer—barely an inch from his.

"Let me…" she breathed, eyes closing as her lips approached his—

But then—

BRUUUMMM!!

A wave of energy pulsed.

The room's atmosphere shifted—sudden and violent. The chandelier trembled.

Miss Seo leapt back instinctively.

"W–What…?"

Her eyes widened. The room darkened. Heaviness filled the air. Breathing grew harder.

Behind Jinhyuk—two massive, glowing red eyes floated in the darkness. No face. No form. Just eyes, staring straight into her soul. Unblinking. Ancient. Merciless.

Her body trembled.

Cold sweat trickled down her back.

Jinhyuk—once limp and passive—now slowly stood.

His back straight. His head tilted slightly downward.

SHUUUUUUUUM—!!

A silver-white aura rose around his body—calm yet crushing. Like a sacred mist burning through shadow.

His eyes glowed—bright red. Not human. Not demonic. But something far beyond.

"Jinhyuk…" Miss Seo whispered, stepping back.

Her left hand trembled.

The ceiling above them pulsed with energy.

Miss Seo staggered. Breathless.

"Jinhyuk…"

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