"So, this is what happens when you ask a driver to take you back?" Lixin squinted at Angel and said coldly. Angel looked utterly resigned. "I just... forgot he was off today..."

It was evening. Lixin had closed the shop. She should have gone straight home, but now she had to escort this idiot Angel. Why? Because Angel had threatened her: if she refused, she'd bring hordes of brainless fans daily. Wow, that was terrifying. Lixin had no choice but to give in. After all, taking one person wasn't hard.

"But, Miss Angel, we can't hail a taxi. What now?" They'd waited by the roadside forever, but no cabs came. Lixin felt helpless. Unlike Cleyna, who earned enough from one mission to live for months, she was just a small café manager. Her salary barely topped a regular employee's.

"Hmph..." Angel glared at Lixin, as if blaming her for the late hour.

"Why glare at me? You demanded I take you," Lixin said with a bitter chuckle, pulling out her phone. "I'll call for a pickup. Safe and quick."

Wait! Hold on!

Lixin was about to dial Cleyna when she realized: she was escorting her former archenemy, now a diva idol—Angel. Calling the others would cause chaos. Especially Cleyna; she'd rant at Lixin all night after this.

"Never... mind..." Lixin pocketed her phone. "Let's walk a bit further. We'll find one..."

"What? Someone's offering a ride, but you insist on walking?" Angel muttered, yet obediently followed. (She'd threatened Lixin, but still—better not complain. What if Lixin gave up? She'd sleep in a hotel tonight... and lose free cake...)

Lixin didn't know Angel's thoughts. She only knew tonight was weird. Usually, taxis and private cars filled these streets. Why now... not a single vehicle?

"Hey... Miss Lixin... are you reliable? We've walked forever and seen no cars..." Angel grumbled. Even Lixin had had enough. She pulled out her phone to call Cleyna. Otherwise, they might walk all night.

Just then, as if mocking them, a car approached from behind.

"Huh? Lixin, look! A car!" Angel tugged her sleeve. Lixin saw it but shook her head. "That's a private car, not a taxi." She couldn't stop strangers for a ride. Better call her friends.

"Screech!" The car stopped right beside them.

"Huh?" Lixin tilted her head, staring blankly. Four men in black suits—like gangsters—stepped out.

What? Gangsters? Why stop here?

"Ladies, our young master requests your presence. Come with us," the lead man demanded. Angel snapped back, "Hah? Who are you? Why should I go?"

"Calm down. Let's get facts first," Lixin said coolly, holding Angel back. She turned to the man. "Who's your master? What does he want?"

"Heir to G City's largest conglomerate. I don't know why he wants you—just orders to bring you. Mainly for this idol miss. He might propose."

"........ What's that to me?" Wait—Lixin recalled a TV report. That heir looked like... a fat pig! Oh no. This was bad.

"Um... we're busy. Tell your master we'll meet another time..." Lixin backed down fast. A spoiled brat like this, blocking roads with goons? Definitely trouble. Now she knew why no cars appeared tonight.

"Then no choice. Get them!" the leader barked. His men lunged.

"Oh ho! Who do you think you are?" Angel raised her fists, but Lixin blocked her. "Don't kill normals. I'll handle this."

Lixin blurred. In two seconds—"smack smack"—the front two men dropped. No one saw her move. One thug vanished.

"Got her!" He reappeared behind Angel. But instead of victory, a blinding white light hit him.

"Flash!" "Aaaah!!!"

He screamed, clutching his eyes, and flew backward. Angel cracked her neck. "You forced my hand."

"Ability Users? No choice then." The leader glowed faint blue—he was one too. "Master didn't specify your condition. A little injury won't matter." He smirked.

He didn't know he faced the world's strongest. His power was nothing.

"Whoosh!" As he aimed at Angel, icy dread washed over him. A deathly aura pressed close.

A voice whispered, "Oh? So confident?" Like the Reaper's breath. Crimson eyes burned into his back. He tried to run—but froze.

A chaotic black blade pressed his neck. One twitch, and he'd die.

"I... I... I..." The leader had never felt such bone-deep fear since gaining powers. His mind shattered.

"I changed my mind. Since you're not human, I won't hold back."

................................................................

In a mansion on G City's outskirts, urgent knocking echoed. The obese heir jumped from bed—he knew his men had returned.

"Alright, alright! I'm not rushing, why are you?" He hadn't opened the door yet. Impatient, he hurried and swung it open with a "click."

"Hi~" Angel stood alone, smiling sweetly.

"A-A-Angel-chan??" The brat gaped. Was he dreaming? She visited him?

"Ugh, this creep's disgusting. Go!" Angel's face twisted in disgust.

"No need to tell me!"

"Thud!" The brat blacked out before he could react.

Next day, news broke: G City's top conglomerate heir was bound with reinforced rope at his HQ entrance. A sign read: "I am guilty. I should not lust after innocent girls." The scandal rocked the city.

Watching the report, Lixin smiled. "Tsk tsk. So satisfying."