Chapter 121: A Family of Schemes


    Abel and Lena approached the Starry Estate, its grand silhouette illuminated by the soft glow of the evening sky. The imposing structure with its sprawling grounds and towering windows cast a serene yet powerful presence. Lena hesitated for a moment at the gate, her eyes widening in awe. She removed her mask, revealing a face filled with wonder and disbelief.


    “This place… it’s incredible,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”


    Abel pushed open the gate with ease looking at Rian who was standing guard as they greeted. Rian had become accustomed to his employer''s strange sleep schedule but he never pried, he just did his job and appreciated the way Abel handled things.


    Abel walked up towards the front door glancing at her reaction. “Welcome to the Starry Villa,” he said calmly. “It’ll be your home from now on.”


    Lena followed him up the stone path, her footsteps tentative. She took in the intricately carved wooden doors and the polished marble steps leading into the villa. Once inside, her gaze darted around the spacious interior—the high ceilings adorned with intricate patterns, the soft lighting, and the gentle hum of quietness that filled the air.


    “I grew up homeless,” she confessed, her voice echoing slightly in the grand hall. “Most of my childhood was spent finding shelter wherever I could. This… this feels surreal.”


    Abel nodded, understanding her awe but keeping his tone neutral. “It’s yours to explore now. I’ve assigned you a room upstairs,” he gestured towards the staircase. “But be mindful of that glove. It’s a powerful tool, but power always comes with a cost. Magic doesn’t offer anything for free.”


    Lena’s fingers tightened around the glove as she studied it closely. The leather felt ancient, almost alive as if it pulsed faintly beneath her grip. The intricate designs etched into it reminded her of ancient runes she’d once seen carved into stones at forgotten ruins.


    “I understand,” she whispered. “I’ll be careful.”


    Abel’s expression softened slightly. “Good. The house staff will be here tomorrow to help you settle in. Take tonight to rest.” He hesitated for a moment before asking, “Why are you so fascinated with magic?”


    Lena’s eyes flickered with memory, and she took a deep breath. “When I was a child, my town was attacked by a four-headed bear. Everyone fled to safety, but no one cared enough to take me with them. I was left behind… alone.” She paused, her voice trembling. “I thought I’d die. But then, a man appeared. He wielded a flaming sword and fought the beast. I couldn’t see the battle clearly, but I’ll never forget how he gave me a piece of bread afterward… and disappeared as quickly as he came.”


    Abel listened intently, intrigued by her story. “A four-headed bear?” he asked thoughtfully. “And this man… he was wearing robes?”


    Lena nodded. “Yes. That moment changed everything for me. Since then, I’ve been chasing that power, hoping one day I could protect others the way he protected me.”


    Abel considered her words. “It’s a noble pursuit,” he said


    Lena’s eyes glimmered with gratitude. “Thank you,” she said softly.


    “One more thing,” Abel added, his tone firm. “The basement is off-limits. There are things there that don’t concern you.”


    Lena nodded, sensing the finality in his words. “Understood.”


    Satisfied, Abel gave her a brief nod and turned, making his way down to the basement. Lena stood in the hall for a moment longer, the glove still clutched tightly in her hand. She felt something stir within her—a mix of hope, fear, and excitement. She was stepping into a new world, one she had always dreamed of but never thought she could reach.Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    As Abel descended into the basement, the ground shuddered violently, forcing him to steady himself. Suddenly, an ancient, vile mana surged from deep beneath the earth, pressing against his chest like an iron grip.


    Then came the wails—agonized cries of lost souls, echoing through the walls. The piercing sound raked across his mind, sending searing pain through his skull. Blood trickled from his ears as he staggered back, breath ragged.


    Fighting the rising panic, Abel dropped to the ground and forced himself into a meditative stance. He anchored his focus on the steady pulse of his starry mana, driving back the suffocating force.


    After a long, tense moment, the wails faded, leaving behind a deadly silence. His breathing steadied, but the lingering chill in the air told him something ancient had stirred… and it wasn’t done. Abel was confused, unsure of what had just occurred.


    <hr>


    In the lavish estate of the Murman family on First Street, Ike Murman sat rigidly in his chair, his steely gaze locked on Hector, who stood before him. Hector, the eldest son, removed his mask, revealing his composed yet stern face. The atmosphere was thick with tension, and the dim candlelight cast long shadows across the intricately designed room.


    Ike’s voice cut through the silence like a blade. “Did the bazaar go as planned?”


    Hector nodded confidently. “Yes, Father. We’ve recruited two capable individuals for the Flower Ruins exploration. Both have significant potential, and one of them, in particular, triggered my Metallic Leech’s caution.”


    Ike raised a brow, curiosity momentarily overtaking his frustration. “Good. But what of your brother Hanz? Any sign of him?”


    Hector’s expression darkened. “We found his remains in the forest. His body was completely drained. No flag in sight.”


    Ike’s face twisted with rage. “Hanz was always weak! He failed at the most critical moment!” His voice reverberated throughout the room as he clenched his fists.


    “Father,” Hector said, his tone steady and composed. “We still possess five flags. Combined with the strength of our recruits, we can still succeed. The person who made my leech react is no ordinary individual. I’m confident he’ll be a major asset.”


    Ike calmed slightly, but his fingers still drummed against the armrest. “You better be right. We’ve planned this for years. The Flower Princess is the key, and her power must be mine. But we must ensure everything is in place. What of your brother Hubert? How is his assimilation progressing?”


    Hector hesitated for a moment before lifting his robe, revealing a metallic leech embedded in his chest near his heart. The creature writhed sluggishly, its metallic body gleaming under the dim light.


    “Hubert is still struggling. The process isn’t easy,” Hector explained, his voice calm but tinged with concern. “Out of the three leeches we recovered, only two could be assimilated. Mine is stable, but Hubert’s leech remains aggressive. It’s resisting him, but I believe he’ll manage. The process is slow, Father, but necessary. Once complete, he’ll gain the same ability I have—turning his body into living metal, allowing him to become a pseudo as well. Imagine how useful this will be in the ruins.”


    Ike’s eyes narrowed as he considered this information. “Two sons capable of transforming into metal... That will prove invaluable. Hubert must succeed, Hector. We’re too far in to tolerate failure now.”


    Hector inclined his head. “I’ll ensure he completes the assimilation. Soon, we’ll be unstoppable.”


    Satisfied, Ike stood, his eyes gleaming with ambition. “Prepare the initial rituals. After some time, we begin sending out instructions to those we''ve recruited. The Flower Princess will be ours, and with her power, I’ll transcend this mundane world.” He paused, his voice dropping to a near whisper. “Reinhart will bow before us.”


    Hector bowed deeply, leaving the room with a sense of purpose. The weight of their family''s ambition hung heavily in the air, a storm brewing beneath the serene surface of the town. Ike watched his son leave, a cold smile creeping across his face.


    Suddenly, Ike’s smile vanished as the ground beneath him trembled violently, shaking with a destructive intensity that felt almost intentional. The walls groaned, and the floor quaked like a beast stirring from restless slumber.


    Ike staggered, gripping the edge of a sturdy table for support as his guards rushed in, struggling to stay on their feet. Before anyone could speak, a haunting wail echoed through the air—chilling, inhuman, endless—as though tormented souls were clawing their way into the living world.


    Though it lasted only ten agonizing seconds, the sound carved its way into Ike’s mind like a cursed memory, leaving him unnerved and uncertain. His breath steadied, he snapped toward one of his guards.


    “Find Elliot. Now. I want answers.”