The Fear she can't ignore

POV: Roselle – God of Darkness, Mafia Queen

The moment the words left my mouth, Abigail's entire demeanor changed.

Her perfect posture stiffened, her knuckles turned white as she gripped her glass, and for the first time that night, her mask of confidence slipped.

She parted her lips as if to respond but nothing came out.

Ah, so she really didn't know.

I watched, utterly fascinated, as she tried to piece together the truth in real time.

Joshua, however, had no such hesitation. His lips curled in disgust as he scoffed. "Why the hell are we even talking about that lunatic?"

I turned my gaze to him, watching as his hatred bled through his expression.

"Lunatic?" I echoed, feigning curiosity.

Joshua leaned forward, sneering. "Yes. That bastard—Samuel Gebb. Everyone called him a 'genius,' a 'legendary investigator.' But he was nothing more than an obsessive madman who didn't know when to quit."

His voice dripped with bitterness, the kind that only festers when someone is completely overshadowed by another man.

Ah. So that's what this is.

Joshua always resented Samuel—not just because of Abigail but because Samuel's name became one the world would never forget.

"He got famous because he was reckless. Taking on impossible cases, going to war against entire crime syndicates, acting like he was untouchable," Joshua continued, his voice rising. "People called him a legend, but I call him an idiot."

I tilted my head, pretending to think. "Strange, then, isn't it? That an 'idiot' like him became the most respected investigator in the world while you…" I trailed off, letting my gaze flick to his designer suit, his expensive watch—the things he didn't earn himself.

"…are still just Abigail Bardot's pet project."

Joshua's entire body tensed. His jaw clenched so tight it looked like he might break his teeth.

Abigail, still unnervingly silent, finally spoke. "…You're lying."

I turned back to her, intrigued. "Am I?"

She exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "Samuel didn't die because of you. He…" she hesitated, as if the words physically hurt to say, "…he was a fool. He had no power. He could barely defend himself."

I smiled. Oh, how little she knew.

Samuel Gebb was no ordinary man.

But of course, only I knew the truth.

I leaned forward, my voice soft but sharp. "Tell me, Abigail… If Samuel was truly so weak, how is it that even after his death, you're still so afraid of him?"

She flinched. There it was. The fear she tried to bury.

I continued, enjoying the game. "You spent years humiliating him, tearing him down, treating him as nothing more than an errand boy for your lovers… And yet, even now, his name alone is enough to make you tremble."

"I do not tremble." Her voice was cold, forced.

I chuckled. "Of course not."

I glanced at Joshua, who was still bristling with anger, before turning back to Abigail. "You came here for business. So let's get back to business."

I tapped my nails against my glass. "Tell me, Abigail… Why should I trust a woman who built her success on betrayal?"

Abigail inhaled deeply, schooling her features back into their usual mask of arrogance. "Because I'm the only one who can give you what you need."

I raised an eyebrow. "And what exactly is that?"

"Legitimacy." She smirked. "You may have power in the shadows, but the world still sees you as nothing more than a dangerous ghost. Align with Bardot Industries, and you gain a clean reputation, untouchable influence."

I laughed. "You assume I need legitimacy."

She held my gaze. "I assume you want control."

Ah. So she was playing bold again.

I let the silence stretch between us before finally standing up.

"Well then, Abigail…" I stepped closer, my voice dropping to a whisper. "…let's see how far your lies can take you."

Her smirk faltered ever so slightly.

I turned on my heel and walked away, Kaisel following behind me.

I had no intention of taking her deal.

But watching her unravel?

That was something I would never grow tired of.

-----

Somewhere in the Southern Region – Another World

POV: Samuel Gebb

The scorching sun burned high above the endless dunes of the Southern Region, a land notorious for its brutal climate and even more brutal beasts.

I adjusted my cloak, shielding myself from the relentless heat, and exhaled slowly, my breath turning into a faint mist despite the desert's warmth. A side effect of my evolving power.

Valeria wasn't wrong—this place was a battlefield for the strong.

I smirked. Perfect.

Just as I took another step forward, the ground beneath me shuddered violently.

From the sands, a massive creature emerged—a Titan Sand Wyrm, its enormous body twisting through the air like a serpent, its fangs glistening with venom that could melt steel.

I clicked my tongue. "Took long enough for something interesting to show up."

The Wyrm let out an ear-splitting screech before lunging at me with terrifying speed.

Too slow.

I sidestepped, my blade flashing as I sliced through its thick hide. The beast roared in pain, twisting its body, trying to crush me under its sheer weight.

I leaped, landing on its back, my hands crackling with raw energy.

"Let's see how tough you really are."

With a smirk, I slammed my fist into the beast, my power surging—the impact splitting the ground beneath us.

The Wyrm let out a final, agonized screech before collapsing, its massive form twitching before going still.

I exhaled, shaking the dust from my cloak. One down.

From behind, I heard a slow clap.

"Not bad. But if that's your full strength, you're still leagues away from catching up to me."

I turned my head, my eyes narrowing at the approaching figure.

A man, dressed in black, his piercing silver eyes gleaming with amusement. His aura was suffocating, thick with overwhelming power.

A challenger.

I smirked, rolling my shoulders. "Finally, someone worth my time."