The office door opened.
Mo Chen stepped inside.
The air in the room shifted instantly—cold, tense, heavy. Lin Yue's heart slammed against her chest, her fingers tightening around the card still hidden in her palm.
"…Why are you here alone?" Mo Chen asked calmly.
Lin Yue froze.
Alone?
Her eyes widened. She instinctively turned her head back—
But the chairs were empty.
The table was clear.
No Liang Feng.
No Gu Yichen.
The room looked as if no one had ever been there.
Lin Yue blinked again, confused.
"What…?"
Mo Chen's gaze sharpened slightly.
"Why did you look back?"
Lin Yue forced a laugh, too quick, too nervous.
"Nothing—nothing! I thought I heard something."
Without giving him time to question further, she rushed forward, grabbed his wrist, and pulled him out of the room.
"Let's go! Class is over anyway!"
The door shut behind them.
Lin Yue didn't look back again.
By the time they left the campus, the sun had already dipped low in the sky, painting the streets with soft golden light.
Lin Yue walked quickly, her thoughts still tangled.
Mo Chen glanced at her.
"You are distracted."
"I'm hungry," she replied instantly.
"That is not an answer."
"It is today."
Mo Chen didn't press further.
They walked in silence for a few minutes before he suddenly spoke again.
"I want to eat outside."
Lin Yue stopped mid-step.
"…Again?"
"Yes."
"You already ate outside yesterday."
"That was yesterday."
Lin Yue placed both hands on her hips.
"Do you think money grows on trees?"
Mo Chen tilted his head.
"You spend it frequently."
"That's because I'm human!"
"And humans eat."
"Yes—but not like you!"
Mo Chen looked genuinely confused.
"You said food makes life better."
Lin Yue opened her mouth… then closed it.
"…Fine."
She sighed dramatically.
"Let's go."
They arrived at a small roadside stall glowing under warm yellow lights.
It was Lin Yue's usual place.
The owner looked up immediately and smiled.
"Ah, Lin Yue!"
Then his eyes moved to Mo Chen.
His smile widened instantly.
"Oh! So you finally brought your boyfriend!"
Lin Yue choked.
"Uncle!"
Her face turned bright red.
"You misunderstood!"
She waved her hands quickly.
"He's just a friend!"
The owner laughed knowingly.
"Of course, of course. Handsome friend."
Lin Yue groaned and sat down.
"Let's just order."
Mo Chen sat across from her calmly, completely unaffected.
Within minutes, bowls of hot noodles and side dishes filled the table.
They began eating.
Lin Yue relaxed slightly, the warmth of the food easing her earlier tension.
Mo Chen watched her for a moment.
"…You are smiling again."
"I like this place."
She took another bite.
"It feels normal."
Mo Chen didn't respond.
But suddenly—
His expression changed.
Slightly.
Subtly.
His eyes shifted toward the dark alley behind the stall.
"…Wait here," he said quietly.
Lin Yue blinked.
"Where are you going?"
"I will return."
Before she could ask more, he had already stood up and walked away.
Lin Yue stared after him.
"…What is wrong with him?"
The alley was quiet.
Dark.
Empty.
Mo Chen stopped in the center of it.
His presence alone seemed to suppress the air.
"…How long do you plan to follow me?" he said calmly.
Silence.
Then—
A figure stepped out from the shadows.
Tall.
Pale.
Eyes glowing faintly red.
A vampire.
He smiled slowly.
"My name is Lucien Varrow."
His voice was smooth, confident.
"I was sent to kill you."
Mo Chen looked at him without interest.
"You?"
Lucien's smile widened.
"Yes."
"Before you recover your full power."
Mo Chen sighed softly.
"…Lowly creature."
Lucien's eyes sharpened.
"You speak too arrogantly."
He moved.
Fast.
His body blurred forward, claws aimed directly at Mo Chen's throat.
But—
Mo Chen didn't move.
At the last second—
He tilted his head slightly.
The attack missed.
Lucien's eyes widened.
Impossible.
He attacked again.
Faster.
Stronger.
But every strike—
Missed.
Mo Chen stepped aside calmly each time, as if dodging a child.
"You are slow," Mo Chen said quietly.
Lucien's anger exploded.
He unleashed his full strength, rushing forward with a powerful strike—
And in that instant—
Mo Chen moved.
A single punch.
Lucien's body flew backward.
The alley walls cracked as he crashed into them.
Glass shattered like breaking dimensions around them.
Before he could recover—
Mo Chen was already in front of him.
A kick.
Lucien barely escaped, rolling across the ground.
"How—?!" he gasped.
"You are weak," Mo Chen replied.
Lucien roared and attacked again with everything he had.
But Mo Chen's eyes turned red.
Cold.
Terrifying.
He shattered the attack instantly.
Then appeared behind him.
A brutal kick slammed Lucien into the ground.
Before he could rise—
Mo Chen's foot pressed down on his back.
Pinning him.
Completely.
Lucien trembled.
"I—wait—!"
"I will serve you!"
"I will—!"
Mo Chen's voice was quiet.
"I do not accept those who tried to kill me."
Lucien's eyes widened in fear.
"No—!"
Mo Chen grabbed his arms.
And tore them out.
Blood splashed into the air.
Lucien screamed.
The alley became a nightmare.
Then—
Mo Chen reached into his chest.
Pulled out his heart.
And crushed it.
Silence.
At that exact moment—
Lin Yue turned the corner.
"Mo Chen, what took you so lo—"
She froze.
Her eyes widened.
Her breath stopped.
In front of her—
Blood.
A body.
Torn apart.
And Mo Chen standing in the center of it.
His hands stained red.
His face expressionless.
Lin Yue stepped back.
Her body trembled.
Fear surged through her chest.
She turned—
Trying to run.
But suddenly—
He was in front of her.
Blocking her path.
"…Why are you running?" Mo Chen asked quietly.
Lin Yue's back hit the wall behind her.
Her breath shook.
Her heart pounded uncontrollably.
Her eyes locked onto his.
For the first time—
She couldn't answer.
End of Chapter 24...