MTLNOVEL Chapter 44: Rebellion Against Heaven - Part 31
Chapter 31: Dinner and the Screams in the Dark
The evening at Ryuusei's mansion seemed to be going smoothly. Aiko's friends explored every corner of the house with fascination, marveling at the opulence, extravagant décor, and valuables they never imagined seeing up close.
"Your house is impressive, Aiko," said one of her friends, carefully touching a Chinese porcelain vase.
Aiko forced a smile, glancing at Ryuusei, who was watching them from a distance with a glass of wine in his hand. Alone... Don't touch anything too expensive.
Ryuusei, sitting on a luxurious leather sofa, remained silent, feigning disinterest, but attentive to every word, to every gesture. To him, every person in that room was a potential threat. Not because of what they could do, but because of what they could discover.
And then, it happened.
A scream.
A heartbreaking one.
One that didn't come from the living room, or the kitchen, or the garden.
It was a cry of pure agony, of a pain so visceral that it made everyone in the house freeze.
Aiko's friends looked at each other, pale.
"W-what was that?" One of the boys asked, his voice trembling.
Aiko felt the blood run off her face. He knew exactly where that sound was coming from.
And so did Ryuusei.
He stood up slowly, setting the wine glass on the table with a slight clink.
"Excuse me for a moment.
Without saying more, he calmly walked out of the room.
Aiko quickly followed, trying not to let her friends notice her nervousness.
"Ryususei!" He whispered urgently when they were out of reach of the others. Tell me it's not what I think it is!
Ryuusei gave him a murderous look.
"Stay here and entertain your friends." Don't follow me.
Aiko clenched her fists, helplessly, as he walked away with firm steps.
(The Secret Attic)
Ryuusei walked up the stairs quickly, down the dimly lit corridor until he reached the door that no one was supposed to open.
The attic.
He took a golden key from his pocket and turned it in the lock. The door creaked open, and a metallic stench permeated the air.
There, chained to the wall, bathed in his own blood, was Daichi.
His clothes were in tatters. His wounds, some fresh and others grotesquely healing thanks to their strange regeneration, covered his skin.
There were gags on the floor.
There were instruments of torture arranged on a black marble table.
And Daichi looked at him with his eyes injected with hatred and madness.
"Son of a bitch," he spat in a raspy voice. I thought you'd come sooner.
Ryuusei calmly closed the door behind him.
"If you keep yelling like that, you're going to ruin Aiko's dinner."
Daichi let out a bitter laugh.
"Oh, forgive me, Mr. Billionaire Murderer in the Name of Death. Will the girl be scared to see how her beloved Ryuusei is a fucking monster?
Ryuusei clicked his tongue.
"Oh, Daichi... You don't realize she already knows.
He approached slowly, pulling a sharp knife from his belt.
"Now, tell me—should I make tonight more interesting to you?"
Daichi spat blood on his shoes.
Ryuusei smiled with amusement.
"Good. You asked for it.
And then, the real spectacle of pain began.