Chapter 285: My body feels boneless

Viktor had planned to leave the island when he came across a newly built spa in town.

He was surprised, quickly parked the car in a secluded spot, and walked to the building.

The streets were filled with people, including staff, their family members, and the merchants allowed on the island.

Viktor wasn’t a new face in town; some people knew he worked at the main mansion and called out polite greetings.

Viktor nodded in greeting as he walked toward his destination.

Stopping before the newly built three-story building, he was surprised that Cyra allowed some merchant to build on her island.

He would ask her about the matter later. Viktor pushed the door open, and a wave of cool air washed over him.

The interior was simple, with a waiting area and a receptionist at the front, and an elevation and stairs on both sides. 𝘧𝓇ℯℴ𝓂

As soon as he entered, the woman greeted him with a standard polite smile, but as he came closer, her smile grew more fawning.

She seemed to recognize who he was.

“Good afternoon, sir. Which session would you like today?” she asked, tapping the hologram box to display the available packages.

“Hmm. I need a full-body session and a massage. Do you offer hair trimming here as well?” Viktor asked, hoping he could get everything done in one place, as he always did whenever he visited a spa.

“Yes. For hair trims, go to the second floor and turn right. Then head to the third floor for the massage and body spa. Hmm, you’re in luck. Our best masseur is available today,” the woman replied, tapping rapidly on the keypad.

“I just sent a message ahead, and they’ve been informed of your arrival. Just go upstairs and ask for Aiden. Everything will cost one hundred and fifty silver coins,” she said, waiting patiently for him to pay before he went upstairs.

Upon hearing the price, Viktor was surprised. Sensing his confusion, the woman explained,

“It seems cheaper than usual, but I promise you our establishment is professional. We’re offering a discount because we’ve just opened. After a month or two, the price will return to the standard market rate.” Her tone was sincere; she hoped her sister’s business would flourish so she could earn a higher salary.

“Alright then,” Viktor muttered, planning to give the new place a chance. He reviewed the account details and paid with a quick tap on his holographic screen.

“Have a pleasant experience, sir,” the woman said with a bright smile as she watched him leave.

Viktor hoped they wouldn’t disappoint. With that thought, he stepped into the elevator as it slid open.

...

Meanwhile, Kyle was being roasted alive beneath the scorching sun.

His once-pale skin had turned blood-red, with wisps of steam rising from his body.

The chains binding him hissed against his burning flesh. Though he wasn’t engulfed in flames, he was perilously close.

Kyle kept his head lowered, his expression hidden beneath his sweat-soaked dark blue hair.

The tattoo on his back lit up, and Blue appeared before him.

“Meowww! Master, who did this to you?!” Blue was deeply shocked to see his master tied up, his face bright red as if he were being cooked.

Kyle remained silent, as though he had fallen unconscious. Panic gripped Blue, and he shouted even louder, desperately trying to wake him.

“Master! Master, don’t sleep! Wake up, or you might not wake up. Meow! Master ｡⁠:ﾟ⁠(⁠;⁠´⁠∩⁠`⁠;⁠)ﾟ⁠:⁠｡”

Kyle felt a splitting headache from all the noise, which forced him to speak.

“Shut it. You’re giving me a headache.” His voice came out hoarse, barely above a whisper, but Blue heard it loud and clear.

“Woo hoo... Master, I thought you were dying. I was so scared I would die too.” Blue patted his chest in relief that Kyle wasn’t near death.

Blue relaxed completely and stretched, its feline eyes gleaming with gossip.

“So, Master, who did you offend this time? It must be Madam Cyra, right? No one else could force you into this situation without you killing them instead or breaking free from your restraints. So... what did you do? Tell me, tell me,” Blue urged, his voice dripping with curiosity and a hint of schadenfreude.

Kyle shot Blue a glare, wishing he could sew Blue’s mouth shut.

He had almost been touched by Blue’s worried cries earlier, only to realize that Blue was worried only about its own survival if he had died.

‘Cold-blooded beast,’ Kyle swore inwardly, forgetting that he would have reacted the same way if he were in Blue’s shoes. After all, they were soul-bound and practically shared the same personality and attitude.

Blue happened to notice his gaze and instantly knew its master must have been cursing it in his mind again, but it didn’t react, hoping Kyle would spill the truth sooner.

“Did your assassination plan fail again? Hmm, that’s not it. If it had, you wouldn’t have been bound like this. Besides, it isn’t the first time you’ve tried to kill her. So what crime was so serious that she had to punish you this way?” Blue guessed wildly as it moved around, its tail swishing through the air.

Kyle was irritated by Blue’s pacing, and he lowered his head and shut his eyes to rest, leaving Blue to stew in its own thoughts until it looked up.

“You deserve it...so stingy they can’t even spill the details,” Blue murmured in displeasure before stretching out and lying on the grass to sleep.

Purrs rumbled from its throat as it settled into a comfortable sleeping position. Time crawled agonizingly slowly for Kyle, and the moment the sun dipped below the horizon, a wave of relief washed over him.

Though the silver burned his flesh, leaving a pricking sensation, it wasn’t as intense as when he was in direct sunlight.

He truly wished the day would pass quickly so he could be free of these chains. At that thought, an image of Cyra appeared in his mind, and he couldn’t help but remember the taste of her blood. His fangs began to throb with hunger.

“Dammit.” He swore, shaking his head as if to banish that image from his mind. Then he began hypnotizing himself again.

“She’s your target; you have to assassinate her and be done with it.” He kept murmuring these thoughts to himself, but his self-talk didn’t seem to work, leaving his fangs aching painfully.

...

Zane was having dinner when Viktor walked in. His chewing paused when he noticed the healthy glow radiating from Viktor.

“Oh, you’re here. How do I look? Does my skin glisten with moisture? Touch it. Is it smooth?” Viktor asked, stretching out his hands toward the stunned Zane, who was bombarded with so many questions.

“Umm, it’s smooth,” Zane replied flatly before pushing Viktor’s hand away so he could continue eating.

“You didn’t even touch my skin. I feel so relaxed and refreshed after that spa session. My body feels boneless, like I’m floating,” Viktor continued, even though Zane showed no interest in what he was saying.

He hadn’t expected to meet such a skilled masseur. After an hour-long massage, all the tension in his body melted away, leaving him with the pleasant sensation of floating.

“What are you talking so happily about?” Cyra’s calm voice came from the doorway. Viktor was startled; he didn’t know when she’d arrived—the sound of her footsteps was nonexistent.

Zane had noticed her presence earlier, so he wasn’t startled like Viktor. He only raised his head slightly to glance at her before returning to his food, which seemed more important at the moment.

"Haa... you scared me." Viktor patted his chest lightly, grateful Cyra wasn’t in the assassin business, or he would know how he died.

"You were so engrossed in conversation that you didn’t notice me walk in," Cyra said softly, and she was about to pull out a chair to sit when Viktor leaned in closer.

She waited for him to speak, but he said nothing, just kept touching the edge of his curls.

Cyra wasn’t about to ask what was wrong until she noticed his hair, and then her gaze lit up with realization.

“Oh, you had a haircut. It makes you look younger and even more handsome,” she praised generously, her fingers ruffling through his natural curls as Viktor smiled brightly.

She wasn’t lying, though. The haircut really did make him look younger and more innocent, like a helpless fawn in need of protection—a stark contrast to reality.

"Hmm, you noticed. I went to a newly opened spa on the island. Their service was top-notch, and if you need a good massage, you can go there. But... only accept female masseuses."

Viktor firmly added that last part; though the man who massaged him was skillful, he didn’t want him touching a hair on Cyra’s body.

“Huh? I thought you left the island. Since when did we start allowing merchants to build establishments here?” Zane asked, his tone laced with surprise as he looked at Cyra.

Viktor also turned to her, wanting to know the reason.

Noticing their curiosity, Cyra explained,

“Although the supermarket in town sells almost everything, it’s impossible for it to offer everything. So Mira and Kyle discussed the matter with me, and we decided to allow a few businesses to operate here after conducting extensive background checks on their owners.”

Zane nodded, feeling that idea wasn’t bad; at least they would have to leave the island for something as simple as a spa treatment and other things.

"I also noticed a new restaurant was under construction. Once it’s up and running, we can visit and check the chef’s skill." Viktor’s words made Zane’s eyes brighten.

"Really! What else is in town? It seems I haven’t been to town in a while," Zane said with a hint of excitement, feeling the island was livelier than before.

“Let’s go tomorrow when you’re free,” Viktor said as he pulled the chair closer to Cyra.

Zane hummed in response, continued with his meal, and didn’t hear Viktor’s whispered words.

“Mistress... hope you haven’t forgotten my punishment.” Viktor’s husky tone floated into her ear, and his breath brushing her ear made it tingle.