𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐕𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒' 𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐇𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐃𝐎𝐆 | 𝘷𝘢𝘥𝘵𝘥 𝘹 𝘔.𝘺/𝘯 |

(28) Bloody Lips.

"........," 

Eckles knelt before me, his voice raw with a desperate plea.

I watched him for a moment, then glanced at the interest bar hovering above his head.

The glow and negative number sent a jolt through me.

"[Interest -70%]," it displayed, a stark reminder of the potential danger Eckles posed.

"Well done, Eckles,"

I said, my voice firm but laced with a hint of praise. 

This blind obedience, while unsettling, was something I couldn't entirely dismiss.

The thought of what he might become without guidance, a weapon pointed at whoever displeased him, sent a shiver down my spine. 

But then, a question arose.

'How?' I thought, glancing down at him again. 'Where in the world could we have possibly met before? We're from different countries.'

Pushing aside the mystery for now, I reached out and ruffled Eckles' hair, a habit I had with anyone younger or shorter. 

My twin sister used to grumble about it, but it felt… comforting.

'Oh, Si-Yeon, if only I had the chance to do it one more time.'

"Get up," I instructed, pulling him gently to his feet. "You did a damn good job tonight." 

Pride swelled in my chest as I remembered the satisfying crunch of my fist connecting with Kluy's jaw.

Yet Eckles deserved recognition for his part in the fight.

Eckles' expression upon receiving praise was a strange combination – a dullness that seemed to mask a deep-seated gratification.

He rose obediently, like a loyal puppy finally rewarded for a good deed.

As I turned away, a flash of movement caught my eye. 

Eckles, momentarily out of sight, muffled a sound behind his hand. 

His cheeks flushed a brilliant pink, and I saw him bite his bottom lip, hard enough to draw a bead of blood. 

He was… excited?

"........," 

╔. ■ .═══════╗