The Landlord's Abuse of Power is Legal
The morning sun rose. But Han Siu's world was still shrouded in darkness.
"Ugh…!"
Siu woke up gasping for air. Filling his vision wasn't the white ceiling or the moldy walls. It was a soft, bouncy, massive barrier emanating a faint cool shampoo scent. Baek Seol's breasts.
Her declaration last night about treating him like a body pillow all night wasn't a joke. Baek Seol had wrapped around Siu like an octopus. Her arms locked his neck in a headlock, and her sleek legs clamped his waist tight. This wasn't a hug—it was an anaconda's hunting method.
If this keeps up, I'll suffocate. Or my limbs will necrotize from circulation failure.
Siu thrashed desperately to escape. But the more he struggled, the more she frowned in her sleep and squeezed tighter.
"Mmm… don't go. You're mine…."
At the same time, a chilling cold emanated from her body. Freezing Instinct. At this rate, Siu's body would turn into a popsicle.
What do I do? Use the body temperature elevation formula? No, the bed might catch fire.
Complex calculations didn't suit the moment. Siu targeted the most primal, human weakness. His hand wriggled toward her side, the sensitive spot between her ribs.
Screw it.
Siu jabbed his fingers into her side, tickling furiously.
"Kyaha?!"
The effect was immediate. The mighty S-rank hunter, the Ice Witch Baek Seol, let out a bizarre shriek and bounced off the bed.
"Wh-what?! Ambush?! Who is it?!"
Baek Seol shot up, messy-haired, swinging fists at the air. Seizing the gap, Siu bolted from the bed and fled to the bathroom.
"Huff, huff… I survived."
Standing before the bathroom mirror, Siu checked his disheveled state. His face was squished flat like a steamed bun, but his nape stood out most. The Silver Wolf's Mark where Baek Seol had bitten him yesterday. After spending the night together, the silvery tooth marks glowed even more vividly.
"This is insane. How do I even erase this?"
As Siu sighed while splashing cold water on his face—
Bam—! Bam—!
A thunderous boom shook the entire semibasement building. It wasn't the knock Siu knew. It was like hammering a door during a siege.
"What the hell? Is this place a drum? What's this racket first thing in the morning?!"
Siu wiped his face with a towel and rushed out. Baek Seol, dazed on the bed, glared murderously at the front door.
Crack—!
The already battered front door from Baek Seol's rampage yesterday finally tore off. Through the dust cloud, men in black suits lined up. They parted like a red carpet, and the click-clack of heels announced a woman's entrance.
A woman in a premium tweed jacket and sunglasses. Instead of a designer bag, she carried a thick envelope of documents. Shin Seoyun.
She lowered her sunglasses slightly, scanning the wrecked room.
"Good morning. I came to pick up my precious employee myself, in case he skips work without notice."
Her gaze locked on Baek Seol on the bed. Seoyun's lips curled slyly.
"Oh? But there's an intruder? Squatting in someone else's business premises—doesn't Valhalla Guild respect the law?"
"Ha."
Baek Seol snorted and approached. Frost spread from her feet, plummeting the room's temperature.
"Annoying first thing in the morning. Is this your business? This is my newlywed home… no, Valhalla Branch 2. Get out."
Sharp icicles formed in Baek Seol's hand, poised to impale Seoyun's throat.
Yet Seoyun didn't flinch. She was an S-rank supporter. Weak in raw power, but armed with what Baek Seol lacked: information and intellect.
Seoyun pulled a paper from the envelope and shoved it in Baek Seol's face.
Building Registry Extract
"……."
"This building's under my name as of yesterday. And Han Siu is my exclusive employee. You know squatting and obstructing business is trespassing and interference, right?"
One bodyguard behind her started filming with a camcorder.
"Keep causing a scene. 'Valhalla Guild Master Illegally Occupies and Damages Civilian Residence.' Run that headline, and your guild's stock hits the floor. Can you handle it?"
"You… filthy merchant…!"
Baek Seol gnashed her teeth. Invincible in force, but as guild master, public opinion and law were unbreakable chains. Haesung Group's intel and media control were Korea's best.
Baek Seol dispersed her icicles and turned to Siu, her eyes screaming you handle this.
"Hey, part-timer."
"Y-yes?"
"Say it straight from your mouth. Say you won't work under that woman. Say you're quitting right now."
Baek Seol's voice dripped killing intent. Refuse, and she'd freeze him.
Siu grimaced at Seoyun.
"Um, boss…? As you see, my situation is a bit…."
"Han Siu."
Seoyun cut him off, snapping her fingers dismissively.
"It's not just words. I take good care of welfare."
On her cue, bodyguards hauled in massive boxes. Crude packaging, but the logos made Siu's pupils quake.
[N-A] [Mana-Tech Solutions]
They ripped open the boxes, revealing gleaming machines.
"Th-that's…!"
Siu swallowed hard. No mere PC parts. Workstations analyzing dungeon-mined mana stones' wavelengths and simulating complex spells.
"Wait, that's… the latest mana analyzer with RTX 9090 GPU built-in?! There's only 10 limited editions worldwide?!"
Siu's voice cracked. To a nerd, that gear was more tantalizing than Baek Seol's beauty or Seoyun's wealth—like the ultimate porn.
Spotting the adjacent Quantum Computing Server and S-rank Mana Ink Set, Siu's reason evaporated.
"Siu…?"
Baek Seol called in confusion, but Siu ignored her. He floated to the machines, rubbing his cheek against the cool metal in ecstasy.
"Insane… Simulations will optimize formulas in 0.1 seconds…."
"Like it?"
Seoyun smiled leisurely, driving the nail.
"That's not all. Be my exclusive, and I'll gut this stinky semibasement into a state-of-the-art personal lab. Gear? Unlimited. Materials? Even a dragon heart if needed."
"Boss!!"
Siu spun 180 degrees, bowing deeply to Seoyun. His eyes burned hotter than a knight's oath.
"Contract now?! Where do I sign?!"
"Hey!! Han Siu!!"
Baek Seol screamed in betrayal. Siu was firm.
"Sorry, Baek Seol. But that gear… it's a man's dream. Refusing it insults a researcher."
"You… materialistic bastard…!"
Baek Seol unleashed mana, ready to wreck the room. Seoyun signaled her guards to battle stance.
Tension peaked. The house would become rubble, not a lab.
No. My gear can't break.
Siu's mind raced. He adjusted his glasses, stepping between the women.
"Wait! Everyone calm down and hear me out!"
As Siu caught his breath, eyeing Seoyun's contract and Baek Seol's ice spear—
"Okay. I'll sign. Your offer's too tempting to refuse."
Seoyun beamed; Baek Seol scowled.
Siu continued steadily.
"But with conditions. Add special clauses."
"Special clauses?"
"Yes. Research efficiency is my priority. Overwork or stress means bad scrolls."
Siu held up three fingers.
"First, hours: weekdays 9 AM to 6 PM. Guaranteed clock-out."
"Fine."
"Second, overtime: 300% pay plus premium snacks."
"Money's no issue."
"And third."
Siu took a deep breath. This was his survival key.
"After 6 PM, post-quitting time, no interfering with my private life."
"Private life?"
Seoyun blinked curiously. Siu glanced at the murderous Baek Seol behind.
Boot her out now, and she'd terrorize the lab nightly. Better….
"Yes. After hours, whoever I'm with or what I do at home—company (Haesung Group) stays out. Accept, or no deal."
It was tacitly permit cohabitation with Baek Seol.
Seoyun's eyes sharpened. Quick-witted, she saw it was to placate the Ice Witch.
Not bad.
Seoyun tapped her calculator. Days, Siu was hers. In the company, she could bake or seduce him freely. Nights… she could yield for now.
"Deal."
Seoyun accepted coolly. Baek Seol's expression softened subtly. Siu hadn't evicted her; he'd secured after-hours for their space.
"Hmph. Lending you days. But bolt at 6 sharp. One minute late, I freeze the company."
Baek Seol crossed arms and backed off.
Siu sighed in relief. Peace treaty between Day Ruler Shin Seoyun and Night Ruler Baek Seol.
"Construction starts now."
Seoyun gestured; interior team rushed in with drills. Baek Seol plugged ears on the bed, annoyed by noise. Amid dust, Siu signed the contract in the corner.
Scribble, scribble.
His hand trembled faintly writing his name.
Gear acquired. Home upgraded.
But.
My comfy NEET life… truly farewell.
One side: capital-choking boss. Other: obsessive hunter in bed. Somewhere: watching Fire Witch.
Siu swallowed tears handing the contract. Act 2: Between Slave and Kept Man survival saga officially began.
Beep-beep— Beep-beep!
Then—
"Eh?"
"Huh…?"
Baek Seol and Seoyun's phones rang simultaneously.
