And Julian finally knew what had caused this, and this realization was even scarier than he had originally thought.
The fact that he could not absorb the real Death energy… meant only one thing.
The energy corrupting him from within—wasn't his.
It was someone else's.
Someone else's version of Death.
A cold shiver crept down his spine, followed by a wave of unease that even he couldn't brush off. His eyes opened slowly in the dimly lit study, glowing faintly with golden hue.
Someone else in this world… is capable of using Death energy.
That alone would have been enough to cause panic. But it was even worse.
He's not just using it…
He's more proficient than I am...
Julian leaned forward in his chair, his mind racing violently. The death energy that infiltrated inside him, had silently slipped in, without showing any hint of its presence. Like the way a master carves a path through flesh without drawing blood.
Whoever this other user was, he had not only accessed death energy, but had managed to master it to the point that he could breach Julian's internal world, without giving off any hint.
If he can affect my death energy, he could potentially destabilize the fusion I've been working toward…
But then, he tilted his head slightly, a flicker of confusion passing through his mind.
If he really wanted to target me… He could have done it already.
If the unknown wielder of Death truly intended to attack him, all he needed to do was amplify the dose—inject more of that corruptive energy. It would have disrupted Julian's balance pletely and send his energies spiraling into chaos.
Even with his strength, Julian knew he would need days—maybe weeks—to recover if the balance would have collapsed.
But none of that had happened.
Julian let out a slow breath, "So… he's not targeting me." The tension in his chest eased. Not pletely, but enough to think clearly.
It made sense now. Whoever this other wielder was, they hadn't attacked him directly. There was no trace of hostile intent. No killing will.
He might not even know that I can use Death as well, Julian thought, eyes narrowing in realization. It wasn't sent to me…
But now came the real question—who was this other wielder?
And more importantly… why was he doing this?
Julian closed his eyes once more, pushing past the swirling thoughts. The physical world faded, until everything blurred into the smallest form.
Pixels.
The very building blocks of reality.
He scanned through them—countless particles floating in the air and his frown deepened. As expected, the mana around him wasn't pure.
It wasn't just posed of fire, water, wind, lightning, light, darkness, and earth. Something else had been woven into it.
Almost invisible.
But it was there.
Death.
Not raw, overwhelming Death energy like the kind he cultivated, but smallest specks. Like a poison in a perfume—too faint to notice until it's too late.
His eyes snapped open, and he swallowed.
"This is all planned…" he muttered.
The realization chilled him more than the death energy itself. It had been masterfully mixed into the air itself. Into the mana.
It wasn't an attack.
It was a preparation.
A slow, silent infection.
Someone wasn't just wielding Death—they were altering the entire ecosystem, gradually bending the mana of the world to carry their version of the law.
Julian stood from his chair, his jaw tightening.
This wasn't a declaration of war.
It was worse.
It was a domain being built.
And he was standing in the middle of it.
Just as he remained lost in this thoughts, the door creaked open and a figure stepped in.
Eliz.
The former Viscountess turned secretary moved with slow steps, wearing a silky nightgown that clung to her curves on all the right places.
The silk was thin, and so scandalously short it barely covered her ass.
With a lazy yawn, she lifted her arms high above her head, arching her back ever so slightly. The motion pushed her breasts upward, revealing a tantalizing display of her cleavage.
She knew he was watching.
And she was savoring every second of it.
Her voice was soft, almost sleepy. "Still up, my lord?" she asked, stepping closer.
Julian's eyes moved, tracing every curve she offered him. Her nipples poked through the thin silk, and with every step, the fabric slid higher, flashing more of her toned thighs.
He didn't answer.
Eliz reached the edge of his desk, resting both palms on its surface. She leaned forward slowly, breasts swinging just enough to break his focus.
"You seem... tense, my lord. Shall I help you relax?"
Julian leaned back, his mouth curving into a dangerous smirk. His gaze settled on her cleavage, then lifted slowly to her hungry eyes.
"Oh, Eliz," he murmured, "you seem… different tonight."
A flush spread across her face and she bit her lower lip. Without a word, she reached for his hand. Her fingers wrapped around his and guided them to her breast.
She gasped as his fingers rested on her nipple, the heat of his touch sending shivers down her.
"Feel that?" she whispered, her voice raw, hungry. "I've been like this… since I saw you watching."
Julian's fingers twitched, his thumb circling over the hardened peak, slow and cruel.
Her knees nearly gave up.
His other hand moved upward, brushing and caressing the warm skin. She shivered beneath his touch—every inch of her alive with heat.
He reached her throat.
There, he paused.
His eyes searched hers, and when she gave the slightest nod, he wrapped his fingers around her neck.
Not hard. Just enough.
Enough to make her gasp.
"Mmhh.." She moaned, her thighs pressing together.
Julian's grip tightened—only a little. Just enough to make her feel it.
"That's better," he murmured, leaning in until his lips hovered beside her ear.
But the next moment—just as Eliz tilted her chin up, ready to moan for him—Julian's grip on her throat tightened.
Not gently.
Firm. Dangerous.
She gasped in panic, eyes widening, her arousal now replaced by fear.
Julian's lips curved into a wicked smile. He leaned in, his breath hot against her ear.
"Dear Eliz… tell me—did your husband put you up to this?"
Her body froze. Her heart pounded so loud she could barely hear his voice over it.
"W-what?" she stammered. "H-how… did you kn—"
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