Zigh's body trembled, his jaw locking tight as his shocked expression sharpened into a blade of resentment.
"You cheated!"
Lian merely shrugged, his expression gleaming. "You're a Colonel, aren't you? Prove it."
Zigh's fists clenched so hard the veins corded along his forearms. "You certainly have a silver tongue, don't you?"
In a flash, Lian reached out and seized Zigh by the collar, pulling him close. "You lost! You were the one who turned our brawl into child's play—this playground!"
Zigh grabbed Lian's hand. "You think I don't know? That black creature of yours... it's the only reason you won!"
Lian's eyes went hollow, the light within them vanishing. "Hands off."
Fueled by losing a bet, Zigh ignored him. Around them, the patrons of the game center began to turn, their whispers rising like a tide.
"Do you really want to be humiliated further, Rich Boy?"
Zigh stiffened. He released his grip and looked away, his face flushing with a deep crimson. Damn it... how did I lose to Lian? I...
Lian pulled his hand back, staring at the vivid red marks blooming across his skin where Zigh had squeezed.
Beside him, Outer's breath became a ragged, rhythmic growl. "Lian... give the word. That Eosvile will vanish right now."
The atmosphere in the game center shifted instantly. The air grew heavy, thick with an unnatural pressure that made it hard to breathe. The joyful shrieks of children running nearby died out, replaced by sudden, frantic sobbing.
Zigh snapped his head toward Lian, his eyes wide. No way... is Outer losing control?
Enough, Outer... Lian's voice echoed through their telepathic link.
But Outer's breathing only grew more erratic. The air turned stagnant and suffocating. Small children began to cough, clutching their chests, while older patrons slumped into their seats, doused in a sudden, cold sweat.
Zigh noticed Lian's reddened hand. Was it because I grabbed him too hard?
He felt a tickle in his own throat and began to cough. Dammit... just a scratch and that shadow-thing reacts like this? If I had actually hit Lian...
Outer, stop. I won—that is more than enough, Lian pleaded mentally.
"That Eosvile... he dared to harm Lian. There is no mercy for his kind!"
Lian looked around at the chaos—the pale faces, the weeping children. Outer, please... I need you to understand. This isn't their fault.
"He must be punished!"
I won the bet, Outer. You don't need to worry.
"Lian... why must it always be like this?"
I'm sorry, Outer.
Slowly, Outer's breathing steadied. The suffocating weight lifted, and the air regained its chill. However, the lingering dread still hung over the room like a shroud, leaving the children trembling.
Zigh approached Lian, his head bowed. "I..."
Lian didn't wait. He turned and walked away. Zigh hurried after him, reaching out to grab Lian's arm, but he stopped mid-motion when he saw the red bruises again. He pulled his hand back before making contact.
They exited the game center, Zigh trailing exactly two paces behind.
Damn it... he's gone cold again, Zigh thought.
Lian led them toward the exit of the building with long, hurried strides.
Once outside, he stopped, staring up at the sky as it bled into shades of orange and violet.
Zigh took a hesitant step forward. "Lian... I..."
Lian remained a statue, refusing to turn.
Zigh exhaled a long, shaky breath. "I was wrong."
Lian started walking again without a word.
Zigh ran a hand through his hair. This is going to take a while.
He followed Lian to a nearby park, where Lian eventually sat on a weathered bench.
Zigh approached him again, desperate to bridge the silence. "Lian, please. Just listen to me."
No response, only silence.
"You won. I lost... Lian."
Lian's gaze remained fixed on the wild flowers swaying in the grass. A soft breeze drifted through the park, catching Zigh's hair and making it flutter.
"I..." Zigh glanced at Lian's hand. "I'm sorry for hurting you."
Lian said nothing.
Zigh closed his eyes for a moment. "I let my emotions get the better of me."
He stepped closer, until barely two paces separated them. "Lian... you're the winner. What is it that you want?"
Only the rustle of the wind answered him.
"Lian, if you want... you can hit me."
Lian rose. Zigh flinched in surprise, a faint, nervous smile twitching on his lips. But the smile vanished the moment Lian's fist connected squarely with his nose.
Zigh hit the ground hard.
"You asked for it."
Zigh gasped, his hand instinctively flying to his face. Warm, metallic-smelling blood began to leak through his fingers. "You..."
He looked up and saw Lian's hand—it was trembling. Zigh wiped the blood away with his sleeve and slowly pushed himself up, massaging the bridge of his nose. Damn, he packs a punch...
Lian looked away, his jaw set. Beside him, Outer glared at Zigh, baring rows of sharp, white teeth.
"Lian... I really am sorry."
"You apologize so easily…"
Zigh balled his fists. "Then what should I do?"
"You're a Colonel. Why ask someone like me?"
Zigh sighed. At least he's talking.
"Lian, about the bet... I'll keep my word. You don't have to worry."
"Obviously."
Zigh winced. "Then, as the winner... what do you want?"
Outer leaned in and whispered, "That Eosvile... will hurt Lian again."
Lian rubbed his bruised hand. "It still hurts…"
Zigh bit his lip. "I messed up. I'll take responsibility."
Silence fell again, the twilight sky watching the two men amidst the solemn air.
"Lian, let's go home."
"I don't have a home here."
"Lian, we're still partners. You can stay at my place."
Lian said nothing.
Then, a loud, betraying growl erupted from Lian's stomach, echoing through the quiet park.
Lian's face flushed bright red.
Zigh stared at him, stunned. So, he could make that kind of face, too.
"You hear that? Your body wants to go home, Lian."
"Be quiet."
"We can argue more at the house. After you eat, ok?"
Lian stared at Zigh for a long moment before finally giving a curt nod.
Zigh let out a breath. Finally... even if my nose had to be the sacrifice.
They walked back to Zigh's car. Lian climbed into the back with Outer, while Zigh took the driver's seat. He ignited the engine and pulled out onto the main road.
"Lian, what do you want to eat?"
"Whatever you want."
"Alright then."
After a long drive across the city, they finally reached home. Once Zigh parked in the garage, Lian and Outer stepped out of the car, with Zigh following close behind.
Zigh took out his phone and opened an online delivery app.
"Lian, go inside."
Lian and Outer entered Zigh's house.
"Lian, please have a seat on the sofa."
Lian sat down immediately.
Zigh murmured while scrolling through his phone screen, "Beef steak it is."
He then pressed the order button.
He sat down next to Lian, leaning back and staring at the ceiling. "Lian, you won... and as per the bet, I'll do whatever you say."
"Bodyguard," Lian murmured.
Zigh bolted upright, his relaxed posture vanishing. "Can you say that again? Clearly?"
"Be my bodyguard."
For a moment, the world seemed to stop. The word bodyguard echoed in Zigh's mind like a repeating alarm.
"Why?" Zigh asked.
"I don't know. It's just what came to mind," Lian answered.
"Fine. I'll do it."
Lian turned to look at him, eyes wide.
"Why do you look like that, Lian?" Zigh asked.
"You don't usually agree so quickly."
"I don't want to be a loser who keeps making excuses."
"But you are a loser who lost to me."
Zigh's hand twitched. Truly, Lian... you're honest, but why does it always have to sting?
Lian glanced at Zigh's nose. "Does it still hurt?"
"Yes," Zigh blurted out before he could stop himself. He blinked, surprised by his own honesty.
Lian looked down at the granite floor, retreating back into his shell.
Zigh ran his fingers through his hair. "Your hand still hurts too, doesn't it?"
"It's not bleeding."
Zigh sighed. Then why did you hit me...
Then he remembered. Right. I asked for it.
The sun had fully set now, leaving the room in a soft, dim glow.
"You know, Lian... you punch like Rhax Brown."
Lian tilted his head. "The amateur boxer who knocked you out?"
Zigh smiled, though a vein throbbed at his temple. "It was a knockdown. Remember this, Lian."
"Is there a difference?"
"Of course. If it had been a KO, I would have lost automatically."
"Oh, I see…"
Zigh exhaled. "The point is, don't worry about my nose. Besides, I'm your bodyguard now."
A moment later, the doorbell chimed.
Ding-dong! Ding-dong!
Zigh stood up. "That'll be the steak."
Lian sat in silence as Zigh went to the gate.
Zigh opened the gate.
"A steak order for Zigh Eosvile."
"Yes, thank you."
"You're welcome."
As soon as the courier left, Zigh closed and locked the gate once more.
Shortly after, Zigh's phone rang.
He answered it. "Yes, Dev?"
"Sir, we received a report of a strange case occurring at the game center."
Zigh sighed. Oh, man...
"Sir...?"
"I'll handle it tomorrow. Just convey that to their management."
"Understood."
Zigh hung up the phone. "What a huge loss today..." he murmured.
He returned a moment later with a warm, fragrant parcel and set it down in front of Lian.
"I ordered steak. Do you like it?"
Lian stared at the container, a strange look in his eyes. "I've never eaten steak before."
To be continued...