The meeting was arranged in Marlyn's private office. Rahul arrived, looking confident with a smug smile. He carried a tablet.
"Wise decision, Ms. Marlyn," he said, placing the documents on the desk. "Just sign, and all your problems will be over."
"I'll sign when I see you delete the video from all your devices," Marlyn said, trying hard to remain calm.
Rahul chuckled. "Of course." He picked up his tablet, pretending to open something.
[Activation: Level 1 Hacking System. Scanning devices in the room... Detected: 1 smartphone (Rahul), 1 tablet (Rahul), 1 connected cloud storage account. Tracing video file... Found. Initiating remote transfer and deletion...]
Nathan, hiding behind a two-way panel, watched through his own tablet. The system worked quickly. The video file was downloaded to his device, then deleted from Rahul's devices and his cloud storage.
"It's done," Rahul said, lying easily. "Now, sign."
"One more thing," Marlyn said. "The charm you gave me. I want it back."
Rahul looked surprised, then smiled cynically. "It was just a gift, Ms."
"Give it to me," Marlyn hissed.
With a grumble, Rahul pulled a small pouch containing dried herbs from his pocket. "Here."
[Scan charm... Detected: Mixture of herbs with negative psychic energy. Neutralization recommended.]
As Rahul handed over the charm, Nathan entered the room.
"The show's over, Rahul," Nathan said, his voice cold.
Rahul jumped. "Who are you?!"
"Someone who cleans up messes," Nathan replied smoothly. He held up his tablet. "The video is gone from all your devices. And the police are on their way to deal with your other cases. The murder of Budi, your business partner 5 months ago."
Rahul turned pale. "You... you can't prove anything!"
"I can," Nathan countered, now with a strong and authoritative voice. "Your conversations with Budi. The flow of funds from Budi's account who trusted you for fraudulent investments, and data of the people who helped you kill Budi."
"The police are moving to secure them. And as the executors, they tend to be fragile and easily confess when pressured by the police. You, as the mastermind, should get the harshest punishment." Nathan smiled wryly.
Nathan didn't want Rahul to be detained for cases concerning Marlin. Because after all, Marlin as a public official would be damaged if the case came out.
But while scanning Rahul's tablet, Nathan was able to find other files. Other evidence about the murders Rahul committed so that Rahul could go to jail without needing to associate it with his case with Marlin.
Rahul cursed and tried to escape, but Marlyn's bodyguards, who had been waiting outside, came in and apprehended him.
The police had also arrived and arrested Rahul.
After Rahul was taken away, Marlyn staggered, but Nathan steadied her.
"It's over," he whispered.
Nathan took the charm from Marlyn's trembling hand. With his system's knowledge, he knew how to neutralize it.
He burned it in an ashtray, uttering a few words (provided by the system) to sever its energetic connections.
Marlyn felt like a thick fog lifted from her mind. She took a deep breath, and for the first time in months, her mind felt clear.
"He... he was using me. It was really magic," she whispered, tears of relief now flowing freely. "I was so stupid."
"You weren't stupid," Nathan said gently. "You were just lonely and manipulated by someone evil."
Marlyn looked at him, so much gratitude radiating from her eyes. "I owe you everything, Mr. Nathan. I want to give you money..."
[Ding! Mission complete. Threat neutralized. Target trust acquired. Reward of 2,000,000,000 Rupiah has been transferred. Current balance: 3,800,000,000 Rupiah. Bonus system access deactivated.]
Nathan smiled. "It's not necessary, Ms. Marlyn. Seeing you free is enough."
But Marlyn shook her head. "No. I have to thank you. I will transfer your reward. And... if you ever need a friend in high places..." She handed him her personal business card. "Don't hesitate."
Nathan accepted it. He had achieved his goals. Money and connections.
As he turned to leave, Marlyn said again, "Nathan... what exactly is your job?"
Nathan paused, then turned back. "I... help people in need. In my own way."
He left, leaving behind a still-dazed Marlyn, a powerful woman he had saved, and himself beginning to wonder if he was still just a tool of the system, or if he was finding a new purpose.
Two hours after the emotionally draining meeting with Marlyn, Nathan's phone rang. It was Jihan. Her voice sounded strained, different from her usual efficient tone.
"Mr. Nathan," she said, almost whispering. "I... I have a message from Ms. Marlyn. She's requesting to meet. Privately. But this is... very unofficial."
Nathan frowned. "Where?"
"At the Presidential Suite, Hotel Granadi. Room 2401. In one hour." There was a pause. "And, Mr. Nathan... she asked you to come alone. I'll just be waiting outside to take you to the door."
Nathan had a strange premonition. This wasn't about business anymore. "I'll be there," he said.
As he arrived at the luxurious hotel, Jihan was already waiting in the lobby. Her face was pale, and she avoided eye contact.
"Thank you for coming, Mr. Nathan," she whispered, leading him to a private elevator that went directly to the top floor. During the ride, she remained silent.
They arrived in front of a large mahogany door numbered 2401. Jihan took a deep breath. "She's inside. She... she needs someone tonight. Not an assistant. Not a bodyguard. But... a man." She finally looked at Nathan, her eyes pleading. "Please... be gentle with her. She's been through a lot."
Nathan nodded, beginning to understand. Nathan also knew now that Jihan was not just an assistant to Marlyn. But also a best friend. A place where Marlyn shared all her troubles and deepest secrets.
Jihan then turned and left quickly, leaving him alone in the silent corridor.
Nathan stood before the door, sensing a different energy from beyond the wall. This wasn't a strategic meeting. This was something more personal, more primal.
[Ding! Mission detected. Environment: Luxurious hotel room. Target: Woman inside the room.]
Nathan almost smiled. The system always had perfect timing.
[Option A: Pretend to be the cleaning service. Clean the room for 15 minutes. Reward: 200,000,000 Rupiah.]
That was a wildly inappropriate joke.
[Option B: Enter and comfort the lonely woman inside. Provide the best bed service using all system abilities. Reward: 1,000 Rupiah.]
One thousand rupiah? That was a ridiculously insignificant amount, almost insulting, and so far removed compared to previous rewards.
But Nathan knew. This wasn't about the money. It was about Marlyn. And choosing the option that paid almost nothing was his best way—its strange way—of saying that this wasn't a transaction. This was a personal choice.
With newfound resolve, he chose B.