Outside the Dragon Bay Villa, the rain was pouring down. Somewhere in the dark, Jessica was walking down the mountain, barefoot and ruined.
Inside, Alex sat on his Italian leather sofa, holding the Mystery Box he had received from the System.
"Jessica is history," Alex whispered. "Now, let's see what the future holds."
[System Message: Do you wish to open the Mystery Box?]
"Open it," Alex commanded.
The box didn't open like a normal container. Instead, it dissolved into particles of golden light. The light swirled in the middle of the living room, growing brighter and taller.
The air in the room suddenly turned cold. The temperature dropped ten degrees in a second.
Sebastian, the head butler, stepped back nervously. "Master, get back! This energy is dangerous!"
"Stand down, Sebastian," Alex said, his eyes glued to the light. "It's my reward."
The light shattered.
Standing in the center of the room was a woman.
She was breathtaking. She had long, silver hair that fell to her waist and eyes as cold as ice. She was wearing a sleek, black tactical combat suit that hugged her curves but looked deadly efficient. On her thigh, a black dagger was strapped in a leather sheath.
She didn't look like a normal human. She looked like a weapon carved from porcelain.
She scanned the room. Her eyes locked onto Sebastian (threat assessment: low) and then onto Alex.
She walked toward Alex. Her steps were silent.
Sebastian reached for the panic button, but before he could move, the woman was already in front of Alex.
She dropped to one knee, bowing her head.
"Subject 001, Codename: Luna. Reporting for duty."
Her voice was melodic but devoid of emotion.
[DING!]
[Congratulations! You have received a Unique Companion.] [Name: Luna] [Class: S-Class Assassin] [Loyalty: 100% (Absolute - Soul Bound)] [Skills: Master Marksmanship, Stealth, Poison, CQC (Close Quarters Combat).] [Note: She exists only to serve the Host. She will die for you without hesitation.]
Alex looked at the screen. An S-Class Assassin?
"Rise, Luna," Alex said.
Luna stood up. She was tall, almost reaching Alex's height. She looked at him with intense focus.
"What are your orders, Master?" Luna asked.
Alex stood up and walked around her. "You are an assassin?"
"I am whatever you need me to be," Luna replied. "I can eliminate targets, gather intelligence, or protect your assets. My life is yours."
Alex smiled. Jessica had wanted his money. Luna belonged to him, body and soul. This was the difference between a gold digger and a subordinate.
"I don't have a target for you to kill... yet," Alex said. "But I need protection. From now on, you are my personal bodyguard. You go where I go."
"Understood." Luna moved to stand behind his right shoulder. Her presence was almost invisible, like a shadow.
"Sebastian," Alex called out.
The butler was still trembling slightly. "Y-Yes, Master?"
"Prepare a room for Luna. Next to mine."
Luna interrupted. "Negative. I do not require a room. I will stand guard outside your door while you sleep. Threats are most likely to occur between 03:00 and 05:00 hours."
Alex blinked. "Luna, that's an order. You need to sleep."
Luna hesitated. The System commanded her to obey Alex.
"Understood," Luna said reluctantly. "But I will leave my door open."
Alex looked out the window at the stormy city below.
He had the Money. He had the House. He had the Strength. And now, he had the Muscle.
"Tomorrow," Alex said, his eyes gleaming. "We are going to shake up the city. I want to see what my new bodyguard can do."