chapter 108 sorry unexpected

Raven had been ready to leave, to let his final words hang in the air like a warning shot.

He had expected Mist's anger to explode, for her to curse him, for her to swear revenge.

But instead—

Cute Mist (calmly, yet firmly): "…I'm sorry, Frost Eye."

Raven's steps faltered.

His hand, which had been casually swiping through the menu, stopped mid-motion.

His heart beat once, sharply.

But his face? His body language? Unchanged.

A smirk still played on his lips as he turned back slowly, deliberately.

Frost Eye (mocking, but wary): "Mist-chan, apologizing? Now that's rare. Should I take a screenshot?"

He expected her to snap back.

To call him arrogant.

To twist her apology into some backhanded insult.

But she didn't.

Instead, she met his gaze steadily, calculating.

Cute Mist: "I underestimated you."

Her voice was smooth, controlled. The earlier rage and frustration? Gone.

It wasn't submission. It wasn't defeat.

It was something else.

She exhaled, rolling her shoulders as if letting go of tension.

Cute Mist: "I thought I could control this situation. But you're right—you hold all the cards. I should've approached you differently."

Raven's fingers twitched.

This wasn't how this was supposed to go.

No fury.

No screaming.

No threats.

Instead, she was… admitting fault? Acknowledging his dominance?

He could feel the silence in the room.

Players had expected a violent clash. Instead, they were witnessing something far more dangerous—a shift in power.

Raven kept his smirk, but internally, he was reassessing.

Mist-chan wasn't just a spoiled guild vice leader.

She was adaptable.

That made her dangerous.

He leaned back slightly, hands in his pockets, voice casual.

Frost Eye: "Oh? So Mist-chan finally realizes my worth?"

Mist let out a small chuckle.

Cute Mist: "I always knew your worth, Frost Eye. I just thought I could… negotiate from a position of strength."

She tilted her head, studying him now.

Her golden eyes flickered with something unreadable.

Cute Mist: "But you're not just an alchemist, are you?"

Raven said nothing.

Mist's lips curved slightly.

Cute Mist: "You're a strategist."

Her voice held no mockery.

Just understanding.

Raven's heart rate stayed steady, but internally, gears were turning.

Mist-chan was different.

Most people, when they lost, got angry.

Most people, when they were humiliated, sought revenge.

But Mist?

She adapted.

She was dangerous not because of her wealth or power.

But because she knew when to shift tactics.

Still, he wouldn't let her see that he was even slightly thrown off.

So, he did what he did best.

He smirked.

Frost Eye (playful, but distant): "Mist-chan, if you're trying to seduce me with respect, it's not going to work."

Mist let out a genuine laugh—a real one, not a forced scoff.

Cute Mist: "Don't flatter yourself."

Then, she extended her hand.

Not a contract.

Not a demand.

Just… a simple handshake.

Cute Mist: "No tricks. No contracts. Let's do business, Frost Eye."

Raven stared at her hand for a moment.

He wasn't shocked anymore.

But he was intrigued.

This…

This was getting interesting.

The suite at Silvercrest Grand Hotel was designed for the wealthiest players—high-tier furniture, enchanted lighting, and a breathtaking view of the bustling town below. From the massive window, one could see the flickering lights of the market, where players traded, haggled, and fought over resources. But here, high above the chaos, two figures sat across from each other, engaged in a different kind of battle.

Raven, known to the world as Frost Eye, leaned back on the luxurious velvet couch, one arm draped over the backrest, his demeanor exuding complete confidence. His Trickster Mask remained in place, hiding his true identity, but the smirk in his voice was unmistakable.

Across from him sat Cute Mist, the vice leader of Rainbow Solutions. She had arrived alone, just as he had cheekily demanded. Dressed in a refined, high-tier robe, she looked every bit the powerful guild leader she was. Gone was the fury she had displayed earlier when throwing furniture in frustration. Now, she was composed—cold, calculating, and unreadable.

Between them, a table sat untouched, save for the glowing interface of the trade window that Raven had just pulled up.

Breaking the silence, Raven spoke, his tone dripping with amusement.

Frost Eye: "Mist-chan, I appreciate your enthusiasm for our little business arrangement. So, I'll be generous—just for you."

With a flick of his finger, he adjusted the trade offer, tilting the screen toward her.

200 Low-Level Poison Resistance Potions – 1,000,000 Credits

The numbers glowed ominously in the dim light.

Mist's gaze didn't waver as she studied the offer. To most, it would seem like an outrageous sum. A million credits. The equivalent of what some mid-tier guilds would spend on an entire raid expedition.

But she knew better.

Poison Resistance Potions were in crippling demand. The supply was nearly nonexistent, and he controlled the market. Even at this price, it was a necessary purchase.

What frustrated her wasn't the cost.

It was the fact that he was getting exactly what he wanted.

She exhaled slowly, then met his gaze.

Cute Mist: "Fifty percent discount, huh?"

Raven chuckled, stretching lazily.

Frost Eye: "Of course, Mist-chan. I'm not heartless."

A lie.

Mist knew it.

He knew it.

She didn't argue.

She simply tapped Accept.

The notification chimed.

[Trade Completed – 1,000,000 Credits Transferred]

A small vibration in her inventory confirmed the delivery.

Raven, still leaning back, ran a gloved hand over his chin, enjoying the moment.

Frost Eye: "There. That wasn't so hard, was it?"

Mist leaned back in her chair, tilting her head slightly.

Cute Mist: "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

His smirk widened.

Frost Eye: "Why wouldn't I? Watching you hand over a million credits without even flinching—it's fun."

Mist let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head.

She wasn't going to let him get to her.

But she also knew—this wouldn't be the last time.