I relaxed myself on the sofa. “I’m honored by the welcome,” I finally replied. I straightened my posture, asking, “But the real question is— why was I invited to your room, Ryuji-sama?”.

Ryuji chuckled softly. “Straight to the point as always. Tell me, Jun, we’ve spent so much time together. Do you think so little of me?”.

I tilted my head, feigning innocence. “I thought you might want some compensation. I have asked for difficult information. Ryuji-sama, that’s how men like you operate, no?”.

The room grew intense instantly. I heard the sound of the chair scraping as he stood up. “You think I’m here for payment?” he said, breaking the silence. “You still think this is about money?” he scoffed. “Do not take me for a street thug. Courtesan, I warn you. I stay true to my words”.

I felt him circle me, his hand clasped behind his back. But I sat there nonchalantly.

Ryuji snapped his fingers, and I faintly picked up the sound of footsteps approaching the room quickly. Someone else entered the room.

“Shiro,” Ryuji said, glancing at his subordinate. I heard the sound of a blade being drawn. Before I could realize it fully, I felt the wind from a sharp swish of the sword as it sliced through the man like butter. A body hit the floor with a thud, split in two. Blood splattered on my face, warm and thick blood. I didn’t flinch, but my fingers tightened unknowingly.

“You see,” Ryuji’s voice returned, now sitting before me. “I keep my word. Shiro here disobeyed the lady. And now…he paid the price”.

The sharp scent of blood loomed over me. But I remained calm. “Your beauty is dangerous, Jun,” Ryuji said, his tone chilling. “I've said this before.”

“Is that why I’m here?” I asked cooly. “To watch you cut down your men. Just to prove a point?”.

I heard another chuckle. “No, no…that was just a reply to your question. This is how I operate, my lady”.

Ryuji leaned back further. “I brought you here because the information you wanted is ready.”

Finally, we were getting somewhere. “That’s right. What do you know?”.

“Let’s start with Courtesan Aika. She is quite the beauty, but behind it all, she's insecure. This information was hard to get my hands on; she covered her tracks well. Aika uses illegal beauty products and is insecure about losing her beauty one day. She even goes on to buy the experimental products, monopolizing everything. She will be easy to get rid of”, Ryuji replied, grinning.

But I didn't react to his words.

Ryuji clicked his tongue. “It’s obvious why you’re gathering the information.”

“If it’s obvious, then continue and ask fewer questions,” I said.

“Hmm…next is Courtesan Mei she does have a brain, alright, but she uses that in gambling. And she’s a bad gambling addict. I heard she’s been to the casino in the capital a lot of times and has a nickname she’s famous for. The reason she’s got a high debt. She’s gullible, so she’d be easy to deal with”, Ryuji continued.

I nodded.

“Courtesan Miyako. She has a servant lover in the barracks, where she meets with him regularly. As for Reiko, unfortunately, I didn’t find anything on her. She’s surprisingly clean, and she’s always playing her shamisen, never letting go of it. However, she has a deep rivalry with Aika since they’re often compared in terms of beauty”, Ryuji informed.

“Is that all?” I asked.

“Not quite”, Ryuji smirked. “I’d like a part in this. It seems fun”.

I lost my composure, chuckling. “Fun, is it? Very well, I will contact you when I need your assistance”.

“I knew you’d come around. I’ll be waiting, my lady”.

I stood from my chair and bowed, turning to leave the room. As I left, I heard a faint chuckle echo from behind. This man was a Yakuza. I had underestimated him again. It was my fault for letting down my guard this easily. But having his help is not bad. I need to reconsider using him as my pawn with greater caution.

I pushed open the door, finding Joon-soo and my maid waiting for me. “Let’s go”, I said, and together we walked towards our carriage. We finally settled and signaled for the driver to start the carriage back to the Pavilion.

“Joon-soo, I have decided. You are going to enter the Martial Artist Training Tower”, I ordered, trying to become comfortable in my seat.

Joon-soo was taken aback. “Why don’t you even ask me?”.

“Simple. Since this is my order”, I smiled. “You’ll set off by tomorrow and be back in a month. Reach the highest you can in the Training Tower, Lee Joon-soo”.

An awkward silence followed. “Answer me,” I repeated coldly.

Joon-soo nodded. He glanced outside the window at the Towers piercing through the sky. Why was the world like this? He clenched his hands; he had to become stronger. With that motivation, he was excited to go. He had secretly tried to enter the Training Tower before however, he was caught by the royal guards. But now he was going to use the entrance, officially.

I had thought about this repeatedly. I was going to give him a choice before, but not anymore. I wanted Joon-soo to be more powerful than his previous self. Since there will be no slave rebellion this time, Joon-soo better spend time in the Training Tower while carrying no burden. Only the Tower residents could teleport to the Tower using the portals in the Training Tower, but not the people of this world. It was restricted for them. People tried going through it but came back with their body parts missing or rearranged, as it was mentioned in the novel.

I grinned. The game has now started. I tapped my fingers against the carriage. I’m coming for you sluts.

The Imperial Casino

District A’s most wealthy individuals attended this casino. Not everyone was even allowed to step inside. They had to show their family’s token or buy a ticket to the casino, which required a lot of money. It was located in the central city near the royal palace. Politics transpired in almost every room of this building.

In the bustling lobby of the casino. Three friends entered, holding their bulging wallets ready to spend. Aika, Mei, and Reiko found a table together and sat chatting. But then Reiko spoke, “Why isn’t Miyako here today?”.

“She said she had a patron to serve,” Aika replied, shrugging.

“Now then, I’ll be heading to my table,” Mei said, getting up as she stared at the ongoing game of cards, not being able to withstand the allure.

“There she goes again,” Aika muttered, glancing at her.

“Yeah. It’s better to separate. I also have to check out some products at the Imperial gift shop”, Reiko said, standing up. “Wait! Let me go with you”, Aika said as she followed behind her, excited to see the new beauty products and clothes.

Mei sat at the table instantly as soon as a seat was open. She tapped her feet impatiently. “Oh, Lady Luckless is here,” a man shouted, recognizing Mei.

Mei awkwardly smiled, pursing her lips. “Please, don’t tease. I’m just here for the same reason as you”.

The regulars of the casino greeted her openly. One man with a fuzzy beard said, “Better hope luck is on your side today.” Mei fidgeted with her fingers as she bet all her money on the game again. She stared at the spinning wheel blankly, calculating all the odds possible.

The wheel slowed down, and Mei’s anxiety rose. She leaned forward, seeing the arrow close to her goal, but it stopped, and all her bets were lost! The chips she had wagered were taken away by the dealer. Mei’s smile faltered.

Watching Mei lose, the entire table broke into laughter. Trying to keep her dignity, Mei laughed with them. But her fists were clenched beneath the table. “Just wait. I’ll be back”, she said, leaving the table with her empty wallet.

Mei walked downstairs to the basement of the casino to an isolated corner where junk was thrown everywhere. She held her breath as usual and walked to the conspicuous window, taking out the token of her family. “Here. Take this family token and give me five stacks”, she said to the man.

The man took the token, but instead of handing over the money, he chuckled. He flipped the token back to Mei, and she barely caught it. “Just what are you doing—. “

“You can’t take more money out from this family token. It has already been used to the maximum. Now go away”, the man said, gesturing for her to leave. Flustered, she didn’t have any choice but to leave. I need to borrow money so I can make a fortune to pay back the debts…that’s the only way I have.

Mei, with her face, paled, walked back to the lobby, trying to find her friends. She catches sight of them a few minutes later, but before she’s about to approach them, a man slides past her, pushing her with his shoulder. “Watch where you are going?” she snapped, but he didn’t respond. She quickly regained her senses and found a card in her hand. She read the card, “Underground Casino Event”.

Mei’s eyes widened, her heart skipping a beat. “Who was that man? Was it the staff here?” she whispered. The event was at night, a day from now. This opportunity would wipe her debt away with only one win; she had to give this a try. She could get one win, at least. And she would get to meet the influential people of District A.

The hooded man who left the card in Mei’s hand strolled away with his hands stuffed in his pockets. But she failed to notice the wide grin stretched across his face that sent chills down the spine of anyone who caught a glimpse.

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