——A dim, old dormitory corridor.
——In the dead of night, a sharp alarm blared through the silence.
——Back then, Graye was still just a middle-aged dorm supervisor, clutching a flashlight as he ran toward the malfunctioning elevator.Inside, a few students were trapped. Their cries were drowned out by the grinding metal and alarms.
"Don't be afraid! I'm here—!"He forced the door open with all his strength. The sound of a snapping cable exploded in his ears.There was no time to escape—he shoved the children out of the elevator.Then everything fell into silence and blackness.
In the gray mist, that memory fractured frame by frame, fading back into shadow.Lucian watched quietly, his expression softening just a little.Graye's voice came low and hoarse:"I saved them… only so they wouldn't be afraid anymore."
Lucian was silent for a long moment."You wanted to save them back then," he said quietly. "But now, you're the one keeping them trapped."His tone was cold—but behind it, there was sorrow.
The light began to consume Graye's shadow.The gray cloth over his face fluttered away in the wind—revealing a face lined with dust and tears.He murmured, "I… I just wanted them to stop crying."His voice suddenly softened, weary like an old man's sigh.
The light grew gentle.In the collapsing fog, the students' silhouettes slowly raised their heads, one by one.Their eyes no longer filled with fear, but calm.A little girl reached out, tugging lightly at Graye's sleeve, her voice bright as a bell:"Mr. Graye… it's time to go."
Graye froze for a second, then looked down at her.The gray cloth slipped completely from his face—and for the first time, he smiled.He lifted his hand, touching the cracked badge on his chest."...Finally, I can clock out."
As his words faded, the illusion of the underworld began to crumble.The walls turned into drifting light particles,the old student photos vanished one by one,and the souls of those children rose as glimmering stars,ascending gently, dissolving into the pale light above.
Lucian staggered, barely able to stay standing.Maya rushed to support him."Lucian! Are you okay? Don't scare me like that!"
He gave a faint grunt and straightened up,"…Don't cry, idiot."His voice was still cold, but beneath it was a fragile warmth—that single "idiot" trembling slightly in the air.
Then came the familiar ding— of the elevator.The world shuddered; all the scattered light gathered beneath their feet, enveloping them.When they opened their eyes again, everything was back to normal—cold metal walls, flickering emergency lights, and campus security rushing toward them.
On the floor lay a single broken badge.The name was faded, but one line could still be read:"Graye — The Night Watcher."
Maya crouched down and brushed it gently with her fingers.She thought she heard a faint whisper—"...Thank you…"
It came from somewhere beyond the light,weary, but finally at peace.
Lucian lifted his gaze toward the ceiling, his eyes deep as a starless night."…He's gone home," he said quietly.
The elevator doors slid shut,their reflections standing side by side in the mirrored surface.
Maya looked up at him softly."Lucian… are you… lonely?"Then, without thinking, she stepped forward—and wrapped her arms around him.
"I don't understand everything you've been through," she said quietly,"but… I don't want you to carry it all alone."
Lucian froze. His throat tightened."You really are…"He wanted to say "too nosy," but the words came out so low he could barely hear them himself.
Maya didn't let go. Her voice was gentle but firm."I'll be here, Lucian."
He hesitated, then slowly lifted his hand—and finally returned her embrace.His fingers were cold, trembling faintly."…Then don't regret it.""I won't." She smiled, tears still glimmering at her lashes.
Outside, the night returned to silence.A breeze drifted through the window, carrying the faint scent of osmanthus.At the end of the corridor, a light flickered softly—as if bidding them farewell.
Lucian released her and said quietly,"Let's go. Time to rest.""Mm." Maya nodded obediently, sneaking one last look at him.
In that fleeting moment, she finally understood—beneath Lucian's coldness hid a loneliness deeper than any ghost's.And perhaps, she wanted to be the one small light in his heart.
In the silver glow that trembled between them,that night—the first of the Seven Spirits finally found peace.