cheolsoo • The Society of The Shadow / Eng ver.

17. Isolation

The entire chapter consisted of Choi Jonghyun's tormenting speech, the battle within Seungcheol, and Liltih's manipulation through whispers.
Pls be prepared!

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Chapter 17: isolation

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Seungcheol sat quietly in the shadowed room as darkness settling over him. He glanced at the calendar on the wall, noting that he'd suffer two days in near-total isolation. The only sounds were the three daily knocks for his meals—breakfast, lunch, and dinner. He was left to manage everything himself, both physically and mentally. Lilith didn't speak much after he dreamed of setting her free. Although he'd asked for a guide, a little signal, all he received was dead silence.

He tried calling Joshua once. But he cut the LINK rapidly before it could reach the other side. He missed him, wondering how Joshua felt after he'd left. He'd wanted to apologize for going without a word—Joshua had tried to stop him, though the effort had been in vain. Now, Seungcheol was at a loss for what to do; nobody understood him, and the thought of Joshua suffering the curse tore him apart. Out of all the magical places in Carat Land, only the Choi family mansion offered him a glimmer of hope.

The mansion did bring him hope. Lilith had appeared in his dream, promising to help him grow stronger, strong enough to defeat Choi Jonghyun. If he succeeded, all the power within the house would be his.

Sometimes, he'd receive messages from Mingyu, saying that Joshua was getting better and that Minghao had created a temporary cure thanks to the information in the magic scroll. Mingyu kept hoping Seungcheol would return soon, reminding him that he didn't have to fight alone.

Seungcheol used to say the same to Joshua, telling him he wasn't alone in his fight. But he'd never imagined one day he'd make the same choice, fighting through his dark days in isolation. He knew Joshua would blame him when he returned—that was something he could already see.

But as Seungcheol rose from the wooden chair, blinking to refocus on reality, he was all alone. He'd chosen this battle alone, for Joshua's sake. Whoever had targeted Joshua with that curse, he'd vowed to destroy them. No one else had to sacrifice themselves on this path with him.

Choi Jonghyun was the first mountain he'd have to climb. So, he waited. Patiently.

A knock interrupted the silence, followed by a childish voice from outside his room.

"Young master, are you awake?"

Seungcheol recognized the voice—it was Ruby, one of Choi Jonghyun's loyal guardian creatures. As the daughter of a Cyclops, she claimed to have been born from one of her father's toes, which explained her petite frame. With a single large eye, short ginger hair, warm brown skin, and oversized feet, Ruby had an appearance as unusual as her origins. Despite her century-long life, her voice held a youthful tone, forever carrying a hint of innocence that belied her age.

"Young master?"

"I'm awake," Seungcheol replied, his tone tough and dry.

"Master wants you to join him for dinner."

Seungcheol's eyes narrowed at the mention of dinner with the master of the house. He knew better than to trust Jonghyun's invitations; they always came with hidden intentions. But if he refused, he'd show weakness—and that was something he couldn't afford.

He paused before responding, his voice low and resolute.

"Tell master I'll join him," he said, his tone betraying neither warmth nor hesitation. "But remind him," he added, his voice like ice, "I'm here on my terms, not his."