Chapter 535 – Pressure
He didn't remember where to.
Didn't matter.
Because the pressure never stopped.
No matter how high he scored.
No matter how many ranks he earned.
No matter how many boardrooms he conquered or how many demonesses whispered his name with lust or fear.
He kept walking.
But even in the dream, a whisper echoed...far off, soft as velvet, brushing the edge of the illusion.
"Lux…"
It wasn't the teacher.
Or the wrath demon.
Or Sira.
It was Lullaby's voice.
His breath caught.
The dream flickered again, like someone shaking a snowglobe filled with all his worst memories. His younger self stood there in the perfect black and silver uniform. Shoes polished. Spine straight. Eyes tired in a way a child's eyes shouldn't be.
"I don't want to do this again," Lux muttered.
His fists tightened. His jaw clenched. The hallway stretched out like a throat waiting to swallow him whole.
And then something soft brushed his cheek.
A fingertip. Cool. Gentle. Familiar.
