Morning came after what felt like forever for Ayaka.

First, it had been the sight of Yuki and Shin making love that kept her awake—then came the heavier burden: the lingering thoughts about what they really thought of her. The doubts they had about her. She had expected that by now, she'd have earned their trust—especially Shin's. But trust didn't come easy, she realized. If anything, it only meant she had to try harder.

Right in the next room, Shin had just wrapped up another intense morning session with Yuki when she asked casually, "Hey… by the way, what's your number?"

Shin blinked. "My number?"

Then it hit him.

"…Shit. I don't have a phone."

Yuki stared at him. "Wait. Seriously?"

"Even before the world began to rot, my phone was fried. I was living off my laptop."

Yuki sighed and rolled her eyes. "Typical."

Then she reached into her bag and handed him her phone. "Take mine. I'll grab a new one once I get to the next safezone. I'll call you."

Shin accepted the phone, turning it over in his hand before shoving it into his pocket.

"Thanks, Yuki."

They moved out and walked over to Shin's room door and knocked. The sun had already climbed the sky, but Lilian, ever the loyal servant, had refused to unlock the door without his permission.

As soon as she heard his knock, she lit up, rushed to the door, and opened it—only to scowl when she saw who stood behind him.

Her eyes narrowed at Yuki, a flush coloring her cheeks as last night's sounds echoed in her memory—Yuki moaning, the bed creaking, the raw need in those voices.

It had driven Lilian mad. Horny. But she hadn't touched herself. She wasn't allowed to. Not without her master's permission.

All she could do was bite her lip, rub her thighs together, and endure.

"Violent woman," she muttered under her breath, arms folded as she glared. "Sleep well?"

Yuki shot her a look. "Call me that again, and I'll show you exactly how well I slept."

Shin brushed past the brewing tension, stepping inside the room. Sylvia sat calmly on the bed, her eyes quiet but alert. Ayaka, meanwhile, was on the floor, drenched in sweat, her body shaking as she pushed out another rep.

"Thirty-five!" she gasped out, then collapsed flat on the floor, chest heaving.

She looked up at him, strands of hair stuck to her flushed face.

"O-Oni-chan… morning…"

Shin stood frozen.

Did she just say thirty-five?

Thirty-five push-ups? In one go?

That was almost his personal best.

She's catching up... What the hell! I need to train harder!

"Damn," he muttered, walking over and offering her a hand. "You've been going hard, huh?"

Ayaka took his hand with a tired grin. "I want to get stronger. Strong enough to protect you someday."

He chuckled and ruffled her hair. "That's my girl."

Her eyes fluttered closed for a moment, just enjoying the feeling of his hand in her hair.

"Well, you and your sensei should head out. I've got some things I need to handle," Shin said.

Ayaka looked like she wanted to protest, maybe even pout—but with Yuki still there, she held it in, stood up straight, and gave a sharp nod.

"Hoii!"

Shin walked them to one of the side gates leading to the second-tier safezone.

"Alright… guess this is goodbye," he said. "Don't forget to call me. I want info on the place you're going."

"You got it!" Yuki winked and kissed him on the lips.

The nearby onlookers gasped.

Yuki—the feared, fierce player—was kissing a guy in public like it was nothing.

Then she did something even more jaw-dropping.

She stepped back, bowed, and said, "Take care, Master. I'll be waiting for you."

Shin stood there grinning like a damn king. When she turned to walk away, he smacked her ass.

She let out a soft, breathy moan, then disappeared through the gate, Ayaka trailing behind.

As they vanished from view, Shin turned to leave—only to be stopped by two men.

"Yo! Hold up!" one of them called out—a tall Black guy with long dreadlocks.

Shin turned casually. "Yeah?"

The other guy stepped up. He was jacked, covered in scars, and looked like he bench-pressed buses for fun.

"You're that punk always walking around with the Hostess NPC, right?"

He sneered. "Word is you hacked the system. That you're breaking the rules. No way a player like Yuki would bow to you otherwise. You had to have messed with her system!"

Here we go again…

Shin exhaled through his nose, then gave them both a flat stare.

"Yeah. I hacked it. So what?"

He grinned. "Wanna see what else I can do? I could turn you both into my loyal little lapdogs."

The two flinched, taking a step back.

Before they could say anything, a woman from the side stepped forward, scoffing.

"He's full of shit," she said. "Look at him. Just some brat with a cocky smile."

Shin turned to her.

She wore a tight black bustier and matching shorts that left her navel exposed. Red hair. Fierce eyes. Not exactly a knockout, but she had attitude—and curves.

She might be a good lab-rat!

He gave her a slow once-over, his eyes lingering on her curves just long enough to provoke her.

She snapped. "What the hell are you staring at?"

Shin recoiled slightly, pretending to cower. "S-sorry... I didn't mean to offend. You're just... hard to look away from."

Her expression twisted in disgust. "Are you serious?"

He gave an awkward laugh, scratching the back of his neck, glancing nervously at the growing number of onlookers. "I—I mean... I don't usually talk to pretty girls."

The black guy with dreadlocks let out an awkward laughter, and the crowd that had been starting to gather all followed in the laughter.

"The boy isn't as dangerous as everyone thought he was!!" Someone yelled.

"He's just a simp!!!" Another seconded.

With the audience, the red-haired woman stepped forward, her lip curling. "You're actually disgusting."

"I know," Shin responded, his eyes wide and pitiful, voice trembling. "But rejection hurts less in public."

With a loud smack, she slapped him across the cheek.

"I hate creeps who ogle me. Next time, keep your eyes to yourself."

She turned sharply, hair flipping as she stalked off. The crowd laugher harder!

Shin rubbed his cheek with a wince, but a sly smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

That's something. She just needed a little more push...

"Hey!" he called out louder, voice cracking on purpose. "Red-haired bitch!"

This time, the crowd gasped.

The woman immediately spun around, eyes flaring. "Did you just call me a bitch?"

Shin stumbled back a step, arms half-raised like in fear. "Did I stutter?"

She stormed toward him, furious. "You little—!"

She grabbed the front of his shirt and shoved him hard. He let himself fall dramatically, tumbling onto the pavement with a grunt.

The laughter around them turned louder. He lay there for a beat, then slowly sat up, eyes gleaming now, all the fear he had been putting on vanished.

"You're really easy to provoke, aren't you?"

Shin stood, dusted himself calmly and stared into her eyes, the grin on his face growing dark.

"Obey." He muttered so low that only she heard him.

Chains of blue light that were only visible to him burst to life. They wrapped around the woman's wrists, ankles, and throat like glowing restraints. One long chain extended from her neck into his hand like a leash.

The woman froze, horror dawning across her face.

"What the fuck did you do to me?!" she shouted, trying to move. Her legs stepped forward on their own, her arms limp as her body followed Shin like a puppet on strings.

Shin smiled, tugging the chain gently, watching her move helplessly.

"Looks like the new skill works perfectly," he muttered to himself, his voice rich with satisfaction. "And I'm gonna have so much fun with it."

TBC