The sound of boots echoed through the vast room. Slow. Rhythmic. Clean.
A thick, velvet carpet swallowed most of the sound, but the tension in the air was sharp. This wasn't some flashy hall meant to impress outsiders. It was the kind of room where quiet decisions changed fates.
The room was enormous. Polished black marble floors stretched across like still water. Golden pillars lined the sides, carved with ancient ravens. A red velvet carpet ran straight down the center, stopping at a throne carved from obsidian and bone.
Three men walked in and dropped to one knee in front of a massive throne.
Their leader, the one in the middle, was the first to speak.
"…We found her,It's just as you expected, sir."
The throne was still turned away. Only the outline of the man sitting on it was visible—tall, sharp-shouldered, resting a hand on the armrest.
No response.
"She's living in Glint City now," the man continued. "Their condition is… pitiful. She's currently living as a housewife. Small house in the outskirts. Her husband works at a logistics firm. Quiet life."
A long pause.
"And…" the man hesitated for a second, "she has a son."
The silence that followed was different. Heavier.
The throne shifted. A mechanical sound hummed as it slowly rotated.
Now facing them, the figure remained mostly in shadow. The low lights hid his face—but not his presence.
"…A son?" the man on the throne repeated, his voice calm, almost amused.
Then the throne's occupant leaned forward slightly, voice low.
"…Tell me about him."
"Yes, sir. He is about twenty, studying at Silverlight University. Nothing special on paper. But we're still digging."
A long pause.
Then a slow, almost amused breath.
"…A son."
And then he burst into laughter.
"HAHAHAHA…! I see. Then I must send a gift… to the esteemed daughter of the Raven family."
His voice turned cold.
"Fine. If she wants to live in peace, let's remind her what family she came from."
The three men stayed silent.
"Send her a gift," he said. "Nothing too loud. A gentle knock to her perfect little world."
"Yes, sir. We will leave no evidence—"
"No."
His voice was sharp.
"Arrange someone else to do it. Father is clearly watching every move. We can't afford a single thread that leads back to us."
"Yes, sir!"
"Good."
He leaned back again, his voice returning to that calm, thoughtful tone.
"It's been a while since I sent a gift to her. Let's make this one… unforgettable."
Elsewhere.
The thud of a fist hitting concrete echoed through a smaller room. Dim lights flickered above, revealing a man standing with his back to two subordinates.
He had punched the wall hard enough to leave a crack.
The two men behind him didn't move. One was already bleeding from the mouth. The other was sweating like hell.
"You said it was a clean job," the man muttered. His voice was low, but every word landed like a knife.
"It was," the second guy stammered. "We neutralized the bodyguard, dealt with all the staff. There shouldn't have been any interference…"
"Then?"
He gulped.
"…but we didn't expect one man."
The room fell silent.
The man turned his head slightly. "One man?"
The second one stammered, "Yes, sir. He took out every single one of our fighters. Alone."
"He was fast," the first guy added quickly. "Didn't fight like anything we've seen. Weird movements. Precise strikes. Used a… pen."
That finally made the man turn around.
He looked at them both. Not angry. Just disappointed.
"A pen?" the man growled, voice rising with rage.
"Y-Yes—"
Smack!
He slammed his fist into the first man's stomach, then elbowed the second across the face. Both dropped, groaning on the ground.
"You all couldn't handle one single guy."
Just then, the door opened.
A third man walked in, calmly adjusting his gloves holding an envelope.
He glanced at the two on the floor, then looked at the boss.
"Mission failed, huh?"
The boss didn't answer. Just took the envelope, ripped it open, scanned the contents.
"…New orders?"
The man nodded. "From the top.High priority. Direct order. "
A grin spread across the boss's face.
"…Then let's begin."
Back at the Villa – Later That Night
"Ah-choo!! Who is thinking about me at this time?"
Night had fallen by the time Ethan, Mei, and Lily returned to the villa.
Lily dropped straight onto her bed and fell asleep, still hugging the stuffed panda Ethan bought for her.
Mei sighed," This house is just too big, I can never get used to this."
She arranged all the things they bought and went to the bathroom to freshen up.
Ethan whistled, slumping on the couch .
DING!
[Mission Complete: Spend money on the beauties]
Activated (3x Rewards)
Rewards:
$21,000,000
New Skill: Perfect Butler Etiquette (Lv. Max)
"Twenty-one million in rewards," he muttered." Looks like the goddess was in a good mood and what the fuck i'm gonna do with this skill.
Host,please do not doubt the rewards given by me, every reward has its own reasons, you just wait for the right time.
Mei stepped out of the bathroom in her pajamas, towel drying her hair.
As she passed by him, she paused.
"Hey, Ethan?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks… for everything."
Her voice was soft, sincere. He nodded. "Go sleep, aunt Mei."
She started to walk away, but then turned back, quickly kissed his cheek, and darted to her room like a criminal.
Ethan blinked." My first ever kiss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
DING!!
[New Mail: From Goddess-sama]
"Huh?"
He opened the message.
From: Your Loving Author
"I saw that. Very dashing, my dear MC. Good job saving the girl.Get Kissed On the Lips Next Time . Keep your pants on. Or don't."
"Hahaha!! She is insane. As if it can happen to us nerd readers so easily." Ethan shook his head.
Ethan leaned back, gaze drifting to the ceiling.
He had money now. Comfort. Skills.
But back at home…
His parents were still in that tiny place. Damp walls. Flickering lights. Stuck in a life they didn't deserve.
He clenched his fists on the couch.
No more.
I can't let them live like that anymore.
It's time I do something. Not tomorrow. Now.