Chapter 112: Dangerous Place
Unfortunately for Nyx, blending into the crowd had never truly been an option.
Even beneath the shadow of her hood, people continued to recognise her almost instantly. Wealthy businessmen slowed their conversations as she passed. Elegant noblewomen whispered excitedly behind gloved hands. Young admirers openly pointed in her direction while trying and failing to act discreetly.
For someone who had spent years standing beneath stage lights and holographic spotlights, her face had become impossible to hide.
"...Lady Nyx?"
A well-dressed gentleman in an expensive silver suit hurried across the marble walkway, nearly abandoning his companions in the process. His eyes sparkled with excitement as he bowed respectfully before her.
"I attended your concert in West Valleria last month," he said, struggling to contain his enthusiasm. "It was the most incredible performance I've ever seen. Your voice was absolutely phenomenal."
Nyx immediately produced the same perfectly rehearsed smile she had undoubtedly used thousands of times before.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it."
The man blinked.
"...That's it?"
Nyx maintained the smile.
"Have a wonderful evening."
Without waiting for another question, she stepped around him and continued walking.
The man remained frozen in place, still processing what had just happened. Avenor couldn't suppress a laugh.
"You've mastered the art of ending conversations before they even begin."
Nyx let out a tired sigh.
"If I stopped to talk to every fan..."
She gestured towards the busy streets surrounding them.
"...we'd still be standing here when the sun comes up."
Unfortunately, her prediction proved accurate.
Barely fifty metres later, another group recognised her.
"Lady Nyx! Are you attending the Royal Gala next week?"
"Probably not."
A fashion designer hurried forward before she had even finished answering.
"Who designed tonight's outfit? It's breathtaking!"
"No idea."
Another admirer excitedly raised a holo-camera.
"Could we maybe take one pi—"
"No."
She never slowed down.
Never broke stride.
Every answer was polite, and every answer was painfully short.
Watching the interactions unfold one after another, Aerin finally understood something important.
Nyx wasn't being rude, she simply couldn't afford to stop.
Fame, she realised, was another kind of prison.
Eventually, the glittering avenues gave way to a quieter neighbourhood tucked away from the bustling upper districts. The noise of expensive restaurants gradually faded until only the gentle rustling of ornamental trees and the distant hum of floating traffic remained.
Compared to the polished perfection surrounding it, this street felt... different.
Warmer, older and real.
Old stone walls supported a large three-storey building covered in climbing ivy and glowing botanical vines that illuminated the entrance with a soft emerald light. Delicate lanterns hung beneath the roof, casting gentle golden circles across the pavement.
Unlike the towering glass skyscrapers nearby, the building possessed genuine character.
It looked lived in and loved.
Above the entrance, an old neon sign flickered lazily.
SWAY REMEDIAL LABS
Nyx visibly relaxed the moment she saw it.
"...Finally."
Aerin instinctively scanned the surrounding area.
"This is the supplier?"
Nyx nodded.
"He is."
She paused for a moment before adding with complete honesty,
"...He's also weird."
Avenor folded his arms.
"That inspires absolutely no confidence."
Before anyone could step through the entrance—
BANG!!
The double doors exploded open with enough force to rattle the hanging lanterns.
"NYX!!"
Three figures practically launched themselves outside.
The first was a tall man with untidy silver hair that looked as though he had forgotten what a comb was. Oversized glasses rested crookedly on his face while the sleeves of his white laboratory coat were stained with colourful chemical residue, suggesting he had been in the middle of several experiments at once.
Behind him followed an imposing, muscular woman carrying an absurd stack of heavy supply crates on one shoulder as though they weighed nothing at all.
The third was a tiny boy wearing oversized welding goggles, his pockets overflowing with screwdrivers, spanners and mechanical tools that clinked loudly with every step.
Standing at their centre was Leiken Sway.
The moment his eyes landed on Nyx, panic completely replaced relief.
"YOU'RE LATE!"
Before she could answer, he grabbed both of her shoulders.
"Have you been overusing your Savage Power again?"
His questions fired like machine-gun rounds.
"Are you coughing blood?"
"Have you been taking the stabilisers?"
"Why do you look exhausted?"
"Did you sleep?"
"Have you eaten properly?"
Nyx stared at him in complete silence. After several more seconds of relentless questioning, she blinked once.
"...Finished?"
Leiken frowned.
"No."
He immediately spun towards Aerin and Avenor.
His eyes narrowed.
"Who are these two?"
He pointed accusingly.
"Why do they both look dangerous?"
His expression grew even more suspicious.
"...Did they kidnap you?"
Avenor placed a hand against his chest, visibly offended.
"I'll have you know I look incredibly elegant."
Leiken adjusted his glasses.
"You look unemployed."
Avenor froze.
"...Excuse me?"
The muscular woman burst into booming laughter.
"Hahaha!"
"That was brutal."
Even the tiny mechanic struggled to suppress a grin.
Nyx pinched the bridge of her nose.
"They're with me."
Everything changed.
Almost instantly, Leiken released her shoulders. The tension vanished from his posture. The muscular woman relaxed. Even the little mechanic lowered the wrench he had somehow been holding like a weapon.
Aerin observed the transformation carefully.
It wasn't fear, wasn't respect.
It was trust, absolute trust.
These people weren't protecting Nyx because she happened to be one of the most famous celebrities in the world.
They weren't interested in her wealth, or her influence, or her public image. They cared because she was family.
Leiken crossed his arms.
"...You disappeared."
Nyx looked away.
"I know."
"You missed two scheduled treatments."
"...I know."
"Your manager has been searching everywhere for you."
"...I know."
"And you've ignored every message I've sent for nearly a month."
Nyx rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly.
"...Still know."
Leiken stared at her for several long seconds, his expression gradually softened.
Then he released a slow, exhausted sigh.
"You're hopeless."
A faint smile appeared on Nyx's lips.
"And yet..."
She shrugged lightly.
"I'm still alive."
"Barely."
His answer came so quickly that everyone else laughed. The tiny mechanic suddenly leaned around Nyx before looking directly at Aerin and Avenor with sparkling curiosity.
"...Wait."
His eyes widened.
"Are these your new bodyguards?"
Avenor immediately stepped forward with a grin that practically radiated confidence.
"Yes."
Aerin stared at him.
"We are absolutely not—"
"They are."
Nyx interrupted without hesitation.
Avenor slowly turned towards Aerin with the biggest, most self-satisfied smile she had seen all day.
"I've always wanted to be someone's elite bodyguard."
"You've been one for exactly three seconds," Aerin muttered.
"And I'm already excelling."
Leiken sighed so deeply it sounded painful.
"...Whatever."
He stepped aside and gestured towards the entrance.
"Get inside before someone important notices she's here."
The group entered the building together.
The atmosphere changed the instant the doors closed behind them. Warm yellow lighting replaced the harsh neon glow of the city outside.
Rows upon rows of carefully organised medicine lined polished wooden shelves while strange glowing liquids rested inside reinforced glass containers. Sophisticated machinery hummed quietly in nearby rooms, filling the laboratory with a constant mechanical rhythm that somehow felt comforting rather than intimidating.
At first glance, the building resembled an ordinary research laboratory. At second glance... it resembled a fortress.
Aerin's eyes swept across the room.
Hidden security cameras. Reinforced blast doors cleverly disguised behind bookshelves. Emergency escape routes built into the walls. Automated defence mechanisms concealed beneath decorative panels.
Every corner had been designed with survival in mind. This wasn't merely a place where medicine was made, it was a sanctuary built by people expecting to be attacked.
Leiken stopped walking and without turning around, he spoke quietly.
"...You're being hunted again."
The room instantly fell silent.
"...Aren't you, Nyx?"
The smile disappeared from Nyx's face. For the first time since arriving, she looked genuinely tired.
"...Yeah."
Leiken closed his eyes.
His shoulders rose with a slow breath before falling again.
Fwoo....
When he finally turned around, the warmth in his expression had vanished completely.
Only concern remained.
"...Then Playmore..."
He looked towards the reinforced windows overlooking the glittering city.
"...is about to become a very dangerous place."
To be continued...