Chapter 27. Divine Shade

Chapter 27 - 27. Divine Shade Lilian's breath trembled as they crossed the threshold beyond the gate, her eyes darting around in confusion. The lights of the bars, the Pleasure Hub—everything familiar—were gone. All that remained before her was the suffocating darkness of night, so thick it felt almost touchable. She clutched Shin's arm, trembling. "Wh-What is this place?" Her voice was barely a whisper. "Did we... did we go to another world?" Shin turned to her, feigning calm with a smirk, though he was just as terrified as she was. "Another world? Maybe. But isn't it exciting? You're seeing something most people never will." Lilian's legs trembled beneath her. Every fiber of her being screamed that this place wasn't safe. "No... no, we should go back. The grace of God is faint here! I can't feel it—I can't hear the voice anymore!" Her voice cracked with rising panic. "We have to go back to our world! Please!" Shin tilted his head, eyes narrowing. So she really believed the system's voice was divine. He placed a hand on her cheek, gently. Almost too gently. Then he smiled, calm and cold. "Relax, Lilian. The 'grace' of God isn't gone—it's just quieter out here. Think of this as a test. Maybe God wants to see how strong your faith is without the voice." "But... I've never been here. There's no one. Nothing. The world ends at the gate. We're not supposed to be out here. This place... it looks like a forgotten world!" Her nails dug slightly into his sleeve. Shin sighed. He needed to get her somewhere safe—without forcing her or that would draw unwanted attention from hiding predators. The last thing he needed was for her to scream and attract whatever might be lurking out here. He couldn't afford that risk. "Then maybe," he said coolly, "we're rewriting what's possible." His hand closed firmly around hers, dragging her forward through the ruins. She stumbled, her feet catching on broken concrete and debris, but he didn't stop. Didn't slow down. Her resistance began to waver, fear steadily overtaking reason—and Shin knew exactly how to keep her moving. "Besides," he added, voice smooth, "aren't you curious? You always talked like someone with more on her mind than moaning for coins. Don't you want to know what's out here?" "I—" she hesitated, torn. She didn't want to be here. Everything about this place sent shivers through her. "Think of this," Shin whispered, pulling her closer, "as a pilgrimage. For someone chosen." That word struck her. Chosen. Maybe Mr. Shade is right, she thought. Maybe this is all a test... and God is watching to see if I endure it. Maybe I really am the chosen one. The thought steadied her. Not by much—but just enough. She stopped resisting and followed him in silence, trembling all the while. Eventually, Shin stopped in front of a building that still had some shape to it—what looked like it had once been a general store. A crooked sign dangled overhead. A single flickering bulb buzzed weakly above the door. Shattered glass littered the entrance, and the inside was a mess of dust, cracked plastic, and empty bottles. "This will do," Shin muttered, pushing open the rusted door. The hinges shrieked like a dying animal. He stepped inside, crunching glass beneath his boots. Lilian followed hesitantly, arms wrapped around herself now, her eyes wide as they scanned the shadowed corners like something might crawl out at any moment. She stopped in the center of the room. "Are we... safe here?" she asked, her voice shaking. Shin didn't answer immediately. He knew the truth—out here, they weren't safe at all. A single encounter with anyone could make them someone else's coins in an instant. But that didn't matter right now. This experiment was too important. For someone like him, with no skills, knowledge was the best weapon he had to accumulate. "Don't worry, hostess girl," he said with a faint grin. "We're exactly where we need to be. Now take off your clothes!" Lilian's mouth went dry. "What...?" He tilted his head, the faint glow of his ember-like eyes flickering in the darkness. "I said, take your clothes off. Besides, it's just a coat, isn't it?" She glanced down, confused. A moment ago, he hadn't shown the slightest interest in her body when she got naked in front of him, and now, here he was, asking this of her? In such a terrifying, godless place? She tried to make sense of it, but her mind was too clouded. And as ordered, she had no choice. Trembling, she slipped off her coat, the only thing shielding her from the chill. Now she stood in nothing but her shoes, careful not to step on the broken glass scattered across the store floor. Shin's gaze drifted over her naked, luscious body, and he noticed that her body looked different. It wasn't as vibrant or firm as he remembered. Must be the aftershock from the gate, he thought. Without a word, he stepped toward her, placing his palm gently between her breasts. A faint green light shimmered against her skin as he activated his healing skill. Lilian gasped softly, her wide eyes staring into his as the pain in her body slowly ebbed away. Warmth spread through her limbs. He was healing her. Really healing her. She stared at him, awe-struck. Was he truly sent from the heavens? A miracle-worker... no, a Divine? Her doubts melted. If he could heal the wounded, then he must be more than just a man. If that were true, then she'd do anything for him. Anything. She'd be his guardian angel until the day she dies. Shin noticed a small smile curling on her lips as he healed her. He gave a casual shrug. "Sorry. I can't do high-level healing... but I hope that helped." She nodded eagerly, a spark of life returning to her voice. "No problem. I feel so much better now!" "Good," Shin muttered hoarsely. His eyes darkened slightly. "Now... can we have a little fun? If you don't mind." She smiled sweetly, warmth rising in her cheeks. This child of the heavens was so modest—he didn't even have to ask. If he'd ordered her to lie with him, she'd have obeyed in a heartbeat. But maybe that gentleness was what made him divine. "My body is yours, Divine Shade," she said, bowing her head. "Just say the word, and I'll obey." Divine Shade? Shin blinked. What the hell just happened? Wasn't she terrified seconds ago? Now she was bowing? He almost laughed. Fine. Whatever this was—it worked. Time to experiment. TBC....