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After Ryo knocked on the door, he took three steps back. It didn't take long before the door opened. The one who opened it was a middle-aged woman with long brown hair and hazel eyes. She was around one and a half meters tall, maybe a bit more. She had a large chest, an average waist, and a slightly protruding belly due to pregnancy. Her clothes were neither luxurious nor simple — just above their means.
Even though she was the landlord's wife, they weren't wealthy. First, because the rent was cheap. Second, because the number of tenants in the building didn't exceed five. And even if her husband was a government employee, he was just an ordinary man — not awakened.
But, due to his overwhelming love for his wife, he pushed himself — or rather, pushed the tenants — to raise the rent every three months just to meet all her demands.
When the woman saw that the one knocking was Ryo, the biggest disgrace among the Awakened, her gaze immediately shifted into one of pure contempt. She didn't bother to hide it. Her brows slightly raised, her lips tightened into a mocking sneer, and her chin lifted with false pride.
Ryo, however, didn't care. He saw that expression often. He just smirked lightly in return. Deep inside, he swore that this gaze would soon shatter — replaced by fear… and despair.
"What do you want?" Her tone was dripping with scorn.
Ryo wasn't bothered by her way of speaking. On the contrary, he was used to it.
"I wanted to ask if Mr. Lee is home."
"No. He's working. Unlike some people who don't work and rely on their families."
She was referring to Ryo, who hadn't worked and had been living in his apartment for five years — ever since his Awakening.
"Really, I wanted to ask him about someone."
"Come back later and ask him."
Then she muttered under her breath as she turned her head aside with disdain:
"It's better if you don't come back."
Ryo heard her muttering, but only smirked slightly, lips tight and eyes gleaming with sarcasm.
"Oh, Mrs. Lee, I think you can help me, since Mr. Lee isn't here."
"I told you to come back and ask him."
"Really? I believe you can help."
"No."
Ryo smiled faintly, tilting his head a bit.
"Mrs. Lee, I think you'll regret not helping me."
"I only regret wasting my time with you. Talking to you is a waste of my precious time."
"In that case, do you recognize the person in this photo?"
Ryo didn't want to listen to her nonsense any longer, so he pulled out a photo — of himself, and the man she was cheating with.
When she saw the photo in Ryo's hand… she froze.
She swallowed hard, her face stiff.
Ryo's heart filled with satisfaction as he watched her pride crumble.
"From your reaction, it seems you do know him. Judging by the body language in this picture, you two seem very close."
"What do you mean by that?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
"Haha… Mrs. Lee, I don't think a door-side conversation is appropriate. How about you invite me in for some coffee or tea so we can have a proper talk?"
At that moment, Mrs. Lee felt that the Ryo she had looked down upon moments ago was terrifying. His words were like a devil's whisper, especially with that look in his black eyes — eyes like an abyss, hidden behind his long messy black hair.
She looked left and right, afraid someone might see.
"Come in."
Ryo entered the apartment and headed straight to the living room.
He sat on the couch, crossed one leg over the other, and waited for her to bring the coffee.
It didn't take long before Mrs. Lee returned with the coffee. Ryo lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and blew the smoke right into her face.
Mrs. Lee burned with anger but didn't dare say a word — afraid of how much he knew, especially since he had caught her on camera just the night before.
"Mrs. Lee, I forgot to congratulate you on your pregnancy. Mr. Lee must be thrilled — maybe even over the moon."
Ryo's tone was calm, but to her, it was like a demon's whisper.
"But I wonder… how would he feel knowing the baby he's so happy about, the one he's finally having after all these years… isn't his?"
Mrs. Lee couldn't bear it anymore and screamed in his face:
"What nonsense are you talking about?! I'll call the police and tell them you fabricated that photo to threaten me!"
Ryo remained unfazed. He took another drag and blew smoke in her face again.
"Yes, you could do that. But are you sure you want to?"
A subtle pressure radiated from Ryo, pressing down on her.
Mrs. Lee began to breathe heavily, feeling like Ryo was now a giant looming over her — and she was just an insect in his grasp.
"What about this?"
Ryo pulled a document from his pocket — a DNA test for the unborn child.
"Do you think this is fake too?"
When she saw the paper, her legs went weak from fear.
"I-I think you forged it. That's the kind of thing someone like you would do!"
"Haha… Mrs. Lee, you really want me to keep going, don't you?"
He pulled out his phone and played a video for her.
Mrs. Lee's face turned pale, and panic overtook her. Her legs gave out, and she could barely stand.
The video showed her having se* with her lover — last night.
"You... you... where did you get this?! Were you spying on me?! I'll report you to the police! You lunatic!"
She screamed hysterically, pulled out her phone, but Ryo snatched it from her and calmly took another drag.
"Mrs. Lee, you're not in a position to make threats. So stay calm. If you call the police, your secrets — your betrayal — will come to light. So sit down… and behave."
Mrs. Lee felt her world collapse. Even if she called the police, what would happen? It would be the end of her.
She fell to her knees in front of Ryo.
"Please… please… I'll do anything… Just don't tell my husband…"
When Ryo saw this, he felt nothing. Not a shred of pity for this whore stirred in his heart.
In this world, the strong do whatever they want, and the weak must obey the will of the strong to survive. This is the law of the jungle—survival of the fittest.
Ryo extended his hand and lifted Lady Li's chin, staring straight into her eyes. Those eyes, which once brimmed with scorn and mockery, were now filled with fear, despair, and pleading.
Ryo couldn't bear that look—not because he pitied her, but because it disgusted him.
"Lady Li, I won't tell anyone."
Lady Li felt a wave of relief that he wouldn't speak—but it wouldn't come for free.
What would he want in return for his silence? Especially since if he didn't want anything, why would he contact her? It must be for something. Would he want to use this to get her body?
At the thought, fear gripped her, but she would do it if it meant keeping him quiet.
"I'll do anything... even if you want my body."
Ryo looked at her with even more disgust. She tried to solve her problem by offering her body again.
How filthy.
"What I want is to convince your husband, Mr. Li, to sell me this building. So... you have three days. Otherwise..."
He didn't finish his sentence, but she understood what he meant.
Ryo didn't stay any longer. He walked out, almost vomiting from the revulsion he felt toward that woman.
He returned to his apartment, sat on the couch, and leaned his head back. Suddenly, Eva appeared before him like a flash of lightning.
[Host, are you sure she'll stop?]
He spoke softly while staring at the ceiling:
"Yes, she'll stop. Maybe she'll resist a little, but she won't keep going. In the end, when a lion grabs its prey, it may struggle and cling to life... but the end is inevitable."
[I think so too... but, what was that video you showed her?]
He replied in a cold, serious tone:
"Something not meant for your little eyes."
Eva puffed her cheeks and crossed her arms in childish anger:
[Ugh! You're mean, Host!]
Ryo ignored her protest, because—
During the week of constant interaction between Ryo and Eva, he began to understand her more. She was surprisingly smart, learned quickly, and grasped many things... but she was like a blank slate—she knew nothing about humans or other living beings. That's why Ryo decided not to let her learn the wrong things.
"What if she learns something bad?" he thought. "What if one day, someone from the real universe is sent to inspect Eva and sees what she's learned while with me? That would be the end of me."
That's why he asked her not to connect to the outside world—especially when he recorded that video or when she displayed it.
"By the way..." he said suddenly, lifting his head, "isn't today the day to draw from the Info Roulette?"
[Yes! Do you want to spin now?]
"Yes."
The Information Roulette appeared before him, shaped like an old gumball machine for kids. It spun, and ten balls of different colors appeared.
He reached out and touched the first ball.
[Tomorrow, a dungeon of Rank F will appear on the outskirts of the city. Coordinates: 8687:4673]
Ryo's eyes widened, then a small smile appeared on his face, and a refreshing feeling washed over him like a cool morning breeze.
"Hahaha, looks like luck is finally smiling at me."
[Your luck is really good, Host!]
This dungeon was especially important because later, a Rank B dungeon would break open in the same area. And although he had a Hercules Card of Rank SSS, his progress was terribly slow... no, slower than a snail, maybe even slower than time itself!
So, he needed combat and leveling up to unlock the full power of Hercules.
Excited, he opened the remaining nine balls all at once... but didn't even get a single normal piece of information.
[As expected... your luck is worse than a stray dog's!]
Ryo didn't reply. He just sat in the corner of the room, drawing circles on the floor with his finger, his eyes full of despair.
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Hello everyone, I think everyone is bored with the long conversations without entering into a fight, but the next chapters will start with action, so I will do my best, so support with a comment and provide strength.