* * *
Amidst the growing chaos outside, Haimar briefly considered going after Ben, but dismissed the thought.
Finding Ben’s presence wasn’t difficult, and no matter what mess was happening out there, it was Haimar’s choice whether to intervene or not.
But he held back because he figured his guide, Ben Plaskun, had a reason for sending that signal.
Most likely, it stemmed from Ben’s annoyingly soft heart.
The thought briefly darkened Haimar’s expression as he leaned back with closed eyes.
Just how long did his precious guide plan to keep him waiting?
Honestly, Espers and Guides moving separately was the real problem here.
Haimar never cared before whether someone stayed close or drifted apart, but now—it bothered him.
A lot.
Just like other Espers, who wanted their Guides constantly within arm’s reach.
Once Ben returned, Haimar would sit him down and make it crystal clear what his priorities should be.
Until then, he could endure the waiting.
And once Ben was under him, flushed red from head to toe, shaking with pleasure—he’d never let him utter promises like that again.
If I push him to his limits, it’s obvious he’ll end up clinging to me, bawling, nodding his head without even understanding what he’s saying.
It might not be so bad to have him beg me with those green eyes, glassy with tears, to let him go.
Of course, I’ll have to teach him a proper lesson, so it won’t be that easy.
The things I picture in my mind always tend to become reality.
But before that happens, his Guide will be running around inside this building, unable to just walk past other people’s business, tripping over himself.
I can already imagine the ridiculous sight, and it’s annoying even without seeing it.
Sometimes he charges in recklessly like he’s some brave tiger, but in my eyes, he’s nothing but a rabbit.
The way his eyes go wide in shock, the way his body curls up and trembles ever so slightly when he’s embarrassed or wants to hide — even if he doesn’t realize it himself — it’s all so reminiscent of a small, defenseless animal.
That’s exactly why he’s soft inside.
He acts so firm and upright, like he’ll never break, but poke just a little, and he falls apart.
Honestly, isn’t it a miracle no one’s devoured his heart and soul by now?
‘Haa…’
Just thinking about Ben Plaskun made a parched thirst rise, sizzling deep in my throat.
There was a water bottle on the table, but he knew better than anyone — this wasn’t the kind of thirst water could quench.
So, Haimar slightly parted his crimson lips and licked his lower lip, as if summoning the one who could relieve this burning dryness.
The stagnant energy trapped in his body weighed him down with lethargy.
Without forcing himself to shake it off, he leaned his head back against the chair, his nearly white hair falling messily, cold eyes drifting to the door.
The noise outside was growing louder, pressing in on his space, but with three limiters attached, there was far too much unfiltered information to process.
He could hear everything, but all his senses were focused on suppressing it — not interpreting each piece one by one.
Tap, tap, tap.
Still, the distinct sound of high heels clicking across the marble floor reached his ears with perfect clarity.
Cutting through the chaotic noise, that confident sound drew closer to the door, as if demanding recognition.
He wasn’t particularly curious who it was, but at least he could tell it wasn’t Ben.
Clack.
The high heels stopped in front of the door, and without so much as a knock, the doorknob turned.
It was a movement full of certainty, like they already knew exactly who was inside.
“How rude of our guest.”
Haimar’s eyes, which had been lazily closed, slowly opened.
The darkened room was pierced by the light spilling in from outside, along with a slippery, sinister presence creeping across the floor.
Like a snake stalking its prey.
“Oh my, how flattering. If you knew I was coming, couldn’t you have opened the door and greeted me properly?”
Haimar’s cold gaze locked with a pair of gleaming, red eyes.
The woman’s lips shaped soft, graceful words, but her eyes were nothing but sharp malice.
Haimar calmly ignored her imposing aura, slipping a pair of thin, black gloves from his coat pocket with elegant precision.
His movement — lightly tugging the glove’s edge between his red lips — was dangerous in a different way, exuding an otherworldly, detached charm despite his flawless, tightly fitted suit leaving not an inch of skin exposed.
The snake’s aura gnawed at the edges of his space but couldn’t cross the boundary.
In other words, Roilnia was only occupying the area Haimar Eilec permitted.
But that brief moment ended when Haimar finally spoke.
“Hmm… you’re… who again?”
The oppressive stillness hanging heavy in the room suddenly snapped.
A sharp, overwhelming energy surged like a crashing tide, suffocating the air within the confined space.
Haimar sat there, poised, bearing that crushing pressure on his shoulders like a king on his throne.
Watching him, Roilnia’s lips twitched with humiliation.
He wasn’t asking because he truly forgot.
That made the dismissal even more unbearable.
Still, Roilnia steadied her disrupted energy, brushing it off.
It wasn’t like she didn’t know what kind of man he was — she’d come here precisely to stomp that noble face into the ground.
If it wasn’t at least this intense, it wouldn’t be fun.
“What’s with the attitude? It’s been ages. Don’t be so cold.”
“Were we ever close enough for pleasantries?”
“Depends on the occasion, doesn’t it? You’ve been well, I assume? Last I saw, you only had two limiters. Looks like you’ve added one. Hard to believe the great Haimar Eilec’s been reduced to this. Guessing you’ve finally gotten yourself a Guide? Or not?”
Her words were casual enough to pass for small talk, yet the tension between them crackled like blades ready to slice at any moment.
Haimar didn’t lose his characteristic languid air, but his eyes flashed with overt contempt.
“If you crawl on your belly and beg like the pathetic dog you used to be, maybe I’ll answer.”
At that cutting remark, Roilnia’s face froze over like ice.
Haimar, utterly relaxed, rose from his seat, adding with a final, taunting jab:
“If you bark nicely, I might even humor you.”
Clench.
Her fist tightened, blood oozing from where sharp nails dug into her palm, but she didn’t even flinch at the pain.
Instead, she exhaled, lifting her bleeding hand, crimson dripping down her wrist.
Bringing it to her lips, Roilnia licked her blood, eyes burning with hatred as she smiled at Haimar.
“Hah… ha ha. You’re still just as insufferable. I like my greetings… aggressive.”
“Feel free. If you want to be on your knees again, begging for your life.”
Ziiik…
A sharp sound, like paper being sliced, split the air.
The empty space cracked open like a beast baring its jaws.
“While you’ve been stuck here… I’ve changed.”
BOOM!!
A massive container crashed down from the ceiling, shattering the floor with a deafening impact.
The entire floor shook as if an earthquake struck.
The container, far too large for the small room, smashed through the walls and windows, jutting out into the hallway.
Broken bricks tumbled down, clouds of dust spreading thick with the wind.
But neither Roilnia nor Haimar so much as blinked. Haimar even crossed his arms, resting his chin on one hand, watching the scene like an amused spectator.
Screeech— Sreee—
But for Roilnia, this was only the beginning.
With a flick of her hand, the container’s locks unlatched on their own, the door slowly creaking open.
Even Haimar’s eyebrow quirked slightly at that.
“You’ve only regressed… but I’ve evolved.”
That fleeting reaction delighted her beyond measure — imagining how satisfying it would be when his face finally twisted in frustration filled her with anticipation.
“Oh? Is that your new way of barking?”
KWA-KWANG!!!
The destructive roar that followed dwarfed everything before, swallowing the small room whole.
Inside the wide-open container doors were steel beams and pipes—materials typically used for civil engineering or construction—stacked densely.
In an instant, the threatening steel structures shot toward Haimar like missiles.
They came at him from such a close distance that a blink of an eye would have been enough to get pierced through, yet the man evaded the first with a slight twist of his head, smoothly rose to his feet at an angle for the second, and effortlessly countered the third with a single hand.
Bang! Bang! Crash—!
The missed projectiles slammed through the walls, tearing the building apart.
Debris rained down outside like a storm, and the exposed steel frames twisted helplessly under the relentless destruction, losing their original form.
“I’ve never heard of you being telekinetic.”
“I told you—while you were busy stumbling backward, I changed. You’re not the only one who can use more than one ability.”
* * *
