The next morning, Kael returned to his clinic exhausted.
The rain from last night still hadn’t stopped. Water slid down the giant glass windows while the city lights reflected across the floor.
The moment the door opened
Vael immediately looked up from the sofa.
Then his eyes landed on Nyra standing beside Kael.
His smile instantly brightened.
Like a puppy finding its owner after waiting all day.
“Boss!”
Before Nyra could react, Vael rushed toward her and wrapped his arms around her tightly.
“You finally came back.”
He buried his face against her shoulder dramatically.
“Do you know how long I waited? I thought you abandoned me like my parents did.”
Nyra’s expression immediately darkened.
“Get off.”
She pushed his face away coldly.
“If you touch me again, I’ll cut both your hands off.”
Vael immediately stepped back obediently.
“Sorry, boss.”
But despite apologizing..
He still smiled brightly.
Kael watched the scene silently.
“He’s just a kid,” he said calmly.
(Though honestly, cutting his hands off might finally make him shut up.)
Kael frowned slightly at his own thought.
(He’s becoming annoying.)
Vael suddenly clapped his hands softly.
“Oh right, boss. I have something important to tell you.”
Nyra walked past him lazily.
“I’m not interested in your excuses.”
Then she stopped near the window.
“Did you send the evidence files to the police?”
Vael nodded proudly.
“Yes, boss. Everything you asked for.”
Then he tilted his head.
“But I thought you hated helping them.”
Nyra crossed her arms.
“I do.”
Her voice remained cold.
“But if the police can’t even learn how to catch real criminals, then killing everyone becomes boring.”
Vael’s eyes sparkled.
“So kind.”
Nyra looked disgusted.
“Don’t misunderstand me.”
She glanced at the city below.
“The new officers only joined recently.”
Then her eyes darkened slightly.
“I’ll observe them first.”
A small smirk appeared on her lips.
“If they disappoint me later, maybe I’ll deal with them myself.”
Vael stared at her quietly.
(How can she say terrifying things so beautifully?)
(Seriously… I’m falling harder every day.)
Meanwhile, Nyra turned toward Kael.
“Doctor.”
Kael looked at her.
“Do I have medicine tonight?”
“You do.”
“Give it to me now.”
Kael immediately frowned.
“You’re supposed to take it later.”
“I don’t have time later.”
Kael sighed tiredly.
“You never listen.”
Nyra held out her hand impatiently.
“Medicine. Now.”
Kael grabbed the small container before speaking seriously.
“If you take it at the wrong time, your body could react badly.”
Nyra shrugged.
“Doesn’t matter.”
Kael stared at her for a few seconds before finally giving up.
“You’re unbelievably difficult.”
(And somehow that idiot still likes her.)
Nyra opened the medicine packet immediately and swallowed it dry without water.
Kael’s eyebrow twitched.
“You could at least pretend to care about your health.”
Nyra ignored him completely.
Then she looked toward Vael.
“Assistant.”
Vael stood instantly.
“Yes, boss.”
“Come with me.”
His eyes brightened immediately.
“Always.”
Nyra grabbed his wrist.
A sharp sound echoed through the room.
Then both of them vanished instantly.
Silence filled the clinic afterward.
Kael slowly sat down alone.
Rain tapped softly against the windows.
(What am I supposed to do with her?)
He leaned back tiredly.
(She’s still the same.)
(Not better.)
(Not worse either.)
Just…
Nyra.
Kael closed his eyes briefly.
He remembered college again.
A quiet girl sitting near the back window during rainy afternoons.
She barely talked to anyone.
But sometimes she smiled softly while reading old fantasy novels.
Back then..
She still looked normal.
Human.
Kael lowered his gaze silently.
(I wish that incident never happened to her.)
Meanwhile, across the city
Nyra and Vael appeared inside a hidden apartment filled with weapons, files, and dark clothing.
Nyra threw something toward him.
“Wear this.”
Vael caught it carefully.
A black coat.
Dark red shirt.
Black gloves.
A silver chain.
And a black masquerade mask with white designs around the edges.
Vael’s eyes widened.
“You bought this for me?”
Nyra immediately looked annoyed.
“Why would I waste money on you?”
Vael smiled softly.
(But you still chose my size perfectly.)
(Cute.)
Nyra ignored his expression.
“We have twelve hours.”
Vael blinked.
“For what?”
Nyra leaned against the table.
“There’s an underground auction tonight.”
Her eyes darkened slightly.
“Rich criminals gather there.”
Vael tilted his head curiously.
“And?”
Nyra smirked faintly.
“We’re going shopping.”
Vael looked excited immediately.
“Should I wear a hoodie too? Or hide my face more?”
Nyra tossed the mask toward him.
“This is enough.”
Vael carefully put it on before staring at himself.
Then his eyes slowly widened again.
(Wait.)
(We actually look matching.)
His heart immediately started racing.
Nyra suddenly threw two golden invitation cards onto the table.
Vael blinked.
“Boss… how did you get invitations?”
Nyra answered casually.
“I stole them.”
“…From who?”
“Two old men.”
Silence.
Vael stared at her lovingly.
(Boss is terrifyingly smart.)
(Why is she so cool?)
Nyra walked past him toward the mirror.
Tonight she wore a long black dress with silver details across the waist.
One side of the dress opened slightly near her leg while black gloves covered her hands.
Her mask hid half her face.
But somehow
She looked even more dangerous like this.
Vael completely froze.
(We look like a married villain couple going to a party.)
His ears turned slightly red.
(I don’t wish to stay beside her forever.)
(I want to.)
Nyra noticed his staring again.
“You’re doing it again.”
Vael smiled innocently.
“Sorry, boss.”
“You’re lying.”
“I know.”
Nyra clicked her tongue.
“Let’s go.”
A few moments later
The underground auction hall opened before them.
Golden lights covered the massive ballroom while masked guests laughed softly around expensive tables.
Everything looked luxurious.
And rotten.
Some people traded illegal technology.
Others sold dangerous experimental substances.
Some exchanged stolen information.
Corrupt officials stood beside wealthy criminals like old friends.
Music played beautifully in the background while terrible deals happened quietly behind smiles.
Vael looked around slowly.
“So this is the hidden side of the city.”
Nyra’s voice remained calm.
“The world has always looked beautiful outside.”
Then she glanced toward the crowd coldly.
“But ugly things survive best in darkness.”
{Cp:5}
The underground ballroom glittered like a fake paradise.
Golden chandeliers floated above the massive hall while soft music echoed through the room. Elegant women laughed behind masks. Wealthy men raised glasses while discussing illegal deals like they were normal business meetings.
Everything looked beautiful.
And rotten.
The moment Nyra and Vael entered
People noticed.
Not because they knew them.
But because they looked dangerous together.
Nyra walked calmly in her black dress like she owned the entire hall. The slit on one side of her dress revealed part of her leg whenever she walked, and the silver chains around her waist reflected under the lights beautifully.
Meanwhile Vael walked beside her silently.
Tall. Broad shouldered. Sharp eyed.
And completely focused on her.
Not the party. Not the crowd.
Only her.
Nyra leaned slightly toward him and spoke quietly.
“A few minutes later the dance floor will open.”
Vael listened carefully.
“When everyone gets distracted, go downstairs.”
Her eyes darkened.
“There’s a prison section under this building.”
Vael’s expression changed slightly.
Nyra continued calmly
“Unlock every cage.”
“Doesn’t matter if it’s a man, woman, or child.”
“Just open everything.”
Vael smiled immediately.
“Understood, boss.”
(See? We really do think perfectly together.)
Music suddenly became louder.
The ballroom lights dimmed slightly.
Then the announcer’s voice echoed through the hall.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the dance floor is now open.”
People slowly moved toward the center.
At that moment
A tall man approached Nyra confidently.
He bowed slightly before offering his hand.
“My lady, may I have this dance?”
Nyra stared at him silently while sipping her drink.
(Annoying.)
(I hate touchy people.)
But after a few seconds
She placed her glass down.
“Sure.”
Vael froze.
His smile twitched slightly.
(…What?)
The man placed his hand on Nyra’s waist carefully while they joined the dance floor.
Vael stood there quietly watching.
(Boss said she hates people touching her.)
(Then why is his hand still there?)
His eyes darkened slightly.
(If he touches her again, I might actually break his wrist.)
But outside
He still smiled politely like nothing happened.
Then he quietly disappeared into the crowd.
Downstairs
The underground prison smelled cold and damp.
Metal cages lined the dark hallway.
Inside them sat exhausted people wearing torn clothes.
Some looked terrified. Some looked hopeless.
Vael walked silently through the hallway before stealing a keycard from a distracted guard.
Click.
One cage opened.
Then another.
And another.
The prisoners slowly realized what was happening.
Vael pointed toward an emergency exit.
“Run.”
Nobody hesitated twice.
People immediately rushed toward freedom.
While everyone escaped, one girl suddenly tripped near the stairs and fell painfully.
Vael sighed quietly before helping her stand.
“Can you walk?”
The girl looked up at him
And froze.
Tall. Handsome. Elegant.
Like a prince from old fairy tales.
Her cheeks immediately turned red.
(He’s literally my type…)
(Wait…)
(Did he save me?)
(Does this mean fate exists?)
She shyly grabbed his arm tightly against her chest.
“Mister…”
Her voice softened dramatically.
“Do you perhaps… have a lover?”
Vael blinked slowly.
The girl smiled brightly.
“If not… can I become your honeysuckle?”
Silence.
Then suddenly
Vael’s expression completely changed.
Cold.
Sharp.
Dangerous.
He immediately pulled his arm away harshly.
“I hate being touched.”
The girl froze.
Vael stared at her with disgusted eyes.
“How dare you touch me so casually?”
His voice became colder.
“Disgusting.”
The girl’s eyes widened.
Tears immediately filled them.
She genuinely looked heartbroken.
Because a few seconds ago he looked like a hero.
Now he looked terrifying.
The girl started crying loudly.
Vael looked completely unbothered.
“If you want to cry, cry.”
He pointed toward the exit.
“But if you don’t leave now, they’ll lock you up again.”
The girl kept crying.
Vael suddenly heard footsteps approaching.
Guards.
Without another word
He vanished into the shadows immediately.
Seconds later guards rushed downstairs and discovered the open cages.
“What the hell?!”
“Stop them!”
The guards immediately chased after the escaping prisoners.
One guard noticed the crying girl still sitting there.
“She’s still here!”
They dragged her back into a cage while she cried harder.
Meanwhile
Vael calmly returned upstairs.
The ballroom dance was still continuing beautifully.
Then
He saw it.
Nyra dancing with another man.
The man’s hand rested against her waist comfortably.
Vael stopped walking.
His smile disappeared slightly.
(Boss told me not to touch her.)
(Boss said she’d cut my hands off.)
(Then why is he allowed to touch her?)
His jealousy twisted quietly inside his chest.
(What if I cut his hands off first?)
The music changed partners suddenly.
At that exact moment
Vael smoothly stepped forward and stole Nyra away mid dance.
One hand rested lightly against hers.
The other hovered near her waist carefully.
He smiled sweetly.
“Boss~.”
Nyra immediately recognized his mood.
“You finished?”
Vael smiled wider.
“Perfectly.”
Nyra’s lips lifted slightly.
“Good.”
Her eyes slowly moved toward the stage.
“Now the real show begins.”
The dance ended moments later.
Everyone returned to their seats while servants prepared the auction stage.
Nyra and Vael sat in the front row.
VIP seats.
Because Nyra had stolen VIP invitations from two wealthy criminals earlier.
Vael honestly found that extremely attractive.
(Boss really solves everything with violence and confidence.)
(How cute.)
The announcer woman smiled brightly on stage.
“Ladies and gentlemen…”
“Tonight’s bidding shall begin.”
Servants brought out a crystal container filled with glowing blue liquid.
“This,” the woman announced proudly, “is Mermaid Tear Water.”
“If used correctly, it preserves youthful beauty.”
“Starting bid: three thousand.”
The crowd immediately became excited.
Women raised their numbers. Rich men offered prices for wives and daughters.
Vael leaned toward Nyra slightly.
“Boss, do you want it?”
Nyra looked disgusted.
“I don’t care about beauty products.”
Then suddenly
A large cage rolled onto the stage.
Inside sat a frightened girl.
Vael’s smile paused slightly.
Nyra narrowed her eyes.
“…Assistant.”
Vael looked innocent immediately.
“Yes, boss?”
“Didn’t I tell you to free everyone?”
Vael sighed dramatically.
“I tried.”
He looked completely believable.
“But she refused to leave.”
“She said she had something important to do.”
Nyra clicked her tongue.
“Then that’s her problem.”
Vael smiled softly.
(Too easy.)
Inside the cage
The girl slowly looked up.
The moment her eyes met Vael’s
Her entire body froze.
Fear filled her expression instantly.
Because she finally understood.
That smiling man earlier
Was never a hero at all.
Vael looked back at her and smiled faintly beneath his mask.
And somehow
That smile terrified her more than the prison itself.
