The sensation of the frantic friction in her mouth was etched into her memory. At this moment, Raine's erect penis, though not erect, was even more terrifying than the size of the perpetrator's. When childhood trauma reappears in a more grotesque form, collapse is the only natural reaction. "Ugh...uh!" Cynthia, sobbing and covering her face, had long forgotten—having been a member of the Skull Mercenary Group for nearly ten years, it was this group of thugs who shattered her life when she lost her entire family due to David's plan. Although the trauma had eased somewhat under David's care, the realization that he was also responsible for the annihilation of her family caused a more intense breakdown. 'We can't talk like this...' Seeing her showing no signs of recovery, he decided to leave. He felt no remorse—this was, after all, revenge for the murder of her parents. "Ugh...ugh!" However, if she continued in that state, it might hinder the plan's implementation, so I lit some calming incense in the shop to help her relax. After I left, the incense would gradually fill the room, which should help her fall asleep peacefully. After all, the revenge plan hadn't even begun yet; I couldn't let her collapse before it even started. "It's too early to collapse now." Although I quickly dealt with David and the other mercenaries to avoid my parents noticing, I couldn't do the same to her. If I took the invisibility potion and sprinted at full speed, it would be less than five minutes. Even if my parents suddenly returned home, I could handle it immediately. I hadn't planned to release Cynthia immediately anyway, so I glanced at her curled up in the corner of the bed and left the building. "Zhenshuo, are you free tomorrow?" My mother suddenly asked me this when I left Cynthia in the room and went home to have dinner with my parents. "I'm free anytime, I have nothing to do anyway." "How about having dinner with Mom and Dad's colleagues tomorrow?" "So suddenly?" "The client said that although there were some issues along the way, he still wanted to thank everyone for protecting his daughter." The case of my parents' attack was officially closed today. It's said that Swan's escape after being kidnapped was forgiven, and no further punishment was imposed. "It would be strange to punish her, wouldn't it?" Deceiving the guards with lies and escaping alone—and she didn't just escape normally, she used the mansion's secret passages. Since the client hadn't mentioned the secret passage beforehand, the matter was left unresolved. Anyway, she'd evaded the guards and escaped more than once, so blaming each other wouldn't benefit anyone. "Hmm... I understand." "Then let's go buy an outfit for the occasion tomorrow morning." Since I was free anyway, and Cynthia needed time to calm down, I decided not to go see her tomorrow. After all, seeing her expression of terror, unable to even maintain a poker face, made further teasing pointless. To torment her, I had to do it while she was lucid; a broken doll isn't fun. 'Although shopping with Mom is daunting...' I've made a lot of money as a mercenary over the years, and my family has been financially well-off since early on. Before I became an adult, my parents hardly worked, but they bought me whatever I wanted. The problem was that once my mother started shopping, even my most patient father would get exhausted. At this rate, they might shop from morning until the dinner party. 'It's hell...' I suddenly remembered shopping with my mother when I was little, and I was the one who collapsed from exhaustion first. Even with the superhuman stamina granted by my demigod body, I couldn't outrun my mother's shopping spree. Stealing a glance at my father, I saw him calmly sipping tea—clearly convinced he'd escaped unscathed. I immediately decided to drag him down with me. At least having someone to share the burden would make things easier. Of course, the main reason was that I couldn't stand him being the only one slacking off. "Dad, want to come too?" "Of course! This is a good opportunity to buy your dad some new clothes." "Pfft—!" My mother nodded with a smile, and my father, who was drinking water, coughed up his drink in surprise. "Oops! What happened all of a sudden?" "I-sorry... I choked on my water." "Nobody's going to take it from you, drink slowly." My father, sitting next to me, glared at me accusingly, but I pretended not to see and muttered under my breath: 'Don't try to escape unscathed.' Even with my demigod body that could enhance my mental strength, shopping with my mother still left me exhausted. Back in my room, I started thinking about tomorrow night's dinner party. "I hope I won't give myself away." I heard that besides my parents' colleagues, Chairman Lang and his granddaughter Swan were also present. My worry was whether Swan would recognize me—even though I was wearing a cognitive interference mask when I rescued her and we didn't talk much. Although I was wearing a figure-hugging black combat suit at the time, it shouldn't be possible to recognize me just by my physique. Unless someone like me has a demigod-like body that enhances their senses, it's almost impossible to recognize someone by their appearance alone. "Even if I'm discovered, I have a perfect alibi." To onlookers, I never left the hotel at the time of the incident. After all, I drank the transparent potion and jumped out of the window. Even if they became suspicious, they could only give up without evidence. "I didn't have time to use my lustful eye last time, I have to try it tomorrow." Recalling Swan's sexy figure and beautiful face, I decided that I must use my ability to observe her carefully tomorrow. Although I didn't have time to get close, I was indeed curious about her background. After sorting out my thoughts, I fell into a deep sleep. "Hmm...?" While Li Zhenshuo was sleeping peacefully in his room because of his date the next day. Cynthia cried herself to sleep, exhausted by the scented candles he lit, then woke up again. "My body?!" She had actually slept in front of this naked pervert. Realizing her situation as soon as she awoke, she immediately began to examine her body. "Ugh..." Thankfully, her clothes hadn't been removed, and there were no signs of assault. Although he had been watching her with a devoid of lust, she had to check carefully just in case. "How ugly..." Looking around, she saw that it was already dark, and he was long gone. In front of the enemy who had killed all her companions, she hid in the corner of the bed, weeping until she fell into a deep sleep, traumatized. Recalling this grotesque state, Cynthia felt her situation was tragically miserable. Now she had lost everything. David, whom she had once deeply loved and trusted, was the true target of her revenge, the one who had stolen her entire life. Her comrades who had shared life and death with her were all gone, leaving her all alone. In this situation, she was even pitied by her enemy, and after learning David's true nature, she was powerless to help him. Realizing her predicament, she was utterly overwhelmed by a surge of powerlessness. "What am I supposed to live for...?" All meaning in her existence had vanished. Her supposedly successful revenge had failed, and the driving force that had propelled her life had been extinguished. All that remained was this empty shell, and the daily, punctual pity of Raine. Thinking of this, she felt utterly pathetic and useless. In the end, she was just a puppet used by others to carry out revenge, nothing at all. Cynthia, whose mental state was unstable due to trauma, now only longed for anyone to be by her side. "Even Raine would be fine..." Although he was the enemy who killed all her companions, he was also the one who let her know the truth before she died. Although he was a pervert who walked around naked, he had never shown her any lust. In their conversations over the past few days, Cynthia had not realized that she was gradually developing a dependence on him. EP0489 Park Ha-eun mentioned to Lee Jin-seok the day before her dinner appointment with her former colleagues. Swan, who had been kidnapped but returned safely, suddenly recalled the scene from that day during her recovery. "Who could it be..." If the other party truly was there to rescue her, they should know her distinguished identity—the only granddaughter of the chairman of the world-renowned Kate Arms Industry Corporation, her most beloved child. Having received everything she wanted since childhood, she was practically omnipotent. Her elite upbringing in a wealthy family made her more mature than her peers, never making absurd demands like plucking the moon from the sky or meeting Santa Claus. Early on, her parents' busy schedules forced her to become independent, cultivating a keen sense of observation. "But that person didn't react at all when they saw me." The masked, mysterious man knew her identity, yet unlike a bodyguard or mercenary, he wasn't overly attentive. Instead, he impatiently tossed her a phone to contact her family, then walked away—abandoning the only granddaughter of the military tycoon before her backup arrived. "How irresponsible!" Initially, she couldn't understand why her grandfather would entrust such a person with this. Protecting the target was a matter of course, yet this man simply left after eliminating the kidnappers. Because of his unauthorized departure, she had to anxiously await rescue, fearing that other thugs would return. She had planned to immediately complain to her grandfather about this absurd situation. "But Grandfather says he doesn't know this person at all..." Although the mask concealed his face, based on his physical description, her grandfather insisted he had never commissioned such a person. After all, the mercenary profession values reputation above all else; wearing a mask on a mission is completely against the rules. She questioned all the guards, and the answer was always the same: they had never heard of such a person before. "What is his background?" Swan's only clues were: an exceptionally tall stature and a voice that was unrecognizable due to a voice changer. Fortunately, she possessed a photographic memory and firmly remembered the person's physical characteristics. "I really want to see him again..."After being rescued, Swann was preoccupied with questioning the kidnapper every day: Why had she been left alone in such a dangerous situation? How could he have pinpointed her location so accurately if he hadn't been commissioned by her grandfather? She had even changed into new clothes and removed all her jewelry—a lesson learned from the time she discovered a tracking device hidden in her bracelet. Yet, the kidnapper still found her quickly after the incident. Questions piled up, but there was no way to verify them; even surveillance footage couldn't capture his trace. 'Hurry to the point of madness,' the "Queen," who always got whatever she wanted, couldn't stand suspense. This unsolved case tormented her more and more with time. Just as Swann was racking her brains, her grandfather suddenly suggested: "How about having dinner with the mercenaries who escorted you this time?" Although she didn't want to eat with those who had restricted her freedom, she couldn't resist her grandfather's insistence—after all, she would need these connections when inheriting the military-industrial empire. Besides, if they were truly legendary mercenaries, they would be even more worthy of her acquaintance. "Okay." "Then let's set it for the day after tomorrow. Prepare in advance." After her grandfather closed the door and left, she sighed deeply. Because of the kidnapping, she had been confined to her quarters for a week, whereas she could have easily sneaked out. The secret passage was heavily guarded; any escape would be discovered. Even more unusual, her grandfather had lost his temper with her for the first time, and the consequences of another attempt to escape would be dire. "Dinner with the mercenary squad..." Thinking about such things was pointless, so she quickly dismissed the thought and focused on dinner arrangements. Because of her deception in escaping the mercenaries, her relationship with them was now at its worst. Although she wanted to avoid the extremely awkward situation, since she had hurt them, an apology was still necessary. These mercenaries weren't ordinary guards to be treated casually; they were professionals her grandfather had personally entrusted to hire—especially the Asian couple, legendary figures whom her grandfather might not have been able to persuade even with repeated pleas. "This is suffocating." Frustrated, she was about to take a walk in the courtyard when she was stopped by a guard as soon as she stepped out the door: "Where are you going, Miss?" "Just getting some fresh air, a stroll in the garden." "I'll accompany you..." "No need, I want to be alone." She interrupted, "Anyway, we're still within the manor grounds, what danger could there be?" Shaking off her attendant, she overheard the servants' conversation: "I heard they're hosting important guests tonight, everyone be on your guard." "I heard it's the mercenary group that escorted Miss before?" "But didn't they lose Miss, causing the contract to terminate?" "The guild master doesn't seem to care..." She quietly moved closer, eavesdropping—this information could reduce the chances of being impolite at dinner. The servants' next conversation intrigued her even more: "I heard the mercenary couple's son will also be coming." "They say he's exceptionally handsome." This completely disrupted her expectations. She had thought it was a routine dinner for her grandfather to expand his network, but inviting a young man unrelated to the family business was highly unusual. Although curious about the rumored handsome face, as the heir to Kate's military empire, marriage ultimately had to be weighed against interests. "Just treat it like a regular dinner," she decided, determined to finish quickly, but this idea completely wavered as the banquet began— "Almost there." After a hellish shopping ordeal, our whole family finally dragged our exhausted bodies to Chairman Lang's mansion. We thought finding clothes my mother liked would be a relief, but we underestimated a woman's shopping desires—first my father's suits, then my mother's shopping spree. Passing through the cast-iron gates, a meticulously arranged garden came into view. Although it was night, the courtyard was as bright as day, clearly not only to display grandeur but also to prevent intrusion. Surveillance cameras provided comprehensive coverage, and guards moved about in the shadows. Thanks to my [demigod's body] keen senses, I could clearly detect any movement within a hundred meters. "We're here." My father stopped the car, and before us stood a palatial mansion—the surveillance footage was far less impressive than seeing it in person. Servants bustled about, and formally dressed security personnel stood ready. "Thank you for coming," the host greeted us. "Thank you for the invitation," we responded in unison. Under the eaves, the gears of fate began to turn. After a short wait, Chairman Lang opened the door to greet us. My parents bowed slightly to express their gratitude for the invitation, and I followed suit. "This must be your son?" "Zhenshuo is quite handsome, isn't he?" My mother, who had initially used honorifics out of politeness, immediately switched to a more egalitarian tone when speaking to Chairman Lang. 'That's just my mother's personality.' Perhaps because it was a private meeting, neither side used stiff business language. "No wonder you all praise him so proudly, he really is handsome." "Didn't I tell you not to always brag about your son?" "In a parent's eyes, their own child is always the most handsome in the world, although I didn't expect it to be this good." "You yourself are always talking about your granddaughter." "My granddaughter is really beautiful, so I can't help it, hehe..." Faced with my mother's teasing, Chairman Lang laughed and approached me, extending his hand. "Nice to meet you, your name is... Chen Shi, right?" "Nice to meet you, Chairman, I am Li Zhenshuo." Since I didn't have an English name, Chairman Lang deliberately slowed down and pronounced my Korean name. "Chen Shi, is it alright that you don't have an English name?" "Hmm... I don't think your pronunciation is very smooth, so just call me Rain." "Rain? What a good name! As expected of my son!" Hearing me say the name I had told Cynthia, my mother patted my back happily and praised me repeatedly. In the past, being slapped like that would have made him wince and cry out in pain, but now, with his enhanced physique, he felt nothing at all. "Rain...Rain...""A very nice name." "Thank you." After a brief exchange of pleasantries, we followed Chairman Lang into the inner hall, where we soon saw Swan, dressed in a magnificent red gown. "We've been waiting for you all. Thank you for accepting our invitation tonight. I am Swan Kate, granddaughter of Lang Kate." As we entered the hall, Swan, in her scarlet gown, greeted us with extreme restraint. 'That damn bitch.' But knowing her true nature, I couldn't simply feel pleasure—it was because of this slut that my father's plan had failed, putting my parents in an even more dangerous situation. EP0490 After greeting us, Swann scanned my parents and me from head to toe, then bowed deeply in apology. "I sincerely apologize for my unauthorized departure from the guard." She gently pressed her hand to her chest to avoid revealing her cleavage, her apology posture both polite and devoid of any sense of servility—truly befitting a wealthy heiress, almost like a scene from a fantasy game where a nobleman apologizes. 'But no matter how much she pretends, the fact that she's already on the blacklist won't change.' Now she finally understood Chairman Lang's intention in insisting on arranging this dinner with the mercenaries. Her mother and father were recognized as powerful figures in the mercenary world, and their comrades-in-arms were all top-tier A-rank mercenaries. The Keitel family, which operates a military industrial enterprise, has always maintained close ties with the mercenary community—they always hand over newly developed weapons and equipment to mercenaries for field testing, thereby collecting data for improvement. Although the military is the best partner, opinions are always welcome. Therefore, Keitel Military Industry has always maintained a good relationship with the mercenary community, especially when dealing with veterans like her mother and father, who are top-tier A-ranks with deep connections. 'Trying to mend fences through an apology, huh?' While Swann may not have orchestrated the attack, my parents' peril was indeed caused by her. Had we followed my father's original plan, the crisis could have been handled more systematically. Because of this woman's interference, the entire plan failed, and if I hadn't secretly used my ability, my parents would have perished. Although my parents thought it was a miracle and didn't pursue the details, having witnessed the whole thing, I couldn't swallow this insult—without my abilities, my parents would have been killed by that bitch. 'My parents might forgive her, but I will never.' To prevent Swann from recognizing me by my figure, I deliberately chose a burgundy suit. A black suit might remind her of the rescue, and I didn't want any interaction with her. Besides, this woman was the apple of the eye of the head of a military-industrial company; causing trouble would be disastrous. 'How about using my ability?' As my parents said 'It's okay' and gestured for me to look up, I secretly activated [Eye of Lust] to read her data: Name: Swan Keitel Age: 22 Height: 168cm Weight: 60kg Bust: G-cup Sensitive Areas: Vulva/Nipple/Anus/Neck Virginity: Yes Sexual Preferences: Intense sex where dignity is utterly trampled upon Libido: Moderate Status: In a bad mood due to being forced to attend a dinner party at her grandfather's request. After experiencing many women, I can now accurately estimate bust, waist, and hip measurements at a glance. Unless someone like Liu Yin deliberately hides it, it won't escape my eyes—Swan's bust size is indeed about what I estimated. 'So she's a masochist?' Judging from her sensitive areas and sexual preferences, this woman appears strong on the surface but is actually a masochist, especially fascinated by the pleasure of being stripped of authority and wantonly played with. The fact that even her anus is listed as a sensitive area almost certainly confirms a severe masochistic tendency—no, it's practically a certainty. What normal woman would enjoy being penetrated by a man and having her dignity completely destroyed? But that's not the point. Her ability also shows the text 'In a bad mood due to being forced to attend a dinner party at her grandfather's request,' indicating that her apology just now was purely perfunctory. "A leopard can't change its spots." Although I wanted to teach this hypocritical slut a lesson for putting my parents in danger, now wasn't the time. She was the highest-ranking woman I'd ever been involved with, backed by a vast power network. While Liu Yin's influence was even greater, the rules of the underworld were simple—might makes right. But Swan was in the legitimate world and had business dealings with my parents; it wasn't wise to act rashly. "If it weren't for this relationship, I would have already kidnapped her for torture." If she were just an ordinary person, I'd probably be holding her captive at my hideout, torturing her on the verge of climax every day. Just as I was regretfully thinking of avoiding talking to her, she approached again. "I sincerely apologize again for the danger your parents encountered." Seeing that my parents accepted her apology, she stepped forward and bowed to me. "No need." "Thanks to my gaming experience, I'm familiar with aristocratic etiquette, but I'm too lazy to be polite with her. Seeing my perfunctory response, Swann suddenly stiffened—she should have responded with equal courtesy; such a cold attitude would naturally be unpleasant. 'Hehe, sorry, my son doesn't quite understand these rules.' 'It's alright, I'm already very grateful that you accepted my apology.' After her mother smoothed things over, Swann instantly concealed her displeasure and smiled at me. I nodded slightly to indicate it was alright, watching her graceful retreat, my fingertips silently tapping the handle of my knife. '- A sudden shudder. After hearing my reply, Swann's body twitched briefly again. Her mother had just said she knew nothing about aristocratic etiquette, yet I had perfectly responded with that courtesy; in her eyes, it was simply mocking her. If someone truly didn't understand etiquette, they would never bow like that; they would simply say 'no' to brush it off. 'Go ahead and suffer.'" This was clearly a declaration: I am well-versed in etiquette, but you are not worthy of my display—a blatant trampling of Swan's dignity. Fortunately, my mother was busy talking to Chairman Lang and had no time to pay attention, and my father, who was always too lazy to deal with such trivial matters, managed to bring the farce to a close. Swan, realizing no one was paying attention to her, glared at me, her brow furrowed in disgust. I had already apologized according to proper etiquette, yet she responded with such rudeness; anyone would be furious. But Swan had no room for rebuttal. She knew perfectly well—the whole incident was entirely her fault. 'There's no need to tell her the truth.' In fact, the Skull Mercenary Group had dragged her into this to get revenge on my parents, but I had no obligation to explain. If she had stayed put, my parents wouldn't have needed to use my tools to resolve the crisis. I had already taken care of ten enemies; how could my father, who was acting according to plan, have been injured by twenty men at home? Since they had even noticed the traitor's presence, they could have held out until reinforcements arrived. All the danger stemmed from Swann's sudden action. Noticing my gaze, Swann, maintaining a smile, secretly shot me a dagger. "Everyone should be done exchanging pleasantries, right? Let's start the meal." "Is everyone else here?" "They've all been waiting in the restaurant for ten minutes." "You're only telling me now? We need to hurry." Hearing that the other mercenaries had already arrived, my mother grabbed my father's and my hands and followed Chairman Lang to the restaurant. — When Lee Jin-seok was led by Park Ha-eun to the restaurant with Lee Jong-wook — 'What's wrong with that rude guy?' The man called Ryan's completely disregarding attitude completely ruined Swann's good mood. The attitude of the two sons, who should have been maintaining a good relationship, only worsened her already bad mood. This was just a perfunctory apology. The mercenaries who had arrived earlier all accepted her apology, even her parents. In comparison, that man named Ryan was simply arrogant to the extreme. 'Saying he doesn't understand etiquette is just an act.' At first, she thought he genuinely didn't know the proper etiquette, but his standard bowing completely revealed the truth. The angle of his bow was precise and just right, and his composed and unhurried posture while receiving the greeting—that restrained and measured demeanor showed he was definitely a seasoned pro. 'Disgusting.' Because she had caused the other party's parents to be attacked and endangered, this level of revenge was indeed understandable. But this banquet was meant to resolve old grudges and reconcile, and he had brazenly used the attitude of "I know all manners" to intimidate her. No one could swallow this insult. She should have reacted long ago, but today was a celebration of escaping danger and maintaining relationships—besides, she was in the wrong, so no matter how unhappy she was, she could only swallow her anger. 'Keep smiling...I must smile.' She couldn't ruin the banquet that her grandfather had carefully prepared because of her personal emotions. Since she was so beloved by her grandfather, she should at least be a good granddaughter in this situation. Swann, who was secretly suppressing her anger, suddenly stiffened. "Uh...?" "Ahead walked the grandfather, the mercenary couple, and their son. As she stared at their backs, Raine's silhouette suddenly overlapped with a silhouette from her memory. 'The masked man...?' The savior who had tossed her a phone and vanished in the enemy camp during her kidnapping—his back view was strangely similar to hers. To verify her guess, Swan immediately recreated the posture she had when she was slumped on the ground and observed again. 'It seems...'""Is it really him?" It's too similar, terrifyingly similar. Although he lacks the masked man's sharp edge, Swann, who thinks about that figure every day, is certain it's not a hallucination. Unfortunately, he can't confirm it now—Raine is dressed in formal attire, his oversized shirt completely obscuring his figure. "I really want to know..." Curiosity burned through Swann's nerves, her chest pounding with the thought of getting close to the truth. The anger from being tricked earlier had long since vanished. More importantly—recalling the masked man's personality, it was practically identical to this Raine. The bastard who impatiently urged her to contact the outside world upon their first meeting, leaving her alone in the enemy camp and turning to leave. Recalling this, the thought "How can I get that man to take off his clothes?" flashed through Swann's mind, and she quickly came up with the answer. "Just spill a drink on him." The method to get the target to take off his clothes is simple—just destroy what he's currently wearing. This would force him to change into something else. This was a place for families to gather and strengthen their bonds; even if they got their clothes dirty, they wouldn't easily leave. Having decided there couldn't be a better idea, Swan felt her previously bad mood filled with anticipation. "I want to know… I'm going crazy with curiosity…" She couldn't wait to test this idea. She'd go up to him and splash him with water or red wine, forcing him to take off his clothes. But she had to be patient—dinner time was approaching, and there would be opportunities for private conversation during the walk afterwards. "Let me see your true face…" The anticipation of finally satisfying her curiosity made Swan's pupils tremble with excitement; she entered the restaurant with a lighter step than when she went to the dinner party. — c1hQbkVZV1ZObkNXNEI4WjRFQ0lwTHpBNFlrOGszakFmZmtsbjNyeHZDSlhLVlNIQ05DRFBLNmlYWkxsa0Q4Rw "Uh…" "What's wrong, Chen Shi? Are you feeling unwell?" "Nothing, just a sudden chill." "Let me see… Hmm… Your forehead isn't hot." "It's fine now, probably because the air conditioning was on too high." "Really? Tell me immediately if you feel unwell." "Okay, I understand." Walking behind Chairman Lang, I was suddenly struck by a chill, my body trembling slightly. "What's going on?" With my body enhanced by the [Demigod's Body], I should be immune to all illnesses. Yet, I felt a chill. Though somewhat uneasy, I quickly dismissed it—since learning that my parents were being targeted by the enemy, I had the system monitor them 24/7. The system would alert me immediately if anything went wrong. Assuming it was just a minor incident, I shrugged and followed Chairman Lang into the restaurant. EP0491 "Oh, the main characters have arrived." "They're here?" "..." As we entered the restaurant, Ross, Rachel, and Krom, who were already seated, greeted our family. Chairman Lang, who had originally offered to lead the way, had to leave due to unforeseen circumstances and went upstairs with Swan, so they started chatting amongst themselves. "Where's Chris?" Park Ha-eun, who was about to greet everyone after assuming they were all there, asked Ross, who had previously worked with Chris, after discovering Chris wasn't present. Ross scratched his buzz cut and laughed, "Ahem... that kid thought it was too embarrassing to be unconscious until the end of the attack, so he refused to come." "No one would have minded if he had just come." "After all, he's young and has a strong sense of pride. And he probably wanted to show off in front of the young lady, but being unconscious hurt him quite a bit." "But that's none of our business." "That's true, he'll handle it." Perhaps because they had all survived the attack together, the atmosphere was relaxed and cheerful. "Speaking of which, have you found Oliver yet?" Park Ha-eun and Lee Jong-wook, who had naturally taken their seats, looked at Krom and asked. They had already informed Krom of the possibility of Oliver's betrayal. In the mercenary team, Krom abhorred betrayal the most, so the results should be out soon. Since they had completely entrusted the matter to Krom, the two were unaware of the specific progress. "Not yet." "So you can confirm he's betrayed us?" Even if they hadn't found him, confirming whether he had betrayed them was the key. Faced with questioning, Krom blushed and replied, "It's definitely betrayal. I checked his account records; there were large sums of money coming in from unknown sources." "That's not enough to prove it, is it?" Large transfers from strangers only raise suspicion, not conclusive evidence. In the mercenary world, betrayal is a taboo more serious than anything else, and the corresponding punishment is extremely harsh—after all, it involves human life. Therefore, they need more concrete evidence to convict him. "The timing is exactly when he first took over the Swann guard mission; it's almost certain." "We need to catch Oliver and get to the bottom of this." "That's right, only then can we decide how to punish him." Even mercenaries who operate in the gray area often have lives on their hands. Therefore, most members are rough and have their own set of rules within the framework of human law: never betray a comrade, missions until death, and other unwritten rules abound. Violation of these rules often results in immediate execution. And Krom was almost certain of Oliver's betrayal. 'Otherwise, how could that money-grubbing guy accept a commission for such a paltry sum?' As a top-tier combatant among mechanical pilot mercenaries, Oliver was capable of protecting his teammates. The commissions for such rare technical talents usually far exceeded those of their peers—yet this time he accepted the same pay as a regular A-rank. An investigation revealed that he was after a much higher reward for betrayal. 'He must be executed.' Krom, who had once caused the entire team's annihilation by trusting his comrades, secretly vowed. 'As long as we don't get into danger, I'll leave everything to you.' 'Leave it to me, I'll risk everything to make him pay.' Park Ha-eun felt there was no need to dwell on the fait accompli—although her son was in danger, since Krom was exceptionally sensitive to betrayal, she didn't need to get involved. Hunting down a capable traitor would take time; she'd rather spend time with her family than waste her energy on this. 'Krom will handle it.' Seeing her husband listening silently, she knew there was no need to worry. 'It's unbelievable...'"That guy, though greedy, never betrays his comrades." Ross still found it hard to accept at the end. Indeed, Oliver always completed his missions perfectly. Just how high would the betrayal fee be to make him give up his career? "His reward for selling intelligence is one billion each time." "What?!" Ross's eyes widened when he heard the number from Krom. Usually, the highest reward for an A-rank escort mission is five hundred million, and Oliver, in his technical role, could have earned seven hundred million. Selling intelligence for one billion in a single instance would shock anyone. Moreover, because Oliver's commission was so high, he received far fewer commissions than other A-rank mercenaries. For someone who had long considered retiring, earning one billion each time he sold intelligence was already a huge sum. It seems this guy had decided to squeeze as much money as possible before he even set off; he's a complete money-grubbing madman. "Three remittances have been confirmed, so he probably sold intelligence three times." "That's three billion?" "No, the last piece of intelligence was very important, so he received two billion." "Ha... he really went all out to sell secrets." "So it's not surprising that they almost lost their lives." Earning four billion just by selling intelligence three times is like a windfall for someone planning to retire. To earn that much through a legitimate job, one would have to endure at least two years of hardship on a business trip in a dangerous war zone. If the enemy's plan succeeds and he's the only survivor, it would be the perfect crime. Although he's an outstanding fighter, he's ultimately a mercenary responsible for logistical support. If he just says he escaped from the rear by luck, no one will suspect a thing. "That guy has to be found." A slight mistake could severely damage the Immortal PMC—no, just the betrayal of his comrades is enough to offend Krom. For Krom, who never forgives betrayal, that bastard has to pay the price. "Sorry, something urgent came up and kept you waiting." "Not long." Chairman Lang finished his business and came to the restaurant to apologize. Krom, the highest-ranking representative among them, accepted the greeting. "You must be hungry. Let's eat." "He should have exchanged pleasantries before taking his seat, but having been held up by work for too long, he directly ordered the servants to serve the dishes. Moments later, a lavish feast comparable to a tycoon's banquet was laid out. From lobster and turkey to steak, delicacies from land, sea, and air filled the long table. 'Please enjoy, everyone.' The chairman, unfazed by the hundreds of millions worth of ingredients, was the first to pick up his chopsticks. The others, after a moment of stunned silence, also began to eat. 'Truly a corporate tycoon.' A dinner for a mere eight people consumed hundreds of millions worth of ingredients. 'Phew… I'm full.' 'I can't eat anymore either.'" The meal ended faster than expected. Although the portions were large, everyone present was a mercenary accustomed to quick meals—they needed to replenish their energy before battle. "The food was good." When I put down my knife and fork, there was still quite a bit of food left on the table. The turkey, which I was trying for the first time, was my favorite because of its tender meat; I wondered if it was due to the chef's skill or the high quality of the ingredients. After a brief chat, everyone had free time. This was a time for private conversations to build rapport. "Son, wait here for a bit?" "Just me?" "Mom and Dad need to talk to Grandpa Lang about something. Sorry to leave you alone." "Okay." "I guess they'll be discussing the escort mission, so I said I'd stay put. 'What to do now?' While the other mercenaries gathered around the chairman, I, left alone, started figuring out how to kill time. Hiding in a corner to play on my phone or contacting my girlfriend would do. Although I was a little worried about Cynthia being alone, I decided to leave it for now—she needed time to process her trauma, and I, the culprit, shouldn't provoke her. 'She's a traitor who deserves to die anyway.' Although I felt a little regretful for not being able to get complete revenge, I wasn't going to do something as foolish as raising a tiger to cause trouble. The fault was entirely hers, and I felt no remorse. Just as I was about to contact Lee Se-yeon— 'Could I bother you for a moment?'" Swan approached quietly from a distance. 'What's she doing here?' I'd noticed her glancing at me with a probing look during the meal. It wasn't affection, just curiosity, which was why I deliberately ignored her. I really didn't want to talk to this woman who had abandoned her post and put my parents in danger, especially since I'd had contact with her when I rescued her; saying more might expose my identity. 'We'll be back after a few words.' Though reluctant, I couldn't find a reason to refuse, so I reluctantly nodded: 'Okay.' 'Thank you for taking the time.' I said 'You're welcome' to her, who bowed slightly in thanks, and then waited quietly for her to initiate the conversation. After all, it was only natural for the one initiating the conversation to start it. 'Do you drink?' 'Although I don't drink often, a small drink is fine in this kind of situation.' "Actually, I don't really like alcohol. Thanks to my 'demigod body,' no matter how much I drink, it won't affect my health, but the alcohol itself isn't exactly delicious. Back then, when I went to drinking parties with my college classmates, it was just for the lively atmosphere, not for the sake of drinking." "Here you go." "Thank you." Seeing that I didn't refuse, Swan smiled and walked to the back table, poured red wine into a glass, and handed it to me. "Thank you for gracing us with your presence today." "Not at all, I'm the one who should be thanking you for the invitation." Initially, it was just polite small talk. Although I disliked these formalities, it was better than sitting idly by, so I went along with it. "What kind of work does Rein do in Korea?" "Like Miss Swan, I'm currently in university." As the conversation deepened, we naturally began to address each other by name. "Perhaps you're studying nursing?" "No, just a regular business administration major." "But your physique looks... I was quite certain it was related to that field." "Hmm... I do often get misunderstood like that." In the midst of our increasingly pleasant conversation, Swann suddenly bombarded me with a barrage of questions—how did I achieve that physique, how much exercise I do, whether I've ever learned martial arts. Almost everything revolved around my body, and this unusual focus made me feel uneasy. 'Is this her true nature?' The information I gathered through the [Eye of Desire] indicated that she was definitely not this type of person. The data showed that her orientation was clearly towards men who could be dominated by authority, and there was no record of her being interested in a bodybuilding physique. Of course, this alone wasn't enough to raise suspicion, but as she repeatedly attempted physical contact during our conversation, I began to have reasonable doubts. 'Could it be... she noticed?' The only time I showed her my body was the night I rescued her. Wearing revealing clothes then, it wouldn't be surprising if she saw me naked. Because of this, I suspected she might have recognized her savior by his physique. 'This isn't good...' I never expected she could make such a connection based on that fleeting glimpse from that night. Now I'm torn between withdrawing immediately or continuing to play along. In EP0492, Swann, who had been waiting for an opportunity to speak with Ryan, immediately approached him as soon as his parents left their seats. "I'm dying of curiosity, I'm going crazy!" She couldn't help but want to know if this man was truly the mysterious masked man who had saved her. Judging by his physique alone, it was impossible to confirm due to the formal attire, but her intuition screamed—this man was definitely suspicious; his build matched the masked man's perfectly. So she deliberately feigned casual conversation, bombarding him with questions about his physical appearance. Such questions, typical of a young girl's curiosity about appearances, shouldn't arouse suspicion. "I want to confirm it quickly." She longed to peel back the formal attire and shirt to verify if he was indeed her savior. After repeatedly scrutinizing him during their continued conversation, Swann finally concluded: "This won't work." Even with exceptional eyesight, it's impossible to see through a body shrouded in formal attire. Realizing the limitations of visual observation, she decided to execute her pre-planned scheme. Using the act of stumbling in her high heels, she prepared to splash wine on his clothes—her acting skills honed since childhood would come in handy. As soon as Renn's gaze shifted to the mercenary group conversing, she acted immediately. "Ouch!" Pretending to lose her balance due to her heels, she spilled the wine at him. But at the very moment the glass tilted— *splat* "Are you alright?" Renn, who should have been looking elsewhere, dodged the wine with ghostly reflexes, simultaneously catching the nearly fallen Swan. "Uh...?" Swan, his plan thwarted, uttered a confused nasal sound. He managed to avoid the wine just as it was about to touch his clothes? He wasn't even looking at her! This was completely beyond the reaction speed of an ordinary person. "Miss Swan, are you alright?" "Ah, um... thank you." "She thanked me, barely suppressing her disappointment, still reeling from the shock, while Li Zhenshuo, who saw through everything, sneered inwardly: So that's what she was up to. — Suspicion began with her unusual attention to my body after our conversation. When the [Eye of Lust] showed that she had no such fetish, I immediately realized she had another purpose. The information provided by my secondary confirmation ability was even more conclusive: Name: Swan Kate Age: 22 years old Body data: 168cm/62kg/G cup Sensitive areas: Vulva/Nipple/Anus/Neck Virginity status: Yes Fetish: Craving intense sex that destroys dignity Current status: Suspects you are the masked man Since she was looking for a flaw, I deliberately created an opening—turning my gaze towards the direction of my family's conversation. Sure enough, she immediately acted: "Ouch!" Suddenly pretending to stumble and spill wine, a movement clearly seen by my sensory domain at close range. Easily avoiding the spilled wine, I caught her as she "lost her balance." "Uh...""?" Her voice was blank, filled with disbelief. "Don't even think about it." How could I, who already knew the scheme, have fallen for it? "What happened!" Chairman Lang, who had rushed over upon hearing the commotion, took Swan from my hands. Although she didn't know I could read minds, this kind of trick was meaningless to the holder of the [Eye of Lust]. "I suggest she rest for a while." "Thank you so much." After the chairman's departing figure, my mother worriedly held my hand, while my father gave me an approving look—they didn't know it was all an act. "Well done." My father probably felt that avoiding a public embarrassment had maintained his dignity. And I thought to myself: "It was all an act." The only audience who saw through the truth was myself. After those little episodes, my parents said they would introduce me to the mercenary team and took me to where they were. -- "How could this be?" "Holding Chairman Lang's hand as she returned to her room to rest, she sat on the edge of the bed, reflecting on what had just happened. Even she thought the timing was perfect. His gaze was drifting elsewhere, and she aimed for that instant to splash red wine. But even though he wasn't looking this way, he reacted instantly, dodging the spilled wine and catching her. At some distance, it would be understandable, but at that moment, they were practically touching; she never expected him to react so quickly. 'Something's definitely wrong...' Her plan to wet his clothes to observe his physique had failed. But witnessing his reaction today, she was certain this man was no ordinary person. Even with exceptional physical abilities, such instantaneous reaction at that distance was impossible by human standards. Although she hadn't seen how the masked man subdued the mercenaries who had kidnapped her— 'Everyone's necks were broken...' Silenced gunshots rang out outside, and the state of the corpses upon inspection afterwards made her feel nauseous at first sight, but the characteristic of broken necks without bloodstains wasn't hard to identify. Most importantly, her savior's clothes were riddled with bullet holes. 'Those are definitely gunshot wounds.'" "This is also why Swann wanted to examine Ryan's naked body—she clearly remembered the skin showing through the bullet holes. It was strange that his clothes had bullet holes yet he was completely unharmed; if skin could be seen between the bullet holes, it wasn't a bulletproof vest. But the masked man saved her without bleeding a drop. This defied logic—a human body shot and unharmed. As the daughter of a military-industrial company owner, she knew the power of firearms. To catch a bullet unharmed under these circumstances was enough to prove he was no ordinary human. 'There's definitely something strange...'"Recalling Ryan's astonishing reaction speed, she was certain he was connected to the masked man. That agility beyond human comprehension—easily dodging the spilled red wine in an instant. The recurring memories made her even more eager to uncover Ryan's hidden secrets. -- The conversation with my parents' former mercenary comrades was frankly quite tedious. I explained that I wasn't like my parents, just an ordinary college student, which meant they had little to talk about. The only one I could talk to was the married Krom. Rachel and Ross had been mercenaries since childhood, and as adults, they had even less in common with me. Although Krom had an adult daughter, we could at least have a conversation, but that was about it. A deeper conversation would only happen if I were also a mercenary, so it was all superficial pleasantries. "How's college? Adults have to be responsible for themselves." The clichéd lecturing was so soporific. The only ups and downs came when discussing the military, but the differences between the US and South Korean military systems quickly brought the conversation to a standstill. South Korean soldiers, unless they join special forces, almost never engage in combat training. "I was really shocked when I heard you guys do live-fire tactical training." Hearing Ross's story of switching from sergeant to mercenary to earn more money, the contrast was particularly stark. We infantrymen spend our days marching or building fortifications, while they're doing live-fire drills. It's a bit depressing. "The conscription system is definitely different." After a brief discussion about the military, the conversation returned to the daily life of mercenaries. Chairman Lang's occasional concern for me was just a drop in the ocean. In the end, I became a passive listener, just smiling along. "It's a blessing to have a system translator." Without real-time translation, I wouldn't have understood their rapid-fire slang at all. My parents seemed slightly surprised by my English level but didn't show it; after all, it's normal for mercenary children to know foreign languages. Actually, I just mechanically repeated what the system prompted, which didn't arouse any suspicion. After the banquet, everyone returned to their lodgings, and drowsiness crept in on the way home. The next morning, I thought I could enjoy some family time, but the plans suddenly changed. "Grandpa Lang said he wants to go on a trip to the beach today?" "Wasn't the escort mission over?" "It's not official business; he said he wants to see the sea with Zhenshuo, who's the same age as him." "Although Swan has some close friends, she maintains certain boundaries with them. Living under constant guard prevents her from having any real fun. In this situation, having my powerful parents accompany her, along with me, who is about her age, and our personal relationship allowing her to trust my parents, is probably why Chairman Lang made this request." "Zhenshuo, what do you think?" "I think it should be fine?" "Although I really wanted to stay away from Swann, Chairman Lang personally suggested going to the private beach, so I wanted to check it out. After all, I've never been to a private beach before, so it's understandable that I'm curious. 'Anyway, as long as we're careful, we won't be discovered.' Even if we are discovered, it's not a big deal as long as we're careful. How can anyone recognize us when we're wearing masks and covering our faces and voices? Besides, even if we're exposed, there's no concrete evidence; at most, we'll just be suspected in private. Thinking about it that way, there's no need for us to deliberately avoid it. When I said I wanted to go, my father, who always respects his family's opinions, nodded. My mother, who always loves to go out, didn't even need to be asked—she was already sitting there agonizing over which swimsuit to bring and had started packing. 'I wonder how Cynthia is doing.' Because it's a two-day, one-night trip, we need to check on Cynthia's condition constantly. After observing her, we found that she seemed fine. Perhaps the trauma was too much for her; she was just sitting on the bed, killing time. 'She should be fine.'" With that thought in mind, I cast aside all my worries and began to look forward to this beach trip. EP0493 On the morning of our departure, our family set off early. Since Chairman Lang suggested having breakfast upon arrival, we gladly accepted the invitation. Although it wasn't up to dinner standards, the chef's skills were superb, making it quite anticipated. "What will we eat today?" I put aside my worries about Swan and eagerly awaited the breakfast. -- "I really want to find out soon!" Last night, Chairman Lang invited John and Cathy to the beach trip, which was entirely Swan's idea. She wanted to uncover his secrets by getting close to Ryan, so she took the initiative to make this request. Her doting grandfather naturally agreed, and luckily, the trip would happen the next day. A party has limited time, making in-depth contact difficult, but a private trip is quite different. Sustained conversation between peers is not difficult, making it easier to spot clues. With this in mind, Swan packed her clothes, impatient to uncover his secrets. "Just need to see what he looks like in his swimsuit." "Choosing the beach was deliberate—going into the sea inevitably requires a swimsuit. She knew most men would find swimsuits cumbersome and take off their shirts. That fleeting glimpse of his chest would be fully revealed, which was the real reason she chose the beach. Of course, he might not be the masked man. But her intuition whispered in her ear: this person definitely had a close relationship with the masked man. 'So what if it's all for nothing?' Anyway, she wouldn't lose anything; it was just a simple verification. Although the number of guards had increased, her private territory was more comfortable. If he wasn't her target, she could enjoy the freedom she had missed during her confinement. 'I was almost suffocating before.' Although the confinement order hadn't been lifted, her grandfather had readily allowed her to leave because of the two elite mercenaries. 'Chairman, we've arrived.' 'Get out of the car.' Lost in thought, she heard the arrival announcement and led her grandfather out of the car. A private villa came into view, and the Rennes family, who had arrived earlier, were waving in their direction. 'Let me see your secret.'" She met the gaze of Ryan, who stood silently in plain clothes in the distance, determined to expose his true nature. -- "She's definitely suspicious of me." When my eyes met Swan's as she got out of the car, I instinctively sensed her suspicion. Otherwise, having only officially met a day ago, there was no reason for her to give me such a probing look. If it were because I suited her aesthetic, I could understand, but judging from her behavior, that was clearly not the case. It was a scrutinizing gaze purely out of curiosity. Realizing that this wasn't the gaze of a girl in love, I was about to be wary but then quickly relaxed. "Why be so paranoid?" Anyway, there was no concrete evidence, so even if she found out I was denying it, so be it. Besides, I wasn't particularly interested in Swan. This woman had put my parents in an even more dangerous situation, what was there for me to care about? If it weren't for family ties, I would have already given her the same treatment as Cynthia. "Be glad you come from a good family." "Even with immense power, one cannot act recklessly as long as parents are alive. Originally, without my parents' constraints, I would never have come to America. While waiting, Chairman Lang and Swan arrived and greeted me. 'We just met yesterday, and we meet again today.' 'Hello.' My mother, after accepting the greeting, exclaimed that she was starving and rushed into the villa first. 'Her impatient nature hasn't changed even after becoming a mother.' 'That's her charm.' 'Yes, always so energetic.' Watching Chairman Lang and my father slowly enter after exchanging pleasantries, I was about to follow— 'Hello?' Swan suddenly leaned closer, unexpectedly bringing her face close to greet me. 'Yes, hello.' Although puzzled by the repeated greeting, I still responded politely. Seeing my indifferent expression, she still led the way beside me: 'You're not familiar with this place, let me show you the way.' 'Uh...no need.' 'It's easy to get lost in the sidewalks.'" "While the villa wasn't as grand as her mansion, it was still much larger than an ordinary house. But with the system-generated map navigation, I naturally declined. She, however, insisted on leading the way. 'Isn't that a bit too enthusiastic?' I thought her aloof personality wouldn't lead the conversation, but she was unusually clingy. 'Alright, thank you.' Knowing that refusing was useless, I let her go. Rather than wasting my breath, I'd rather wait for her to leave on her own. With my physical abilities and the tools I had, I could make sure she couldn't find me at any time. Entering the villa, which appeared to be made of wood, I was greeted by a floor entirely covered in marble. Beneath the seemingly wooden exterior, the interior was clearly constructed of concrete and steel for sturdiness. Just as I was looking around the spacious interior, Swan beside me explained: 'This villa was built for me by my grandfather ten years ago.' 'Ten years ago?' 'Yes, on my birthday I said I wanted a villa, and my grandfather built it.' 'Ha...'""Ten years ago, she was only twelve. Her grandfather, at such a young age, had a villa built immediately upon request. Although I had plenty of options in my childhood, the true scale of the wealthy is indeed different. 'A twelve-year-old wanting a villa with a private beach, that's outrageous.' But I'm not envious. If I wanted, I could easily amass a huge fortune through my abilities. It's just that I'm more lustful than greedy for money. If I were truly obsessed with wealth, I would have already brainwashed politicians and put them under my control. 'Instead of messing around with those things, I'd rather conquer more women.' Lately, my standards have been rising; finding a woman who suits my taste is already difficult enough, so I don't have time for all that. During dinner with my family at the restaurant, the accompanying private chef made the food exceptionally delicious. 'Everyone, go and have fun. I have some things to take care of later.' After dinner, Chairman Lang let everyone have free time. I was about to go to the beach with my parents when my mother suddenly took my father's arm: 'Zhenshuo, your dad and I are going for a walk. You and Swan have fun.' 'I'll go for a walk too.'" "No need, you young people can have fun by yourselves." My mother's firm attitude left me no choice but to nod. If I disturbed their time together, I'd probably be met with a terrifying glare. 'I almost got scolded again.' I headed to my private room to change before heading to the beach for a swim. "Could you wait for me at the entrance after you've changed?" Swan's request was hard to refuse. Ignoring her and going off on my own would inevitably lead to my mother's nagging later. I waited at the door, shirtless with only my swim trunks tied around my waist. Swan appeared quickly—she wore a snow-white bikini with a sheer overlay, her porcelain-white skin perfectly complementing the swimsuit. Her impressive breasts almost burst through the fabric, and her slender waist and classic Western pelvic curves were breathtaking. "How is it?" "Very beautiful." I complimented, trying to appear calm. As we got into the car and drove towards the beach, she suddenly asked, "Raine, how old are you?" "Twenty-four." "Oh my! More mature than I expected." "You think so?" "At most twenty years old." The difference in appearance between East and West made her look exceptionally young. The system showed she was actually only twenty; we weren't the same age. "How about we talk more casually?" "Sure." Anyway, we wouldn't see each other again after returning home, so there was no need for formalities during our short time together. She started asking all sorts of questions: school, occupation, hobbies. I couldn't very well be honest about "sleeping with women," so I could only answer, "I've been playing a new virtual reality game lately." "A game? What kind?" Her eyes lit up with interest as I described the game's details. She asked a lot of questions—like whether it was completely consistent with reality, and whether the sense of incongruity would be strong. "Do you like playing games?" "No... I don't play much, but I want to try this one." After she explained that she was too busy with various training programs when she was young to play games, I recommended a few titles. While there were many adult-oriented virtual reality games produced by N-Company, there were also quite a few legitimate games. There were simple role-playing games as well as open-world games where you could freely explore the world. "Thinking of role-playing games reminds me of those bastards." During the introduction, the image of those rocket-propelled mercenary bastards suddenly popped into my mind when I mentioned role-playing games, but I immediately banished them from my thoughts. After all, apart from Cynthia, all those scum who threatened my parents back then no longer exist. "I want to play that." "A virtual reality game?" "Yeah, the one where you can travel to different worlds." "The official version just launched, and the accompanying immersion pods should be available soon." "I want to play it now; I have to ask Grandpa to arrange it." Hearing about a game that allows free exploration of the world, she immediately became interested. N-Company's virtual reality game had just finished testing and was preparing for its official release. I hadn't paid attention to it for a long time; although missing the testing period was a bit of a pity, there were too many fun things to do in real life, so I didn't care too much. Chatting like this, we unknowingly drove to a deserted beach. "We've arrived at our destination." "Then you can take charge of the preparations. I'll be right there." "Yes, Miss." Swan skillfully instructed the guards who had arrived to make preparations. As she got out of the car, she suddenly asked me, "Can you swim?" "I know the basics." "When I was little, my parents included swimming in my training so that I could survive in any situation." "It's calm here, perfect for swimming." "Really? Get ready and get in the water." Perhaps because the conversation had become casual, my attitude towards her also became natural. Although she was a wealthy heiress, she had made many enemies due to the excellence of her company. Swan, who couldn't form deep friendships with her peers, seemed to enjoy chatting with me like this. We continued chatting, watching the guards running ahead to set up parasols. EP0494 After the parasols were installed, we walked to the wide, shaded area under the guidance of the guards to rest for a while. "Ah...that feels so good." Swan, seated at her seat, gazed at the boundless sea, a contented and happy smile on her face. "You like the sea?" "Of course! Who wouldn't love such a vast and free place!" Faced with my question, Swan naturally met my gaze and launched into a long explanation of her love for the ocean—its boundless expanse was reassuring, and the perpetual feeling of freedom soothed her mind and body. Listening to these confessions, I couldn't help but worry whether her long-term yearning for freedom had caused her mental health issues. "Why are you so obsessed with freedom?" I had done some research on her background and knew that as an only granddaughter, she must have lived a restrictive life. But upon reflection, those protective measures weren't excessive by the standards of a wealthy family. Swan's morbid thirst for freedom clearly far exceeded the realm of ordinary people. Just as I was suspecting she might have a psychological disorder— "Let's swim." Swan suddenly turned from the shadows and challenged me to a race. "A sudden race?" "Yes, the loser has to truthfully answer one question for the winner." "Why the sudden urge to play this?" "Because it's fun?" Her straightforward answer made me indifferent—even though I didn't know how good her swimming was, I, who exceeded human limits, had no chance of losing. "What do you want to compete in?" Swann's designated course was the distance between the parasol and the distant buoy, which seemed short, but swimming in the sea required far more energy than in a swimming pool. "Ah! I have to give you a slight advantage." "Want to give me a handicap?" "You're a man, give me thirty seconds before starting again." Her self-righteous attitude left me speechless. Just as I was about to refuse— "Scared?" The system's instant translation of the provocative words forced me to accept the challenge. How could a man tolerate such humiliation as "cowardice"? Although the old grudge of her endangering her parents hadn't dissipated, the guilt in her eyes during our conversation had eased my anger considerably. If she had no remorse, I would have already excluded this antisocial personality from my conversations. "Ready—Go!!" Swan shouted the command and charged into the waves alone. Just as I silently counted to thirty, the guard beside me suddenly called out a number. Glancing at the woman behind the sunglasses, trembling yet determined to keep counting, I chuckled—this was clearly a pre-arranged trick. "Thirty!" "In!" "The moment the count ended, I leaped into the shallows. Swann's swimming style was surprisingly agile, but the thirty-second advantage was something I could easily catch up with. The real contest would begin in the deep sea—with composure, I controlled my speed and cleaved through the waves. -- Swann, having finished changing, narrowed her eyes when she met Ryan. "The same muscle outline as before..." She stared intently at his upper body, clad only in beach shorts, the holes in the fabric mainly concentrated in his abdominal and pectoral muscles. Although there were also tears in his lower limbs, she deliberately looked away to avoid misunderstandings. The muscles she had seen before were extremely similar to those in her memory. Thinking of this, Swann began to ponder how to uncover his true identity. 'What's a good way...' Lost in thought, she suddenly had a flash of
