Silver Lady adored her master’s violent side. She sat quietly in her chair, wine glass in hand, watching the spectacle unfold.

There was no artistry to it—just Raven slamming his fists into Gold’s chest, arms, shoulders, and legs. Blood and flesh blurred under the assault. Gold couldn’t even see his strikes coming. His brief ability to slow time around himself became utterly meaningless.

Only when Raven was drenched in blood did he finally stand. One last brutal kick crushed Gold’s skull.

Perhaps even in death, he never understood… he’d actually had a way out.

But humans loved tempting fate. He’d thought a small provocation would go unpunished. He’d assumed it was mere intimidation. He’d believed they were evenly matched. Sadly, that was just his assumption.

Flames engulfed Gold’s body, reducing him to ashes in moments. Raven pulled out a new mask and strode toward Silver Lady. His black clothes were soaked in blood, yet she gently took his hand without hesitation.

“Let me bathe you, Master.”

………………………………

The bathhouse downstairs was easily accessible. Silver Lady led Raven there without trouble. Gold’s men—summoned earlier through hidden room mechanisms—lay unconscious on the floor. They weren’t dead. Silver Lady would decide their fates after judging their crimes.

Her next goal: absorb all of Gold’s remaining forces. She’d done this before. Raven handled the violence; she handled the aftermath. Their partnership was seamless. Skilled in management and business, she earned his complete trust.

She was the organization’s little housekeeper, holding the purse strings.

After showering and changing into fresh clothes, Raven produced another mask from nowhere and slipped it on.

Silver Lady had hoped to serve him properly. But the moment she stepped into the bathroom doorway, fingers brushing the thin strap on her shoulder, Raven shoved her out firmly. She could only sit outside the door, pouting with wounded pride as she waited.

With their leader dead, defectors naturally appeared. The four psychics Silver Lady wanted now trembled where they stood. Escape was impossible—her maids had locked down the entire building.

Raven’s gaze swept over them.

“Turn yourselves in to The Alliance. All four of you. Let them decide your fate. Refuse, and die here. Use Silver Lady’s name when you go.”

The four members of Faceless breathed sighs of relief. They bowed frantically, rushed downstairs, and sped toward The Alliance headquarters in a car. Silver Lady’s maids followed closely, reporting back only after watching them enter the building.

Raven stood by the window, gazing at the dusk. The sun had set; stars glimmered faintly in the sky. The moon hung full and bright. He watched silently until the soft *click-clack* of Silver Lady’s heels broke the quiet behind him.

She wrapped her arms around him from behind, her full chest pressing against his back, her chin resting on his shoulder.

“You’re so kind to that little girl,” she murmured, a hint of petulance in her voice. “Aren’t you worried I might get jealous?”

Raven caught her hands circling his waist and gently pulled them away. “Don’t be silly.”

“Between the sudden flood of work—designing clothes, taking over this territory, handling The Alliance’s interrogations, and scheming to fool that girl… can’t I even pout for a moment?”

“Keep up your mature persona,” Raven said lightly, clearing his throat.

“Ink Orange Ice gets treats when she pouts. Why don’t I?”

“Because she’s usually so cold.”

“Then I’ll be cold next time.”

“Fine.” Raven pinched her cheek gently.

“The restaurant under Gold’s control has decent food. Would you like to try it, Master?”

“Have someone prepare it.”

“Kiss me first.” Silver Lady tilted her face up toward him.

“You just said you’d be cold.”

“I can’t stay icy in front of you… unlike that block of ice. She’s just reserved. I’m not like her at all.” Her expression was that of a child vying for attention, waiting for a sweet reward.

Raven sighed, reached back, and removed his mask. Beneath it lay a surprisingly gentle face.

“Close your eyes.”

“No. I want to watch.”

“Then no kiss.”

Silver Lady obediently shut her eyes.

The instant their lips met, her hands flew up to lock around his neck. He couldn’t escape. She pinned him against the wall, finally opening her eyes—gleaming with triumphant delight.

*Who ever said it’d be just one kiss?*

*I’m not that easy to satisfy.*

…………………………………………

Su Nisheng stared at her phone, frozen for five full seconds.

Three minutes ago, all four members of the minor group Faceless had turned themselves in to The Alliance.

The reason? Silver Lady had launched a surprise attack today, wiping out Gold—the psychic who controlled the city’s southern district—and seizing all his territory. These four criminals were sent to surrender under Silver Lady’s orders.

True, Silver Lady might have heard rumors about Su Nisheng being threatened by Faceless recently… but this was *too* fast. And why help her? Su Nisheng had nothing to offer in return!

The Alliance’s profile on Silver Lady featured one label prominently:

*Madwoman.*

Su Nisheng couldn’t make sense of it—until her phone rang. Dazed, she lifted it to her ear. Silver Lady’s cool, faintly teasing voice came through: “Miss Su, did you receive the news?”

“Why did you help me?”

“Well… it was rather convenient. I’d already planned to eliminate Gold today. These four worked for him too. I’d intended to kill them, but thought—why not gift them to you as a favor? Let The Alliance deal with them.”

“My ‘favor’ means nothing to you.”

“It’s of no consequence. I merely wished to express my stance to you, Miss Su. I don’t want The Alliance labeling us a malicious organization. We seek profit, not chaos. After taking over Gold’s assets, we’ll cease all illegal drug trade.”

“That’s not my decision to make.”

“I know. The Alliance will send representatives to negotiate. As for helping you… truly, it was just a convenient gesture. Personally, I admire people like you.”

“You… *admire* me?” Su Nisheng was speechless for three seconds.

“Yes. I respect your courage in choosing your own path. And… you’re quite lovely. To my taste.” Silver Lady’s tone turned playful.

“I don’t like women.”

“No matter. I simply wanted to do something nice for someone as adorable as you. Don’t overthink it.”

Su Nisheng racked her brain but couldn’t decipher Silver Lady’s strange words.

“…Thank you, then.”

“You’re welcome. Have a pleasant weekend.” The call ended. Silver Lady turned to find Raven examining her design sketches at her desk.

Her master—and boss—was a man who loved turning simple tasks into elaborate games. He called it “adding flavor to life.” Truthfully, he was just unbearably bored.

Here she was—an SS Rank psychic, one of the world’s hundred strongest—now sewing clothes for her master. *For another woman*, no less!

Silver Lady’s irritation flared. *This is absurd.*

*No. I’ve been too obedient, accepting every ridiculous whim. This time, I must protest. Or he’ll treat me like a mere tool forever.*

“The sketches are well done.”

Raven sat in her office chair, studying the blueprints, his voice soft with praise.

Silver Lady approached slowly, her eyes growing increasingly plaintive. “Then… shouldn’t I receive a reward, Master?”

“What reward? You can’t absorb Evolution Blood again for another year.”

“Master… must you always pretend not to understand?” She settled onto his lap, guiding his arms around her waist, shifting slightly against him.

“I understand nothing,” Raven replied, feigning innocence.

“Shall I tell you what I want, then?”

“When did rewards become your choice to pick?”

“Only then can I feel your love for me.”

“Another time. I have matters tomorrow… You’d keep me all night, and I need to pick someone up.” He pinched her waist lightly. Silver Lady turned away with a wounded huff. “You always say that.”

“Enough. Behave.” He pinched her cheek again.

“So you’re leaving again?”

“Yes. Bed. I’m tired.”

“Wait a moment.”

Silver Lady finally rose. She swept her wavy silver hair behind her ear, then knelt. Her lips parted slightly as she looked up into his eyes.

…………………………

Slowly, greedily, Silver Lady swallowed her after-dinner treat.

“Shall I drive you?” She smoothed her dress.

“No… Cameras would trace your car to my home. Everything would be exposed.”

“I still don’t understand why you hide your identity from Su Nisheng.”

“I enjoy her company. When the day comes that we truly stand as enemies… I’d like to still share words with her. A conversation.”

“Is she the one you’ve chosen?”

“Yes. I can think of no one better.”

Raven’s voice was quiet, yet unshakably firm.

“Do you wish to make her a ruler?”

“I only want her to test whether she can fulfill her own desires. She’s purer than I am.”

“No rush. She’s not ready yet. But I believe… she’ll become a true hero someday.”

“Heroism is often just a lie.”

“Perhaps. Until the end… who can say?”

Raven stood, mask settling back over his face. His thumb and middle finger clicked together—a sharp, crisp snap.

The next second, he vanished on the spot.