I didn't drop the book, been busy for graduation and the final exams. Plus the internship program, it was... Hell.
*sobs*
I dun wanna work, just wanna write. But hey, I am back. Daily update one chapter per day from now on.
----
The black car slid into the underground executive parking lot, joining a long row of luxury sedans and armored SUVs.
The whole lineup screamed money and power, drawing plenty of looks from the passersby, but nobody dared to linger for too long. This was not a place for common folk.
Not that any of that mattered to Mize.
Because right now, he had bigger problems.
"Look at what you did," he grumbled, furiously dabbing a suspicious white stain off the back of his dress with a handkerchief. His lips pressed into a thin line, his grip on the fabric tight as he worked to erase the evidence.
From across the seat, Liam watched with the kind of relaxed amusement that made Mize want to kick him in the shin.
His ruby-red eyes snapped up, sharp like twin blades, glaring daggers at the perpetrator.
Liam? Still smiling. Completely unbothered.
Mize cursed under his breath. Bastard.
"I'm sorry," Liam said suddenly.
Mize blinked, caught off guard. He wasn't expecting an apology.
He almost felt bad about snapping.
"…W-well, just… be careful next time," he muttered, looking away, the tips of his ears a little red.
Liam's smile widened. "Next time, sure."
Mize froze.
Wait.
Wait.
"...No! I didn't mean it like that!" he blurted out, backpedaling immediately.
Liam tilted his head, so damn pleased with himself.
"Understood"
Then, without another word, he reached over, pulled a tissue from the seat's pocket, and gestured toward Mize.
"Turn around. I'll do it."
Mize hesitated. The logical part of his brain screamed DANGER, DANGER, DO NOT ENGAGE, but… the stupid stain wasn't coming out.
With a sigh, he begrudgingly turned his back to Liam, crossing his arms.
The scene zoomed out.
The car sat still, an air of silence wrapping around it.
And then—
"ARGH! DON'T TOUCH THERE, YOU PERVERT!"
A furious shout rocked the enclosed space, followed by a very sharp bite to the hand.
A minute later, the car doors opened, and two figures stepped out.
One looking completely grumpy and flustered.
The other? Sporting a very obvious bite mark on his hand—red, irritated, and thoroughly earned.
Still, the smile never left Liam's face.
"You look grumpy, Mimi."
Mize barely shot him a glare before Liam casually took his hand—fingers intertwining like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Mize wanted to swat him away, but… well. He didn't.
Instead, he let out a small hum, his grip tightening just a little before pulling Liam along, heels clicking sharply against the pristine marble floor.
"...Idiot," he mumbled.
Liam? Oh, he was definitely enjoying this.
The elevator hall was eerily quiet. Not because it was late, but because—frankly? Nobody normal came to this place.
The Millennium House wasn't just expensive. It was exclusive.
Only awakeners, top-tier businessmen, and old-money bastards had any reason to be here.
Basically? "Rich place, poor people we don't like."
"Yeah, that about sums it up," Mize huffed as they stepped inside the elevator, the polished walls reflecting their figures back at them.
[Small steps, little girl and his father.]
…
Mize's eye twitched.
'I swear to the heavens above, I will beat the sh—'
But he held it back.
The elevator ride was quiet. Too quiet.
Mize wasn't sure if it was the kind of quiet that let his thoughts wander peacefully, or the kind that made him want to throw hands with the universe.
Probably the second one.
His eyes flicked around as they stepped out. The whole place had a strange mix of old-world elegance and futuristic sleekness—polished floors, soft golden lighting, massive displays showcasing high-grade items for sale.
And of course, rows of shops catering exclusively to awakeners.
Basically? A place where filthy rich people threw their money around like candy.
Liam walked beside him, silent and smiling, as if this whole place was beneath his notice.
Mize, on the other hand?
He was already making plans.
There were too many options. High-grade equipment, rare potions, special skill orbs—you name it. But he had one thing in mind today.
"Liam, be the man," Mize suddenly announced, grabbing Liam's sleeve and yanking him closer.
Liam arched a brow. "Hmmm?"
Mize looked up, ruby eyes blinking innocently. The picture of a helpless porcelain doll.
Liam's instincts screamed "trap."
And rightfully so.
Because the moment he let his guard down—
CHOMP.
Mize bit him again.
Liam flinched, but barely. If anything, his smile deepened, like he was actually enjoying this.
"You're getting too bold," Liam mused, inspecting the fresh third bite mark of the day. "Should I be worried?"
Two from the car and one from this. Ohh? You didn't notice the other one? Lucky...
Mize only huffed, cheeks puffing slightly. "Serves you right."
Liam, completely unbothered, let his gaze drift over the bustling floor. "What do you want?"
"Summoning cards," Mize stated immediately.
Liam blinked, a little surprised by the choice. "Oh?"
Mize nodded, serious.
"Dungeon Lord?" Liam asked, his voice dipping just slightly, as if testing the weight of those words. "You sure?"
"Yes," Mize replied without hesitation. His cheeks puffed out a little, as if daring Liam to question it further.
Liam exhaled a soft chuckle. "So, this is a business venture, then?"
Mize nodded enthusiastically. "It sounds fun too!"
Liam gave him a long look. One that clearly said 'I know you're up to something, but I'm too entertained to stop you.'
"You act cute when you want something," he finally said, voice deep and way too amused.
Mize did not dignify that with an answer.
Instead, he grabbed both of Liam's hands, clutching them tightly while looking up at him with big, expectant eyes.
Doll-like. Fragile. The absolute peak of manipulation.
"...Sure," Liam sighed.
Mize beamed.
Mize then tugged at the corner of Liam's sleeve, his ruby eyes flickering up. "Then, any suggestions, Mr. Mysterious?" His voice was light, crisp, teasing.
Liam savored the moment, as if that small touch alone was amusing him to no end. He smiled. "Well… come with me."
Without waiting, he took the lead, weaving through the massive shopping district like he'd done it a hundred times before.
Mize blinked, suspicious.
For someone who supposedly wasn't an awakener, Liam sure moved with a little too much familiarity.
Mize followed behind, hand still clasped in Liam's, feeling the soft warmth of his palm against his own.
His eyes flickered to the sides, scanning their surroundings not out of curiosity, but calculation.
Something was off.
The guards aren't human.
Not even a little.
Mize's gaze caught the shadowy figures that were trailing them for afar—black-suited men, stiff in posture, eyes too empty, too unblinking. The same ones Liam had called his workers.
Mize made a mental note. Liam wasn't normal.
But that wasn't exactly new information.
He had never been normal in the first place.
They skimmed through the vast shopping mall, moving from one extravagant storefront to another.
For a city that was considered secluded in the grand scheme of things, there were still plenty of wealthy people parading around like peacocks.
Occasionally, Mize caught glimpses of the other shoppers—each dressed in a way that made his lips twitch.
It's like a cosplay event where everyone secretly hates each other.
The women? Draped in extravagant fantasy-style dresses, ranging from magical girl aesthetics to full-blown royal gowns.
The men?
Mize tried not to stare.
And then, a hand covered his eyes from the front.
"Don't look," Liam's voice murmured near his ear.
Mize turned his head, brows raised, questioning.
Liam didn't immediately answer, but instead tapped his own lips, his expression oddly relaxed.
"Those are awakeners," he finally said, nodding toward the groups of elaborately dressed men moving through the halls. "And there's a rule."
"A rule?" Mize rubbed at his cheek absently. He thought he felt a slight itch there.
Liam nodded. "Yes. The weak should respect and be in awe of the strong. If not, it's considered provocation."
Mize blinked. Then blinked again.
"...That?" He deadpanned.
"I know." Liam sighed, patting Mize's head like he was some tiny creature in need of comforting. "It's barbaric at times, so be careful with your gaze."
Mize narrowed his eyes, but he obediently nodded.
It was a mishap on his part.
He had too much confidence in the information he had. But in reality? He barely knew anything.
Liam guided Mize further down the expansive shopping district, leading him toward a more secluded section.
The shop at the very end stood out. Not in design, but in presence.
Mize's gaze flicked up, catching sight of the golden, intricately carved lettersabove the doorway.
"The Path of the Dungeon Lord."
The words left his lips in a soft whisper.
Interesting.
Stepping inside, Mize took a moment to glance around.
"...It looks empty?"
Liam shook his head. "Not exactly."
Mize shot him a questioning look.
"It's more like an inquiry stall," Liam added, watching as Mize's brows furrowed slightly in mild confusion.
A sigh left Liam's lips. "You'll understand soon. Just follow my steps."
Mize didn't argue. He simply nodded and let himself be led forward.