When the Wild Beast is Trapped in the Nightmare Cycle (BL)
Chapter 626: Fleeting Touch

Chapter 626: Fleeting Touch

Master Grinu frowned, displeasure flashing across his eyes. But just as he raised his hand to deliver a harsh slap—

"What is going on here?" Noir, who had stepped away for a second to listen to the reports from the soldiers about the situation outside, returned just in time to halt the action.

Only then did Gu Luoxin snap back to his senses, cold sweat breaking out across his back. His complexion, that was already pale to begin with, turned almost ghastly due to the horror of realization dawning upon him.

Oh God, w-what had he just done?! Talking back to the psychopathic Master Grinu—was he crazy?! If it was Young Master Ares, even if his father told him to jump down the cliff, he would still maintain his smile and say that he would get it done at once! That was how obedient and subservient he was! He should have gone along with Master Grinu’s words rather than questioning him. Even the mere act of expressing his own will was considered a grave OOC!

It was fortunate that Grinu did not seem to doubt his son was a fake, thanks to Noir’s timely intervention.

Alas, toward this young man who was a whole generation younger than him, Master Grinu did not even pretend to be courteous. His expression was cold and hard as he stated in a matter-of-fact tone, "This engagement is annulled. I will be taking my son away with me now since it’s no longer safe here."

Noir pressed his lips together into tight lines, a sharp glint flashing in his cybernetic emerald eyes.

Just like Master Nasser, he also had no means to stop them, for Grinu’s action was well within the reasonable range. Although he would rather keep Gu Luoxin by his side, what reason could he give? What reason could he use to convince Master Grinu, when they were supposed to have only met today?

Not to mention, the situation here was indeed precarious right now.

The furious sirens could charge in at the moment, and Noir had been instructed to hold them back. Even if he could make Gu Luoxin stay, he would not be able to keep watching him all the time. What if the culprit behind Young Master Ares and his servants’ death was still around...?

In less than two seconds, all sorts of thoughts and calculations raced inside Noir’s mind, and in the end, he stepped aside under Gu Luoxin’s bewildered gaze.

Their eyes met in a silent exchange—Noir, as steady and composed as always, while Gu Luoxin’s own was brimming with anxiety and reluctance as he trailed behind Master Grinu, trying to stall as much time as he could.

When the two of them passed by each other, Noir suddenly whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Leave for now. I’ve sent words to JJ and Nian. They will get to you as soon as possible."

What about you? Gu Luoxin almost blurted out. If I leave now and something happens to you, what should I do, then?!

Oh, how badly Gu Luoxin wanted to ask that. How badly he wanted to hold onto Noir and ask if he would be allowed to stay. He would even beg if he had to. The last thing he wanted to do right now was leave, when Noir clearly looked like he was about to be involved in something dangerous!

Alas, let alone reaching for the emerald-eyed man, he could not even speak or show any of his inner feelings on his face lest Master Grinu catches onto something. All he could do was clenched his fists tightly beneath his sleeves and trained his gaze to the floor, willing himself to suppress the burning sensation behind his eyes.

He was so useless... even after all this time, he still could not think of anything he could do to help. His status as the (fake) Young Master might as well be for naught.

Hell, let alone protecting others, he could barely protect himself at the moment!

In the end, he had no choice but to leave. Just for now,

he told himself, a flicker of determination burning in his reddened eyes. No matter what, he would definitely think of a way to come back here—back to Noir! He would not sit still like a damsel in distress anymore, just waiting for others to come rescue him. There must be something only he could do!

Stay safe, he prayed fervently in his heart. Please, you have to stay safe and sound until we meet again... or else I will...

It was simply pathetic how he could not even say the words he wanted to say the most. Yet as though his unspoken plea had reached Noir somehow, a fleeting touch landed on the back of his clammy hand, gently hooking onto his little finger before separating.

It was a contact so brief that no one—not even Master Grinu—noticed it, but Gu Luoxin felt as if a jolt of electricity was surging through his entire body, turning his slumped back ramrod straight in an instant.

His eyes flew wide, his heart pumping faster and faster like it had never been so alive before.

Not a single word had been exchanged between the two, and yet... it felt like Noir had understood everything and he was reassuring, promising him that it would be okay.

And just like that, Gu Luoxin felt like he could tackle any problem this darned Cycle was throwing at him.

***

Noir’s gaze lingered on the young man’s back until he disappeared from sight. And only then did he look away and address the soldiers who had been waiting for him. "Let’s go."

In a hastened march, the group made their way to the observation deck overlooking the perimeter of the city. Thick plumes of black smoke curled into the sky, staining it a gloomy gray, while piercing screams and desperate cries rang out between the thunder of explosions, echoing far and wide—

The once peaceful land now looked no different than hell, creating a gruesoma and harrowing sight.

"Eldest Young Master," the stationed soldier hurriedly reported. "The evacuation and rescue process has been launched. We’ve let the news spread that we’re here; the sirens will arrive at any moment."

"—They’re here!"