Ensnaring Darkness

XVI. In which he braves danger

Knox grasped his wounded arm tightly that Julien suspected it will bruise later on. He was truly frightened that he had angered superior. The coldness in him was still evident but like sharpened tips of ice, he was emitting danger. Tears pooled in Julien's eyes but he desperately blinked them back.

"I loathe carelessness the most," Knox muttered, still glaring at the wound. It was like an arrow straight to his fragile heart.

He tried to pull his arm away. "I'm sorry sir. I'll purchase another bowl as a replacement."

Knox's cold glare was then transferred to him and his cheeks flushed red from the intense stare. A pristine handkerchief was pressed against his wound, after which he was steered away from the stove.

"Sit down"

Julien speechlessly followed Knox's instruction and sat down the stool, confused at what his boss wants to do. He pressed the dark hanky securely against his wound to alleviate the painful sting.

When Knox continued frying egg as if it was the most normal thing to do, Julien felt overwhelmed with various emotions. He didn't know whether to be embarrassed that his superior was cooking eggs for him or the man he likes is taking care of him. It didn't help that he looked too perfect! Knox had removed his outer jacket, the sleeves of his white shirt were bunched up to his elbows and his tie was gone and the top button was undone.

Julien could almost fantasize that Knox became his lover and was spoiling him by cooking their lunch. He sighed dreamily.

"Does it hurt?" Knox suddenly asked and gave him a sideways glance that highlighted the bridge of his aristocratic nose and deep gray eyes. He felt truly blessed to be with Knox like this. He shook his head and showed his arm to Knox. It was slightly red and the skin around the cut was sore but it did not look serious.

"It's already healing. Thank you, sir."

"You should disinfect it. There's a first aid kit in my room. It's the fourth door from the left hallway" Knox ordered firmly, turning back to give his full concentration in cooking eggs.

Julien felt hesitant to give up watching Knox cook. After all, this might be the only chance he had but he also didn't want to give the impression of a disobedient subordinate. He slid down the stool and head towards Knox's room. He gave a longing look at Knox back that looked tempting to hug and lean against.

'Snap out of the daydream, Juli' he chastised himself.

Following Knox instructions, he arrived at the fourth door in the left hallway. Just then, the phone in his pocket started to vibrate incessantly. Earlier, Julien had set the notification alert of the app to vibrate only. Now, even without looking, he knew it was from the app. Is it a Quickie or a Hardcore mission?

The last Quickie mission set him up to be with Knox for the week. A mixture of excitement and anxiety tangled in him at the prospect of receiving another mission that will lead to another favorable circumstance between him and his Boss.

He viewed the notification with a shaky breath.

Congratulations! You've unlocked a Hardcore mission!

Hard(core) mission- 5 stars

Behind the door is a place filled with negative energy! In rare cases, the accumulation of dark energy gives birth to a demon furball. A demon furball is a loyal pet and parasite. Its soul is bound to its master and owner. It will only die when it's master dies. Curiously, even though it is a creature born from darkness, it stores positive karma and negates negative feelings. With a demon furball with you, all the negativities between you and the person you desire will be absorbed and removed. You'll have more luck to be closer to the person you desire!

Catch a demon furball with your phone! Capture it in a photo and bind it to you!

VIEW TIP (1) (150 dark desires)

VIEW TIP (2) (150 dark desires)

Julien was astonished once again at the details of the mission. 'Now what? Isn't this like an ordinary game of catching monsters? Is this even real?'

He glanced towards the door leading to Knox's bedroom. Is this the door it was talking about? Or was it just a coincidence that he is in front of a door when this mission activated?

At the very bottom of the notification window, a warning in bold letters was blinking in neon red as if to taunt him.

WARNING: Do not anger a demon furball! Angering it might lead to death!

The weird app is talking about death again. Cold sweat formed in his forehead. He felt hesitant to enter the room. There were two available tips like before. Checking his balance from yesterday of 150 dark desires plus today's feat of completing the daily missions again, he has 350 dark desires in total. He decided to purchased the first tip, just to be careful.

TIP (1)

Demon furballs hate bright places!

VIEW TIP (2) (150 Dark desires)

It was just a simple line and Julien wasn't sure if it was helpful or it was meant to scam him of his in-game money. There was another tip and although purchasing it will only leave him with 50 dark desires, he decided to risk it. He could still earn back dark desires by completing daily missions. What if the mission is really dangerous? He could really end up dying if he's not careful! The fear in his heart intensified and he clicked on the second tip hurriedly.

TIP (2)

A demon furball likes the taste of human blood.

Again it was only one line. Was it a hint to use his blood to lure this creature?

First, the app made him experience such a realistic dream, then made him add his teardrop to a coffee and now it wants his blood? Why does it feel it's getting weirder and dangerous each time?

Julien glanced back to the direction of the kitchen, his mind processing chaotically. He had no time, Knox might check on him if he idles too long. He remembered that failure to accomplish a hardcore mission might result in a love lost forever.

He took a deep breath and opened the door. He will not give up!