Seo Jin's throat burned under the Villain's grip. Cold fingers pressed against his skin, steady, merciless.
The man's eyes were locked onto him—sharp, dark, and bottomless.
"Who are you really?"
The question was soft, but the weight of it pressed heavier than the hand on his neck.
Seo Jin forced himself not to look away. Fear was there, crawling under his skin, but he buried it beneath a faint smirk.
"If I told you," he rasped, voice rough from lack of air, "you wouldn't believe me."
The Villain's eyes narrowed. His grip tightened for a moment, making black dots dance across Seo Jin's vision. Then it loosened again, just enough for him to breathe.
"Try me."
Seo Jin's mind spun. He couldn't tell the truth. Who would believe he was a gamer from another world? And even if the Villain believed it, that would make him more dangerous, not less.
So Seo Jin chose the same strategy he always used when cornered—in games and in life. Half-truths. Bait. Enough to stir curiosity, but never enough to pin him down.
"I'm someone who doesn't like dying," he said flatly. "And I don't plan to let anyone decide my death for me."
The Villain's expression didn't change, but his eyes sharpened, as if cutting deeper into Seo Jin's soul.
The fox on his shoulder trembled, tail puffed up.
"Host, you're crazy! You're taunting him! This is how protagonists die in chapter three!"
Seo Jin ignored it. His smirk widened just slightly. "So, are you going to kill me? Or are you curious enough to keep me alive?"
The Villain studied him in silence. The tension dragged on until Seo Jin's pulse began to ache from being held so long.
Finally, the man released him.
Seo Jin stumbled back against the wall, coughing, sucking in greedy breaths of air. His throat throbbed, but he kept his eyes steady, watching the man before him.
The Villain turned slightly, his black robes swaying. "You're not worth killing… yet."
Seo Jin's eyebrow twitched. "…What a compliment."
The fox let out a squeaky sigh of relief. "Host, you survived! See? He likes you already!"
Seo Jin muttered, "Shut up," but his lips curved faintly. Surviving meant he had bought himself more time.
But time in this world was never free.
The Villain glanced back at the assassin's corpse, then at Seo Jin. His gaze lingered longer than necessary, thoughtful, unreadable.
"Follow me," he said.
Seo Jin froze. "Excuse me?"
The Villain's tone didn't change. "You're too noisy to leave alone. You might… interest me further. Or you might bore me, and I'll end you. Either way, you're coming with me."
The fox bounced excitedly on Seo Jin's shoulder. "Host, Host! This is it! You're being taken home by the Villain! The romance has started~"
Seo Jin's face darkened. Romance, my ass. This is kidnapping.
He opened his mouth to refuse, but the Villain's eyes cut back to him, sharp and final. That single look made his words die in his throat.
He wasn't in control here. Not yet.
Seo Jin exhaled slowly, adjusting his torn robes. "Fine. Lead the way, Lord Devil."
The Villain didn't react to the mocking title. He simply turned and walked out of the ruined courtyard, his back straight, aura sharp as a blade.
Seo Jin followed, his steps shaky but steadying with each breath. The fox hummed happily, tail wagging.
"Host, this is perfect! Imagine all the missions we'll get by staying close to him! Survival, romance, cultivation—it's the best route!"
Seo Jin gave it a sideways glare. "Or the fastest way to get killed."
The fox giggled, covering its mouth with its paw. "But dying is boring, living is fun~ And with him, living will be very… exciting."
Seo Jin's chest tightened. He looked at the figure in black robes walking just ahead of him. Cold, merciless, terrifying.
And for the first time, a thought crept into his mind that made his pulse quicken for reasons other than fear.
Exciting, huh?
…
The night wind blew as they left the broken courtyard behind.
Seo Jin glanced once over his shoulder at the assassin's body lying in a pool of blood. That could have been him tonight. It still could be him tomorrow.
But for now, he had survived. And survival was always step one.
The fox purred softly in his mind. "Congratulations, Host. Mission One complete."
A screen flickered faintly in Seo Jin's vision.
[Ding! Mission Complete: Survive the Night.]
[Reward unlocked: Body Detoxification + Beginner Cultivation Method.]
Warmth spread faintly through his veins, clearing some of the poison, soothing his pain. Strength returned bit by bit to his fragile limbs.
Seo Jin clenched his fist lightly. Not enough. But better.
The System's voice chimed cheerfully. "Next mission loading~"
Seo Jin's gut sank. "Don't say it."
The fox's golden eyes sparkled.
[Ding! New Mission: Gain the Villain's Favor.]
[Failure: Death.]
Seo Jin stumbled mid-step. "…You've got to be kidding me."
The Villain stopped walking, his cold gaze sliding back over his shoulder. Seo Jin froze under that look, swallowing down the curse that almost slipped out.
The Villain's lips curved slightly—though it wasn't a smile. More like the twitch of a blade before it cuts.
"Keep up," he said, before turning away again.
Seo Jin's face darkened. The fox wagged its tail.
And somewhere deep inside him, dread and a strange spark of anticipation tangled together.
---
Cliffhanger End of Chapter Three.