Temple of the Demon Lord of Wishes

Chapter 21 Stubborn Kalisto

Later that night, Kalisto sat alone in the small, dimly lit room, the letter from Ivaim still clutched tightly in his hand. He had read it twice now, and the words hadn't changed.

Kalisto's grip tightened on the paper, and he let out a short, frustrated scoff. He tossed the letter aside, the crumpled page landing on the table with an unsatisfying flutter.

"I knew that little troublemaker was just hopping along," he muttered, his voice thick with irritation. The words lingered in the air, like smoke from a slowly burning fuse. "I wonder what he was up to this time..."

He glanced over at Reves, sprawled across the couch in his usual nonchalant fashion, his phone held firmly in hand. The boy's face was the picture of youthful indifference, a screen of light reflecting in his eyes as he scrolled through some app Kalisto didn't care to recognize.

Reves had been more of a nuisance than anything today—loud, reckless, always in the middle of some chaotic mess. Kalisto had grown used to him by now, but that didn't mean he liked him.

The kid was unpredictable, a walking disaster zone, and for some reason, it always seemed to land on Kalisto's lap to clean up afterward.

Kalisto's gaze lingered on the boy for a moment, his brow furrowing as he wondered if Reves had any involvement in whatever mess Ivaim had left behind this time. But, in the end, it didn't matter. He was too exhausted, too burned out to care. Reves was just another problem, and Kalisto had far too many of those already.

The door swung open sharply, cutting through the silence. The woman from the front desk entered, brisk and businesslike, her expression set in a no-nonsense frown.

"Mr. Kalisto," she said, her voice clipped, and the words fell like stones in the otherwise quiet room.

"The main bodyguard team has arrived. They're here to ensure Master Reves's safety. You may leave now and claim your compensation from the front desk."

Kalisto raised an eyebrow, glancing back at Reves, who hadn't even bothered to look up from his phone. The boy was completely indifferent, as usual.

"Bodyguards for him?" Kalisto muttered under his breath. He didn't even try to hide his incredulity.

The woman didn't answer directly. Instead, she stepped aside, allowing three figures to enter the room, their presence filling the space with an air of professional authority.

The first man was tall, imposing, and marked by a long, jagged scar running across his left cheek. His gaze was intense, always scanning the room as though it were a battlefield, his body coiled like a spring ready to snap into action at the slightest provocation.

"Talon," the man introduced himself, his voice deep and commanding. "We've been assigned to protect Master Reves. We'll ensure his safety from any potential threats."

Kalisto's eyes narrowed. This one was a man of few words, but every movement spoke of experience and a readiness to act when needed. His presence alone made it clear that he wasn't someone who took his duty lightly.

The second bodyguard was a woman, with fiery red hair that seemed to burn even in the dim light. Her sharp green eyes darted around the room, taking in everything in a way that felt like she was mentally sizing them up. Every muscle in her body was poised for action, her posture a perfect blend of control and readiness.

Selene stood, brushing her hands off with an air of detachment, as though she were brushing off the entire situation. "He fainted. We'll take him somewhere safer once he regains consciousness."

Kalisto's gaze remained fixed on Reves, his fingers curling into fists, his voice cold and laced with skepticism. "You're telling me he's unconscious, and you think nothing's wrong?"

His tone hardened. "He's supposed to be protected. That's why you're here, right?"

Talon's eyes narrowed slightly, his posture stiffening as he responded, his voice even but with a clear edge.

"This is none of your concern, Mr. Kalisto," he said, his gaze unwavering. "We're handling this. You should leave."

Kalisto took a deliberate step forward, his stance firm and unyielding.

"I'm not going anywhere until you explain exactly what happened." His voice dropped to a dangerous level, a clear threat hanging in the air.

"Why is he on the floor? Why didn't you stop this?"

Dax let out a nervous laugh, attempting to diffuse the tension with a forced nonchalance. "Seriously, it's fine. The kid just got a little worked up—nothing for you to worry about."

Kalisto's eyes remained cold as ice.

"I don't buy it. You're supposed to be professionals. And now he's lying unconscious on the floor. This is my business."

Selene crossed her arms, her gaze hard, calculating.

"You've had your say, Kalisto," she said, her voice cutting. "You can either walk out and let us do our job, or you can leave. But you don't get to dictate what happens here."

Kalisto's eyes never wavered as he took a step closer, his body rigid with defiance. "Not until I know what's really going on."

The room hung with a heavy silence, and for a moment, none of them moved. Tension crackled in the air like a live wire, thick enough to choke on.

I'm probably going to regret this, but...

Kalisto stood his ground. He wasn't leaving until he got the answers he demanded, no matter how much they tried to brush him off.

I've always been the stubborn type anyway.