Yoon Changdae immediately straightened his posture.

Since there was no restraint this time, he tried to stand up, stretching both legs.

“Kneel, criminal.”

However, at Lea’s command as she extended her sword, he obediently fell to his knees.

Perhaps pleased by his submissive attitude, Lea sheathed her sword and offered an explanation.

“Visit once a week. Otherwise, your blood and qi will twist, and you will die.”

It was a far more terrifying Geas than he had anticipated.

A one-week death sentence.

How on earth was such a thing even possible?

Furthermore, what was the true identity of that young, blonde girl named Lea, who could accomplish such an absurd feat?

His mind brimmed with questions, but he dared not ask them rashly.

His only desire was to escape this hellish place, brimming with malice, as quickly as possible.

With the most crucial task safely concluded, Shin Jungho let out a light sigh of relief.

He had worried about what might happen if something went terribly wrong while applying the Geas, but fortunately, no such disaster occurred.

Judging by Lea’s reaction, the Geas seemed to have been properly applied.

Frankly, using someone’s life as leverage wasn’t a particularly pleasant picture.

However, Shin Jungho was not naive enough to gamble with his own life.

Since things had already unfolded this way.

If they could reach a relationship where both sides could smile, it might ultimately prove to be the better choice.

Thinking this, Shin Jungho spoke to Yoon Changdae.

“You may stand up.”

Yoon Changdae glanced toward Lea before answering with dignified composure.

“I am comfortable in this position.”

A relationship where both could smile…

Perhaps that was possible?

Shin Jungho decided to think about that later and focused on firmly tying up their contractual relationship for now.

“You understand why you must come every week, correct?”

“I will relay everything I uncover—not just about the Triumvirate Meeting, but also the Superhuman Management Agency and any secret information circulating.”

…Just knowing the Triumvirate Meeting’s information would have been enough.

Still, there was no reason to refuse when the other party was willingly offering to confess everything.

That being said, he was certainly an intelligent man.

Considering he had deceived the entire nation by claiming to be a Tanker when he was actually an Assassin, how could he be anything less?

In a way, such talent had walked right into his grasp.

And Shin Jungho preferred fairness in his transactions.

Receiving far less compensation for the hardships endured felt unjust.

Conversely, receiving excessive rewards for the work done left one feeling unsettled.

So, if he had only wielded the whip so far.

It was now time to offer the carrot.

Shin Jungho approached Yoon Changdae, keeping his hands tucked inside his coat.

Seeing this, Yoon Changdae was startled inwardly.

W-Was that a gun?

Did I say something wrong?

An impulse surged within him to spring to his feet and create distance.

However, upon seeing Lea casually rest her hand on her sword, he decided to stubbornly remain seated.

Shin Jungho withdrew his hand from his coat.

Instead of the black object Yoon Changdae had anticipated.

It was two stiff pieces of paper.

Moreover, they were rare items not easily seen: Return Tickets.

“Take them.”

“Pardon?”

Yoon Changdae struggled to process the current situation for a moment.

Why was he suddenly being handed such precious items?

“Please deliver one to Ms. Park Soyul. You understand what this means, correct?”

Yoon Changdae’s mind spun rapidly.

Mirinae was undoubtedly Shin Jungho.

And the top three Korean rankers were searching for Shin Jungho.

Kim Taemin had taken a hostile stance toward Mirinae.

But he and Park Soyul were only half-invested out of curiosity.

Given the situation, since he was now recruited by Mirinae, the implication was to use himself to bring Park Soyul into the fold as well.

“…Yes. I will handle Park Soyul’s side.”

“As expected, we communicate well.”

Shin Jungho offered a gentle smile.

It was merely a gesture to lighten the mood, but Yoon Changdae felt goosebumps rise once more.

Because he read the implicit threat within: see what happens if you fail to handle this properly!

After the general discussion concluded.

“I advise against entertaining foolish thoughts. Your life spans a mere seven days.”

Lea issued a stern warning, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword.

Since these words came from the very person holding his lifeline, Yoon Changdae answered with utmost respect.

“I will keep that in mind.”

Um… what was this feeling, as if there were now two Leas?

Shin Jungho lightly shook his head and turned his gaze back to Lea.

She surveyed the surroundings briefly before giving a slight nod.

It meant there was no surveillance nearby yet.

“Then you may return.”

“…Yes, sir.”

To hear the title ‘sir’ after ‘Lord’.

Still, since he needed to maintain the upper hand for now, he didn’t bother correcting him.

Kkiiik-

As the thin front door opened, Yoon Changdae led his massive frame outside.

He bowed his head solemnly once more before vanishing like a ghost.

They called him an assassin, and he truly was elusive.

“Lord. That man has left the building.”

Lea whispered softly.

Kkiiik-

Chalkak.

…I thought she was still standing in front of me.

It felt as though something tremendous had just swept through and passed.

Originally, he had planned to enter the Tower immediately to verify his newly acquired skill, Quest Insight.

However, with his mind in such a tangled state, a deep sleep was what he desperately needed right now.

Still, discovering that the blade previously aimed at his throat had vanished was a huge gain.

Although the blade had turned into handcuffs, not having to worry about his life was a relief in itself.

While he had no intention of defecting to the United States, he resolved to repay this debt if he ever had the capacity to do so.

Anyway.

It was time to wrap up matters on this end, right?

“Ms. Lea.”

“Yes, Lord.”

“You didn’t watch any dramas yesterday, did you?”

“…I will not be watching dramas anymore.”

“Because you need to stay on guard?”

“That is correct, Lord.”

Her emotional fluctuations were as erratic as a tempestuous teenager’s.

Seeing this only reinforced the impression that Lea was indeed a teenage girl, not much older than she appeared.

Coming from a different world, it was understandable that her behavior would differ.

Still, her attitude of killing her own emotions to obey orders blindly didn’t seem like a healthy direction, no matter how he looked at it.

So what could he do?

He had to yield a step from his side.

“Let’s just act like we did at the beginning.”

Baffled by Shin Jungho’s words, Lea pondered their meaning before apologizing.

“…I apologize. I do not understand what you mean.”

“Whatever thoughts you held in your heart when you were first summoned, say them freely.”

“…I apologize. My knowledge is lacking, so I do not understand what you…”

Shin Jungho cut off Lea’s words.

“Yes, like that.”

“…Pardon?”

“Whether it’s an apology, a plea, a suggestion, or defiance. Whether it’s congratulations or praise. Just say whatever you want to say without hiding it, Lea. In my opinion, that seems like the right way to truly understand who you are.”

Thinking back, he had given Lea so many instructions.

Don’t apologize, don’t praise me for every little thing, call me something other than Lord…

And because of that, the girl named Lea had grown increasingly timid, ultimately reaching the conclusion to ignore her own feelings.

Lea fell back into confusion upon hearing Shin Jungho’s words.

She had believed it was enough to kill her emotions and act solely as the sword her Lord wielded.

Why did her Lord.

Why did the man named Shin Jungho.

Always cause such massive ripples in the calm heart she had so carefully settled!

However…

Lea wasn’t entirely unaware either.

If her heart had been truly held firm, a single remark like this wouldn’t have shaken her so violently.

The truth was that it wasn’t solidly hardened concrete, but merely a sandcastle with a glossy exterior.

Lea willingly let the sandcastle she had painstakingly built crumble away.

Thinking about it, such false efforts couldn’t have lasted long anyway.

The next time another incident occurred.

She likely would have tried to put on yet another mask.

Her true self.

The way she was when they first met.

That was all her Lord wanted right now.

And deep down, Lea felt that his thoughts were right.

Lea forced the corners of her mouth up, offering an awkward smile.

If nothing else, it was certain that her Lord liked her smile.

And as if that was the correct answer.

Shin Jungho responded with a soft smile of his own.

Perhaps smiles were contagious.

This time, it felt like a more natural smile had formed.

Lea savored the lingering warmth for a moment.

Then, wiping away all traces of amusement, she answered with a serious expression.

“Understood, Lord! In that case, may I voice my humble thoughts?”

Lea had returned to her lively demeanor, just as she had been when they first met.

It was unfortunate that her speech had reverted to such an extremely deferential tone, but over time, it would gradually improve.

Whether Lea’s way of speaking changed.

Or he grew accustomed to it.

“What is it?”

“The criminal—ah, he is now Slave No. 1. Please entrust Slave No. 1, whom you have just acquired, to me!”

…Um, was this a situation where he should congratulate him on his promotion from criminal to slave?

Since Lea seemed quite confident, he decided to trust her just this once.

It also felt like the surprise gift he had prepared in advance was perfectly suited for the current situation.

Shin Jungho pulled out a neatly wrapped gift box from under the bed and handed it to Lea.

“Take it. It’s a gift.”

Lea was bewildered by the current situation.

She had requested a mission, and suddenly a gift box appeared?

Moreover, the fact that it was the first gift bestowed by her Lord caused the thermometer in her heart to skyrocket from 0 to 100 degrees in an instant.

“H-How could I dare accept s-such a gift…!”

“You don’t even know what’s inside. Hurry up and take it. My arm is hurting.”

“I-I apologize! A-Ah! Thank you! I’m sorry, thank you!”

Holding the gift, Lea’s face turned as red as a beet, and the trembling corners of her lips made it look as though she was desperately trying to hold back a smile.

Was she rejoicing like that even without knowing what was inside?

But… how long did she plan to stay like that?

Lea stood frozen like a statue, both arms extended forward.

Curious as to how long she would maintain that posture, Shin Jungho observed her for a bit.

…

Ten minutes passed.

Shin Jungho clicked his tongue inwardly at Lea’s rigidity (?) and urged her on.

“Shouldn’t you open the gift soon?”

“Thank you for granting me permission!”

…Did she really wait until I gave her permission?

No way…

Lea carefully untied the string binding the box, handling it as if it were a newborn infant.

“It feels like opening the Platinum Random Box you acquired, Lord…!”

That was the intention.

He had wrapped the gift box similarly so Lea could experience a similar atmosphere.

Sararak.

Having neatly untied the string, Lea finally opened the box and checked the contents inside.

“Are you… really giving this… to me?”

Lea’s voice trembled.

Laced with a subtle dampness.

In Lea’s hands was the latest model of the Universe Phone.

The color was a sophisticated yellow, which matched her golden hair perfectly.

“Yes, I thought you should have one too. For your information, that’s the latest model.”

If anything, giving her this gift was long overdue.

He was glad to provide it now, even if late, and to see Lea rejoicing like this.

“I apologize, Lord! How could I possess something better than yours?”

She didn’t know much about machines, but she could tell that this smartphone was far better than Shin Jungho’s.

As her Lord’s loyal servant, how could she commit such disrespect!

However, that reaction was also calculated within Shin Jungho’s mind.

“It’s fine. Mine is also the latest model. The same model as yours, Ms. Lea.”

Shin Jungho’s Universe Phone was a premium gray.

As if inviting her to compare, Shin Jungho placed his smartphone next to the one Lea held out.

Identical latest models of the Universe Phone.

Only the colors differed.

Their hands were close enough to touch.

And Lea felt extremely tense in that situation.

This was almost like…!

Shin Jungho described the current situation exactly as it felt to him.

“Looking at them like this, don’t they look like couple phones?”

Peoeoeoeong!

…Lea, deceased.