[ Activating Random Cliché Card ]
"…Umm… nothing happened." Not even the air moved.
His face twitched slightly.
"…This skill is shit too. Just like this damn system, I just knew it."
Right then—
Ming stood up quietly. "Wait… let me get some more tea for you."
Ren waved his hand lazily. "No, don't bother."
"It's my job," she replied softly.
She took a step to get the tea—
And then—
SLIP—
"…Hm?"
Ren's eyes narrowed as he saw her losing her balance.
What the—
She stumbled over nothing, but still it was like she tripped over an invisible thing.
His thoughts froze for a split second.
…Isn't this—
Before he could finish—
THUD—
Ming fell straight into his lap.
Their bodies collided, her hands instinctively pressing against his chest.
Their eyes met, their bodies burning.
It was close—way too close.
Ren didn't move.
…Yeah. This is it.
This is that typical rom-com trip cliché reserved for the main character.
Ming blinked slowly, her breath growing uneven as their faces drifted closer without either realizing it.
"…Hm…"
Warm breath brushed against his lips.
Ren's thoughts flickered seeing her in this situation.
…What the hell is going on all of a sudden… is this because of the cliché card…?
Their distance kept shrinking as they came closer to each other.
Just a little more—
And their lips would meet together to form an unbreakable lock.
The faint presence, the pink aura around her was reaching its limit. It was indicating her mood.
…Are we seriously about to—
Wait.
Something snapped.
Ren's eyes sharpened instantly.
"…—"
His hand moved—
WHIZZ—
The plate shot out of his grip like a bullet—
THAK—
It slammed straight into the curtain.
Ming jolted in surprise. "W-What—!?"
Ren stood up immediately, his expression no longer playful.
"I sensed someone."
He stepped forward without hesitation and pulled the curtain aside—
SWISH—
Empty. No one was there.
Ren's brows furrowed slightly.
…Nothing? That should not be possible… I was sure I sensed someone.
Ren looked at her. She was too embarrassed after what almost happened, avoiding his gaze completely, her eyes drifting to the side.
Under her breath, so low only she could hear it, she murmured, "…Why did you have to interrupt now…"
Ren caught the faint movement of her lips. "…Did you say something?"
She quickly shook her head. "…No."
Ren stared at her for a second.
…She's seriously too cute.
A faint smile spread across his face—but it didn't last long.
Tch… I'm sure I sensed someone.
His expression darkened slightly, irritation rising again.
…Whoever it was… ruined the damn mood.
Knock—Knock—
A voice came from outside. "Sir, your time is over."
Ren frowned instantly. "What!? Already?"
Ming let out a small breath, regaining her composure, though a hint of disappointment lingered in her eyes. "…Looks like we lost track of time."
Ren exhaled lightly, the tension easing a bit. "…Yeah."
A small pause.
"…It was fun being with you."
Ming looked at him, her gaze softening. "…Are you… leaving already?"
Ren stepped closer without hesitation.
His hand gently lifted, resting against her cheek.
"Don't worry," he said with a faint smile. "…I'll come again."
Her eyes trembled slightly.
Before she could say anything—
Step.
Ren turned and walked toward the door.
Creak—
He left.
Thud—
The door closed behind him.
But as some time passed, her smile slowly faded. She said in a cold voice, "…You can come out now," like she was giving an order.
A shadow emerged from behind the curtain. It was none other than that loli—Tia.
Ming asked, "…What is it now?" her voice carrying a bit of disappointment and anger.
Tia said with a teasing smile, "Did I interrupt you? Looks like I came at the wrong time… lovey-dovey moment, huh?"
Ming frowned slightly. "Get to the point."
Tia let out a small laugh. "What do you expect from me when you were acting like that… but anyway, what's your answer?"
Ming looked away for a second, her tone unconsciously turning a bit shy. "…He was handsome… a gentleman… like a prince charming…"
Tia scoffed immediately. "Oh, hold it right there."
Her expression darkened. "…I meant his strength."
Ming snapped back, her tone returning to normal. "…He is impressive. He even noticed you."
Tia's eyes narrowed slightly. "That was surprising for me too… and that's exactly why we need him."
The air turned a bit heavy.
"…The situation will get out of hand soon."
Ming asked quietly, "…How much time is left?"
Tia replied calmly, "…Approximately a month or so."
Tia said with a slight grin, "…He could be our black horse when the time comes."
Ming frowned a little. "…Are you sure he will help us?"
Tia's grin widened, turning teasing. "Even if he doesn't help us… he'll definitely help his beloved Ming."
Ming froze instantly, her face turning red. "H-Hey, stop that… that's an order!"
Tia looked at her with a flat expression. …She's so easy to mess with. No wonder that kid can tease her so easily.
She let out a small breath, her gaze turning distant for a moment. "…At this point, even I can't say what the future of Black Lust City holds."
Ming stayed silent.
Her fingers tightened slightly over her sleeve.
…I'll wait for you.
Her face was still faintly red as Ren's image crossed her mind.
Tia glanced at her once more, a smirk forming.
…Way to go, kiddo.
---
Ren stood at the counter again.
The old lady said calmly, "Sir, that will be 20,000."
Ren's thoughts exploded instantly.
WHAT THE F—
His mind was screaming like he just got robbed on the spot… but his face didn't change.
He held it in.
Tch… can't break character now. Not after acting like a VIP this whole time.
He let out a slow breath, forcing a fake smile as he pulled out the check. "…Cut it from this."
The old hag nodded. "Just a moment, sir."
She walked away and returned after a while.
Tap—
She handed him a new check.
Ren looked at it.
…Sob… sob… my money…
His heart was bleeding.
But he pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind.
…Still… worth it.
He turned and walked out of the place.
Step.
Step.
The moment he stepped outside—
"DAMN YOU, LOLI BITCH—!!"
His voice echoed as he shouted like a madman.
"I knew it… she gave me that card just to rob me indirectly…"
He clicked his tongue, still annoyed.
"…Tch."
"Fuck that loli…
Fuck these cards…"
Ren muttered under his breath, irritation still burning.
Rustle—
He pulled out all the cards she had given him, fanning them out in his hand.
"…Tch, useless shit."
His fingers tightened.
Just as he was about to rip them—
He stopped.
"…Hm?"
One card caught his attention at the last moment.
Something was written on the back.
Ren narrowed his eyes and read it.
[ I know you must be cursing me… so go to this place if you want to make more money. ]
"…Hah."
He flipped the card over.
Black. Plain.
Only one thing written on it—
Dead Cage
A short silence.
"…What the hell is that?"
His brows furrowed… then slowly relaxed.
A grin crept onto his face.
…Now this sounds interesting.
---
After roaming here and there all around the city like a stray dog, he still hadn't found it.
"Tch… damn this excitement… where the hell is this place," Ren muttered as he finally sat down at a random restaurant, placing the card on the table. "Waiter… a drink."
The waiter approached, his eyes briefly landing on the card. "…Sir, by any chance are you looking for Dead Cage?"
Ren glanced at him, slightly annoyed. "…What's it to you, even if I am?"
The waiter didn't react much. "…Then follow me," he said and turned without waiting.
Ren watched him for a second before standing up, a faint grin forming. …Now this is getting interesting.
They moved past the main hall and into a quieter section before heading down into an underground basement. The air grew colder, the lights dimmer, and Ren could already feel something was off.
…Yeah… I've got a good feeling about this.
They stopped in front of a plain room.
"Sir, here," the waiter said.
Ren frowned slightly. "…Where?"
It looked completely normal… just a room with a single door.
The waiter stepped forward and opened it.
Creak—
As the door slowly opened—
Ren's eyes sharpened, a grin spreading across his face.
"…Now this… this is something."