Phew...
Sitting on a rock, Veil let out a lazy puff of smoke, a relaxed look on his face.
Especially now that he'd confirmed something through experimentation—the luck of a Daughter of Destiny wouldn't vanish even if the Son of Destiny died.
What could be more satisfying than that?
"Where the hell did you pull out that cigarette and lighter from?" Saoirse, drained but still sharp-tongued, reached out with her delicate hand and flicked the cigarette from Veil's lips to the ground.
She gave him an annoyed glare. "Seriously, why do you smoke so much? It reeks. If you ever dare smoke in front of me again, don't even think about touching me."
She pinched her nose in exaggerated disgust.
But Veil wasn't fooled.
He knew perfectly well—Saoirse wasn't truly repulsed by the smoke. She was just worried about his health. If she really cared about the smell, how come she'd never mentioned it before?
After all, as the head of the Rose Division of the Black Dragon Society, even if she didn't smoke herself, every meeting in that organization was practically a fog of tobacco.
If she really had a problem with it, she would've brought it up a long time ago.
But Veil didn't call her out. He simply pulled another cigarette out from his inner pocket—though, in truth, it came from his system inventory—and lit it.
Before Saoirse could complain again, he changed the subject.
"Do you know how to cook?"
She rolled her eyes. "Do I look like your housemaid? Or some delicate little girl from a normal family?"
"We from the Rose Division only know how to stab people with daggers."
Veil sighed dramatically. "Tsk… What a shame. I thought someone as feminine as you would be the homemaker type. Turns out I was completely wrong."
Saoirse shot him a glare. "In your dreams. Why the hell would I need to know how to keep a house? As long as I manage my division well, that's enough."
She turned away, clearly annoyed, slipping on her black leather jacket with a sullen air, like she was quietly brooding.
As for Veil?
He quietly opened his system panel.
First, he spent 200,000 Villain Points to upgrade Nine Revolutions of the True Dragon from the First to the Second Transformation. The amplification went from 1.5x to 2.25x.
That meant his base physique of 250 could now erupt with the force of 562.5!
What did that mean in practice?
If he faced an enemy of equal strength, all he had to do was catch them off guard while using Nine Revolutions of the True Dragon, and he could knock them out with a single punch—like swatting a dog.
A sneak attack was always the deadliest.
"Lottery."
As he whispered the word in his mind, a soft golden wheel appeared before him and began to spin.
Earlier, he'd been eager to test a theory, and now that the results were in, his first instinct was to check the upgraded lottery function.
After all, the cost per draw had jumped from 100 to 1,000 points—ten times more expensive. That had to mean the rewards had increased tenfold as well, right?
Ding! Congratulations, Host has obtained: 'Heart-to-Heart Intimate Wipes +3.'
Ding! Congratulations, Host has obtained: 'Substitute Doll +1.'
Ding! Congratulations, Host has obtained: 'Marrow Cleansing Pill +1.'
Ding!...
Wipes?
A damn substitute doll?
When Veil saw the first two rewards, his expression turned pitch black.
Are you fcking kidding me?!
This whole lottery was a scam!
He could've bought that kind of stuff himself—and in bulk, too!
The system was just tossing him cheap little gifts to satisfy his curiosity, like it was saying, "Thanks for playing, better luck next time."
If not for that Marrow Cleansing Pill popping up later, he would've shut the damn lottery down then and there.
Scam.
It's all a scam.
Just like football— Don't tell him they play real matches under a blazing sun in the middle of the night. It's all pre-recorded!
"Again!"
Gritting his teeth, Veil glanced at the system shop. No new Marrow Cleansing Pills had shown up yet. He had no choice but to keep gambling and hope his luck would turn.
Low-volume draws? All trash. High-volume draws? That's when the real treasures started to appear.
Even if he could pull just one high-level skill, it'd pay for itself.
And if not... Well, he could always "borrow" a bit more affection from poor, unrelated soulmates Saoirse and Jodie. Or teach Alixe to scream a little louder at night.
At least that'd be worth something.
Ding! Congratulations, Host has obtained: 'Marrow Cleansing Pill +1.'
Ding! Congratulations, Host has gained: +1 Physique.
Ding! Congratulations, Host has obtained: 'Advanced Medical Arts.'
Ding! Congratulations, Host has obtained: 'Brand-New Electric Medical Device +1.'
After spending a total of 500,000 Villain Points, Veil finally closed the lottery interface with a pained expression.
Luckily, he got something decent—that Advanced Medical Arts skill wasn't bad at all.
Without it, even with the pills, the draw would've been a huge loss.
System Panel:
[Name]: Veil Lancaster [Age]: 25 [Physique]: 320 [Charm]: 99 [Villain Points]: 316,700
[Technique]: Nine Revolutions of the True Dragon (Second Transformation, 2.25x amplification. Requires 500,000 VP to reach Third Transformation.)
[Skills]: – Charisma LV8 (+80 group affinity) – Advanced Piano – Advanced Calligraphy – Disguise – Advanced Firearms Mastery – Intermediate Danger Sense – Advanced Medical Arts
[System Inventory]: Marrow Cleansing Pill x18, Brand-New Electric Medical Device x1…
A quick glance told Veil everything. He'd spent 200,000 VP to scout out the next Child of Destiny's plot, another 200,000 to upgrade his technique, and 500,000 on lottery draws.
He still had over 310,000 Villain Points left. Not bad. This round had been a net win!
But he knew—without enough Villain Points, trying your luck at the lottery was risky business. The higher the level, the more expensive the rewards got.
With his Physique at 320 now, even if Roy had survived his breakthrough and fought Veil at full strength… Veil estimated Roy's chance of winning was less than 10%.
And if Nine Revolutions of the True Dragon was active? Maybe 1%, tops.
"I'm heading back."
Saoirse muttered as she spotted the approaching figure of her vice-captain, who was out searching for her.
Staggering slightly but still proud, she walked toward the dense forest, one step at a time.
"Let me help you—"
Veil stood up to assist her, but she refused. Still brooding.
After linking up with her vice-captain and putting some distance between them and the cave, she finally muttered, "Those chefs in the Rose Division have been slacking lately. Tell them to report to my place tonight. I'll personally judge their cooking. If they don't pass… they're fired."
…
Back at the villa, Qin Lang returned after failing to locate Saoirse.
Everything on the mountain was handed over to Kai. Not only would it keep trouble away, but he'd also earn a promotion for it.
It would be written up as a successful suppression of a deadly underground skirmish between unregistered killers—a huge credit for someone like Kai.
In the villa, Veil leaned against the couch in the living room.
The kitchen lights were still on.
He called out casually, "Alice!"
Alice came trotting out of the kitchen at once, surprise lighting up her face when she saw her young master had returned so late.
Veil caught a whiff of the rich aroma from the kitchen and gave her a teasing smirk. "What, sneaking a little papaya pork rib soup while I'm gone?"
Alice's cheeks flushed red.
Busted.
Her guilty little secret was out.
She froze in place, completely flustered, head lowered, unsure whether to run or stay.
"Come here," Veil beckoned.
He pulled the shy little bunny into his arms and chuckled. "This stuff—drinking it every day, doesn't it make your chest feel all warm?"
Alice trembled, her face burning as she nodded quietly.
"Exactly," Veil murmured like a patient predator. "That heat needs someone to help you work it out. Only then can your body truly grow."
His voice was smooth, coaxing, almost sinister. "Next time you feel like that again, come find me. I may be busy, but for this… I'll always make time. Understand?"
Alice was completely overwhelmed. Her mind blanked out with a buzzing sound.
She felt like she was about to combust from the heat in her cheeks, but even so—curled up in her young master's arms, she couldn't bring herself to move.
Alice winced, furrowing her brows as she sucked in a breath of cold air. Her forehead bumped lightly against Veil's chest, and she looked like she was in pain.
"It hurts?" Veil paused what he was doing, concern flashing in his eyes.
With her head resting on his chest, Alice whispered softly, "It doesn't… hurt, Young Master…"
That was just how Alice was—pure, but conflicted.
Before crossing that line, she always wanted to hold out just a little longer. She understood, deep down, that the easier a girl gave herself away, the less likely she'd be cherished. And yet, once that line was crossed, she'd forget how to say no, afraid that any rejection would upset Veil and drive a wedge between them.
Alice was traditional, simple at heart. Once she gave herself away, she believed—with the kind of unwavering conviction that only came from someone who'd suffered a tough childhood—that she would belong to her Young Master for life.
Hardship didn't scare her. She'd endured plenty of it growing up. But what she feared most was Veil turning away from her.
Even if she wouldn't admit it out loud, whenever he touched her like this, she could feel a quiet, overwhelming sense of happiness bubbling in her chest.
"Silly girl," Veil chuckled softly, stroking her hair, "if you're feeling uncomfortable, then say so. What's the point of hiding it from me?"
He reached into his coat and pulled out a Xisui Pill, placing it gently in her mouth. "Here. Swallow it."
Gulp.
Alice obediently swallowed the pill, then tilted her head in confusion. "Young Master, what did you just give me? It tastes kinda sweet... and pretty yummy too."
Veil gave a mischievous grin. "It's a special little pill that helps people express their true desires."
Truth serum?!
That phrase flashed through Alice's mind before she caught herself—and immediately blushed a deep red.
No way! There's no such thing as a truth-telling candy!
What Young Master gave her was definitely that kind of pill! The kind that made a girl... act shamefully bold!
Mm!
Before Veil could say anything else, his lips were suddenly sealed by hers—Alice kissed him first!
His eyes widened in surprise. "Alice?! Since when were you this bold?"
And it wasn't just a peck either—she clung to the kiss like she didn't want to let go.
Alice's cheeks were flushed, her voice low and slightly dazed. "Young Master… I think… I think the pill's starting to kick in…"
She could feel warmth spreading all over her body. That had to be the effect of the pill, right? So what was the point of pretending anymore?
He was the one who fed it to her. She might as well take this chance to pour all her hidden affection into action. For once, she wanted to stop being the passive one. She wanted to taste what it felt like to kiss the Young Master herself.
"Alice, you misunderstood." Veil gently broke the kiss and explained quickly, "It's not what you think. That pill's meant to enhance your physical constitution. It helps your body purge impurities and become stronger."
He wasn't joking.
The description of the Xisui Pill said it would expel internal impurities. If things kept heating up and Alice suddenly started sweating out black grime…
That would be bad.
Given how innocent and shy she was, she'd be mortified if that happened in front of him. She might not even be able to face him for weeks, let alone continue their relationship.
One night of indulgence wasn't worth jeopardizing everything.
"W-What?" Alice looked down and noticed strange sweat forming on her arms. Her eyes widened as her face turned beet red. Embarrassed and panicking, she glanced up at Veil with a pout. "Young Master… you're so mean!"
"Go wash up in the bathroom," Veil chuckled, giving her cheek a playful pinch. "No fighting tonight. That pill's going to keep working for a while."
He nudged her along with a grin.
The moment that subtle sense of danger crept into his heart earlier, Veil had already started formulating a plan to send Alice away.
And this worked out perfectly. The Xisui Pill didn't just help her grow stronger—it also gave her a reason to stay in the bathroom for quite a while. Just enough time for him to handle what came next.
Blood Mandala, huh?
A proud assassin.
One of the top three ranked killers in the world.
A Destiny-Favored girl, not the least bit weaker than those so-called Children of Fate?
Fine.
Come at me, then.
Let's see if your fearsome reputation can outmatch the cunning of the ultimate villain.