Chapter 49: The Morning After - Ryan's Concern!

When Nikolai woke up, his head hurt because Nikita didn't tell her pack where he lived and turned off her phone and removed the battery. The pair spent most of the night drinking. However, they took a step towards becoming a couple.

Nikolai refused to rush things despite his desire to go further.

'Ugh... I can smell her scent all over me... and why am I covered in bite marks?'

He knew she wouldn't go against his desire and sleep with him after he passed out. Yet it seemed she still played a trick on him as he could smell the scent of her saliva all over himself.

Nikolai climbed out of bed and quickly checked to see if she was around. However, Nikita had already left and probably gone home.

Despite being selfish sometimes, she was a good girl deep down.

"I should take a shower and do something today..." Sёarch* The Novelƒire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Bzzzt!

Bzzzt!

[From Ryan Seong (Former Best Friend)]

—Hey... After that crazy night, I just wanted to confirm if you were alive and well. Sorry for not telling you more about myself, but you must also know. Most normal people don't know this world and so I had to keep it quiet.

Would you have time to speak and maybe meet up today?

***

'To be honest, I wasn't even angry at him or anything. We all have our stories.' Nikolai thought to himself while nodding. He knew Ryan had business dealings with the Faust family, but it seemed his true job might be elsewhere.

[To Ryan Seong]

—Sure, I am just about to get something to eat after a shower. I'll text you the address after, don't worry about work. Does that matter when we're friends?

I won't pry, either.

***

Nikolai looked at himself in the mirror and couldn't help but smirk, his lips twitching when he saw all the bite marks from Nikita and the love bite on his neck.

It felt like she was clearly marking his body, so if he met Selene, she would feel lost.

[To Nikita (Cute Little Wolf)]

—Morning, idiot.

I am grateful for all the markings, but make sure your dad doesn't see the ones I left on your beasts, or I won't ever speak to you again...Because he'll kill me!

Today, I will be meeting Ryan, so don't get too jealous. I'll call you tonight.

[To Selene (Sexy D-Cup Goddess)]

—Hey, I hope you didn't get into trouble. Thanks for helping me last night.

I look forward to working with you in the future.

With all his messages finished, Nikolai placed his phone in the basket and once again admired his body in the mirror before climbing into his shower and turning the hot water on full, steam filling the entire room as he closed his eyes in peace.

***

Meanwhile, in a dark and wet basement somewhere in S-City, a dirty scent of waste, blood, and copper filled the room.

It was a strong, sour scent that could make even the most durable person wince.

Attached to the wall in chains were two 'people' or what might have once been people, their limbs now deformed, twisted and elongated like monsters. The only remnants of their previous selves, the fine hair that almost completely vanished from their huge, distorted heads.

If one knew the couple well enough, they might guess their identities 1 in every 10000 times. However, the clothes they wore were the same as the night before, just covered in blood, dirt and other disgusting mess.

"Oho~ if it isn't the young master of a Kwon family, my my, you look so ugly and disgusting! Now you match your true self inside and out! Hahahaha!" A member of the Faust family, Alister Faust, stood laughing with his face covered by a mask.

"Lord Alister, we have managed to refine the blood to create these artificial monsters thanks to the idiot from the Kwon family and his little slut!"

The monster attached to the wall released a terrible roar, a mixture of both male and female sounds, both of them mixed and twisted by the disgusting dark green fluid that was being injected into them through tubes.

"They're already able to move; we could even try breeding them if necessary." The scientist became excited. However, Alster's face became disgusted.

"No, neuter them. These abominations don't deserve the ability to reproduce. They are vermin like humans and werewolves!"

"L-Lord Alister..."

"Haha, I know the idea is tempting, but do not worry. We are still searching for a method to alter the DNA of humans and make them fall into monsters. If this fails, we can always try again with the other ones we've taken. Remember, our goal isn't these failed products, but we can use them to incriminate the annoying Fenrir clan and that damned Volkov brat!"

"T-that's right, lord Alister! How are the experiments going with the Red Lotus Powder?"

"Ah, those idiots are taking their time... But it works, it really works. The red lotus powder truly limits a vampire's Blood Arts for some time, though I would love to capture a werewolf and try it on them... Hahahahahaa!"

In the dark depths of the Faust territory, inhumane, ungodly experiments were happening, and oblivious to it all was the handsome Nikolai currently driving along the half-busy streets in his M9 Excelsior, with a content expression on his face!

***

A metal song played on the radio as he sped down the empty street. Today, they would be eating breakfast at a place both people enjoyed during their high school and university days. It was the one place Nikolai could afford to eat before he gained any money.

However, what made him feel strange was that his money kept increasing...

'Why did they send so much? I thought Selene was just saying that, and they wouldn't obey...'

[Faust Group Deposited: $1,000,000]

[Selene Depostited: $50,000] (Note: Hehe~ I bet on you!)

[Nikita Deposited: $150,000] (Note: I bet more than the cow tit woman~ praise me!)

[Current Account Every day balance: $6,681,000]

'Well, after spending $55 on pizza and drinks, the amount still looks ridiculous. I must discover how those big families make money so Dad can laze around forever and maybe find a new wife...'

[Yeah... he's waited and loved Elizabeth for far too long.]

'No, Eliza, it's not about too long, and I would never expect Dad to forget such a perfect woman. However, he is still a man. Doesn't he have needs? I don't want Dad to fulfil those needs with dirty women... if he finds himself someone to cherish or at least take care of him.'

'That's enough for me.'

Nikolai's car pulled up in the outskirts of the slum area, his car a little out of place, but because it seemed like a business car, few people got too excited or made noise like they would for a sports car or someone showing off.

'Also, dad's clan and race only love one woman in their lifetime. Doesn't that mean he will be lonely for the rest of his life...' He looked up while locking the doors and felt guilty because he was greedy and wanted to aim for two women.

[Don't feel guilty, Nikolai. You are different...]

'I know, I just want my dad to be happy; thanks for speaking with me.'

[It's my pleasure.]

***

When he entered the restaurant, there was a sense of deja vu. The same elderly husband and wife threshing and preparing the food early in the afternoon, their boiling pots of sauce and marinades filling the store with a sweet and fruity scent.

"Ah... I truly missed this place."

Nikolai lost the reason to visit when Ryan vanished and the people in university took a distance from him. However, his chest felt lighter knowing it hadn't changed, and the couple were still in business; this little shack did any style of food native to S-Kingdom.

From their distant past of European food to the latest trends of Asian and a few small Federation snacks like a cheeseburger or fries!

The difference between a normal fast food place and here as they used their sauces and ingredients and made various cuisines from around the world using S-Kingdom skills and techniques.

"Oi, Nikolai! I ordered your favourites already. Is it okay?" Ryan's voice came from the same seat they always sat in; no matter what, they came for the third seat against the wall facing the small window.

Memories of study sessions, gaming and talking about their crushes... and the gentle yet pretty owner who slowly aged over the years.

Although she was in her fifties now, she looked like someone in their early thirties.

'I missed this place, really... Why did I stop coming?'

Nikolai rushed to the table and saw that Ryan hadn't forgotten his favourite dish... a Mish-mash of the various cuisines, with a double cheeseburger and some bacon and cheese fries.

"Ryan, you really remembered my order?"

"Haha, of course, you fool... How many times did we come here together? Look! Our pictures are on the wall three times!"

He didn't lie; the first picture was when they snuck in as middle schoolers; they saved the week's worth of dinner money and enjoyed their first 'adult' meal. Then got a picture taken before Ivan and Paul, Ryan's butler came and dragged them out and scolded them.

The second was their graduation from high school; this time, several people were in the image, from Mari to Aiko and Hana to Daewon.

However, the last one was a less happy picture—it was the day that Ryan left, and the only people in the special picture on the wall were a young adult, Nikolai, before he entered the military and Ryan, who looked about to cry.

"Wow... we almost cried here every time."

"Hahah, that's no lie. This place to me, Nikolai, reminds me of you. My best friend and I regret leaving for so long..."

Nikolai was silent. He couldn't help but stare at his friend—the guy was no longer that frail boy from high school. The guy had a manlier and more handsome face. Though maybe thanks to his efforts and changes, Nikolai was still above him by a large margin.

"So... What did you want to meet me for, Ryan?"