"Hey! Let's get one thing straight—we work for the Board of Directors. Messing with us will bring you major trouble. Aren't you part of the Board too? Pay us, and we'll work for you just the same. Let us go, and we'll cover your losses."
Kinuhata Saiai invoked the Board's authority. Truthfully, she didn't care about switching bosses, but doing so without permission was tantamount to betraying the Board. Both they and their new "employer" would face consequences, even if that employer was a Board member.
She doubted the Board couldn't handle Samuel. By making this clear, she hoped he'd reconsider and release them.
"No need to worry about that. The Board's transfer papers are on their way. Our Chairman, Aleister, will grant me that much courtesy."
Kinuhata's heart sank. Samuel's influence was greater than she'd imagined, especially if one of the eight Level 5s had been handed to him.
"…Then I've got no objections."
Kinuhata fell silent, piecing together his identity. His words, brimming with confidence and casual disregard for the Board, pointed to one conclusion: he was Academy City's Number One.
She should've recognized him during the fight. She'd seen his photo, but his use of electromagnetic force—contradicting known intel—threw her off.
That composure, that confidence, that audacity to mock the Board—only the Number One, or perhaps Aleister himself, could pull it off.
But…
"Was I fooled?"
The Number One's registered ability was a non-combat, support-oriented skill tied to research. How was he wielding electromagnetic force? Was it a device? One with Level 5 strength? Did that mean Level 5 power could be mass-produced?
Kinuhata's mind raced. If her theory was correct, it explained Samuel's value to the Board.
What she didn't realize was that Samuel wasn't mass-producing Level 5s or crafting devices to grant such power. He alone was a force capable of destroying all of Academy City.
"And you, Mugino Shizuri?"
"…"
"What, not interested? Think I can't do anything to you?"
The air turned icy.
Frenda scurried to Mugino's side, pleading, "Mugino, don't be stubborn. The Board's already ditched us. It's just a change of boss—no big deal, right?"
"I refuse!"
Ignoring Frenda, Mugino snapped her head up, glaring at Samuel with the ferocity of a cornered beast.
But Samuel saw something else. He stepped forward, pinched her chin, and lifted her face. Their eyes locked. Beneath her defiant facade and hidden deep in her gaze, he saw fear. "You're afraid of me."
It wasn't a question but a statement.
"I… I'm not…"
Her denial sounded like a question.
"Oh, really?"
Samuel's hand slid from her face to the collar on her neck. With a press, it fell away.
"Come on, then. Hit me with your Meltdowner!"
Arms spread wide, Samuel's face bore the same detached (to her, mocking) smile from their last battle. Though the Firewall had fought that time, both it and Samuel wore this expression when they deemed an opponent no threat.
"You think I won't?"
His smile ignited Mugino's rage, but memories of her powerlessness flooded back.
I can't win…
The thought lingered.
"If you're so bold, do it!"
Samuel's grin widened, confirming her fear.
"I'll… I'll kill you!"
Electrons gathered around her, unstable orbs forming.
"You know, in Italy, a mafia boss once said… for a true powerhouse, the moment you think 'I'll kill you,' the deed is already done."
Samuel's hand brushed Mugino's cheek, smooth and delicate, then traced down her neck, her rounded shoulders…
Her electron orbs wavered, destabilizing, then dissolved into particles.
Had Samuel interfered? No… he'd done nothing.
"You tampered with me?"
Mugino's question betrayed her uncertainty. She felt no interference—because there was none. For a god, aiding or harming a human was like fate unfolding, unnoticed. But the gap between Samuel and Mugino wasn't that vast—just a human with advanced tech versus a large predator.
Samuel could slaughter dozens, hundreds of Muginos, but not without her noticing.
"I didn't. Ask your heart."
Samuel went further, embracing her, one hand slipping under her clothes to rest over her heart, the other trailing upward.
"No…"
Mugino broke. Her proud exterior shattered, her vulnerability exposed.
Her ability, her pride, had been crushed in their last fight, uncontrollable under Samuel's dominance. It seeded doubt, distrust in her own power.
That doubt birthed fear, a psychological scar threatening to warp her Personal Reality.
Academy City had a teleporter who, after getting stuck in a wall, developed a phobia, refusing to teleport themselves. A psychological and physiological aversion crippled them, halving a Level 5's potential.
Samuel didn't want a broken tool—he had no shortage of those.
"If you won't attack me, you're worthless. Be my lover instead. At least… it's safer, right?"
Samuel peeled off her top, unfastened her skirt, his hands roaming freely, eyes savoring the moment.
He was serious.
Mugino was a stunning beauty, and if ITEM had no practical use, turning them into "playthings" wasn't out of the question.
***
If you enjoyed this story, don't forget to drop 5 stars and your power stone. And if you want to read more than 70 chapters in advance, feel free to visit: pat reon . com / KangTL