City of Witches - Chapter 279: Interlude (1)

A few hundred years ago, Earth was affected by a mysterious force from the depths of the universe, triggering the revival of spiritual energy. However, things didn’t turn out as wonderful as humanity had imagined. The spiritual energy carried a strange power that caused the corpses of all living things to rise again, transforming into ghouls. And above these ghouls, even more terrifying beings existed…There were no ancient methods of cultivating immortality, nor any legendary awakenings of supernatural powers. But within the spiritual energy, there was also a presence of ghostly energy. This led to the emergence of Runes.Some people bore mountain runes, enabling them to move mountains and overturn seas, suppressing chaos. Others carried river runes, allowing them to reverse the flow of mighty rivers with a mere gesture. However, this process required a special profession to assist these rune cultivators—to constantly modify and engrave their runes, making them more refined and perfect.This profession came to be known as Rune Engraving.

Zephany Draven is a shy, clumsy celebrity journalist who is constantly ridiculed for not getting the big scoops. She is soft-spoken and easily intimidated, so she looks weak. However, behind closed doors, she's Eclipse, an altogether tougher, loud-mouthed agent and quite ruthless and efficient.Kendrick Montclair is a gentle, positive artist who loves his family and remains optimistic despite his struggles. His gentle nature makes him easy to take advantage of. But secretly, he's Obscura, a cold, ruthless agent who is efficient and silent.Both work as partners in a secret organization that preserves hidden truths erased by governments, yet they remain completely unaware of each other's true identities.Their goal is to reach the highest level of clearance to access classified information. But just when they're on the verge of success, they fail.Then, a mysterious man appears with an offer—a contract marriage in exchange for the information they desperately seek. Trapped with no alternative, they sign the deal.But neither expected what would happen next.-------------Kendrick and Zephany sat by the glass wall, waiting for their food when a car suddenly crashed through. Kendrick pulled Zephany to safety just in time, but both got small cuts from the broken glass.“Are you okay?” they asked, checking each other.To their astonishment, the cuts healed before their eyes.Their minds raced. “Beside me, the only person I know who has that ability is.”“No! She can't be that loud, short-tempered woman!”“No! He can't be that silent, obnoxious man!”“Did I marry my secret partner in crime?” They both shuddered at the thought.

“I'll do it. I'll do anything you want”Raiden clicked his tongue in a disapproving tone then raised Hiro's head once more.“That's not what I want to hear, Hiro” He said. “I want to hear you say it with your lips. I want to hear you acknowledge what you will be to me and your status from this day henceforth.”He stared deep into Hiro's beautiful brown eyes as he spoke; “Say that from this very second, you belong to me. Your body, your soul, your mind, every part of you belongs to me. You will be my pet and remain by my side. You will do whatever I ask you to do. Tell me that I own you, Hiro.”Raiden's voice was frighteningly deep and Hiro felt shivers run down his spine. There was nothing he could see but Raiden's smokey grey eyes, his handsome face and that devilish smile that gave him goosebumps and made his heart tremble with fear.With tears running down his cheeks, he balled his fists and spoke softly; “I promise, Raiden, from this very second, I belong to you. Every part of me is yours. My body, my mind, my soul, everything is yours. I will be your pet. I will do anything you ask of me. I will give you everything that I am. You own me, Raiden.”Watanabe Hiro used to be very rich. As the last child of the Watanabe family, he was pampered and spoilt by everyone but he was a good kid. He was obedient and friendly. Nice and very caring. He never did anything to worry others. He also had a lot of friends. Some were with him because they genuinely liked him while others were with him because of his wealth. That is, until a calamity befell his family and everyone he considered a friend abandoned him.Hiro was forced to live a wretched life for 4 years until he met a former senior who was ready to save him but under one condition.Hiro had to become his for a year.

In one fateful day, the world has suddenly turned into chaos as zombies appeared from every major city on the planet. Millions were killed each day and the world government collapsed in just a month.Just as the world was about to lose hope, one person, Thomas Estaris, awakened a system that allows him to summon weapons like pistols, assault rifles, even heavy weaponry such as tanks and helicopters.Will he be able to save the world from its destruction caused by the zombies or die trying?