CHAPTER 12

Slowly walking in, Helek enters the gym, glancing outside as he closes the door from inside with both hands.

Once inside, he stands still, gazing towards the basketball court. Just then—

A Skinwalker, hiding behind the door of the storage room, peeks at Helek. Its red eyes glow in the darkness.

After observing Helek for a while, it silently sneaks behind him, standing right behind him.

The moment Helek senses someone behind him, he swiftly turns around. But as soon as he does, the Skinwalker kneels and bows.

Suddenly, a blinding light emits from its entire body, and it slowly transforms into a human form.

Shining white hair, glasses resting on deep blue lake-like eyes, a body draped in winter clothes, and an oddly mysterious smile on its face.

"Your Majesty," the boy says, bowing again after standing up.

Helek stares at him, expressionless, as if this sight doesn't surprise him at all. Then, without warning, Helek raises his hand and slaps the boy hard.

The slap echoes through the empty gym, but even after being struck, the boy's smile doesn't fade.

He simply touches his cheek and looks back at Helek as if nothing had happened.

"Why did you scare Keroli again today?" Helek asks angrily.

Scratching his head, the boy replies, "So that he wouldn't doubt you, Your Majesty. We must keep him afraid."

In reality, Helek is the king of the Skinwalkers, commanding them to spread across the country, killing everyone. All the Skinwalkers obey only Helek's orders.

Helek glares at the boy. "Did I tell you to do this? I warned you that night—don't take actions on your own!" Helek shouts furiously.

Startled by Helek's voice, the boy quickly tries to justify himself.

"But you see, because of me, you got to bath with that human today. That's why you look more powerful now."

Noticing that his words are further irritating Helek, the boy quickly changes the subject.

He starts asking about Liam, wondering if Helek truly likes him so much that he always defends him.

"I don't need to tell you everything," Helek snaps in response.

The two continue talking, unaware that Keroli is also approaching. Remembering how dark the gym is and that Helek went there alone, Keroli decides to follow him.

Slowly descending the stairs, Keroli places one hand on the wall for support, moving cautiously through the dark.

Only the cold wind and faint moonlight streaming through the corridor's window provide light.

The rain has stopped, leaving the earthy scent lingering everywhere.

The wind rushes past his body as Keroli descends, his nerves on edge, fearful that a Skinwalker might pounce on him from the darkness.

After all, he had seen one earlier in the cafeteria, and he knows it's still around.

Shivering from the cold, Keroli finally reaches the gym's entrance.

But the door is locked. He tries pushing it with one hand, but it doesn't budge.

Frustrated, he uses both hands, applying all his strength, but the door remains shut.

"Is it locked from the inside?" Keroli mutters to himself.

He starts banging on the door, calling out, "Helek! Are you in there? Are you okay? Open the door!"

Hearing Keroli's voice, both Helek and the boy freeze in panic.

"Your Majesty, I must leave now. But don't worry, we'll find those people," the boy says before quickly disappearing.

Helek walks to the door and unlocks it from the inside. Keroli, standing outside, is trembling.

Seeing him shiver, Helek reaches out and pulls him into his arms. This time, Keroli doesn't feel uncomfortable—it seems he's grown accustomed to Helek's embrace.

As Helek wraps both arms around Keroli, he appears much smaller in comparison.

"Your body feels cold, Helek," Keroli remarks.

Unbeknownst to Keroli, Helek's presence in his life has a purpose—he needs the rare Ying-Yang energy that only certain humans possess.

This energy is vital for Helek to survive on Earth. Ordinary humans have very little of it, but Keroli has an abundance that radiates from him since childhood.

The first Skinwalker that infiltrated Keroli's apartment balcony had sensed this energy and informed Helek. That's why Helek sought Keroli out, earning his trust.

The more Helek touches Keroli, the faster he absorbs this energy.

To ensure Keroli stays close without suspicion, Helek has been orchestrating attacks on him, making him rely on Helek for protection.

"You shouldn't have come down. I was about to return upstairs," Helek says, running his hand over Keroli's back.

"Helek, your hands—" Keroli begins but stops abruptly, flinching.

Helek is leaning close to Keroli's neck, his hand resting on Keroli's soft skin.

Keroli is about to stop Helek when he suddenly screams, "Aaaah!" as Helek, after sniffing him, unexpectedly bites his neck.

"Helek, what are you doing? I'm not food!" Keroli tries to reason with him, his voice filled with both fear and confusion.

Helek pulls away from the hug, looking at Keroli with a sorrowful expression.

"Please, just let me touch you for a little while. I promise I won't cross the line," Helek pleads earnestly, his tone almost desperate.

Keroli is about to refuse, but before he can utter a word, Helek abruptly pins him against the wall.

Without waiting for permission, Helek moves closer, bringing his lips just inches away from Keroli's, his intent clear and intense.