When Luca returned to the living room, Matilda had already made herself comfortable on the sofa. The brand-new large color television was on, playing a Spider-Man cartoon. The flickering screen cast soft blue light across her face.
She jumped down when she saw him.
"Luca, I made some pastries. Want to try?"
She handed him a paper bag.
"Oh? Perfect timing," Luca said with a warm smile. "I was just wondering what dessert to have after dinner."
The bag was still warm. Inside were animal-shaped cookies and neatly cut biscuits, golden brown and fragrant with milk.
Matilda watched him expectantly.
He broke one in half and nodded. "Very good."
Her eyes brightened.
She noticed his apron. "Are you cooking?"
"Asian cuisine."
"Asian?" She blinked.
"Want to try? I guarantee it's more authentic than anything in Asian Community like Chinatown or Koreatown."
Authentic was an understatement.
Ten minutes later, Matilda stared at the plate piled with red chili peppers as if it were a biological weapon.
"…Do Asian people eat this to test their courage?"
The first bite nearly sent her into orbit.
Her face flushed red.
She gulped milk after every bite, panting between mouthfuls. By the end, her lips were swollen and numb.
"It feels like electricity!" she gasped.
Luca wasn't faring much better. He drank water continuously.
This body wasn't as spice-resistant as his previous life. Yet without chili, he felt incomplete.
One big, one small—both sweating heavily.
They looked at each other.
Then burst out laughing.
"You can't even handle it, and you still used that much chili!"
"Authenticity is non-negotiable," Luca replied. "With these skills, I could open a restaurant in Asia."
"You'd go bankrupt."
She paused.
"…But I like this atmosphere. It's fun."
That sentence was softer than she intended.
Later, Matilda returned to the sofa, flipping between Transformers, Marvel, and DC cartoons.
Occasionally she glanced at Luca cleaning up.
Why is he so kind to me?
Nobody cared for meat school.
Nobody cared for me at home.
Before Luca, only her little brother showed her warmth.
She sensed he had motives.
But she didn't sense malice.
On screen, Spider-Man swung through the city.
"Luca, what do you do for a living?"
"Community administrator."
She stared at him.
"…You're not that simple. When you threatened my father, you didn't even blink. You're better than his gang friends."
She knew exactly what her father did.
She knew where the drugs were hidden.
"Don't overthink it," Luca said casually. "Just a kind neighbor."
"…Okay."
After a while, she said quietly:
"You're a good person. People who meddle in other people's business can't be that bad."
Luca: "…"
If only you knew—.
Later, when Luca escorted her home, he was still searching for an excuse to enter.
He didn't need one.
Mathilda sister had changed into a short skirt and invited him inside enthusiastically.
"A small party to welcome the new neighbor!"
America. Party every day.
Luca agreed.
Drinks, snacks, loud music—Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit."
She tried to hand him alcohol and something stronger.
He refused.
He only accepted drinks handed by Matilda.
The blatant favoritism made Matilda grin.
Her sister, meanwhile, grew increasingly irritated.
Does he prefer… that type?
Luca ignored her suggestive glances.
He was busy.
Mr. Lando wasn't home.
Perfect opportunity.
While chatting casually, he planted miniature listening devices in discreet corners of the living room.
One in a wall seam.
One beneath a table panel.
One inside the bathroom—installed under the excuse of using the toilet.
High-end equipment.
Cost: 1 gold coin.
Gold coins were the standard currency at the The Continental Hotel.
Money didn't guarantee service there.
Gold coins did.
Intelligence. Medical aid. Weapons. Body disposal.
Luca admired the place deeply.
Strict rules.
No killing on hotel grounds.
Order. Structure. Professional courtesy.
Peace.
Opening his own branch one day—
That was an ambition worth pursuing.
After finishing installation, Luca lingered briefly before leaving under Mathilda's sister reluctant gaze.
He wasn't interested.
Not aesthetically.
Not strategically.
And getting too close would damage his bond with Matilda.
But distance must also be calibrated.
Too cold—and she might vent her frustration on Mathilda.
Balance.
Peace.
Always peace.
After Luca left, she sat beside Matilda.
"You and Luca are close, right?"
"None of your business."
"From now on, the remote is yours. Tell me about him."
Matilda sneered.
"You disgust me. Don't dream. He'd never like someone as uncultured as you."
She clenched her teeth. "I'm serious. I really like him."
"You're like a sow in heat."
"Bitch!"
She raised her fist—
But Matilda didn't flinch. "Luca will teach anyone who bullies me a lesson."
She froze.
Her fist lowered.
"…Just don't say bad things about me in front of him."
For the first time, she was pleading.
Matilda felt a strange satisfaction.
But forgiveness?
Impossible.
"Go flirt yourself," Matilda said coldly. "Even if I say nothing, you still have no chance. Not in this lifetime."
Just outside the door—
__________________________________________________________________________
[Domestic violence prevented.]
[Isa stopped physical aggression.]
[Peace maintained.]
[Skill Points +1]
__________________________________________________________________________
Luca paused mid-step.
Incredible.
If she had a character card, the bond level would probably already exceed Close Friend.
And then—
Footsteps.
Calm. Measured.
Luca turned his head.
A tall man approached, wearing a long trench coat and round sunglasses. A suitcase in hand. Expression blank.
Even before the system reacted, Luca recognized him.
__________________________________________________________________________
Character Card Discovered: Leon – Rank SSR
Source: Léon: The Professional
Bond: Strangers
Skills:
Silver Queen
– The Silver Queen you personally plant and care for can gradually purify negative emotions
Learning Requirement: Friend Bond + 50 Skill Fragments
Ring Trick
– +30% critical hit chance when using grenades, bombs, and thrown explosives
Learning Requirement: Close Friend Bond + 80 Skill Fragments
Shadow Strike
– −20% chance of enemy detection while concealed in shadows
– Reduced movement noise while in stealth state
Learning Requirement: Close Friend Bond + 80 Skill Fragments
Lone Assassin
– +100% combat power when number of Close Friend (or higher) bonds = 0
– −10% combat power for each additional Close Friend (or higher) bond
– Skill disappears automatically when Close Friend (or higher) bonds reach 10
Learning Requirement: Partner Bond + 150 Skill Fragments
Oath of Protection
– +30% combat power when protecting Close Friends or above
– +50% combat power when protecting Partner
– +100% combat power when protecting Symbiotic Partner
Learning Requirement: Partner Bond + 200 Skill Fragments
__________________________________________________________________________
Luca's lips curved faintly.
As expected.
SSR Card.
Five skills.
The true protagonist had arrived.
And Luca—
Was now officially standing at the center of fate.
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