╰┈➤𝔏𝔦𝔰𝔞

The rest of the day was a blur. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't focus on my studies. My mind kept replaying those forbidden moments with Taehyung over and over, like a loop I couldn't break.

Every touch, every stolen glance, lingered on my skin, setting my nerves on fire. What did it all mean? And what would happen next?

As college ended, I made my way to the bus station, feeling the weight of uncertainty pressing down on me. The ride home was quiet, my thoughts swirling in chaos.

I should've been relieved, but instead, I felt a gnawing anxiety about what the future held. Would I see him again? And if I did... what then?

When I finally got home, the house was unusually quiet. I headed straight to the kitchen, knowing I had to make amends with Mom.

On the way home, I'd picked up her favorite dessert, a small peace offering for how I had snapped at her earlier in the day.

"Mom," I called softly, entering the kitchen where she stood chopping vegetables. She barely glanced my way, her shoulders stiff, her silence louder than any words.

"I got this for you," I said, placing the dessert on the counter between us. "I'm sorry for earlier... With all the tests and studying, I've been feeling overwhelmed. I didn't mean to take it out on you."

For a moment, she stayed quiet, her hands stilling over the cutting board. My heart thudded in my chest, waiting, hoping. But then she sighed, setting the knife down and turning to face me.

"You always say that, Lisa," she replied, her tone softening despite the lingering hurt in her voice. "But it's all right. I know it's stressful; just... don't let it eat you up, okay?"

I nodded, a flood of relief washing over me. "I won't," I promised, my voice barely a whisper.

Dinner was quiet after that, the tension easing slightly but not completely gone. Later that night, after cleaning up, I threw myself onto my bed, too tired to even bother turning on the light.

The darkness wrapped around me, and I listened—really listened—for the first time in a long while.

But the house was silent. Too silent.

There was no low hum of Taehyung's strong, steady voice from down the hall. No croaking chatter from Elpass.

It used to be that the house felt alive, their voices echoing through the rooms like a comforting rhythm. Even when things were tough, I could always count on their presence, a warm backdrop to my life.

But now... now there was nothing. Just sterile, empty silence.

And that silence gnawed at me, deeper than I wanted to admit.

"We are back to life as usual," I thought, feeling a deep sadness settle in my chest. "I don't know why, but I miss him."

The ache was heavy, a persistent reminder of what I had lost. Just as I sank further into my thoughts, something soft landed on my hand, jolting me from my reverie.

I blinked, surprised to find a black feather resting on my palm. Confused, I spun around on my bed, my heart racing, and froze at the sight before me.

Two glowing red eyes pierced the darkness, shimmering like a cat in the night.

"Taehyung! What are you doing here?" I exclaimed, sitting up abruptly. He hovered just above me, suspended in midair, wearing a black silk shirt and tight leather pants that hugged his form perfectly.

The sight of him made my breath hitch in my throat, a rush of desire flooding through me. I missed the way he looked at me, his gaze igniting something deep within.

A mischievous smile danced on his lips as he noticed my eyes lingering on the first three buttons of his shirt, carefully undone to reveal a tantalizing glimpse of skin. "Even if we are no longer siblings, that doesn't mean I can't come see you. Or do you want me to go?"

The very thought of him leaving sent a surge of panic through me. "No! Don't go!" I shouted, my voice cracking with urgency.

Without thinking, I threw my arms around his neck, squeezing him as tightly as I could, feeling the warmth of his body against mine. My heart raced, pounding against my chest like a caged bird desperate for freedom.

"I thought you were mad at me at first," I murmured, burying my face against his ivory neck, inhaling the scent of him—rich, intoxicating, and so familiar.

"That's because you're stupid," he replied, his tone teasing yet oddly sweet, sending a thrill down my spine.

I smiled against his skin, feeling light as if all my worries were lifted away. The world outside faded, leaving just the two of us suspended in this moment.

My heart sang like a nightingale, and for the first time in days, I felt whole again.

"You know I love to annoy you," he murmured, his voice low and teasing as he leaned closer, searching for my lips.

The air between us crackled with an electric tension, a heat that was impossible to ignore. Our mouths met in a gentle kiss, soft and tentative at first, but soon he began to bite my lip, urging me to respond, to fight back.

Without even realizing it, I surrendered to the moment, kissing him back with a fierce passion that ignited within me.

He pushed me down, his body hovering over mine, and I instinctively wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer.

His kisses grew more fervent, each one filled with a wild urgency that made me tremble beneath him.

An animal hunger surged through me, primal and raw, awakening something deep within my soul. It was a longing that felt ancient, something buried beneath layers of restraint and propriety, now unleashed.

Driven by this feverish instinct, my fingers found the buttons of his shirt, quickly unfastening them, exposing the marble expanse of his chest.

I gasped at the sight, enchanted by the perfection of him. I traced my fingers over his skin, marveling at the fact that he was real, flesh and blood.

He was a living work of art, far removed from the airbrushed models gracing the covers of magazines.

His body was a tapestry of nerves and muscles, sculpted by nature's hand, a divine masterpiece that had just escaped from the museum.

His skin was pale and immaculate, smooth to the touch as if polished by the sea. Every contour and curve of his muscles was a testament to an ancient harmony, a beauty that felt timeless.

As I lost myself in the sight of him, my gaze unwavering, I felt his eyes on me, watching with a playful glint.

"See something interesting?" He teased, a smirk playing on his lips.

I couldn't help but laugh, but my eyes remained fixed on him, wide with wonder. "You're stunning," I whispered, my voice barely audible yet full of awe.

The intensity of the moment swallowed me whole, leaving nothing but the two of us, suspended in our own world, as I continued to gaze at him like a love-struck fool.

I wanted it—hell, I wanted it more than anything! But at the same time, uncertainty gripped me. I needed time; after all, I was still young.

Our kisses had been wild, filled with a reckless passion that left me breathless.

He looked at me then, his gaze softening. "So beautiful," he said, his voice a gentle caress.

I couldn't help but smile. "Did you forgive me now? You even punished and teased me at college."

His smile widened, a playful glint in his eyes. "How could you think I could ever be angry with you? I was just making ways to tease you, to make you feel shy, embarrassed, and very sexy."

I felt a warm flush creep across my cheeks at his words, the heat mingling with the desire still simmering between us.

Just as I began to lose myself in the moment, Taehyung suddenly turned his head, his gaze focused on the window as if sensing something amiss.

I watched, fascinated, as he spun his head like a bird of prey, sharp and alert.

The window swung open, allowing a rush of night air to fill the room, and in glided a large raven. "My Lord! We have a problem!"

The crow croaked, but upon seeing us tangled together, it paused, momentarily dumbfounded.

I felt the awkwardness wash over me, and Taehyung's annoyance was palpable. "You must always appear at the least opportune moment. What do you want?"

He growled, rising from the bed with an air of irritation. He offered his wrist as a perch for the bird, which settled on him, folding its dark wings.

"A warning from Pandemonium has just arrived: you are commanded to return to the castle immediately," the hesitant crow said, tucking its black head between its shimmering wings as if bracing for Taehyung's reaction.

The sound of Taehyung's roar echoed through the room, shaking the very floor beneath me. A lightbulb that I had replaced just after our first meeting shattered overhead, sending shards of glass flying.

"Taehyung! I had just changed it!" I exclaimed, irritation bubbling beneath the surface of my shock.

But he seemed not to hear me, his focus consumed by the urgent message. My heart raced, torn between the thrill of being with him and the looming reality of whatever was waiting for him outside.

The intensity of our moment had been shattered, replaced by an urgent tension that I couldn't ignore.

He caught Elpass, the helmsman, by the scruff, his anger crackling in the air. "Who the fuck dared to give me orders?! If it's Baal, I swear I'll kill him!" Taehyung's fury echoed around the room, fierce and unrestrained.

"I don't know, my Lord! I don't think it was a hellish demon below your rank. The message was delivered by another messenger crow... a rather stupid bird, to tell the truth," Elpass stammered, ruffling his tail feathers as he wriggled free from Taehyung's grip.

"Fucking Baal," Taehyung muttered, his voice laced with rage. I could see his eyes shimmering with a garnet hue, his body shifting as if he were shedding his previous form.

He elongated and became more graceful, majestic black wings unfurling from his back, their size overwhelming in the confined space of the room.

Fear clawed at my chest, and he seemed to sense my trepidation as his gaze locked onto mine, glowing ominously.

"Will you return to the world of demons?" I asked, my voice trembling, cracked with the weight of sadness and fear. I was terrified of never seeing him again.

He remained silent, a predator poised before its prey. Then, with a swift motion, he grabbed my wrist, his grip firm and possessive. "You come with me to Hell."

Suddenly, the ground vanished beneath me, and a sickening sensation of emptiness enveloped my body, sending horror coursing through my veins.

I screamed, my voice echoing in the void as I fell deeper into the abyss, unable to see the light at the end. My lungs burned as I screamed, desperately grasping at the air.

Just then, strong arms wrapped around me, and I found myself clutching Taehyung tightly. "Have you finished screaming?" he asked, an annoyed frown creasing his brow as his wings expanded, catching the air like parachutes, slowing our descent.

"Why are you taking me with you?!" I shouted in hysteria, my heart racing with panic.

"I'll tell you when we get to the castle," he replied, his expression an emblem of calm amidst the chaos.

As we plunged deeper into the darkness, the tunnel constricted around us, forcing Taehyung to fold his wings to avoid scraping against the rock.

The air grew warmer, heavy with the scent of sulfur and something primal, an ever-present reminder of the world we were entering.

As we fell, my heart raced—not just from fear but from the undeniable pull of being with him, of experiencing a world beyond my wildest imagination.

I felt suffocated, my throat dry as fear wrapped around me. "Breathe softly and don't fidget," Taehyung said, noticing the terror in my eyes and my hands convulsively gripping his black silk shirt.

"I'm scared. Please take me away," I pleaded, tears spilling down my cheeks.

"Always stay close to me, and nothing will happen to you," he reassured me, a glint of amusement and sweetness sparkling in his eyes as if he were watching a child take their first, awkward steps.

Gradually, I began to see a faint light in the darkness surrounding us. As we descended, that light drew nearer until I felt my feet touch down on something warm and grainy.

Sand? I looked around, shocked to find that the intense heat I had felt in the tunnel wasn't from flames but from a vast desert stretching endlessly before me.

Towering sharp rocks jutted out like skyscrapers, their red surfaces contrasting sharply with the reddish sand beneath my feet.

I lifted my gaze to the sky, where a large, blood-red moon hung ominously, casting a crimson hue over everything, while the rest of the sky remained shrouded in darkness.

Turning to Taehyung, who was watching me with a curious expression, he asked, "Did you expect lava, incandescent flames, and thousands of screaming souls for terrible tortures inflicted?"

"Are you telling me that everything they tell us is a lie?" I said.

"Not really. There are territories where evil souls are kept, but it's a small part compared to the rest. And as for the groups you're asking about, they don't exist. They were just the fruit of Dante's ravings when he got drunk." He concluded with a shrug, pulling his beautiful black wings tightly against his back as if the motion were somewhat painful.

"Why did you withdraw your wings?" I asked, worry creeping into my voice as I surveyed the desolate landscape around us.

"No need here," he replied, his gaze fixed on something far in the distance. I followed his line of sight and noticed a dark shape approaching at incredible speed.

"What is it?" I whispered, a mix of curiosity and dread knotting in my stomach.

"Our means of transport," Taehyung said, his voice smooth and inviting as he approached. I watched, my heart racing, as a majestic silhouette emerged from the shadows.

In less than half a minute, I found myself face-to-face with an immense black horse, unlike anything I had ever seen.

It was breathtaking. The horse's snout tapered elegantly, and its nostrils flared wide, glowing a fierce red as if there were fire burning within.

Its long, arched neck added to its grandeur, while its powerful legs hinted at strength that could easily carry us into the night.

The tail held high; it exuded proud confidence. The horse was so massive that even its withers towered over Taehyung.

Adorned with a heavy golden saddle intricately decorated with bas-reliefs of dragons, the horse was a sight to behold.

The headboard gleamed in the dim light, designed to protect its forehead, enhancing the creature's regal presence. Its eyes, glowing like embers, radiated a mix of fury and wisdom that sent shivers down my spine.

Despite its intimidating appearance, the steed approached Taehyung with grace, nuzzling his hands with a gentle curiosity.

Taehyung caressed its neck, his touch tender and affectionate. "It's beautiful," I whispered, awe-mingling with a flicker of fear as I kept a cautious distance.

"I am a girl, little girl," the steed suddenly spoke, its voice deep and fierce, startling me into silence. My eyes widened in disbelief, and I nearly stumbled backward, my heart racing. "I'm sorry," I stammered, unsure of how to respond.

I heard Taehyung chuckle softly, a sound that somehow calmed my frayed nerves.

With an elegant gesture, he placed his foot in the stirrup hanging from the saddle and gracefully hoisted himself onto the mare's back, taking the fine golden reins in his hands.

"Get in," he said, extending his hand toward me, a playful smile on his lips.

Still half dead from fright but drawn in by his confidence, I hesitated for a moment. Then, with a deep breath, I grasped his hand.

He pulled me up effortlessly, and with a gentle push, I found myself on the back of the magnificent animal, sitting in front of Taehyung.

I looked down, and to my surprise, the dizziness that had threatened to overwhelm me began to fade. Taehyung moved closer, effortlessly lifting me into his arms.

As he positioned me in the saddle, I felt my heart race. I almost slipped from my precarious perch, but Taehyung pressed me against him, his strong body providing a steady anchor.

"Night, calm down and take me to the castle," he commanded, his voice firm yet soothing.

As he settled onto the horse behind me, I caught a glimpse of the arid desert landscape rushing past us, the scenery blurring into a series of warm hues.

It was a melancholy yet oddly pleasant sight, a stark contrast to the grotesque images I had conjured in my mind.

There was an unnatural calm enveloping the desert, a tranquility that felt more peaceful than many bustling cities I had known back on Earth.

But that peace was short-lived. The damn horse, affectionately dubbed "the walking hamburger" in my head, took it upon herself to tease me relentlessly.

With every stride, she nudged me with her nose, playfully trying to dislodge me from my seat.

I gasped as she jostled me, the coarse sands of the desert rushing close beneath us, and I clung tighter to Taehyung, laughter bubbling up despite my frustration.

"Stop it!" I squealed, half-laughing, half-annoyed. She snorted as if she understood my plea, but didn't relent.

"Looks like she likes you," Taehyung chuckled, his voice vibrating against my back. I could feel his amusement radiating off him, and it made me want to laugh even more.

As we continued to ride, the desert stretched endlessly in all directions, and with each passing moment, I felt a strange sense of freedom wash over me, mingling with the thrill of the adventure that lay ahead.

Despite her playful antics, I was here with Taehyung, and that made everything feel right.

Taehyung noticed my unease, but he said nothing. Every time I turned to look at him, he would offer a reassuring smile, one that spoke volumes without the need for words.

However, I had to admit that the horse was four times faster than a jet, so much so that I could barely keep my eyes open against the rushing air.

As we advanced, a black dot appeared on the horizon, gradually becoming clearer. I narrowed my gaze. It was a castle—though I wasn't sure it could truly be called that.

I had never seen a structure of such shape and size, one that made the Palace of Versailles look like a mere closet in comparison.

The first thing that struck me was the gigantic black walls, crafted from a strange material that resembled obsidian.

It had a glassy sheen, crisscrossed with countless red veins as if blood were flowing through the cold stone.

Surrounding the walls was a deep and vast moat of bubbling lava, sending up thick plumes of smoke that filled the air with a potent smell of sulfur.

The unbearable heat made my already tired limbs drip with sweat.

Behind the walls, miles of sinuous, serpentine towers wound like delicate flower stalks, all made from the same obsidian-like material.

Among them, one tower stood taller than the rest, rising into the sky and concealing its summit from view. I opened my mouth in awe, captivated by the architectural marvel that no human could ever hope to design.

"Welcome to hell," Taehyung whispered, his voice low and reverent, sending a shiver down my spine.

We trotted across the narrow stone bridge, and I had to summon every ounce of self-control and courage to keep my eyes forward, resisting the urge to look down at the bubbling lava below, which seemed eager to swallow anything that fell into it.

Peering over Night's powerful neck, I saw that the bridge did not lead to a gate but to a gigantic high relief carved into the walls.

It depicted the face of a terrifying beast—a hybrid of a lion and a dragon—its massive jaws closed tightly, black eyelids shielding its fierce eyes.

The intricate details of the carving sent a thrill of fear and wonder through me.

"What kind of place is this?" I breathed, the enormity of it all sinking in. Taehyung's presence behind me was both comforting and overwhelming, and I felt a mix of anticipation and trepidation as we drew closer to the imposing structure.

When we were less than three meters from the statue, it suddenly opened its fiery eyes, making me wish I had never looked at it. "Who dares to enter Pandemonium?" the beast growled in a low, inhuman voice.

My heart stopped for a moment, and I wanted to cry and run away, putting as much distance as possible between myself and that terrifying creature.

But then Taehyung's voice, frightening yet commanding, came over my shoulder. I felt his chest vibrate against my back as he spoke. "I am Taehyung, king of Hell, and I carry with me Lisa, a young human woman. Open your guardian jaws and let us in."

The creature held its position for two seconds before opening its mouth. From its empty throat, I saw a huge hall, at least nine meters high, with a massive portal at its center.

The portal was black but adorned with a multitude of shiny marbles, stones, and various metals.

Night moved gracefully through the creature's deep throat, but when we reached the portal, she stopped. I heard Taehyung dismount from the saddle with ease. "Jump," he instructed me.

I looked down at the floor of the hall from atop the horse. "No, don't worry," I said with a trembling voice. "I'll stay here."

"And I want you on my back," the horse interjected sharply. "Lord, take her off me. I want to go back to the stable!"

Taehyung, with an amused smile on his scarlet lips, grabbed me by the hips and lifted me off Night. The horse snorted in protest as her hooves scraped against the black floor.

Taehyung then approached the portal, which opened automatically with a screeching sound, revealing a magnificent hall. Calling it a hall felt like an understatement because it was larger than my entire college.

The walls, ceiling, and floor were made of black stone with cracks that oozed luminous lava. Gigantic columns, so large that it would take a hundred men to embrace one, lined each side of the room.

They were white as bones, decorated with beautiful red and black vines that seemed to move and chase each other along their length. The ceiling soared so high that I could barely see where it ended.

In the hall, numerous beings moved, fidgeted, and squabbled among themselves. Some were as small as chickens, while others were as large as dinosaurs.

There were creatures as thin as reeds and others so sturdy that their footsteps echoed with powerful thuds. Some were deformed and so repugnant that it was painful to look at them.

When Taehyung entered, the noise abruptly stopped, and all eyes turned to him. In some eyes, I saw fear; in others, joy; and in a few, an unsettling ambiguity.

A single chorus rose, frightening enough to make me retreat behind Taehyung's mighty back. "Welcome back, Lord," they exclaimed in unison.

Other demons approached him, but these were not deformed; they were beautiful, almost sublime, appearing as if crafted from some otherworldly material.

Like Taehyung, they had iridescent black hair that framed their perfect features and they possessed long, pointed ears, though their horns were different.

In their eyes, which reflected the soul, I could see the profound evil that lurked within.

"They are fallen angels, just like Taehyung," I realized.

"Tributes, brother," one of them said, standing before the others with a light and graceful nod. "Did you have a good time in the human world?"

"I was having a lot of fun until you called me," Taehyung replied, anger lacing his tone as he turned away from the haughty fairies.

I started to follow him when a strong grip seized my arm, preventing me from moving forward. I turned to see that the one holding me was the demon who had just spoken to Taehyung.

I found myself face-to-face with two completely white eyes—both the iris and the sclera—glaring at me with hatred and ferocity. A wave of terror washed over me.

"A human woman?" he said, continuing to glare, his black claws digging into the flesh of my arm.

"Baal, leave her," Taehyung commanded, his voice echoing with authority as he ascended the steps to the throne.

The demon, Baal, continued to glare at me with palpable contempt, his eyes narrowing as if my mere presence disgusted him. "Why did you bring this creature here?" he sneered, his voice dripping with disdain.

"I told you to leave her," Taehyung repeated, his tone icy with barely restrained anger.

The atmosphere in the hall shifted as the other demons began to murmur among themselves, their whispers swirling with wild speculation about why I was in such a foreboding place—speculation that felt just as obscure to me.

Baal finally released my arm, but his gaze remained fixed on me, filled with contempt. I stood frozen, unsure of what to do, my heart pounding in my chest.

Taking a deep breath, I moved closer to Taehyung, despite the palpable tension in the air.

Suddenly, in a swift, merciless motion, Taehyung unleashed his power, his expression darkening as he crushed Baal's head with an effortless flick of his wrist.

I screamed, instinctively shutting my eyes against the gruesome sight. The metallic tang of blood filled the air, and I braced myself for the horror of it all, but just before the warm liquid could touch my face, Taehyung's power halted it in midair, suspended like a cruel joke.

I didn't know I wanted to vomit seeing this all, but I stopped controlling my mouth; it's crazy.

"What an absurd situation," Taehyung remarked, a hint of disdain curling his lips as he settled onto his imposing white throne.

The chair was a work of art, adorned with intricate black decorations that twisted around like serpents. At each armrest, fearsome dragon heads glowered down, their eyes a terrifying shade of crimson.

As the whispers in the hall faded into an uneasy silence, Taehyung's gaze hardened. "If anyone dares to lay a hand on this girl," he declared, his voice low and menacing, "I will end their existence in the most painful way imaginable."

The tension in the hall was palpable, the demons frozen in place, fear etched on their faces as they recognized the weight of his words.

My heart raced, a mix of terror and something deeper surging within me as I stood beside him, enveloped in his shadow, unsure of what fate awaited us in this twisted realm.

"Why did you summon me?" Taehyung asked, his voice laced with boredom as he leaned back against the ornate throne.

"Summoned?" A fallen angel-turned-demon glanced at his companion, confusion etched across his face.

"But the king didn't summon you," another female demon chimed in, her wavy black hair cascading around her shoulders. Her yellow cat-like eyes locked onto Taehyung with a mix of desire and curiosity.

"In fact, it was me," a voice cut through the murmur of the crowd, commanding attention. The sea of demons parted, revealing a striking figure: a beautiful creature with golden hair and piercing red eyes.

Small, white wings flapped nervously behind her, resembling the delicate wings of a hummingbird.

At first glance, she appeared to share the sinister qualities of the other demons, but as I studied her further, I noticed the unmistakable traits of an angel—her hair, the wings, and an otherworldly grace that set her apart.

She regarded me with a keen gaze as if searching for something hidden within.

"So, you are the human woman to whom His Highness has sworn eternal love?" She inquired, his tone dripping with haughty disdain, although masked by a false smile that tried to convey benevolence.

At his words, the low hum of chatter among the demons escalated into a cacophony of derisive laughter and dissonant whispers, a chilling chorus that reverberated throughout the hall.

The atmosphere thickened, and I could feel the weight of their scrutiny pressing down on me, igniting a fire of anxiety within.

Taehyung's expression hardened, his eyes narrowing at the creature, but I could sense the tension radiating from him. This was no ordinary encounter; it was a challenge to our very existence in this twisted realm.

"What!?" roared a gargantuan creature resembling a stone gargoyle, its skin rough and jagged. "It is not possible! Devil has sworn hatred against humans!"

Wailed another demon, one with a more humanoid form, his features twisted in disbelief. "I don't believe it!" shouted a third, his voice filled with outrage.

"The Mediatrix is lying!" another demon chimed in, his tone dripping with scorn.

"Of all the nonsense I've heard in my life, this is the most idiotic!" A fallen angel scoffed, throwing his head back in a grotesque laugh that sent shivers down my spine.

Taehyung remained silent, his expression unreadable as he regarded his subordinates.

He merely inclined his head with a predatory grace and sighed theatrically, as if savoring their chaos. "Hyuna, who told you such a thing?" he asked, his voice smooth and low, like a priest in a confessional.

"It was Jimin," the golden-haired creature replied, flashing the most angelic and dazzling smile I had ever seen.

"He called me into the world of humans on purpose." His gaze flicked to Taehyung, seeking approval or perhaps hoping to curry favor.

Taehyung's amusement vanished in an instant, replaced by a cold seriousness. A murderous glow flickered in his eyes, and I sensed a palpable tension in the air as if the very atmosphere crackled with danger.

The other demons instinctively stepped back, wary of the threat that seemed to emanate from Taehyung like a wild animal ready to pounce.

"Jimin, that damn bastard. Of course, he chose to tell you," Taehyung muttered under his breath, his grip tightening on the grotesque heads of the two red dragons that served as his armrests.

The room felt charged with his fury, and I couldn't shake the feeling that we were all teetering on the edge of something far darker.

"What do you mean?" I asked, the question escaping my lips before I could stop it. Almost involuntarily, I was drawn in by the creature's red eyes, which sparkled with life at my inquiry.

Twisting a golden ring around her finger, she leaned in with a flirtatious yet feigned demureness. "How do you not know? Taehyung and I are, um, how do you humans say... lovers? Sex friends?"

Her words hit me like a physical blow, and my heart skipped several beats. "Hyuna, don't use such terms with a human virgin," Taehyung interjected, shaking his head slightly, but the tension in his voice was palpable.

"Thing? Is this girl still a virgin?" Hyuna scoffed, disbelief etched on her face. "I thought that—"

"Enough!" I cut her off, my voice roaring through the cavernous hall, fueled by a surge of anger. "Now I understand why you brought me here! You brought me here for this, right? To have fun behind my back!? We humans are just toys to you demons, aren't we? Well, I won't be one of them!"

Tears burned in my eyes as I glared at Taehyung, feeling betrayed and powerless. Without waiting for a response, I stormed down the steps leading to the throne, crossing the vast room with quick, determined strides.

The demons parted around me, their curious gazes following my path, and I felt the warm breath of one creature as it bent down to smell me, but this time I wasn't afraid.

The anger surging within me eclipsed any fear I might have felt.

Before I knew it, I found myself outside the oppressive black walls, standing at the edge of a bridge, disoriented and unsure of how to escape this nightmarish place.

I wandered, the surroundings twisting into an endless blur. Without sunlight or a North Star to guide me, I felt more lost than a broken compass.

The scorching heat bore down on me, sapping my strength and muddling my thoughts.

Panic surged through me as the clatter of hooves drew closer. Stumbling, I fell face-first into the scorching sand, visions of despair swirling in my mind. "Leave me alone!" I cried my voice barely a whisper.

"We have orders from the king to take you back, lady," the demons replied, their voices cold and menacing.

As I struggled to comprehend my surroundings, I felt rough hands grasp me and lift me from the ground. A female demon approached, her voice filled with fear. "Take her to the royal bath now. She needs to be prepared."

Confusion washed over me.

Prepared for what?

I was led into a magnificent bathroom with white marble walls and floors. A shimmering, silver substance filled the tub, unlike anything I had ever seen.

It pulsed and rippled, like liquid light or solid wind. I couldn't decide if it was liquid or gas.

I looked at my wet skin in disbelief, touching it gently. It felt incredibly smooth, every imperfection erased. "But what is it?" I asked, cupping my hands to catch the strange liquid.

"It's a special bath prepared especially for you by my king," a female demon replied, her voice low and chilling. She had the upper body of a woman and the lower body of a snake.

I shuddered involuntarily at her appearance and the coldness in her voice.