2025-04-11 15:52:37Kyle rubbed the side of his aching neck and sighed. Just a few more steps to the manager’s office, and he’d be done. Credits in hand. Potions for Lia within his bag. Then straight home to count down the hours until midnight.
His thoughts swirled with all the things that could go right for once.
Then he hit something soft.
Or rather—someone.
“Ack…!”
Frilly white lace. Velvet ribbons. The scent of lavender and roses.
Kyle froze. Time stopped.
No, no, no…
Miss Lysa.
The legendary Lysa.
The Second-floor elite waitress. Bunny-eared. Silken voice. The one who served VIP Soulbounds with S and A rank. Rumor had it, her Charm ability could make a dungeon boss sit and beg for treats.
He stumbled back like he’d touched hot iron. “I… I’m so sorry, Miss Lysa! I didn’t mean to…”
He shook his head hurriedly when he got no response from Lysa. “No, No… I was the one at fault…please, don’t report me!”
He bowed fast, almost dropping to his knees.
His mind went crazy with countless thoughts.
'She’s a B-rank psychic category Soulbound. A voice charm talent user. She can charm half the floor easily if she wishes for it.'
'If she reports me for bumping into her, I’ll be lucky to leave with just a fine.'
'If they find out I’m working before my Awakening…'
.
.
.
“Hey,” Lysa said gently.
Kyle flinched, bracing for the worst.
But there was no slap. No scream. Just a soft sigh.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered instead. She leaned against the wall, one hand to her forehead like she was dizzy. Her flawless face paled, her lashes fluttered.
“I’m… not feeling well.”
Kyle blinked, confused.
Lysa swayed slightly on her heels, like her legs might give out.
“I need someone to collect the bill from Room 2A,” she said, barely above a whisper. “Can you help me… just this once?”
Kyle’s heart skipped a beat.
“No…no, I’m sorry. It's not I am not willing to help you… It is just…” he said, shaking his head quickly.
He paused a bit and continued. It seemed he needed to confess to get out of this mess. “I’m a Null till midnight. I’m not allowed on the second floor. It’s against the regulations, I can’t go up there. If someone sees me…”
Lysa's violet eyes lifted slowly.
And they glowed suddenly.
Like twilight mist, soft but impossible to ignore.
“I know,” she said sweetly. “But… you’re such a good coworker, aren’t you, Kyle? You’ll help me. Just this once.”
The moment she spoke, Something in her voice curled around his spine like velvet rope.
Kyle’s breath hitched. His heartbeat slowed. The panic drained out of him like water through a crack.
‘You’re such a good coworker.’
His mind repeated it like it made perfect sense. He felt like what Lysa asked him to do was the most reasonable for him to do.
“I’m a… good coworker,” he mumbled.
Lysa smiled like a queen accepting a bow. “That’s right. Thank you.”
Ping.
Kyle heard the notification sound from his broken opti-com.
“Now go,” she said. “Collect the bill, my good coworker…”
“… Okay.”
Kyle turned, dazed, heading for the stairs to the second floor.
Behind him, Lysa’s smile curled into something colder.
“Walk to your grave, good boy,” she whispered. “Hope Mr. Halvine will compensate me well for wasting MP on a dirty little Null.”
Kyle didn’t hear her. He couldn't have. His mind was full of Lysa's instruction.His feet moved on autopilot as he made his way to Room 2A.
Room 2A was positioned at the end of the second-floor VIP corridor. The moment Kyle pushed open the door, the fog lifted from his head like someone threw ice water over him.
His eyes widened.
A thick wave of murderous intent slammed into his chest.
He figured out everything..
She’d used her power on him.
And now… he knew why.
Three heads turned toward him.
His stomach dropped.
Soren Halvine.
Recently awakened Rank-A Poison-Flame user. His former classmate at Star Academy. Born into rich and powerful family of hunters. Smug, cruel, always bullying weak.
And beside him, his older brothers—sitting like they own the place.
Jace Halvine, the eldest son of the Halvines, the Rank-A Gravity Manipulator. Cold. Imposing. Already feared in Mirage City.
Nolan Halvine, the second son of the Halvines, the B-rank Healer with a politician’s smile.
All three were sons of a powerful A-rank Hunter family. Starlight Guild’s golden boys.
“Ah, see, who is blessing us with his presence? Isn't it our academy's first boy?” Soren’s eyes glinted with malice as he taunted. “Are you here to dine in that dirty rags?”
Kyle tried to keep his cool, “No, I came to collect the bill. Room 2A…”
Soren’s smirk deepened as he opened his opti-com and clicked his tongue after checking something. “According to the updates from the academy site, You’re not even a Soulbound yet. How are you allowed up here? Are you one of those illegal Null workers?”
Kyle swallowed. He needed to tackle this situation before it would get out of control.
“Sorry… Don't report me to the authority. I will leave after collecting the bill appointed by Miss Lysa.”
“Bill appointed by Lysa?” Jace’s voice dropped, hard and cold. “We haven’t even placed our order yet. Where’s the bill, little rat?”
Kyle looked down at his wrist. There was nothing on his screen. But he remembered he heard a soft blinking tone. But how came no bill was sent to him?
“She said she assigned it. I swear…”
“You just walked in blindly without checking, then?” Nolan said, voice lazy but sharp. “No payment slip? Sounds like someone tried to scam us.”
“No!” Kyle’s hands went up. “I won’t dare! I’m still a Null. I’d never risk something like that!”
Soren’s expression twisted. “Lowly Dustborn descendants like you should be erased from the world. Leech off the government, live in safety while we fight and bleed in the Void? You have no place here.”
“I am going to awaken at midnight!” Kyle burst out. “After tonight, I’ll be a hunter too.”
“You?” Soren laughed. “Don't daydream, buddy. You’ll be the same waste your parents were. Your alike are born to serve us, the hunters and powerful soulbounds. Let me show you what real power looks like.”
He snapped his fingers.
Greenish flames sparked to life, swirling around his hand like a living serpent. With a flick, they lashed out, striking Kyle in the chest and knocking him back into the wall.
Pain exploded through him.
“Stop! Don't dirty your hand, Soren.” Jace barked.
Soren smirked. “Brother, don't worry. It won't kill him. Just showing him what happens when rats sneak into places they don’t belong.”
Nolan stepped forward, sighing. A glow spread from his hand and washed over Kyle’s chest, slowly healing the burns traces on his skin only.
“We can’t kill a Null in a VIP room,” he muttered. “The Guild’s up for Void clearance next year. We can’t afford legal headaches.”
Soren scowled. “But he stole my first place at the Academy. That little thief.”
Jace turned to Kyle, voice ice-cold. “ Don't worry. He’ll pay for snatching what a Halvine wants. ”
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