𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝 || Chuuya x reader ✔️

Chapter 10: An immortal arises

Darkmore never died, let alone suffered serious injuries.

The speed at which he healed was frightening, even for the gravity monster, Nakahara Chuuya.

Chuuya didn't tell you that Darkmore was a skill user because he didn't think you were going to confront the party host himself.

Things took a turn down the path Chuuya was avoiding.

"This way, my lady," Darkmore guided after some silence. Darkmore's voice pulled Chuuya out of his remembrance of the past.

"This room," Darkmore commented when reaching the destination. You looked around the room, taking in everything. A luxurious, massive bed stood in the center of the room against the wall. "Welcome to my—as they say—bed chamber," Darkmore said, waving his arms around the room.

Your instincts flared through your insides—run, they begged.

"And the portraits..." You paused, hoping Chuuya was paying attention. "Ah yes, this is where I keep some of my precious women's portraits,"

"To be honest, the one in the middle has to be my favorite," he said after a brief pause, his thumb resting on his chin.

You concentrated on hiding your uneven breaths.

What really set off alarm bells in this room was the fact that all of the women shared some physical characteristics.

Same hair color, length, and texture, skin tone color, and eye color and shape. They had minor differences that suggested they were different women.

They were all almost identical.

You wanted to leave the room right then and there, to tell Chuuya that what you saw was enough evidence to prove he was the one responsible for the disappearances, but you also knew you should stay—to get Darkmore drunk, get some more proof, and get out of there.

"Come sit on the bed while I get the wine," Darkmore suggested. You were quieter than you had been during the hallway walk. Were you collecting clues or stunned by what you were seeing? Chuuya couldn't tell.

There was no longer any sound of Darkmore around, and you texted Chuuya.

Chuuya remained on the line and opened the messaging app you two shared.

This place is terrifying. You sent it to him.

Chuuya's ear was filled with an annoying ringing sound as he read your text over and over. If Darkmore had known her true intentions, he would have...

Chuuya blinked that thought away and began typing.

What do you see?

portraits of women, and they all look the same.

Chuuya didn't write anything; he was figuring out if there was some connection. It was a clear sign. He saw that you were typing again, so he waited.

Chuuya, they look like me.

All the air escaped Chuuya's lungs. Shallow breaths controlled him as his heart began to pound harshly against his chest. The sensation of a failed mission

After a few seconds of stunned silence, he began typing the words. Get the hell out of there! You were no longer online, much to his dismay.

He put the phone back to his ear, waiting to hear what would happen next. "Some wine, darling?" Darkmore asked, though he was already filling the cups from the sound of it. "Sure," Chuuya heard you reply. Chuuya could tell you were worried from the tone of your voice.

"Do not fear, darling; I won't bite," said Darkmore, chuckling at his own statement. Shit, he can read her.

Your hands began to shake as he poured the wine into the glasses, but you tried to hide it so as to keep Darkmore from suspecting anything from you. You examined the cups; there was nothing in them, and the insides appeared to be clean. You had to make sure he drank first to ensure the wine didn't contain any kind of sleeping drug.

Get him to drink.

Make seductive gestures.

Get answers from him.

Leave this mansion immediately.

or at least get to someone who could ensure your safety.

Chuuya.

"I'm overjoyed to be with the host himself; I never imagined I'd be the one to catch your precious attention," you softly said, crossing one leg over the other as you held the cup. I'm not drinking until you do. You thought.

He fell for your words because his eyes left yours to study your smile.

You brought your cup closer to his, drawing his gaze back up to yours. "To a fancy, exciting night," you said, putting on a fake smile.

His eyes twinkled, and he raised his cup as well. Before saying anything, he removed his mask, revealing a young and charming face. He must have noticed your subtle, surprised expression because his smile broadened.

"And to a possibly new beginning," he added to your toast.

My ass, a new beginning, he says...

He drank the first sip of wine. Because you were certain you saw him do it, you took your first sip as well. You didn't want to get drunk before he did, so you kept the amount of alcohol you were drinking to a minimum.

However.

Things don't always go as planned, do they?

Darkmore grinned at your ignorance. You asked, "Why are you smiling wide?"

"Anything on your mind?" you asked after a brief pause, smiling. He lowered his gaze to his cup, gently swirling it. "I'm just excited for what's to come," he explained. His words sent shivers down your spine. You took another sip to fill the silence.

The effect began to take effect at that point.

As your eyelids struggled to do their job, the edges of your vision began to darken, and you felt sick. You swallowed your saliva, trying to turn things back to normal, but it was getting worse.

"hmm?" When Darkmore spoke, you lifted your heavy head to look at him. He had his gaze fixed on your phone. "Your phone seems to have been buzzing for the past minute?" he wondered aloud. You picked up your phone and flipped it to look at the lock screen. You raised the phone close to your eyes since everything was very difficult to see.

Darkmore waited patiently for you to be distracted.

All of the messages came from the same person.

Chuuya

Don't drink that!

It might be poisonous!

Stupid! He can heal himself, and he will kill the drug before it gets to his head.

Are you there?

shit shit shit

Darkmore drank the rest of the wine while staring at your terrified expression. You realized what was wrong, but it was far too late. You didn't have the strength or time to respond to what happened next.