I leaned forward and suddenly pressed my lips against theirs—first Emi, then Aiko.
Both of them froze, their cheeks instantly burning red.
> "W-We just agreed to our relationship…!" Emi stammered, covering her face with her hands.
> "You're too sudden," Aiko muttered, but her trembling voice betrayed her flustered heart.
I chuckled softly.
> "Sometimes, life doesn't give us the chance to wait. That's why I won't hold back."
They pouted, but neither pushed me away.
I then leaned back and said in a serious tone,
> "Listen carefully. Call your parents and tell them to move here. Soon, the world won't remain peaceful. Disaster will sweep across every city."
Their smiles faltered. Emi tilted her head, frowning slightly.
> "Kane… are you joking? The world looks perfectly fine. Nothing like what you're saying."
> "Yeah," Aiko added quickly. "Even if you're serious, how could you possibly know something like that?"
Instead of answering, I slipped my hand into the invisible void of my inventory and pulled out two chocolate bars. I tossed one into each of their hands.
Both girls froze in shock.
> "Wh–What?!" Emi gasped, staring at the chocolate like it was a bomb.
"I didn't see you carrying this… Where did it come from?"
I smiled faintly.
> " When the world changes, people everywhere will awaken abilities. Some will fight for survival. Some will fight for domination. And me? I intend to make sure we're not crushed when chaos arrives."
The twins exchanged a glance, their disbelief slowly melting into realization.
Emi gripped the chocolate tightly.
> "…So it's real."
Aiko's voice trembled, but she straightened her back.
> "If that's the case, then I need to get our parents here. I don't want them caught outside when this happens."
> "Good choice," I nodded. "Go. Bring them here as soon as possible."
Aiko quickly excused herself and rushed out, determination in her steps.
That left me and Emi. I turned to her.
> "Come with me. There's still more preparation to handle."
---
We drove across the city, the hum of the car the only sound for a while. Emi kept glancing at me, biting her lip, before finally asking:
> "Kane… if the world really falls apart… will we still be safe? Even with all these preparations?"
I reached over and patted her hand.
> "As long as I'm alive, no one will lay a finger on you. That's my promise."
Her cheeks flushed again, but this time she smiled faintly.
---
We arrived at the bodyguard agency—an imposing building with tinted windows and security cameras on every corner. Inside, a muscular man greeted us. His face was scarred, and though he looked like a thug, his bow and polite tone betrayed a professional air.
> "Welcome, sir. Please follow me to meet the manager."
He led us to a spacious office where a man in a tailored suit sat behind a large mahogany desk. The manager rose to shake my hand.
> "A pleasure. I am Shibata, head of this agency."
> I replied. "I'll be direct. I need bodyguards for twelve mansions."
The manager blinked in shock.
> "Twelve? Sir, forgive me, but that's far beyond normal requirements. Usually, even the wealthiest only request protection for themselves or their immediate residence. Are you perhaps… expecting a war?"
I smirked faintly.
> "Something like that. Can you provide?"
Shibata hesitated, tapping his pen against the desk.
> "For twelve mansions… normally it would take 180 men to provide full coverage. If your estates are larger, perhaps more. But…"
He trailed off, studying me.
> "But what?" I pressed.
> "…Forgive me. I shouldn't pry into a client's affairs. If you truly require such numbers, then so be it."
> "Good," I said. "Make it 200. And I don't want just anyone. I want men who obey without question. Dogs loyal only to me. If I say jump, they ask how high—not why."
The manager's sharp eyes studied me as I made the request.
> "Two hundred elite men… Sir, that kind of force costs a fortune. One day will cost you one billion. For thirty days, that's thirty billion. Are you certain?"
I didn't flinch.
> "I'm certain. Loyalty and obedience have no price cap."
The manager leaned back, skeptical.
> "Forgive me, but most clients hesitate even at a tenth of that. I need assurance this isn't a waste of our resources."
I smiled faintly and gestured to Emi. She stepped forward gracefully, drawing a sleek leather checkbook from her bag. Without hesitation, she scribbled the numbers—30,000,000,000—and signed it.
The manager's eyes widened slightly when Emi slid the check across his desk. He picked it up, scanning it carefully under the light.
> "A bank-certified check… thirty billion…" He whistled low before regaining composure. "Remarkable. Few clients pay upfront, and even fewer in full. I see now—you're no ordinary man."
I leaned forward, locking eyes with him.
> "Remember my conditions. Absolute obedience. I don't want men who question orders. I want hounds that move the moment I command."
The manager nodded firmly, carefully tucking the check into his drawer as though it were a crown jewel.
> "Understood. You'll have them tomorrow. Two hundred of the most disciplined, professional guards at your service for thirty days."
I rose to my feet, Emi following.
> "Good. Then we have an agreement."
As we left, Emi glanced at me with a mix of awe and disbelief.
> "Just like that… you signed away thirty billion with a single check. Kane, normal people can't even imagine that kind of money."
I smirked faintly.
> "Normal people won't survive what's coming. That's why I'm not normal."
After leaving the agency, I drove back to the mansion with Emi beside me. The sun had already dipped low, painting the streets in hues of orange and red. My mind stayed sharp, but Emi seemed distracted, glancing at me several times before finally speaking.
> "Kane… when you make decisions like that, it feels like you already know what's going to happen. Thirty billion spent in one breath, and you didn't even blink."
I gave her a small smile, my eyes never leaving the road.
> "That's because hesitation costs lives. You'll understand soon enough."
By the time we reached the mansion gates, I noticed another car parked neatly outside. Aiko was waiting, standing beside her parents—a humble-looking middle-aged couple with weary expressions, the kind people shaped by years of sacrifice.
As I stepped out of the car, Aiko rushed forward.
> "Kane! You're back."
Her parents followed with cautious steps, their gazes sharp as they studied me. The father cleared his throat first.
> "So… you're the man our daughter insisted we meet. The one she and Emi have suddenly… agreed to be with."
The mother's brows furrowed.
> "Tell us honestly. What did you do to our daughters? They aren't the type to throw themselves at a stranger."
I glanced at Aiko.
> "Would you like to explain, or should I?"
Aiko bit her lip, then stepped forward, her cheeks faintly red.
> "Mother, Father… Kane isn't just anyone. He's the one who took us in, gave us work, and treated us like we mattered. And… he's the man I chose. Emi too. We both…"
Her voice trailed off, but the meaning was clear.
The father's eyes narrowed as he turned back to me.
> "You expect us to believe this isn't some trick? That you aren't just using them?"
I didn't flinch under his gaze. Instead, I spoke firmly.
> "I have no need for tricks. What I offer them is protection, a future, and a place at my side when the world changes. And make no mistake—it will change soon."
The mother frowned, confused.
> "What do you mean?"
I reached into my pocket and pulled out a piece of chocolate. With a flick of thought, another appeared in my hand—both materializing from my inventory. Their eyes widened in disbelief.
> "The world will soon be thrown into chaos. Disasters, powers, survival of the fittest. I'm preparing for it, and I want your daughters—and both of you—to be safe. That's why I'm giving you one of the mansions next to mine. Stay close, and you'll survive."
The couple exchanged a long, silent look before finally nodding. Though doubt lingered in their eyes, Aiko's earnest expression convinced them more than my words.
---
The next morning at exactly 9 AM, the roar of heavy engines filled the air. Black SUVs and armored vans lined up neatly outside the mansion district. Two hundred bodyguards in identical uniforms stepped out in perfect formation, their movements sharp, their eyes cold.
I stood at the front gate with Emi and Aiko beside me, arms crossed. The manager who had delivered them gave a respectful nod.
> "Mr. Kane, these are the men you requested. All professionals. No questions, no hesitation."
I studied the formation in silence for a moment. The sheer weight of their presence was impressive—but I needed more than just muscle. I needed obedience.
Stepping forward, I let my voice carry across the courtyard.
> "From this moment on, you are under my command. Twelve mansions in this district are now your responsibility. Day and night, rain or shine, you will guard them without fail."
The men stood rigid, not a single one daring to shift.
I continued, my tone cold and precise.
> "Each of the eleven outer mansions will be guarded by five men at all times. My mansion—the twelfth—will be guarded by eleven. Shifts will rotate, but coverage must never lapse. Two leaders will be assigned to monitor every detail and report directly to me. Nothing—and I mean nothing—happens here without my knowledge."
The men slammed their fists against their chests in unison.
> "Yes, sir!"
The sound echoed off the mansion walls, sharp and powerful.
I let my gaze sweep across their faces.
> "This is not just a job. This is your ground, your fortress. What happens outside these gates is not our concern. But inside? You protect it with your lives. Fail, and you'll find out what happens when I'm displeased."
The silence that followed was heavy. Even Emi and Aiko shifted slightly beside me, sensing the weight of my words.
The manager gave a small bow.
> "Understood, Mr. Kane. They'll follow every order."
Satisfied, I gave a sharp nod.
> "Good. Assign them immediately. I expect full rotations by tonight. No excuses."
As the manager began barking instructions and the men moved into position, Aiko leaned close to me, her voice barely above a whisper.
> "Kane… the way you talk to them… it's like you were born to command an army."
A faint smile tugged at my lips.