Ani stepped out of the bathroom, hair damp and face unreadable. Her expression had returned to the one she wore in training camp—a soldier awaiting her next command.
Then, without a word, Zane Cartel reached out and took her by the hand, gently tugging her back into the bathroom.
"Hey—don't forget to dry your hair. You'll drip water everywhere and catch a cold," he said.
He paused, then sighed. "Here. This is a hairdryer—actually, never mind. Let me help you."
Zane plugged in the device and began to blow-dry Ani's hair with a surprising amount of skill. His fingers ran through her hair with gentle precision, brushing out tangles while simultaneously drying each strand.
Ani stood there, stunned. The feeling was so foreign. In her world, this kind of softness didn't exist. There, every gesture had a purpose—usually one related to war, mission, or betrayal.
But this?
This was simple, peaceful. Kind.
Her blonde hair slowly turned soft and silky under Zane's care, until it shimmered in the light. She blinked at her reflection in the mirror, unable to suppress the strange flutter in her chest.
It wasn't a feeling she'd ever let herself indulge in before. In her old life, emotions were burdens. Attachments were vulnerabilities.
She was lost in those thoughts when Zane gave her head a light pat.
"All done. Now go rest," he said casually.
Ani caught his eyes through the mirror. She didn't speak, but something in her chest stirred again—a tangle of guilt, confusion, and maybe even comfort.
Zane, oblivious to her conflicted expression, began scanning her body movements instead.
Her posture was a little off. Unbalanced. Awkward.
His eyes wandered—only slightly—and stopped at her chest.
Ah. That explained it.
Vacuum.
That explained the posture issue. But of course, Zane didn't own anything like a bra. Could he borrow one from next door? Eri Spencer might have something Ani could wear, but…
No. That'd be too weird. Too awkward.
Besides, Eri was a little older than Ani, but the difference in development was... unpromising. And if Mrs. Spencer was anything to go by, Eri probably wasn't going to grow much more in that department.
Cough.
Just as Zane was lost in his thoughts, Ani noticed his gaze.
She immediately remembered waking up twice to his presence hovering over her—and all those suppressed emotions came surging back.
Her expression turned cold as she crossed her arms.
But before she could say anything, Zane raised a hand. "Yeah, yeah—I get it. You've been wronged. We'll go shopping tomorrow and fix that."
Ani froze.
Wait… was he being sincere?
Saying nothing, she turned and walked back to the guest room with stiff steps. She collapsed into the clean bed and looked up at the ceiling.
"No matter how many times I see it, it just doesn't feel real," she murmured to herself.
She had expected to toss and turn all night. Instead, sleep came swiftly, and for the first time in years, her face relaxed into a faint smile.
Meanwhile, in the room next door, Zane opened his system panel.
He still had one unspent third-level lottery reward waiting.
"Now's the time," he muttered.
A spinning wheel appeared on the panel. It wasn't the best pool—not as promising as the one-time beginner bundle—but it had a 5% chance of giving a gold-level reward.
He tapped the button.
A shooting star streaked across the interface—and then a golden gleam lit up the screen.
Zane's jaw dropped.
"No way! I pulled a gold! I really am Europe's chosen child!"
[Reward Acquired: The Absolute Contract Code]
A glowing, golden book materialized in Zane's hands. The moment he touched it, information rushed into his mind.
This wasn't just some relic. This was a binding artifact of absolute power.
The Absolute Contract Code allowed any contract written within its pages to be enforced by supernatural force. The soul of the signee would become the anchor, and once signed, the contract was unbreakable—unless the other party possessed supreme divinity.
Zane's lips curled into a grin.
"With this… no one's turning traitor on me ever again."
He flipped open the book and began writing.
What followed was an incredibly one-sided, iron-clad contract with zero loopholes. He revised it multiple times, testing for language that could be manipulated.
Only when he was completely sure there was no way out did he finally close the book with a satisfied nod.
"Tomorrow morning, Ani's signing this."
He grinned devilishly as the moonlight filtered in through the window.
Suddenly, his palm began to steam.
Zane froze, then looked down. A small scratch on his hand—one he'd received while grabbing Ani's transformation ring—was now rapidly healing.
"Wait… this is—"
Realization hit.
Earlier, when he absorbed Ani's cells using his Blacklight Virus, he'd assumed the Titan powers were locked behind something more complex—perhaps tied only to subjects of Ymir or unique spinal fluid signatures.
But now, under the gentle glow of moonlight, his body was undergoing transformation.
Just like Titans needed sunlight to operate, his own version of the power was responding to reflected solar radiation—moonlight.
"...So, Titans are just weird photosynthesis monsters?" he muttered.
As the light bathed him, he felt his strength growing. Every part of his body was sharpening—speed, stamina, durability.
New power coursed through his veins: the Titan hardening ability. He could now transform parts of his body into an ultra-dense, crystal-like armor.
He flexed his fingers.
"...I'm basically a human-shaped Titan now."
As for transforming into a Titan outright? He could probably do it—but why bother? His current form was stronger, faster, and far more efficient.
The Blacklight Virus had done it again.
He shut the panel and turned off the lights.
The next morning.
Ani's eyes fluttered open.
She jolted upright, assuming a defensive posture out of instinct. But then she paused, blinking around the unfamiliar room.
Slowly, her muscles relaxed as memories of last night returned.
She had slept. Soundly.
In a stranger's home. In a soft bed.
The walls were pristine. The decor elegant. The air smelled faintly of citrus.
Ani sat down on the edge of the bed, eyes glazed, still processing everything.
Was this really happening?
Was she safe?
The smile she wore in her sleep had vanished—but a flicker of peace remained behind her eyes.
End of Chapter
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