(Author Note)

Hello there, Iam_Hastur here. I hope you guys are enjoying the story so far, yeah kind of a slow burn, but I rather take my time in crafting a good story instead of half assingly do it.

Currently speaking 19 chapters are officially out, and the first volume will be about 50-60 chps long.

If your are interested in reading ahead. Check out my Patreon to unlock them.

I post daily there, for 3$ a month.

That aside have a good rest of the day, or night.

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(Master, Kayland Garbutt is at the villa's gate, should I allow him entry)

"Yes Lisa, you may let him in."

Nier took another drag from his cigar, the fermented tobacco hitting his brain as he pulled the smoke deep into his lungs. Fresh chapters posted on novel•fire.net

Outside, Kayland pulled up the estate driveway in his black-and-green Lamborghini Sian. The large iron gates came into view, tall spikes of metal with spear-like tips stretching high into the air, and colored black, surrounded and upheld by a massive brick wall that surrounds the property.

Their exterior covered by thick vine that made the atmosphere all the more creepier.

The place had an eerie presence, but having been one of the few people to actually see the inside of his friend's house, Kayland could attest to how well-off his brother-in-arms family had been before his parents deaths.

The media called it a double suicide. But Kayland and Nier knew better.

Elara had always been a crazy woman.

Kayland had always trembled at the sight of her. Day after day, they would hear her abusing Bernard, Nier's father, always locking them away in their rooms.

Kayland could still remember those days when he would hear the man's screams and pleas for help. But once inside that coffin of a house, all sound stayed trapped within its walls.

Still, Nier was a special case, a man of immense rationality. Even back in high school, Kayland remembered him as a violent stoic with a lot of patience. In his heyday, Nier had been labeled a delinquent. A tough brother indeed.

It was funny how they used to hate each other in high school. But men are simple creatures by nature. It was only after they beat the living hell out of each other that they truly became friends.

Ironically, not long after, they found out more about each other, and realized they both hailed from wealthy families.

Kayland's father was a rich second-generation heir who gained his wealth through inheritance; the Garbutt family owned multiple gold mines, along with numerous properties and companies.

Meanwhile, Nier's parents were deeply involved in the Larla tech industry. His mother, in particular, was a talented engineer and app developer. One of her creations was Lisa, an advanced personal home AI that managed the Augustus estate and acted as the family's personal assistant.

Kayland pulled up to the estate intercom, pressed the button, and said.

"Yo! Nier… let me in."

As expected, it wasn't Nier who responded, it was Lisa.

(Young Master Kayland, a pleasant good morning)

"Good morning to you as well, Lisa. Can you tell Nier I'm outside? I figure you need his permission to let me in."

(Yes, one moment)

Kayland waited for confirmation, but couldn't help thinking to himself.

'Not gonna lie, she creeps me out. For some reason, this AI has always given me bad vibes.'

Moments later, Lisa responded.

(My master has granted you access to the estate. Please come in and park your car in the garage. The door will be open, and he will be waiting for you upstairs in the living too)

"Nice."

Without another word, Kayland drove his Sian through the gates and up to the large modern villa, entering the large garage, and parking his ride beside a massive bus within it's confines.

He stepped out, passed through the garage door leading to the downstairs kitchen, and walked past a long dining table before ascending the curved staircase.

That's when he was met with a familiar and luxurious sight.

The living room sprawled before him like something out of a glossy architectural magazine.

A vast open space stretched across the upper floor, illuminated by the soft glow of recessed ceiling lights and the muted warmth of a grand crystal chandelier suspended above a low, black marble coffee table.

The table's surface gleamed under the light, reflecting the soft amber hues from the flickering fireplace built seamlessly into the far wall.

Two massive, L-shaped leather sectionals framed the room, their deep charcoal color contrasting sharply with the polished white stone flooring.

A design Nier mother had taken much pride in.

Between them, a thick Persian rug of deep crimson and gold spread out like a royal banner, muffling Kayland footsteps as he walks on them.

Along one wall, floor-to-ceiling windows opened to a panoramic view of the large garden outside. Heavy blackout curtains hung at either side, their dark fabric patterned with faint silver threadwork that caught the light when he moved.

The walls were tastefully adorned with a mix of modern art and antique oil paintings, some depicting serene landscapes, others shadowed portraits of well custom people of their time.

Nobles of the former great Augustus family.

Moments later, Kayland heard a voice behind him, accompanied by the steady sound of approaching footsteps.

"Kayl…

Nier called out to the tall, muscular man before him.

Like Nier, he wore a skin-tight, sleeveless blue T-shirt instead of a simple black with pineapple-like patterns, the snug fit showing off his well-defined frame. His black gym shorts looked so soft they might as well have been made from pillows.

His body was covered with various tattoos, including a half-sleeve that stretched across his left arm and chest. His skin was light, his blond hair falling neatly to his neck, and his blue eyes, a stark contrast to Nier's otherworldly red.

He also wore a pair of designer glasses that rested on his face, and expensive Jordan sneakers completed his outfit.

Hands in his pockets, the man easily stood at least 6'8...towering over most people, but right now, he was just happy to see his bro.

Kayland stepped forward, extending his hand, and the two dapped each other up with a solid smack.

"How long has it been since you came to visit me, you asshole? It's always me having to come to you."

"Haha, my bad, bro. I've been busy. Even now I had to call in a few favors just to clear my schedule and meet you this quickly. But hey, I am finally free for at least half a day. So what is good, bro...besides you trying to quit on me of course."

"Sigh… I've got my reasons for that, Kayl. Still, I am doing quite well all things considered."

"Hmmm… nice, nice. Say, you wanna hit downtown for some pancakes?"

"You know I can't do that, right?"

Kayland let out a sigh and scratched his head.

"Honestly, bro, I get how terrifying your family curse is, but you can't hide all your life. Eventually, you're gonna have to face your demons, gang."

"I know. To be honest… that is exactly why I am quitting."

"Say what now?!"

Kayland blurted out in genuine surprise, this was the last thing he expected to hear from Nier.