Raken felt a burning sensation deep within his body. Something churned in the right side of his abdomen, as if it were about to spew lava. This wasn't a red moon night, which meant someone was trying to breach the barrier he had built.
"Kala, hide."
Whoever was out there, Raken was certain they weren't human. The barrier he created only affected immortal beings, preventing them from entering or leaving the area. Humans could pass through it without realizing anything was there—and Raken would be able to sense their presence the moment they did.
Raken guided Kala toward the kitchen. Once there, he opened a drawer and found a small button that looked like a bolt, then pressed it quickly.
He glanced at Kala beside him, who stared in shock as the large refrigerator in front of them shifted. Within seconds, the wall behind it was fully exposed. Raken stepped forward and pressed a switch. What had looked like an ordinary wall now opened up. The empty space inside seemed to lead somewhere unknown.
"This lift will take us somewhere safe."
Raken pulled Kala inside. Once again, he pressed the arrow button beside him. Instantly, the lift began to move.
"A secret room?"
"That's right, Kala. Your father built this to make sure you'd always be safe."
"But earlier, wouldn't the trail be obvious?"
"No. The moment I pressed that button, everything returned to normal."
"Wow! So… why exactly was I brought here, Ken?" Kala was still confused, though she didn't doubt Raken in the slightest.
"There's something I need to check outside, but before that, I want to make sure you're safe."
"You're not going to meet that woman, are you?" Kala shot him a judging look, earning a light flick on her forehead from Raken.
"Maybe an old lady."
Kala covered her mouth, her expression clearly labeling Raken as a predator who would go after anything in any form.
The lift doors opened. Both of them stepped out immediately. At first glance, it was just a short, dead-end corridor—nothing more. A space about three meters long and two meters wide, with nothing in sight. But when Raken pushed the wall at the front, a hidden entrance revealed itself.
A spacious room with a wide sofa greeted them. It was decent, fairly clean. To the left was a kitchen equipped with cooking and dining tools. There were no windows, considering the place was dozens of meters underground, but the air supply and lighting felt completely normal.
"Kala, stay here. If you're hungry, there's plenty of food and snacks. Don't leave until I come back." Raken held both her shoulders.
"Okay, Ken. Don't take too long."
"I'll be back as soon as I can."
As much as he hated it, Raken had to leave Kala alone in the safe room. There was something urgent he needed to confirm. At the very least, knowing Kala was there gave him some peace of mind.
Raken quickly moved to the side of the building. His instincts told him something dangerous was targeting them. Whether it was Kala or himself, he didn't care—he wouldn't stand idle. Anyone who disturbed his peace would face the consequences.
"How have you been, Nic? Miss me?"
The man called Nic halted mid-action when Raken's voice reached him. The strike he was about to unleash froze in the air as his gaze snapped toward Raken.
"I've missed you so much I can't wait to smash your head open."
"Come on, it's been a while, and that's how you treat your 'noble one'?" Raken chuckled.
Nic's laughter roared, scattering the birds perched nearby.
"Don't joke around, you bastard! A creature like you is better suited to be the sole of my foot."
"There's something wrong with your brain, Nic."
"If you're brave enough to open this barrier, then stop hiding." Nic kicked the invisible shield in front of him.
In one motion, the barrier opened. Without hesitation, Nic lunged at Raken. Raken dodged effortlessly, a faint smirk forming as if he had been waiting for this moment.
Nic attacked wildly, but not a single strike hit its mark. As his energy began to drain and exhaustion took over, Raken kicked him square in the chest, sending his body flying.
Dark smoke gathered in Raken's palm. With even a fraction of his power, Nic would be reduced to nothing.
"Wait, Raken."
Before he could strike, his movement halted. Raken recognized this aura.
"It would be such a waste to use that power just to attack my younger brother. Don't you feel insulted?"
Raken smiled, running a hand through his hair before slipping it into his pocket.
"You're right. I do feel insulted using my power on a worthless insect. But it's better to crush one before it builds a colony to keep bothering me, Aldor."
"Oh, come on. What can he possibly do against you? He's just a rookie."
"And what exactly are you doing here, you mutt?"
Raken noticed Aldor's jaw tighten, though the smile on his face remained. Unlike Nic, who was expressive, Aldor was manipulative. Behind that smile lay schemes, calculations—measuring his chances of winning. Unfortunately for him, Raken had no intention of giving any.
The werewolf race had long opposed the kingdom Raken once belonged to. Rebellions from them were nothing new.
But what were they doing in the human world? It couldn't be just to chase him, could it?
"What are you after?"
"Nothing important. Just a girl."
The wind stirred, lifting strands of Raken's hair. The rustling of leaves filled the tense silence that suddenly wrapped around them.
"If you're looking for a girl, you should try a brothel."
"True. But the girl I want seems to be here."
A victorious smirk spread across Aldor's face. Raken clenched his fist inside his pocket. He knew exactly who Aldor meant, but he refused to acknowledge it. He didn't want to imagine Kala in danger.
"Relax. It's not time yet. I was just checking in." Aldor smiled sweetly before continuing, "Though it seems I'm not the only one interested in her. You'd better guard her well."
In an instant, both men disappeared. Aldor and Nic vanished from sight. For some reason, facing them had made Raken feel isolated—because only after they were gone did he sense life within his barrier again. Not just one or two presences, but a group.
"Damn it!"
Raken shot forward. In a split second, his presence startled the humans who had infiltrated the building.
"Welcome. How may I help you?"
No response. The four men ahead answered him with violence. Two held pistols, the other two carried blades. There was no need to ask who sent them—it was obvious they were Mahatma's men.
Gunshots echoed through the space. The roof was punctured by warning shots. Raken didn't flinch; to him, it was nothing more than a toy. One of the men with a blade lunged at him, his strikes precise and aimed at vital points, clearly intending to end the fight quickly.
Another gunshot rang out. Raken smirked, realizing the two with pistols were useless in close combat. In a flash, he seized one of the guns, pressed it against a man's head, and fired.
Blood splattered onto Raken's face. Without blinking, he shot the remaining three in the head. As if unsatisfied, he kept firing at their lifeless bodies. The once-clean floor was now soaked in red. The metallic stench filled the air.
This was nothing to Raken. He was used to blood. Used to slaughtering anyone who got in his way.
But Kala was different. What would her reaction be if she saw bodies strewn everywhere like this?
"More work for me," Raken muttered, lightly kicking one of the corpses' heads.
He had to clean everything up before bringing Kala back. Managing this place alone was starting to feel troublesome. Maybe he needed an assistant.
"Ken! Why did you take so long?" Kala rushed into his arms the moment he returned.
Right. He would never let anyone touch her—even if it meant destroying the world. This sweet girl deserved nothing but the best the universe had to offer.
"There were a lot of bugs."
"OMG! You got rid of them, right? I don't want any bugs in this house." Kala shuddered.
"Done, my Lady." Raken pinched her cheek playfully.
"Ken, carry me. I'm tired of just sitting around here." Kala spread her arms, asking to be picked up.
With a soft chuckle, Raken obliged. She was the only one who could command him so freely—and he would always obey willingly.
Raken carried Kala back to the main house. As they reached the kitchen, Kala's body stiffened when she heard a voice.
"Welcome back, miss."
Raken felt Kala's arms tighten around his neck. Her legs locked more firmly around his waist as she clung to him, refusing to be set down, burying her face in the crook of his neck.
"I'm scared, Ken."
*Note
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