"Just wait a bit longer, alright? There's this rumor going around… about a 50-floor tower that showed up a year ago. They say a relic is hidden inside—a flower that can heal anything."
I kept my face blank, but deep down, I knew it was too good to be true.
"And what about Father? Does he believe it as well?"
The confidence in her expression faltered. The father I remembered had always been cold, placing more importance on his company than on his own son
"A one-billion bounty is waiting to anyone who retrieves it; that's how desperate he is to see you healed. There's still hope. So please… hang on a little longer."
I almost laughed when she mentioned the bounty.
That flower was more about benefiting the company than saving me, and I would be lucky if that guy even put me first.
During the three years Ace was hospitalized, that jerk never once showed up. Anyone who thought he was a good father was either blind or completely stupid.
I didn't consider myself a good person, but I would never, in my life, treat a family like that
Pushing that thought aside, I focused back on her, one of my targets, and it was easy enough to make her spoil me, given how much she doted on me.
"Aunt Ellie… I'm thirsty," I whispered, letting my voice sound a little weak. "Could you help me drink?"
A soft white glow lit her eyes—a sign that my ability had activated. As far as I knew, I was the only one who could see it.
"Okay,"
She picked up the cup and gently brought the straw to my lips.
I took a drink, then faked a pained expression.
"Sorry My head… Could you maybe… rub my forehead a little?"
Again, she didn't hesitate. She put down the glass and gently traced comforting circles on my temples.
This was another test. I wasn't just asking for comfort—I was stacking effects, layering commands and watching if the influence deepened with repeated exposure.
And so far, it was working.
She didn't ask any questions, since every request was normal.
"Thank you. Could you… hold my face for a bit? It helps. Makes me feel safe."
While she did what I asked, her phone rang, and she answered with her free hand, never letting go of me.
By the time the call ended, she looked very uneasy.
"Ace, I'm sorry, but I have to go. Something important came up."
"Can you stay a little longer?" I asked, letting my ability sink into every word.
"I'm sorry," she murmured softly.
It failed. That meant she was under enough stress to break free from my ability.
"It's alright. Aunt Ellie, will you come see me every day from now on?"
This time, her eyes lit up, and a smile slowly spread across her face.
"Of course. I'll come."
[Mission Reward : Acting Card]
Before she left, I ordered her to bring me a mirror so I could see my face.
I still remembered what Ace looked like, but I wanted to get a sense of my current condition.
In the mirror, a thin young man with brown hair and green eyes stared back. My face was plain, neither handsome nor ugly.
Compared to my previous life, this one was definitely an upgrade—both good and sad at the same time.
Now, for that new Acting Card.
click!
The door opened again. I half-expected it to be Ellie, but instead, a woman with blonde hair in a white doctor's coat stepped in. She was the assistant physician from before.
She walked slowly toward me after locking the door, her expression serious enough to make me anxious.
My mind raced—what if she was an assassin sent to kill me? Beautiful and deadly.
"Mr. Ace, I have to tell you something," she said, biting her lip in hesitation.
"What is it, Doc Sera?" I asked, reading her name tag.
She took a deep breath and sat down. "Mr. Ace, I think you need to request a transfer to a new hospital. Something's going on here, and I'm afraid Dr. Kim might be trying to sabotage your recovery."
My eyes widened, but I still maintained my composure.
"Do you have any evidence of this?"
She shook her head.
"All your medicine isn't harmful, but there are far better alternatives. I tried to convince him, but he insisted there was no need. I can't bear to watch you suffer like this when there's a better option. Please… just request a transfer."
Closing my eyes, I began weighing my options. Should I really request a transfer? Wouldn't that just alert my enemy that I'm aware of their presence?
And even if I did that, what would stop them from killing me at a different hospital?
"Doctor Sera, thanks for your concern, but can you do me a favor and not tell anyone about this?"
"Why?" she asked, her eyebrows furrowed.
"Going to a different hospital would put my life in even more danger. I hope you understand."
She was smart, so she immediately understood my point. It also helped that I used my ability on her, making my words even more convincing.
Taking this opportunity, I started having conversation with her.
Slowly but surely, she began opening up and even promised to be my lookout—without realizing she was already dancing in the palm of my hand.
I could have tried the same approach I used with Claire, but I had a feeling she was too smart for that.
Roughly fifteen minutes later, she got up to check on the other patients—leaving me alone.
Things were getting more and more out of hand, and I still had no clue how I could even move.
'The Acting Card!'
Upon checking, I noticed it was silver, and from the design, I could make out a monk in a meditative pose.
flash!
A blinding light filled my vision, and I found myself sitting on a gray bricked floor.
In front of me were hundreds of half-naked men, all performing the same movements.
"Ha!" They punched the air.
"Ho!" They kicked.
"Huu!" They shifted their stance.