Plan 1.2.1.1.2.2.1.3.1

Even before the man's lifeless body hits the floor, I'm already out of the room. After closing the door, I walk through the aisle with steady steps. This short corridor in the Transaction Room has no CCTV—neither does the Billing Room, the Handover Room, or any of the rooms along the balcony. There's no need to rush; I need to make sure that person is already in the right place.

"Where is my woman?" I ask when the only person waiting behind the tinted-glass door is the bodyguard who had walked ahead of me earlier.

"Madam is already back, Sir," the large man replies.

I smirk inwardly but show no reaction on my face. "Let's go back, then," I say. He immediately leads me back to my room.

Halfway up the stairs to the second floor, another guard assigned to me appears from above.

"Has Master's lady arrived in Room E?" the lead bodyguard asks.

"She has, Sir," the man replies before falling into position behind me as we continue to ascend.

My watch beeps softly as we reach the second floor. Perfect timing.

I shift into fighter-jet mode. My movements blur as I pivot, striking the pressure point on the neck of the guard behind me. He slumps silently. I whirl back around, doing the same to the lead bodyguard before either can react.

I stride a few steps to the two guards stationed at Room A's door and incapacitate them just as swiftly. Before their bodies hit the ground, Bruno materializes beside me, Seo Jong So slung unconscious over his shoulder.

"Right on time," I say.

Bruno grins before laying the real Seo Jong So near the downed guards and vanishing once more.

I open Room A's door. Inside, the man in the white uniform stands rigid, his face contorted with anger.

"Hey, what—"

Before he can finish, I pluck the second black pearl from my mask and flick it toward his forehead. It transforms midair, piercing his skull in an instant. A second later, it detonates.

The man collapses, lifeless. I shift back into high speed, searching him for the black paper bag containing two small black boxes. One holds the Diamond Child's blood, the other, the nuclear core.

But the bag isn't here. That explains his anger—he must have realized it was missing.

I catch a faint scent, subtle but unmistakable. My lips curve slightly in admiration. Plan 1.2.1.1.2.2.1.3. King is nothing short of genius.

My watch beeps again, signaling it's time to leave. I exit Room A and move quickly down the aisle to Room E.

Inside, Miss Lee is bending over, about to sit. I step in front of her, slowing to normal speed.

"Hananim! Eotteohge gabjagi natanal su issnayo?! (God! How can you suddenly appear?!)" she exclaims, startled.

Instead of answering, I push her gently onto the couch and slide her gown upward.

"Mwo haneun geoya, jagiya? (What are you doing, love?)" she asks, her voice catching with a seductive sigh.

Exactly as I suspected, though tried being covered by Miss Lee by putting her hand on top of it, I a, still able to notice a small cube box is tucked into the fastener of her pantyhose. I don't retrieve it immediately. Instead, I trace my fingers lightly over her panties. Her moans fill the room, a mix of pleasure and anticipation.

I slip my thumb and index finger beneath the fabric. She moans louder, her breath quickening. Then, I pull out a small tube hidden between her labia. She jolts, her seductive façade replaced by anger.

Before she can act, I strike the point between her neck and shoulder, rendering her unable to move.

"Mwo haneun geoya?! (What are you doing?!)" she demands, her voice now filled with rage.

"Taking what's mine," I reply, holding up the cube box. "And what shouldn't be yours." I wiggle the tube in front of her face.

"You!" she spits venomously.

"I am what?" I ask nonchalantly. "Neither of these things belongs to you, correct?"

I glance around and spot a medium-sized black paper bag on the side table. Inside is the necklace. I inspect it—it hasn't been touched.

With all three items in hand, I move to leave.

"Give them back!" she screams.

I halt, turning my head toward her. "Give you back what, Miss Lee? Don't you want the necklace?"

Her glare could burn holes through steel. Just as I'm about to exit, she shouts in fury, "The blood!"

"What?"

"The blood! Give me the Diamond blood..." Her voice cracks, and tears begin to fall. "Please... I don't know who you are. I know you're not the real Jong So. I don't care what you've done to him. I don't care about anything! Just give me the Diamond blood. Please, I beg you..."

"Why should I? I could just... kill you," I say flatly.

Her face pales, but she persists. "Please... I need the blood. It's for my eldest brother. He's dying. If he doesn't get it... my family will be ruined."

"What's in it for me?"

"I'll do anything you ask. Please... please... just give me the blood... Aaaa!"

She screams as Bruno appears beside me, his face obscured by a hologram mask, revealing only two dark, hollow eyes.

"Plan 1.2.1.1.2.2.1.3.1," I instruct him.

"98.6%," Bruno murmurs, impressed.

"As always," I reply.

Bruno sits beside Miss Lee, who stares at him in terror.

"Who... who..."

"You don't need to know who we are," I interrupt coldly. She immediately turns her frightened gaze back to me.

"Here's the deal. You'll do exactly as I say."

She nods repeatedly, her fear palpable.

"After I leave, you'll exit this room looking for Seo Jong So. You'll find him and his guards unconscious near Room A. You'll try to wake them but fail. Then you'll run downstairs for help."

She nods again, her movements frantic.

"Do not speak of what happened here. Not about me, Bruno, or the theft from Room A."

Another nod.

"Good."

Bruno rises and approaches me.

"Wait! My blood?!" Miss Lee cries out.

"When you've done as instructed perfectly, I'll come to your room tonight at midnight and give it to you."

"How... how can I be sure?"

"You can't," I say with a smirk. "You just have to trust me."

"Trust you?" she sneers. "I don't trust you at all."

I shrug. "Then you have no other option."

"What if I tell them about you?"

"Believe me, I'll find you tonight and kill you."

Her expression hardens, but her fear remains.

"What if I refuse?"

I blink slowly. "Then you die. Now."

She swallows hard, visibly struggling with the decision.

"Okay," she finally says, nodding once.

Her gaze follows me as Bruno grips my shoulder, teleporting us away