Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: The Eight-Chi Widow (3)
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#007_The Eight-Chi Widow (3)
#023
1.
Ceres's car was a typical chauffeur-driven vehicle.
In other words, a luxury limousine designed for the safety and comfort of the passenger, not the driver.
A sleek black body stretched out long like a Rolls-Royce.
The limo, customized with a high ceiling for Ceres, exuded luxury but carried an underlying menace.
Once settled in the driver's seat, I reviewed the fresh intel from my monocle.
1) Two days ago, Ceres Cassian researched ways to break her 'pact.'
2) Fourteen days ago, Ceres Cassian threw out all her high-heeled shoes from the dressing room.
3) Twenty-eight days ago, Ceres Cassian leaked Twilight Resource Development's 'Project Z' (biochemical weapon dispersal in Necropolis, estimated deaths: 250,000) plans to Overnus Pharmaceuticals.
Let's break them down one by one.
1) Researched ways to break her 'pact.'
Yeah, that tracks.
A pact is when a mage trades restrictions for power directly with the world.
But restrictions are a hassle even if it's something minor like 'no picking your nose with your right hand for life.'
I don't know what pact Ceres has, but at 250 years old? She'd be sick of it.
Still, they say it's absolutely impossible to break a pact once made.
For someone of Ceres's stature to be messing around with that, no wonder she'd want to keep it secret.
Next.
2) Fourteen days ago, Ceres Cassian threw out all her high-heeled shoes from the dressing room.
"Hmm, height complex for a tall girl."
If you're an eight-chi ghost of a woman, yeah, it'd be a complex.
Nothing much to think about up to here.
Just a note to watch her behavior.
However.
3) Twenty-eight days ago, Ceres Cassian leaked Twilight Resource Development's 'Project Z' (biochemical weapon dispersal in Necropolis, estimated deaths: 250,000) plans to Overnus Pharmaceuticals.
"What the hell is this...?"
This isn't what I was hoping for!
Secret♥) Ceres Cassian, just yesterday night... with that method...
Something like that!
"Ah, headache."
So, Twilight Resource Development was planning to release a biochemical weapon in Necropolis?
With an estimated 250,000 deaths?
That's basically wiping out an entire mid-sized 'district.'
'That's too much! Not human! Why do something so horrific!'
If you say that, you haven't drunk enough Necropolis water.
A true Necropolis citizen would respond to a poke in the ribs like this:
"Twilight Resource Development treats even corpses as resources, so they're planning to cull the overpopulated surplus while stockpiling more. Aden will turn a blind eye, of course. Very efficient project."
I get it up to here.
Given Twilight Resource Development's influence, it's entirely plausible.
But 'Ceres Cassian leaked the Project Z plans to Overnus Pharmaceuticals'—that's the blatantly weird part.
Overnus Pharmaceuticals and Twilight Resource Development are the two pillars running the city, long-time rivals.
Pepsi and Coke getting along? No chance.
You can feel their underground power struggles sharp and clear just crossing the C Sector and D Sector border.
Ceres is a director at Twilight Resource Development, yet she leaked what screams 'classified' to a rival firm.
"Suspicious, suspicious, suspicious."
When a feverish Necropolis citizen uncovers this massive truth, what's the proper response?
"As long as it doesn't hit me."
I wiped the complicated facts clean from my mind.
No thoughts of blackmailing Ceres or trying some alliance.
The scale is obvious.
Too big for small fry like me to meddle.
Even 7th-grade fixer Soonhwangjo, who dominated an era with a single hammer, would feel burdened by this scale.
Plus, in a few days, rabbit-like Arbel arrives via rocket delivery.
Handling that baggage alone is pushing my limits.
In this situation, all I can do is...
"Let's see..."
Memorize the Necropolis map from the limo's glovebox thoroughly.
Praying this massive misfortune doesn't crush me.
2.
Two days since becoming Ceres's driver.
Mid-check: one good news, one bad.
First, the good.
Driver gig is sweeter than expected.
Pick up Ceres per schedule, drive about two hours a day, done.
Activity radius isn't wide, so most time is waiting, wiping the limo with a dry cloth till it shines crisp.
And the contract weekly pay is 200,000 BIOS.
Not because 'Ceres is so rich her money sense is off.'
Being her attendant means attached to the 'secretariat,' which runs like her private organization.
"Windfall, pure windfall."
Anyway, driver was just a stepping stone in my plan.
Real endgame is cozying up to Ceres and switching to pillar hubby.
Earning steady treatment fees for Arbel while crossing the bridge? Huge merit.
So, the bad news?
"Ha... but why no bites?"
Mistress Ceres is too aloof; poor Sedrick-kitty feels lonely.
Even riding together, barely any talk.
Some man-woman spark?
Needs basic conversation first.
Pillar hubby in two days too hard? Fair point.
"But in the first round, we were in bed three hours after eye contact..."
Wasn't Mistress Ceres supposed to melt easy?
What's different now?
Am I too scared?
Or back then, fresh off getting Arbel's corpse, too euphoric, judgment clouded?
Or Ceres's type is little brothers selling big sis's corpse?
"No clue."
Most likely: Ceres strictly separates work and private; no bedding subordinates.
Or post-goat gate, massive trauma led to misogyny—no, misandry.
Hmm, latter feels legit.
"Argh, fuck, then I'm screwed."
Should've skipped attendant bullshit from the start and just whipped it out?
Lost in late regret.
Then, Ceres approaches gracefully like a black horse from afar.
"You're here, Director."
"Hello, Sedric. Sorry for the late night."
"No problem. Late-night drive with Director Ceres? Thrilling."
I swiftly opened the door, seated her in back, gripped the wheel.
Ceres lit a cigarette upon sitting, exhaled long.
"Home?"
"Yeah."
"Got it! Nice and comfy, as always."
The luxury limo glided smoothly over roads too rough for it.
Destination: Ceres's townhouse.
Usually silent in back reviewing papers, but tonight she fetched wine from the minibar, poured a glass.
"Job treating you okay?"
"Yes, thanks to Director's care."
"Spare me the empty words."
"If my sincerity doesn't land, heartbreaking."
Proper ham is essential for social life.
Ceres swirled her wine leisurely, snorted.
"Thought before: you drive damn well. Where'd you learn?"
"In Aden."
"Aden?"
"Kicked out from there. Was tough and bleak at first, but thinking it was all to meet you? Comforting."
"Speed demon, even with an eye gouged."
"Had astigmatism; post-regen, perfect. Another grace from Director."
Ceres burst into full-toothed laughter at the flattery mix.
Beauty laughing lifts my mood.
If not for the height, prime rabbit material rivaling Arbel.
Anyway... now?!
Bite after three days!
I eased into small talk.
"First time seeing Director laugh like that. Always saw perfect, flawless you..."
"How long we known each other?"
"Not long, but... always stiff-faced in back till now."
Here's the small talk secret pro tip.
Core isn't 'talk.'
It's active observation filling their presence.
Show you observe them that closely; women feel favor nine times outta ten (need above-average face).
"Hmm~ Was I?"
"Oh, my opinion. Sorry for presuming."
"No, fun. First to say that to me."
As expected, Ceres leaned forward, head cocked amused.
Keep charming, bed goal.
Score big exploiting pre-scouted weaknesses.
Arbel! Hang on! Bro's earning cash!
"Tch."
Mid-warm vibe, Ceres suddenly clicked tongue annoyed.
What? My bad?
"Annoying bastards. Never leave me be."
"Sudden...?"
"Tail on us."
"Tail?"
"No biggie. Other directors' doing. Call it... office politics."
Side mirror showed car trailing far back.
No hiding; headlights blaring bold.
"Even at Director's level, your own headaches."
"Silver tongue, huh?"
Copied line from last round Ceres liked.
Question hit.
Ceres at least 4th Rank, right?
"Trash tail like that? Just Julien it."
"Then directors'd need new hires biweekly. That's not crossing 'line'; ignore, drive."
Aha.
Got the vibe.
Ten other directors in Twilight Resource Development besides Ceres.
Fierce internal fights, but unspoken rules.
Like intel agencies not killing every caught spy.
Lucky.
Perfect scoring chance mid-worry.
"Director's beauty attracts stalkers as standard."
"...Lame joke."
Ceres's straight brows twitched.
Post-tail, vibe soured; flattery irked now.
"How about late-night drive, just us?"
"No."
"Briefly."
"Kid, cheeky..."
I swayed side-to-side, heating tires plenty.
-VROOOOOM!!!
Clutched, slammed gears up instant.
Ceres flung back against seat.
Accelerated; pursuer closed fast.
"Guts? What're you doing?"
"Belt up! Grip tight!"
Necropolis roads narrow, shitty.
City wedged in giant canyon; roads Monaco-narrow, twisty.
Soon, 90-degree left corner looms.
Speed closing on wall instant.
Normally brake way early, creep turn.
"What the hell!"
Ceres's urgent shout moment.
Left foot clutch, right brake gentle press.
Not instant like my bank-sold steed, but 2.5-ton beast's G-force sways, gauge slow...
Now!
Half-beat late braking.
-SCREEECH!
Left clutch full, right brake toe steady pressure.
Heel smashed accelerator hard.
Tires screeching burn, RPM soaring, engine roar.
-VROOOOMMM!!!
Kuh! This thrill!
Dopamine high, slotted 4th to 2nd.
Textbook heel-toe stabbed corner apex, stomped accel harder.
-SCREEECH!
Torque overpower, rear slides grip-loss.
Instant counter-steer, controlled slide, corner out.
Finally, unwound wheel, max gear.
Accelerate, accelerate, accelerate!
Picture-perfect drift to accel tech; heavy limo howls.
-VROOOOOMMMM!!!!
"Engine growl killer!!!!"
Hey, too beastly for quiet luxury!
First corner, pursuer lagging sweat; honked encouragement.
Decent effort.
Dopamine-crazed days, conquered extremes; top joys: wingsuit, amateur motor racing.
Amateur tail? Easy shake.
"Fun, right? Late-night drive."
Jumped first, bit worried.
Showed girls in my car: two reactions.
Squeal 'bro badass!' or pale, beg stop, puke.
"Haha! Ahahaha!!!"
Director no ordinary soul.
Ceres laughed red-faced, clapped.
"More?"
"More!!!!"
"6th gear!"
"No 7th?!"
"Nope!"
Limo exhaust boomed grand over G Sector road.
"Here? Bit off, no?"
"Dark; shame can't see Director's beauty clear."
"Wait, that's...! ...Brazen..."
"Adorable."
Floored to 'dock'; tested suspension post-engine.
Solid 2.5-ton luxury; rock steady.
Deep night passed with waves crashing.
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::: Challenges (NEW!) :::
- Enjoy a chase while aboard a vehicle. +1pt
- Become a mage's attendant. +1pt
- Spend hot times in the car. +1pt
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