CHAPTER 67: CHAPTER 67 - A TWISTED DESIRE FOR STRENGTH

The reflection of distant explosions flickered in her sharp eyes. Yumi folded her arms, lips curling with a playful smirk as her mind wandered to that perverted brat she met yesterday. Interesting? Yes. Funny? Also yes.

But if we are talking about taste... that middle-aged virgin was far more enticing. The thrill of taming a man that innocent... it was much more satisfying than dealing with a boy who barely understood anything but getting horny.

Yumi was always drawn to things that were hard to obtain. Men who guarded themselves carefully, whose hearts were locked tight, who did not crumble just because she stood near them. Zephyr, the Saint Archer, that charming man, he truly stirred her curiosity.

But interest did not equal loyalty. There were many games she could play in this world, and she had every right to enjoy them all.

The perverted little brat who openly voiced his dirty thoughts and harassed her also caught her attention. She did plan to play with him for a bit. But that kid was nothing compared to the man with the blindfold.

Heavy footsteps approached. A black hoodie, face hidden under its shadow. An aura of restrained anger.

"Answer me, Yumi," the man demanded, voice cracking with pressure. "Are you really planning to mess with our plan?"

Yumi let out a tiny yawn. "You are such a boring man, Michael."

"Tsk." Michael grabbed his own hair, trying to keep calm. "You know that man’s ability. Those unusual eyes. How could you, knowingly, put us at risk? I swear... working as an assistant to a public menace like you is the worst."

Yumi chuckled, soft and sultry. "Say that again when you’re in my bed, moaning my name."

Michael froze. Tongue tied. Frustration dripping down his expression.

Yumi stepped closer and pressed a finger to his chest, voice teasing. "Relax. I’m using a Rank S artifact. My aura looks completely ordinary human. No one can detect who I am."

She grinned.

"And honestly... you should be proud. I’m already close to the number one man in the Guardian Council. With that level of intimacy... you know how much information I can squeeze out of him."

Michael snarled. "What if he’s pretending? What if he already knows who you are?"

Yumi blinked innocently. "Then why am I still alive? Why hasn’t he cuffed me and pinned me down... I mean... arrested me? Or tied me to the bed and interrogated me... slowly?" Her lips curled into a mischievous smile.

Michael stared blankly. "So you can perform nicely in the palm of his hand."

"Hehe... Honestly, I’d love him to play with me using those strong hands of his."

"Slut," Michael spat.

"Ahh, thank you." She looked delighted, as if receiving a compliment.

Michael exhaled harshly. "And besides... he is a eunuch, right? You must be really desperate, flirting with a man who can’t even—"

"There is no man I cannot seduce," Yumi cut him off, confident, venomous, and sensual. "And he is not a eunuch. He can stand at full attention if I pull the right strings. His expression... it’s adorable. Like a confused puppy wondering why his body reacts."

She bit her lower lip at the memory.

"Only one issue," she sighed dramatically. "His libido is too low. Maybe he has some trauma about women? Men like that usually have emotional scars."

Michael closed his eyes. There was no point arguing with a demon disguised as an angel.

Another explosion roared in the sky.

BOOOOOOM!

The shockwave rattled the restaurant. Outside, the sky looked like it was burning apart. The glow of destruction danced in Yumi’s pupils as she enjoyed the chaos like her favorite movie.

Star Witch was seen tumbling helplessly through the air, thrown around by a power beyond logic. Yumi narrowed her eyes, commenting casually as if judging a scene in a drama.

"Looks like Star Witch is going to die. A shame... she’s too beautiful to die like that."

Her gaze slid lazily toward Michael, filled with mischief.

"Hey, why don’t we use this chaos? All the Hunters are busy dealing with that creature. We could attack HGA’s base, steal their treasures, then... BOOM, their headquarters gone. A golden opportunity, don’t you think?"

Michael dragged his palm across his face, groaning.

"That is exactly why it’s dangerous. This chaos will force Saint Archer to use his powers. If we attack now, it’s the same as walking into a lion’s den while it’s starving. That terrifying man would wipe us out instantly. And if we ever want to go to war with HGA, we do it during a calm period or when that man is away. And remember, we cannot move without the boss’s approval."

Yumi breathed out in annoyance.

"Coward."

Michael looked miserable but firm in his fear. "Believe whatever you want. You have never seen what that man can actually do."

Yumi tilted her head, curiosity sparkling. "Why is everyone so scared of him? Even those wrinkly old monsters fall silent when his name comes up."

Michael’s eyes darkened. "Why do you think he is the supreme leader of HGA? Why not Star Witch, who clearly has insane power?"

Yumi shrugged. "Maybe he’s a good leader. Or a smooth talker."

"That is only a tiny fraction," Michael muttered. "Yumi... do you really think a Rank S could kill...a Rank SSS?"

An Awakener of Rank SSS was practically a god among humans. And there were only three left in the world now: Star Witch, Winter Knight, and Abyss Dancer. The other two had died long ago.

"Impossible. They are like humans versus gods. Look at Star Witch up there. She could kill me anytime she wants."

Michael leaned forward, voice dropping into a poisonous whisper. "So then... do you know who killed Hell Spectre?"

Yumi fell silent. That name was heavy. One of the five who ever reached Rank SSS. A symbol of terror and overwhelming power. Many rumors circled her death, but none with certainty.

"I don’t know."

Michael’s grin twisted bitterly. "Saint Archer. And do you know what Rank he was at that time?"

Yumi frowned. "That rumor is ridiculous."

Michael stared without blinking. "He killed her right after he reached Rank S."

Silence filled the room.

Yumi swallowed. "That does not sound possible."

Michael nodded slowly, tone stripped bare. "I wish it was just a rumor. But when someone asked the boss about it... boss did not deny it. He stayed silent. You know what that means."

"I once heard the boss say he would rather fight Star Witch and Winter Knight at the same time... than face Saint Archer alone."

Yumi laughed, but her voice trembled. "That is the dumbest joke I have heard. Zephyr is just Rank SS."

"Believe anything you want."

Outside the window, cracked and trembling, she saw Delilah crash again, disappearing into a cloud of debris. Axis dove after her like a six-winged god of destruction.

Yumi bit her lip. Her smile appeared... but darker. Hungrier.

"If he is really that extraordinary, then I cannot wait to make him kneel before me."

.

.

.

I was still hugging that damn tree like a useless coward. My body trembled, not because I feared the monster devouring the city... but because I was furious at myself.

Just minutes ago, I felt like a king, like the world had finally begun to bow to me. Now? I was just trash watching gods wage war from afar.

Damn it. I’m weak. Still so damn weak.

I clenched my jaw so hard a tiny crack rang from my teeth. My eyes locked onto the chaos above. Delilah and Axis drifted farther away, tearing through entire city blocks as they fought.

I took a sharp breath and forced myself to observe my surroundings. People were panicking, dangling from roots, screaming.

And then I saw them: two guys in their early twenties, looking way too relaxed while bound by the vines, watching this apocalyptic show like they were chilling on their motorbikes.

[Revenge Quest Generated]

_______________

[REVENGE QUEST]

TARGET: Xander Blake and Ethan Graham

OBJECTIVE: Kill them

REWARD: 200 EXP

[Accept: y / n]

_______________

I paused. I did not recognize them. Their names meant nothing.

But the System would not choose randomly.

I looked closer. Their faces... slightly familiar.

Turns out they were wearing Nine Stars Academy uniforms.

Maybe they were the type who sneered at me in passing, who whispered filth the moment I walked by, who scoffed as if my existence itself was some kind of offense. People who believed I wasn’t even worthy of breathing the same air as them.

My gaze swept the area. CCTV? None. Streetlights flickered like dying candles.

A chance.

I slowly pulled out the sharp branch that had wrapped around me. With hatred and a twisted desire to become stronger, I began to move.

Step by step... Careful... precise... Do not get flung upward...