chapter 182 mack Guess deadly accurate

Mack finally stopped moving, no longer dodging or laughing. His usual carefree smirk was gone, replaced by something colder.

He looked straight at Cute Mist.

"Are you really that dumb?"

Cute Mist's eyes twitched. "Excuse me?"

Mack crossed his arms, his voice calm but sharp. "The elders don't like you."

Cute Mist rolled her eyes. "Obviously."

Mack took a step closer, lowering his voice. "That means Black Mist doesn't like you either."

Cute Mist's breath caught.

Her confident stance wavered.

Mack's expression didn't change. "You really didn't think about that?"

For the first time, Cute Mist had no comeback.

Mack sighed, shaking his head. "The elders never wanted you in the first place. They tolerated you because of your sister. That's it."

Cute Mist stiffened.

Mack's voice grew sharper. "The moment you made a mistake, they were waiting to throw you away."

Cute Mist felt her fingers tighten into fists.

She knew that.

She had always known that.

The whispered conversations. The condescending smiles. The way they always compared her to Black Mist.

But hearing it from Mack—

It stung.

She forced a laugh, trying to brush it off. "Hah! So what? I don't care about them."

Mack stared at her. "Then why do you look like you're about to punch something?"

Cute Mist's teeth clenched.

She wanted to deny it. To act like she hadn't been hurt.

But Mack saw right through her.

Just like always.

Mack watched her closely, his sharp gaze piercing through the layers of pride and bravado she tried to put up. Cute Mist was tough, but she wasn't invincible.

And right now, she was trying way too hard to act like she didn't care.

She looked away, arms crossed so tightly it seemed like she was holding herself together. "I don't care about them."

Mack exhaled slowly, shaking his head. "Liar."

Her jaw clenched. She didn't argue, but her grip on her sleeves tightened.

Mack stepped forward, his voice turning low and firm.

"They didn't see your value."

Cute Mist didn't move.

But Mack could see the way her shoulders tensed.

"They don't even realize Mortal Online is just a game." His words cut through the air. "They treated you like some tool—something to use for their short-term goals."

He took another step, his voice growing sharper. "Your skills will be valuable in the future. But they didn't see that."

Cute Mist's fingers dug into her sleeves.

Mack's eyes narrowed. "All they saw was that you didn't help them immediately. That you weren't useful for their short-term plans."

Her breath hitched.

"They didn't even bother to understand your long-term vision. They just threw you away."

Silence.

For a long moment, Cute Mist didn't move.

Then—

She let out a short, bitter laugh.

"Hah… of course they did."

Her voice was steady, but Mack caught it.

That small, almost invisible trace of emotion.

She had known it all along.

She just never wanted to admit it.

Mack sighed, tilting his head. "Hurts, doesn't it?"

Cute Mist snapped her gaze to him. "Shut up."

Mack grinned, stepping back. "Just saying, Mistress Flat-Chested."

BAM!

A flying kick sent him crashing to the ground.

Mack groaned from the ground, rolling onto his side. "Damn, Mistress Flat-Chested, can you at least let me finish talking before you commit murder?"

Cute Mist stood over him, arms crossed, looking completely unapologetic. "You deserved it."

Mack sat up, rubbing his ribs. "Yeah, yeah. But listen up, 'cause what I'm about to say is more painful than your kicks."

Cute Mist huffed. "You're still talking?"

Mack ignored her sarcasm and locked eyes with her. His voice, usually playful, turned eerily calm.

"Black Mist kicked you out because she got one billion credits."

Cute Mist froze.

Her heart stopped for a second.

"…What?"

Mack watched her reaction, his expression unreadable. "One billion credits. That's what she got for throwing you away."

Cute Mist's breath felt heavier.

One billion?

That wasn't just money. That was power. That was everything.

Her own sister—

Mack tilted his head. "In a few minutes, you'll probably get a system message saying you received fifty million credits as 'compensation.'"

Cute Mist felt a strange chill run down her spine.

Fifty million.

It was a lot. But compared to one billion?

It was an insult.

Mack leaned back on his hands, watching her carefully. His next words were slow, deliberate. "And that's not all."

He pointed upward.

"They also ordered you to leave your real home."

Cute Mist's body stiffened.

Her real home.

Not just her in-game guild.

Her actual house.

"…You're kidding."

Mack shook his head. "Nope."

A heavy silence stretched between them.

Then—

A system notification appeared before her.

> [System Notification]

You have been removed from Rainbow Solutions.

A compensation of 50,000,000 credits has been transferred to your account.

You are required to vacate Rainbow Solutions' private residence within 24 hours.

Cute Mist stared at the glowing message.

The words burned into her vision.

Her hands slowly curled into fists.

Mack whistled. "Told you."

Mack watched Cute Mist's face, taking in every detail—the slight furrow in her brow, the way her fingers curled slightly as she read the system message. He could practically hear her thoughts racing, the betrayal still fresh in her mind.

But he had his own problems.

He cleared his throat. "Mist, send me five million credits."

Cute Mist slowly turned to him, her gaze sharp and unreadable. "…Excuse me?"

Mack raised both hands in a 'don't kill me yet' gesture. "Listen, listen. I need five million credits to terminate my contract with Rainbow Solutions."

Cute Mist's expression didn't change. "So?"

Mack sighed dramatically, slumping his shoulders. "So, if I don't pay it, I'll be blacklisted from every major guild. You know how these contracts work. If I just walk away, they'll label me as 'untrustworthy' and 'a risk'—which means no good guild will ever take me in."

Cute Mist remained silent for a moment.

Then, she tilted her head. "And why should I care?"

Mack grinned, crossing his arms. "Because I followed you out like a loyal dog."

Cute Mist stared at him.

Mack held up a single finger. "And because I'm the only person who actually likes you."

Cute Mist's eye twitched. "That last part is debatable."

Mack shrugged. "Maybe. But the first part is true. I'm standing here. I walked out with you. I threw away my future for you, Mistress Flat-Chested."

Cute Mist let out a slow breath.

Then, without another word, she opened her system menu.

Mack waited, watching carefully.

> [System Notification]

You have received 5,000,000 credits from Cute Mist.

Mack's eyes widened.

For once, he was actually surprised.

"…Wait. Seriously?"

Cute Mist folded her arms. "Didn't you say you were loyal? Then prove it and don't waste my money."

Mack grinned, running a hand through his hair. "Damn. You're actually generous."

Cute Mist rolled her eyes. "Don't push your luck."

Mack nodded sagely. "Understood, Mistress Flat-Chested."

BAM!

Cute Mist's kick slammed into his shin, nearly knocking him over.

Mack yelped, hopping backward on one leg. "HEY! I'M INJURED AND RICH! DON'T ABUSE THE WEALTHY!"

Cute Mist cracked her knuckles. "Pay your contract fee and shut up."

Mack grinned, opening his system menu. "Yes, ma'am."

As he navigated to the termination section, he couldn't help but smirk.

Five million credits.

More money than most players would see in their lifetimes.

And she had sent it without hesitation.

Maybe, just maybe—

He really was the only one who actually liked her.

Mack stood there for a moment, staring at the system message with a satisfied grin.

> [System Notification]

You have successfully terminated your contract with Rainbow Solutions.

Penalty Paid: 5,000,000 Credits

Status: Free Player

He let out a deep breath and stretched his arms dramatically. "Ahhh, sweet, sweet freedom. This air feels different now. Smells like opportunity!"

Cute Mist tilted her head, arms crossed. "It smells the same."

Mack ignored her, spinning on his heel to face her with a serious expression.

"Contract termination over, Master."

A dangerous silence fell between them.

Cute Mist's eye twitched. "…What did you just call me?"

Mack clasped his hands together, his grin widening. "Master. I am now officially a free man, and as per ancient warrior tradition, I must pledge my eternal gratitude to the one who freed me."

Cute Mist slowly raised her foot. "I swear to god, Mack—"

Mack held up his hands, backing away quickly. "Hey, hey, don't hit me! I'm worth five million credits now! You can't just damage premium goods like this!"

Cute Mist stared at him for a moment. Then, with a completely blank expression, she stepped forward—

—And kicked him in the stomach.

"ACK—!!"

Mack flew back, landing on the ground with a dramatic roll. He groaned, holding his stomach.

"WHY DOES IT ALWAYS HAVE TO BE VIOLENCE?!"

Cute Mist walked up to him and stood over his fallen form, arms still crossed. "Because it works."

Mack groaned again. Then, he peeked up at her with a grin. "But seriously… thanks."

Cute Mist paused.

Her arms uncrossed slightly, but she didn't meet his gaze. "…Don't make me regret it more than I already do."

Mack pushed himself up, brushing dust off his clothes. Then, with a bright smile, he placed a hand over his heart and bowed deeply.**

"Of course, Master."

Cute Mist turned back to him, her eye twitching even more violently. "Mack."

Mack took one step back. "Yes, Master?"

BAM!

Another vicious kick landed right on his shin.

Mack yelped, hopping on one foot. "AAAAH—! I TAKE IT BACK! I TAKE IT BACK!"

Cute Mist smirked. "Damn right you do."

Mack groaned, rubbing his leg.

Then, suddenly, his face turned serious again. "…But really, what's next?"

Cute Mist exhaled, shaking her head. "We figure that out now."

Mack nodded, cracking his knuckles. "Alright, then. Time to shake things up."

And with that, the two of them stood side by side—former guildmates, outcasts, and now, partners in chaos.