The blood of the K-People, who had produced countless independence fighters, might still be flowing within her.
The restless desire to act for a greater cause surged within her. She unfolded the flyer laid out on the dining table once again.
It announced an event to be held at the nearby Enraka Church exactly one week from now.
After reading the invitation urging attendance with promises of many giveaways, she saved the date on her phone’s calendar.
She was determined to see with her own eyes what kind of place this religious group really was.
It was a little scary to think about storming into the villain’s lair first, but with her Headshot Skill, she felt confident she wouldn’t get into serious trouble.
No, she wouldn’t get into trouble. Not only that skill, but the Chastity Belt imbued with mysterious power would protect her.
Ever since the day the Chastity Belt deflected bullets, her courage had swelled immensely.
She slapped the flyer on the table with her palm and glared at it with a look that said “Just you wait.” The invincible hero is on the move—clear the way!
“Phew, time to get ready.”
Today was finally the day of her appointment with Laika. Since that day, Laika had occasionally sent her messages checking in, and Iris had replied mechanically.
Of course, whenever she imagined their passionate nights together, a warm flutter kindled low in her abdomen. But that was as far as she would let it go. She would never give her heart.
Resolute, Iris put on her Winning Underwear with care, then spritzed perfume around her neck and chest.
‘I’m fully shaved… Well, I left things neatly trimmed down below. If I seem too obsessed, I’ll lose the psychological edge.’
She wore an easy-to-remove dress and rubbed the area around her hips where the Chastity Belt rested.
The belt seemed to sense the importance of the day, transforming cleverly into a belt. What if it just vanished completely?
The mischievous belt disappeared for a moment and then reappeared, as if to say it would disappear only at crucial moments. It was truly an object built to withstand even a malevolent spirit’s possession.
‘Good thing it can’t talk. Having sex while wearing a talking object would be a nightmare. Oh, but I can’t get distracted by such thoughts.’
This wasn’t just an ordinary date between a man and a woman. It was the day she would raid the villain’s stronghold.
Iris chastised herself for her earlier complacency in only relying on the Winning Underwear and perfume, then stepped toward the mirror.
She was going to purchase items from the Secret Exchange.
Her current fame stood at 5,500. After buying the <Escape Tome>, she searched for anything else worth buying but found nothing for the moment.
She stepped away from the mirror, when a sudden realization struck her head like lightning.
‘That’s right. Why didn’t I think of this before? I can access the Secret Exchange through the mirror. That means anywhere there’s a mirror, I can hide. Even if I can’t escape through another mirror…’
It felt like she’d gained a free skill. She might be able to use it once in a crisis.
Just in case, she grabbed a hand mirror and pulled out her pocket using <Pocket>. In, then slipped a sharp object inside.
Since the Pocket In tended to spit things out like a pitching machine, it might prove helpful in a pinch. Now, she was perfectly prepared.
She even bought contact lenses for this day. Not having worn them often, she felt a slight foreignness in her eyes.
Laika was a villain, and she kept telling herself not to fall for him, but how could she not want to look nice on the eve of the big event?
As long as she didn’t give him too much of her heart. Just the right amount.
Humming absentmindedly, she stepped outside. A confused mixture of nervousness and excitement sent dopamine racing through her brain.
‘Wow, it’s really magnificent. I’m so jealous that he lives alone in a place like this.’
Following the address Laika had sent by message, Iris parked her old clunker and stared up at the high-rise apartment, mouth agape.
She started feeling ashamed of her shabby car. It was the grateful old car Teresa had lent her. Iris had tried to buy it, but Teresa refused and simply gave it to her.
Though the car was perfect for missions and every time she saw it, Teresa’s thoughtfulness warmed her heart, today she wished she had just taken public transit.
Because as soon as she entered the road near the apartment complex, flashy luxury cars lined the streets.
‘I can’t help being embarrassed. It’s human nature.’
Blushing, she approached the entrance. When the security guard scanned her up and down, she quickly gave Laika’s apartment number and her own name.
Moments later, the barrier lifted, and Iris safely entered the complex.
She parked in a lot filled exclusively with expensive cars, feeling momentarily deflated but then straightened her head proudly.
After all, she was an Awakener with abilities everyone in Gyodam City envied. There was no reason to be intimidated just because she drove a beat-up car.
She was a remarkable person with a mission to save even the wealthy driving those luxury vehicles.
The upscale apartment was different from anything she’d seen before; the elevator entrance even had a reception desk.
Following the same procedure as at the entrance, she gave her name and apartment number and was allowed into the elevator.
She hadn’t checked beforehand, but Laika’s place was the penthouse. Riding the private elevator as instructed, she admired the view of the Ru River through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Lost in the sunset over the Ru River, a sudden ding brought her back to reality. The door opened silently, revealing the front door just ahead. It was already open—no need to ring the bell.
Swallowing nervously, she stepped inside. The living room resembled a large café lounge.
The ceiling was noticeably higher than in an ordinary home, and the wide windows framed an open view of the Ru River that seemed healing just to look at.
‘Wow, I knew it’d be nice, but I didn’t expect this level of luxury…’
She thought she’d want to stay home all day if she lived here. As she admired the space and sat on the sofa, she glanced around for the homeowner, who’d invited her in by leaving the door open.
A low voice whispered in her ear a moment later.
“Iris.”
“Oh? Where have you been?”
Turning around, she saw Laika standing at the hallway entrance, wearing a white short-sleeved T-shirt and loose shorts.
Unlike his usual pomaded hair, his unstyled bangs hung down to his eyebrows. She’d seen this look during the last film shoot too, but at times like this, it made him look much younger than his age.
The bangs softened his usually sharp features and made him seem more her age, giving a friendly impression.
‘Oh, he’s… actually pretty nice like this.’
Without realizing it, Iris lowered her gaze and swallowed hard when she noticed Laika’s toned calves.
Since it was autumn, he usually wore long pants, so she hadn’t known. Not only did he have a fantastic six-pack, but his calves were as impressive as a soccer player’s.
Whether naturally or through grooming, his legs appeared almost hairless. Maybe close up you could see some fine hair, but from a distance, the smooth calves completely captured Iris’s heart.
Perhaps because she had resolved to carry out this mission, she found herself examining the sexy details of this man honestly.
Hastily, she raised her eyes before she was caught staring, then noticed Laika was wearing rubber gloves. He removed the gloves and gestured her over.
“I was cooking for a moment… come here.”
“Oh? The helper auntie usually does it…”
“Yeah? Ah, well, I can handle most things myself.”
Shyly approaching, Iris pouted when Laika turned and walked down the hallway. She’d worn contacts and a pretty dress, but he showed no reaction, leaving her slightly disappointed.
That disappointment quickly vanished upon entering the dining room. A delicious aroma filled the air, and the table was laden with elegant dishes.
Laika put his gloves back on and washed two cups, his unexpected domesticity making Iris’s heart flutter.
Pulling out a chair, she exclaimed, “Wow, did you really make all this?”
“Hmm, well… like I said, the helper auntie prepped the ingredients. I mainly just cooked.”
Laika shrugged lightly and placed the clean cups on the drying rack. Who would dislike a man good at cooking and domestic chores?
Of course, this was a performance carefully calculated to impress Iris. Usually, Laika ate what the housekeeper prepared or relied on delivery and ready-made meals.
Being both an actor and a villain juggling two jobs left little time for cooking.
He didn’t want Iris to see this casual side through his messages, so he’d slightly altered the truth. Perhaps it was a professional habit from acting, but he was used to putting on performances.