Zigh arrived at the hospital, his heart a heavy pounding in his chest. He headed straight for Lian’s room, but stopped abruptly in front of the door. He took a long, jagged breath, his fingers trembling as they closed around the cold metal handle. Steeling himself, he pushed the door open. Lian was there, motionless on the bed.

  And there, lurking in the corner of his vision, was Outer. Watching.

  Zigh stepped inside, his pace slow and deliberate. He stood to Lian’s right, while Outer loomed opposite him like a living void.

  Lian... should I really take you home as Miss Edelweiss suggested? Zigh mused, his mind like a whirlwind.

  "O—Outer..." Zigh whispered.

  The entity drifted closer. Without warning, it leaned in and blew a chilling breath against Zigh’s ear. A jolt of pure electricity shot through him; every hair on his neck stood on end. Zigh swallowed hard, clenching his fists until the veins in his hands bulged.

  "C-can we... talk, Outer?"

  The air pressure in the room plummeted. Zigh reached out to touch Lian’s hand, but Outer’s hand—black as a starless night—reached out faster. As it touched the man, the entity’s form solidified in Zigh’s eyes.

  So that’s how it works, Zigh realized.

  "Outer... you..."

  Outer exhaled a mist of frost. Zigh’s heart hammered against his ribs, racing as his blood pressure soared.

  "Outer... why did you call me evil?"

  In response, the entity dissolved into a thick fog, wrapping itself around Zigh’s body like a constrictor. Zigh stumbled, his legs buckling under the sudden weight of the supernatural chill. He bit his lip until it nearly bled, refusing to let the cold break him.

  Outer’s face manifested inches from his own. Zigh averted his gaze, sweat pouring down his forehead despite the freezing air.

  "Is an Eosvile coming again?" Outer hissed.

  Zigh's jaw tightened. The trembling in his fists didn't stop, but he forced his eyes to lock onto the entity’s hollow gaze.

  "ENOUGH!" Zigh snapped.

  Aaaaarrghhhhh!!!

  A monstrous, ear-splitting howl answered him, vibrating through the very walls. Like a puppet whose strings had been cut, Zigh lost all sensation in his limbs and collapsed to the floor.

  No... I can’t feel my legs...

  A moment later, a monstrous scream pierced the air. The sound of footsteps echoed from outside the room.

  Sudden banging erupted from the door.

  "Hospital staff! Open up!" a male nurse shouted.

  "No answer," a security guard added.

  "Should we breach?"

  "But Sir Zigh is in there..."

  "Forget that! We have to check that sound. It sounded like a beast!"

  Zigh, still slumped on the floor, glanced toward the door. "Don't... don't come in..." he wheezed.

  The door burst open. The two men rushed in, finding Zigh on his knees.

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  "Sir Zigh!" The nurse reached out, but the moment he touched Zigh’s shoulder, he recoiled. "He’s... cold," he muttered.

  The guard scanned the room, eyes darting. Nothing? How is there nothing here?

  "Sir Zigh, are you alright?" the nurse asked, helping him up.

  Zigh nodded, gasping for air.

  "What on earth happened in here?" the guard asked.

  "I don't know," Zigh replied, his voice strained.

  The guard walked toward the window to check it, but found nothing suspicious. "Then... where did that scream come from?" he murterred.

  "We heard the scream crystal clear. Considering your condition, could you explain this, sir?" the nurse pressed.

  The guard nodded, awaiting Zigh’s answer.

  Zigh looked at his hands. "I walked in, and then that sound... it just filled the room. And now, as you see me."

  "But isn't that odd, sir?" the guard asked.

  "Yes, this is the second time I've run into something like this, right?" Zigh answered.

  "We apologize, sir," they said in unison.

  They helped him to a chair. "Do you need warm water, sir?"

  "Yes. Thank you."

  The nurse noted Zigh’s labored breathing—too heavy for a simple scare—and hurried out.

  The guard lingered. "Sir Zigh, do you require additional security?"

  Zigh shook his head.

  After a final instruction about the emergency button, the guard left.

  Outer remained, a cruel smirk playing on its shadowy features as it watched Zigh shiver.

  Outer... I won't let myself lose to you this time, Zigh vowed.

  The nurse returned with the water. "Here, sir. And remember, the blue button by the bed is for the patient's needs."

  Once they were finally alone again, Zigh stared into the darkness. "Outer... show yourself. Now!"

  Only silence greeted him. Zigh gripped the cup, the warmth of the tea a stark contrast to the hollow void in his chest. Damn it, he’s playing with me.

  He stood up, approaching Lian again. With every step, his breath became more erratic. It’s true, he thought, returning to his seat. Is this what Miss Edelweiss feels every time she’s near him? This crushing weight?

  His phone buzzed, shattering the silence.

  "Sir... Leuliang Esculenta’s data isn't in the immigration database."

  Zigh sighed. "I figured as much. Return to your post with Lexin."

  As he hung up, he ran a hand through his hair. "It's getting complicated."

  "This... this place again...?"

  The faint murmur from the bed made Zigh bolt upright. "Lian?"

  He approached, but Lian immediately turned his face away.

  "I'm sorry..." Zigh started, rubbing the back of his neck.

  Lian remained silent.

  "Lian, please listen."

  Lian struggled into a sitting position. When Zigh reached out to assist, Lian brushed his hand away.

  Zigh exhaled, trying to keep his composure. "Lian, I saw Outer."

  "Oh?"

  Zigh sat on the edge of the bed. "What do you want to do now?"

  "It doesn't matter anymore."

  "Lian... don't be like this. We're partners, aren't we?"

  "Partners in what?" Lian snapped.

  "Work."

  Lian fell silent, his eyes glaring with a cold fury.

  He’s truly angry, Zigh thought.

  He forced a calm smile, remembering that patience was his lifesaver. "Lian, just hear me out."

  "Did you hear me when I said I didn't want treatment?"

  Zigh looked down. Miss Edelweiss was right… I had forced my will.

  "Leave. I don't want to see you!" Lian barked.

  "Then who’s going to pay the hospital bills?" Zigh blurted out. He instantly covered his mouth.

  Lian’s expression went hollow. Without a word, he began ripping the IV needle from his arm.

  "Lian, stop! I was wrong, please calm down. You're sick."

  Lian pushed him away and swung his legs over the bed.

  He stood, his body swaying like a baby learning to walk. Zigh tried to steady him, but the look in Lian’s eyes was empty—devoid of the life he once knew.

  "I'll leave, just stay and get treated," Zigh pleaded.

  Lian ignored him, limping toward the door with staggering steps. Zigh followed half a step behind, watching him lean against the wall for support.

  "Lian, where are you going? Please, go back."

  Lian didn't stop. His breath began to hitch, and faint wisps of steam escaped his lips. His legs finally gave out. As he collapsed, Zigh caught him.

  "Your body is still burning with fever... why are you forcing this?" Zigh whispered.

  Instead of taking him back to the room, Zigh made a decision. He carried Lian toward the administration desk. The stares from patients and staff followed them—some curious, some judgmental.

  "I need the final bill for Leuliang Esculenta," Zigh told the clerk.

  "Sir, he needs to stay for observation—"

  "Just process it. I’ll take full responsibility."

  Zigh settled the bill, placed Lian briefly on a bench, and then lifted him again. He ignored the whispers of the lobby as he walked out to the parking lot. I'm taking you to my house, he thought.

  He laid Lian across the back seat and climbed into the driver's side. As the engine roared to life, Outer suddenly appeared in the passenger seat.

  Zigh froze. "Outer..."

  The temperature in the car plummeted. Outer, with eyes as white as bone and devoid of pupils, leaned in.

  "Lian is hurt," the entity hissed. "If Lian breaks, Outer will erase this world."

  Zigh swallowed the lump in his throat. That wasn't a threat… it was an ultimatum, dammit.

  When he turned to look again, the seat was empty.

  Zigh slammed the car into gear and sped away from the hospital.

  To be continued...