MY GOLDEN BLOOD (END)

CHAPTER 2: THE FOOL WHO STUNNED YOU

Mark stepped closer to the car where Tong sat trembling. The wolf let out a long, eerie howl before it darted away, vanishing into the shadows. Tong's chest heaved with relief, but his eyes were still fixed on Mark, who continued approaching. Just as Mark reached the car, his footsteps faltered. Without a word, he turned and began walking back toward the castle.

Tong, confused yet far more afraid of the wolf returning, wasted no time. He jumped out of the car and hurried after Mark. "Hey, can I stay with you until morning?"

Mark halted, his back to Tong, trying to hide the crimson flush in his eyes. He quickened his pace, attempting to outdistance Tong. Unfortunately, Tong wasn't easily shaken off. "What kind of human dares to follow me without fear?" Mark muttered, bewildered.

Tong came to a sudden stop. Mark's movements were unnatural, his figure shifting like a shadow in the wind, vanishing before Tong's eyes as though he were a ghost. Panic surged through Tong as the black wolf reappeared, this time with its pack. "Damn it. Do I chase the castle ghost or get eaten by wolves?"

Tong bolted toward the enormous castle door, the pack closing in fast. His heart pounded as he pushed against the heavy door, but it wouldn't budge. KRIIEEETT-the door creaked open on its own, as if sensing his desperation.

Without thinking, Tong rushed inside. TRAAAK! The door slammed shut behind him. Gasping for breath, he glanced around, realizing he was now trapped inside the dark, ancient castle. "Damn it, the stories about creatures that can't die in this place might actually be true."

The faint moonlight barely illuminated the cold stone walls. High above, he saw a figure holding a candle, casting a dim glow down the staircase. Tong hurried toward the figure, convinced it was the man he had seen earlier outside.

"You know," Tong called out as he climbed the stairs, "I've heard rumors about immortals living in this castle. Are you a vampire? Dracula? A ghost?"

Mark paused, casting a sideways glance at Tong. "Is this guy insane?" he muttered under his breath.

Tong drew closer, undeterred. "I don't care if you're human or not. Just don't abandon me, okay? I'm terrified of that wolf... well, and a little of you too."

Mark scoffed, stepping away from him. "You're crazy."

Undeterred, Tong pursued him again. "Hey, I said don't leave me!"

Mark came to a halt, turning to look at Tong fully this time. Just beyond the flicker of candlelight, Tong caught a glimpse of Mark's bloodshot eyes and his expressionless, yet somehow sinister, face. The sight sent a chill down Tong's spine. He hesitated, stepping back in fear, his voice trembling, "Are you... are you going to eat me alive? Could you, uh, maybe... not do that?"

"You idiot," Mark muttered, brushing past him and heading to his usual resting room. Tong, of course, followed.

When they entered Mark's chamber, Tong was momentarily stunned. The room, illuminated softly by moonlight, was breathtakingly beautiful, the decor sparkling with a strange, eerie charm. "Wow, you live in a pretty nice place," Tong commented, seemingly forgetting his fear for a moment.

Meanwhile, Mark struggled to contain the growing turmoil inside him. The scent of Tong's body was overwhelming, flooding his senses with a torment he could barely suppress. Every cell in his body trembled with a primal hunger.

Tong wandered toward the balcony where Mark often stood to gaze at the moon. The breeze carried the intoxicating scent of his blood straight to Mark, who could no longer hold back. In a blur of motion, Mark closed the distance, grabbing Tong by the shoulders, their faces now mere inches apart. Mark could feel Tong's warm breath against his cold skin.

Tong, utterly shocked, shook with fear. "W-why is your body so cold?" he stammered.

Mark, teetering on the edge of control, couldn't resist any longer. His lips brushed against Tong's, and with a swift motion, he bit down, tearing the corner of Tong's mouth with his teeth. A jolt of unfamiliar sensation rushed through him, and with it, the undeniable truth. The legends about humans with blood so irresistible it drives you mad... they were real.