Chapter 37 …
About thirty minutes ago, Alexis went to meet the deputy director.
“What is this about? Why call me for something useless?”
Alexis just wanted to return to his room quickly. Above all, he was uneasy leaving Ascelia alone, especially since she still looked startled.
If it weren’t for her plea to endure just one more week, he would have locked her in her room and left only when he could safely go out.
But he didn’t do that because it seemed she didn’t want it. Every time she showed a displeased expression, it tightened his chest so much he couldn’t bear it.
“This is important, that’s why I called you.”
The deputy director glanced at him with a look of disdain before leaning back into her chair.
This was the deputy director’s office, where Alexis came and went without knocking.
“Just get to it. Hurry. I’m in a rush. Very much.”
“If it’s A-702 you’re taking to your room, she probably went to wash up anyway.”
“Oh, right.”
He recalled that she had taken a card from him, and so even if he went back quickly, she wouldn’t be there. Oddly enough, that thought made everything feel more relaxed.
“Just tell me what it is.”
“Your expression is priceless. So annoying to look at.”
The deputy director gave him a genuinely irritated look, sighed, and handed him some documents.
“What’s this?”
“It’s about the leader of the Kerno tribe.”
The deputy director understood well why he returned every three days. But she found it incredibly bothersome, since A-702 was essential for Z-999’s awakening. Hence, him constantly returning to the lab was extremely irritating.
“Complicated.”
Alexis absorbed the contents regarding the Kerno tribe leader that she had handed him.
“The goal isn’t to annihilate the rebels and pin it on the Kerno tribe leader’s mistakes?”
“Exactly.”
“Last time, you ordered us to kill the Kerno tribe leader. Why save him this time?”
He looked at the convoluted explanation with blurry eyes. The document contained politically valid reasons, but Alexis didn’t consider them important enough to understand fully.
“Bring him back alive. Your opinion doesn’t matter anyway.”
“…And my identity?”
He asked to confirm the terms of the arrangement he had accepted. He didn’t have trouble doing whatever he was ordered to. Back then, he might have sought thrills because the work felt too empty. Now, all he wanted was to take Ascelia and live together in a stable space.
Thus, the assumed identity he received was important, and he had already purchased a mansion under his name.
If he truly lived alone with Ascelia, he thought starting a family wouldn’t be so bad. Perhaps two children.
If they looked like Ascelia, three wouldn’t be bad either.
He wondered if she would understand, since she was “his toy,” but a small worry remained—what if she said no?
“That’s almost settled. Don’t forget the help promised by the royal family once this is done.”
“Ah, that’s why you called me?”
“That’s the most urgent. I never know when you’ll just barge in and take the head.”
“Right.”
Alexis gave a cursory response and asked her:
“Can I go now?”
“Take this before you go.”
“Ah… such a hassle.”
He frowned irritably at the medicine the deputy director wanted him to take.
“You’re strong even without it. There’s no sign of collapse. Why bother?”
“It’s just a precaution.”
Alexis frowned but thought of it as a medicine for him, so he couldn’t refuse. The IV would not only enhance his physical abilities but also stabilize his magic, preventing powered individuals from collapsing due to overuse.
“Endure for thirty minutes.”
“Make it ten.”
“Twenty.”
“Ten.”
“Thirty.”
“Twenty is fine, twenty.”
He rolled up his sleeves and received the medicine, thinking of Ascelia.
When he returned to his room after finishing the medicine, he found Ascelia dazzlingly radiant in the clothes he had given her—and Calisten, covering his lower half with his hands.
“Oh, Alex!”
“This is…”
Ascelia looked at Alexis, embarrassed. Seeing his clearly displeased expression, fear momentarily took hold of her.
“Why is that guy naked in front of you?”
“W-well…”
Ascelia tried to think of an excuse. If she told the truth, he might not let Calisten leave. Alexis treated her like his toy; he probably wanted to kill XX-321 simply because someone touched his property.
So Ascelia had to think carefully to keep Calisten safe.
“Put your clothes on immediately.”
Calisten slowly picked up his clothes from the floor. Since he was covering himself with his hands, he seemed unaware of what Ascelia could see.
“The truth is, Z-999 made me angry…”
“You scolded him?”
“…Yes.”
Alexis was pleased that Calisten didn’t seem to know who she was. He had heard they were close, but apparently, Calisten didn’t know Ascelia’s true identity.
“You couldn’t even awaken and made my toy angry?”
“It’s fine now. Alex is here…”
“I’m here, are you happy?”
“Yes. It took so long. I waited a long time.”
Ascelia obediently approached Alexis. Calisten’s chest burned with a strange anger seeing this.
“Come here. On my lap.”
“Huh? Ah… okay.”
Although Ascelia didn’t want to, she obeyed because his mood seemed good, and she didn’t want to ruin it. He hugged her tightly and teased her by stroking her shoulder blades.
“This outfit is so revealing.”
“Yes.”
He spoke playfully while glaring at Calisten, who was now fully dressed, fists clenched, standing there.
“What are you doing? Leave.”
“My head is still spinning.”
“Then go over there.”
Alexis pointed to the wardrobe. Ascelia peeked and asked:
“What is that place?”
His mind amused, he smiled at her question.
“It’s a secret place I made. Sometimes I go there to reduce the effect of medicine.”
“Oh, that’s why it looks like a wardrobe.”
“Yep. I’m smart, aren’t I?”
“Yes.”
Pleased, Alexis rubbed his head on her shoulder. Ascelia instinctively hugged his torso, fearing he might fall backward due to his weight.
Watching them, Calisten wanted to leave but didn’t. He felt frustrated and angry, realizing he was nothing to her—just someone she had seen twice. The anger almost manifested through his magic.
Moreover, this woman couldn’t be Ascelia, yet she felt just like her. He reminded himself that the flat chest of the real Ascelia and the woman’s ample chest in front of him couldn’t be the same person, yet his senses felt like he was losing Ascelia, which made him feel disgusted.
“Do you take medicine often too?”
“Every time. Before every mission, they charge my magic through the tracking chip so I can’t escape. Most of the medicine they give me during this is a stimulant, so it’s tough.”
“Why do they give you that?”
“To make sure I can’t escape. I couldn’t even if I wanted to.”
“Oh…”
“You know, right? After awakening, you can’t survive long without stabilizers.”
Alexis moved his head from her shoulder, tidied her hair, and smiled, waiting for her response. Ascelia nodded knowingly.
“It’s a double-layered safety measure.”
“Then should I take the medicine and stay here?”
“No, finish your mission first and then come here to decode it.”
“Then shouldn’t I do it now?”
Alexis smiled as she worried.
“No need right now. It’s not necessary.”
He guided her to sit on the bed. Her chest moved slightly with each motion, catching his attention.
“You didn’t put on the accessories?”
“I was going to, but Alex came.”
“I’ll do it then.”
“Yes…”
Fascinated by her chest, Alexis slowly reached out. She closed her eyes tightly as if restraining herself.
“Do you dislike it if I touch?”
“…I don’t know.”
Hearing her fearful voice, Alexis withdrew his hand.
“Then I’ll do it later. Prepare yourself until then.”
“…Okay.”
Ascelia answered weakly as he opened a red box on the bed containing a necklace and earring set.
“I’ll put the necklace on. Your ears aren’t pierced yet.”
“Yes.”
Holding the necklace, Alexis embraced her neck. Calisten, recovering inside the wardrobe, watched the infuriating scene unfold.
“Ah, it tickles, Alex.”
As Alexis tried to slip the necklace while brushing her chest with his pinky,
-
CRASH!
Calisten inadvertently smashed the wardrobe door.
