Silas slowly moved the shelf away from the door while Noctis pressed his ear against it, listening carefully for any sound outside.
Hearing no footsteps or signs of servants, they cautiously stepped out of the room.
"The office isn't much farther from here. We should hurry," Noctis said, scanning the hallway.
They made their way quietly through the corridor, keeping their pace as fast as possible while trying not to attract attention.
"So… if you do get out of this place, what are you going to do next?" Silas asked in a low voice.
"I haven't really thought about it. I never even had the time to," Noctis replied. "But one thing's certain — I'm never working at a mansion again. Even if they offer me a million dollars."
"I see," Silas said with a soft chuckle.
They continued walking until Ian's office came into view.
Noctis kept moving forward until he suddenly noticed—
The sound of Silas's footsteps behind him had vanished.
He immediately turned around.
…
Terror struck him.
He couldn't believe whether the scene before him was real or some cruel illusion.
Silas stood frozen in place.
A hand had pierced straight through his chest from behind.
Blood dripped slowly from his mouth.
With the last of his breath, Silas muttered—
"Noctis… go."
In the next instant, his body was flung away, crashing violently into the wall.
Ian Vexwood stood there, Silas's blood dripping from his hands.
"Fuck!" Noctis shouted in panic.
He turned and ran.
Behind him, Ian's body began to deform, evolving into something grotesque.
Multiple rotten arms burst out from his torso.
One side of his face was covered in countless eyes, dark blood streaming from them.
He chased after Noctis with a guttural roar that echoed through the hallway.
Silas, somehow still conscious, managed to grab Ian's legs with whatever strength he had left — only to be thrown aside instantly, without even slowing him down.
Noctis felt his chest tighten as he sprinted through the corridor with everything he had.
Finally reaching the office door, he grabbed the handle and tried to open it.
Locked.
"Shit! I don't have time for this."
Raising the revolver, he fired at the lock.
The mechanism shattered.
Kicking the door open, he rushed inside and ran toward the long clock.
His hands trembled as he set it.
Ian had already reached the doorway.
Then—
Click.
The ticking began.
Fast. Loud. Merciless.
The world around him started to shift.
Walls cracked as the building began to collapse in on itself.
In that instant, Ian grabbed Noctis's legs, muttering in a broken voice—
"It's… all… your… fault…"
Noctis hit the floor but quickly forced himself back up.
He aimed the gun at Ian's head.
"My fault? You should've been a better father!" he shouted.
Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang.
He kept firing until the revolver ran empty.
Ian finally released his grip.
Free at last, Noctis turned toward the clock.
Tick.
Tock.
Time had resumed.
Already feeling dizzy, he let out a tired sigh.
"How many times has it been now…?"
***
An alarm rang.
Noctis jolted upright in bed.
He immediately searched for his phone.
Picking it up from the desk, he hesitated for a moment.
Taking a deep breath, he checked the date.
June 5th, 2024.
He froze.
He couldn't believe his eyes.
"I… did it."
"I did it."
"I DID IT!"
His voice rang out in celebration.
But then—
A thought struck him.
Silas.
'Did he manage to leave as well?'
Noctis rushed toward the door and opened it.
…
"Why is everything… covered in fog?" he murmured.
His gaze slowly dropped to the ground.
A newspaper lay at his feet.
He picked it up.
***
The Daily Slightly–Concerned Gazette
TRAGEDY STRIKES VEXWOOD ESTATE DURING BIRTHDAY GATHERING
Multiple Fatalities Reported After Chandelier Collapse
VEXWOOD HILLS, June 5 — What was meant to be a quiet private birthday gathering at the historic Vexwood Estate ended in devastating tragedy late last night, as a massive chandelier collapsed inside the mansion's grand hall, resulting in multiple fatalities and serious injuries.
According to preliminary reports, the incident occurred shortly after 10 PM during a small celebration held for the young heiress, Ilya Vexwood, who had reportedly invited a limited number of staff members and close household associates.
Witness accounts remain unclear, with surviving staff describing the moment as "sudden" and "impossible to react to." One servant stated that the chandelier "fell without warning," adding that the sound of the impact echoed throughout the entire estate.
Authorities confirmed that among the deceased were long-serving household attendants Gerald Whitmore and Clarisse Dane, both of whom had been employed at the estate for over a decade.
Authorities later confirmed that Ilya Vexwood was also among the deceased, deepening the shock surrounding the incident.
Estate owner Ian Vexwood declined to give a formal statement but was reportedly present at the scene. Sources claimed he appeared "visibly shaken" in the aftermath.
***
"Hah… so it was bound to happen anyway, huh. But then why is this whole place covered in fog?"
Noctis checked the time again.
6:08 AM.
"It's morning… then why is it still this dark?"
He searched the entire mansion.
Empty.
Not a single servant remained.
The fog only grew denser.
Finally, he headed toward the last place he needed to check.
The garden.
Taking out his torch, he looked around.
Not searching for something.
But for someone.
Then—
He saw him.
A familiar figure tending quietly to the flowers.
Noctis approached without fear.
"You're always taking care of that flower whenever I see you," he said, putting away his torch.
The figure remained silent for a moment.
"What can I say? Violet is my favourite. My mother loved them too."
"So… have your memories returned?"
"Yeah. I remember."
"Then I think it's time we leave," Noctis said, extending his hand.
"We?" Silas replied faintly. "I think you're misunderstanding something."
"What do you mean?"
"My time limit is over. I lost. I couldn't do what you did. But don't worry… I won't be stuck here anymore either."
"But then—"
"I exist somewhere between life and death now. Something like… a soul. I'll leave. Just not on the same path as you."
Noctis lowered his head.
"I'm sorry."
"You don't need to be. Now go. The gates are open. And I don't intend to stay here either."
Noctis nodded.
He turned to leave, then stopped and waved.
Silas waved back, a faint smile on his face.
"Don't become a gardener next time!" Noctis shouted before disappearing into the fog.
Noctis finally reached the main gate.
The only difference this time—
It was open.
The same gate that had once trapped him in an endless loop.
But now…
He would be leaving for good.
Noctis stepped forward.
His entire path was covered in fog.
But he did not stop.
Because there was nothing else left for him to do.
And so—
He disappeared into the fog.
Volume 1 — Vexwood Mansion