Spirit_Alphabet

Clara x Owen 1

Chapter 87: The New Pillar of the House

The soft crunch of gravel under the tires sounded rhythmically before Owen's SUV came to a complete stop at a campsite by a stream in Blackwood Forest, a forest renowned for its pure and tranquil beauty.

The moment the car doors opened, the fresh, cool forest air rushed into everyone's lungs. It was the true scent of nature... the smell of damp earth after last night's light rain, the cool and refreshing scent of pine resin, and the sound of a clear stream flowing over rocks nearby, a welcoming song. The peaceful and shady atmosphere under the tall trees was filled with a sense of relaxation and anticipation for a happy weekend.

"Wow! The air is amazing!" Julian was the first to shout with excitement. He stretched his arms to their absolute limit as if to release all his pent-up energy from the journey, before running to the stream like a child let loose in a wide field.

As the others were helping to unload the luggage from the car, Julian grumbled, "I'm so glad we finally made it camping! I was about to die from withdrawal when Owen called to say we had to postpone last week."

Owen gave a strained laugh as he lifted a large tent from the back of the car. "Sorry about that. I was tied up with some urgent 'business' that just came up." He deliberately emphasized the word "business." "But I promise I'll make it up to you today!"

"That's right," Clara added sweetly as she walked over to link arms with Damian, but her eyes darted meaningfully to the broad back and the muscles that moved under Owen's t-shirt. "Owen must have had something really important to do. But for now, let's just have fun, my love~"

Damian nodded, unsuspecting. He smiled warmly and turned to pat Owen's shoulder lightly. "Don't worry about it, Owen. I get it. Work has to come first."

After that, Damian and Julian went off to gather firewood and prepare the barbecue grill, leaving Owen and Clara to set up the tent alone... and that was when the relaxing atmosphere began to shift into an invisible heat.

The two pretended to be busy setting up the tent, but they found every opportunity to secretly touch. It started with small things... fingers that deliberately lingered a little too long when Owen handed her a tent stake... gazes so hot they could almost burn off each other's clothes every time they met.

"Clara, could you pull that rope a little tighter," Owen said in a flat voice, but he deliberately leaned in from behind to "teach" her the correct way to pull the rope up close.

His warm breath on her ear and neck sent shivers down her spine. His masculine scent, mixed with his faint sweat, was so seductive she almost went crazy. She could feel his hard chest pressing against her back... and worse... she could clearly feel the hardness that was slowly pressing against her buttocks through the fabric of his sweatpants!

"Ah... like... this?" she asked, her voice trembling, deliberately arching her rounded hips against his crotch, slowly grinding her soft ass cheeks against his hot member... a wordless invitation.

Owen gritted his teeth. He had to use all his willpower to suppress the primal instinct to flip her over and slam into her right then and there... in the middle of the forest, where her husband could be watching at any moment. The risk was so thrilling his heart pounded.

"Yes... just like that... Pull it tight," he replied, his voice hoarse, before forcing himself to slowly pull away, leaving Clara panting with a mix of regret and hunger.

When the tents and camp were all set up, the sun began to set. The golden light of evening bathed the area, turning the entire forest a brilliant gold. Everyone gathered around the blazing barbecue grill. The fragrant smoke of well-marinated grilled meat wafted through the air, along with laughter and the true beginning of a happy atmosphere…

…..

When darkness completely covered the forest, millions of stars appeared in the sky like diamond dust scattered on a pitch-black velvet cloth. Everyone sat in a circle around the warm, blazing campfire. The orange-red flames danced with the wind, crackling softly, a lullaby for the silent night.

After being satisfied with juicy, perfectly grilled sirloin barbecue and ice-cold beer, the atmosphere became completely relaxed and friendly. The empty beer cans lined up next to each person were a testament to the continuous happiness of the moment.

"...and when I turned back, the raccoon had the last of my sausages in its mouth and ran off into the bushes!" Julian finished his childhood joke, and everyone burst out laughing together. Damian's laughter echoed, while Clara giggled shyly.

Amidst the fading laughter, Owen decided this was the perfect time. He took a final sip of beer from the can, feeling the coolness slide down his throat, before slowly placing it down beside him. His playful expression and smile slowly faded, replaced by a seriousness he had never shown before.

"Everyone... I have something important to tell you."

His changed tone was like a stone thrown into a still pond. It made everyone fall silent and turn to look at him as one. The atmosphere suddenly changed. There was only the sound of the burning fire and the chirping of crickets in the darkness. Owen took a deep breath. The fragrant smell of woodsmoke helped to calm him before he announced in a clear, firm voice.

"I... have become an Awakened!"

A moment of silence fell... before Julian was the first to break it!

"For real, Owen!?" he shot to his feet, so excited he almost kicked over a beer can. His eyes were wide and sparkling like a child with a new toy. "Awesome! What rank? What kind of power? Are you a tank or a damage dealer? Do you have a system interface like in a game? Have you been in a dimensional gate yet?" The questions poured from his mouth like a machine gun.

Meanwhile, Damian looked both shocked and worried at the same time. He moved closer to Owen, placing a firm hand on his best friend's shoulder. "Owen... is this for real?" He frowned. "I just saw the news last week... an Awakened was killed by a criminal gang for their loot in a dimensional gate. Are you okay?" The concern in his voice and eyes was real and from the heart.

Clara pretended to cover her mouth in shock along with everyone else, but beneath her act, her eyes shone with an unconcealed pride. ‘Finally… you finally told them… my amazing man~’ A feeling of possession coursed through her.

Before anyone could ask any more questions, Owen held up a hand to stop them, then dropped a second bombshell.

"Hang on, there's one more surprise I want to tell you guys…" He gave a faint smile. "...I've paid off my one-million-dollar debt!"

This time... no one said anything...

The silence that fell was heavy and completely different from the first time. The chirping of the crickets, which had just been background noise, now seemed deafeningly annoying. The crackling of the fire was clearer every time the flames licked a log. It was true shock.

Damian and Clara were completely stunned. They looked at each other without planning to. As the ones carrying the largest debt, they knew better than anyone how hard it was to earn that much money. Over the past few months, even though they had worked hard, they hadn't even paid off half a million... But here was Owen... a young man they had thought was just an ordinary streamer, who had paid off that huge debt in a short amount of time... It was beyond imagination.

A feeling of happiness for his friend flooded Damian's mind, but it was accompanied by an unavoidable feeling of self-pity for his own fate.

Julian, who had just sat down, was too stunned to speak. He could only mumble to himself, looking at Owen as if he were a superhero…

…..

A heavy silence fell over the campfire again, but this time it wasn't a silence of happiness, but one born from true shock. Damian and Clara were still stunned by the news Owen had just announced. They looked at each other, their eyes filled with a mix of emotions too complex to describe.

Amidst the silence and shock, the familiar translucent blue screen appeared before Owen alone. Its cold digital light was a stark contrast to the warm glow of the campfire:

…..

[You are now free of debt, but the Ward family still has a large debt (9 million). What will you do?]

[1. Announce seriously that you will help them pay off the 9 million unconditionally!]: (Damian Affection +20 | Clara Affection +10 | Damian will see you as a true friend (Affection has reached 80!) | Clara will fall completely in love with you (Affection has reached 85!) | Clara will ask you for passionate sex.)

[2. Offer to pay off all their debt in exchange for Damian divorcing Clara, so Clara can be your official wife.]: (Damian Affection -20 | Clara Affection -5 | Damian's view of you will change | Clara will be disappointed in you | Your relationship with the Ward family will begin to crumble.)

[3. Ignore their problem and save the money for your own future.]: (Nothing happens.)

…..

Owen looked at Damian... his best friend, whose expression was a complex mix of happiness for him and misery over his own problems, his eyes clouded with sadness. Then he looked at Clara... the woman who was looking at him with eyes full of unconcealed love and hope.

He didn't have to think for a second... He chose the first option instantly.

Owen moved closer to Damian, who was still sitting as motionless as a statue. He placed a hand on his best friend's shoulder, feeling the tension under his palm, before speaking in the most firm and sincere voice, "Damian... you don't have to carry this debt and be so stressed... Seeing you unhappy like this... makes me unhappy too."

He paused for a moment, looking his friend sincerely in the eyes. The firelight reflected in Damian's eyes, revealing the deep-seated exhaustion and despair. "And besides… I've been indebted to you both for so long. For the shelter, the food, and the feeling of family I never had... It's time for me to pay you back. So… I'll help you pay off the remaining 9 million!"

That declaration was like a bolt of lightning striking the middle of the conversation!

Damian froze for a moment... as if his brain couldn't process the words. The heavy burden he and Clara had carried for months... working extra jobs until they barely slept... the small dreams they had to put away... all of it... was about to slowly disappear? It was like a dream he didn't even dare to dream.

The first teardrop fell silently from the corner of his eye... before the dam of emotions he had held back for so long broke. Tears of a man flowed uncontrollably. He threw himself into Owen's arms, hugging him so tight he trembled, burying his face in the broad shoulder of the young man who had once been just a little brother he had to take care of.

"Owen... thank you... thank God!" his voice trembled with emotion. "You... you don't know how heavy it was... I... I was about to give up... You are my little brother... the best true friend I've ever had in my life! A hundred times better than Alex!"

Clara watched the scene with a tearful smile. Her affection score shot through the roof. In her eyes now, Owen wasn't just a little brother or someone she had a crush on anymore. ‘You've impressed me so much, Owen… my love~ You are a real man!’ she thought.

‘Not just power... not just money... but your leadership… your unique charm is what makes me feel like I'm in love~’ In Clara's heart now, he was the "lover" she was ready to marry. He was the "leader" and he was her "everything." She was completely in love with him, body and soul.

"Yay!" Julian jumped and danced with joy. He could feel the atmosphere had completely changed. "I love this atmosphere so much! Our warm home is finally going back to the way it was!"

The atmosphere instantly turned into a huge celebration. Everyone laughed and cried with joy. Damian ran to the car to get a bottle of champagne he had prepared for a special occasion, before popping it open to celebrate the "new pillar of the house."

Pop!

The sound of the cork was followed by white foam gushing from the bottle. It was the sound of true release.

Owen sat down by the still-blazing campfire. Clara didn't hesitate to move in close and lean her head on his shoulder, openly and naturally, as if it were the most right thing in the world. Damian, who had wiped away his tears, returned with glasses of champagne. He handed a glass to Owen first, before raising his own high with a face full of a happiness he had never known before. "To Owen... my little brother!"

While Julian looked at him with eyes full of the utmost respect...

Now, Owen's status in this house... in everyone's hearts... had changed forever.

—-------

Chapter 86: Nova's Test

Owen drove the SUV onto the private entrance of the gym, which stood alone on a low hill. It was a modern and formidable geometric building of bare concrete, like a modern fortress. Large, pitch-black windows reflected the sky, obscuring the interior and making Talia and Victoria, who were in the car with him, feel an invisible pressure before they even stepped out.

Victoria looked at the building with a skeptical gaze. ‘This is it? Looks more like a prison than a gym.’

Meanwhile, Talia could only clutch her hands tightly in her lap, her small heart pounding with nervousness.

Owen got out of the car with a familiar air. He led the two women through a thick steel door, and the moment they stepped over the threshold... the aura of the place hit them. It was the smell of sweat, leather, and metal, all mixed into the true scent of battle.

THUD! THWACK! THWACK! SLAM!

The sound of a massive leather punching bag being kicked and punched with violent speed echoed through the spacious gym hall. Downlights shone down, revealing professional-grade training equipment arranged with perfect order.

And in the center of the gym... they saw the figure of Nova, training fiercely, all alone.

Her sweat-drenched body moved with the power and beauty of a legendary Valkyrie warrior. Every kick that landed on the punching bag was so heavy the chains holding it trembled. Every punch was so fast it sliced through the air. Every muscle on her perfect body worked in harmony. It was a terrifyingly graceful image of destruction that made the two slave girls unintentionally hold their breath.

Nova stopped her movements abruptly when she sensed their arrival. She turned, panting only slightly, as if her recent training had just been a warm-up. She casually picked up a small towel nearby to wipe the sweat from her face and neck before walking straight towards the three of them with an unreadable smile.

Owen introduced the two formally. "Nova, this is Victoria and Talia... my team members."

Nova raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk at the corner of her lips, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Owen. "Hmm… your team? I thought it was more like your ‘harem’~"

She teased him directly before her gaze turned serious. "You know I only train those who 'meet my standards'... Clara was an exception because I liked her body and her personality. But as for these girls…"

She didn't wait for Owen's reply but began to slowly circle the two slave girls. Her sharp, emerald eyes assessed them from head to toe before she stopped in front of Talia and spoke in a flat, cutting tone. "A weak body, but your life force is strangely intense... like a piece of fruit that's about to rot but still looks beautiful on the outside… How useless!"

Those words made Talia flinch. She could only clench her fists until her nails dug into her palms, but she remained calm and lowered her head, accepting the criticism.

Then Nova turned to face Victoria, who was standing with her chin up, challenging her. "As for you... you have a lot of mana, like a large oil drum ready to explode at any moment, but you don't know how to light a fire... Even more pathetic. All quantity, no quality!"

Victoria stared back into those emerald eyes, displeased, her lips pressed into a thin line. But the pressure radiating from Nova was too heavy, and she didn't dare to say a word in protest.

"Follow me," Nova said shortly, having lost interest, and led everyone out a back door of the gym.

It was a wide, outdoor training ground of packed earth, surrounded by tall trees that acted as a natural wall. The atmosphere here was much more primal than inside. Nova bent down and nonchalantly picked up a dry branch from the ground, then casually drew a circle no more than a meter in diameter on the dirt.

She tossed the branch aside before stepping into the middle of the small circle with a firm stance. She crossed her arms and announced the first test in a cold voice. "I'll give you two a simple test as Awakened... Do whatever it takes to make me move even a single foot out of this small circle."

She glanced at the two of them, her eyes full of contempt. "Of course, you can both attack me at the same time... but if you can't do it in 5 minutes... then get lost. This place doesn't welcome trash. Even if you're under the care of my favorite student... there are no exceptions!"

The atmosphere immediately fell silent. Only the sound of the wind rustling through the leaves could be heard.

Talia and Victoria looked at each other. There was no longer any hesitation in their eyes... The motivation from the "reward" Owen had promised, and the desire to erase this shameful insult, made the flames of battle in both their hearts blaze with a mad frenzy!

They turned back to look at Nova, who stood calmly in the middle of the circle like an unshakeable mountain... and prepared to attack with all their might!

Talia didn't hesitate for a second…

She took a deep breath, her mind empty of Nova's insults. There was only the image of Owen's face and the promise that was a guiding light... the complete faith she had in her ‘Master.’

Her pupils dilated... and she was the first to charge!

“For my Master!” she screamed in her heart. The body that had seemed so fragile unleashed its elastic power to its fullest. Both her arms stretched out like long whips of flesh, lashing out at Nova, who stood calmly in the middle of the circle, from all directions.

FWIP! FWIP! FWIP!

It wasn't a planned or graceful attack, but a storm of attacks driven by raw instinct and the desire to do it for one person alone!

However... a mountain is not swayed by the wind.

Nova remained standing with her arms crossed, as calm as a statue. Both her feet remained rooted to the ground, not moving an inch, but her upper body moved with a fluid speed that was unbelievable.

She used only the backs of her hands and the knife-edges of her palms to parry Talia's attacks with an ease as if she were swatting away an annoying fly. Every parry was gentle yet firm, deflecting the elastic arms to slam into the ground, kicking up dust, or to slice through the empty air, uselessly.

‘Zero combat foundation… Her movements are a complete waste of energy,’ Nova thought with contempt at first.

But then she noticed something interesting... Talia's attack rhythm, though formless, was strangely aimed at her blind spots from unexpected directions. It was an extremely flexible movement that was hard to predict because it didn't come from thought, but from a pure "spirit" and "instinct."

‘No… this isn't just a random attack…' Nova's gaze changed from boredom to a slight interest. ‘This girl has a terrifying talent for combat instinct, but her body is too weak to keep up… like a master race car driver forced to drive a beetle… Interesting.’

Victoria, watching from the side, bit her lip tightly. Seeing that Talia's physical attacks were ineffective, she quickly moved in to support her. Her heart was blazing with the fire of competition and the image of the "reward" Owen had promised. It was a motivation more powerful than any dignity she had ever had!

She unleashed her telekinetic power to its fullest, but when she tried to use it to directly control Nova's body, she found it was like trying to push a mountain with her bare hands. Nova's body, constantly reinforced with mana, didn't budge at all.

Realizing a direct attack wouldn't work, Victoria's intelligence made her change her strategy instantly. She changed her target to her surroundings!

WHOOSH!

Countless rocks, branches, and leaves were lifted into the air, then shot towards Nova like a hailstorm of debris, making a loud, chaotic sound.

But Nova still stood motionless. She let the debris fly at her, but the moment it came within a foot of her body, it disintegrated into dust as if it had hit an invisible glass wall. It was the thin ‘Mana Armor’ she had unconsciously projected to defend herself.

Time continued to tick by until it was almost up… Seeing that their coordinated attacks still couldn't do anything to Nova, Victoria's face began to grow pale. The fear of failing and being "punished"... denied her reward from Owen... began to gnaw at her mind.

‘No! I can't lose! I have to get that reward!’

And in the final moment... the pressure, the desire for the reward, and the fear of losing everything, pushed Victoria to her breaking point... Her mind snapped!

"Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!"

She shrieked madly, both hands stretched out in front of her. Her blue eyes widened and glowed brightly. All the A-Rank mana she had burst from her body like a broken dam! It was pure, uncontrolled, and immense power!

The released mana rapidly formed in the air before her. It compressed the surrounding air until a low hum was heard, before it took the shape of a translucent [Giant Psychic Hammer], its mass of condensed energy clearly visible. It was massive and radiated a pressure so great that Talia, who was nearby, had to retreat in shock.

For the first time... the smile vanished from Nova's face.

She raised an eyebrow in genuine shock. ‘This much power… from a girl who can't even control her mana!?’

Her fighter's instinct told her to take this seriously. She unconsciously used a real combat technique. Both her arms came up to cross in front of her as she circulated the mana throughout her body to create a perfect [Emerald Mana Armor] for defense.

And Victoria's psychic hammer slammed into Nova's body!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!

A deafening explosion sounded. An invisible shockwave erupted in all directions, making the ground tremble and kicking up a storm of dust that filled the area. Owen had to raise his arm to shield his face from the violent wind.

When the dust began to settle... all eyes were fixed on the center of the circle with pounding hearts.

The sight before them made everyone's eyes widen…

Nova was still standing in the same defensive stance... but her mana armor had dissipated. A faint smoke was rising from both her arms.

And most importantly... on the ground behind her right heel was a small scratch... Her heel had moved back until it was just 1 millimeter past the edge of the circle!

An unbelievable victory had been achieved!

And in that same instant, Victoria's body was completely drained of strength. Her knees gave out, and she was about to collapse, but Owen shot forward and caught her unconscious body in his arms just in time.

Nova slowly lowered her arms. She shook her hands slightly to get rid of the numbness before looking at Talia, who was standing with her jaw dropped, and Victoria, who had fainted in Owen's arms. The once-cold and contemptuous look in her eyes had completely changed…

It was the gaze of a diamond cutter who had just discovered two priceless "diamonds in the rough" at the same time. The corner of her mouth lifted... into a truly satisfied smile.

…..

Inside the simple but functional rest area of the gym, the atmosphere was completely different from the tension of the training ground. Silence fell, with only the soft hum of the beverage cooler for company.

Owen was gently dabbing a cold, damp towel on Victoria's forehead. She was leaning against the black leather sofa, looking exhausted, but her eyes were filled with complex emotions. She was happy that her master was taking care of her, tired and headachy from overusing her power, but deep down... a flame of pride had been quietly lit.

Talia stood beside them, quietly handing a water bottle to her master, but her eyes never left Nova, who was walking over.

Nova entered the room with a completely changed demeanor. The coldness and contempt were gone, replaced by the gaze of a "trainer" who was pleased with her new students. She pulled a chair over and sat down opposite the three of them casually, before beginning with a voice that was serious but tinged with admiration.

“You two managed to surprise me… You passed, albeit barely… From today on, I will officially accept you both as my students.” She paused for a moment before adding clearly, “Of course, only as ‘students,’ not a direct ‘disciple’ like Owen. I think he’s the only one who has made me feel that level of acceptance.”

Those words made Owen smile faintly, while the two slave girls could only lower their heads in acceptance.

Nova looked at Talia first. “As for you, Talia… your problem is that you have excellent ‘instincts,’ but your ‘body’ is too weak and is a burden. Your training will be to build a new foundation from scratch, from running, sit-ups, to basic martial arts like Muay Thai. You have to build a body strong enough to be a vessel for your talent.”

Talia clenched her fists, her eyes sparkling with determination. She nodded firmly. “Yes, Trainer!”

Then Nova turned to Victoria. “As for you, Victoria… your problem is the complete opposite. You have immense ‘power,’ but you can’t ‘control’ it at all, like a baby holding a nuclear bomb. Your training will be mana control, first and foremost. You must learn to circulate your mana throughout your body as freely as you breathe. And I forbid you... from using any attack powers at all, until you pass my control test.”

Victoria frowned, displeased at being forbidden from using the power she was so proud of, but when she thought of the destructive power she had unleashed unintentionally, she nodded in reluctant acceptance.

Finally, Nova turned to Owen, who had been listening quietly. Her eyes turned challenging. “As for you, Owen… your lesson begins now.”

She stood to her full height, a signal that the conversation was over. “We will start training the [Mana Armor] technique today… and it’s rather dangerous if you make a mistake. So, I will teach you the basic training method ‘up close’ myself… Get up and follow me.”

Owen nodded in understanding. He knew this wasn't an invitation, but a command. He put down the towel and was about to get up and follow Nova, but he had to stop. He remembered he hadn't taken care of the most important thing yet…

Owen slowly turned back to look at the two slave girls on the sofa. His gaze changed from that of a student ready for training to that of a "Master." He looked at them, now with clear goals, and gave a gentle smile... a smile that made their hearts tremble.

Nova, who was waiting, raised an eyebrow slightly but said nothing. She chose to lean against the wall with her arms crossed and quietly watch this "special scene."

“You both did better than I expected… You didn't just pass Nova's test, you passed my first test as well…” He paused, letting his words sink into their hearts.

The eyes of Talia and Victoria lit up instantly. They turned to look at each other, and an invisible atmosphere of competition began to form again.

Owen continued in a deep and seductive voice... a voice that made their bodies flush hot. “Therefore… tonight… you will both receive your reward.”

The words “reward” and “tonight” made both their faces flush. They knew what a reward from their master meant... It was the bliss they craved.

Owen stood to his full height, looking down at his two slave girls with the eyes of a possessor. The corner of his mouth lifted into a sly smile... a smile that made the hearts of the two young women pound with anticipation.

“And to celebrate… tonight… I will give you your reward… ‘both of you at the same time’!”

That declaration made the entire world of the two slave girls stop spinning!

They stared, wide-eyed with shock, before the shock turned into an intense embarrassment that made their ears burn, and finally... it became a blazing spark of competition!

They glanced at each other again, but this time it was no longer just a simple competition... It was a silent declaration of war, of who, in this "reward," would be the one to serve and please their master more!

After dropping his final bombshell, Owen turned and walked out of the room after Nova, leaving the two young women to drown alone in the storm of emotions he had created…

—-------

Chapter 85: The Motivation for Training

The Wednesday morning sun streamed softly through the kitchen window, creating a bright and warm atmosphere. A complex, fragrant aroma filled the air... It was the smell of coffee, crispy bacon, and the sweet scent of fluffy pancakes drizzled with luscious honey. It was the perfect, peaceful morning.

Owen and Rosy had just come up from the basement, with Talia in her maid outfit following quietly and demurely behind. The moment they entered the kitchen, they found Alicia humming happily as she set the breakfast table... a sly smile on her face.

When she turned and saw the three of them, she feigned surprise, her beautiful eyes widening slightly.

"My, my! Is Owen still here? I thought you'd have gone home last night," she said, looking at Rosy with an undisguisedly teasing gaze. "Does this mean he was with my daughter all night? Goodness... you teenagers really are full of energy, aren't you~"

Those words made Rosy, who was about to sit down at the table, flush as red as a ripe tomato. She quickly waved her hands in denial. "N-No, it's not like that, Mom! We didn't do what you're thinking! He... he was just helping me with a university project! Right, Owen!?" She turned to Owen, her eyes pleading for help.

Just as Owen was about to open his mouth to help her explain, Alicia cut him off.

"A project, you say? What kind of project makes such... loud... 'thumping'... noises all night long?" She covered her mouth and giggled. "I heard the bed shaking so much I couldn't sleep... I suppose your project must have been very intense... hehehe~"

Her eyes made it clear she didn't believe the excuse one bit and had already imagined the two of them "working on their project" fiercely all night.

Talia sat meekly at the dining table in her maid outfit. She could only keep her head down in embarrassment; Alicia's words were hitting a little too close to home for her. She didn't dare to meet anyone's eyes, secretly listening to the "family" conversation with a mix of alienation and warmth. As for Owen, he could only give a dry smile and scratch his head awkwardly. He tried to change the subject to help Rosy, but it seemed to be a futile effort.

After a breakfast filled with teasing that almost made Rosy bury her face in her plate of pancakes, Owen felt this was the best opportunity to escape the adorable battlefield. He quickly stood up, thanked them, and said his goodbyes. "The food was delicious, Alicia, but I have to go now. I have some important business to take care of."

Of course, the queen of the house, Alicia, wasn't about to let this golden opportunity slip away. She rose with a graceful air, walked around the table to Owen, then stood on her tiptoes and planted a loud kiss on his cheek! "Travel safely, my love" she whispered in his ear, before pulling back and giving him a sly wink. "And... don't forget to come 'work on projects' with my daughter more often"

That was the last straw that made Rosy's volcano of patience erupt!

SLAM!

The sound of Rosy's palm slamming on the dining table echoed loudly. She shot up, grabbed Owen's collar with fiery eyes, and pulled him into a deep and passionate kiss right in front of her mother. It wasn't a sweet kiss, but a kiss of "territorial declaration," both fierce and hungry. Her tongue wantonly invaded his mouth as if to assert her ownership.

Mwah! Smooch! Smooch~

She pulled away, panting slightly, before turning to yell at her mother with a crimson face. "He's my boyfriend, Mom! Don't you dare be so forward with him!"

The sight made Alicia burst out laughing with delight. She clutched her stomach and laughed until she bent over, tears welling at the corners of her eyes. "Oh my... hahaha!" Her teasing plan had succeeded beyond her wildest expectations.

Owen, standing in the middle of the mother-daughter duo, felt like a precious treasure being fought over. Seeing that a second war was about to erupt, he quickly gave Talia an almost imperceptible nod before speaking quickly. "Let's go, Talia!" Then he made a hasty retreat from the battlefield.

Talia, who had been sitting quietly, quickly stood up, bowed beautifully but rapidly to everyone, and followed Owen out of the house, leaving Rosy to face her cunning mother alone.

Alicia stopped laughing and turned to her pouting daughter with a sweet smile...

"Alright now... why don't you tell your dear mother if that 'project' you worked on all night... was 'completed' successfully?~"

…..

The soft sound of an international pop song played from the car's speakers, creating a relaxing atmosphere that was a complete contradiction to the thoughts racing through Owen's head. He was focused on steering the SUV as it moved smoothly along the road. The scenery outside the window slowly changed from the quiet suburbs to the luxurious and modern skyscrapers of the city center.

In his mind... the plan that had just formed a few hours ago was being refined into something sharper... 'Building a harem army'... Iris's words still echoed in his thoughts. It was an ambitious and difficult idea, but for him... there was a very high chance he could make it a reality.

If he could make Talia and Victoria stronger under Nova's training... it wouldn't just be about having more women by his side, but about building his own true "power base."

He glanced at the passenger seat... Talia, in her jet-black maid outfit, sat perfectly straight and demure, her hands folded neatly in her lap. But her soft pink eyes shone with an unconcealed happiness and excitement. This was the first time she had been out on a mission to serve her master. It was the highest honor, making her small heart swell with pride. She felt as if her status had been promoted from just a "broodmother" to an important "personal maid."

Not long after, the SUV pulled up in front of an apartment building in the city center. Owen turned off the engine before signaling to Talia. They got out of the car and walked straight to the main entrance.

The atmosphere inside the lobby was quiet and private. They took the elevator to their target floor and walked to the door of Jessica's room. Owen held the key card to the sensor. A soft unlocking sound was heard... and when he opened the door, he was met with an unexpected sight…

The sight of Victoria, in an ivory satin dress, clinging to Jessica, who was trying to focus on her work at the dining table. It was a scene of strange chaos.

"Please... Jessica... just let me squeeze your nipples... Please... please~" Victoria's hoarse and deliberately overly-sexy, pleading voice sounded as she rested her face on the red-haired woman's shoulder.

"I'm working, Victoria," Jessica replied in a voice that was trying its best to be calm, but her temples were visibly throbbing.

"Then... just a kiss... just one little kiss~" Victoria wouldn't give up. She moved her face closer, intending to steal a kiss from Jessica's tightly pressed lips.

"Ahem!"

Owen cleared his throat softly, making Victoria jolt as if electrocuted. She whipped her head around to look at him, her eyes changing instantly. From the seductive gaze of a moment ago, it now became one of complete longing and submission. She willingly let go of Jessica and quickly knelt on the carpet, gracefully and softly, awaiting his command.

Jessica took off her glasses and gently massaged the bridge of her nose before looking up at Owen with a tired smile. "Thanks for coming... I was about to tie her to the table leg."

Owen walked past Victoria's kneeling form straight to Jessica, leaning down to give her a deep and heartfelt kiss as a greeting. It was a gentle yet firm kiss, an assertion of who the truly important person in this room was, all under the blazing, envious, and longing gaze of Victoria, who watched from below.

After a brief greeting, Owen gestured to introduce Talia to everyone formally. "Jessica, Victoria... this is Talia," he said simply, before turning to the maid. "And Talia... this is Jessica and Victoria. You are all important women to me, so get to know each other~"

After the brief introductions, Owen turned to give Victoria a command in a casual tone. "Go change into your workout clothes, Victoria. We're going out."

"Yes... Master," Victoria accepted the command obediently, without argument. She rose gracefully and disappeared into the bedroom.

Not long after, she returned with a completely different look... A luxury brand sports bra and tight-fitting leggings in jet black, accentuating every square inch of her perfect, Greek-goddess-like proportions. It was the image of a powerful and elegant female athlete.

And in that moment, Victoria came face-to-face with Talia... It was a silent assessment between the two slave girls.

Victoria looked at the small maid before her... Her eyes showed an undeniable curiosity as she saw the glint in the other's eyes... It wasn't the gaze of someone being forced, but of a firm and pure faith. 'This kind of loyalty...' she thought. 'Master... where did you find someone like this?'

Meanwhile, Talia met her gaze with a respectful one... She could clearly see the hidden power and elegance in the other woman. 'Beautiful... and strong!' Talia thought with admiration. 'As expected of someone Master chose! He is truly amazing to have such a powerful woman by his side!'

There was no tense atmosphere or war of nerves... only a silent understanding that was forming between them. They were both the precious property of the same man.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," they both said at the same time with polite and sincere smiles. The atmosphere immediately relaxed.

Owen, who had been observing quietly, smiled with satisfaction before giving Jessica a short goodbye. "I'm heading out now. I'll call you later," he said, nodding to his two women as a signal. "Let's go."

Victoria and Talia responded in their minds in unison, before following Owen out of the room in an orderly fashion, leaving Jessica to watch the three of them go with a tired yet amused smile... 'Damn it... I've really become part of a harem, haven't I...'

…..

Inside the moving SUV, the once-lively and understanding atmosphere between the two girls had suddenly transformed into a silent competition. Talia, in the passenger seat, held her head high, flaunting her proximity to their master at Victoria, while Victoria, in the back seat, could only narrow her eyes at Talia's annoying posture. She could only cross her arms and stare out the window with an irritated look.

Owen, at the wheel... clearly felt this uncomfortable static electricity. He could feel the shifting emotions of the two women through his psychic connection with them... and he smirked slyly. He didn't plan to stop them... on the contrary, he saw this as a golden "opportunity" to be exploited.

He let the silence work for a moment before speaking, his voice flat but filled with an authority that instantly broke the invisible war of nerves.

"From now on... I will be training both of you."

Those words made both of them turn to look at him at the same time.

"I need you to become stronger... not just to protect yourselves, but so you can be my strength and help me in the future."

He glanced at Victoria in the rearview mirror, meeting her still-cloudy blue eyes directly, before speaking as if he could read her mind. "I know what you're like, Victoria... You hate training... you don't like hardship... Just the thought of sweat and muscle pain probably disgusts you, right?"

Those words, which hit so close to home, made Victoria flinch slightly, but she couldn't deny it.

"Therefore... I have a special offer for you," Owen continued, his voice now as seductive as a demon making a deal. "I will set 'reward and punishment' conditions designed especially for you."

He paused to let her absorb it, before announcing the first condition... the "reward."

"If you train hard and meet the criteria I set for each day... that night... you will receive a passionate reward from me... everything you desire... every touch you crave... I will give it all to you until you are satisfied."

Just hearing the word "reward" made Victoria's pupils dilate instantly. Her breath hitched, her body suddenly flushing hot. The memory of a pleasure so intense it had almost made her lose consciousness came flooding back to her.

But Owen didn't stop there. He announced the second condition... the "punishment."

"But..." his voice grew noticeably colder, "...if you fail... for whatever reason... you will not have sex with me that night... For the entire 24 hours after that, there will be no physical contact whatsoever. My fingertips will not touch your skin at all... Do you understand?"

It was the cruelest punishment for her right now! To be denied the thing her body and soul were so intensely addicted to!

The offer made Victoria's eyes blaze! Her hatred for training was incinerated in an instant, replaced by a fierce determination that seemed to burn through everything! She leaned forward, gripping the back of the driver's seat tightly, and answered, her voice firm and slightly breathless, "I will do my best... Master! I will never disappoint you!"

Meanwhile, Talia, who had heard the entire conversation, felt as if she had been pushed out of the loop. Her earlier pride vanished, replaced by a feeling of inferiority. Her gaze saddened slightly. ‘A reward… is it only for Victoria? What about me… Am I not important enough to receive a reward from Master?’

Owen, who had noticed every reaction, turned from the road for a moment. He reached out his free right hand and placed it on Talia's head, gently stroking her soft, silky hair. The simple gesture was like a divine nectar to her soul.

"As for you... my important broodmother..." he said, his voice warm and gentle, a stark contrast to the one he had used with Victoria. "Don't you worry, you will receive a reward as well…"

Talia looked up at him, her eyes filled with hope.

"Every time you grow stronger... every time your power level increases... you will receive a reward from me, just like Victoria... The stronger you get, the more special your reward will be... because you are a critical foundation of my army, Talia."

Those words healed Talia's heart completely! All her feelings of inferiority vanished, replaced by a blissful smile and an enthusiasm that was second to none. She held her head high again, but this time it wasn't out of arrogance, but a determination that shone from her very core. "Yes! Master! I will do my absolute best for you! I will become the strongest foundation you could ever have!"

Owen brought his hand back to the steering wheel. He looked at the image of his two slave girls in the rearview mirror... one in the back clenching her fists with fiery eyes, the other in the passenger seat sitting straight with a blissful smile... Now, both of them were filled with a motivation and a competitive spirit that had been fully ignited.

He smiled with satisfaction.

'A war of nerves... if used correctly, it can be an excellent motivator... beneficial to both them and me.'

His initial plan to motivate and control both of them... had been a spectacular success.

—-------

Chapter 84: Building a Harem Army? [R-18]

Inside the SUV, which was moving smoothly away from the dimensional gate district, the air was still thick with the faint, invisible scent of mana. For Owen, it was the smell of victory and an excitement that still smoldered within him. He leaned back against the leather seat, letting the cool air conditioning wash away the fatigue from the battle.

He unconsciously raised a thumb to touch his lips. The taste of Nova's deep, passionate kiss still lingered, like an invisible brand. It was as sweet and fierce as a flame. The memory of her soft breast and the racing heart beneath his palm was still clear. It was a prize of victory so sweet it made him smile without realizing it.

Bzzzt… Bzzzt…

Suddenly, the phone on the center console began to vibrate violently. The screen lit up with the name "Rosy" flashing. Owen frowned slightly before answering the call and putting it on speaker so he wouldn't have to take his hands off the wheel.

"Owen! Uh... Iris has something important she needs your help with. Can you come to my house right now?" Rosy's voice sounded unusually flustered and hesitant.

Owen's brow furrowed slightly, sensing something was off, but he tried to remain calm. "Sure, but let me run a quick errand first. It won't take long. I'll head over as soon as I'm done."

After hanging up, he let out a soft sigh. The good mood he'd been in moments before had completely evaporated, replaced by a sense of duty that needed to be handled. Owen quickly turned the steering wheel, heading the car towards a residential area in the city center, filled with orderly rows of townhouses and apartments… His destination was Jessica's apartment, which had now become Victoria's temporary love nest.

He had to complete his daily mission… to fulfill Victoria's affection score as required by [The Chains of Lust].

When he arrived and used the key card to enter the silent apartment, the sweet scent of vanilla, Jessica's signature fragrance, greeted him. But the sight that met his eyes was of another woman…

Victoria, in a flimsy, jet-black satin dress, was kneeling on the rug in front of the door, in a perfect posture of servitude. She wore no underwear, blatantly revealing the curves of her body. The moment she saw him enter, she slowly and submissively crawled towards him on all fours. Her once-haughty and hateful blue eyes were now glistening and filled with a perfectly distorted loyalty.

"Master… you've returned… I've been waiting for you," her voice was hoarse and trembled with need.

The scene unfolded with a raw, instinctual heat. It wasn't a gentle lovemaking, but Owen performing his duty as "Master" to unleash the desires of his loyal slave. He didn't say a word, simply pushed her body to face the cold wall and brutally entered her wet, tight slit from behind without any foreplay.

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

The sound of flesh slapping against flesh echoed through the hall, mixed with Victoria's moans of near-unbearable pleasure. It was a "duty" he had to perform to maintain her loyalty and keep her under control. And only when her affection score reached 100… could he begin to give her real love.

After releasing his life force into her until he was spent, he pulled out immediately without a moment's hesitation, leaving her to stand there, leaning against the wall, panting weakly. He quickly straightened his clothes, turned, and walked out of the room, leaving Victoria to bask alone in the brutal pleasure, followed by the emptiness that came after her "master" had left.

Owen drove away from the city center at a steady speed, heading towards Rosy's house in a different suburban neighborhood. Upon arrival, he was greeted by "Alicia," Rosy's mother, with an overly warm and unnecessarily fiery welcome, as usual.

"Owen! My darling~" she said in a syrupy sweet voice, immediately throwing herself onto his arm the moment he walked through the door. "I've missed you so much, you know? Why don't you visit more often?"

Her incredibly large breasts deliberately crushed against his upper arm as she intimately rubbed her cheek against his shoulder, right in front of her own daughter.

Rosy, who was standing there waiting, flushed crimson with a mix of anger and embarrassment. "Mom! That's enough! Stop being so embarrassing!" she snapped, before rushing over to pull Owen's arm away from her mother and dragging him straight to the basement. "This way, Owen! Just ignore my mom!"

Owen was dragged to the familiar basement door. He could feel that the energy inside had changed. It was denser and more powerful than before, and he was about to discover the "important matter" Iris needed his help with.

…..

The moment Owen stepped into the basement behind Rosy, his jaw dropped in amazement… The image of the makeshift, chaotic lab filled with second-hand equipment, messily assembled with wires tangled like a nest of snakes, had completely vanished. It had now been upgraded so thoroughly it was almost unrecognizable.

The low-quality scientific instruments and dirt-stained workbenches had been replaced by high-grade equipment of polished stainless steel and tempered glass. Everything was clean and orderly, like the laboratory of a giant pharmaceutical company.

The soft hum of efficiently running machinery echoed in the silence. Several large screens displayed complex data and constantly moving graphs. And in the corner of the room… several towering glass capsules stood majestically, filled with a faintly glowing, emerald-green liquid. It was modern, expensive, and unsettling all at the same time.

Owen slowly narrowed his eyes at Iris, who was in Rosy's body. His gaze was filled with unspoken questions… Where did she get this much money? Did she take out another loan from those mafia thugs? Worry immediately flashed in his eyes.

Rosy, seeing his gaze, quickly explained to ease his concern. "Relax, it's not what you think," she said with a strained smile, waving her hands dismissively. "Iris got the money using her 'special' methods. It's definitely not a loan, one hundred percent."

Although Owen still wondered what these "special" methods were, seeing the confidence in her eyes, he chose to let it go… at least for now.

In the next second, Rosy's bright, playful eyes suddenly changed. They became regal and filled with absolute power. Iris had taken complete control. She strode towards Owen with the elegant gait of a queen, before leaning in to give him a deep, passionate kiss as a greeting. Her tongue expertly and wantonly invaded his mouth, as if to clearly declare her ownership, before she pulled away and got straight to the point.

"I called you here because I need more of our 'children'… for the next, critically important phase of my experiments."

She looked deep into his golden eyes, her own gaze growing serious. "Therefore… I want my beloved king to breed with Talia right now… to produce about 300 children for me."

At her words, Owen's face went pale. "Th-Three hundred!?"

Creating ordinary semen in large quantities wasn't a problem, but creating "parasite semen" required an immense amount of mana, and his mana still hadn't fully recovered from clearing the dungeon a few hours ago. He did a quick mental calculation… To create 300 high-quality parasites, he might have to be with Talia from this evening until the next morning… It would be a true draining of his life force to the very last drop.

Iris saw the clear hesitation on his face. She switched from a commanding queen to a sweet, gentle woman in the blink of an eye. She walked around to hug him softly from behind, resting her face on his strong back and whispering in a pleading tone she had never used before.

"It's really necessary, my love… for my experiments, and so our 'children' can help keep us safe when you're not around." She paused for a moment before dropping the final bomb. "These past few days, I've seen the same old mafia guys hanging around the university… Haven't you heard the news? They're in the middle of a fierce gang war in the entertainment district."

Her words hit him right where it hurt… The image of Rosy's bright face and natural smile flashed in his mind. Her safety was always more important than his fatigue. He closed his eyes in resignation and nodded slowly.

"Alright… For you… I'll do it."

A victor's smile appeared at the corner of Iris's lips… Owen had no idea this was her perfect plan within a plan… It was killing two birds with one stone. One, she would get a powerful army of parasites, and two, she would give Talia her great "reward" as promised…

Suddenly, the steel basement door slid open again, silently. Talia entered with the air of a priestess walking to a sacred sacrificial altar. She was in an exquisitely modified, sexy black-and-white maid outfit. It was so short and tight it was almost bursting, revealing the beautiful curves of a goddess of fertility. Her face was flushed and damp with sweat… her eyes glistening and filled with an unconcealed excitement.

She bowed beautifully to Owen and Iris, before turning her back to Owen… slowly presenting her firm, rounded buttocks, as ripe as a peach, and using her slightly trembling fingertips to slowly lift the edge of her short maid skirt… It was a movement filled with the utmost invitation and seduction.

Then… she used her long, slender fingers to pull the edge of her gossamer-thin g-string to the side, revealing her plump slit, glistening with moisture and twitching madly like the mouth of a starving creature.

"I am ready to breed… 25 inches, same as before, please… Master~" her voice was a trembling, breathless plea of desire.

That sight… both the image and the sound… detonated Owen's sire instinct, making it erupt with a mad frenzy. All his fatigue vanished in an instant, replaced by a raw, overwhelming need to reproduce. He lunged at her from behind without hesitation, one hand squeezing her explosive hips so hard his fingertips sank in, while the other guided his painfully hard and rapidly expanding cock, its veins bulging, towards the waiting, open slit.

"Aaaaaaaahhh!!!" Talia shrieked with pleasure as the giant cock slammed into her all the way in a single thrust. Its size and heat made her mind go white for a moment, her body trembling violently as if electrocuted.

Owen growled low like a wild animal. He began to move his hips with a violent, savage frenzy, all under the satisfied smile of Iris, who stood leaning against the wall, arms crossed, watching her work unfold.

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

Squelch! Squelch! Squelch!

The sound of flesh slapping against flesh thundered through the cold lab, mixed with Talia's non-stop, incoherent moans. It was a raw and powerful song of new creation… Time in the basement had stopped, replaced by an endless cycle of reproduction…

Time passed until the next morning…

The soft white light from the LED lamps on the ceiling woke Owen to a quiet Wednesday morning. He blinked slowly, his eyes adjusting to the brightness, before looking down at himself and smiling weakly.

He was lying naked on a king-sized bed that had been brought into the middle of Iris's lab. His body felt weak from the intense mana drain throughout the night, but at the same time, it was filled with a strange, circulating life force… It was the feeling of being a true "creator."

Talia was still fast asleep on top of him. Her face looked more relaxed and blissful than ever before. Her full lips were slightly parted, her breathing steady. His giant, still-hard cock remained firmly inside her swollen slit, so much so that her lower abdomen was distinctly raised in the shape of his member, while the walls of her flesh continued to pulse gently around him… It was an incredibly erotic image that many men dreamed of.

And then Owen noticed… the scene around the bed…

It was now filled with hundreds of newly hatched "dragonfly parasites." Their bodies were a translucent flesh color, and their thin, clear wings trembled lightly. They were running and climbing all over the bedsheets and Owen's body, as if he were their personal playground… Some were gently touching his skin with their small antennae… some were cheerfully flying in circles above his head… They weren't just looking at him as an object, but playing with their own "father."

"Good morning… my love~"

A deep, warm, and familiar voice sounded from the other side of the room. Owen turned and saw Iris in Rosy's body, hard at work on a new piece of experimental equipment. Her fingertips were dancing across a touchscreen with speed. She didn't look away from the screen, but Owen knew she was aware of his every move.

"Morning," Owen greeted her back, his voice slightly hoarse. He looked down at Talia's blissfully sleeping body in his arms, before slowly and carefully moving so as not to wake her. "I have to go. I have a special training session with Nova today."

Those words made Iris look away from her work instantly. Her eyes sparkled strangely. "Good… then take Talia with you."

The unexpected suggestion made Owen frown. "Huh? Take Talia with me?"

"Yes," Iris nodded calmly. "She's one of us now, completely. And she's an Awakened, too. If she gets stronger, she can be a great asset to us. Don't forget… she is our first broodmother."

Iris's suggestion immediately piqued Owen's interest. He thought it over and agreed it was a great idea… and in that instant, the image of "Victoria's" haughty but now completely submissive face flashed in his mind… another woman who was also an Awakened, and one with high-level talent, an A-Rank in mana from the very beginning, without any training!

A vision of the future suddenly flashed in his mind, clear as day…

'If… if Victoria and Talia train with Nova… they'll get stronger along with me… and in the end… it will become my own team of Awakened!'

The thought thrilled him so much he couldn't contain it!

That excitement had a direct effect on his body. The cock that was still connected to Talia involuntarily twitched and expanded once more inside her slit! The sudden increase in tightness made Talia's sleeping body instinctively jolt.

"Mmm… Master" she moaned in her sleep, a blissful smile on her lips as if she were having a good dream.

Owen looked at the scene and gave a wicked smirk. A new, grander plan had formed in his head… It was the creation of his own ultimate team of female Awakened… The strongest harem army in the world!

—-------

Chapter 83: The Catacombs of the Skeleton Soldiers

The two of them walked side-by-side through the crowd, which parted for them automatically. With every step closer to the black hole, Owen could feel an invisible pull and a chilling cold radiating from its core. The surrounding chatter slowly faded, replaced by an uncomfortable silence.

Nova stopped at its edge and turned to give him a final smile. "Ready?"

Owen gave a firm nod. He didn't answer with words, but his blazing eyes said it all.

With that signal, they both stepped over the invisible threshold at the same time.

Instantly! The feeling of being sucked into a violent vortex slammed into Owen. His body felt weightless and distorted for a moment. His entire world became nothing but lines of purple and black light, shooting past at high speed, before everything went dark…

And in the next instant, Owen's vision returned to normal. The uncomfortable sensation from a moment ago vanished, replaced by a sudden, biting cold that gnawed at his skin.

He was standing in a dark and vast underground catacomb. Damp stone corridors stretched into the darkness, their ends out of sight. Only the faint, blue glow from patches of "mana moss" clinging to the walls and ceiling served as a creepy guide. The air was thick with the musty smell of the earth and the faint stench of death that had hung in the still air for centuries.

Before Owen could even adjust to his surroundings, a chilling, scraping sound rose from all directions!

The ground before him trembled before pale yellow, bony hands shot up through it, followed by the bodies of dozens of "Skeleton Warriors." At the same time, from the dark crevices in the walls, the bodies of "Frenzied Zombies," so rotted their ribs and internal organs were visible, emerged. Their eyes were hollow sockets, lit by a blazing red fire. They let out a mournful shriek that echoed through the catacomb before charging at the two of them instantly.

"Watch closely, Owen… This is a real 'cardio' workout!" With those words, Nova shot into the middle of the encirclement like a raging storm.

She didn't use brute force for a direct assault but moved with a beautiful, fluid grace, like a dance. She stepped on a zombie's head, using it as a springboard to launch herself into the air, before twisting mid-air and bringing her heel down on a skeleton warrior's skull, shattering it to pieces. Then, she landed softly, her elbow slamming into the middle of another zombie's back, snapping its spine. It was a "dance of death," both beautiful and powerful. She was clearly enjoying it.

Owen, who had been watching, was stunned at first, but the sight of Nova happily rampaging through the horde of enemies ignited a fierce fire in his heart. He roared and charged into the fray, not to help her, but to "join the fun" with her!

The battle raged on. Owen used the Mana Steel Knuckles as his main weapon. He relied on his strength and the martial arts he had trained in to clash with the monsters directly. Every punch landed with a loud "THWACK! CRACK!", crushing bone and rotten flesh to pulp. He began to frantically yell out his score, competing with Nova.

Nova easily dodged a rusty sword that swung at her before countering with a punch to the skeleton's ribs, causing its body to shatter. "That's 25 for me!"

"In your dreams! This one's mine! 10 points!" Owen yelled back. He grabbed a zombie's head and slammed it against the stone wall so hard its rotten brain splattered out.

Ten minutes later, they had cleared out all the monsters in the first hall. The remains of bones and zombie parts littered the floor. Owen stood with his hands on his hips, panting slightly, sweat beginning to form on his temples, while Nova still looked relaxed, as if she had just finished a walk in the park. She turned and gave him a challenging wink.

"Warm-up's over… Let's keep going."

She led the way into the dark corridor, leaving Owen to quickly catch his breath and run after her, refusing to give up. The real competition had only just begun.

An entire hour of non-stop fighting passed…

They had broken through countless winding corridors and halls until they reached a medium-sized chamber. After Owen used a final punch to crush the last Frenzied Zombie's skull to pieces, he took the opportunity to catch his breath, completely spent. He slumped against the cold, damp stone wall, letting its chill soothe the heat that had built up in his body.

His lungs burned from the heavy exertion. Sweat soaked his black t-shirt, making it cling to his chest and revealing the tense, trembling muscles from being pushed beyond their limits. But even though his body was exhausted, his eyes still blazed with the unyielding fire of competition.

He glanced at Nova, who was standing not far away… and a feeling of awe mixed with frustration washed over him. She looked as comfortable as if she hadn't exerted any effort at all. Only a few small beads of sweat on her temples confirmed that she had been fighting. And that's when he noticed something interesting…

Her shirt and sweatpants had a few small scratches from the sharp claws of the zombies, but the fair white skin beneath was completely unscathed. It was as smooth as if nothing had ever touched it. He asked, his curiosity genuine.

"Nova… I've been wondering since we were outside," he said, looking at her clothes. "Why don't you wear armor like other Awakened? Isn't it too risky? If it were me, the first thing I'd do is find a good set of armor… Or is it that someone at your level doesn't need it anymore?"

Nova chuckled softly, her laugh echoing strangely in the silence of the catacomb. "Armor is for those who can't control their mana well enough, Owen," she explained in a casual tone. "Experienced Awakened, especially close-combat fighters like us, have much better ways to protect ourselves than lugging around those heavy, cumbersome plates of steel."

Seeing the lingering confusion in Owen's eyes, she decided to teach him a new lesson.

"It's a technique called 'Mana Armor'," Nova said, slowly and clearly. "It's the act of projecting mana to coat the skin, then controlling it to flow around you rapidly and fiercely, like a raging current. If you can do it… your defensive power will surpass most of the armor sold on the market, and you'll be a hundred times more mobile."

She paused for a moment to let Owen absorb the incredible information. "But it's not easy," she warned. "It requires delicate mana control and a high level of concentration. And most importantly, you need someone to teach you closely. Most Awakened who can use it are at least B-Rank or higher… And if you master it…" A cunning smirk appeared at the corner of her lips. "…even an armor-piercing tank shell or an RPG could be blocked with ease."

And as if the dungeon itself had heard her words… the moment Nova finished speaking, a secret stone door that had been seamlessly hidden slid open on its own.

KRRRRRRR!

The sound of stone grinding against stone echoed from the end of the corridor, revealing a small room filled with dozens of "Skeleton Archers." The eyes in their hollow sockets lit up with a blazing red fire simultaneously, like hellish embers. They drew their bone bows in unison and immediately fired arrows coated in a dark purple poison at the two of them!

FWISH! FWISH! FWISH!

Dozens of arrows cut through the air at high speed!

"Watch out!" Owen yelled instinctively. He was about to charge in and deal with the enemies, but Nova held up a hand to stop him, her demeanor calm.

"Stay still… and watch closely."

Nova walked in front of Owen, letting the hail of arrows fly directly at her, completely unfazed. Owen held his breath in shock, but just as the first arrow was a few millimeters from her body… he saw it…

An "energy curtain," invisible to the naked eye, shimmered violently around her, like the heat haze rising from a road on a hot day. It distorted the air around her, making her image blur for a moment!

CRACKLE! CRACKLE! CRACKLE!

A sound like high-voltage static crackled! Every time the tip of an arrow touched the energy curtain, a spark of blue light flashed for a moment, before the entire arrow vibrated violently and disintegrated into dust, falling to the ground without leaving a single scratch on her body! The sharpest arrowheads couldn't even get close to her skin!

Owen's jaw dropped in utter shock. The sight before him was even more incredible than when she had blown up the rock. Now he understood… he truly understood why she didn't need to wear armor, and why she was so unbelievably strong.

"See?" Nova turned and gave him a slight wink. "This is your next training goal…"

With that, Nova shot into the room like a moving black shadow, taking out all the archers in just a few seconds, leaving Owen standing motionless…

In his heart, a new, higher goal had been set… He had to use 'Mana Armor' just like her! No matter what it took!

Another two hours passed…

Finally, they arrived at the largest, circular hall, likely the last room of the dungeon. The air in this room was colder and heavier than anywhere they had been, as if all the death in the catacomb had gathered here.

In the center of the room, a "Dungeon Core" floated in mid-air. It was a large, jet-black crystal that pulsed with a "thump… thump…" like a demon's heart. Every time it pulsed, an ominous, dark purple light spread out in waves, creating an invisible pressure so heavy it was almost impossible to breathe.

And surrounding the core was its final line of defense…

Owen knew his score was far behind half of Nova's. He was tired… so tired he could barely stand. But when he saw the last group of monsters before him, he knew this was his only chance to turn the tables and seize victory.

GRRRRRRRR!

The final group of monsters were dozens of "Skeleton Knights." They were completely different from the trash skeletons they had fought before. Their bodies were larger and taller than an average human's, clad in full steel armor that, though corroded, still looked strong. In their bony hands, they gripped intimidating greatswords. The eyes in their hollow sockets burned with a blood-red fire filled with malice. They roared in unison until the stone walls trembled, before charging at the two of them!

"I'll take the left!" Nova yelled quickly, before charging to meet her targets with unbelievable speed, like an arrow shot from a bow.

That left Owen to face nearly ten knights on the right, all by himself. He gritted his teeth. The pain and exhaustion were erased by the image of the sweet reward… He would absolutely not lose this bet!

CLANG!

But the knights' strength was far greater than he had anticipated! Just raising his knuckles to block a direct hit from a greatsword sent a shockwave through his arm all the way to his shoulder, as if he had been struck by a sledgehammer. And just as he was about to be overwhelmed by another greatsword swinging down, he decided to play another card he had been saving.

'It'll use a lot of mana… but I have to try!' Owen thought with determination.

"Avatar of Asura!"

Instantly! A dark red mana exploded around him before forming into two translucent "energy arms," blazing like flames. They floated in the air on either side of his body, moving freely! He now had a total of four arms ready for battle.

The appearance of the extra arms completely changed Owen's fight. He could use his two real arms, wearing the Mana Steel Knuckles, to firmly block and parry the greatsword attacks of two knights, while the other two energy arms were free to rain down punches, destroying their armor and bodies!

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

He became a raging storm of fists, overwhelming the skeleton knights until all they could do was defend, being destroyed one by one. The sound of fists on steel armor and bone echoed through the hall.

"Three left!" Owen yelled to Nova, his voice hoarse but full of determination.

"Only one left over here!" Nova yelled back, not to be outdone.

Owen glanced over and saw that Nova was about to finish off her last knight. He threw all his remaining power at the three knights with a crazed frenzy, and finally, he managed to take down the last one with a victorious roar. His score had shot up, putting him ahead by a razor-thin margin.

At the end of his roar, the energy arms dissipated… Owen collapsed to his knees, panting so heavily his shoulders shook. Using that power in such a short time had drained nearly all his mana. He felt empty and powerless.

Nova, who had finished her part and had been watching Owen the whole time, showed a slightly surprised expression before walking over to him, her eyes filled with an unconcealed awe and admiration.

"What was that?… The ability to create extra arms…" she murmured to herself, before speaking to him directly. "Not bad… Very convenient." As an expert, she saw its potential instantly. "If you train to use it more skillfully, it's no different from having a clone of yourself fighting with you… You never cease to amaze me, Owen."

Her sincere praise made Owen smile with pride. Though he was tired to the point of collapse, he knew he had done it… He had proven himself to her.

The two of them looked at the Dungeon Core, now unguarded… It floated silently in the air, releasing one final wave of its evil aura. Owen glanced at Nova, who stood beside him, with eyes full of victory and challenge, before gathering his last ounce of strength and walking to face the heart of this catacomb.

He growled in his throat, relentlessly hammering it with his Mana Steel Knuckled fists until it began to crack.

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

Krrk…

Finally, the black crystal made a cracking sound like glass before exploding into shards of jet-black energy that dissipated into the air. The moment the core shattered, the oppressive, cold atmosphere suddenly grew warmer. A soft white light flashed, and a small "stone chest" appeared before him. Owen opened it. Inside were only 5 "low-grade Mana Stones," glowing with a faint blue light.

Nova roughly estimated they could probably sell for about a thousand dollars each… Five thousand dollars for a "warm-up" wasn't bad at all.

The moment he put the mana stones in his bag, their bodies began to glow and were sucked back to the open area in front of the dimensional gate in an instant…

The feeling of the rapid dimensional shift made Owen lose his balance. He collapsed to the ground the moment he emerged into the light of the outside world. He knelt, panting heavily, his shoulders shaking. His body was covered in minor wounds and soaked with sweat.

In contrast, Nova stood beside him casually. She had only a light sheen of sweat on her temples and showed no signs of fatigue at all. It truly was just a "warm-up" to cure her boredom.

"Can you stand, champ?" she asked, holding out a hand to him, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

Owen nodded and took her smooth, strong hand to pull himself up. Nova led him away from the public eye to a rest area with a bench in a relatively secluded corner. She smirked and announced the results in a voice that was neither loud nor soft, but clear enough for Owen to hear.

"Hmph… not bad for a rookie~" she said. "And the final score is… I got 112 points… and you got 57… You made it by a single kill."

Owen sat down on the long bench to rest for a moment before looking up at her with eyes full of anticipation. He knew he had won the bet… won by the slimmest of margins. His heart was pounding so hard it felt like it would explode. Nova chuckled softly before sitting down on the bench next to him, so close their faces were level. She leaned in closer… until her warm breath, with its faint sweet scent, caressed his face.

"A promise… is a promise," she whispered hoarsely.

With those words, Nova pressed her lips against his, soft yet passionate. It was a kiss that tasted of victory and salty sweat. Owen responded instantly, sliding his tongue into her mouth hungrily, tasting the sweetness hidden within. Their tongues tangled hotly, like two snakes in a fierce battle.

At the same time, one of her hands took Owen's slightly trembling right hand… and deliberately placed it on her soft, oversized left breast.

Thump! Thump! Thump!~

Owen could clearly feel the handful of softness and the strong, rhythmic beat of her heart under his palm. It was the same rhythm as his own heart, which was pounding in his chest. Instinct made him squeeze that softness without thinking. Her hardened nipple pushed back against his hand through the damp fabric of her sports bra, further arousing his primal desires.

Nova moaned in her throat with satisfaction at his touch. She pressed her lips against his even more fiercely, letting Owen explore her body freely… as if to say this was the reward he deserved to receive.

The scene ends with Owen kissing Nova deeply and passionately, his hand gripping the heated prize of his victory…

—-------

Chapter 82: First Step into the Dimensional Gate

When Nova's lesson on increasing mana capacity ended, the atmosphere in the gym's rest area returned to a quiet stillness. Only the soft hum of the beverage cooler in the corner kept company.

Owen, sitting on the bar stool, was still lost in thought. He was processing the information he had just received… it was a clearer roadmap to his future, and now he understood why 'Mana Stones' were the most critical resource in the world of the Awakened.

Just then, Nova, who had been leaning silently against the bar counter, stretched her arms out wide, revealing the perfect curves of her body under her sports bra. Her spine cracked with a loud "pop!", a signal of her utmost boredom.

"Honestly..." she yawned softly, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye with the back of her hand, before grumbling to Owen in a weary voice, "I'm getting so sick of working out with the boring equipment in this gym."

She turned to face Owen fully, her gaze completely changed. The composed look of a teacher was gone, replaced by a spark of craving for battle, like a predator that had been caged for too long. An excited smile appeared at the corner of her lips.

"My body is screaming! It's time to go 'warm up' with a target that actually moves and fights back…"

"Owen..." her voice turned challenging and seductive at the same time, "...want to go work out in a dimensional gate with me?"

The invitation was like a lightning bolt striking Owen's heart! He snapped out of his thoughts and looked up to meet her eyes. His contemplation from a moment ago vanished in an instant, replaced by an excitement that shone clearly in his wide, sparkling eyes.

"Yes! Absolutely!" he answered almost instantly, his voice loud and full of enthusiasm as he nodded repeatedly, his jet-black hair flying. The reaction, like a little boy getting a new toy, made Nova laugh with delight. Her laughter was bright and echoed through the area.

"Excellent! That's more like my student!" she said, walking around the counter to pat him on the shoulder encouragingly. "But first… as a novice, you need to know the basics of entering a dimensional gate. It's not like you can just wander into any one you feel like."

She began to explain casually as she walked over to grab a bottle of water from the cooler. "A-Rank gates and above are rare and extremely dangerous. Most of them are booked months in advance by the Awakened Association or big corporations to hunt rare items, mine mana stones, and train their people… But B-Rank gates and below are open to the public. As long as your Awakened rank meets the requirement, you can register at the Association and go right in."

She opened the water bottle and took a large gulp before getting to the point. "We'll start with a C-Rank gate nearby. It's perfect for a warm-up and will let you get used to a real situation without being overwhelmed. You're still a rookie, after all."

A fire ignited in Owen's heart as if doused with gasoline. This was the opportunity he had been waiting for! To step into a dimensional gate again... but this time, it was completely different. He would enter as a challenger, an "Awakened," not a "victim" who had to run for his life like when he was trapped with Rosy. The fear from the past was replaced by an excitement so intense his blood pumped violently, almost ready to burst. He was about to face it again... by his own will.

"Very good!" Nova gave a satisfied smirk when she saw his determined, blazing eyes. She took out her latest smartphone from her pocket. Her long, slender fingers flew across the screen with speed and precision.

Ting!

A notification sounded from Owen's phone on the counter.

"Alright, meet me at the suburban district tomorrow morning, eight o'clock sharp," Nova said, putting her phone away. "I sent you the location. Don't be late."

But before Owen could get any more excited, the thrilling atmosphere was cut short by Nova's flat question. "By the way... do you have a personal 'magic weapon' yet?"

The question was like a bucket of cold water on the fire of Owen's excitement. He blinked. The embarrassing truth hit him... That's right, besides his own power, he had nothing. He shook his head immediately, his handsome face flushing slightly with embarrassment.

"Not yet... I don't have enough money to buy something that expensive."

Nova nodded in understanding. She showed no contempt, which made Owen feel a little relieved. "It's normal for a rookie. I'll lend you one of my old weapons for tomorrow," she said. "But it's only temporary. Fighting with a weapon that doesn't suit you is more dangerous than you think. Next time, you have to get your own. Understand?"

"Got it! Thanks so much, Nova!" Owen nodded quickly. A feeling of sincere gratitude washed over him, and he gave her a slight bow. She wasn't just a strong master, but someone who cared about the small details for him.

After they had settled their plans, Owen said his goodbyes. He took a deep breath before turning to face the small emotional storm that was waiting for him. He walked over to Clara, who was sitting pouting on the sofa. She had her arms crossed tightly, her gaze fixed out the large glass window, pretending that the ordinary view of the trees was more interesting than their conversation. She was clearly sulking from not getting any of his attention.

He knelt down in front of her, gently touching her knee. "Let's go home, Clara~"

She turned her head away but allowed him to take her hand and help her up. Owen led her out of the gym, under the amused gaze of Nova, who watched them go with a slight shake of her head.

It was exactly noon... The sun was at its brightest, its heat radiating through the air.

On the way home, the atmosphere in the SUV was rather quiet. Owen paid no attention to Clara's sulking. His mind was filled with images of combat and the mysterious lands beyond the dimensional gate. He smiled to himself, letting his imagination run wild with thoughts of swinging a magic weapon at a horde of monsters.

Clara, sitting beside him, could only glance at his happy smile with a mixture of annoyance and hurt. She pursed her lips tightly before turning back to watch the scenery rushing past the window.

The excitement and anticipation for the new adventure that would begin tomorrow was so sweet and challenging… The dawn of his true life as an Awakened was about to begin, and he had no idea that a new storm was quietly brewing in the seat right next to him.

…..

The next morning, at the suburban district designated as a special controlled area, the atmosphere was completely different from what Owen had imagined. It didn't look like a secret military base but more like a large event ground filled with a diverse crowd of people.

In the center of the wide-open space was the "Dimensional Gate of Darkness," a distorted and menacing "black hole." It seemed to suck in all the surrounding light and sound, creating an unnatural silence in its immediate vicinity. The air around it was noticeably colder. The other Awakened waiting around had various expressions. Some were in groups, chatting excitedly as if on a camping trip; some were seriously studying maps, planning their raid like a team of mercenaries; and some stood alone in silence, checking their weapons and equipment with cold, sharp eyes.

But amidst all those people, Nova stood out completely.

In contrast to everyone else who showed some sort of emotion towards the danger before them, Nova was lightly warming up with an excited, hungry smile. She stretched and threw a few practice punches in the air, relaxed. She looked at the black hole in front of her as if it were the entrance to her favorite amusement park, not a terrifying underground tomb.

"Excited?" she turned and asked Owen, who was standing stiffly beside her.

Owen could only give a dry nod. He was trying his best not to show his nervousness.

Nova chuckled softly before leading him to the Association's registration tent. She showed her S-Rank Awakened ID, and the staff immediately processed their request with a reverent attitude. Owen peeked at the information on the staff's tablet screen, which was clearly displayed

…..

[Gate Name: The Catacombs of the Skeleton Soldiers]

[Type: Dark Dimensional Gate]

[Level: C]

[Clear Condition: Destroy the 'Dungeon Core']

…..

When the registration was complete, Nova turned to face Owen again. She reached into her small shoulder bag before tossing two cold, metal objects to him without warning.

"Catch."

Owen flinched slightly but managed to catch them just in time. Their coldness and solid weight surprised him. He looked down at the objects in his hands... they were a pair of "Mana Steel Knuckles." They looked heavily used. The dark grey metal surface was covered in scratches and nicks from countless impacts. A faint smell of blood still clung to each knuckle, a testament to the battlefields they had seen.

Owen could feel a faint mana energy still circulating within them, like the sleeping spirit of a warrior. This was a real magic weapon... the second one he had ever touched. It was a shame the first one, Cole's dagger, had been confiscated by the police as evidence. Otherwise, he would have kept it for himself.

Nova gave no warnings or instructions but instead walked slowly towards him. A seductive and knowing smile appeared on her beautiful face.

"Let's play a little game... Owen," her voice was hoarse and alluring. "Let's compete… to see who can kill more monsters."

She paused for a moment, moving her face so close that Owen could smell the faint, fresh scent of her hair. Her warm breath caressed his cheek, raising goosebumps.

"If… you can kill more than half the number of monsters I do..." she paused again, letting the sweet words hang in the air, "...I'll let you touch my breasts... and kiss me as a reward."

Owen froze!

His mind went white for a moment. His heart pounded like a war drum being beaten frantically. He looked up to meet her eyes, unable to believe what he had just heard. The image of her perfect breasts that he had seen... and her luscious, inviting lips... flashed through his mind until he was almost crazed. His eyes widened with a shock mixed with an unconcealed excitement.

"But…"

Her tone changed instantly… It was cold, sharp, and full of authority. The once-seductive smile vanished, replaced by the look of the demon trainer he knew so well.

"If you can't... you'll have to attend a special training course with me tomorrow, all day... and I promise... it will be a hell on earth you will never forget."

This challenge… was an extreme wager, both sweet and terrifying at the same time.

Fear shot down Owen's spine. He remembered the pain from his first training session that had left him sore for a whole day... How bad would a "special" all-day training be? He didn't even want to imagine.

But then… the image of the sweet reward flashed in his mind again. It was so bright it completely extinguished all his fear.

The fire in Owen's heart had been lit... and it was blazing furiously!

All his nervousness and fear vanished in an instant, replaced by a determination and a fierce desire to "win" this reward. He gripped the knuckles in his hands until they turned white, took a deep breath, and stared back into her emerald eyes, unyielding.

He gave a firm nod, accepting the challenge. His gaze no longer held any hesitation... It was filled with the fiery spirit of a fighter!

Nova looked deep into those eyes… and she smiled… before laughing with delight. Her laughter was bright and powerful. "Excellent! This is more like it! This will be fun!"

She turned and walked towards the menacing black hole without a second thought. Her straight, elegant back looked like that of a Valkyrie, walking into her own battlefield.

Owen gripped the knuckles tightly, quickly slipping them onto his fists. The cool feeling of the metal against his skin made his blood pump even harder. He quickly followed her.

The two of them walked side-by-side through the crowd, which parted for them automatically. The gazes of the other Awakened were filled with interest and awe at the aura radiating from Nova.

Owen knew now… he wasn't about to step into a dangerous tomb…

He was about to step into an "arena"… to claim his sweetest prize.

—-------

Chapter 81: Clara's Provocation

The Monday morning sun cast golden beams, gently illuminating the winding road up the mountainside. The fresh, pure air of the suburbs blew through the slightly cracked window of the SUV, carrying the scent of the earth and the dewy morning leaves into the car. It was a peaceful atmosphere, a stark contrast to the simmering determination in the heart of the woman sitting in the passenger seat.

Clara glanced at her reflection in the side mirror with satisfaction. Today, she had chosen to wear the latest shocking pink, luxury-brand workout set she had just ordered. It was a set designed to blatantly accentuate every square inch and curve of her body. The stretchy, shiny fabric hugged her full breasts and rounded buttocks until they almost burst out, like a fine canvas waiting to display a masterpiece. This wasn't just a workout outfit... it was armor for the "war" she was about to wage today.

Beside her, Owen controlled the steering wheel with a relaxed posture. He wore only a simple black tank top and short sweatpants, but the sharp, powerful muscles visible on his arms and shoulders were a testament to his recent intense training. His body was noticeably more built and stronger, so much so that even Clara couldn't help but steal glances, her eyes filled with admiration and hunger.

Soon, the car turned into the private gym on the mountaintop. Nova, in a black sports bra and tight pants that revealed her perfect abs, was waiting at the door with a professional smile.

"Right on time!" Nova greeted them, her voice as energetic as ever, before waving them in. "Come on, today I've prepared a lower-body program especially for Clara. I guarantee your butt will be even rounder and bouncier than before!"

Those words hit Clara right where it hurt. She recalled the last time she had felt defeated by Nova's incredible power and strength. That feeling of inferiority was still deeply ingrained in her heart, but today she was determined to reclaim her dignity. She would show this woman who was truly the one who was "closer" and "more meaningful" to Owen.

After warming up, Owen went straight to the free weights section. He grabbed a pair of large dumbbells made for Awakened... 200 kilograms each! The muscles in his arms bulged, veins popping, as he began to steadily lift them up and down, a clear display of his superhuman strength.

Clara began her squats under Nova's close supervision. She tried to focus on her movements, but the corner of her eye was still fixed on Owen's sweaty back. After a few sets, she decided to begin her plan.

She feigned a slight stumble, creating an excuse for her plan, before turning to Owen with a sweet, slightly pleading voice.

"Owen~... could you come spot me? I'm afraid I might fall."

Nova raised an eyebrow slightly, surprised. She didn't think Clara, who already had a decent foundation, would need a spotter for this, but she didn't suspect anything.

"Sure," Owen, who was focused on his arm workout, didn't think much of it either. He replied shortly before putting the dumbbells down and walking over to help her.

Owen came to a stop behind Clara, placing his arms under her armpits in a standard spotting position. The warmth from his body immediately radiated onto her bare skin. His masculine scent, mixed with his faint sweat, enveloped her, making her heart pound. Clara took a deep breath, savoring the thrilling sensation in every cell.

She slowly squatted down a few more times... and on the fourth rep... she deliberately let herself fall backward!

Her full, soft, and bouncy buttocks, like fine jelly, crushed against Owen's groin with full force! The sudden soft, hot friction was like a lightning bolt striking Owen's body.

"Ah!~" Clara let out a feigned moan, her voice trembling and as sexy as possible. It was so syrupy sweet it could almost melt the ears of anyone who heard it.

Owen's reaction was almost instantaneous. He quickly supported her to keep her from falling, while the feeling of being crushed by those soft mounds of flesh was hitting him hard, greatly arousing his manhood. His member quickly hardened, creating a clear, prominent bulge in his sweatpants. It pressed and rubbed against the groove of her ass, unavoidably.

Clara, feeling that strong, hard change, secretly smiled like a victor. She felt the power she had over his body... and it was so sweet. She immediately turned to meet Nova's eyes, sending a challenging and mocking gaze, as if to declare, 'See? I'm much closer to him than you are!'

But Nova didn't understand Clara's intention at all…

She was still in full professional trainer mode. She frowned slightly, interpreting Clara's gaze as a plea for help and more advice.

"I know your body has improved a lot, much different from the first time you came, but that doesn't mean you can neglect the basics, Clara!" Nova said with a slightly critical tone, before walking over and patting Clara's hip lightly as encouragement. "The moment you fell just now shows you're putting too much weight on your heels. Try to tense your abs more, and squat straight down, like you're about to sit in an invisible chair. I guarantee you'll be much more stable! Come on! One more set!"

Nova's positive and well-intentioned advice made Clara's seductive plan crumble. Her deliberate action had been interpreted as a genuine workout mistake. Clara's face flushed with frustration. She could only bite her lip and nod helplessly before continuing with her squats…

Soon, that frustration built up, becoming the fuel that reignited the fire of competition in Clara's heart. She felt like she had been slapped in the face. The plan she had so carefully laid out had failed because of the "innocence (stupidity)" of the female trainer before her. But she wouldn't give up just like that... Never!

Clara bit her lower lip. She decided to "up the ante" in this game. After finishing her squats, she walked defiantly to the "hip thrust" machine, which stood in the middle of the gym like a throne. It was an exercise machine that focused on the glutes and had a naturally seductive posture... the perfect stage for her next performance.

She lay down on the bench slowly, deliberately making every movement as seductive as possible, before carefully placing her heels on the weight platform. Then she turned to Owen again... but this time, her eyes held not just a plea, but a fiery challenge.

"Owen, darling… could you come check my form on this one? I'm not sure if I'm doing it right."

And as she spoke that sentence, the corner of her eye deliberately glanced at Nova, who was standing not far away… A mocking smile flickered on her lips for a moment before she returned to her innocent expression.

That brief, challenging glint in her eye... was the final piece of the puzzle that made Nova begin to understand what Clara was trying to communicate.

Nova looked back and forth… at the image of Clara blatantly trying to seduce Owen… at the image of Owen, still trying to act casual with the still-not-subsided bulge in his pants… and the image of that mocking smile from a moment ago…

A spark of understanding flashed in her emerald eyes. 'Don't tell me she's challenging me over Owen?' The thought ran through Nova's head. If that were the case, Clara's actions were rather "cute" in her opinion. And at the same time... she couldn't help but feel it would be "fun" to mess with both of them. She decided to join this "game."

A cunning smirk appeared at the corner of Nova's lips, her eyes sparkling with a playfulness they had never seen before. She pretended to walk towards Clara with the professional and concerned air of a trainer.

Owen had no choice but to walk over and stand in front of the machine. Clara began to perform the hip thrust, lifting her rounded hips up and down in a slow yet heavy rhythm. Every time she lifted her hips to their highest point, she would squeeze her muscles until her buttocks were beautifully taut. Her eyes were fixed on the bulge in Owen's pants, a silent and blatant provocation.

As Nova was pretending to walk over to check Clara's form up close... she feigned a "slip"! Her perfect body lost its balance and fell with full force into Owen's strong back!

Owen, who was pushed unexpectedly, completely lost his balance. His tall, large body lunged forward, falling right on top of Clara, who was holding her hips in mid-air at that exact moment!

A ridiculously lewd "human sandwich" had been formed! The poor Owen had become the filling, pressed between two sexy women.

The first sensation he felt was the unbelievably soft and massive breasts of Nova crushing against his back. They were so soft, so firm, and so hot he almost went crazy. At the same time, his strong chest was pressed against Clara's full, trembling breasts below. And worst of all… his iron-hard member was crushed against Clara's hot, moist slit through the thin fabric, a perfect fit!

"Aaaaaahhh!~"

Clara let out an involuntary moan. It wasn't a moan from her performance, but one of true pleasure from the unexpected stimulation. A thrilling sensation shot from the point of contact through her entire body, making her jolt.

After a few seconds that felt like an eternity, Nova quickly sprang to her feet, her face flushed (from her convincing act).

"Damn it! Why is the floor so slippery! I'm so sorry, you two. I have to go take care of this. It'll be terrible if another accident happens…"

She said with a voice so serious, as if she were deeply concerned for their safety, before quickly walking over to grab a mop and cleaning supplies to meticulously scrub the floor, making her plan even more convincing.

Owen and Clara immediately scrambled away from each other, their faces flushed to their ears with a mixture of shame and lingering excitement.

Owen, who couldn't take it anymore... his desire had peaked and was about to explode. He stammered, "Uh… I… I have to go to the bathroom!" and then quickly beat a hasty retreat.

Meanwhile, Nova, who was pretending to be focused on mopping the floor, secretly looked up at Owen's retreating back and Clara's flushed face… On Nova's face now was a cunning and utterly satisfied smile… and she was the complete and utter victor of this game.

…..

The sound of Clara's final workout set echoed through the room, followed by her heavy panting.

Clara collapsed onto the black leather sofa in the rest area, completely spent. Her body was so limp it almost seemed to melt into the soft cushions. Small beads of sweat clung to her hairline and her flushed cheeks. Though she was exhausted, her eyes shone with the utmost satisfaction.

Opposite her, Owen was leaning against a small bar counter, watching Nova skillfully scoop mint-chocolate-flavored protein powder into a shaker cup. She didn't look tired at all, as if the workout had just been a light warm-up.

After the "hot sandwich" incident and his release in the bathroom, Owen's simmering arousal had calmed down, replaced by a serious thought that had been on his mind all week... a problem that had almost cost him his life.

He decided this was the best opportunity to consult the expert before him.

"Nova… I need your advice on something," Owen began, his voice firmer and more serious than usual.

Nova, who was shaking the cup with a loud "shk-shk-shk," paused. She turned to meet his eyes, a silent permission for him to continue.

Owen walked over and sat down on a bar stool opposite her. He admitted his weakness directly. "In my last fight with an Awakened… I realized clearly that my mana capacity is too small… pathetically small." He recounted the event, his eyes still showing a hint of fear. "I used up all my mana in just a few minutes of fighting. If there had been more than two enemies then, I would have died. It's a truly fatal weakness."

Nova listened intently. She showed no surprise, as if this were a problem she had heard countless times before. She chugged the entire protein shake before walking over to the sink to wash the cup, unhurriedly. The sound of water hitting the stainless steel was the only thing that broke the silence.

When she was done, she turned back to face him, leaning her hip against the counter and crossing her arms, looking at him with the eyes of an experienced teacher.

"That's not just your problem, Owen," she began. "It's a problem for almost every new Awakened who wasn't born with overwhelming talent... But luckily, there are ways to fix it."

She held up one finger. "There are mainly three paths to increasing your mana capacity."

"The first path… is natural growth," Nova said flatly. "The more you train, use up your mana, and let it recover, the more your body will slowly adapt and expand its limits to create more mana capacity, little by little… But this method is the slowest… so slow it's annoying. People who are impatient or have to risk their lives on the battlefield don't use this method."

She held up a second finger. "The second path… is the most popular on the market. It's absorbing mana from an external source, which is mostly 'Mana Stones'." She snapped her fingers with a loud 'snap!' and continued. "Basically, it's forcing your body to expand its limits to accommodate the large amount of energy that is slowly being injected. This method is many times faster than the first, which is why high-quality Mana Stones are as expensive as gold… or maybe even more."

"And the final path…" Nova paused, the playful look in her eyes gone, replaced by a seriousness and gravity. "...is the most dangerous and unpredictable shortcut."

"It's receiving a [Blessing] or a [Curse] from a high-level being in a dimensional gate," her voice lowered slightly, as if speaking of something forbidden. "Sometimes, when you complete a certain mission that pleases a god or a demon... or sometimes just because they feel like it... they might reward you by directly increasing your power, which includes a dramatic leap in your mana capacity in an instant… Of course, the chances of this happening are slimmer than winning the lottery twice in a row. And it usually comes with strange conditions or strings attached…"

She looked deep into Owen's eyes and began to advise him seriously. "Those are the three main paths most people know… And as your trainer, I recommend you use the first and second methods in a balanced way. As for the third method, even if you are lucky enough to be offered such a power, I don't recommend you accept it, Owen…"

—-------

Chapter 80: The Schemer Who Became a Front-Row Spectator [R-18]

The feeling of elation and victory that had filled Julian's room just moments before had completely evaporated, leaving only an uncomfortable silence. The cool blue light from the still-active computer screen illuminated the empty beer cans scattered on the floor…

In the shadows, two bodies were entwined on the leather sofa. Owen and Rosy... the best friend and the girlfriend of the room's owner... were crushing their lips together with a violence as if trying to merge into one. It wasn't a kiss of love, but a clash of raw, uncontrolled desire. Their consciousness was blurred and shattered, incinerated by the flames of lust. And the cause was the potent poison mixed into their celebratory drinks…

Deep within Rosy's consciousness... Iris's annoyed voice sounded, though it was distant and distorted, like a voice passing through thick water.

'You foolish girl! You still don't realize you've been drugged!' the Parasite Queen's voice yelled in frustration. But then, her tone instantly changed to one of laughter and satisfaction. 'But never mind... since things have come to this, it's a good chance for us to fully indulge in the king's body~'

Of course, the warning and the mockery couldn't reach Rosy's consciousness, which was sinking in an endless ocean of desire. All she could perceive were Owen's hot lips, the bitter taste of beer mixed with an intoxicating sweetness, and his rock-hard body.

At the same time, Owen's [Sire] instinct had been fully awakened. Reason and conscience were devoured by the raw instinct of a beast. He perceived only one thing... that the exquisite "broodmother" before him, emitting a sweet, seductive scent, was desperately begging for him to breed with her.

"Mmmph…" Owen growled low in his throat, his voice hoarse and trembling like a wild animal. He effortlessly lifted Rosy's naked body, which was grinding against his lap, into his arms as if she were a cloth doll, before striding towards Julian's bed with dark, blazing eyes.

He didn't place her down... but threw her body face-down onto the bed without a shred of mercy. Her body sank into the soft mattress, revealing her smooth white back, rounded buttocks that were swaying seductively, and a pair of tiny panties so wet they clung to her skin… Owen immediately climbed on top of her from behind, his weight pressing down until she almost disappeared into the bed.

He used one hand to hook the edge of her tiny panties and ripped them apart with a "RRRIP!" Then, he aimed his massive, painfully hard cock at the wet, twitching slit that was waiting for him, before slamming his large, hot member into her pussy in one go, without any foreplay whatsoever!

SHLURP! THWACK!

"Araaaaanngggghhhh!" Rosy shrieked at the top of her lungs. It was a feeling of piercing pain mixed with a pleasure so intense she nearly lost her mind.

The breeding began, fierce and savage. It wasn't a gentle lovemaking, but a frantic release of a forced desire. Owen madly slammed his cock in and out of the pussy that was clenching him as tight as a steel vise. Then, he used one arm to lock her neck, pulling her flushed face, glistening with tears of bliss, up to receive his savage kiss.

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

Squelch! Squelch! Squelch!

The crude sound of flesh slapping flesh and the sticky sound of their love juice echoed through the silent room... accompanied only by the heavy panting of the two, a dark song of lust…

Meanwhile... in a dark corner behind the house, where the moonlight couldn't reach, Julian stood leaning against the cold concrete wall, his body trembling slightly, not from the cold, but from an excitement that was about to explode. He was staring at the mobile phone in his hand, his eyes blazing like embers, reflecting the digital light from the screen.

On the screen... was a live feed from 3 cameras he had secretly and skillfully installed in his own room. It was showing the "performance" he had waited his whole life to see... the image of Owen and Rosy fucking fiercely, from every angle, in sharp detail. He saw every drop of sweat and every touch they shared.

His breathing was ragged and hot. His other hand slipped into his pants and began to move slowly, in sync with Owen's thrusts on the screen.

"Yes!! Just like that, Owen..." he whispered to himself, his voice hoarse and trembling with emotion. "My best friend... go on... show me... show me how much better you are at owning her than I am… Destroy my 'treasure' in your hands!"

Every violent act in the bedroom, every moan that escaped, every one of Rosy's tears of bliss… became the perfect fuel that fanned the flames in Julian's body. And when he saw the two of them were about to climax, he quickened his own pace, faster and more violent. His face was tilted up towards the dark night sky, his eyes shut tight with a distorted bliss.

"Aaaaaaaahhh!!!"

"Araaaaanngggghhhh!!!"

The screams of pleasure from Owen and Rosy exploded in the bedroom… synchronizing with Julian's suppressed groan that almost tore his throat, as he released his own desire in the shadows…

…A long moment passed…

Inside the bedroom, now thick with the heavy scent of lovemaking, Owen and Rosy lay panting on the bed, spent after coming several times. As the heat of the drug began to fade, the coldness of reality began to creep back in.

"What… what did we just do?" Rosy mumbled, dazed, not understanding why she had suddenly become so aroused. Her body was still twitching from the aftershocks of her orgasms, but soon, she began to piece things together... that can of beer... the strange taste... and Julian's suspicious disappearance…

'Hmph~ This has to be that idiot Julian's doing!!' Rosy grumbled internally, frustrated.

Owen sat up slowly, his body still naked, and turned to look at a dark corner of the room… where he suspected a camera was hidden. Understanding began to dawn in his eyes. He wasn't angry... but felt a dark satisfaction building inside him.

'Julian… I hope this satisfied you, my friend~' he thought, a small smirk at the corner of his lips.

Behind the house, Julian was quickly cleaning himself up. He saved the video clip of his "success" in a deeply hidden secret folder, naming the file "A Gift From My Best Friend." He composed his face and his breathing, before walking back into the house with a casual air, as if he had really just been hanging laundry… ready to face the masterpiece he had created.

…..

When he reached the front of his room, Julian took a deep breath to calm the excitement still surging through him. He put on the mask of an innocent best friend and opened the door.

"Hey… you guys… What happened? Why is it so quiet?" he asked, his voice feigning the utmost concern and confusion. His eyes scanned the room, pretending to widen in surprise at the state of the wrinkled bed and the tense, silent atmosphere. The faint, tangy smell of lovemaking still hanging in the air made him secretly swallow hard.

But before he could finish his act…

WHOOSH!

A shadow shot towards him like an angry tigress! Rosy, who had been sitting silently on the edge of the bed, lunged at him with superhuman speed. With the strength of the body Iris had enhanced, far beyond what a normal person could handle, she twisted both of Julian's arms behind his back and slammed his face into the carpet with ease, in the blink of an eye.

"Ack! Rosy! What the hell are you doing!?" Julian cried out in shock and pain, not understanding why she was suddenly attacking him.

Rosy didn't answer but dragged his body to a wooden chair in the corner of the room. Then she grabbed the long power cord from one of the ring lights and used it to bind him to the chair's back and armrests, so tightly he couldn't move an inch.

When she was done, Rosy stood with her hands on her hips, looking at her "handiwork" with eyes blazing with the fire of rage. A few strands of her black and purple hair fell across her flushed face, making her look like a demoness about to begin a ritual of punishment. "How dare you pull a stunt like this on me and Owen!"

She leaned down and whispered next to his ear, her voice as cold as dry ice. "You wanted to see us fuck so badly, didn't you? Fine! I'll grant your wish! But you're going to watch us fuck, live, right in front of you, without even being able to touch yourself! This is your punishment!"

Julian's eyes widened in shock. A storm of emotions flooded his mind until his brain almost exploded. He felt guilty for drugging his two best friends… disappointed that he couldn't "relieve himself" in the comfort of the shadows as planned… but at the same time, he was insanely happy that his darkest desire was about to come true! The image he was about to see would be a hundred times more real and vivid than on a phone screen!

His face twisted, clearly showing those complex emotions: fear, guilt, and an unconcealed excitement, which made Rosy misunderstand that he was regretful and angry at being treated this way.

"What's wrong? Feeling sorry for yourself now?" she smirked like a victor. "Don't ever do something so stupid again if you don't want something worse than this!"

She didn't wait, quickly dragging the leather sofa over and placing it right in front of Julian's chair… so close he could see every detail clearly. Then, she turned and pulled Owen, who was still sitting on the bed watching the whole scene with a mixture of confusion and amazement, to sit down on the sofa.

Rosy immediately straddled Owen's lap, facing Julian, deliberately positioning herself so he would have a perfect view. She looked deep into Julian's widening eyes with a challenging and disdainful gaze.

Then, her slender hand moved down to touch Owen's crotch. She slowly and deliberately unzipped his pants, pulling out the massive, slightly softened cock for Julian to see.

"Look, Julian... look closely," Rosy said, her voice sweet but her eyes cold. "This is a cock that's many times bigger than yours! And it's about to go inside me~"

Then she began to play her song of lust… Her slender hand cupped the soft member, stroking it up and down like a musician awakening a masterpiece instrument. It quickly grew and hardened in her palm. The veins bulged formidably, the head glistening a crimson red with clear precum. In less than five seconds, it stood erect, pointing at Julian defiantly…

The heavy breathing of three people synchronized in the silence. The atmosphere in Julian's bedroom was now tense and thick with a lust as hot as a furnace. Rosy, straddling Owen's lap, moved slowly, deliberately… toying with the patience of the two men… one, the lover she adored, and the other, the (fake) boyfriend who had become her prisoner.

She looked down at the massive cock standing defiantly before her before slowly… bit by bit… lowering her plump pussy, which was still wet and twitching with desire, onto Owen's hot member.

Sshhlluurrp…

"Aah…" a moan escaped both Owen's and Rosy's lips at the same time. The feeling of being slowly filled was both agonizing and blissful.

When the massive member was all the way in, Rosy paused for a moment, letting the hot cock remain inside her, absorbing the feeling of being one, before she looked up to meet Julian's eyes, which were wide and red.

A seductive and cruel smile appeared at the corner of her lips… and then she began to ride him like a madwoman.

Her rounded hips ground up and down on Owen's strong lap violently. She threw her head back, her face a mask of bliss and mockery aimed at Julian. Every movement, every moan, was a declaration of victory and a reinforcement of his punishment.

"Feels good, doesn't it, Julian… watching your girlfriend get fucked by your best friend?" she said, her voice a sweet pant. Every word seeped into his senses. "But I'm sorry… you don't get to release yourself, because this is a punishment! If this happens again… it will be much worse!"

Those words were like gasoline on a fire. Julian was so aroused he could barely take it. His member was so hard it strained against his pants. Watching this live show up close was a hundred times more tormenting and stimulating than watching it through a camera. He began to squirm in the chair, pleading pathetically.

"R-Rosy… I'm sorry… I was wrong… I won't do it again. Please… let… let me go!"

"Shut up!" Rosy's victorious smile only widened. She quickened the pace of her riding, harder and more violent. Owen couldn't take it anymore either. He growled low in his throat. His large hands roamed all over Rosy's body, squeezing her full breasts, which were bouncing with the impacts, until they overflowed from between his fingers, and clawing at her rounded buttocks to slam her down onto him.

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

Squelch! Squelch! Squelch! Squelch!

The crude sound of flesh on flesh and the sticky sound of their love juice echoed through the room, awakening the primal instincts of everyone to their fullest.

Half an hour passed… When she could hold back no longer, Rosy shrieked at the top of her lungs and slammed her hips down one last time until his cock was buried to the hilt, the head slamming against her cervix. Both their bodies trembled and convulsed. Owen roared like a wild animal and shot a massive amount of semen into her womb!

SPLOOOOOOGE! SPLOOGE! SPLOOGE! GUUUUUUSH!

The hot, cloudy white semen overflowed from her pussy like a broken dam. It was more than her body could take, and it trickled down her thighs, dripping onto the carpet… right in front of Julian.

That sight made Julian's mind snap… Even though he hadn't touched himself, he came uncontrollably, leaving a large, wet stain on his pants.

Rosy, still panting on Owen's lap, turned to look at her handiwork and nodded with satisfaction. "Hmph… I never knew you had this kind of taste… How pathetic," she said, half-joking, because deep down, she still saw him as a friend.

Now she understood why Owen didn't want her to break up with him. "I'll keep being your (fake) girlfriend, Julian…" she said to him flatly.

Then, she turned and gave Owen a deep, passionate kiss, right in front of him, before she pulled away and delivered her final line with a seductive, victorious smile.

"But get this into your head… even if I'm your girlfriend by status… my heart and my body… belong only to Owen!"

Those words were like a lightning bolt that struck Julian's heart. His eyes widened with a feeling that was both painful and blissful to the extreme… His mind went white… and he came again, instantly. And this orgasm… it was more blissful than any he had ever had in his life.

—-------

Chapter 78: Freedom and a New Burden

The celebratory atmosphere that had filled Alex's office vanished the moment the door closed behind Anya, leaving only an uncomfortable silence and two glasses of brandy still held in mid-air. The soft light from the crystal chandelier shone down on the polished teak desk, reflecting the two men who stood as still as statues.

Owen slowly lowered the glass in his hand, placing it on the table without having taken a single sip. The sound of the glass on the wood echoed in the silence. It was a refusal clearer than any words. In his mind, the image of homeless children was superimposed on the feeling of relief he had just felt. He took a deep breath before turning to face Alex directly. The joy was gone from his eyes, replaced only by conflict and a faint guilt.

"Alex... I can't accept this freedom if it was bought with the money of those orphans... especially not me," Owen said, his voice firm. He decided to tell him about his past. "I was an orphan once… The reason I'm here today is because of places like that... Please, can you use other funds? I can wait. Even if I have to wait until next year... I will wait."

Alex was silent for a moment, his eyes showing clear surprise at Owen's noble sentiment. But a second later, his expression quickly shifted back to that of a world-wise adult. He put down his own glass and walked around the desk to pat Owen's shoulder gently.

"My friend... I understand how you feel," he said, his voice softer and more sympathetic. "But in the real world... the debt has already been paid. The creditor isn't going to return that money to us. It's practically impossible."

He paused for a moment, letting the harsh reality sink in. "Besides... do you think I'm the only donor to the orphanages in Titan City? They won't collapse just because they're missing money from me. There are plenty of other good people who donate to them every day. I'm not the center of the universe, my friend…"

Then Alex looked deep into Owen's eyes with the gaze of a true businessman. "And finally… that money was my personal money. I have the right to use it however I see fit, especially on something that gives the most valuable 'return,' don't I? And your work... is the best return I've had in years. Or does the fact that I'm richer than others mean I have a greater social responsibility than them?"

Those cold but irrefutable words slowly broke down the walls of Owen's idealism. He lowered his head, defeated. He couldn't argue with Alex's cruel logic, even if he still felt conflicted... His freedom... it had a much higher price than he had initially thought.

Seeing that Owen had calmed down, Alex skillfully brought the atmosphere back to a celebration. He picked up Owen's glass and placed it back in his hand. "Don't think too much about it, my friend," he said with a smile. "Let's drink to your freedom! From now on, you are my important friend, Owen. Your future is going to be even greater!"

The two finally clinked glasses. Owen reluctantly drank the brandy. The taste that should have been sweet and deep now felt bitter in his throat. They talked a little more about future plans, but Owen's mind was far away. He used the excuse of being slightly tipsy to take his leave.

But when Owen walked out to the mansion's parking area, he had to stop short, his eyebrow twitching violently.

The sight before him was Victoria, waiting quietly beside his SUV. But surrounding her... was an army of designer suitcases of various colors and sizes, arranged so densely there was barely room to walk. Giant trunks, garment bags, shoe boxes, jewelry cases... all of them stamped with the logos of famous brands that an ordinary person would have to work their entire life to afford just one.

'Is all this… just for her? Are you sure you didn't accidentally pack someone else's things?' he could only think to himself, exasperated, before letting out a long sigh... It seemed his freedom came with a new burden, one just as heavy as the last.

…..

Owen drove his SUV away from the luxurious mansion district, heading towards the familiar city center. The neon lights of the night began to stream into the car, casting flickering reflections on the faces of the two occupants. He was focused on driving but could feel the simmering atmosphere beside him. Victoria had said nothing the entire way, sitting as still as a statue, but Owen could feel the heat radiating from her body... it was a suppressed desire, waiting to erupt.

Soon, the car pulled up in front of Jessica's familiar apartment building. As arranged, she was waiting there with a warm smile. Her fiery red hair seemed to glow, reflecting the streetlights.

Owen got out of the car first before opening the door for Victoria. She stepped out and stood beside him submissively.

"Jessica, this is Victoria... She'll be staying with you for a while," Owen introduced them simply.

Jessica showed no surprise or jealousy. She looked at Victoria with an understanding and sympathetic gaze before smiling. "Welcome! I'm Jessica. You can call me Jess."

Victoria gave a hesitant nod. "Thank you for letting me stay… I'm Victoria."

In the eyes of the two women, a wordless communication passed... They both saw the invisible "brand" that bound them to the same man, and that was enough to create an understanding without any need for explanation.

The moving mission began, and it was harder than expected. Victoria's "army of suitcases" took nearly half an hour to carry up. But working together quickly broke down the remaining walls between the two women. They shared a soft laugh at the number of shoes Victoria owned, which seemed to outnumber the days in a year.

The moment the last suitcase was placed in the bedroom and the apartment door was closed... the once-friendly atmosphere changed instantly.

Jessica, who had been suppressing her feelings for a full week, didn't wait any longer. She threw herself at Owen, hugging him tightly and crushing her lips against his in a deep, passionate kiss. Her tongue wantonly invaded his mouth, chasing and sucking as if to draw out his very soul.

"I missed you so much…" she whispered hoarsely after breaking the kiss. "The last 7 days felt like 7 years, my love…"

That image was like a lit match thrown onto gasoline. 'The Chains of Lust' that bound Victoria immediately went to work! The craving, the need to be a part, and the desire to receive her master's attention surged with a maddening intensity. Her body grew hot, her breathing became ragged. She watched the two of them kissing with glistening, pleading eyes... She couldn't just stand by and watch any longer!

Victoria moved as if commanded by instinct. She didn't get between them, but attacked Owen from behind. She wrapped her arms tightly around his strong back, pressing her full breasts against him, before using her lips and tongue to passionately lick his neck and ear.

Owen jolted. He was being assaulted from two directions by an overwhelming desire.

The two women worked together with a strange harmony. They weren't competing, but "cooperating" to overwhelm him. Jessica began to unbutton his shirt, one by one, while Victoria started to seductively caress his abs.

"Wait a second... you two..." Owen could only groan, helpless.

They easily pushed his tall body stumbling towards the bed. He fell onto the soft mattress, and a second later, the soft, hot bodies of the two women were on top of him. His clothes were torn off, quickly and mercilessly…

…Thirty minutes later…

The sounds of blissful moans and the heavy, rhythmic slapping of flesh echoed from the closed bedroom. It was a song of lust, harmonized perfectly and fiercely…

…..

The Saturday morning sun streamed through the curtains into a bedroom filled with the mingled scents of three bodies. Owen slowly awoke, not because of the sunlight, but because of a hot, wet, and supple sensation expertly arousing his core.

He slowly opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was Victoria's long, golden-blonde hair, moving up and down in rhythm between his legs. She was servicing him with her mouth, as focused and eager as if it were the most important task of her life. When he glanced to his side, he saw Jessica still sleeping peacefully, her beautiful face resting on his chest, one arm wrapped tightly around his waist. Her steady breathing was a sign of her complete happiness and trust.

Being stimulated so intensely, Owen's sire instinct fully awakened. He moved his hand to gently stroke Victoria's soft hair, a signal that he accepted her awakening, and a new war of love at dawn began.

It was a battle more fierce and blissful than any before. They started on the wrinkled bed before moving their battlefield to the cool bathroom. The warm steam and Jessica's bright laughter mixed with Victoria's blissful moans, before the three of them ended up back on the bed, completely spent.

When the storm of lust had passed, Victoria was in an adorable state. She lay spread-eagled on the bed, her eyes slightly rolled back and glazed over, a thin trail of drool seeping from the corner of her mouth, but a distorted and utterly blissful smile was on her face. Her pussy was swollen and red, with cloudy white semen continuously overflowing from it... She had been "fulfilled" to her heart's content.

Owen got up from the bed, feeling surprisingly refreshed. He stood in front of the open wardrobe, with Jessica, in his oversized shirt, attentively helping him get dressed. She helped him adjust the collar of his dark grey polo shirt. The clean, soapy scent from her body and his familiar scent mixed, creating a warm and natural atmosphere, like a long-time couple.

"You look especially good today," she praised, using her fingers to gently brush the hair from his forehead.

Owen smiled. He leaned down and gave her a deep, gentle kiss, a thank you for her care and the wonderful night. "Take care of her for me," he whispered after breaking the kiss, nodding towards Victoria, who was still passed out on the bed.

"Of course, my love~" Jessica accepted obediently. "Don't worry, I'll take good care of our new 'little sister'."

…..

Owen drove away from the apartment, heading towards the familiar central park. The late morning sun began to grow warmer. The atmosphere was filled with families with their children running around and couples relaxing. It was a peaceful scene he hadn't experienced in a long time, and it made his heart feel strangely light.

Today was the day Finley was to deliver the cosplay outfit, and it was also his chance to seriously begin his plan to "woo" the talented young artist. He walked along the gravel path to the large maple tree and saw a familiar figure already waiting.

Today, Finley looked a little different. The nervousness from their first meeting was gone, replaced by bright eyes and a faint smile that appeared the moment he saw Owen approach. Beside him was a large, sturdy cardboard box.

"Hello... Brother Owen~" Finley stood up and greeted him more naturally.

"What's up, Finley? Didn't wait long, did you?" Owen smiled back, before sitting down beside him. "I'm so excited to see the real thing."

Those words were like a switch that flipped on Finley's pride. His eyes sparkled. He carefully opened the large box, as if revealing a priceless treasure.

And the moment the lid was lifted, Owen's eyes widened with an amazement that almost took his breath away.

The "Demon Lord Girl" cosplay in the box was even more beautiful and perfect than the draft. The jet-black velvet fabric absorbed the light, making it look dark and deep. The gold thread embroidered in ancient patterns on the collar and hem of the skirt sparkled luxuriously. And most impressively, the gracefully curved, jet-black demon horns had a texture so realistic they were formidable. Every detail bespoke a master-level skill and an incredible attention to detail.

"This is… unbelievable, Finley!" Owen praised from the bottom of his heart. He couldn't help but reach out to gently touch the velvet fabric. "This isn't just a cosplay anymore… it's a work of art."

The praise made Finley's clear cheeks flush a visible red. He looked down shyly. "Th-thank you… I'm glad you like it."

After Owen had paid the remaining balance, he still didn't want the moment to end. He looked at the proud and happy face of the artist before him and said, "So… do you have any plans for the rest of the day?"

Finley shook his head slightly. "N-no. Probably just go home and rest."

Owen gave a planned smile. "An artist who has just finished a masterpiece deserves a celebration," he said, his voice warm and playful. "Want to go to the amusement park? As a reward for this excellent work, and to celebrate our first project together."

Finley's eyes widened in surprise. He hadn't expected to be asked out. His cheeks grew even redder, but his eyes shone with an unconcealed excitement.

"...W-would that be okay?"

"Of course!" Owen stood up and held out his hand to him. "Come on. My treat today."

Finley looked at the outstretched hand and then at Owen's smiling face for a moment before shyly placing his small hand in Owen's large, warm one. "...O-okay."

…..

At Titan World Amusement Park, a place filled with laughter, lively music, and the sweet smell of popcorn, Finley, who at first was still stiff and nervous around the crowd, was slowly pulled into the world of fun by Owen, who seemed more excited than the children.

On the "Titan's Fury" roller coaster, Owen whooped and hollered with wild abandon, raising his arms to challenge the G-force on every turn, while Finley screamed at the top of his lungs with a mixture of fear and excitement. But when the ride came to a stop, a wide, happy smile was on his face. Owen laughed and naturally put an arm around Finley's still-trembling shoulders. "See? Told you it was fun!"

At the shooting gallery, Owen showed off his superhuman abilities. He hit every target with the air rifle as easily as if he were born to do it, earning the amazed and admiring gazes of Finley. He won a cute, fluffy little bunny doll and gave it to Finley as a gift.

"For my little bunny artist," he said jokingly, handing him the doll. Finley accepted it, his face flushing, and hugged it tightly as if it were a new, precious treasure.

In the dark and creepy haunted house, the once-fun atmosphere changed. Finley, who was shaking with fear, instinctively grabbed Owen's arm and held on tight the entire way. He buried his face in Owen's strong bicep, secretly inhaling Owen's unique scent with fascination, without the other realizing it. Owen acted as the brave guardian, comforting and guiding him through the darkness until they were back in the light.

And the final scene of the day arrived… when the two of them got on the Ferris wheel just as the sun was setting. The car slowly rose, leaving the chaos and noise below. The golden light of the evening bathed the entire city, making it look like a painting. The atmosphere became romantic and peaceful.

Finley looked at the view below, mesmerized, his eyes sparkling, reflecting the golden light of the setting sun. Owen wasn't looking at the view. He was looking only at Finley's profile, filled with a pure, innocent happiness, before he spoke softly.

"See? Your ability really can bring happiness to others... I had a lot of fun today. Thanks, Finley~"

Those words made Finley whip his head around to look at him. It wasn't just a compliment; it was an acknowledgment... a healing of the deep wound he had carried in his heart for so long. Finley's heart pounded so hard it almost burst. He looked deep into Owen's warm and sincere eyes and recognized a feeling that was clearly forming... a feeling that was more than just admiration…

The two of them just looked at each other, motionless, on the Ferris wheel. Small smiles appeared on both their faces, beautiful and heart-warming… amidst the most beautiful sunset of the day.

—-------

Chapter 77: The Chains of Lust

Inside the bedroom, now a sacred temple of lust, the scents of sandalwood, amber, and the rich, tangy smell of lovemaking still mingled in the warm air. The flickering candlelight danced on the sweat-drenched, naked bodies of the two figures. Owen still lay on Victoria's limp form, panting heavily, while the crown-of-thorns brand on her lower abdomen still glowed a faint red, like smoldering embers.

And in that moment… amidst an atmosphere that seemed to have been torn from ancient times, modern technology intruded without ceremony.

Ting!

A translucent blue screen flashed to life before Owen's eyes. Its cold, digital light was a stark contrast to the soft candlelight. A message appeared clearly:

…..

[Congratulations! Victoria's Demon Path has reached 100 points! She has become a completely sexually obsessed woman!]

[Victoria's Affection score has been converted from -40 to 60!]

[Special Condition Unlocked: 'The Chains of Lust']

[- Victoria will lose -5 Affection every 24 hours you do not have sex with her.]

[- Conversely, her Affection will increase by +5 if you have sex with her each day.]

[- If her Affection drops to 0, she will abandon you and seek a new master.]

[- Please increase her Affection to 100 to make her your complete sex slave!]

…..

Owen read the notification with mixed feelings. He looked down at Victoria's body beneath him. Her eyes were closed, but her lips were curved into a blissful smile. The brand on her lower abdomen was proof of his complete victory. He had successfully destroyed and remade the proud queen. A feeling of satisfaction, both as a creator and a possessor, surged through him.

But then his smile faded slightly as he finished reading the conditions of 'The Chains of Lust.' He let out a soft sigh. It was a new "burden" that had immediately followed his success. This condition bound him to her inextricably. He would have to constantly "care for" and "fulfill" her to maintain her loyalty.

His mind began to picture the packed schedule that awaited him. He had been away from work for almost seven days... especially the important work of creating Clara's OnlyStar content, which her fans were probably waiting for like madmen. And most importantly... he still hadn't prepared a plan to deal with his formidable foe, ‘Victor Draemond.’

'But since I've chosen this path, I have to see it through…' Owen thought with determination. 'I have to max out Victoria's affection to 100 as quickly as possible, to make her one of my women, someone I can completely trust!'

Having made his decision, he slowly pulled his member from her body. A shameful sound was made as their physical connection ended. He moved to sit elegantly on the edge of the bed, his back slightly to her, to seriously consider the system window before him. His demeanor had once again shifted to that of a cold planner.

Victoria, having just been through the ritual, felt an immediate emptiness the moment he pulled his large cock out. She slowly opened her eyes. Her gaze was no longer confused or angry. Only the image of her "Master's" strong, candlelit back was reflected in her eyes.

She slowly pushed herself up... and crawled towards him on the bed, which was soaked with their love juice and sweat. Her every movement was filled with reverence. She rested her face on his strong thigh, looking up at him with eyes full of worship and a desire unlike any before. And finally... she spoke the first plea of her new life, her voice a trembling, affectionate whisper.

"Master..." she whispered hoarsely, her small tongue darting out to lick her own lips seductively. "...my body feels... so empty... Please... please fill me again~"

…..

The late morning sun streamed into the mountaintop safe house. Owen stood leaning against the large glass window frame, looking out at the endless pine forest. He was in casual clothes, but the atmosphere around him was filled with a tangible power and success.

On the carpet beside the sofa, Victoria knelt quietly. She was in a tight-fitting, dark purple silk dress he had chosen for her. Her eyes were fixed on his back in adoration, patiently awaiting her next command. She now looked no different from a docile pet waiting for its owner.

Owen raised his phone to his ear... It was time to end this mission.

The phone rang for only a moment before a familiar voice answered. "What's up, my friend~ Calling me directly like this... must be good news, right?" Alex's voice sounded expectant and impatient.

Owen gave a smirk. He turned to look at Victoria, who was still kneeling patiently.

"Mission complete, Alex..." Owen reported, his voice cheerful yet professional. "...As you saw in the latest video I sent, she has become my completely obedient toy. And she's ready to sign the divorce papers whenever you want."

"Ha... Hahaha!" a loud, unsuppressed laugh came from the other end of the line. It was the sound of true satisfaction and victory. "Excellent! Absolutely excellent! I knew I wasn't wrong about you! Bring her to my mansion now, Owen! I'll have my lawyer prepare everything!"

"Understood," Owen replied shortly before hanging up. He turned and nodded to Victoria as a signal. She quickly stood up and followed him out to the SUV without a single question.

The drive down the winding mountain should have been relaxed, but it became the ultimate test of Owen's concentration. The narrow road and sharp, dangerous turns required his full attention, but the atmosphere inside the car was thick with a lust that emanated from the figure beside him.

Soon after the car left the safe house, Victoria began to grow restless. She squirmed uncomfortably, her breathing becoming ragged... 'The Chains of Lust' were at work. She unbuckled her seatbelt and shamelessly leaned down between his legs. She skillfully unzipped his pants and immediately used her hot mouth to possess his already hardening member.

"Mmm…" Owen let out an involuntary groan, trying his best to keep a firm grip on the steering wheel and focus on the road ahead, while her hot, moist tongue expertly aroused him.

The wet, lewd sounds of her sucking echoed softly, blending with the low purr of the engine. One of her hands cupped the base of his cock, gently stroking it up and down, while her other hand wasn't idle. She slipped it under her tight dress, frantically grinding her hardened clit. Her face was contorted with bliss... This was the state of a woman truly enslaved by lust.

…..

A few hours later, the white SUV turned majestically through the massive wrought-iron gates of the Ashford mansion. The perfectly manicured lawns and the rose gardens lining the driveway were as beautiful as ever, but the atmosphere that had once made Owen feel pressured now felt like he was walking onto a stage to receive an award.

Owen quickly took care of himself and Victoria before leading her into Alex's opulent office. The familiar smell of old leather, teak, and expensive whiskey hung in the air. There... Alex sat waiting behind his polished desk with a victor's smile, with an old man in a neat suit, his personal lawyer, standing beside him with an emotionless face.

Victoria clung to Owen's arm as if she were a part of his body. Her eyes stared straight ahead, showing no emotion for the place that had once been her kingdom. Alex looked at the scene with a mixture of pity and the utmost satisfaction before speaking in a taunting voice.

“Finally, I’ll be free of a problem like you, Victoria… I’m tired of cleaning up the messes you make every day, squandering my money like toilet paper! From now on, we have nothing to do with each other!”

But his words had no effect on Victoria. She slowly let go of Owen's arm, took a step forward, lifted her chin, and replied in a voice colder and more cutting than any knife.

"Hmph… good… I'm tired of an old, impotent man with a tiny dick like you, too. You can't even compare to a fraction of my Master Owen!"

The words struck Alex like a physical blow! The victor's smile on his face froze for a moment. He felt a sharp pain in his chest but quickly hid it behind an impassive mask. He ignored her words and looked at Owen with admiration before sliding the divorce papers in front of Victoria.

The lawyer stepped forward and stated the terms in a flat, emotionless voice. "Signing this document means that you, Victoria Ashford, willingly agree to divorce Mr. Alexander Ashford, and waive all rights to assets, inheritance, and all benefits from the Ashford family... Do you accept?"

Instead of hesitating or growing angry, Victoria looked visibly eager. She snatched the pen without a moment's hesitation. But just as the tip of the pen was about to touch the paper, she paused and turned to look at the silent Owen for his permission.

Both Alex and the lawyer stared in shock. They had expected screaming or negotiations, but not this complete and utter submission.

Owen simply gave her a slight nod... and that was all she needed.

Victoria signed the document with a quick, decisive stroke. It was the act of crossing out her past without a second thought.

She pushed the document back to Alex, then rose and stood beside Owen as reverently as his own shadow. She no longer cared about power, money, or social status... Her entire world now consisted only of her new "Master."

The old bond had been severed... and a new bond had begun, completely.

The moment the divorce papers were pushed back to Alex, the room filled with an uncomfortable silence. Alex and the lawyer both stared at Victoria, who now stood by Owen's side like his shadow, with an indescribable feeling.

Owen broke the silence. He turned to Victoria with the eyes of a master and gave his first command in her new status, right in front of her ex-husband. "Go pack your things... everything that belongs to you... then wait for me in the car."

"Yes... Master," Victoria replied submissively, without hesitation. She gave Owen a slight bow, then turned and walked out of the office with grace, without even glancing at Alex.

When the office door closed, Alex turned to his lawyer with a satisfied smile. "Thank you for today... Your work is done. Your check will be sent as usual."

"My pleasure, sir," the old lawyer bowed politely. He packed his documents into his leather briefcase and left the room quietly, closing the door softly behind him.

Now... inside the opulent office, only Owen and Alex were truly alone.

An uncomfortable silence hung in the air for a moment before it was shattered by Alex's crazed, explosive laughter.

"Ha… Hahahahaha!"

He was happier than he had ever been. His face was flushed with excitement. He shot up from his chair, walking straight to the bar with the energy of a twenty-year-old. He took out the oldest and most expensive bottle of brandy, pouring the amber liquid into two crystal glasses with hands that trembled slightly with joy, before handing one to Owen.

"Amazing! It was more amazing than I ever imagined, Owen! You are my best friend!" he said, slapping Owen on the shoulder with sincere force.

Owen accepted the glass. He looked at Alex's blissful state and could easily guess that the man's affection score for him had surely surpassed 60 points. That meant from now on, Alex would never think ill of him and would see him as a truly important ally.

"Since my mission is complete..." Owen began calmly. "About my debt…"

Alex laughed again. "What debt? I transferred a million dollars to pay it off the day I received that video! I always believed you would succeed. And your work... it was worth every cent!"

Those words were like a key unlocking the final chain from Owen's life. He felt as if a mountain had been lifted from his shoulders. A feeling of true relief and freedom washed over him so intensely he almost crushed the glass in his hand. Finally... the massive debt that had started all this chaos was gone.

"A toast, to your freedom and our victory!" Alex raised his glass high.

Just as the two were about to drink to their celebration…

BANG!

The office door was thrown open so violently it startled everyone. Anya walked in, her face flushed, her eyes blazing with an unprecedented anger and disappointment. She no longer looked like a composed, professional secretary, but like a storm about to destroy everything.

"What have you done, Alex!" she yelled. "I can't believe you withdrew this year's donation to the orphanage! That was millions! What did those children do to you? If we had stuck to the original plan, millions in charitable donations would have gone to several orphanages. You would have gained both fame and the trust of countless citizens. Why did you suddenly withdraw the donation?”

The smile on Alex's face vanished instantly, replaced by a cold impassiveness. "I know, Anya… but I had an urgent matter that required that sum of money. An investor always needs to know where their money will benefit them most. So you don't need to worry so much. I'll find a way to compensate those children next year, if that makes you feel any better."

Anya looked at Alex with the utmost disappointment. "Well… if you say so… I can't stop you. The money is yours, and I'm just your secretary who takes care of things for you." Even as she spoke, her demeanor was still filled with clear dissatisfaction.

"Thank you for understanding, Anya," he could only shrug helplessly.

Anya turned and stomped out of the room, slamming the door behind her again, leaving the once-bright atmosphere in an uncomfortable silence.

The brandy glass in Owen's hand felt strangely heavy. He stood motionless, but his mind was processing what he had just heard... One million dollars... a donation that was withdrawn... His freedom... had it been bought with the future of countless orphans?

He looked at Alex with a changed gaze… A seed of doubt had been planted in Owen's heart... and it made him begin to question the path he was walking. Cooperating with this man... where would it lead him in the end… because he himself was once an orphan, who had grown up and was alive today because of those very orphanages…

—-------

Chapter 76: The Rebirth of a Loyal Slave [R-18]

The morning sun cast golden beams through the curtains into the living room of the mountaintop safe house, illuminating Owen's figure as he leaned back comfortably on the leather sofa. He had just finished showering, his jet-black hair was carelessly towel-dried. He wore only a pair of casual shorts, his bare upper body revealing sharp, defined muscles. Small, lingering water droplets slowly trickled down his chest and his magnificent abs.

In one hand, he held a fork, unhurriedly bringing a large piece of medium-rare tenderloin steak to his mouth. The fragrant aroma of butter and rosemary wafted through the room, while his other hand casually scrolled through a game on his phone, oblivious to the world. His posture was that of a true victor, in complete control. The atmosphere around him was calm and completely different from the state of the bedroom next door...

In that room, Victoria slowly opened her eyes, waking up on a bed that was as wrinkled as a battlefield. Her body was exhausted and sticky from yesterday's activities, but what woke her was not the discomfort, but the gnawing hunger that was burning a hole in her stomach.

And then, the rich aroma of steak wafting from the living room acted as a trigger. It violently awakened her primal instincts. She no longer thought of dignity or shame. Her mind was filled only with a resounding, basic need. Her naked body slowly pushed itself out of bed and staggered out of the bedroom…

Owen, who was focused on his game, sensed Victoria's arrival from the shadow that fell across the room. He slowly glanced up from the screen. The sight of her standing there, naked, with a vacant gaze fixed on his plate of food like a hungry pet, made him unable to suppress a satisfied smile.

"Awake, are we... my good girl?" His voice was softer than before, but it still held an absolute authority. "You're a mess. Go take a shower and freshen up." It was no longer a harsh command, but the words of an owner caring for his docile pet.

There was no argument, only an obedient nod. Victoria turned and disappeared into the bathroom. Owen watched her until she was out of sight before he heard the sound of the shower... It didn't take long.

When she returned, the clean scent of soap wafted to Owen's nose. Her short, golden-blonde hair, still not completely dry, was slicked back, revealing her fair neck. Her skin was radiant and flushed from the warm water. On her beautiful body was only a tiny black bikini he had prepared for her... The small pieces of fabric could barely cover anything, only serving to accentuate her full, seductive figure even more.

She didn't hesitate for a second, walking straight over and immediately sitting down on Owen's lap. The slight coolness of her still-damp skin against his hot stomach made him flinch lightly. Her slender arms wrapped tightly around his neck, before she buried her face in his strong chest, rubbing her soft cheek against him like a kitten seeking affection. It was a wordless plea for a "reward."

'She's acting just like a cat…' Owen thought with satisfaction as he caressed her smooth, slightly damp back. He could feel a faint tremor of a desire she couldn't control. 'The training seems to have been more effective than expected. Her Demon Path score must have shot up to 80-90 points... She should be ready for the final step.'

Owen looked at the affectionate figure on his lap with a satisfied gaze. He put down his fork and slid one hand around Victoria's slender waist.

"Hungry?" he whispered sensuously next to her ear, while his other hand began to slowly move lower, squeezing and kneading her firm, round buttocks.

"Mmm~" Victoria moaned in her throat with bliss. She didn't answer with words but nodded repeatedly, deliberately and shamelessly grinding her hips against the hardening bulge in his pants.

Owen chuckled softly. "Hahaha, such a girl who can never get enough... Don't worry, this master will feed you himself... Good girl~"

He used his thumb to hook the edge of her bikini bottom, slowly pulling it to the side, revealing the plump, swollen folds of her slit, glistening with clear lubricant, waiting for him. He didn't enter her immediately but used his thumb to gently grind her hardened clit, teasing and arousing her.

"Ah!... Aah!~" Victoria jolted, instinctively arching her hips to meet his touch, her body trembling with a pleasure that shot through her.

Seeing that she was fully ready, he aimed his large, hard cock, its veins bulging, at the entrance of her slit, and slowly pressed her hips down... forcing her to swallow it, bit by bit... until he was all the way in.

"Mmmph!~ Aaaaaahhh…"

Victoria's body trembled nonstop. She arched her chest, accepting the familiar sensation with bliss. She buried her face in his broad shoulder, panting heavily as the feeling of being "filled" to capacity shot through her.

"Very good..." Owen whispered in her ear, before ordering her to feed him. "Now... you feed me what's on the plate. And don't forget to feed yourself."

Victoria obediently pulled her face from his shoulder. She reached with a slightly trembling hand, picked up the fork, speared a bite-sized piece of steak, and respectfully brought it to his lips. Owen opened his mouth and chewed it slowly, his eyes never leaving hers.

"Your turn," he ordered.

She quickly speared another piece of meat and put it in her own mouth. The rich taste of the meat and sauce exploded in her mouth. It was the most delicious thing she had tasted in days, but she didn't enjoy it nearly as much as the hot cock moving and grinding inside her.

The erotic morning scene continued slowly... Owen leaned back on the sofa, relaxed, occasionally accepting food from Victoria's hand, while Victoria slowly swayed her hips, expertly grinding his member in and out of her pussy. She moaned sweetly in her throat with every movement…

When the steak was gone, it was time for the real "reward."

Owen lifted Victoria's body and placed her on the sofa. He positioned her on her knees, her hips arched up, her face buried in the backrest. Then, he began to play a new, heated song of love, changing the rhythm from slow and steady to violent and savage. He stood, slamming his cock into her tight pussy from behind, over and over, until the shameful sound of flesh on flesh echoed through the room.

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

Squelch! Squelch! Squelch!

"Ah-ah-ah! Araah! Harder! Harder! My body is yours… Please… don't stop fucking me with your big cock! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Araaannggg~" she shrieked insanely.

Her plea only fueled Owen more. He reached out to roughly squeeze her large breasts while hammering his cock in and out of her pussy with a mad frenzy until her eyes began to roll back, drool seeping from the corner of her mouth. Then, they both exploded with pleasure at the same time, their bodies convulsing... A massive amount of semen flooded into her womb, filling her up once again.

Victoria collapsed onto the sofa, completely spent. Her body trembled lightly from the aftershocks of the orgasm. She lay panting heavily, her eyes staring blankly at the ceiling, but a truly blissful smile was on her face.

Owen stood to his full height, looking down at his "handiwork" spread out on the sofa with the utmost satisfaction of a creator. The once-heated atmosphere slowly cooled, replaced by a silence filled with a growing seriousness. He knew that her body had surrendered to him, but her spirit... still had to pass one final test.

He let her bask in her bliss for a moment before walking over and sitting down on the glass table in front of her. He looked deep into her glistening, still-blissful eyes and gave an order, his voice now noticeably more serious.

"My love~ Go bring me the thing you love and are most attached to."

The command seeped into Victoria's floating consciousness. She didn't hesitate or question it for a second. Her instincts told her that obeying this command would bring an even greater "reward." She struggled to her feet. The cloudy white semen he had just released was still seeping from her pussy, staining the expensive sofa, but she didn't care in the slightest.

She ran into the bedroom, quickly rummaged through her designer handbag, and took out a dark blue velvet box. Inside was a “diamond necklace,” sparkling even in the dim light. It was a gift Alex had given her on their wedding anniversary... It was the symbol of her old, wealthy, and arrogant life.

She brought it back to Owen, placing it in his open palm respectfully, before kneeling on the carpet before him, looking up with expectant, waiting eyes.

Owen picked up the necklace. The light reflected off the diamond facets, creating a rainbow of sparkles. He turned it over slowly, as if assessing its value, before asking in a flat voice, "Does this thing still mean anything to you?"

"Not at all!" Victoria shook her head, denying it almost instantly. Her words came out in a rush, as if she were afraid he wouldn't believe her. "Nothing is more important than receiving a reward from you! Those things... they're just a worthless past!"

Owen gave a satisfied smirk at her answer, but it needed proof, not just words. "Then prove it to me… ‘Destroy’ it. In front of me."

The command was absolute and merciless, but Victoria received it with eyes sparkling with excitement. She held out her hand and made a tight fist, as if she were squeezing something. Instantly, the air around the necklace began to shimmer... Her telekinetic power was being activated.

The beautiful diamond necklace slowly floated into the air before an invisible pressure began to crush it violently!

Screeeech…

The agonizing sound of metal being twisted rang out. The once-beautiful white gold setting was crushed out of shape. The large central diamond made a "pop" sound and shot out of its setting, followed by the smaller surrounding diamonds, which shattered and scattered like a rain of crystal tears onto the carpet and wooden floor.

She continued to increase the pressure until the remains of the setting were a twisted, worthless lump of metal, before letting it fall to the floor with a "clink."

Victoria looked at the worthless remains with a genuinely satisfied smile. She looked at it as if she were watching the final chain that bound her being broken. Then, she looked up at Owen, her eyes pleading and more intense than ever... waiting for the "reward" for proving her loyalty.

Owen watched the entire scene with the utmost satisfaction. He knew that her spirit had now completely surrendered to him. He leaned down and gently lifted her chin, looking deep into those eyes filled with desire.

'She's ready…' he decided firmly. 'Tomorrow... will be the day of our ritual.'

…..

The dawn of the sixth day (Friday) arrived with a completely changed atmosphere. Owen woke before the first light of day. He quietly closed all the curtains, trapping the dim early morning light within the bedroom, before starting to light dozens of scented candles he had prepared around the bed.

The flickering orange flames slowly chased away the darkness, revealing dancing shadows on the walls. The rich, seductive scent of sandalwood and amber slowly filled the room, creating an atmosphere that was solemn, sacred, and filled with an unseen desire. The air in the room grew heavy and tense, as if an ancient power were slowly gathering.

Owen woke Victoria with a light touch on her shoulder. When she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was his face, bathed in the soft candlelight. He wasn't smiling or greeting her with his usual teasing tone. Instead, he stared at her with a gaze that was deep, serious, and more powerful than ever before.

"Today is the day you are reborn..." he announced, his voice solemn and powerful, like a high priest in an ancient ritual. "...and become my completely loyal slave."

Victoria showed no fear or hesitation. On the contrary, her blue eyes lit up with excitement and willing anticipation. She nodded slowly, like a believer about to be absolved of her sins. She was ready... ready for anything.

Owen sat calmly in the center of the bed, his naked body bathed in the candlelight, looking like a statue of an ancient Greek god. He looked at Victoria, who was kneeling before him, with a gaze that was deep and filled with an unprecedented power.

"Look at me... Victoria," he gave the first command of the ritual, his voice low and resonant. "Speak your oath... let these candles and shadows remember your words for all eternity."

Victoria looked up to meet his eyes without hesitation. The blue eyes that were once so full of pride now shone with a perfect faith and submission. She inhaled the sacred scent of the incense deeply before speaking, her voice trembling slightly with emotion.

"I, Victoria... renounce my old self and all my past... I offer this body, mind, and spirit... to Master Owen, and to him alone... Every breath I take will be his... Every pleasure I feel will come from him... and every drop of my life... will be to serve him... forever!!!"

The oath ended with tears of joy streaming down her cheeks. Owen gave a satisfied smirk. He leaned down to gently kiss her tears away before crushing his lips against hers, slowly but firmly. It wasn't a passionate kiss, but a kiss to "seal the covenant." He slid his tongue in, gently but decisively, drawing all her breath to merge with his.

He broke the kiss and began the next part of the "ritual" unhurriedly. He positioned her on her back in the middle of the bed, her arms at her sides, her legs together... like a beautiful sacrifice lying on an altar awaiting purification.

He didn't attack her hungrily, but instead, slowly and gently, yet firmly, kissed and touched her body. He started with her forehead, her eyelids, the tip of her nose, then her lips again, before moving down to her elegant neck and trembling breasts. Every touch was a declaration of ownership, every kiss a transference of power and authority.

When his kisses had traced a path down to her flat stomach, he picked up one of the candles and tilted it slightly, letting the warm wax drip softly onto her lower abdomen.

"Ah!..." Victoria flinched slightly with a mixture of shock and pleasure. The heat wasn't enough to hurt, but it awakened all her senses.

Owen used his finger to draw the warm wax into a complex, ancient pattern on her soft, smooth skin… It wasn't a simple heart, but a beautiful symbol of pain, submission, and possession. Victoria trembled as she felt the spreading heat and the hidden meaning in his action… This was the first branding… preparing her body and soul to become his.

Before he moved between her willingly parted thighs.

He gripped his 12-inch cock, which was hot and hard, its veins throbbing with his heartbeat. He aimed it at the wet entrance of her love canal, which was twitching seductively like a flower waiting to be plucked. He didn't thrust in immediately, but used the large head to grind and rub against her folds slowly, creating a sweet agony that made Victoria writhe and moan, her voice trembling.

"Please... Master..." she whispered, begging. "Please... fill me…"

Her plea was what he was waiting for. He began to push it in slowly... so slowly it was agonizing. It wasn't just sex, but a complete merging of souls.

"Aah… Mmm…" Victoria moaned sweetly in her throat. She could feel every millimeter of him slowly filling her until she was completely packed. The hot inner walls of her flesh squeezed him violently, as if trying to devour him whole. She arched her hips to receive his invasion, tears of overwhelming bliss streaming from the corners of her eyes.

When he was all the way in… Owen paused, letting her body adjust and remember the feeling of being completely filled. He leaned down to kiss her forehead gently before he began to move… His rhythm was deep and heavy, like the beating of a drum in an ancient ritual. Every thrust was a reinforcement of his power into every one of her cells.

Thump… Thump… Thump…

Thwack… Thwack… Thwack…

The heavy, rhythmic sound of flesh on flesh synchronized with Victoria's hoarse, sweet moans. She wrapped her arms tightly around his strong back, her nails digging in slightly to release her overwhelming pleasure. Her eyes looked up at his face, bathed in the candlelight, with worship and adoration.

The melody of possession continued without pause. He changed the rhythm from deep and slow to violent and fast, the head of his cock repeatedly grinding against her soft cervix until a thrilling pleasure shot through her abdomen and she shrieked uncontrollably.

"Ah! Aah! Master! Right there… Yes… Aaaahh!"

He responded to her plea by quickening his pace, faster and more violent, mercilessly hammering her pleasure spot until her body trembled like a small bird. The flickering candlelight reflected in her glistening eyes, revealing the image of her master bestowing upon her an endless bliss.

Time flowed until they were both nearing the peak… Owen gathered all his power at his core. A searing heat spread through his body like a furnace. He threw his head back and roared like a lion, his voice echoing through the quiet bedroom…

"Receive my brand and be reborn as my loyal slave, and mine alone!"

In that instant, he used his [Semen of Broodmother Branding] ability on her at full power!

GUUUUUUSH!

SPLOOOOOOGE! SPLOOGE! SPLOOGE!

A torrent of hot, immensely powerful semen shot into her womb with an insane frenzy! It wasn't just a fluid, but a pure, glowing energy.

"Araaaaanngggghhhhhhhhh!!!"

Victoria shrieked at the top of her lungs, her body convulsing so violently her back arched off the bed. Instantly, a dark red light flashed from her lower abdomen. It was so bright it bathed the entire room, overpowering the candlelight. The light pulsed in time with her heartbeat... thump… thump… thump… before slowly dimming, revealing a "Broodmother's Brand" with a complex pattern resembling a crown entwined with thorny roses, permanently etched onto her smooth skin. It glowed a faint red for a moment before fading.

Owen collapsed onto her limp body, panting heavily. He could feel the psychic connection form, perfectly. The first things he felt from her were waves of love, loyalty, and a feeling of "completeness" that flooded his mind.

Victoria opened her eyes again… but her gaze was no longer the same. The confusion and pain were completely gone, leaving only a calm stillness, loyalty, and a pure love shining through. She looked at the brand on her lower abdomen with a blissful smile before looking up at him.

"Thank you… Master~"

Her voice was soft and full of love… The rebirth was complete.

—-------

Chapter 75: A Record of Desire [R-18]

The dawn of the fourth day crept silently into the mountaintop safe house. The faint grey light of morning slowly chased away the darkness in the bedroom, revealing two figures still asleep on the king-sized bed. The thick blanket had been kicked to the foot of the bed, exposing their naked bodies and the traces of the fierce activities of the night before. The air was thick with an unseen sexual tension... it was the silence after a storm of emotion that had raged for the past three days.

Victoria awoke before Owen...

Her heavy eyelids slowly opened, revealing blue eyes that were once arrogant but now looked dazed and empty. She didn't wake with anger or shame as before, but with an intense, soul-crushing craving. Her body was screaming for the "reward" she had tasted last night. The pleasure, so intense it had nearly knocked her unconscious, had left a deeper mark than she thought. It was an addiction, slowly eating away at her spirit.

The silent treatment... her pride... those thoughts seemed ridiculous and distant now. There was only one thing she wanted…

Victoria slowly turned over, as quietly as possible so as not to wake the person beside her. Her blue eyes fixed on Owen's sharp features, still peacefully asleep. He was the giver of her torment... but also the only giver of pleasure her body now knew. She looked at his strong neck... his muscular chest... and the massive bulge under the blanket that covered his lower half.

An irresistible desire took complete control of her. Her pussy began to twitch and slowly produce its sweet nectar, preparing for what she was about to do.

She slowly crept up the bed like a she-panther stalking its prey. She gently moved the blanket aside, revealing the 12-inch cock, soft but still formidable. She didn't hesitate for a second... slowly lowering her face to possess it with her hot lips…

Her hot, moist tongue expertly licked all over the large head, slowly sucking the soft shaft in and out. She used both her lips and tongue to intentionally arouse it... a silent, wordless awakening and plea, until the massive member before her slowly hardened to its full, erect state.

...

Owen was awoken by a hot, wet, and supple sensation expertly arousing his core. He opened his eyes to an unexpected sight... Victoria was kneeling at the foot of the bed, servicing him with her mouth willingly and eagerly. Her long, golden-blonde hair fell over her face as she focused on her work. The wet, lewd sounds of her sucking echoed softly in the morning quiet.

He felt extremely satisfied... The training had worked faster than he'd thought. The proud queen had become a hungry slave.

But he was still the one in control. Owen moved his hand to gently rest on her head, stroking her soft hair. It was a signal for her to stop. Victoria looked up at him, her eyes confused and slightly disappointed at being interrupted. Her lips were swollen and glistening with saliva... an incredibly seductive sight.

"Very good..." Owen praised, his voice flat, his eyes filled with satisfaction. He got out of bed unhurriedly. "But I need more."

He walked over, picked up his mobile phone, and placed it on a tripod, setting it on a small table beside the bed at an angle that captured the entire scene. He turned the screen towards Victoria, letting her see the image of herself, kneeling naked on the bed, before he pressed the record button.

A small red light appeared in the corner of the screen... it was recording a video...

The light reflected in Victoria's trembling eyes. It was a symbol of a new humiliation and shame she was about to face. Owen walked back to the bed. He sat down, leaning back against the headboard comfortably, crossing his arms to watch his "actress" with the eyes of a director about to start a crucial scene.

"Alright... it's showtime," Owen said flatly, nodding towards the camera. "It's recording you, Victoria…" His gaze was sharp and full of power. "I want to see your new self… Prove to me how much you desire me. Please me with your body... and you will receive the most wonderful reward."

Victoria's gaze wavered violently when she saw the camera, but the physical desire, which had been boiling from her earlier arousal, was stronger. She met Owen's eyes and "negotiated" in a trembling voice.

"If... if I do this... you'll give me my reward... until I pass out, right?"

Owen gave the smirk of a victor. "Of course... I promise."

That promise was what she had been waiting for! It was the final chain being released. Victoria began the hottest and most shameful "performance" of her life. It was no longer a tearful submission, but a full release of a dark side she never knew she had.

She started by kneeling on the bed, turning her naked body directly to the camera. Her blue eyes stared into the lens as if she were staring into Owen's eyes. She slowly arched her full breasts, covered in the rose-colored marks of his possession, for the camera to capture clearly.

She moved her body like a professional stripper, her hands caressing her own curves, from her full breasts to her rounded buttocks, before her long fingers began to trace a path down her flat stomach... lower... and lower... until they touched the plump folds of her pussy, which was wet with lubricant.

"Ah… Mmm…"

She moaned sweetly, grinding her hardened clit without shame. She quickened her pace, faster and faster, until her body trembled, before she let out a soft scream and came for the camera, the first tribute... Her love juice gushed out, staining her fingers and the bedsheets.

Then, she crawled towards Owen like a faithful pet, completely freed from the chains of her dignity. Her eyes were moist, fixed only on his body... the source of the "reward" she craved.

She started by humbly kissing the tips of his feet. Her hot, moist tongue licked its way up his ankles and his strong, muscular shins. She inhaled his unique body odor... the scent of a strong man... the scent of her master. It ignited the primal instincts within her.

Her tongue traveled higher... licking all over his hot chest and stomach, before returning to its true target... She meticulously cleaned and serviced his member again with a shocking skill, as if she had done it countless times. The wet, lewd sounds of her sucking continued as his once-soft cock hardened completely. She pressed her soft, full breasts against his thighs, using every curve and every touch she had to stimulate and seduce him to the absolute limit.

When the preliminary performance was over... Owen kept his promise.

He slid his hand into her golden-blonde hair, pulling her face up to receive a possessive, selfish kiss. Victoria responded hungrily, like someone who had been deprived of water for days. Her tongue tangled with his desperately, an expression of a desire she could no longer hide.

When he broke the kiss, she was panting heavily, her eyes glistening with need. "Please..." she whispered, begging. "I'm ready…"

Owen gave a satisfied smirk at her promise. He pressed her body down onto the cool silk sheets and began to give her his "reward" without mercy.

SHLURP!~ THWACK!

"Araaaaanngggghhhh!!!"

Victoria screamed at the top of her lungs... but it wasn't a scream of pain, but one of long-awaited bliss. Her body willingly arched to receive the massive member that pierced her to the hilt. The feeling of being "filled" so tightly it reached her cervix made her mind go white for a moment.

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

Squelch! Squelch! Squelch!

The wet, heavy sound of flesh on flesh echoed through the once-quiet suite. It synchronized with Victoria's hoarse, sweet moans, becoming a savage song of lust. Her full breasts bounced wildly with the force of his thrusts. The morning sun streaming through the window bathed their sweat-drenched skin in a sparkling light... and all of it... was being coldly recorded by the camera lens.

"Look at the camera, Victoria..." Owen growled the command next to her ear, his hot breath raising goosebumps on her skin. "Let the camera see your beautiful face while you're drowning in pleasure... Let it see what a slut you've become!" he said, while continuing to slam his cock in and out of her pussy violently.

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

Thump! Thump! Thump!

"Yes… Aah!… Let it see!… That I'm yours… Ah!… Your toy and yours alone!" she replied insanely, her glistening eyes staring into the camera lens with a look that was both seductive and filled with the bliss of lust. She arched her hips to meet every one of his thrusts without shame.

Soon, Owen couldn't hold back any longer. He let out a final roar, releasing a torrent of hot semen into her womb until it was full.

“Aaaaaaaahh!”

“Araaaaanng!”

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Twitch! Splooge! Splooge! Splooge!

Twitch! Twitch! Twitch!

But before she could even catch her breath, he pulled his member out with a shameful "plop," love juice gushing out after it. He didn't let her rest, flipping her over onto her stomach, arranging her in the posture of an obedient pet on all fours, and immediately slammed his cock back in from behind!

"Ah! Yes! Right there! Please... don't stop!" she screamed, no longer caring about any shame. She buried her face in the drool-soaked pillow, biting it to suppress her overly loud cries.

And he wouldn't stop there... he wanted to completely destroy her. Owen secretly used his [Pheromones of Infatuation] ability, stimulating her body violently!

Victoria felt as if an electric current was running through every cell! The fatigue that had begun to set in vanished, replaced by a desire ten times stronger than before! Her pussy automatically clenched tighter around his cock. Her lubricant was produced in such copious amounts it dripped all over the bedsheets.

"More!... I need more!... Please!... Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fill me up even more! Fuck me with your big cock until I pass out! Araaaahhh!!!"

Hearing her desperate plea, Owen smirked. He pulled out from behind her and quickly flipped her onto her back again. Victoria followed willingly, her eyes filled with craving.

He said nothing more, but grabbed her slender ankles and lifted them onto his strong shoulders, forcing her body open, completely defenseless, revealing her swollen, red, and dripping folds from the heavy ravaging. It was a shameful sight... but it ignited the primal instincts within her like never before.

He looked deep into the blue eyes that were now filled with only one thing, desire, before slamming his still-hard cock in all the way!

"Aaaaaaaahhh!!!"

It was deep... deeper than ever before, so much so that a dull ache shot through her abdomen, but the pain quickly transformed into bliss. He began to move his hips in a deep, heavy rhythm, branding every movement into her very soul.

"Still… still not enough…" Owen growled. He wanted to destroy her completely, right in front of the camera.

After ravaging her in that position to his satisfaction, he used his strength to lift her limp body up while they were still connected! Victoria cried out in surprise, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck, while her legs wrapped tightly around his waist.

Now... he was carrying her, forcing her to face him, so close they could feel each other's breath. He pressed her body close to his and began to move his hips again... thrusting his cock up from below, hard and rhythmic.

"Look at me... Victoria," he ordered, his voice hoarse, his eyes cold but blazing with desire. "Look at my face... while your body is being defiled by me."

She stared into those eyes... and saw her own reflection... the image of a defeated queen, finding bliss in the arms of the demon who possessed her... and she smiled... It was the smile of complete submission.

He destroyed her... destroyed her with a pleasure so overwhelming that no ordinary human could withstand it…

Throughout the day... the sunlight streaming through the large windows of the mountaintop safe house slowly changed from the gold of morning... to the bright white of noon... and sank to the orange-red of evening…

Victoria's hungry moans slowly quieted down over time, until finally... after being filled to overflowing countless times... her consciousness blacked out. Her body could take no more and she passed out from the sheer, overwhelming bliss... leaving behind only a video that recorded Owen's "masterpiece" as indelible evidence.

—-------

Chapter 74: The First Lesson [R-18]

The Sunday morning sun cast golden beams through the sheer curtains into the luxurious country club suite. Owen slowly opened his eyes. The first sensation he registered was the soft suppleness of a naked back pressed against his chest. The faint scent of expensive shampoo mixed with Victoria's unique body odor and the lingering, tangy smell of their lovemaking from the night before still hung in the air.

He looked down at the figure still sleeping soundly in his arms. The face that was once so arrogant and full of hatred now looked relaxed and as innocent as a small child's. Her full lips, slightly swollen from their deep kisses, parted softly with the rhythm of her steady breathing. Faint, rose-colored marks on her neck and shoulders were a testament to his complete possession last night.

The feeling of a victor surged through him. Owen gave a satisfied smirk. The sire instinct within him roared silently at the sight of this beautiful "treasure" lying quiescent under his command. He moved his hand down to playfully squeeze her firm, round buttocks, which were as soft and ripe as a peach. The touch made the body in his arms twitch slightly, and she let out a soft moan in her throat... She was awake.

Victoria slowly opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was the sharp features of the man who had defiled her, just inches away. The humiliating memories came rushing back like a tsunami. Her face went pale, then flushed a deep red with rage. She tried to struggle away, but she was held fast by an embrace as strong as a steel vise.

"Where are you going... my queen?" Owen whispered hoarsely next to her ear, his warm breath raising goosebumps on her skin.

Before she could utter a single curse, he flipped her onto her back and straddled her. He gave her no time to react, crushing his lips down on hers in a deep, violent kiss. His hot tongue wantonly invaded her mouth, chasing and sucking her tongue until it made a shameful sound, while his hands roamed her body, reigniting the fire of desire she was trying so hard to extinguish.

When he broke the kiss, Victoria was panting heavily, her eyes glistening with confused emotions. Owen didn't wait. He aimed his fully erect, 12-inch cock at the entrance of her love canal, still swollen but ready to welcome him again, before slamming it in all the way in one go.

"Ah!..."

She cried out but quickly bit her lip, desperately suppressing her shameful moans. Owen began to move his hips, slowly but heavily. It was the rhythm of a morning reminder of his ownership. He stared deep into her humiliated eyes as their bodies merged into one.

After releasing himself inside her again until Victoria's body convulsed with an undeniable pleasure, Owen rolled onto his side, relaxed. He felt like a king who had just enjoyed the finest tribute. He lay still for a moment before casually reaching for his phone to check his messages. His relaxed demeanor was like a slap to the face for Victoria, who was lying there trembling with a storm of emotions.

And then he saw the latest reply from Alex.

"To: Owen Marlowe

Subject: Re: Mission Progress Report

-A very satisfactory image... But to make our evidence more solid and undeniable... I want a 'video' of you destroying her dignity, turning her into your obedient toy."

Owen raised an eyebrow, surprised and amused by the governor's tastes, but he just shrugged. He wasn't in a position to judge anyone's morals, as long as it benefited him. He typed a short reply: "Understood." Then, he requested a safe, private house to continue his "mission." Alex agreed, sending an address and informing him that a key was on its way.

…..

Owen drove his white SUV along a winding mountain road. The scenery on both sides was filled with tall, serene pine forests. Sunlight filtering through the branches created a sparkling pattern on the road. He glanced periodically at the figure beside him. Victoria was still in a weary and confused state. She sat perfectly still, like a broken glass doll, her vacant eyes staring out the window at nothing in particular.

Finally, the car turned onto a discreet private road before stopping in front of the new safe house. It was a luxurious villa on a mountaintop. The house was a modern architectural style of dark cedar and large glass walls. It stood majestically on a cliff, blending into the green mountain nature with a vibrant life of its own.

Once inside, Owen couldn't help but be impressed by Alex's taste. The interior was minimalist yet luxurious. Every piece of furniture was from a famous designer. The polished wooden floors softly reflected the gentle sunlight. It was truly fit for a governor's secret safe house.

He let the still-dazed Victoria walk into the largest bedroom on her own. She collapsed onto the king-sized bed, which was as soft as a cloud, and fell into a deep sleep from both physical and mental exhaustion.

…..

Victoria woke again as the sun began to turn golden. The humiliating memories from the morning came flooding back like a tsunami, making her tremble with anger and shame. She wanted to scream and destroy everything in sight, but she knew that such actions would have no effect on this man.

So, she changed her strategy... to the "Silent Treatment."

'You may defile my body... but you will never break my spirit,' she vowed to herself. 'I will endure these 7 days... by preserving the last thing I have left: my refusal to submit verbally!'

She would not speak... not look at him... and not respond to him in any way.

When she walked out of the bedroom, she found Owen sitting with his legs crossed on a stylish sofa in the living room, reading a book. He sensed her presence and looked up with a smile. It was the disgusting smile of a victor.

"Awake, are we, my little vixen~" he greeted her with a teasing voice. "Hungry? I was just about to order dinner."

Victoria didn't answer. She walked past him as if he were air and stood with her arms crossed, looking out the large glass window.

Owen saw her reaction and chuckled softly. He wasn't angry; on the contrary, he was amused by this new psychological game. And just then, the translucent blue screen of the [Choice System] appeared before him.

…..

[You are facing Victoria's "Silent Treatment." What will you do?]

[1. Use force to make her speak.]: (Affection -10 | She will remain silent and hate you even more.)

[2. Try to persuade her with reason and kind words.]: (Affection +1 | She will speak to you again, but your mission will have a higher chance of failure.)

[3. Completely ignore her existence.]: (Affection -5 | Her spirit will be broken down quickly | Enters the path of training Victoria to become your sex slave.)

…..

Owen chose option 3 without a moment's hesitation. He understood that the goal of this mission wasn't to make her like him, but to "destroy her dignity" as Alex wanted. He had to break down her arrogant old self and rebuild her in the way he desired. The negative affection score would turn positive in the blink of an eye once that was done.

'You want to play the silent game? Fine… let's see who can last longer,' Owen thought coldly.

He picked up his phone and sent a text to Anya, Alex's personal secretary.

Owen: "A request, Ms. Anya. I'll need dinner for two tonight. And please make it from Victoria's favorite restaurant. Would that be possible?"

The reply came within 5 minutes.

Anya: "Understood. The food will be delivered within the hour."

Less than an hour later, an unmarked black sedan pulled up quietly in front of the house. A man in a polite suit placed a large insulated box at the door, gave Owen a slight bow without a word, and then got back in the car and drove away… Everything was done with the utmost professionalism and speed.

A familiar, fragrant aroma wafted to Victoria's nose... The scent of perfectly seared foie gras, a rich red wine reduction sauce, and the unique fragrance of thinly sliced black truffles... It was her favorite menu.

Owen arranged all the food beautifully on the large oak dining table. He sat at the head of the table and began to savor the meal as if it were the most wonderful he'd ever had, while Victoria could only sit on the sofa, her stomach empty.

He played her favorite classical music through the house's expensive speakers. The soft, familiar notes of the piano filled the room. But he treated her as if she were invisible air. He didn't even glance in her direction, nor did he invite her to dinner!

Every second passed as slowly as an eternity...

Victoria sat frozen on the sofa. She clenched her fists so hard her nails dug into her palms, trying to use physical pain to suppress the torment building in her heart. The soft, warm lights of the house reflected emptily in her eyes.

Growl... Grumble...

A shameful sound erupted, breaking the silence she was trying to maintain. It was the sound of her own body... a sound of defeat louder than any words. She quickly hugged her stomach in humiliation. Her once-proud eyes, which had blazed with the fire of hatred, now began to tremble with hunger and a feeling of worthlessness that was slowly eating away at her soul... The first lesson had only just begun...

…..

The dawn of Monday arrived with a faint grey light filtering through the large glass walls of the mountaintop safe house. Victoria woke up on the sofa, her body weak and aching. A full day of gnawing hunger had sapped all her strength, leaving only a stubbornness that propped up her near-shattering spirit. The wall of silence she had built was beginning to show invisible cracks.

She saw Owen walk out of the bedroom in casual clothes. He looked refreshed, as if he had slept soundly. He didn't even glance at her, walking straight to the kitchen to casually make coffee. The rich aroma of freshly roasted coffee wafted to her nose, intensifying her hunger.

Soon, he walked back out with a breakfast tray that looked simple but smelled tormentingly delicious. Hot cream of truffle soup in a white porcelain bowl steamed gently, with a crispy baguette on the side. It was the breakfast she loved... and he knew it.

Owen placed the tray on the clear glass coffee table in front of her before sitting down on the opposite sofa. He met her eyes for the first time that day, his own gaze flat and unreadable.

"Do you want this delicious breakfast?" he asked, his voice level. "Then come pour my wine…"

It was a simple first command... but it was a wager for all the dignity she had left.

Victoria stared at him, her eyes red with anger and shame. She wavered for a long, agonizing moment, caught between her pride and the gnawing hunger that was torturing her body. But in the end... her survival instinct won.

She slowly pushed herself to her feet, her legs trembling, and walked to the bottle of wine on the bar like a prisoner on death row. She picked it up with a hand that was shaking so much she could barely hold it and silently poured the blood-red liquid into his glass.

Owen nodded with satisfaction before gesturing to the food tray, "allowing" her to eat.

In that instant, the wall she had tried to build crumbled. She snatched the bread and devoured it hungrily, almost choking, before drinking the hot soup in one go. The warmth of the soup soothed the coldness in her heart a little, but it couldn't wash away the bitter taste of defeat.

The routine of control continued for two full days. Owen had established a clear and cruel "system of reward and punishment." Every time she followed a simple command, she would be rewarded with "food," a piercing "compliment" like "Good girl... my good girl," and his "acknowledgment." But if she hesitated or showed the slightest defiance, he would immediately revert to "ignoring" her. He would treat her as if she didn't exist, leaving her to sink into a terrifying silence and hunger.

Victoria kept telling herself she was doing it "to survive." But deep down… receiving "acknowledgment" through his small rewards made her feel strangely good. It was a dangerous feeling she had never known before.

And on the third night... Owen raised the stakes.

After a silent dinner where she had to serve him everything, from pouring his wine to clearing the plates with trembling hands, Owen ordered her to follow him into the living room. The soft light from a lamp shone down on the thick wool rug, revealing the shadows of two people playing a cruel psychological game. He sat down on the long leather sofa, stretched out his strong legs, and tapped the footrest lightly with his fingertips.

"Come here... massage my feet."

The command was like a sharp knife to her last shred of dignity. Victoria froze. This was the most humiliating and disgusting command she had ever received. She wanted to scream, to refuse, but the image of him ignoring her, leaving her to suffer from a gut-wrenching hunger, flashed in her mind... She had lost... She had no choice but to obey.

She slowly crawled on all fours to kneel on the soft wool carpet before him. Every movement was filled with shame. She lowered her head to hide the tears welling in her eyes. She gently placed his strong, well-formed feet on her lap and began to massage them stiffly. Her fingertips could feel the heat of his soles and the strong muscles of his legs.

As she was drowning in her humiliation... Owen gave her a different kind of "reward."

He said nothing, but secretly activated his [Pheromones of Infatuation] at the lowest level. It wasn't a forceful compulsion, but a faint smoke that slowly seeped into the air. The atmosphere in the room changed. The once-cool air now felt thick and heavy with an unseen desire. Victoria felt a sudden, inexplicable heat wash over her body. Her heart began to beat faster. Her pussy started to grow wet, uncontrollably... Her body was betraying her mind again.

And then he moved…

He didn't touch her wantonly, but used only the tip of his big toe… slowly… seductively tracing the line of her jaw. The slightly rough texture of his skin against her soft cheek awakened a strange sensation that sent shivers through her.

"Ah…" she let out a soft, involuntary moan, a mixture of shock and confusion.

Then… he slowly used his toes to trace a path down her elegant neck… The disgusting yet surprisingly arousing touch glided over the trembling mounds of her breasts under her silk pajamas… and stopped on a nipple that had hardened into a tight knot through the fabric. He used his toes to gently grind it in a circle…

"Aah!…"

Victoria jolted, a violent pleasure shooting from her nipple down to her secret place like a lightning bolt. Her pussy became so wet her love juice soaked through her pajamas.

Owen teased her playfully, using his toes to circle her two nipples for several long minutes, alternating left and right, slowly and deliberately... And for a body stimulated by pheromones and starved of touch for days... it was more than enough.

"Ah… Aah… Don't… please…" she whimpered, her body writhing in torment.

"Ah… Aaaaaaaaaahhh!!!"

She shrieked, unable to hold back, her body convulsing violently, arching her chest to meet the humiliating touch without realizing it. Her instincts made her move closer... burying her flushed, tear-stained face in his strong lap to find an anchor amidst the storm of pleasure, before reaching a climax unlike any she had ever experienced.

When the final convulsion ended, her limp body was completely drained of strength, and she slowly slid from his lap to a heap on the soft carpet.

Victoria lay panting on the carpet in front of the sofa, her body trembling from the intense pleasure. Her mind was in chaos. She hated him... hated him enough to kill him... but her treacherous body was now craving his "reward" so intensely she was going mad.

She wanted more! A deeper touch!

She wanted his rough fingertips to trace the folds of her wet pussy! She wanted his hot lips to crush down and suck her tongue until she was breathless! She wanted his exquisite semen filling her mouth like the first time! And most importantly... she wanted his big cock slamming into her body until her consciousness blacked out again!…

—-------

Chapter 73: The Harvest

The neon lights of Friday night still drenched the entertainment district, casting flickering reflections on the damp streets. Yet, beneath the false brightness, a true darkness was consuming 'The Velvet Shadow' gang from within... For them, this night was colder and more silent than ever before.

The atmosphere after last night's big meeting seemed to have improved slightly... but that was just a fragile facade, like cracked glass. The confrontation had ended, it was true, but the cracks that had formed were too deep to be mended by comforting words or a leader's command.

The old Boss sat submerged in silence within his once-powerful office. The cigar smoke, once fragrant, now tasted bitter in his throat. The image of his two sub-bosses standing before him yesterday still haunted him... their eyes... they were no longer the eyes of loyal subordinates. Suspicion continued to gnaw at his mind.

At Marco's private bar, thick with the smell of liquor, he was downing expensive whiskey like water. Every time the image of the scratch on his favorite sports car flashed in his mind, he gripped the glass tighter until his knuckles turned white. His hatred for Leo had taken deep root in his heart, waiting for the day he could exact a fitting revenge.

Meanwhile, Leo sat composed in his clean office. He was quietly transferring data and assets to a secret overseas account. The trust he had in the Boss and the organization had crumbled... Now, all he had left was a plan for his own survival.

The once-great organization... had come to a complete standstill from within.

At the familiar café, far from the simmering conflict, Iris slowly opened her eyes. The soft lights of the shop reflected in her cold gaze. A smile of the utmost satisfaction appeared at the corner of her lips.

'The foundation has crumbled…' she thought silently. '...and the next step is to destroy their walls.'

Iris closed her eyes, her psychic power expanding like a vast ocean wave. Within that mental network, 20 faint red dots of light floated calmly... the consciousness of her 20 "children," awaiting her command.

She sent out a psychic current, as cold and absolute as a queen's decree. The soundless signal seeped into every dark corner of the entertainment district…

'Special operations unit... prepare for orders.'

Almost instantly... a response, filled with a crazed faith, thundered in her consciousness from 20 directions at once. It was a chorus of adoration that vibrated throughout the entire network.

"At your command, Your Majesty!"

Iris ignored the overwhelming emotion of her children. She issued her next order, cold-bloodedly.

'Target: The Iron Python gang's casino, "The Python's Lair"... Create maximum chaos. And leave a "gift" that will point the blame back at your own gang.'

"We accept... Our lives for your goal, Your Majesty!"

At the final reply... throughout the entertainment district, 20 men who had been blending into the crowds suddenly froze... a man drinking at a bar, a man walking in a dark alley, a man sitting in a car... Within their eyes, the light of individuality flickered out, replaced by the cold glint of a unified mind.

All the bodies turned in the same direction in unison... and began to walk... Their footsteps perfectly synchronized like mechanical soldiers... The queen's army had begun its march.

…..

The sound of loud laughter and the rhythmic clatter of chips created a lively atmosphere in "The Python's Lair," the luxurious underground casino of the Iron Python gang. The air was thick with the smell of expensive cigars and women's perfume. Men and women in evening wear were gathered around poker and baccarat tables, enjoying themselves, unaware that disaster was creeping towards their door.

BOOM!!!

The massive steel door that served as the final bastion was blown from its hinges! The deafening explosion and the shockwave sent everyone in the casino screaming and diving for cover in a panic.

The 20 parasite units, dressed in practical black and heavily armed, stormed in. Their movements weren't perfect, but they were filled with a savage determination, like a pack of hungry wolves.

"Fire! Light 'em up!" the roar of an Iron Python guard sounded. They reacted quickly and professionally, flipping over baccarat tables for cover and immediately opening fire.

BANG! BANG! BANG! RAT-TAT-TAT!

War erupted in an instant! The sound of gunfire thundered through the casino, deafening. Bullets flew in all directions, shredding a crystal chandelier, sending it crashing to the floor in a shower of glass. The fight was fierce and evenly matched. The parasite units, controlled by Iris's cold mind, charged forward without fear of death, while the Iron Python guards fought for their lives to protect their kingdom.

"Aaargh!" One of the parasite members was shot in the shoulder and went down, but he immediately got back up and returned fire as if he felt no pain.

Amidst the chaos, "Number 1" and "Number 2" engaged a group of guards in a corner of the room. They used a sofa for cover, exchanging fierce gunfire. Next to their cover, an Iron Python guard lay with an injured leg. He tried to raise his gun but could only listen to the sounds of battle in agony.

"Damn it! These guys are fighting to the death!" Number 1 yelled as he changed magazines. "Why the hell did the boss order us to raid this place now! This is a snake pit!"

"Shut up and keep shooting!" Number 2 yelled back, frustrated. "Didn't you hear what Sub-boss Marco and Sub-boss Leo said!? We have to cut off their supply line before they get any bigger!"

The injured guard's eyes widened... The conversation he had "overheard" was too clear and shocking to be a lie…

The bloody battle raged on. The parasite units began to take more and more hits, with over half of them seriously injured, but they also pushed deeper into the casino. "Number 20" made a solo charge into the VIP zone but was surrounded by three guards in ambush.

He fought like a madman but was eventually shot in the stomach and leg, collapsing to the floor, unable to fight on.

"Fall back! Fall back!" Number 1 yelled, seeing they had caused enough damage and had someone captured, just as planned. "Leave him! Let's get out of here!"

The remaining dozen or so parasite units, all injured, began to retreat, disappearing into the darkness, leaving behind only ruins, the smell of gunpowder, and a single "witness" who had been captured.

…..

Less than an hour later, "Viper," the leader of the Iron Python gang, arrived at the scene. He walked over shattered glass and spent casings, into his kingdom, now stained with blood and the bodies of his fallen men. His brows furrowed into a knot of seething rage.

"Report!" he growled.

"We lost ten men, boss. Twenty-three injured... but we captured one of them!" his right-hand man reported, before pointing to the injured guard. "And Johnny here happened to overhear some of their conversation, boss."

Viper walked over to Johnny, who was receiving first aid, and listened to the entire story he had heard... The names Marco and Leo... the sub-bosses of The Velvet Shadow, no doubt.

Then, he walked to a back storage room where "Number 20" was tied to a chair, battered and bruised. At first, he pretended to be tight-lipped for authenticity, but after half an hour of brutal torture, he finally "broke."

"I... I really don't know anything!" he wailed. "It... it was an order... a direct order from the Boss... the Boss of The Velvet Shadow!"

Hearing a confession that perfectly corroborated what his man had heard, Viper's eyes turned blood-red. His last shred of patience snapped.

"Since they dared to insult us in our own den!" he gritted his teeth, his voice as cold as ice. "...we'll show them what hell really is!! It's time for a war of blood and honor, my brothers! Gather all our men. Tomorrow, we raze them to the ground!"

…..

The dawn of Saturday didn't arrive with a warm sunrise, but was instead awakened by the roar of engines and the sound of gunfire, thundering like lightning.

Hundreds of members of the "Iron Python gang" launched a full-scale, frenzied revenge. Dozens of black sedans screamed down the streets of the entertainment district like a swarm of hungry vipers. They launched coordinated, surprise attacks on every business belonging to "The Velvet Shadow."

BANG! BANG! BANG! CRASH!

The glass of a luxury bar shattered like ice crystals under a hail of machine-gun fire. Customers and staff screamed, diving for cover. Another underground club was stormed by a group of heavily armed thugs. The sound of gunfire mixed with screams and the sound of breaking tables and chairs.

The streets, once filled with party-goers, had now become a small-scale battlefield. Several cars were set on fire, their twisted metal frames licked by orange-red flames that sent thick black smoke into the sky, obscuring the neon lights. The sound of guns and people fleeing for their lives echoed through the district, creating an apocalyptic atmosphere.

The news of the simultaneous attacks caused chaos and panic within The Velvet Shadow. They had been attacked at their most vulnerable moment... a moment when the heart of their organization was already broken.

At the old Boss's office, the hotline rang off the hook. Reports of losses and chaos poured in from all directions like a tsunami. But instead of ordering a full mobilization to counter-attack, he sat motionless in his chair, his eyes staring blankly at a map of his own territory.

'You fools!!!' he swore internally. '...This must be Marco's doing, or Leo's. They started a war without my permission!' Suspicion had completely clouded his judgment. He hesitated to send out all his reinforcements, fearing it was a trap set by one of his sub-bosses to seize power.

At Marco's private bar, he was furiously shouting orders into the phone. "The Iron Pythons are playing dirty! This has to be Leo's plan! He must have teamed up with the enemy to get rid of me!" He gave the most foolish order. "Everyone! Don't go help the other districts! Defend and protect only our own territory! Don't let them get a single step in!"

Meanwhile, in Leo's quiet office, he stood watching the chaos outside his window with a cold gaze. His phone was ringing off the hook, but he let it ring, with no intention of answering.

'It's over…' he thought to himself. '...Marco's recklessness has destroyed everything.' He turned back to his computer and pressed the "confirm" button, transferring his final assets to his secret account, before ordering his own men to quietly withdraw from the battlefield... It was time for him to escape.

The lack of leadership led to a complete disaster. Contradictory orders made The Velvet Shadow's defense weak and uncoordinated. The low-level members fighting for their lives on the streets were confused and hopeless without clear orders from above. They became easy targets for the enemy to hunt down and kill.

The sun slowly set... leaving the once-bright entertainment district to be illuminated only by flames and the muzzle flashes of guns. The sirens of police cars could be heard in the distance, but all they could do was blockade the surrounding area, not daring to intervene in the full-scale war that was raging.

The once-great and formidable Velvet Shadow gang... was about to collapse and become a mere legend... in a single night.

The night wind whistled across the rooftop of a skyscraper. It carried the smell of gunpowder, smoke, and the faint, metallic scent of blood from below. The scene below was of a devastated entertainment district. Flames from the wreckage of cars and shops cast an orange-red glow on the night sky, chasing away the darkness and revealing the ongoing chaos like a painting from hell.

Iris (in Rosy's body) stood at the edge of the rooftop, letting the fierce wind whip her hair and coat. Her eyes reflected the light from the fires below. It was the gaze of a creator, looking upon her own work of destruction with the utmost satisfaction.

'Beautiful… isn't it?' Iris whispered to Rosy in her mind, her voice filled with a cold bliss. 'This is the scream of an old kingdom dying... and a lullaby for the new kingdom about to be born.'

'If your lullaby is the sound of guns and people screaming, I think I'd rather not sleep,' Rosy retorted sarcastically, but she didn't object further... deep down, she knew this was necessary.

Beside Iris, Talia, dressed in a tight-fitting black leather suit with a mask covering the lower half of her face, stood silently awaiting orders. She looked like an assassin from the shadows, ready to take any life at her mistress's command (even if she wasn't that skilled).

Iris turned to Talia, her eyes cold and emotionless. "It's time for the harvest... Go do your work."

"As you wish, Mistress," Talia bowed respectfully, before standing and walking to the edge of the rooftop without the slightest hesitation.

She leaped from a height of over twenty stories! Her body plummeted into the darkness below like a stone dropped from a cliff. But before her body could hit the concrete, she used her elastic arms to grab onto the edges of the building to slow her descent, landing softly and silently in a dark alley like a wild cat... The harvest had begun.

She moved through the alleys where the fighting had just subsided like a phantom. The sound of gunfire still echoed periodically from remaining skirmishes, but to her, it was no different from the annoying sound of firecrackers.

THWACK! THWACK! THWACK!

Three bullets cut through the air towards her from a corner up ahead, but Talia didn't even think of dodging (because she didn't have the ability to). She continued to walk at a steady pace. The bullets slammed into her chest and stomach, but instead of creating gruesome wounds... those parts of her body indented deeply like clay, absorbing the full impact, before the deformed slugs fell to the ground with a "clink."

An injured Iron Python gangster leaning against a wall stared, his eyes wide with a shock that made him forget his pain... He was seeing a demon... a demon in the form of a woman in black whom bullets couldn't harm... and that was the last thing he saw before he passed out from fear and blood loss.

Talia's mission tonight wasn't to fight, but to "harvest" the fruits of the chaos her mistress had sown…

On Talia's back was a black tactical backpack. It looked ordinary, but inside was a miniature army... Over 80 flesh-colored dragonfly parasites were clustered together calmly, waiting to be released…

And as Talia walked past the body of an Iron Python gang member, breathing his last behind a dumpster, the zipper of her backpack slid open silently. A parasite crawled out as fast as a spider. It moved down Talia's leg and disappeared into the shadows on the ground, heading for the still body.

The parasite reached the back of the victim's neck silently. It used its six legs to grip his skin tightly before using its sharp, stinger-like tail to pierce the skin and embed itself in his brainstem... The man's body convulsed violently before going still…

Talia walked away without a second glance. She was the sower of new life, leaving Iris's "harvest" to sprout from the shadows.

Cut back to the rooftop…

Now... only Iris stood there, amidst the whistling wind that whipped her hair like a flag of victory. She gave a cold, satisfied smirk as, in her mind's eye... the red dots in her psychic network were rapidly increasing in number…

[Number of Infected: 25… 37… 50…]

'Now that the rotten old kingdom has fallen…' she thought to herself, her voice in her consciousness echoing with power. '...it's time for the new kingdom of this queen to be born… to prepare the throne… for my beloved King Owen~'

The flames from below reflected in her eyes, like the glow from an invisible crown…

—-------

Chapter 72: A Distorted Faith

The Sunday morning sun cast golden beams through the curtains into Rosy's bedroom, warmly illuminating the rock band posters on the wall and the stack of comic books on her desk. The faint, delicious aroma of pancakes and bacon, courtesy of her mother, still hung in the air, creating the perfect, peaceful weekend atmosphere.

Rosy sat on her bed in comfortable pajamas, humming a song by "The Eclipses" under her breath while casually scrolling through social media on her phone. After the chaos of Friday, returning to the life of a normal teenage girl was surprisingly relaxing.

But in the world of consciousness that overlapped this peace, the atmosphere was completely different.

Iris was projecting a complex, three-dimensional psychic map of the mafia gang's power structure hidden within The Velvet Shadow. It slowly rotated in Rosy's mind, the faces of the Boss, Marco, and Leo connected by fragile, web-like lines of relationships.

'This limited range is too annoying,' Iris's cold, powerful voice sounded in her consciousness, as a map of Titan City appeared. A red circle showing her 5-kilometer control radius pulsed around them. It covered the entertainment district, but just barely. 'If a target moves outside the radius, the signal will be lost. We need a mobile "relay tower," and it has to be someone trustworthy… and useful in other ways.'

Hearing Iris's complaint, Rosy sighed softly, the face of a certain lewd nurse coming to mind. 'You're talking about Talia, aren't you? That slut who's crazy for Owen?'

A satisfied smile formed on Iris's psychic form. 'Correct… Loyalty born from desire is the purest form of loyalty. Call her. Tell her to come here, now.'

Rosy rolled her eyes but complied. She found Talia's number and dialed. When the call was answered, she spoke in the short, blunt tone Iris instructed. "Talia, it's me… Come to my house now. We have something important to talk about."

Less than an hour later, the doorbell rang. Alicia, Rosy's mother, went to open it and raised an eyebrow in surprise at the unexpected guest. A tall, slender young woman with pink twintails, dressed in a meticulously crafted black and white maid outfit, as if she had walked straight out of an anime, was bowing respectfully. Her face was flushed with shyness, but her eyes shone with a fierce determination.

When Talia was brought into Rosy's room, she wasted no time, immediately dropping to her knees before Rosy.

"I am here to serve you completely!" Talia declared, her voice loud and clear. "I have resigned from my position as a nurse at the hospital and am ready to devote my body and soul to you full-time, Mistress!"

Rosy's jaw dropped, shocked by the impulsive act.

'Wait!? You quit your job!? How are you going to support yourself!?' Rosy screamed internally. She had just called her over for a talk, not to hire her as a "servant" or "maid." 'This woman must be insane! Just because she wants to be close to Owen!?' She truly didn't understand how Talia could make such an extreme decision.

Talia quickly explained, as if afraid of being rejected. "I've thought about this for days and realized that my boring life as a nurse can't compare to serving powerful beings like Mistress Iris and Master Owen! I don't need a salary. Just food, shelter, and… receiving a "reward" from Master Owen from time to time is more than enough for me!" she said, her eyes pleading like a puppy's.

'Okay, this woman has completely lost her mind…' Rosy concluded internally, gently massaging her temples at the distorted logic before her.

'Stop shouting in your head, Rosy. You wouldn't understand…' Iris's voice sounded, cool and composed. 'This isn't madness. This is "faith" born from a pure desire. And faith is the most powerful tool of all!'

Although Rosy disagreed with Talia's reckless decision, in the world of consciousness, Iris was nodding with the utmost satisfaction…

'Don't worry about such trivial matters, my love~' Iris communicated to Rosy, before taking control of the body and meeting Talia's eyes directly. "Rosy's" gaze was now cold and deep.

"I see the fierce determination in your eyes… Talia," her voice was flat but held an authority that made the atmosphere in the room slightly heavier. "Since you have chosen to offer your loyalty… I will accept it."

"As for your care… you need not worry," she gave a knowing smirk. "Serve your queen and your king well, and once I have built the foundation of my kingdom on the ruins of that low-life gang… you will have all the resources you desire."

The powerful declaration made Talia's eyes shine brightly. She buried her face in Rosy's leg with the deepest gratitude and emotion. "Thank you… Mistress!"

Iris let Talia express her loyalty for a moment before gently using her fingertips to lift Talia's chin, forcing her to make eye contact. "Very good… Since you have chosen this path, I will assign you your roles."

She began to explain Talia's new mission clearly.

"One, a mobile relay tower." Iris projected an image of the psychic network into Talia's mind. "The body of a broodmother like you is an excellent signal amplifier. When my children move outside the 5-kilometer radius, you will move to a central point to extend and connect the signal back to me."

"Two, a bulletproof shield." She continued in a flat tone. "Your elastic body has more uses than you think. In an emergency, you will be the frontline… the most perfect shield against the firearms of those lowly humans."

Talia listened to every word, her eyes sparkling like a child listening to a fantastic tale. She pictured herself standing valiantly amidst a hail of bullets, protecting her great mistress. That image was a hundred times more exciting and fulfilling than being a boring nurse.

Iris looked deep into those eyes, filled with faith, before delivering the final straw that shattered the last of Talia's reason.

"Of course… perfect loyalty must be met with a worthy reward," Iris said with a chilling smile. "When this mission is successfully completed… I will permit you to serve our sire king, to be filled by him completely…"

Those words were like a lightning bolt striking Talia's heart!

"Ah!…" she let out a soft moan, her body trembling with an overwhelming joy that almost made her faint. Her mind went white for a moment. The image of Owen's massive cock repeatedly shooting his sacred semen into her womb appeared vividly in her mind… It was the ultimate goal of her life!

Talia hugged Iris's leg even tighter with the utmost bliss, her body shaking uncontrollably.

She looked up at her new "Mistress," a slightly distorted smile on her face… It was a smile of pure happiness, completely consumed by her own dark desires.

…..

Monday began with the rich aroma of freshly roasted coffee hitting the nose the moment the shop door opened. The soft sounds of bossa nova and the light clinking of porcelain cups filled the familiar café.

Iris had claimed the corner table, which was relatively private and had a clear view of the entrance, as her temporary "command center." The warm sunlight streaming through the large window created a sparkling reflection on the polished wooden table. However, the peace was slightly disturbed by the presence of Talia.

She insisted on wearing her full maid uniform to perform her duties. The crisply ironed white lace collar and the beautifully tied apron bow were so eye-catching it was impossible not to be noticed. Nearly every pair of eyes in the café, from university students to businessmen, was fixed on their table with a mixture of curiosity and surprise, with whispers sounding periodically.

'Damn it, Iris, are you really going to let her dress like that?' Rosy grumbled internally, so embarrassed she wanted to crawl under the table. 'Everyone in the shop is staring! We look like some weirdo cosplayers having a private meetup!'

Talia, who was respectfully pouring hot tea into her "Mistress's" cup with a reverence as if she had practiced for decades, heard the complaint through Iris's psychic network. She turned to argue with Rosy, her eyes serious and slightly displeased, through her mind. "This is my uniform of loyalty, Ms. Rosy. Wearing this allows me to fully embrace my role as a servant and is also the highest form of respect for the queen."

'See?' Iris replied to Rosy with amusement as she accepted the cup from Talia. 'Let her be. It's just clothing. Besides… being a little conspicuous is a good cover. No one would suspect that two girls who look like otaku are planning to take over a criminal organization.'

Rosy could only sigh in defeat at the queen's logic, while Iris slowly sipped her tea before closing her eyes, letting her consciousness dive deep into the psychic network, which was now clearer and more stable than ever before… The silent war had begun.

Rewind to two days ago…

At the mafia's secret base, the air in the boss's office was heavier and colder than usual. The smoke from expensive cigars was so thick it stung the eyes, mixing with the smell of liquor and old leather to create a formidable aura of power. The flame of suspicion had been slowly kindled.

The old boss leaned back in his large, well-padded leather chair. He looked back and forth between the two stacks of documents on his table and the faces of his two sub-bosses, who stood with their heads bowed. Marco's fists were clenched so tight his veins bulged, small beads of sweat forming on his temples. Leo still managed to maintain his composure, but his eyes behind the gold-rimmed glasses couldn't hide his stress.

"Two files… the same accusation… appearing on the same day," the boss said, his voice flat and cold. He picked up the documents and threw them onto the table with a "thud," making both men flinch. "Do you think I'm a fool? You think I can't see this is a setup?"

"But boss! The evidence is…" Marco tried to argue.

"Shut up!" the boss growled low. His sharp gaze shot to Marco, who immediately fell silent. "This evidence appeared at the same time, as if someone deliberately threw it at me to make you two fight like mad dogs!"

He leaned back in his chair and took another puff of his cigar, letting the uncomfortable silence do its work for a moment before continuing. "I'll consider this nonsense an attempt to slander each other… You're dismissed."

The two men bowed and quickly left the room.

The old boss watched his two trusted subordinates until they were out of sight before exhaling a ring of smoke. "But…" he whispered to himself, "that doesn't mean the evidence is fake…"

A crack of mistrust had been permanently formed in his heart… and it was just waiting for the right time to shatter.

…..

Present time, Monday afternoon… The flame of suspicion that had been lit two days ago was now being fanned into a raging fire… by whispers as cold as a serpent, slithering through the dark corners of The Velvet Shadow, injecting their venom into hearts full of loyalty and hatred.

In a corner of the pub, where the cigarette smoke was so thick you could cut it with a knife, "Number 1," in the body of a man once loyal to the boss, approached a close subordinate of Leo who was quietly counting money. He pretended to look left and right before leaning in to whisper, deliberately making it sound like he was sharing a dangerous secret.

"Hey… Jimmy. I don't know if I should say this…" he began hesitantly, immediately piquing the other's interest. "Last night, I saw some of Marco's men secretly giving a thick envelope to two men in black suits at the end of the alley… They were driving a black, unmarked sedan. Looked just like plainclothes cops." He added false details to increase credibility. "I think it's weird… like they were secretly making a deal behind our backs."

Jimmy immediately stopped counting money. His eyes narrowed with suspicion. He knew Marco was always looking for a way to overthrow Leo, but secretly contacting the police… that was an unforgivable betrayal.

Meanwhile, at the bar, amidst the loud laughter and clinking glasses, "Number 2" was whispering in the ear of one of Marco's men, who were drinking heavily. He slapped a gang member on the shoulder and said with a concerned tone, "I heard Leo's been secretly contacting people from the Iron Python gang… you know they've been wanting to take over our territory for a long time… I'm afraid that brainy guy Leo might be planning to betray us!"

These baseless rumors, which perfectly targeted the insecurities of each side, spread like a disease. They eroded the trust that once existed, creating an atmosphere of suspicion and hatred that simmered throughout the organization.

Two days passed as if in hell… The atmosphere inside The Velvet Shadow was as tense as a wire pulled taut. Making eye contact became a challenge. Conversations turned into whispers laced with suspicion.

And then Wednesday arrived… The long-suppressed conflict was about to erupt into a foolish act.

In the underground parking garage…

The high-pitched screech of metal scraping against metal echoed through the underground parking garage. A close subordinate of Leo was using a pocketknife to violently and satisfyingly slash the hood of Marco's luxurious, fiery red sports car. He dragged it, creating a long, ugly gash from front to back, before using the butt of his gun to repeatedly smash the headlights until they shattered like a spiderweb. This was a release of emotion… a wordless declaration of a small-scale war.

At a deserted warehouse by the docks…

On the other side of the city, the air was thick with the smell of rust and salt. An important illegal arms deal Leo was conducting was about to close successfully. The foreign client was nodding with satisfaction at the latest model of machine guns. But then… disaster struck.

One of Marco's men, who had infiltrated the transport team, "accidentally" tripped at the most opportune moment. A large wooden crate filled with machine guns slipped from his hands and crashed onto the concrete floor with a loud bang! The sound of breaking parts and the curses from the foreign client that followed caused the multi-million dollar deal to collapse in an instant. Leo's face went pale, then turned red with anger and shame, the veins on his temples throbbing.

A small-scale war had begun… and it was the perfect cover for Iris's real plan.

On Thursday night, amidst the chaos and erupting conflict, the Boss had to call an urgent meeting with his sub-bosses and district leaders to handle the problem. No one knew that Iris's shadow army was silently growing within the organization…

In a dim, smoky corner of the bar, a gang member was passed out drunk at a table after a heated argument with the opposing faction. "Number 5" walked past naturally, pretending to go to the bathroom, before a small dragonfly parasite silently crawled from his collar. It quickly flew over and landed on the back of the unconscious victim's neck, then burrowed into his body like a drop of water sinking into sand.

In the back employee room, a guard was napping on an old sofa. Another parasite crawled out from under a table, slowly climbing up the leg of the sofa before successfully infiltrating that body without anyone noticing.

In Iris's mind, the numbers slowly changed… Her spiderweb map was slowly being colored red, one spot at a time…

[Number of Infected: 5… 8… 15… 20]

At her usual café, Iris slowly opened her eyes. She took a sip of her now-cold tea, her eyes shining with a cold satisfaction as she watched the rain begin to fall outside the window.

'Trust…' she said to Rosy in her consciousness, '…is one of the most fragile structures of a creature like a human. All you need to do is create a small crack… and soon, it will collapse under the weight of their own suspicion.'

Now… the foundation of this mafia gang was rotting from the inside… and it was ready to be toppled at any moment…

—-------

Chapter 71: The Weaver

Iris stood motionless in the dim alley, the foul stench of rotting garbage and urine hanging in the cold air. She looked down at the three piles of "trash" on the damp concrete floor with a gaze as disdainful and cold as polar ice.

"Hmph… not only are you weak, low-life creatures, you can't even follow a simple agreement," she said to the unconscious bodies, her voice chilling. "...In that case, you no longer deserve to have your own free will. You deserve to be nothing more than food... or a part of my kingdom."

At her words, she flicked her sleeve lightly.

As if responding to an unseen command, a dozen of the new breed of flesh-colored, dragonfly-like parasites, each the size of a pinky finger, crawled silently from her sleeve. They were the offspring of the sire king, Owen, and the broodmother, Talia... a miniature army, lethally dangerous. The most perfect biological weapon, which Iris had ordered Rosy to always carry for emergencies such as this.

She gave a mental command to the three strongest-looking parasites. They immediately crept towards the three unconscious men, moving as fast and silent as spirits, before using their sharp, needle-like tails to pierce the skin at the back of the men's necks. They quickly burrowed inside, embedding themselves in their brainstems. The wounds closed instantly, leaving no trace.

'Iris! What is this!? You… how are you this strong!?' Rosy's shocked voice rang out in their shared consciousness. She had seen everything... a fight that was over in the blink of an eye. As for the parasites taking over the men's bodies? She didn't care or feel any pity for scum like them. What shocked her was Iris's hidden power.

Iris laughed heartily in her mind, a laugh that was both bright and cunning. 'Just a little evolution to strengthen our body, my love… Didn't you notice you've been eating an unusual amount lately, especially meat? Our body might even be stronger than our king's by now…'

'What!? And you never told me!?' Rosy retorted immediately. 'If I'd known I was this strong, I would've kicked those bastards' asses myself! I wouldn't have just let them insult me like that!'

'Hmph~ And that's exactly why I didn't tell you…' Iris replied with amusement. 'Telling you would be no different from giving a five-year-old a loaded gun to play with.'

As the two debated the extent of their new strength and the secrets Iris had kept, the time that should have been tense passed quickly in their shared consciousness, until an hour had gone by without them noticing…

The bodies of the three men, which had been lying still, began to convulse violently before they slowly and naturally stood up as if nothing had happened. They looked at Iris, their eyes empty at first, before their expressions changed to one of the utmost respect and worship, as if they had met God.

The three of them quickly knelt before her in unison.

"Thank you for giving us a new life... Your Majesty."

A cruel smirk appeared at the corner of Iris's lips, her eyes shining with ambition. "Since they dared to break the rules and start a war with me first... I will indulge them... Let's begin the plan to infiltrate and take over this low-life mafia gang... my children~"

A cold-blooded plan immediately formed in her head, and the first target was clearer than ever. The center of their power…

…..

The soft sound of jazz and the faint haze of cigarette smoke filled "The Velvet Shadow," a famous pub hidden in a corner of Titan City's entertainment district. On the surface, it was a luxurious establishment decorated with blood-red velvet and dark wood, a gathering place for businessmen and influential figures. But behind an oak door engraved with "Employees Only," it was the secret base and the heart of one of the city's most powerful mafia gangs.

The three parasite-controlled bodies staggered through the employee entrance into a back room. There was no luxury here. The air was thick with the smell of cheap liquor, cigarette smoke, and gun oil. A group of low-level gang members were playing cards in a corner, while another group was counting a large stack of cash, freshly collected "protection money."

The bruises at the corners of their mouths and the faint red marks on their cheeks (which Iris had deliberately ordered them to inflict on each other for realism) made them look like pathetic losers, immediately drawing the attention of everyone in the room.

"You're back!" a deep, displeased voice boomed. A giant, bald man with a dragon tattoo coiling from his arm up to his neck rose from a leather chair. He was Marco, one of the two sub-bosses of the gang. "Where's the girl?"

"Our apologies, big brother…" The body of the leader stepped forward. The parasite controlling it had accessed all of this body's memories. It knew exactly how this man would act when he failed a mission in front of his superior... It began its 'performance' instantly.

It hung its head low, copying the original's fearful and submissive demeanor to perfection, before reporting in a hoarse, trembling voice…

"We… we failed. When we were about to bring the girl, a mysterious Awakened suddenly appeared and took us all down. He was so fast… we couldn't even keep up!" It was a chillingly flawless impersonation.

The lie made Marco frown, but before he could explode, Leo, the other sub-boss, interrupted. He slowly put down the document in his hand and spoke in a flat tone, deliberately needling his rival. "Was that Awakened really that fast? Or were you all just useless?"

Marco whipped his head around to glare at Leo, angry that he was insulting his subordinates. "What did you say, Leo!?"

"You heard me," Leo said, slowly adjusting his gold-rimmed glasses. "The boss gave you a simple job, and you still failed. If it were my men, that girl would be waiting in the basement by now."

But before the argument could escalate…

"That's enough!"

A deep, cold voice, filled with authority, sounded from the head of the table. His voice wasn't loud… but it made both Marco and Leo immediately shut up and lower their heads.

A gray-haired old man in an expensive, custom-tailored suit sat there silently, calmly wiping an antique pistol with a fine cloth. He was the "Boss" of the gang… the supreme leader everyone feared. He glanced at the three trembling bodies with a cold gaze. "Go get your wounds treated. Then wait for my judgment later."

The three bodies quickly bowed and walked to the infirmary, narrowly escaping the oppressive atmosphere.

…..

Meanwhile… at a vintage-style café about a kilometer away from "The Velvet Shadow," Iris (in Rosy's body) sat in the quietest corner. The sweet scent of fruit smoothies and pastries, mixed with the soft bossa nova music, created a warm and relaxing atmosphere.

She looked like any other university student, relaxing after class, casually stirring a mango smoothie with her straw. Her fingertips tapped a light rhythm on the table, her eyes closed… All of her consciousness was expanding in the form of an invisible psychic network.

The Parasite Queen's psychic network was indeed powerful, but it had its limits… Its most effective range was a 5-kilometer radius around her. Still, it was far more powerful than Owen's psychic network, which had a range of only 100 meters.

'How annoying…' Iris thought as she focused on her psychic network. 'If this were my original body, extending the network to 20 kilometers would be as easy as breathing. But Rosy's fragile human vessel can't handle that power yet. It seems I'll have to find a way to secretly 'upgrade' this body…'

So, if Iris wanted to receive detailed information from and control her "children," she needed to be relatively close to them. Choosing this café was a perfect strategic move… The closer she was, the clearer the signal, and the more energy she could conserve.

'You're such a cruel mother, Iris, making your own children beat each other up just to make the plan more convincing.' Rosy's voice chided in her consciousness.

Hearing this, Iris replied nonchalantly, still perceiving the images and sounds from the three bodies. 'This is the smallest investment for the greatest return, my love… Besides… their bodies can repair themselves.'

In her perception, the images sent from the eyes of the three bodies were being processed rapidly. She heard the insults from the other gang members, felt the faint pain from the wounds, and most importantly… she used their senses to silently "scan" and gather all critical information.

She quickly analyzed the gang's internal power structure: the cold, old "Boss," and two sub-bosses… Marco, the giant full of rage but lacking in thought, and Leo, the thin man who hid his ruthlessness behind gold-rimmed glasses. The two were constantly at odds, always looking for a chance to undermine each other.

'The first target is Leo,' Iris decided quickly after analyzing the data. 'Those who use their brains always have secrets… and secrets are excellent levers for control.'

That night… after the gang had relaxed and sunk into their cheap entertainment, Iris spent the entire night ordering one of her children to quietly slip away. The body's heart pounded with instinctual excitement, but the queen's mind was as calm as still water. It tiptoed into Leo's office while he was out inspecting the pub.

Leo's office was unnervingly clean and organized. Everything was arranged symmetrically. Iris ordered her puppet to turn on the computer and quickly began searching the files. With the knowledge of hundreds of scientists and engineers she had absorbed, breaking through Leo's simple security was as easy as flipping a switch.

And she found the perfect "weakness"…

A heavily encrypted secret accounting file. It was a record of the gang's income and expenses, managed by Leo himself, with several figures that didn't match the books he showed the boss… It was clear evidence that he was "embezzling" the gang's money, little by little.

Without delay, Iris ordered her child to silently download a copy of the encrypted file. It was one of the "cards" she could use to pressure Leo in the future. But for now… exposing him directly wasn't a subtle enough approach.

Iris slowly opened her eyes. The late-night café was now mostly empty. She took a final sip of her nearly-melted mango smoothie. A cruel and satisfied smile appeared at the corner of her lips… Now she had both the "cards" and the "pawns." It was time to weave them into the most perfect "lie."

A day passed…

After their initial reconnaissance at "The Velvet Shadow."

On Saturday evening, the atmosphere in Rosy's bedroom was relaxed. She sank into her favorite gaming chair, put on her headset, and started playing her favorite online game.

But in the world of consciousness that overlapped with reality, the atmosphere was completely different.

Rosy was looking at a complex "mind map" that Iris was drawing in mid-air with her psychic power. It was a web of information, with the profiles of the Boss, Marco, and Leo at the center, and lines connecting to their weaknesses and personal data she had gathered.

'Isn't this... a bit too complicated, Iris?' Rosy protested in her mind with a bored expression, her hands still controlling her game character to attack enemies. 'Since our body is this strong, why don't we just barge in, take out the boss, and take over everything? It's much easier.'

Iris, in her elegant psychic form, smiled fondly at Rosy. She calmly explained her philosophy. 'Using force to destroy is the instinct of a foolish beast… but using intelligence to control your enemies so they destroy each other… that is the true art of a queen, my love. A perfect takeover isn't about destruction, but about making your enemies submit to you willingly.'

An hour later… after the planning was complete, Iris said, 'Alright, Rosy, stop playing your game. Let's go to the same café. It's time for the show to begin.'

Rosy sighed but complied.

At the same café, this time Rosy was in control of her body, happily enjoying a chocolate lava cake, while Iris had taken full control of her psychic network.

'Number 1, do you receive my command?' She had named the parasites controlling the three men Number 1, 2, and 3 for convenience.

'Ready to receive orders, Your Majesty!' Number 1 replied, eager to receive her command again.

While the Boss was having a private meeting with Leo, Iris used this opportunity to order Number 1 to pretend to clean Leo's office. Leo's subordinates, who were loudly playing cards, didn't suspect a thing.

Once inside Leo's room, Number 1 quickly turned on his computer. Just as before, Iris ordered it to begin "modifying" the gang's accounting files, creating fake money transfer records linked to an overseas account under "Marco's" alias, making it look like he was embezzling a massive amount of money to prepare for a betrayal.

The most brilliant part of this plan was that she didn't modify it directly. She subtly embedded a "code" anomaly in the income and expense records, something that only a suspicious and intelligent accountant like "Leo" would notice. It would make him feel like he had "discovered" the fraud himself, not that it had been staged.

Then, Iris ordered Number 2 to take the flash drive with the evidence of Leo's embezzlement that she had downloaded yesterday and give it to Marco. With a convincing performance, she provoked him to report it to the boss. Marco, who was already looking for a way to take down his rival, didn't suspect a thing. When he had his people verify it and found it was real, he was overjoyed, preparing to take the evidence straight to the boss.

'Alright... the bait has been laid...' Iris said in her consciousness with a satisfied smile. 'Now all that's left is to wait for that cunning little rat... to walk into our trap.'

The more she thought about it, the more excited and amused she became. She wanted to know what would happen when both sub-bosses had "evidence" of the other's embezzlement… Who would the boss believe? How much would their trust be shaken? And how would this crack affect the entire mafia gang? She could barely wait to see it unfold.

While Iris's malicious plan was in motion, Rosy paid it no mind at all. She continued to happily eat her chocolate cake…

Another day passed, and the unfortunate mafia gang had no idea… that a spider queen was quietly weaving her web, waiting for them to fall into her trap…

—-------

Chapter 70: Owen's Handiwork

The soft light from the bedside lamp shone down on the king-sized bed, now the ruins of a war of lust. The expensive silk sheets were wrinkled and soaked with sweat and love juice. The sharp, fishy scent of semen mixed with Victoria's sweet body odor still hung in the air, creating an atmosphere that was both savage and strangely alluring.

Owen lay on his side, possessively holding Victoria's limp body in his arms. She was still fast asleep, unconscious from an overwhelming pleasure she couldn't handle. Her breathing was faint and steady. The face that was once so arrogant now looked relaxed and innocent, like a small child's.

He looked at his own "handiwork" with satisfaction. His massive cock, having just been through a heavy battle, was still nestled between her soft, smooth thighs, while Victoria's plump pussy was overflowing with the cloudy white semen he had just released, staining the pristine white sheets in a way that was both lewd and beautiful.

Owen reached for his mobile phone on the bedside table as quietly as possible so as not to wake her. He shifted slightly, using one arm to hold her body tight, pressing his face into her soft, golden-blonde hair, before raising the phone to the perfect angle.

With the photography experience he had gained from streaming and OnlyStar, even a quick shot in low light came out with a natural composition. The camera angle revealed his bare, muscular chest, covered in faint scratches from her nails; the play of light and shadow on Victoria's blissful, post-release face; and the image of her love juice seeping from between her legs. Everything was perfectly arranged.

Click…

The silent shutter sounded, capturing the erotic image of possession.

He didn't wait. He opened his email application, attached the photo, and sent it to a familiar address, along with a short, clear, and powerful message.

"To: Alexander Ashford

Subject: Mission Progress Report

-As you can see, the mission is proceeding well. I expect she will be ready to sign the divorce papers willingly within these seven days."

He hit send… The hottest secret report had been sent to his employer…

…..

That evening... inside the opulent office on the top floor of Titan City Hall, Alexander Ashford sat behind a large teak desk that beautifully reflected the light from the crystal chandelier. The large glass wall behind him revealed a night view of the city, sparkling like a galaxy of stars on the ground.

He was sipping an expensive single malt whiskey while reviewing important city documents with a sharp eye, but his mind wasn't on the budget numbers or the city's development plans at all. He was waiting... eagerly waiting for a report from the "friend" he had sent on a personal mission.

Ding!

The email notification from his computer sounded. It was a soft, polite sound, but it was powerful enough to instantly shatter the oppressive silence of his office.

Alex slowly placed the crystal glass on the table, a smirk appearing at the corner of his lips that he couldn't hide. He set aside the persona of the composed governor and moved his mouse to click open the email, his fingertips trembling slightly with anticipation.

The moment the attached photo loaded and filled the screen... Alex's entire world stopped spinning. The once-composed smile on his face twisted into one of the utmost satisfaction! His breath caught in his throat, and a wave of heat shot through his body.

This… this was the image he had been waiting for… The image of the proud, icy queen, now melted and defiled beyond recognition…

The image of his money-squandering wife... Victoria... sleeping unconscious in Owen's strong arms. Her naked body was covered in the marks of a complete ravaging. The bruises on her neck, the red marks on her ass cheeks, and most prominently... the image of cloudy white semen seeping from between her legs, staining the expensive sheets... The image of her defeat and humiliation ignited the darkest, most primal desires in Alex's heart, making them surge uncontrollably.

"Ha… Hahahaha!"

He burst out laughing like a madman, the low laugh echoing in his throat. It was a perverted victory… the desire to see his arrogant, uncontrollable wife destroyed and possessed by a stronger man. It was sweeter and more fulfilling than any political power he had ever tasted.

If Owen could have seen Alex's state right now, there would be no doubt that the [Choice System] window would have popped up with a notification: "Alex's Affection +10" for sure.

Click…

Alex walked over and locked his office door, then returned to his desk calmly. He stared at the picture without blinking before unzipping his expensive trousers and pulling out his fully erect, 6-inch cock. He gripped it tightly and began to jerk it violently, hungrily, his eyes fixated on the image of Victoria being ravaged by Owen, as if mesmerized.

"Ahh… Victoria… you slut…" he growled low, his breath coming in ragged gasps. "Look at you… so pathetic… but god… it turns me on so much!"

He quickened his pace, more and more violently, imagining Owen slamming his massive cock into her body, destroying her dignity over and over…

"Aaaaaaaahhh!!!"

He finally released a torrent of hot semen, splattering all over his expensive teak desk…

Alex stood panting with bliss before casually using a tissue to wipe off his own cum. He sat back down in his chair, as calm and cool as before, as if nothing had happened. He typed a reply to Owen, his hands still trembling slightly with emotion.

"To: Owen Marlowe

Subject: Re: Mission Progress Report

-An excellent progress report, Owen… I am extremely satisfied with your work.

-But next time… to make our evidence more solid and undeniable… I need you to send a ‘video.’

-A video of you violently fucking and destroying her dignity, turning her into your obedient toy… making her beg for you to own her… Do you understand?"

He emphasized the word "video" as if it were the most important command… His dark desire… was still far from being truly fulfilled.

…..

Rewind to Friday... evening at Titan University.

The last golden light of Friday bathed the orange brick buildings of Titan University, making them look as beautiful as a painting. A cool, gentle breeze carried the scent of freshly cut grass and the bright laughter of students. Rosy walked out of her exam room with the widest smile she'd had in a long time. The feeling of relief, as if a mountain had been lifted from her shoulders, made her feel truly free. She had just passed the hardest exam of her final semester.

She hummed her favorite rock song softly as she walked briskly to the public bus stop outside the university gates. Her heart was filled with hope and excitement for the streamer project she was about to start with Owen… Her future looked brighter and more exciting than ever before.

But then… the bright atmosphere was shattered by three disgusting shadows that blocked her path.

A group of middle-aged men in cheap, wrinkled, and tight-fitting suits stepped out from behind a corner to block her way. The smirks that revealed yellow, tobacco-stained teeth and the cheap smell of alcohol that hit her nose made Rosy's smile vanish instantly, replaced by a hard, wary look.

"What do you want?" she asked, her voice blunt, cold, and unfriendly.

"Easy there, little punk-rock girl," the man who seemed to be the leader said, his voice hoarse and disgusting. His eyes raked over her from head to toe without hiding his intentions. "We just dropped by to ask about the 'loan' you came to us for… It's time to pay the first interest payment. Twenty thousand dollars."

Those words were like a sledgehammer to Rosy's heart! She froze for a moment, her brain trying to process the unbelievable number. "Twenty thousand!? What are you talking about! The contract didn't say that! It hasn't even been a month!"

"Contracts can change… to match the 'risk' of the debtor, you see," another man laughed disgustingly. He took another step closer to her. "But if you don't have cash… that's okay." His eyes licked over Rosy's body openly. "A few months of 'special work' at our club should be enough to pay it off… I guarantee you'll 'enjoy' the work."

They laughed among themselves at their own filthy joke, while other students began to look over, but no one was brave enough to intervene.

Anger and humiliation made Rosy's face flush. She clenched her fists until her knuckles turned white. Her first instinct was to punch them in their disgusting faces, but she knew that was the stupidest thing she could do. She was alone and stood no chance against the three of them. A feeling of helplessness began to gnaw at her.

'Calm down, Rosy…'

The cool, powerful voice of Iris sounded in her consciousness. It was like a splash of ice-cold water on the fire of Rosy's anger, extinguishing it instantly.

'Don't do anything stupid that would get Owen into trouble.'

Those words hit Rosy hard. She froze. The thought of not wanting to cause trouble for Owen was stronger than her own anger.

'Let me handle this, my love… Don't lower yourself to play with these filthy worms.'

At those words, Rosy took a deep breath, letting her own consciousness retreat into the shadows, willingly giving the great queen full control of her body.

And then… everything changed.

A second later… the once-angry and confused look in her eyes transformed into one of absolute coldness and formidability. The body that had been tense with anger relaxed, standing with an elegance as if everything was under control. A faint, superior, and dangerous smile appeared at the corner of her lips.

The three laughing men stopped and looked at each other, surprised… The woman in front of them… seemed to have become a completely different person in an instant. The aura she was radiating wasn't fear or anger… it was a power that made them feel looked down upon… like pathetic ants.

"Fine… I'll pay."

The voice that came out was no longer Rosy's. It was cold, steady, and held an authority that made the three men flinch for a moment. "But I don't have that much cash on me. Why don't we talk somewhere more private? I don't like to cause a scene in public."

The three men looked at each other, surprised and pleased. They didn't pay much attention to the change in the young woman. The thought of getting both money and maybe a "bonus" was too sweet to pass up.

"That's a good idea, little girl," their leader smirked disgustingly, revealing his yellow teeth. "We like our privacy, too… Lead the way."

Iris said nothing more. She turned and calmly led them to a narrow alley between two old buildings. Her every step was steady and elegant, like a queen strolling through her own garden. The three men followed, smirking, exchanging lustful glances.

'This little girl is so naive,' one of them thought arrogantly. 'So easy to fool. This will be a piece of cake. The boss will be pleased we got him a new toy so quickly.'

The moment they turned into the dim, deserted alley, the evening sun was blocked by the tall buildings, making the atmosphere instantly colder. The foul, musty smell of rotting garbage and urine hit them. The damp, stained concrete walls made the place look more like a rat's nest than a human walkway.

Once they were sure there were no outside eyes, one of the men immediately showed his true colors. He stepped forward to grab her arm.

"Stop playing games… Come with us quietly. The boss is waiting for his new 'dessert'."

But before his filthy fingertips could even touch her skin…

Fwip!~

Iris's body suddenly vanished from their sight!

She didn't retreat or try to run… On the contrary, her body blurred and shot forward with superhuman speed, becoming nothing but a flickering shadow in their eyes.

"What the!?"

CRACK!

Before the first man could finish his exclamation, Iris's heavy leather boot kicked him squarely under the chin! The sound of bone cracking echoed in the quiet alley. His body lifted slightly before he collapsed to the ground, instantly unconscious.

THWACK!

Iris moved continuously, like an acrobat, not wasting the momentum from her first attack. She spun, swinging her other foot to connect precisely with the second man's temple! His eyes rolled back, his brain severely concussed, and his world went dark.

SMACK!

And finally… as her body landed steadily, just as the third man realized what had happened to his friends, he stared, wide-eyed with panic, but it was too late… Iris used one foot to plant herself and kicked with the heel of her other foot, hard and mercilessly, into his face. The faint sound of his nasal bone breaking was heard before his body collapsed to the ground, the last to fall.

The entire punishment… took less than two seconds. It was a silent and elegant dance of death.

The three men didn't even have a chance to scream. They collapsed to the ground, unconscious in an instant, like puppets with their strings cut.

Iris stood in the same spot, as elegant as if she had never moved. Not even a strand of her hair was out of place. She looked at the three piles of "trash" on the ground with a gaze as disdainful and cold as polar ice.

"Hmph. Not only are they weak creatures, they can't even follow a simple agreement..." she said to the unconscious bodies, her voice chilling. "...In that case, they are worthless, and deserve to become food... or a part of my kingdom."

—-------

Chapter 69: The Taste of Submission [R-18]

Owen led Victoria to the private suite he was entitled to as the governor's guest. The atmosphere inside was luxurious and silent, befitting a place for the elite. A deep blue velvet sofa, a polished wooden table, and a thick wool rug all spoke of wealth, but to Victoria right now, it felt like a cold, suffocating prison cell.

The moment the heavy wooden door closed with a click that echoed in the silence like the bolt of a jail cell, she turned to face him. Her elegant facade shattered, revealing her true self. She stood with her arms crossed, staring at him with eyes blazing with hatred and humiliation.

"What do you want!?" she shrieked, trying to intimidate him with anger as she always did. "Money? Name your price! I can pay you anything you want!"

Owen didn't answer immediately. He walked unhurriedly to the small bar in the corner of the room and slowly poured some expensive brandy into a crystal glass. The sound of the amber liquid hitting the clear glass resonated in the silence. He swirled the glass gently, watching the beautiful liquid swirl inside before taking a sip... even though his tongue could taste nothing.

'A pity…' he thought coldly. 'Brandy this expensive must taste quite good.'

His indifferent and unhurried actions were a clear statement of who was in control. He turned to face her with a cold smile. "I don't want your money, Victoria."

He walked towards her slowly, each step heavy and firm, before stating his "request" directly.

"I want... to 'have fun with you' for seven full days... to compensate for the effort and time I had to waste on your pointless game."

Those words were like gasoline on a fire! Of course, she knew what "have fun" meant.

"How dare you! You perverted bastard!" Victoria screamed, losing control. "I'll tell Alex! He'll make sure you never see the light of day again!"

Owen simply held up the watch on his wrist for her to see again. Its black face coldly reflected her rage-contorted face. "You'll tell him? With this piece of evidence?" he said flatly. "With Alex's personality, never allowing anyone to tarnish his family's name... what do you think he would do to a wife who created such a shameful scandal? He might even 'divorce' you."

The word "divorce" was a sharp knife that struck Victoria's fatal weakness!

Her face went pale instantly. The thought of losing everything... social status, luxury, power... everything she had because of the "Ashford" name made her tremble with genuine fear.

She stared into Owen's cold eyes and saw only merciless emptiness. She knew instantly that this man... was not joking.

"Fine..." she forced the word out, clenching her teeth so hard the muscles in her jaw bulged. "...I'll do your disgusting request!"

But then, her gaze hardened again. It was a final attempt to preserve what little dignity she had left. "But listen carefully! Seven days! Not a second longer. And when it's over, you will delete all the evidence in front of me! If you break your promise... I swear I'll drag you to hell with me!"

Owen nodded calmly, as if her conditions meant nothing to him. "I always keep my promises... you don't have to worry."

With that, he slowly placed his hand on the zipper of his pants. His cold eyes never left hers, like a predator about to savor its prey.

Zzzzip…

The sound of the zipper being slowly undone echoed in the quiet room. It pierced Victoria's senses more sharply than a scream. Owen pulled out his massive, 12-inch cock, which was so hard it pointed right at her face. The heat and bulging veins on it looked formidable under the dim light of the room. The flared, crimson head was beaded with clear precum, a testament to the arousal he had been suppressing.

At the same time... he secretly used his Sire ability, silently releasing his Pheromones of Infatuation. It was an aura of lust that slowly spread through the air... waiting to seep into the body of the Awakened standing before him…

Victoria stood frozen, as if petrified. Her blue eyes widened, staring at the man's weapon in disbelief. It was so big, thick, and covered in formidable, bulging veins, completely different from Alex's, which was only half the size. The sight made her heart skip a beat, and a wave of heat washed over her abdomen uncontrollably.

But with her queenly pride, she quickly schooled her expression, feigning the utmost disgust. "How revolting!..." she murmured faintly.

Owen gave a smirk. He saw right through her shallow performance.

"Suck it."

He gave the command, his voice flat but as absolute as a judgment.

Victoria bit her lip in humiliation. She wanted to scream and destroy everything, but in the end, all she could do was slowly sink to her knees on the thick wool carpet... surrendering to a fate she could not choose.

She leaned forward hesitantly. His strong, masculine scent filled her nose, awakening a primal instinct she never knew she had. She opened her mouth slightly and stiffly placed her red-purple lipsticked lips over the large head. Her tongue touched the clear drop at the tip with disgust.

At first, she did it perfunctorily, using only her lips to suck gently, without any emotion. But as time passed... Owen's invisible pheromones began to seep into her Awakened body. It slowly melted away the walls of reason and dignity, replacing them with a violent, savage lust that was boiling up uncontrollably.

Her body began to betray her thoughts... Heat spread from her abdomen down between her legs. The feeling of disgust slowly turned into curiosity... and an inexplicable desire. She began to suck and lick his cock with more intention and diligence, without realizing it. Her hot, moist tongue expertly swept over the entire length, as if she had done it countless times before. She used both her mouth and tongue to arouse him without restraint.

Bob Bob Bob~

Slurp Slurp Slurp~

[Image: Victoria x Owen 1]

The wet, lewd sounds continued. The heat from her breath and her drenching saliva only made Owen's cock harder and hotter.

"Mmm Ssshh~"

Owen's low groan was like a reward that made Victoria even bolder. Her primal instincts took over completely. She became even more violent. The hand that had been clenched in anger now moved to grip the hot base of his cock and began to jerk it up and down quickly, in perfect sync with the rhythm of her mouth. Her pussy was now so wet that her love juice was seeping through her tiny panties, staining her expensive skirt in a dark patch... Her dignity... had been completely incinerated by the fire of her lust.

"Almost there... I'm going to cum..." Owen growled low. The hand that had been letting her work freely now moved up to weave into her long, golden-blonde hair, gathering it in his palm firmly, but not pulling violently. It was a declaration that he was in control of this final rhythm.

In his final moment of thought, he used his [Semen of Creation] ability to customize the taste to that of a fine grape wine... a special gift just for the queen kneeling before him.

"Aaaaaaaahhh!!!"

He roared at the top of his lungs, his hips spasming violently and thrusting forward automatically, slamming his cock into her throat one last time!

SPLOOOOOOGE! SPLOOGE~ SPLOOGE~

GUUUUUUSH!

A torrent of hot, customized semen shot into her mouth with an insane frenzy. At first, her instinct was to spit it out in disgust, but when her tongue touched its taste... Victoria's blue eyes widened in the utmost shock!

She had expected the natural, musky taste, but what touched her tongue was a luxurious sweetness she had never experienced in her life... It was sweet, sour, and complex, like a fine wine from Bordeaux that had been aged for decades, with faint notes of oak and dark fruit. It was delicious... so delicious it made her mind go completely white. And the volume was so massive she had to try her best to swallow as much of the warm liquid as she could.

The shock transformed into an insane craving in an instant!

She refused to waste a single drop, greedily swallowing every last bit down her throat. The sound of "Gulp~ Gulp~" echoed from her throat, unable to be suppressed. Then, she used her tongue to lick the stains from around her own lips until they were clean, before leaning down to service his still-erect cock again, gently. She slowly sucked and licked every drop of semen from the large shaft, as if it were a precious treasure she couldn't bear to lose.

Her body was now fully aroused. Her nipples, under the expensive golf dress, were hard, pressing prominently through the fabric. The humiliation had been completely replaced by desire... and she was ready for the next act.

When Owen saw Victoria kneeling, cleaning his cock with a look of fascination and a body ready for battle, he knew the performance was over, and the real "lesson" was about to begin.

He didn't wait…

Owen scooped up her full body from the floor, quick and merciless. Amidst Victoria's startled screams, he slung her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, walked straight to the king-sized bed covered in pristine white silk sheets, and threw her down so hard her body bounced slightly on the soft, expensive mattress.

"Aah! What the hell are you doing! You savage!"

Victoria yelled at him, but her voice trembled more with excitement than anger. The pheromones had taken complete control.

Owen ignored her insults. He climbed onto the bed with both knees, his weight sinking into the mattress around her, trapping her as if in a soft but inescapable quicksand. He flipped her over and arranged her into a new position with the complete control of a master. He pressed her back down, making her kneel face-down, her beautiful, rounded buttocks arched up to receive her punishment. Her beautiful, defiant face was buried in a soft pillow that smelled of expensive, clean fabric softener.

Her body cooperated fully... but her mouth still spewed insults. It was the last shred of dignity she was clinging to. "You bastard! Pervert! Let me go!"

Owen gave a satisfied smirk. He lifted her expensive golf skirt, revealing a pair of tiny, white lace panties, which were so wet they clung to her plump pussy. He used his fingertips to deliberately caress and grind the hard nub of her clit through the damp fabric.

"Ah! Aaaahhh!~"

Victoria's entire body trembled with a thrilling pleasure that shot through her. She instinctively arched her hips to meet his touch. The insults vanished, replaced by a ragged moan of unbearable pleasure. "D-don't tease me… you pervert! Ah! C-cock! I need your cock! Hurry... hurry up and put it in! You bastard!"

That command was what Owen had been waiting for.

RRRIP!

He tore her panties apart without a care and aimed his large, hot cock at the tight, twitching slit that was waiting for him, before slamming it in all the way in one go!

SHLURP~ THWACK!

"Araaaaanngggghhhhh!!!"

Victoria shrieked at the top of her lungs as the hot piece of flesh pierced her slit to the hilt. The flared head slammed against her cervix so hard a dull ache shot through her entire abdomen. It was both painful and blissful, a sensation she had never felt before.

Owen didn't let her catch her breath. He began to move his hips, ramming his cock in and out of her pussy with a violent, savage intensity. Every thrust was filled with a power and desire to brand her with his ownership. He gripped her trembling hips firmly, controlling the rhythm as he pleased. The sound of wet flesh slapping together echoed through the once-quiet bedroom in a savage rhythm.

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Squelch! Squelch! Squelch!

Owen's thrusts continued, relentless and merciless. He was branding his ownership into every particle of her body. With the pheromones in full effect, the queen's dignity had been completely incinerated, leaving only the primal instinct of a woman who craved a violent touch.

Owen used one arm to wrap around her elegant neck, pulling her face up from the drool-soaked pillow. His other hand slipped under her expensive golf shirt, squeezing and kneading her full, soft breasts hard and playfully. He ground her hardened nipples until she shrieked with a feeling that was a mixture of pain and pleasure.

[Image: Victoria x Owen 2]

[Image: Victoria x Owen 3]

"Aah! D-don't squeeze so hard!" she protested, but her body arched to meet his touch betrayingly.

"Why not?" Owen whispered hoarsely next to her ear, his hips still pounding without pause. "Whose breasts are these?"

"Th-they're mine!" she retorted instinctively, stubbornly.

"Wrong," he growled, slamming his cock in deeper than before, making her cry out. "They're mine… All of this is mine!"

He quickened his pace, faster and more violent, ravaging her body from behind until her eyes rolled back, her tongue lolled out, and drool seeped from the corner of her mouth with an indescribable bliss.

"Ah! Ah! Ah! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! H-harder! Harder! Please!... Fuck this slut's pussy hard! Araaaaannggggh!~"

Hearing her shameless plea, Owen smirked. But instead of satisfying her, he suddenly stopped moving and pulled his hot cock out of her body completely.

"Ah!?"

Victoria cried out, confused and frustrated. The pleasure that was about to reach its peak was violently snatched away, leaving her in agony. Her empty pussy throbbed with longing.

"Wh-why did you stop!?" She whipped her head around to look at him, her eyes filled with desire and confusion.

Owen didn't answer. Instead, he quickly flipped her onto her back, pressing her down into the expensive silk sheets. He straddled her, his strong body like an iron cage. His two hands pinned her wrists to the bed above her head. Now… they were face to face.

"Look at me," he ordered flatly.

Victoria stared deep into those cold eyes and saw only absolute power.

"I'll ask again... Whose body is this?"

"..." She pressed her lips together, refusing to answer.

"Answer me!" he barked, deliberately grinding his still-hard lower body against her wet mound. The friction made Victoria writhe in agony.

"Y-yours!" she finally surrendered. "This body is yours!"

"Very good," Owen smiled with satisfaction. "And since it's mine... I can do whatever I want with it... right?"

He slowly lowered his face, crushing his lips against her waiting, parted ones, a deep and violent kiss. It wasn't a sweet kiss, but a kiss of possession. He thrust his tongue into her mouth wantonly, chasing and sucking her tongue as if trying to draw out her very soul, while his lower body continued to grind against her, tormenting her.

When he broke the kiss, Victoria was panting heavily, her mind white. She had no strength left to resist, only an overwhelming desire.

Owen released her wrists and easily lifted both her legs, slinging them over his shoulders, arranging her into a wide, defenseless position. He aimed his large cock at the wet entrance again and slowly pushed it in... so slowly it was agonizing.

"Aah… Mmm…"

Victoria moaned sweetly. She could see every movement, see the massive member slowly disappearing into her body, bit by bit. It was a sight that was both humiliating and aroused her primal desires to their absolute limit.

When he was all the way in, Owen began to move again. But this time, it wasn't the savage rhythm from before, but a slow, deep, and heavy one. Every thrust ground against her g-spot, making her entire body tremble. He stared at her face, contorted with bliss, the entire time, as if to carve this image of victory into his memory.

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

Squelch! Squelch! Squelch!

Squelch! Squelch! Squelch!

The moment of lust flowed to its climax. Owen let out a final roar like a lion. He slammed his cock into her squeezing pussy with a focused, deep intensity until the crimson head broke through her open cervix and entered her womb!

"Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!"

"Araaaaanngggghhhhhhhhh!!!"

Their cries of bliss sounded together like the final song of lust.

SPLOOOOOOGE! SPLOOGE SPLOOGE~

GUUUUUUSH!

Twitch Twitch Twitch~

Owen's body convulsed violently, shooting a torrent of hot semen into her womb until it was full. The heat spread through her abdomen as if lava were flowing inside her. At the same time, Victoria screamed and came so hard her body spasmed, her love juice gushing out and staining the white sheets in a wide circle.

The two lay panting on the bed, their naked bodies pressed together, twitching lightly in rhythm. Owen slowly pulled his slightly softened cock from her body before rolling onto his side, gathering her limp body into his arms.

Victoria buried her face in a pillow soaked with drool and tears of bliss. She had never felt so happy and fulfilled in her life... The feeling of being completely possessed... the loss of all the identity and dignity she had carried... was this what she had been longing for all along without realizing it?

She began to think to herself, confused... Maybe this seven-day deal... wasn't such a terrible punishment after all... Maybe... it was the best reward of her life…

—-------

Victoria x Owen 3

Victoria x Owen 2

Victoria x Owen 1

Chapter 68: A Wager of Dignity

The Saturday morning sun shone down on the long road leading to the Titans' Oasis Country Club. Owen drove his white SUV calmly, but inside, his heart was filled with a fiery determination. He knew that today's match wasn't just a sport; it was a psychological war with his entire mission on the line.

As the car was about to turn into the familiar marble archway, he closed his eyes for a moment, cutting himself off from the outside world. In the void of his mind, the image of the "Scales of Covenant" appeared. He was using his power for the last time this month... He sacrificed his sense of taste for seven full days in exchange for the [Golf Genius] ability once more, which would last for only one day.

'This is the last of my quota…' Owen thought as he accepted the blandness that spread across his tongue. 'For the next two weeks... no matter what crisis occurs, I won't be able to use this power as a crutch…'

The thought underscored the risk of today's bet, but at the same time, it made his mind sharper and more resolute. He would not fail. Owen opened his eyes again, his gaze transformed... it was the gaze of a cool professional, ready for any situation. He stepped out of the car and onto the stage his enemy had prepared for him.

When Owen walked through the doors into the opulent lobby, he found the atmosphere was completely different. Where there had once been only a few members relaxing on a holiday, it was now filled with groups of luxuriously dressed high-society members. They were all chatting in hushed tones, but the moment he appeared... all conversation ceased as if a switch had been flipped.

Every eye... was fixed on Owen.

Those gazes were filled with a mixture of curiosity and contempt, as if looking at a clown about to perform a pathetic show. They whispered among themselves, sending mocking smiles his way periodically. These were the "spectators" Victoria had invited to witness her revenge, and they were eagerly awaiting his downfall.

And then, the queen of the event made her entrance…

The clicking of high heels echoed rhythmically from the curved staircase descending from the upper floor. All eyes turned as one. Victoria walked down with the grace of a monarch. She was in a pure white, custom-tailored golf dress from a famous brand that perfectly accentuated her every curve. Her face was flawlessly beautiful, adorned with the confident smile of a victor. She walked straight to Owen, stopping in front of him amidst the silence.

"I was starting to think you wouldn't dare to show up... Gentleman," she said, her voice sweet but laced with a sharp, cutting mockery.

She surveyed the room like someone in complete control before announcing the rules to everyone in a clear, loud voice.

"To make today's match more entertaining... we will play 9 holes," she paused for a moment, her blue eyes looking deep into Owen's. "And the loser... must announce their defeat, and praise the winner as the best golfer in this club... in front of all the members... without argument."

Owen stood motionless, listening to every word without letting any emotion show on his face. He simply looked back with a calm, unreadable gaze.

It was a wager of dignity, designed to leave him no room to escape or make excuses. Victoria had created the perfect stage for his social execution... and she was eagerly waiting to see him crushed before her.

…..

The match began amidst a gentle breeze and the whispers of the spectators who stood watching from a distance, like a pack of wolves in silk waiting to see the prey slaughtered. Victoria started first, as was customary. Her swing was elegant and powerful, befitting the queen of the course. The golf ball shot out beautifully and landed in the middle of the fairway. But Owen knew that beneath the beauty lay a subtle deception.

She began to use her telekinesis to cheat, more and more continuously and discreetly. On a par-3 hole, a ball that should have landed in a sand bunker miraculously floated over it as if it had invisible wings. On the next green, a putt that should have stopped short of the hole rolled just a little further as if it had a life of its own and dropped in softly. Every one of her miraculous shots was met with gasps and fake praise from the audience.

"That was amazing, Vicky! Luck is really on your side!"

"Your swing is always flawless!"

Victoria just smiled gracefully, but the corner of her eye glanced at Owen with pity.

Meanwhile, Owen began his "performance." He feigned being pressured and visibly upset. Every time Victoria made a miraculous shot, he would curse softly or shake his head in disappointment. Sometimes he would hit the ball too hard, missing the target pathetically. All of this made the match look incredibly close and exciting to the spectators.

"It seems luck isn't on the gentleman's side today," Victoria taunted as they walked to the next hole.

"Luck, you say?" Owen replied with a strained smile. "I'd call it 'magic' more than anything." Of course, he wasn't talking about himself, but her.

The double-edged comment made Victoria flinch slightly, but she laughed to cover it up. She was enjoying the feeling of completely controlling the game and the emotions of the young man before her. She began to use her power more and more, creating even more incredible shots, unaware that with every use… the "Specter Scanner" watch on Owen's wrist was vibrating slightly, silently recording the unique waveform of her mana.

When the match reached the fifth hole, Owen decided he had gathered enough evidence. After Victoria had just used her power to subtly "push" his ball down a slope, Owen feigned a sigh of defeat.

Bzzzt… Bzzzt…

He pretended to take out a (fake) vibrating phone, his expression surprised, which then turned serious and grim. He stepped away slightly, pretending to talk on the phone in a low, respectful voice.

After a moment of "talking," he hung up and turned back to Victoria and the spectators, his expression polite but urgent.

"My deepest apologies, everyone. An urgent matter has come up from the governor. I must request a short break in the match... Ms. Victoria, would you be so kind as to grant me a moment of your time in private? It directly concerns Governor Alex."

The statement made Victoria frown, annoyed at having her victory interrupted. But hearing that it was an urgent matter concerning her husband, she couldn't refuse in public.

"Fine," she said, her voice slightly irritated. "But I hope it won't take long. I was about to win."

"It won't take long at all," Owen smiled meaningfully, before gesturing with his hand. "This way, please."

He led her away from the golf course to a secluded corner of the clubhouse, leaving the spectators confused and speculating, unaware that… the real match… had only just begun.

Owen led Victoria to a private terrace hidden behind the clubhouse. It was a quiet space paved with clean white marble, furnished with only a small tea table set and a beautifully decorated garden. The faint scent of roses and the sound of the wind rustling through the leaves created a relaxing atmosphere, but beneath the calm, an invisible tension was building.

"Alright, what's this urgent matter? Spit it out," Victoria said impatiently the moment they were alone. She crossed her arms and faced him like a queen about to pass judgment. "I don't have all day to play your pointless games."

Owen's friendly and polite smile vanished instantly, replaced by a gaze so cold and impassive it was chilling. "I think it's time we stopped playing games as well… Victoria."

The fact that he called her by her first name, so familiarly and without a title, made Victoria frown with displeasure.

Owen didn't wait. He activated his "Specter Scanner" watch. On the black crystal face, a bright blue mana energy graph flashed to life. It displayed the time and the spikes in energy levels, which perfectly corresponded with every one of Victoria's miraculous shots on the course, along with her unique "mana signature" recorded below.

"I have to say, our game was very enjoyable. Especially the little bits of 'magic' you used on the course," Owen said, his voice flat and cold.

Victoria's face went pale in an instant! Her arrogant smile froze, then twisted into undisguised panic.

"That's... that's my mana signature!" she shrieked, her voice trembling as she tried to regain control. "How do you have a mana detector!?"

She didn't wait for an answer… Fear and the rage of being exposed made her decide to use force! She unleashed her telekinetic power at full strength. A wave of green energy shot towards Owen at high speed, intending to either snatch or destroy the watch on his wrist!

But then, she stared, her eyes wide with shock…

Her power, which had always bent everything to her will, stopped dead in mid-air, as if it had hit an invisible wall! The air around Owen shimmered slightly… It was the mana radiating from Owen's body, which had effortlessly resisted her power… like an adult stopping a child's tantrum with an outstretched hand.

The watch on Owen's wrist didn't move or suffer any damage at all…

"Nice try," Owen said coldly, as if praising a small child.

Victoria gritted her teeth, pouring all her remaining power into the attack, but it was useless… Her power was like a 'giant hammer made of clouds,' hoping to crush everything with sheer mana volume, but Owen's power was expertly controlled, a 'small, thin, razor-sharp sword.' It didn't clash with the hammer directly but slipped past to the weakest point in her power and dissipated it with ease. The invisible resistance was as strong and steadfast as a mountain. She felt like she was pushing against a steel wall… it didn't budge an inch.

She realized in that instant… the man in front of her… wasn't just a skilled golfer, not just a lucky commoner… but an Awakened far stronger than she was! All her confidence shattered in an instant, leaving only a cold fear running down her spine…

"What… what do you want?" Victoria asked, her voice trembling. She tried her best to maintain her arrogant tone, but it sounded weak and pathetic.

Owen deactivated his watch, the black face hiding all the evidence. His cold eyes looked at her like a game master about to decide a prisoner's fate. "I only want two things, Victoria…"

He continued, his voice as flat and heavy as a judgment. "First… for the rest of this match, you will not use your power again. We will compete with real skill."

He paused for a moment, letting the words sink in. "And second… after this match is over, regardless of who wins or loses, you will grant me one 'request,' without argument."

"And if I refuse?" Victoria shot back, a final attempt to negotiate.

Owen gave a cold smirk, devoid of any amusement. "Then I'll have no choice but to send this interesting data to every member of the club… And of course… I'll have to send another copy to 'Governor Alex'."

He stepped one step closer and whispered, his voice chilling. "I wonder how he would feel, knowing his wife used her powers to cheat in a prestigious golf match just to save face. It would surely affect the Ashford family's reputation, wouldn't it?"

The threat was a sharp knife that cut deep into her prideful heart. Victoria bit her lower lip so hard it bled. Her eyes were red with hatred and shame, but she had no choice but to nod slowly. "Fine… I accept your terms."

The two returned to the match, much to the confusion of the waiting spectators. But the atmosphere of the competition had changed completely.

Now that Victoria could no longer use her "magic," her true skills were revealed. She became just an ordinary amateur golfer, filled with pressure and anger. Every swing was stiff and hesitant. She began to miss shots and lose points continuously. Her ball went into the water and into the woods, drawing soft chuckles from the spectators who had once praised her.

Meanwhile, Owen, who had fully unleashed his [Golf Genius] ability, played flawlessly. Every shot was perfect. His form was as elegant and cool as a golf god. He left her in the dust, a pathetic sight.

The match ended with Owen's overwhelming victory on the final green. Victoria stood motionless in the middle of the green, trembling with such shame she could barely stand. She had been utterly defeated… in front of everyone she had invited to see her win…

As per the rules she herself had set… she had to walk back into the now-crowded clubhouse and announce her defeat. Every step on the grass that had once been her royal red carpet now felt like walking on hot coals. The gazes of everyone were no longer filled with admiration, but with suspicion, pity, and a disgusting curiosity.

She walked stiffly, like a robot, into the luxurious dining hall. The once-classy sounds of conversation and clinking glasses fell silent the moment she appeared. All eyes were on her… waiting for the final act.

Victoria stopped in the middle of the room. The light from the crystal chandelier shone down on her like a spotlight on an execution stage.

"I… Victoria Ashford…" she forced the words out, each one like a piece of glass scraping her throat. "...declare that I have been defeated in today's golf match…"

She took a deep breath, gathering her last ounce of strength to say the most humiliating sentence of her life. "...and I would like to praise… Mr. Owen Marlowe… as the best golfer in this club."

At her words, a moment of silence fell, before applause erupted from all around. It wasn't applause of respect, but applause for the unexpected victory of the mysterious young man. Victoria's group of girlfriends, in particular, were now looking at Owen with unconcealed admiration and fascination. Their queen was dead, and they were now looking for a new king.

Owen walked through the crowd that parted for him like the Red Sea. He stopped in front of Victoria, who was shaking with shame. His face was adorned with a friendly smile… but his eyes held no joy. There was only the coldness of a victor looking at his own handiwork. He leaned in and whispered in her ear, so softly only she could hear.

"It's time for my 'request'… Follow me to a private room, now."

—-------

Chapter 67: Finley

Friday morning in the central park was as beautiful as a painting. Soft, golden sunlight streamed through the maple leaves that were beginning to change color, creating a sparkling pattern on the dew-damp grass. The fresh scent of the earth and the colorful, beautifully planted flowers drifted on the cool, comfortable breeze. Owen arrived at the meeting spot, a bench under a large maple tree, and saw the person he was meeting already waiting.

Finley was as cute and shy as ever. His small frame was dressed in a clean, oversized white shirt with a beige, diamond-patterned sweater vest over it. He sat nervously, clutching a backpack on his lap. His large, light brown eyes scanned the surroundings cautiously. When he saw Owen approach, he jumped slightly like a startled rabbit before quickly standing up and bowing politely.

"H-Hello~ Mr. Owen!"

"Hello, Finley. You don't have to be so formal," Owen smiled in a friendly manner, seeing how nervous the other was. "I'm probably older than you. You can just call me Owen, or 'big bro' if it's easier. That'll make it easier to talk."

Those words seemed to make Finley relax a little. He sat back down neatly but kept his head down, not daring to meet Owen's eyes. Seeing this, Owen decided to break down the wall first.

"There's a great coffee cart around here. Want to get something to drink first? My treat, as a thank you for taking the time to meet me," Owen said, pointing to a small cart with a colorful umbrella not far away.

Finley looked up, a little surprised, before giving a slight nod. "O-Okay…"

The two of them walked over to order drinks together. Owen chose his usual black coffee, while Finley hesitantly ordered an iced chocolate. They returned to the same bench, the atmosphere starting to relax with the cool drinks in their hands.

"I like the atmosphere here," Owen began. "It's so shady and peaceful. It's hard to believe a place like this exists in the middle of a bustling city."

"Mm…" Finley replied softly, taking a sip of his iced chocolate. "I-I like to come here to sketch a lot. It… helps me concentrate."

Owen sipped his coffee and smiled. "Speaking of which... I'm really impressed. It's not easy for Sahara to acknowledge anyone, but she recommended you with such confidence... Your skills must be extraordinary."

The unexpected compliment made Finley's clear cheeks blush a visible red. He turned his face away slightly to hide his shyness before murmuring a reply. "Th-Thank you… When Ms. Sahara first contacted me, I-I thought I was hearing things… I never thought someone so amazing would be interested in my work."

It seemed that praise for his "skills" was the switch that flipped on another side of his personality. As he began to talk about what he loved, his earlier nervousness slowly faded, replaced by a spark of determination and passion in his eyes. He put his iced chocolate down on the table and turned to face Owen, his demeanor changed.

"In that case… would you like to see the 'work' I've prepared, Brother Owen?" His voice no longer trembled. It was filled with the confidence of an artist about to present his masterpiece.

Owen's smile widened. He leaned forward with interest. "Of course. I've been waiting for it~"

Those words were the perfect fuel. Finley smiled with pride. His slender fingers glided skillfully across his tablet screen before he opened the latest file and showed it to Owen. "Here it is!"

The image that appeared on the screen made Owen's eyebrows raise in amazement. The design draft for the "Demon Lord Girl" cosplay was so beautiful and incredibly detailed it was almost unbelievable. The complex patterns on the collar, the design of the layered skirt that looked as if it were alive and flowing, and the realistic and formidable demon horns everything was perfectly designed.

"This is amazing, Finley," Owen praised sincerely, zooming in to see the details of the outfit. "This is far beyond my expectations. These lines... you truly have a gift."

The specific and sincere praise made Finley's clear cheeks flush. He reverted to his shy mode. "Th-Thank you… I just… just tried to do my best~"

After looking at the draft, Owen was so impressed he didn't want the moment to end. He didn't want their meeting to be just about work. He wanted to get to know this talented artist a little more.

"Want to get some ice cream?" Owen asked with his warmest smile. "As a thank you for this excellent draft... my treat."

Finley, who had just slipped back into his nervous mode after the work discussion, jumped slightly at the unexpected invitation. He glanced up at Owen for a second before quickly looking down and giving a slight nod. "...O-Okay."

The two then walked to a small, homemade-style ice cream shop nearby. The sweet scent of freshly baked waffle cones filled the air. Owen chose mint chocolate chip, while Finley stood hesitating in front of the glass case filled with colorful ice creams for a long moment before finally deciding on rich chocolate.

As they were walking back to the same bench, ice cream cones in hand, the atmosphere between them had become surprisingly relaxed. Finley seemed to be greatly enjoying his ice cream. He cutely licked the edge of the cone where it was starting to melt, making Owen smile without realizing it.

But just then!

"Buddy! Come back here!"

A shout from the other side of the path made them both turn. A large, fluffy, golden-furred golden retriever that was chasing a tennis ball suddenly changed direction. It shot towards them at high speed!

"Aah!~"

Finley, who was enjoying his ice cream, cried out in shock. He tried to step aside, but it was too late. The large dog ran right in front of him, causing him to lose his balance. His small body staggered backward uncontrollably!

But in that split second of chaos…

Owen, who was walking beside him, reacted with superhuman speed. He dropped his own ice cream cone without a second thought and wrapped both his arms around Finley's slender waist, catching him at close range!

Finley's world spun for a moment before stopping in Owen's strong, warm embrace. He looked up into those sharp, dark eyes, so close he could feel the warm breath on his face. The faint scent of men's cologne mixed with sweat filled his nose, awakening a strange feeling he had never experienced before. His heart pounded as if it would burst out of his chest. His face flushed a deep red, spreading to his ears.

Splat…

The chocolate ice cream in his hand, which he was still clutching tightly, fell out and hit Owen's light grey polo shirt. The cold, sticky mess soaked through the fabric, touching Owen's hot abdominal muscles and leaving a large brown stain…

Instead of paying attention to the stain on his shirt, Owen looked deep into Finley's trembling, light brown eyes with genuine concern.

"Are you okay?" he whispered softly.

"...I-I'm okay…" Finley answered, his voice trembling. He tried to struggle out of the embrace, extremely embarrassed. "But… but your shirt…"

"Don't worry about it," Owen smiled faintly, his eyes still gentle. "It's just an ice cream stain. I can wash it out when I get home. The important thing is that you're not hurt, right?"

With that, Owen slowly and reluctantly released his arms, letting Finley stand on his own again. The gentle and forgiving action made a deep impression on Finley, unlike anything he had ever felt before…

His heart… was now pounding uncontrollably for the man named Owen.

After the cute accident had passed, the atmosphere between Owen and Finley had completely changed. The wall of nervousness that had once held Finley back had been torn down by Owen's warmth and gentleness. He sat back down on the bench next to Owen, who was using a damp handkerchief to unhurriedly wipe the ice cream stain from his shirt. The afternoon sun, which was beginning to turn golden, shone through the maple leaves, bathing the two of them in a soft light.

A shy smile appeared at the corner of Finley's lips. He felt a little guilty but couldn't help but feel a warmth in his heart at Owen's casual attitude. "Uh… sorry again about the shirt."

"It's a small thing…" Owen replied without looking up, still focused on wiping the sticky mess. "Compared to you getting hurt, a stained shirt is nothing."

He continued as he folded the handkerchief. "But I'm serious, Finley. With your level of skill... why don't you try opening your own shop? I bet people would pay anything for a costume made by you."

The question, full of admiration, made Finley's smile fade slightly. The once-bright sparkle in his eyes dimmed. He let out a soft sigh and looked down at his dangling feet.

"I… I'm not brave enough for that," he answered, his voice barely a whisper.

"Why not?" Owen frowned slightly, not understanding. "You have the skill... and so much passion…"

Finley was quiet for a moment, as if debating whether to say what had been on his mind for so long, before deciding to speak. "Because… to other people… what I do is just a 'toy'."

He looked up to meet Owen's eyes, his own filled with a sorrow and pain he couldn't hide. "My friends… even my family… they see making cosplay as a silly hobby for a kid who won't grow up. It's not a 'real career' that can support someone… After hearing that so many times… I… I started to lose confidence in myself, too. I don't know if what I love really has any value."

Owen listened to every word intently. He didn't interrupt, but let Finley vent all his feelings. He saw the vulnerability hidden beneath the shy exterior, and it strangely mirrored himself in the past. When Finley finished, Owen nodded slowly with deep understanding.

"I know that feeling all too well," Owen said, his voice gentle yet firm. "When I decided to quit looking for a regular job and become a full-time streamer… everyone looked at me the same way."

He leaned back, looking up at the blue sky, his eyes distant for a moment as he recalled the past. "They said it was an unstable career, just playing games all day. That it was pointless… But they never saw… never understood the joy we get when we see our viewers having fun with us, or the pride when we create good content."

Owen turned back to meet Finley's eyes, his own gaze the most serious and sincere it could be.

"What's important isn't how others see it, Finley… it's the value and happiness we get from creating our work. Your work isn't pointless. It's art. And it brings happiness to others… Don't ever let anyone tell you that what you love is worthless."

Those words… words that came from a place of true understanding and shared experience… were like a key that unlocked Finley's closed-off heart.

The wall he had built to protect himself from ridicule and misunderstanding came crashing down in an instant. He felt like he had met someone who truly "understood" him for the first time in his life… someone who saw the real value in what he loved.

Tears welled up at the corners of his eyes, unstoppable. He quickly turned his face away, wiping them hastily with the back of his hand, trying not to let Owen see his weak side.

"...Thank you… Brother Owen," he whispered, his voice trembling through his efforts to hold back a sob. "...Thank you, really."

Finley tried his best not to show his weakness, but his small shoulders still trembled uncontrollably. Owen watched him with a feeling of overwhelming fondness and a desire to protect. He felt like he was looking at his past self… someone who had been confused and unsure of the path they had chosen.

In that moment of delicate emotion, the translucent blue screen of the [Choice System] dutifully lit up before Owen's eyes.

…..

[1. Continue to encourage him with words.]: (Affection +1 | Finley will be grateful for your kindness.)

[2. Pull Finley's body into a warm, comforting hug.]: (Affection +5 | Finley will start to develop feelings for you.)

[3. Do nothing.]: (Relationship unchanged.)

…..

Owen didn't hesitate for a second. He instinctively chose option 2. He knew that in this moment, a warm action was more important than any comforting words.

He moved closer and gently pulled Finley's trembling body into a hug, as softly and respectfully as possible.

Finley flinched slightly in surprise, his body stiffening for a moment. But as his face rested against Owen's strong and warm chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart… a feeling of safety he had never known washed over him.

He subconsciously took a deep breath… The faint scent of cologne mixed with the sweat of a strong man. It wasn't an overpowering scent, but one that made him feel safe and secure. A scent that made his mind go white for a moment.

This embrace awakened the deepest feelings hidden in Finley's heart… a longing for someone to protect him, someone who accepted him for who he was, and someone strong enough to be his refuge… and that person was the man before him.

Finley completely stopped resisting. The body that had been so tense slowly relaxed in Owen's arms. His small arms slowly came up to hug Owen back, hesitantly at first, before gripping Owen's shirt tightly, as if afraid this moment would disappear.

Owen used his other hand to gently stroke Finley's soft, fluffy hair, a wordless comfort. He could feel the dampness seeping through his polo shirt… Finley was crying silently into his chest, and Owen let him release it all until he was done.

After they had held each other for a long moment until Finley had calmed down, Owen slowly released the embrace. He looked deep into Finley's red, tear-filled eyes.

"Feeling better?" Owen asked softly.

Finley gave a slight nod, trying to look away, but Owen used his thumb to gently lift his chin.

"Don't rush…" Owen continued. "Just take it one step at a time. I'll always be here to support you."

He used his thumb to gently wipe the tear stains from Finley's clear cheeks. The gentle, warm touch made Finley's heart pound again, making him hold his breath. He looked deep into those still-moist, light brown eyes with a gaze that was both comforting and firm.

"You've done so well… to have endured this until now," Owen whispered softly. It wasn't an empty compliment, but words that came from a place of true understanding.

After letting the warm silence work for a moment, Owen slowly lowered his hand and took a step back, giving Finley the space to collect himself. He knew that if he let the atmosphere remain so emotionally vulnerable for too long, Finley might feel awkward later.

"Alright," Owen changed the subject smoothly. "To prove I'm not just talking…"

He took out his mobile phone and opened his banking app in front of the confused Finley.

"W-Wait, Brother Owen," Finley quickly protested. "About the deposit… you don't have to rush."

"Of course I have to," Owen replied with a faint smile. "I want you to be sure that I truly value your work."

He immediately transferred the deposit for the costume, intentionally sending a little more than they had agreed upon, before showing the screen to Finley.

"The extra is a tip for an amazing artist," he said with a wink. "Consider it an investment in a future rising star."

Finley could only stare at the numbers on the screen, dumbfounded. He was so moved he couldn't speak. Owen's actions meant more than just "money"; it was the first tangible form of "belief" and "acceptance" he had ever received from someone other than a client.

"Well, I'll be going now. I'll be waiting to see your work," Owen said his goodbyes casually. He patted Finley's shoulder lightly one last time before turning to leave.

Finley watched Owen's broad back as he slowly walked away until he was out of sight. He raised a hand to gently touch his own cheek… The warm touch from Owen's fingertips still lingered there… The feeling of safety from his embrace still surrounded him…

His heart… had it truly been stolen by this kind 'older brother'?

—-------

Chapter 66: A True Friend and a Formidable Foe

Thursday afternoon…

Owen lay awake on his bed in his quiet room. The empty white ceiling was the only thing he had seen for hours. He had said his goodbyes to Sahara and returned home yesterday. The wound on his arm was neatly bandaged, and his internal injuries had mostly subsided thanks to Sahara's potion, but the "price" he had to pay for his covenant remained.

His world was still silent and devoid of sensation…

It was a form of torture he had never imagined. He was like a spirit floating within his own body. Eating the exquisite meals Clara cooked had become merely the act of chewing tasteless matter to survive. Showering, he couldn't feel the warmth of the water washing away his fatigue, only the image of droplets gliding over his numb body. Walking was like floating in a void, every step weightless.

Everything was bland… colorless… and empty. He felt as if he had lost a part of himself. The small joys he once derived from his senses were completely gone. It made him realize just how precious the things he had traded for power truly were.

As he was sinking into that feeling of emptiness…

…a whisper…

…a sound?

…whirr…

It came again… faint at first, before it began to roar in his once-deadened ears!

WHIRRR~!

The hum of the AC, once silent, now thundered like a jet engine! The faint, musty smell of his bedroom, which he had never paid attention to, assaulted his nose with overwhelming force! The coarse feel of the bedsheets against his skin returned with a shocking suddenness!

His world was back!

Owen closed his eyes, taking a deep breath… He could smell the faint dust in the air, hear his own heart beating in his chest, feel the pressure of his own body on the mattress… Every sensation that had been taken from him came rushing back all at once like a bursting dam. It was intense… overwhelming… and more wonderful than he had ever felt before.

He shot up from the bed, walked straight to the window, and threw it wide open.

The afternoon breeze hit his face with force. It was no longer just the image of a fluttering curtain, but a real, cool sensation! The clamor of cars and people from the street below filled the room. It was the sound of life he had longed for over the past day.

The widest smile appeared on Owen's face. It was a smile of pure happiness. He now understood to his very core… that the "price" for power wasn't just physical pain… it was the loss of the very things that gave his life meaning… and he would never take them for granted again.

…..

After spending nearly a full hour indulging in the complete return of his senses, Owen didn't let the happiness waste any more of his time. He felt reborn. The body that had been so heavy was now filled with energy and determination. He grabbed his SUV keys and the aluminum camera case that had been sitting quietly in the corner as if waiting for this moment, and headed straight for the city's central mall. He had an important mission to settle… and a masterpiece of "art" to deliver.

"Jace's Tech Den" was unchanged. It was the treasure cave of a true technology-obsessed genius. The moment Owen pushed the door open, its unique scent hit him. The faint smell of ozone from the constantly running electronics, the hot metal of soldering irons, and the sweet fizz of an open energy drink, combined with the soft electronic music and the hum of dozens of computer cooling fans.

Jace was hunched over the counter, wearing a special magnifying headset that made his eyes look abnormally large. He was using the tip of a soldering iron on a tiny circuit board with the utmost concentration. When he heard the bell on the door, he looked up, annoyed at having his sacred work interrupted. But when he saw it was Owen, his expression immediately changed to one of hopeful curiosity.

"What's up, my friend! You look brighter. Like something good happened," Jace greeted him, taking off the headset. "But… what about the mission I sent you on? Was it a success?" His voice was casual, but the glint in his eyes couldn't hide his excitement.

Owen didn't waste words. He gave a smirk like someone holding a winning hand and placed the aluminum camera case on the counter with a loud "thud." Its weight made the counter vibrate slightly.

"A gift for you… it's all in here."

Those words were like a magic spell. Jace's eyes lit up like a child who had just seen the biggest Christmas present of his life under the tree. He took the case back as if it were a priceless treasure before quickly taking the memory card and plugging it into the high-spec computer behind him.

The large, curved monitor flared to life, displaying hundreds of neatly organized image files. Jace swallowed hard, his hands trembling slightly as he moved the mouse to double-click the first file.

A second later… on the 4K high-resolution screen, the masterpiece of "art" appeared…

Sahara's perfectly rounded buttocks, from an upward angle, filled every pixel of the screen. The light and shadow on her honey-colored skin were as beautiful as a Caravaggio painting. Every curve, every taut muscle was rendered with a sharpness so clear you could almost feel it.

Jace's entire world stopped spinning…

His jaw dropped, his eyes widening until they nearly popped out of their sockets. Silence fell for a moment before he took a deep breath… and burst out laughing like a madman!

"Hahahaha! My god! It's… it's perfect! The composition! The golden ratio! This is art! True art!"

He jumped and danced around the shop, ignoring the other customers who were staring at him strangely. He rushed over, grabbed Owen by the shoulders, and shook him violently. "Thank you! Thank you so much, my friend! You are a god! A true artist! You understand the essence of beauty!"

After calming his frantic excitement, Jace slipped back into his genius inventor mode. He took out a luxurious, pitch-black velvet box from under the counter and handed it to Owen with eyes full of the deepest respect and admiration.

"And this is your reward… for a great artist."

Owen opened the box. Inside, nestled on black satin, lay a high-tech wristwatch. Its case was made of a light-absorbing, matte black metal alloy. Its face was a seamless, black sapphire crystal, with no hands or numbers. It was the completed "Specter Scanner."

"You can pay me later, my friend... even two months is fine!" Jace said, more generous than the ocean.

"One month is enough," Owen insisted firmly. He didn't want to be indebted to anyone for too long. He took the watch and put it on. It felt cool and fit perfectly. The moment his skin touched the case, the once-black face lit up, displaying the time and a faint mana energy graph before going dark again.

"It activates when you want it to. Just think," Jace explained simply.

He walked around the counter and slapped Owen on the shoulder with a loud "smack," before declaring in the most serious voice Owen had ever heard.

"From now on... you're not just a customer, you're my true friend! If you ever have a problem that technology can solve... just give me a call!"

Owen could only give a dry smile at his serious demeanor. He guessed that Jace's affection score had probably shot up to 60-70, just from a few pictures of Sahara's ass... It clearly showed that this man didn't just admire, but truly "worshipped" Sahara as a masterpiece of art. And by bringing him that masterpiece, Owen had become the greatest patron of the arts in his eyes.

…..

After returning home in the evening, Owen collapsed onto his bed, exhausted. The soft light from the bedside lamp shone on the new watch on his wrist. It looked sleek and powerful, but he knew that beneath its simplicity lay a complex and dangerous technology. The success of Jace's mission should have made him feel good, but his heart was still heavy with unresolved issues.

Bzzzt… Bzzzt…

Suddenly, the phone on his bedside table vibrated, breaking the silence. The screen lit up, showing a name that made Owen let out a soft sigh… Alexander Ashford.

Owen took a deep breath to prepare himself before answering. "What's up, Alex…"

"You did very well this time, Owen... impressively so. I wasn't wrong about you," Alex's deep, good-humored, and powerful voice came through, followed by a soft chuckle. "My investment in you seems to be paying off more than expected. Do you know what the main topic of conversation at my dinner table has been almost every day?"

"Uh… I don't know. I don't even have a guess…" Owen answered truthfully, confused as to why Alex was asking about his family matters. How would an outsider like him know?

"Hahaha, it's you, Owen!" Alex replied with amusement. "Victoria came home in a mood fouler than I've ever seen. She hasn't stopped grumbling about a 'mysterious, ill-mannered young man' who dared to challenge her dignity at the golf course."

Alex paused for a moment, as if enjoying the mental image. "She demanded I use all my power to hunt you down and punish you… Well done. Your plan to get her attention seems to have worked better than expected."

Owen could only manage a dry smile. "Glad to hear it."

"Alright, let's get to the important part... I'm calling today because I have the news you've been waiting for." The amusement in Alex's voice vanished, instantly replaced by a serious, cold tone. Owen could feel the pressure through the phone.

"I've identified Cole's 'boss'... and I have to say, he's much closer to you than you think."

That sentence made Owen shoot up in bed. His exhaustion vanished, replaced by the highest state of alert. "Who is he?"

Alex was quiet for a moment, as if letting the tension build, before saying the name clearly…

"Victor Draemond."

The name hung in the silence. Owen frowned, unfamiliar with it. It wasn't a name he had heard in criminal circles, not the name of any kingpin or mafioso.

"He's the CEO of 'IgnisCore Corporation,' this city's energy giant..." Alex paused again, letting Owen process, before dropping the final bombshell that made Owen's world shake. "...and the one who sued Damian's company into bankruptcy."

That sentence was like a sledgehammer to Owen's heart!

His entire world stopped for a moment... The unexpected connection made all the puzzle pieces in his head snap together into a terrifying picture... Cole, Jessica's hypnosis, Damian's massive debt, Clara's despair... This entire web of tragedy... all originated from the single spider at its center... a man named Victor Draemond.

"Victor has a rather dangerous dark side," Alex continued, pulling Owen from his trance. "The only reason he stopped at destroying Damian's company, and didn't go after Damian directly which would have been easier is because he still has some respect for me as Damian's old friend. My influence only protects Damian himself... I know that Victor's business isn't clean. He has a number of Awakened who do his dirty work, like his own private army."

Alex sighed softly. "This is all I can warn you about, Owen... Don't do anything rash that 'crosses' Victor. Even I might not be able to help you much. As long as you don't interfere with his main interests, he probably won't dare to 'kill' someone who works for me. But sending someone to 'teach you a lesson' until you're seriously injured... that's always a possibility. Be careful."

Alex paused for a moment before concluding in a softer tone. "That's all the information you need. That's all. I still have a lot of work to do. See you later, Owen…"

"Thanks, Alex... I'll be careful," Owen replied, his voice firmer than before, just as Alex hung up.

Click…

The call ended, leaving Owen sitting on his bed in the silence of his room. The soft, warm light now seemed cold and menacing. A terrifying chill ran down his spine. The stress hit him so hard he could barely breathe.

His true enemy wasn't some street thug like Cole, but one of the city's most powerful figures... the man who had destroyed his friend's life and almost destroyed the life of the woman he loved.

Owen clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white. His eyes blazed with a fire of vengeance he had never felt before. This was no longer just a mission... It was a target he would have to deal with in the future…

—-------

Chapter 65: The Unseen Guardian

Owen's world remained silent...

He stood panting, his shoulders heaving with each ragged breath. The body that had felt as light as a feather was now heavy, as if weighed down by invisible chains. The true exhaustion began to seep into every cell, though the numbness from his covenant still kept him from feeling the pain of his wounds. He stared with empty eyes at the unconscious bodies of the two assassins lying on the sand before he staggered, almost collapsing.

Just then, Sahara walked towards him with an elegant gait. She seemed relaxed, as if everything had gone as expected. But instead of looking directly at Owen, she turned and moved her lips, speaking to the "empty space" beside her.

"See, my love... I told you he was no ordinary man."

The one-sided conversation made Owen frown in confusion... Though he couldn't hear, he could clearly see she was talking to someone. His blurred vision focused on the empty space next to Sahara where she was speaking... and he noticed that the air in that area... looked distorted.

The air in that area began to shimmer and slowly warp, like looking through a curtain of water or the heat haze rising from the sand... From the emptiness... the shadow of a person began to form, condensing from transparency into a solid shape, little by little. Finally, the figure of a tall woman in military attire materialized from thin air like a mirage. She was Nyx, Sahara's personal bodyguard and guardian.

She was an A-Rank Awakened with the ability [Erase Presence - Rank A]. This power didn't make her invisible, but rather distorted the perception of those around her, making their brains automatically "refuse" to acknowledge her existence. Everyone had been seeing her all along but had simply overlooked her as if she were insignificant air.

Nyx was about 40 years old. Her face was sharp-featured and held a fierce, bold air. Her long, jet-black hair was tied back tightly in a ponytail. Her pitch-black eyes were as sharp as blades. Her dark, sun-kissed skin highlighted her well-proportioned muscles. She wore a tight-fitting crop top that revealed a strong core, along with camouflage military pants and a matching scarf. The tactical belt at her waist held both a pistol holster and a combat knife, clearly indicating her status as a seasoned warrior.

[Character Illustration: Nyx]

Owen stood in confusion. He was one hundred percent certain that before this, there was no one else on this beach but him and Sahara. He tried to rack his exhausted brain for an explanation for the illusion before him, but to no avail.

Nyx narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing Owen from head to toe. Her once-fierce gaze now held an unconcealed spark of admiration.

"Hmph... not bad," she smirked, the smile of a warrior acknowledging another's skill. "Both courage and resolve... I like men like this. If you weren't already the mistress's, I would've personally dragged you off for some 'training'."

Owen only saw her lips move, but in his silent world, it was just a soundless picture, making him frown with even more confusion.

Nyx didn't wait. She walked straight to the unconscious assassins. She used the tip of her combat boot to unceremoniously flip their bodies over for inspection before grabbing them by their collars and starting to drag them across the sand as if they were weightless rag dolls.

"I'll take this trash to be 'laundered' clean, Mistress," she said to Sahara with a respectful tone, before dragging the two bodies away towards a hidden path behind the vacation home.

Owen watched the scene, stunned, before turning back to Sahara, who was walking slowly towards him. When she was standing in front of him, he decided to gesture to his ears and speak directly, even though he couldn't hear his own voice.

"I can't hear anything right now," he said, trying to keep his voice as normal as possible. "It's a side effect of using my power."

Sahara nodded in understanding. She didn't ask any further questions, but her eyes behind the sunglasses were filled with a complex mix of emotions: amazement, concern, and a deepening interest. She gently supported Owen's staggering body. "Go rest inside first... It looks like you overexerted yourself."

Although Owen couldn't hear her, he could roughly understand her meaning from her gestures and by reading her lips. He let her help him, his heavy body leaning on her as they walked across the beach and the teak terrace, back into the cool interior of the house, leaving the chaos, violence, and debris from the fight behind…

Owen was led into the cool, luxurious vacation home. Its modern opulence was a stark contrast to the beach outside. The polished cream-colored marble floor felt cool underfoot, softly reflecting the sunlight streaming in through the large glass walls. Every piece of furniture was exquisitely chosen, simple yet impeccably tasteful.

She carefully helped him sit down on a soft, white leather sofa that felt like sinking into a cloud. She disappeared for a moment before returning with a stylish first-aid kit. She sat on the glass table in front of him and began to treat the wound on his arm with a skill and gentleness that was surprising.

Owen watched her long, slender fingers, adorned with gold rings, as they used a cotton swab dipped in antiseptic to gently clean around the wound. Though the numbness meant he felt no pain, he could see the clear focus in her dark brown eyes. After she finished wrapping the bandage, she disappeared into the kitchen again and returned with a crystal glass filled with a concentrated, dark green liquid that looked rather untrustworthy.

She held a glowing tablet in front of him. A message was neatly typed on it:

"This is a special recovery potion. It will help heal your internal injuries... But I have to warn you, it's extremely bitter."

Owen nodded. He took the glass and drank it all in one go without hesitation. The warm liquid flowed down his throat, but he tasted nothing.

Sahara watched him, utterly amazed and surprised. She raised an eyebrow slightly, in disbelief, as others who had taken this potion had contorted their faces in bitterness, almost choking. She had no idea this was because Owen had sacrificed his "sense of taste" for the [Golf Genius] ability. The penalty from a previous mission had become an unexpected blessing, something even Owen himself didn't realize. He only felt a warm energy begin to spread through his body from within, slightly alleviating his fatigue.

Seeing that Owen was looking better and some color had returned to his face, Sahara decided it was time to reveal the truth. She picked up the tablet and typed again with a more serious expression, before handing it to him:

"I have to apologize for all of this. The truth is... I didn't really want to be your model. I agreed... because I needed to use you as 'bait' to lure out the people who have been targeting me. And it worked."

Owen read the message and froze. In his silent world, he replayed the entire event and understood instantly. Before he could react, Sahara typed again quickly, as if afraid he would misunderstand:

"Of course, I'm not that cruel. Besides the photos… a man who puts on such an impressive 'performance' deserves... a 'special bonus,' don't you think? I'll think about what to give you that's worthy of your bravery... Or, if you have something you want in particular, you can tell me, darling~"

Owen stared at the last message before looking up to meet Sahara's eyes, which were watching him with a hard-to-read expression. A slow smirk appeared at the corner of his lips. It wasn't a smile of anger, but one filled with amusement and challenge.

He decided to speak his mind, trying to control his tone even though he couldn't hear his own voice.

"You mean I almost died for free, just so you could catch two little rats?"

Hearing his sarcastic yet humorous words, Sahara burst out laughing for the first time, a genuine laugh. Her laughter was bright and powerful, instantly breaking the tense atmosphere.

She picked up the tablet and typed a reply, a smile still on her face:

"Something like that... But I have to admit, your performance was better than expected. You didn't really have to push yourself that hard. I was going to have Nyx 'clean up' the stage anyway."

Owen read the message and smiled back. He felt this strange conversation was letting him see another side of this elegant queen... a side that was surprisingly casual and charming.

The atmosphere in the living room shifted from tense to completely relaxed. The silent conversation through text created a closeness and understanding deeper than any spoken words. Sahara found herself enjoying this other side of Owen full of wit, defiance, and a spirit that wouldn't give up even in the worst of situations. She smiled and laughed more naturally than ever before.

Owen felt the same. He watched Sahara as she typed her replies with relish. Her bright smile seemed to light up the room. He felt the wall of ice she had built around herself had melted, revealing a true self that was intelligent, charming, and intriguing.

As Sahara was typing her next message, she found herself staring at Owen's face as he waited intently for her reply. The afternoon sun streaming through the glass wall bathed his sharp features, making his once-serious eyes now look surprisingly warm and deep.

Without realizing it... Sahara slowly put the tablet down on the sofa. She took off her sunglasses, revealing complex, sparkling dark brown eyes. She looked at him... looked deep into his eyes... and then slowly leaned her face towards his, as if controlled by an invisible force.

Owen watched, motionless. He saw her flawlessly beautiful face moving closer and closer, her brightly-lipsticked lips parting slightly in invitation...

But just as their lips were about to touch...

Clomp... Clomp... Clomp...

The heavy, firm sound of combat boots on the marble floor came from the hallway, rudely interrupting the sweet moment.

Sahara flinched slightly as if waking from a dream. She quickly pulled back, shock and regret clear in her eyes, before turning to the source of the sound with annoyance.

Nyx walked back into the living room with a casual air, as if she had just been for a walk in the garden and not "interrogating" someone. She shrugged nonchalantly at her boss's reprimanding gaze.

"Sorry to interrupt your 'important moment,' Mistress," Nyx said flatly, but her eyes were filled with amusement. "But I have an urgent report... We have information on the mastermind, and the result is exactly as you predicted." She glanced towards Owen, who was looking confused by the situation.

Sahara sighed softly to calm herself. She turned back and quickly picked up the tablet, typing out what Nyx was about to say for Owen to read.

Nyx began to report the results of her investigation in a professional tone. "The person behind this is Miranda, the owner of the boutique 'Elysian Garb' from 'Colossus City.'"

Sahara typed the name onto the tablet. Owen frowned slightly. The name of the neighboring city sounded strangely familiar.

Nyx continued, "It seems she's lost her mind over losing the title of 'Goddess of the Fashion World' to you. So she hired these two assassins to destroy everything of yours. Your reputation... and your body."

Owen read all the text on the tablet and paused, thinking. In his silent world, he was piecing everything together. He had come here for a simple mission from Jace, but now he had unknowingly been dragged into a cold war between "two queens of the fashion world."

His world... was undoubtedly about to become more chaotic than ever before.

—-------

Nyx

Nyx

Chapter 64: The Red Shadow

The sand arena retained the searing heat of battle, like a furnace. Owen stood panting, his shoulders heaving with each ragged breath. Every time he inhaled, the burning pain from the gash on his arm flared, a stark reminder of his disadvantage.

Pouring all his mana into that last counterattack had left his body empty, like a vessel drained of its contents. All that remained was an encroaching exhaustion that made him feel dizzy.

Across from him, the two men in black were back in their ready stances. The carelessness they once had was completely gone, replaced by a cold and even more cautious gaze. The tattooed man unsteadily supported his battered body.

The scarred man stepped in front of his partner, his eyes fixed on Owen with the utmost hatred. They knew they had been completely fooled by this bastard. His true combat ability was in direct opposition to his F-Rank mana level.

"You bastard… you almost took my partner out for good," he growled. "I have to admit, you're a cunning one… but now, you're just a cornered dog with no mana left!"

He turned and yelled to his partner, who was struggling to his feet. "Finish him!"

At his command, the two prepared to launch their final assault to end the fight.

Owen watched them, his vision slightly blurred. He knew that in his current state, he had no way of handling their coordinated attack. Dodging with an exhausted body would only lead to death.

'Should I use it... my final trump card?' The thought of using [Warp Reality] flashed in his mind... but he immediately discarded it. 'No! Not now! There has to be another way!'

As the two assailants were about to charge, Owen realized he had no choice but to use his true power... a power that came at a heavy price. He closed his eyes, cutting himself off from the suffocating world outside, and focused on the power sleeping at the core of his soul.

In the dark void of his mind, the image of the massive "Scales of Covenant" appeared, looking more sacred and formidable than ever in this desperate situation.

'Scales of Covenant... I am making a temporary covenant!' he roared in his mind.

He had no time to negotiate or find a balanced exchange. He needed power... power to turn this situation around instantly, and he was ready to pay any price!

'I sacrifice... my senses of hearing, smell, and touch... for one full day!'

The moment the vow was made, on the left pan of the scales… the side of sacrifice… three energy orbs representing his three senses appeared simultaneously. They glowed brightly before dimming. The left pan lowered, fast and heavy, a confirmation that the heavy price had been paid.

'In exchange for... a massive increase in speed for five minutes... and an immediate 20% mana restoration!'

On the right pan, a golden lightning bolt representing speed and a glowing, clear blue mana orb appeared. It lowered rapidly… until the two pans came to a perfect level!

The covenant was complete!

And in that instant, Owen opened his eyes to the real world... and his world had changed completely.

Silence…

That was the first thing he perceived. The sound of the crashing waves, the whistling wind, and the roar of his enemies charging... all of it was gone, leaving only an oppressive silence, as if he were in a vacuum.

The salty scent of the sea and the faint, metallic smell of blood from his wound disappeared... leaving only emptiness.

The feeling of his feet on the hot sand, the wind on his skin, or even the burning pain from his wound... all of it faded away. His body felt light and numb, as if he were a floating spirit.

But amidst the loss... he had gained something in return.

Owen could feel the 20% mana reignite in his empty power core, like the first drop of divine water on a barren land. At the same time, he felt a surge of speed coursing through every cell. It was pure energy that made every muscle tremble, ready to explode!

The world through his eyes changed... Everything slowed to an unbelievable crawl... He could see the tattooed man charging forward in slow motion, see every drop of sweat flying from his face, see the malice in his eyes...

And a slow smile spread across his lips... the smile of a predator just freed from its chains.

…..

"Finish him!"

At the scarred man's command, the tattooed man threw his injured body at Owen again, while the mage began to gather mana for a supporting attack.

But in the next split second... the space in front of them was empty! The body of Owen, who had been standing there panting weakly... vanished as if he had never been there!

"What the!?" the tattooed man swore in alarm. His dagger sliced through empty air. He quickly scanned the sealed sand arena, but there was no trace of his prey.

The battle had shifted into Owen's world... a world of silence and slow motion.

He could feel the power of speed rushing through every cell. It was a phenomenal feeling. His body was as light as a feather. Every step on the sand was weightless and silent. He couldn't even hear his own heart, which should have been pounding in his chest. There was only the image of impossibly fast movement.

The world in his eyes was now a perfect slow-motion picture. He could see the tattooed man looking around in a panic, see the mage hastily casting a defensive spell... They were so slow.

Owen used his newly restored mana to reinforce both his arms. A faint red aura enveloped his fists. Then, his body became a blur, appearing behind the tattooed man, who was still completely unaware.

It was a silent dance of death.

Owen began his merciless assault. His reinforced right fist slammed into the tattooed man's chin. He didn't feel the impact, didn't hear the bone crack, only saw the enemy's body convulse and his eyes roll back in pain.

THWACK!

His left fist followed, smashing into the man's side, right on his previous injury.

THUD!

A flying knee slammed into his solar plexus, lifting his body slightly off the ground.

The scarred man realized instantly that a direct attack was useless against this high-speed demon. His plan to use long-range magic to kill him had crumbled. He switched his strategy to full support and area control, to help his friend out of this desperate situation.

"Annoying pest! How did he get so fast all of a sudden!?" he roared in frustration, raising his staff to cast a support spell. "Sandstorm!"

A thick curtain of sand quickly swirled up around Owen like a raging storm, obscuring his vision and severely hampering his movement. But that wasn't all. The scarred man continued to cast another spell.

"Quicksand!"

Instantly, five spots within the arena transformed as if alive. They sank, becoming quicksand pits waiting for their prey, limiting movement and dragging at Owen's superhuman speed with a viscous pull.

Owen's once-clear world was now blurred by the swirling sandstorm. His silent battle had become a deadly game of cat and mouse. He had to use short bursts of speed to break through the sand curtain, attack the tattooed man, and quickly retreat before being caught by the quicksand or the stone walls the mage was continuously creating to block him.

"Aaargh! Where is he!?"

The tattooed man, now completely the prey, screamed in a frenzy. He couldn't keep up with Owen's speed at all. All he could do was use his raw survival instincts to fend off the red shadow that darted in and out of the sandstorm like a demon.

A reinforced fist shot towards his neck from the left... He could only desperately raise his left arm to block!

CRACK!

The sound of his arm bone shattering (which Owen only felt as a decrease in resistance) didn't slow him down. He dodged a counter-thrust from the dagger by a hair's breadth before sending another fist into the man's side.

The tattooed man sacrificed non-vital parts of his body to protect his vital points. He let his arm break to save his neck, let his ribs crack to protect his heart. It was a pathetic struggle, but it kept him on his feet.

'Damn it! He's annoyingly tough!' Owen thought as he dodged a stone spike that shot up from the ground.

A fight that should have ended in a minute was dragged out to three agonizing minutes for the tattooed man and a battle of wits for Owen. But finally... it had to end.

Owen found a moment when the sandstorm thinned. He shot forward one last time, but this time his target wasn't the tattooed man... but the mage standing far away!

The scarred man, seeing Owen charge straight at him, was shocked. He quickly created a stone wall to defend himself, and that was the opening Owen needed!

'Success!'

He stomped on the sand, changing direction in an instant like an arrow turning in mid-air, and shot back towards the tattooed man, who was now completely without defense or support.

"N-no!"

The tattooed man's eyes widened with despair. He looked up to meet Owen's cold gaze... and that was the last thing he saw.

Owen used his mana-reinforced palm to chop the back of his neck!

Thump!

A dull sound, and the tattooed man's body crumpled to the sand. His eyes rolled back, and he lost consciousness instantly. His resistance ended completely.

One down…

Of the five minutes he had gained… less than two remained.

The scarred man, seeing his partner taken down as easily as a sandbag, was in a state of complete panic. The cold professionalism of an assassin had shattered. He no longer had a frontline to protect him.

"Monster! You're a monster!" he screamed hysterically (which Owen didn't hear).

He switched from attacking to full defense. He slammed his staff into the sand. "Stone Wall! Earth Spikes! Protect me!"

Earthen walls and sharp stone spikes erupted around him from all directions, creating a desperate fortress with no openings. He wasn't just hiding... he was controlling the entire arena! Sharp spikes periodically shot up from the ground to block Owen's path.

Owen watched with empty eyes. He could feel the power of speed in his body begin to waver... It was about to run out. He didn't have much time.

His body became a red blur again, running around the earthen fortress at top speed, searching for an opening. But the defense was dense and constantly being reinforced. Second after second passed uselessly. Nearly a full minute was wasted in a futile search for an entry point.

'I have to break through!' he decided in a split second.

Owen gathered all the remaining mana in his body... the 20% he had just regained... and condensed it into his right arm.

[Avatar of Asura!]

A crimson mana arm, larger and more solid than any he had ever created, materialized. It glowed with a terrifyingly bright light, a sign of all the energy packed within.

With less than thirty seconds before his speed ran out... Owen charged at the thickest part of the earthen wall!

He didn't hear the explosion...

But he saw it...

The sturdy earthen wall shattered like paper when the Asura fist slammed into it!

Owen burst through the curtain of dust, confronting the mage, whose eyes were wide with shock and despair. He tried to cast a final stone spike to defend himself, but it was too late.

Owen ended the fight with his still-reinforced right fist, sending it crashing into the scarred man's solar plexus…

Thwack! Urk!

And in that same instant...

The surging power of speed throughout his body vanished.

The world in his eyes, which had been moving in slow motion... suddenly snapped back to normal speed. The abrupt change in perception made him feel so dizzy he almost lost his balance.

But his world remained silent...

He didn't hear the sound of his fist hitting flesh, didn't hear the sound of bone cracking, or the enemy's cry of pain.

The pain from his wound hadn't returned. The true exhaustion was still masked by numbness, but he could feel the weight of his body come rushing back, almost making him collapse.

Owen stood panting heavily in his silent world, watching the scarred man's body fly back and land unconscious in the distance... The fight... was over... but the price he had to pay was only just beginning.

—-------

New Cover: The Streamer's Choice