The days that followed their visit to Min Dan's mansion were filled with an eerie sense of normalcy, yet Faith couldn't shake the lingering unease that had settled in her mind. The memory of Nox Blaze Dan's intense gaze haunted her thoughts, and she found herself inexplicably drawn to him, despite the underlying fear that gripped her heart.
Faith continued her rigorous routine of medical studies, but her mind frequently wandered back to that night at the mansion. She spent her evenings writing, crafting stories of dark romance that now seemed to pale in comparison to the reality she had glimpsed. Nox's enigmatic presence had awakened something within her, a curiosity tinged with dread.
One evening, Faith received an unexpected message from Min, inviting her and Lily to another gathering at the mansion. "It's just a small get-together," Min had assured them. "I'd love for you to come."
Faith hesitated but ultimately agreed. She couldn't deny the allure of the mansion and the mysterious aura that surrounded it. Maybe this time, she would get some answers.
The mansion was as grand as ever when they arrived. Min greeted them warmly, her infectious smile putting Faith at ease. They spent the evening mingling with Min's family and a few close friends, enjoying the opulent surroundings and engaging in light-hearted conversations.
As the night wore on, Faith found herself wandering away from the main party. The mansion was vast, and she felt a strange urge to explore its hidden corners. She walked down a dimly lit corridor, her footsteps echoing softly against the marble floor. The walls were adorned with portraits of stern-faced ancestors, their eyes seeming to follow her every move.
Faith turned a corner and froze. Ahead of her, in a shadowy alcove, she saw Nox standing with another man. The atmosphere was tense, and Faith's heart raced as she instinctively hid behind a nearby pillar, her curiosity outweighing her fear.
"I warned you," Nox's voice was cold, devoid of any emotion. "Disobey me again, and you won't live to regret it."
The other man, a nervous-looking figure in his mid-thirties, stammered a reply. "Please, Nox, I didn't mean to—"
Before he could finish, Nox moved with lightning speed, pulling out a knife from his jacket. With a swift, brutal motion, he plunged the blade into the man's chest. The man's eyes widened in shock, and he gasped for breath, blood gurgling from his mouth.
Faith's heart pounded in her chest as she watched in horror. Nox withdrew the knife and stepped back, his face a mask of indifference as the man collapsed to the floor, lifeless. There was no remorse, no flicker of emotion in Nox's eyes—just a chilling emptiness that made Faith's blood run cold.
Nox wiped the blade on a handkerchief and calmly tucked it back into his jacket. He turned and began to walk away, but then he paused, his gaze shifting in Faith's direction. She held her breath, praying he hadn't seen her.
"Come out," Nox's voice was low and menacing. "I know you're there."
Faith's legs felt like lead as she stepped out from behind the pillar, her eyes wide with fear. She wanted to run, to escape the nightmare she had just witnessed, but she was rooted to the spot.
Nox approached her slowly, his expression unreadable. "You shouldn't have seen that," he said, his tone as cold as ice.
Faith's voice trembled as she spoke. "I—I didn't mean to. I was just—"
Nox cut her off, his eyes narrowing. "Curiosity can be dangerous, Faith. You'd do well to remember that."
She felt a shiver run down her spine. The man she had been inexplicably drawn to was a monster, a cold-blooded killer who showed no remorse for his actions. The realization hit her like a punch to the gut, and she struggled to process the horror of it all.
"You killed him," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "You just... killed him."
Nox's expression remained unchanged. "He disobeyed me. In my world, there are consequences for such actions."
Faith felt a wave of nausea wash over her. She had stepped into a world far darker and more dangerous than she had ever imagined. The man standing before her was not just enigmatic and intense—he was inhuman, a ruthless psychopath who ruled through fear and violence.
"You should go back to the party," Nox said, his voice cold and commanding. "Forget what you saw here."
Faith's mind was a whirlwind of emotions as she stumbled back down the corridor, her heart racing. She wanted to flee, to leave the mansion and never look back, but she knew she was already entangled in a web of darkness and danger that she couldn't easily escape.
As she rejoined the party, her friends noticed her pale complexion and trembling hands. "Faith, are you okay?" Lily asked, concern etched on her face.
Faith forced a shaky smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... needed some fresh air."
But her mind was far from fine. The image of Nox's cold, emotionless face haunted her thoughts, and she couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom. She had glimpsed the true nature of the man who had captivated her, and it was a truth that threatened to consume her whole.
The night dragged on, and Faith struggled to maintain her composure. She couldn't help but steal glances at Nox, who continued to mingle with the guests as if nothing had happened. His facade of charm and civility was flawless, but Faith now saw the monster lurking beneath.
When the party finally came to an end, Faith and her friends bid their farewells. Min walked them to the door, her smile as bright as ever. "I'm so glad you could make it. We should do this again sometime."
Faith nodded, forcing another smile. "Yeah, definitely."
As they left the mansion, Faith felt a sense of relief wash over her, but it was fleeting. She knew that her encounter with Nox had changed everything. The darkness she had witnessed would not easily be forgotten, and she feared what it meant for her future.
That night, as she lay in bed, Faith's mind was a storm of fear and uncertainty. The man she had been drawn to was a cruel, unfeeling killer, and she was now entangled in his world. She had to find a way out, but the path ahead was shrouded in darkness.
Faith's journey had taken a sinister turn, and she knew that the road to her dreams of becoming a writer would now be fraught with danger and shadows. The story she was living was far more twisted and terrifying than any she could have imagined, and she was trapped in its deadly embrace.