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"Kento, come on. I'll take you somewhere to relax."
Liza crooked her finger at Julian with a teasing smile.
Julian knew exactly what she meant.
At first, he'd planned to refuse.
But considering Liza's status…It might be better to go along and see what's up.
After all, this was a perfect chance to get upstairs.
"Alright."
He nodded and followed behind her.
Liza was secretly thrilled.
For this kind of thing, forcing it was never as enjoyable as getting someone to come willingly. Seeing Julian go along so easily put her in a great mood.
The two of them reached the stairwell and met up with the husband from the young couple.
Damn…
Two at once?
Julian was a little shocked.
This Liza—she wasn't much to look at, but her appetite sure was impressive.
With an extra person involved, things might get tricky later…
"Brother Kento, I forgot to introduce myself earlier. My name's Shinji."
"So where's Sister Liza taking us?" the young man asked casually.
Julian blinked. You don't know?Then why the hell did you follow her?
He clicked his tongue inwardly.
"We're heading somewhere mysterious… for some in-depth exploration," Julian said.
Shinji paused, clearly not getting it.
But when he thought about what was happening to his wife downstairs…
A sharp pang hit his chest.
"Damn it…"
"One day, I'm going to kill that mustached bastard!"
He muttered through clenched teeth.
Julian shot him a sympathetic glance.
Yeah… this kind of thing—only people who've been through it really understand how bitter it feels.
Still, people change with their environment.
If Shinji truly became an Awakened… would he still want revenge?
Hard to say.
Soon, under Liza's lead, they arrived on the third floor.
Strange noises drifted into their ears.
Liza was already used to it.
Shinji, on the other hand, stiffened immediately.
He recognized that voice—it was that mustached guy from earlier…
"Damn it…"
His fists clenched tightly.
If that guy wanted to mess around, fine—but did he have to shout like that?!
Too bad he was too weak. No way he could take on those Awakened…
Honestly, his wife wasn't even that attractive. What kind of animals were these people, with standards this low?!
A storm of emotions flooded his body.
Then—
Boom.
A powerful aura suddenly burst out of him.
"Is this… an awakening?" Liza covered her mouth in surprise.
So emotions could trigger awakening too…
Interesting. Definitely something worth studying later.
And tonight, with one more Awakened joining in… things were going to get even more fun.
"I awakened?!"
"That's great! I'm going to kill that mustached bastard!"
Shinji rolled up his sleeves and charged toward the exhibition hall.
"Stop!"
Liza shouted, her own aura flaring instantly.
Shinji's heart trembled. He froze in place.
"That's where the Awakened live. There are dozens of them inside."
"What are you going to do, run in there and die?"
"If you want to get stronger, then stay with me."
"Relax. You've got good potential—you'll get your chance."
Liza shot him a sharp look.
"Damn it…"
Shinji's body trembled slightly.
He knew she was right.
Charging in now would just be suicide.
He wouldn't get revenge—and might even lose his own life.
And then he'd never get the chance to avenge himself.
He had to endure.
He had to become stronger.
He had to wait until they were alone.
Head lowered, Shinji walked back to Liza's side.
Liza smiled faintly.
People were always good at convincing themselves.
And once someone grew stronger… who knew? Their mindset might change again.
By then, would revenge even matter?
Maybe everyone would just end up enjoying themselves together.
Besides…
Sometimes, it wasn't so clear who was forcing whom.
With that thought, Liza smiled and continued up toward the fourth floor.
Julian watched her back, quietly impressed.
The aura she'd just released was clearly stronger than most Awakened.
And now she could freely go to the fourth floor…
She had to be a top figure in the camp.
Someone like her, acting as a "beginner guide"… what was she after?
What could she possibly want…
Julian glanced at himself and Shinji—and instantly got it.
It was just like college seniors eagerly helping new freshman girls during orientation.
…Nice. 666.
"Hello, Sister Liza."
"These newbies look pretty decent."
"Enjoy yourself, Sister Liza!"
The two guards at the fourth-floor stairwell greeted her politely.
As Liza passed them, she casually reached out and squeezed their chests.
Looks like they were well-acquainted… very well-acquainted.
Hearing the guards' words and looking at the situation, Shinji suddenly shuddered.
"Brother Kento… Sister Liza isn't taking us there to… right?" he asked, eyes wide.
"You're just realizing that now?"
"It's fine. If you can't resist, just… try to enjoy it," Julian said, patting his shoulder.
There wasn't much else he could do besides offer a few words of comfort.
Of course, with him here, there was no way Liza would actually succeed.
Shinji looked completely dead inside.
His wife was downstairs…
And now he was being taken upstairs by a powerful woman…
What kind of nightmare was this?!
What kind of world had it become?!
If he had the choice, he'd rather switch places with his wife!
Liza led Julian and Shinji toward the camp leader's exhibition hall.
The leader was often away, so Liza had basically turned the place into her own personal playground.
Just as the three of them were about to go in, the door to a nearby hall opened.
A refined-looking man with glasses stepped out, an arm wrapped around a curvy, big-haired woman wearing nothing but shorts.
"Well, well, Liza. Feeling hungry today?"
"Going for two at once?"
Madman Kano grinned.
Julian gave him a quick glance. Living on the fourth floor… he was probably one of the camp's higher-ups.
And the woman beside him…
She looked familiar.
Where had he seen her before?
Ah! A resident from Donghu Villa!
If not for that big wavy hairstyle, he might not have recognized her.
Weren't two women exiled from Donghu Villa today?
She must be one of them!
Can't let her recognize me.
He still hadn't figured out who the camp leader was.
Without hesitation, Julian lowered his head and turned slightly away from them, keeping a low profile.
The woman seemed dazed and out of it—she didn't recognize him.
Otherwise, Julian would've had no choice but to start killing.
"....."