Chapter 3

Kirin is our mortal enemy. For years, they've been fighting against our organization. They were the ones who captured Dane that time.

But they've never managed to catch me.

This time, they specifically demanded to exchange me for Lily. Dane didn't even hesitate for a second.

"Let's do the exchange, Indra. You're skilled. Even if you're traded, you can escape unscathed. Lily is innocent. She's just an ordinary person."

He said Lily shouldn't be involved in this mess.

"Besides, isn't Kirin doing you a favor?"

How laughable. I'm flesh and blood too. I'm not a god. He even used his previous words to "humiliate" me.

I looked up at Dane. Blood trickled down from my hair, the result of his brutal hit.

I gritted my teeth, "Fine, I'll go exchange for Lily."

Probably not expecting me to agree so readily, without even a hint of hesitation or refusal,

Dane stood there, stunned.

He hadn't lost his memory at all. His face almost changed color. He seemed to want to say something but hesitated and didn't speak.

"As long as you help me rescue Lily, I'll repay this favor."

"No need."

You disgust me, Dane. Since you love Lily so much, I'll make your wish come true.I hear Dane talking with his men not far away in my dazed state. He's in a hurry to hand me over to Kirin, even though I'm battered and bruised all over. Sending me there is a death sentence.

"Dane, aren't you afraid of losing your boss? You love her so much. Didn't you say you'd come back after you've had your fun and settled down? What if something happens to her?"

"Don't be ridiculous. Indra is such a love-starved person. When the time comes and I feel like it, I'll propose to her. She'll be so moved, she'll be in tears. Get out of my way, don't delay me from saving Lily."

So Dane knew. The part of my heart that I opened to him was my only vulnerability in this life.

I may be starved for love, but I'm not cheap.

I won't accept this tainted love anymore, nor will I accept this man again.

...

The sound of helicopter rotors surrounds us as we arrive at the exchange point. Dane rushes to receive Lily.

"I've brought her here. Now hurry up and release Lily," Dane urges, looking towards Kirin in the distance.

A cold, mocking smile curls at the corners of Kirin's mouth.

"Coming to die for love, Indra. Is this really all you amount to?"He said he hadn't caught me with his own hands for most of his life, but now he achieved his goal through such despicable means.

"But Dane, you're really not human, are you?"

"Cut the crap. I've brought her to you." With that, Dane shoved me inside, saying it was a fair exchange.

Kirin didn't hesitate for a moment. As Dane pushed me in,

Lily gained her freedom and burrowed into Dane's arms. She cried, accusing, "I thought I'd never see you again, Dane."

"It's alright, Lily. Don't be afraid." He passionately kissed the person in his arms, the two of them embracing, lost in each other. "I promised I'd marry you. How could I abandon you?"

Kirin stood by my side, asking if it was worth it.

"This is the person you risked your life to save..."

I cut off Kirin's words, not in the mood to hear his nonsense. "Your earlier proposal, I accept it. Do it now."

"."

As Dane was leaving with Lily in his arms, he seemed to feel a bit guilty, turning his head to look at me one last time. I curved my lips into a smile and said to him,

"Congratulations on your marriage. May you be childless and your bloodline end with you."Dane said he would come to save me, telling me not to worry.

No need, conserving energy to save myself is the best strategy. Just as they were about to board the helicopter, suddenly there was an earth-shattering explosion.

Immediately after, flames erupted with a whoosh. As I was being engulfed by the inferno, I saw Dane, who should have been on the helicopter, stumble weakly.

The heat wave hit my face as Dane panicked and turned around, shouting at the sea of fire.

"Dane, hurry up and go! What are you standing there for? There's going to be a secondary explosion here!"

"No, I can't leave. Indra..."

"Don't scare me, Indra. Please be okay."