Chapter 66

The heavy rain outside didn't dampen the mood inside the RV. The three girls huddled close to Wanda, playfully clinging to her as they chatted and played games. Inevitably, their conversation shifted toward Pietro and Sumarokov, their intentions pretty clear. Wanda didn't mind sharing some details—like their personalities and interests—which made the girls even more excited.

Meanwhile, Adam, the boy wearing glasses, felt a twinge of jealousy. Why were those two guys getting all the attention? Was it just because they were taller, more muscular, and better-looking? He huffed to himself, "A man's greatest asset is his depth of character!"

Suddenly, a loud thunderclap split the sky, its explosive roar echoing like a warning drum. The three girls shuddered, caught off guard. For a moment, they even considered using their "fear" as an excuse to throw themselves into the arms of Pietro or Sumarokov, imagining a romantic scenario.

But then, the RV's interior lights began flickering erratically, as if something was wrong with the wiring. An odd, chilly breeze swept through the space, sending a shiver down everyone's spine.

Sylvia, the blonde girl who loved watching horror movies but was easily scared, almost screamed in fright. Her face showed genuine fear as she clung tightly to Wanda.

Sensing the girl's fear, Wanda, like a protective older sister, wrapped her arms around Sylvia and whispered soothing words, her eyes briefly glowing with a soft red light.

Pietro and Sumarokov exchanged glances, their gazes sharpening as they turned to the flickering lights, both on high alert.

As Jeff drove the RV, he suddenly gasped in surprise, and the vehicle started slowing down.

"Hey, why is there someone standing in the middle of the road?"

The moment Jeff spoke, a cold glint flashed in the eyes of Wanda, Pietro, and Sumarokov. Instantly alert, the three of them stood up and moved to the front of the RV. Through the windshield and the glare of the high beams, they saw what Jeff was talking about.

In the middle of the road stood an old man, dressed in a black suit coat, with a round hat on his head, white gloves, and holding a cane in one hand and a black umbrella in the other. He looked like an old-fashioned aristocrat.

There didn't seem to be anything particularly threatening about him, yet his presence in the middle of this deserted highway, during a storm, felt deeply unsettling.

The others in the RV came forward to get a better look. Sylvia, wide-eyed, asked in surprise, "What's an old man doing out here? Didn't we read online that this road is practically abandoned?"

"Maybe his vehicle broke down just like Wanda?," one of the other girls suggested.

Being naturally friendly and optimistic, the students quickly accepted this explanation. After all, hadn't they just stopped to help Wanda, Pietro, and Sumarokov? It didn't seem that strange.

Jeff was even about to roll down the window to call out to the man, but Sumarokov quickly placed a firm hand on his shoulder. When Jeff turned to him, confused, Sumarokov spoke with a serious tone.

"Listen, stay inside the car. Don't go out there. If anything feels off, leave immediately."

"Wait—" Jeff began to ask something, but before he could finish, Sumarokov, Pietro, and Wanda had already opened the door and stepped out into the pouring rain, leaving the group of students puzzled.

The downpour soaked the road as Wanda walked in the middle, flanked by Pietro and Sumarokov, each holding an umbrella. Their shoes splashed through the muddy water, creating small ripples as they approached the old man standing in the middle of the road.

Inside the RV, Jeff and the others huddled around the front, watching through the high beams. The sight of Wanda, Pietro, and Sumarokov moving toward the old man stirred an odd feeling among them. There was something mysterious about their backs—something that sent a shiver down their spines.

The trio stopped about five meters from the old man, who looked at them with a gentle, wrinkled face. The rain drummed on the umbrellas, but his gaze remained calm.

"Such an interesting soul," the old man said, his voice full of intrigue. "I didn't expect to meet a host of chaos magic here... fascinating."

At his words, Wanda, Pietro, and Sumarokov's eyes narrowed. Chaos magic—he had recognized it instantly.

Their expressions grew serious. They silently extended their heightened senses, using their haki, probing the old man's presence. What they felt was unlike anything they had encountered before—an aura that felt otherworldly, as if it existed in a different dimension, detached from the world around them.

But there was something inexplicably terrifying about him.

"Who are you?" Wanda asked, her voice soft, nearly drowned out by the rain. Yet the old man heard her clearly. He responded calmly, unhurriedly, "Someone who can fulfill people's deepest wishes."

His voice took on a bewitching tone. "You all have tragic pasts, don't you? Would you like to make a deal with me? If you sign a contract, I can give you anything you desire—anything, including reuniting you with your family."

The old man's words carried a dangerous allure. Wanda, Pietro, and Sumarokov all reacted immediately. His offer was tempting. The thought of seeing their parents again, of undoing the pain they had lived through, stirred something deep within them.

Yet, over the years, they had grown stronger. They had learned to move forward despite their traumas. And now, their senses screamed that something was wrong with the old man's proposal. There was a raw malice emanating from him—undisguised and pure.

Wanda's gaze hardened. As much as she longed to see her parents again, the malevolent presence before them couldn't be trusted.

This was no ordinary negotiation. It was a fight they couldn't avoid.

In an instant, Pietro's figure blurred, vanishing before reappearing with his weapon in hand. Sumarokov's golden swords were already strapped to his back. The old man's once-calm expression darkened as he saw how quickly they prepared for battle.

Sumarokov cracked his neck, a wild grin spreading across his face. "Whatever you are, drop the act. It is impossible for you to hide the malice in your eyes."

He inhaled deeply, drawing in the heavy, damp air. "Let's get this over with."

With a powerful kick, the ground beneath Sumarokov shattered, sending water splashing in all directions as he charged at the old man with blinding speed.