The World Is Mine For The Taking

What I asked for in exchange for my cooperation was simple—yet far more valuable than anything else they could offer.

"All I need is greater access to the underworld," I stated firmly, my voice cutting through the tension in the room like a blade. "You're probably aware of this, but the underground society operates beyond our usual reach. Information about it, as well as the flow of knowledge within it, is scarce. I want a direct line to that world."

Eris crossed her arms, her crimson eyes narrowing as she assessed my words.

I leaned forward, my expression unwavering. "I'm not going to demand sex from you in return for my cooperation. And besides—" I let out a short, dry chuckle. "I don't think I could put my dick inside crazy."

Her brows twitched, and her lips parted slightly, as if contemplating whether to be offended. "You're calling me crazy?"

"That's beside the point." I waved a hand dismissively. "So, how about it? I want you to keep me informed about the movements in the underworld—every whisper, every shift in power. In exchange, you'll have my full cooperation. It's a fair deal."

For a moment, the air between us grew heavy. Eris remained silent, staring at me, her gaze unreadable. Then, without a word, she lifted her hand, hesitated briefly, and finally placed it in mine.

Her grip was firm, her fingers cool against my skin.

"Alright." Her voice was quiet, yet resolute. "That's a useful deal to have."

And just like that, an alliance was forged between us—one that would soon shape the tides of the underworld.

***

The road back to Milham stretched before me, the distant glow of the city flickering like embers in the night. I wasn't entirely sure why, but I had the distinct feeling that Rose wanted something from me.

Her presence trailed behind me like a lingering shadow. She hadn't spoken, but the way she kept following me made it clear—she had something to say.

"Leon."

Her voice finally broke the silence, hesitant yet firm.

I turned my head slightly, catching the flicker of uncertainty in her emerald eyes.

"I honestly can't make sense of all of this—of you coming here for me, of you getting yourself entangled in things I can't even begin to understand." Her voice was quiet, laced with a vulnerability she rarely showed. "I'm just... I'm still in shock over the fact that you're here for me."

She exhaled slowly, as if trying to gather her thoughts.

"You said you came to inform me about the establishment of the Eclipse and the one truly behind it... But that's just a front, isn't it?"

A pause.

Then, she met my gaze, her expression unguarded.

"The truth is, you just wanted to see me."

I remained silent.

Because she was right.

I hadn't come all this way for information about Eclipse or its mastermind. That was nothing more than an excuse. The real reason I was here—the only reason—was because I wanted to see her again.

"Leon, I..."

She faltered.

Something flickered in her eyes—something raw, unspoken. I had never seen this expression on her before. It was a mix of hesitation, longing... and something deeper.

But then, just as suddenly, she lowered her gaze.

"Nothing... I'm sorry for wasting your time. You can go now."

She turned away.

A sharp pang shot through my chest. Before I could stop myself, I reached out, my fingers wrapping around her wrist, pulling her back before she could slip away.

Her breath hitched.

"You're planning to leave this country after this, aren't you?" My grip on her hand tightened. "You don't intend to see me again."

She didn't resist, but she didn't turn to face me either.

"Yes..." Her voice was barely above a whisper. "I really... I mean, I don't want to be involved with you any longer. It feels like I'm just being played with, so... I decided to end it here."

Her fingers trembled slightly in my grasp.

"However..."

She finally lifted her head, and when our eyes met, my breath caught.

There was something in her gaze—something unshakable, something defiant.

"I don't think I'll be able to go through with it." Her voice quivered ever so slightly. "What exactly have you done to me...? I hate you."

Then, without warning—

She stepped forward, grabbed my collar, and crushed her lips against mine.

A sudden warmth exploded between us.

Her tongue invaded my mouth, demanding, desperate. My heart pounded, the heat of her body pressing against mine as her hands clung to my clothes.

I didn't hesitate.

My arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer as I deepened the kiss. Our tongues tangled, our breaths mingling, the taste of her overwhelming every sense. Her fingers dug into my back, as if afraid that letting go would shatter this moment.

I didn't care if someone saw us.

I didn't care if the world around us continued to move.

All that mattered was this.

Her.

The way she fit perfectly in my arms, the way her lips trembled against mine, the way her body pressed into me like she never wanted to let go.

This moment belonged to us—and I wasn't going to let it slip away.

As if something inside her had snapped, she shoved me away with trembling hands, her emerald eyes flashing with turmoil.

Then, without a word, she turned and ran.

The sound of her hurried footsteps echoed against the quiet night, the crisp air carrying the soft rustling of her clothes. The way she moved—the desperation in her stride—told me everything.

She was trying to escape.

To leave me behind.

But I wasn't going to let that happen.

At this moment, there were only two choices—to let her go forever or to chase after her.

"Just let me go, Leon!"

Her voice cracked, filled with something raw—something painful. But I didn't stop.

"I can't do that!" I shouted, my heartbeat pounding against my ribs as I surged forward.

"Why!?" she screamed, her breath ragged from both exhaustion and emotion. "You already have so many women, don't you?! So why are you still after me!? I'm practically an old lady already!"

"I like it when my woman is mature! Why do you think I have Gabrielle with me!?"

A bitter laugh escaped her lips, but it lacked amusement. It was hollow.

"I'm not as ladylike as Gabrielle! You don't deserve me!"

"You're more ladylike than you give yourself credit for!"

I had no idea why we were screaming at each other in the night, my voice reverberating into the darkness as I chased her. But somehow, this moment—this chaos—felt like it carried the weight of everything left unspoken between us.

If this were some kind of dramatic love story, the skies would have opened up, rain pouring down on us in a cinematic downpour. But no—this wasn't a soap opera.

So I did the only thing I could.

I laid everything bare.

"I love you, Rose! Please, be my woman!"

The words struck like lightning.

She stopped.

Her entire body stiffened, shoulders rising and falling as she breathed heavily. Then, slowly, hesitantly, she turned around.

Her emerald eyes were wide—disbelieving, vulnerable.

"You… love me?"

Her voice wavered, as if she wasn't sure she had heard me correctly.

Then, she let out a broken, breathless laugh, shaking her head.

"You're not being fair, you know, Leon?" she whispered. "I was trying to forget you. I was trying to move on. And yet you…"

Her fingers clenched into fists at her sides, her entire body trembling.

"How could I… How could I say no when you say something like that?"

Tears pooled in her eyes, shimmering under the moonlight.

"You knew, didn't you? You knew that I loved you."

She bit her lip, a single tear slipping down her cheek before she wiped it away with a frustrated swipe.

"Ugh, I hate this… Why did I become like this? Why did I turn into some pathetic, infatuated schoolgirl—one who still loves her boyfriend despite knowing he cheats on her?"

Her voice broke at the end, and she looked up at me, her gaze a storm of emotions.

"What exactly have you done to me?"

I didn't answer.

Because deep down, I already knew.

It was my ability—the one I had used to claim the women I desired.

And I had used it on Rose as well.

That alone had undoubtedly twisted her emotions, tangled them into something even she couldn't fully understand.

I wanted to say something.

To explain.

But the words never came.

Yet there was one truth I knew with certainty.

I stepped forward, my gaze never leaving hers.

"I love you."

It wasn't a lie.

It wasn't manipulation.

It was the undeniable truth.

And when I said those words, something flickered in her eyes.

***

Gabrielle's POV

The night stretched on, the chill in the air creeping into my skin.

Master was late.

Too late.

The people he had been searching for had already gathered. Even the woman he had arrived with was accounted for.

Yet he was nowhere to be seen.

I wasn't the type to worry.

I knew exactly what he was capable of.

And yet—despite knowing that—there was a small, irritating tug of unease in my chest.

"Leon sure is taking his time," his bespectacled friend muttered, adjusting his glasses as he peered at the time.

"He's probably taking a dump," the girl beside him said casually, arms crossed as she leaned back.

I glanced at her.

Something about her… reminded me of Master.

I sighed, pushing the car door open. "I'm stepping out for a bit," I said before walking away.

The air here was sharper, colder than in Milham.

I inhaled deeply, filling my lungs with the crisp night air.

This place… It was close to where I had grown up.

An old, almost forgotten part of me ached to visit someone I once knew.

But she hadn't been home.

I wondered where that woman was now…