Chapter 453: Nihility 2
The entity moved through Jaehee's destroyed apartment with purpose, stepping over shattered concrete and twisted metal. No hesitation. No second thoughts.
Jaehee remained deep in peaceful sleep as invisible arms lifted her from the wreckage of her bed, cradling her like she was made of spun glass. The entity's presence wrapped around her like a protective cocoon, ensuring not even the dust from the demolished walls could touch her skin.
Then came Yuna—still unconscious, still corrupted, but no longer Daegon's to command. The entity gathered her as well, holding both women with the same careful reverence.
The Dark Winter continued to fall around them, black snow drifting upward in defiance of gravity, each flake carrying seeds of corruption and despair. The entity paid it no mind. Whatever grand scheme Daegon and his dark snow represented was irrelevant compared to these two lives.
Space folded.
Reality bent.
And they were gone.
*
They materialized on the rooftop of an architectural masterpiece that defied conventional design.
The estate sprawled across the landscape like a vision carved straight from a billionaire's midnight dream—fluid, extravagant, untouchable.
Soft curves of glass and polished stone rose seamlessly from perfectly manicured grounds, an architectural symphony whispered into reality by wealth and ambition. It wasn't just big—it was monumental, an homage to modern opulence and sophisticated power, glowing softly in shades of ethereal violet and cool sapphire.
Each terrace flowed effortlessly into the next, edged by glass balustrades that seemed to melt into thin air, as if the estate itself floated just above the mortal realm. Gardens thrived on rooftops, lush and verdant, kissed by ambient lights strategically placed among sculpted trees and manicured hedges, casting delicate shadows across polished marble walkways.
Pools shimmered softly, their surfaces mirror-like, reflecting starlight and the hidden glow of subtle underwater illumination.
Through immense, uninterrupted windows, glimpses of decadent luxury beckoned—a taste of worlds few could enter. Interiors wrapped in velvet darkness offset by soft lighting, extravagant furnishings placed with calculated casualness, every room designed not just to impress, but to dominate the senses.
Above this fortress of quiet extravagance, two sleek, state-of-the-art helicopters rested on elevated landing pads, symbols of swift, unchallenged mobility.
Each craft was a bold statement in itself—powerful, elegant, and purposeful—waiting patiently for the moment they'd rise above the sprawling expanse, blades slicing through the cool night air.
In the hushed stillness of the evening, the estate seemed not just a home, but a throne from which its occupant silently commanded the world. Here lived not mere billionaires or celebrities—here resided beings who shaped destiny, their influence stretching beyond wealth, beyond power.
It was, simply, a kingdom.
The entity—still invisible, still indefinable—carried both women through the estate's upper levels. Servants moved in the hallways below, but none looked up, none questioned the disturbance in the air above their heads.
Yuna was deposited in a medical wing that looked more like a luxury spa than a hospital. The curved walls were lined with bio-luminescent panels that provided soft, healing light. Advanced medical equipment was seamlessly integrated into the organic architecture, monitors and life support systems that appeared to grow from the walls themselves.
The room's circular design created a sense of floating weightlessness, while floor-to-ceiling windows offered views of the estate's flowing gardens below.
Then came Jaehee's room.
This wasn't medical—this was sanctuary. The circular chamber followed the estate's flowing design philosophy, with walls that curved like embracing arms.
A massive bed sat at the center, draped in silks that seemed to shimmer with their own inner light. The floor was polished stone that felt warm underfoot, inlaid with patterns that caught and redirected the room's ambient glow.
Floor-to-ceiling windows wrapped around half the space, offering a panoramic view of the estate's gardens where fountains danced with choreographed light displays. The ceiling above was a dome of smart glass that could display anything from star maps to gentle aurora patterns.
Everything in the room seemed designed to promote perfect rest—the temperature, the humidity, even the way sound seemed to be absorbed and softened by the curved walls.
The entity laid her down with infinite care, adjusting pillows that molded perfectly to support her, smoothing covers that regulated temperature automatically, ensuring every detail of her environment was precisely calibrated for healing sleep.
"Thank you, Nihility."
The voice came from everywhere and nowhere—woven into the air itself, carried by the walls, spoken by the very atoms of the room. Warm, familiar, tinged with genuine gratitude.
Nihility—for that was apparently her name—simply shrugged. A gesture that disturbed the air without revealing form, acknowledgment without words.
"Tsk, tsk." The voice carried fond exasperation now, like a parent dealing with a particularly stubborn child. "Always so dramatic with the stoic act. You know it doesn't impress me anymore."
Another shrug. More pronounced this time, edged with what might have been amusement.
"Oh, you're impossible." The voice sighed, though warmth remained beneath the exasperation. "Well, enjoy your brooding while you can. Get ready—those two are coming."
Nihility's presence shifted slightly, attention focusing.
"*It* has begun in New York already," the voice continued, taking on a more serious tone. "The chaos there will keep *him* occupied for quite some time. We won't be seeing *him* in Seoul anytime soon."
Nihility's form seemed to tilt, considering this information. When she spoke, her voice was barely more than a whisper of displaced air, but it carried clearly through the room.
"Or perhaps we'll see him sooner than expected."
The voice paused, processing this contradiction. "What makes you say that?"
"He's not one to leave Seoul unprotected if we're here," Nihility replied, her words carrying the weight of absolute certainty. "This city... it's not just where his aunt built her empire. It's become something more. A foundation he won't abandon to corruption. His real homeland!"
She paused, her invisible form somehow conveying contemplation as she looked out over the city where Daegon's snow still fell in defiance of natural law.
"And when you add family to an already unprotected city..." Nihility's voice carried a note that might have been anticipation. "Priority calculations change quickly."
"And I think we're about to find out just how much chaos one family can handle."