As night fell, aboard the military's designated aircraft.
"Dead? Damn! NSK Enterprises Group is one of the top ten global giants, and I heard even the NUK president is just a puppet controlled by Kim Yong-jae."
Madman shook his head, sighing heavily.
Everything they had experienced that day was a massive shock to him, a "normal, highly talented, and handsome guy."
First, they saw the legendary monster, then Pokpung died at Blank's hands, and even the US ambassador was suddenly arrested.
This was way more exciting than anything from his past 20 years of life.
"You sure we're going to make it out alive? You're not afraid, but we're all just regular human bodies." Madman took a sip of coffee to calm his nerves.
Orson knew that Madman wasn't scared, but the more he thought, the more concerned he became.
Pokpung, on the surface, seemed insignificant—a mere flea who loved hopping around. But the power behind her was not to be underestimated.
If Kim Yong-jae, the head of NSK Enterprises Group, sought revenge, Pokpung's death would be the spark that ignites the fire.
It could shatter the decades-long strategic balance between the US, UJ, NUK, and Rusina in East Asia.
"It's fine. Let them handle it," Orson said with a calm smile, his gaze shifting to Blank, who was sitting in the front row, gazing out the window.
Blank exuded a cold, unapproachable aura, like an unmelting ice statue, her aura far colder than ever.
She wore a black dress, her flawless white skin glowing faintly, and an almost imperceptible killing intent emanated from her, making the nearby Nightshade and Stewart uneasy and too intimidated to speak.
"I still think we acted recklessly. I'd feel safer if we waited until we awakened our abilities like you before going after the NUK folks," Madman said, shaking his head in frustration.
He had been excited when Orson had told him that one day, everyone could become as powerful as him.
But now, they were still ordinary people. If they got separated from Orson's protection, any assassin sent after them would be sure to kill them.
Orson had told them everything about the impending changes to the world.
He kept his identity as a traveler a secret, as he had witnessed too many people's endings. He knew how hard it would be for others to accept it.
Even he, Orson, wasn't sure whether he could truly change fate.
"Don't worry about it. Our base has been completely swapped out. Unless an all-out global S3 war starts, no one can harm us in real life," Orson said with a smile, his strange gleam in his eyes quickly fading.
He casually added, "By the way, Nightshade, stop peeking at the girl swimming next door. You're going to get yourself in trouble."
"Huh? When the hell did I peek?" Nightshade froze, his face turning as red as a monkey's bottom.
Orson smirked at him. Nightshade awkwardly smiled, blocking Stewart with his body. "It was his idea, don't blame me."
"I'm reporting you, it was him who suggested we take a look!" Stewart quickly blurted out, throwing Madman under the bus.
"Damn it…" Madman muttered, relieved when he noticed Sienna was wearing headphones and listening to music. He grinned and said, "I saw it, just don't watch too much next time."
"Hold it together, man. Otherwise, we're really going to get into trouble," Orson said seriously.
"Really?" Madman asked, suspicious.
Orson sighed and nodded. Thanks to Celestial Vision, he could monitor everything at the base, 24/7.
Around the villa complex, military vehicles had rolled in. By dawn, all the residents had been replaced.
The neighbors were now all buzz-cut men who could only fold towels, and women who only knew how to order takeout.
The most ridiculous part was at the nearby summer retreat park by the lake.
Every kilometer, there was a "fresh produce express" truck parked in the woods.
When the truck doors opened—surprise!
The seafood had been replaced with surface-to-air missiles.
It was set up like a wartime military base—who would dare to send a small-time assassin into that mess?
Orson feared that Madman's group of single guys might somehow accidentally get caught up with a female soldier king, and their heads would be smashed like bricks.
After getting off the plane, they returned to the Godslayer lair.
At the villa entrance,
Blank stood coldly with a blue luggage bag in hand, following K.D's instructions to stay with them.
"There's no extra room for you. I think your protection is unnecessary for now. You can take a cab back," Orson said with a frown.
Compared to the neighbor with a buzz cut, Orson was much more averse to having an almost "awakened" assassin like Blank stay nearby.
"I have a big room. I'll share one with Emma!"
Sienna smiled brightly and eagerly stepped forward to help Blank with her luggage.
"No, you need to rest and take your medicine. Be obedient," Orson said firmly.
He couldn't trust Blank to stay near his sister.
"I'll sleep on the sofa in the living room."
Blank calmly avoided Sienna's hand and walked toward the villa with a cold expression.
"If you let Emma sleep on the sofa, I'll sleep on the couch!"
Sienna glared at Orson.
Orson frowned, unsure how to handle the situation.
He knew Sienna's personality—when she was stubborn, she was even tougher than him. Not even nine dragons could drag her away.
Blank's expression shifted slightly. A warmth spread through her cold hands. She furrowed her brow, trying to break free, but Sienna held on tightly.
"He's definitely up to something, isn't he?"
Sienna smiled, her eyes glinting with mischief.
Her sharp intuition picked up on Blank's change in mood.
This wasn't the aloof Blank she had first met; it was someone who had completely shut herself off from the world.
As for the cause of this shift, it was likely her older brother's charm at work.
Sienna's passionate energy left Blank at a loss, her beautiful face flushing red as she allowed Sienna to pull her into the villa.
"Emma, my brother is really kind. Don't misunderstand him."
Sienna whispered with a smile, then looked back at Orson, "Go buy some supplies. I'm staying in the room with Emma. Let's play some games together!"
"…We'll talk about the games in a few days," Orson said, looking helpless.
"Balance work and rest, you know what I mean!"
Sienna showed her small teeth, playfully challenging him.
"Yeah, I know what you mean..."
Blank sighed, realizing she had no way out with this girl.
"Is he really that kind? Is this some kind of hellish joke?"
Blank couldn't help but laugh, hearing about the man who had killed Golden Dragon Kings and wiped out entire regions being called 'kind.'
"We'll play for two hours, then go to bed. I'll check on you later."
Orson said with a sigh, turning to go to the villa's "military supply" shop.
After sending her brother away, Sienna grabbed Blank's hand and pushed open the door to the room.
Sienna suddenly turned her back to close the door, and Blank's heart skipped a beat. She coldly said, "What do you want?"
A wave of killing intent suddenly surged toward Sienna.
Sienna felt a chill run through her and paled slightly. But her eyes remained unafraid, a deep, unspoken empathy emanating from them as she smiled, "Don't worry, I'm not my brother."
"I don't…"
Blank froze, quickly suppressing her assassin's aura and pretending to adjust her clothes to avoid the awkwardness.
"I can tell he actually... likes you," Sienna said with a light laugh.
As she spoke, a warm sensation spread through Blank's body, from her curves to her ears.
Blank realized she was more nervous now than when she cut Pokpung's throat—no, a hundred times more.
"I… you're mistaken, that's impossible."
Blank tried to calm herself, her mind racing.
"Oh~~"
Sienna raised an eyebrow mischievously.
Sienna didn't press any further, instead quickly pushing a game pod from Madman's room. "Emma, wanna help a newbie level up? I've been dying to play this game!"