Chapter 1 

A secretive night social club.

There, called Nyx, there were no ranks. Only men and women. Nyx was an exclusive club for healthy, unmarried adults with no physical or mental issues.

Ellie joined Nyx in her first year of adulthood, invited by a senior from the academy. She’s been a diligent member for five years, never causing trouble.

Nyx’s rules were simple. First, no love triangles between members. Relationships were encouraged, but if a triangle caused drama, all involved would be permanently expelled.

Second, Nyx’s nights must stay within Nyx. Nothing that happened inside could be taken outside. Anything was allowed by mutual consent inside, but if it caused trouble outside, membership was revoked.

There had been expelled members in Nyx’s history, but only rumors circulated. Thanks to the anonymous organizer’s careful management, no one knew exactly when Nyx started, but it continued to run smoothly.

Nyx offered all sorts of experiences. Sometimes, Ellie sought a partner for the night there.

“Welcome. Thank you for visiting.”

The masked server greeted Ellie and handed her a small pill. It was a contraceptive. Developed thanks to medical advances, the unisex pill lasted only one night, but that was enough for Nyx. For a free night, Nyx encouraged all guests to take it.

Ellie swallowed the pill in one gulp and entered. Heading straight to the basement bar, she ordered a pink cocktail. Holding her glass, she sat at the bar and looked around.

Nyx was a building with three basement floors and ten above ground. The upper floors were rooms, the basement had the bar and facilities for those seeking special nights. Ellie had only heard about the basement facilities, never experienced them.

The bar was a gathering place for single men and women looking for partners.

‘Ah, today’s not great? No one catches my eye.’

Ellie sipped her cocktail, feeling uninspired, and turned back to the bar. She thought she might just drink and leave, which made her a bit disappointed.

Ellie’s taste was somewhat picky—broad shoulders, blue eyes, pale skin. Most important was the eyes; she liked making eye contact during intimacy.

But tonight, no one matched her preferences. Blue eyes and pale skin were traits of Northerners, but in the Southern capital, Northerners were rare, so Ellie often compromised.

“One more, same as before.”

Finishing her cocktail, Ellie ordered another. She regretted coming for nothing, but some nights were just unlucky.

She absentmindedly spun her finger around the rim of her new glass, when she noticed the bar had suddenly gone quiet; the usual background chatter had faded.

Turning her head, Ellie saw someone and silently prayed, ‘God.’

Black hair tinged with blue, flawless pale skin, and deep blue eyes beneath fluttering lashes. He looked like someone straight out of Ellie’s imagination.

Ellie glanced around. The silence wasn’t her imagination—everyone in the bar was pretending not to look, but clearly focused on him.

Ellie quickly calculated: hesitate now, and someone else will take him. Whoever speaks first claims him.

“Hello. Is this your first time at Nyx?”

The man blinked at Ellie’s greeting.

“How did you know it’s my first time?”

“Hmm, just a new face?”

Ellie chuckled, thinking she sounded like a club regular. The bartender served the man his drink, and he turned to face Ellie.

Face to face, he was exactly her type, and Ellie quietly caught her breath. She could just stare at him and be happy.

“Do you come often?”

“Not often, just sometimes?”

The man obviously was new to Nyx. If he weren’t, word of a newcomer like him would have spread.

On a rare visit, a new face appeared, and he matched all her preferences. She was about to claim him before anyone else. Today was a lucky day. Ellie quickly dismissed her earlier thought that it was an unlucky night.

The man acted as if not only Nyx, but bars in general were unfamiliar to him. His awkwardness made him seem innocent.

Wow. He’s even more my type.

“I’m Ellie. And you?”

“Cal.”

“Nice, Cal. I like you—will you spend the night with me?”

Ellie touched Cal’s fingers, her gesture full of subtle intent. Cal’s face flushed at her touch.

His reaction surprised Ellie. Not only was the atmosphere new for him, he seemed so naive she wondered if he was inexperienced. For a moment, she considered backing out, but his looks were too perfect.

If it’s his first time, so what? She could teach him. Besides, coming here meant he was open to it.

“Your face—you’re exactly my type.”

Ellie smiled, her eyes soft. Cal coughed, unable to hide his nerves, and drank his cocktail. He finished it quickly, and the bartender slid another glass to him. Cal drained that one in two gulps.