Yun Fan's words left our Miss Topaz utterly bewildered—so much so that she even wondered if she had misheard. What kind of mastermind would openly admit to the kidnapped person, right to their face, "The one who helped you was sent by me"?
"Uh… Mr. Yun Fan, could you repeat what you just said?" Topaz's lips twitched slightly. Could it be that the effects of the sedative hadn't worn off yet? Was her hearing still impaired? Otherwise, how could she have heard such an absurd statement?
"Hmm? Was I not clear enough just now?" Yun Fan tilted his head in feigned confusion. "I said, 'You're welcome—the person who kidnapped you was sent by me.'"
Topaz: "..."
Topaz fell silent. This handsome black-haired young man before her… was truly something else.
As a specialist in bad debt liquidation for the Interastral Peace Corporation, Topaz had encountered threats, intimidation, and even kidnapping and assassination attempts during her debt-collecting missions on other planets. Such tactics were nothing new to her. But someone like Yun Fan, who acted this way… Well, Topaz had to admit, despite her vast experience, this was the first time she had encountered such a person and such a situation.
"Mr. Yun Fan, you really are… an interesting person." After a long pause, the 'speechless' Topaz finally managed to squeeze out those words. Then, with a smile that didn't reach her eyes, she stared at Yun Fan, an aura of danger emanating from her.
"An interesting person? Hahaha, I think so too. You've got quite the eye, Miss Topaz." Faced with Topaz's slightly sarcastic remark, Yun Fan merely chuckled lightly, ignoring the subtle movements of her activating Path energy. Sitting by the bed, he shifted slightly, leaning even closer to her.
"Why did you kidnap me? As far as I know, there's no grudge between us, is there?" Topaz's voice turned cold, her delicate brows arching in sync with her mood. In an instant, an intimidating aura radiated from her, warning others to stay away.
"Heh, I think I understand now why you became a high-ranking executive of the Corporation at such a young age. This composure of yours—unshaken even if Mount Tai were to collapse before you—isn't something just anyone can possess."
Under Topaz's murderous gaze, Yun Fan chuckled and reached out to caress her cheek. Topaz, who had been preparing to counterattack, suddenly stiffened, a flicker of shock and panic flashing in her eyes.
Because she realized that the moment Yun Fan touched her, the Path of The Hunt energy within her body had gone completely dormant—like a mouse facing a cat. No matter how she called upon it, there was no response whatsoever.
"So… your reason for kidnapping me is related to the Interastral Peace Corporation? Well, I'm afraid you might be disappointed. Though I am an executive, I'm hardly indispensable to the Corporation. Even without me—"
"Hahahaha…!" Before Topaz could finish, Yun Fan burst into laughter, unable to hold back.
"Miss Topaz, what if I told you that I sent someone to kidnap you… purely because I wanted to see the expression on your face right now? What would you think?"
"Ah, right—I should also mention that the person who took your identity badge and deliberately led you to this planet… was also me."
Staring at Yun Fan's teasing yet utterly serious expression, Topaz felt a surge of fury rise from her chest to her head. Her lips parted slightly: "Y-You… did all this for such a ridiculous reason…?!"
"No, no, no. It's not ridiculous at all. On the contrary, isn't it quite… delightful?"
"Delightful…? Are you from the Path of Elation?" Hearing the word "delightful," Topaz suddenly understood. If this man before her was a follower of Elation, then everything made perfect sense. In this universe, the only people who would do something so nonsensical were those 'Masked Fools' who spent their days seeking amusement everywhere.
Yun Fan neither confirmed nor denied Topaz's assumption. He simply smiled at her in silence.
But to Topaz, this was as good as an admission. Having determined his identity, she no longer felt the need to press further.
"Well then… I assume your goal has already been achieved? You've gotten your so-called 'delight,' so can you let me go now?"
"Of course—no."
Yun Fan grinned, stroking Topaz's smooth silver-gray short hair, outright rejecting her request without hesitation.
Topaz didn't argue. She simply clutched the edge of the blanket quietly before raising her head, her gem-like clear eyes fixed intently on Yun Fan.
"Can you at least give me a reason?"
—————————
Meanwhile…
"Ugh… Hah…" Bronya, who had been brought to the Underworld by Sampo, slowly woke from her unconscious state. Opening her eyes, she surveyed the unfamiliar surroundings and murmured to herself:
"Where… am I…?"
Just as Bronya was lost in thought, the door creaked open. A blonde girl wearing a hat stepped in quietly, carefully holding a bowl of plain porridge.
"Ah, Lady Bronya, you're awake!" Seeing Bronya conscious, the blonde girl quickened her pace, arriving at her side with a look of pleasant surprise.
"Lynx?! Why are you—?" The moment she saw Lynx, Bronya's expression became uncharacteristically stunned. But she quickly composed herself.
"Lynx… I'm so glad you're safe." Bronya gently touched Lynx's face, confirming that she was unharmed. A weight in her heart finally lifted.
The past few days had been anything but peaceful in Belobog. First, there were the 'visitors from the Interastral Peace Corporation,' followed by an escaped convict. Then, an unknown man injured Gepard and abducted Lynx.
After that, a sudden and inexplicable earthquake had struck, bringing Belobog to the brink of destruction. Fortunately, a divine being intervened, saving the city from annihilation.
And then, right after the earthquake subsided—while Bronya, as the captain of the Silvermane Guards, was leading her troops to maintain order in the city—that escaped convict suddenly reappeared, kidnapping a member of the Interastral Peace Corporation in broad daylight. Bronya had led a team to apprehend him, only to end up captured herself…
Bronya sighed deeply. Right now, she felt utterly exhausted.