The small room was quiet except for the sound of dripping water from a cracked jar in the corner. The walls were rough wood, and the faint smell of dust and herbs clung to the air. It wasn't much, but compared to the dirt ground he had slept on last night, it felt like a palace.
Seo Jin sat cross-legged on the floor. His sleeve was rolled up, and a strip of torn cloth was tied around his arm. The cut from the duel still burned. Every time he moved, it stung, but he didn't let the pain show on his face.
The little fox rolled around lazily on the straw bed. Its fluffy tail flicked back and forth, golden eyes sparkling. "Host, you were amazing today! Everyone thought you would be chopped into pieces, but you turned it around. Did you see their stupid faces? Priceless!"
Seo Jin gave it a flat look. "I also almost died. If that sword had been a little faster, I'd be a corpse right now."
The fox hopped up, landing neatly on his lap. Its fur was soft and warm against his skin. "But you're not dead. You're alive. That means it worked. And you even made the Villain look at you. Not bad, Host. Not bad at all."
Seo Jin pinched its ear. "Don't call him that out loud. If someone hears you, I'll be the one executed."
The fox yelped, shaking its head until he let go. Then it puffed up proudly. "Fine, fine. But you know what this means, right? He noticed you. He said you're not useless. Do you know how rare that is? He usually ignores people until they beg to die."
Seo Jin narrowed his eyes. "Noticed me? That's not always a good thing. A predator also notices a rabbit before tearing it apart."
The fox blinked innocently. "Then don't be the rabbit. Be the wolf."
Seo Jin smirked faintly. Wolf, huh? With this weak body, I feel more like a limping dog.
The room was quiet for a while. Outside, he could hear faint training sounds—wood clashing, disciples shouting. Everyone was probably still talking about his fight. A useless body turning the tables on a stronger opponent… yeah, that was gossip material.
The fox licked its paw, then spoke again. "So, what's the plan now, Host? You can't keep using dirty tricks forever."
Seo Jin leaned back against the wall, eyes narrowing. "No plan. Plans get you killed when the situation changes. I'll adapt, like always."
The fox wagged its tail happily. "Adapt and seduce! That's what we need. Don't forget, the mission is to gain his favor. And favor doesn't just mean respect. It means his heart!"
Seo Jin froze, staring at the little thing. "…What did you just say?"
"Heart!" The fox's voice rang with pride. "We need him to fall for you."
Seo Jin rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache coming. "Fall for me? Do I look like I have time for romance? I'm busy trying not to die."
"But it's the fastest way!" the fox argued. "Why do you think the system gave you a Villain as your target? Because the cold ones are the easiest to warm up. Just give him some looks, some charm, maybe a smile—"
"Shut it before I cook you," Seo Jin said darkly.
The fox squeaked and buried its face in his lap.
Before he could scold it more, the door creaked open.
A heavy silence fell over the room. Seo Jin's instincts screamed at him, and his back straightened instantly.
The man who entered moved slowly, but every step was like a blade against the floor. Black robes trailed behind him, long and cold. His presence pressed against the walls, making the air heavy. The candlelight flickered as if it didn't dare burn too bright near him.
The Villain.
Seo Jin swallowed down the sudden dryness in his throat. His fingers twitched, but he forced them to relax. Calm down. He's just a man. A man who can probably kill me with a single glance, but still a man.
The fox froze, fur puffing up like a ball. "Host, Host! He came to see you! Do something charming! Smile! Wink! Roll over!"
Seo Jin gave the fox a sharp squeeze that made it squeal. Then he turned his gaze back to the man. His lips curved into a faint smirk. "Checking if your new disciple is still breathing?"
The Villain's eyes moved to his bandaged arm. His gaze was so sharp that Seo Jin felt it cut through skin and bone.
"You are weak," the Villain said at last, voice low and cold.
Seo Jin chuckled softly. "Takes one to notice."
The fox slapped its tiny paws over its face. "Host, you're insane! You can't talk back to him like that!"
But instead of anger, something unexpected flickered in the man's eyes. His lips curved slightly, almost not there, but enough. His stare deepened, like he was peeling away Seo Jin's layers piece by piece.
"Your tricks saved you," the Villain said finally. "But tricks will not save you forever."
Seo Jin tilted his head, meeting the stare without flinching. "Good thing I have more than tricks, then."
The silence between them stretched, sharp as a drawn blade. The fox was so tense its tail stuck straight up, afraid to even breathe.
Finally, the man turned. His robes shifted like dark clouds moving across the sky. "Rest. Tomorrow, you follow me."
And then he was gone, leaving the air heavy and cold even after the door shut.
The fox collapsed onto the bed dramatically. "Host! Did you see that? He didn't kill you! He even spoke to you! That means progress!"
A faint sound echoed in Seo Jin's mind.
[Ding! Mission Update: Gain the Villain's Favor – Progress 25%]
Seo Jin groaned, rubbing his face. "Twenty-five percent? I nearly had a heart attack for that? At this rate, I'll die before I hit fifty."
The fox wagged its tail and grinned. "Then you better seduce faster!"
Seo Jin grabbed it by the scruff. "I swear I'll roast you alive."
But his smirk returned slowly, despite himself. The truth was, his heart was still beating too fast. Not only from fear, but something else he didn't want to name.
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Cliffhanger End of Chapter Six.