However, God Will Save (12)
The next day, I awoke in the hotel suite. The moment my eyes opened, my vision pierced straight through the ceiling to the master bedroom above.
She's still asleep.
In the early morning sky dotted with wisps of cloud, the blue had yet to fully fade. Up in the identical upper suite—save for the interior design—Liu Linfei lay alone on the massive bed, lost in a deep, oblivious slumber.
Sharing a bed with someone is what torments me most during intimacy. It exposes my most vulnerable moments as prey to another. No matter if I'm a grand magus or the head of a powerful organization, when my eyes are closed and dreams take hold, I'm just an ordinary human who could have their throat torn out at any instant.
My strategy to overcome this is to exhaust my partner's stamina to its limits. Even if they pass out multiple times, I keep rousing them to continue until they're utterly spent, impossible to wake no matter how much you shake them. Only then can I slip to another room, lock the door, or move to a fresh suite for some brief rest.
Emerging from the master bedroom into the living room facing the entrance, two bodyguards from the security detail rose from their posts at the tail end of the dawn shift. They were dressed in armed police uniforms for cover.
"Did you cough, sir?"
"Mm."
"Shall I wake Director Kim Kyung-tae?"
"No, let him sleep. Get me some coffee. And cold water too."
"Yes, sir."
The suite on the 96th floor of the International Finance Center was vast enough to accommodate all my escorts comfortably. Beyond the dining room, in another bedroom, Kyung-tae and five others slept armed, without even blankets.
I projected a light telekinetic force to tuck them in, then sank into the sofa by the window and checked my phone.
The file sent 27 minutes ago from a subordinate in the secretary's office contained intel on Liu Linfei. A routine background check, no orders needed.
Family ties, education and career, hobbies and preferences, favorite foods, asset holdings, known relationships, and other activities—I skimmed them all, gulping down the cold water my subordinate brought.
She's a civilian, at least.
Most data came from Public Security Bureau databases, so deliberate fakes were possible, but a rising entertainment star chasing fame leaves plenty of verifiable traces. It meant I hadn't picked the wrong prey. No need to worry about pros fooling me. Overkill maybe, but even the CIA couldn't outfox China's state security in honey traps—better safe.
I set the phone down and called the concierge on the house line with a few requests. Generous tips promised, given the hour.
Gazing out, the panoramic fan-shaped windows revealed a hazy morning over the smog-choked cityscape. Even Guangzhou Tower, not far by normal sight, was barely visible. This winter, the coastal hub had enjoyed decent air thanks to trade dispute fuel shortages and steady northeast winds, but today it showed its continental cancer side.
As I sipped my coffee, a disheveled Kyung-tae shuffled into the living room. Bloodshot whites betrayed his fatigue.
"Up already, boss?"
"You should be sleeping more. Why're you out?"
"Dunno, just felt like it was time. Came out quick, and boom—there's you, wide awake. This gut instinct's getting scarier accurate by the day."
"Yeah..."
"Rough night, huh?"
"Rough? Nah."
"Lemme see... That Liu Linfei—or Fei Lin, whatever—is still out cold."
The surveillance gear on the central table linked to the upper bedroom camera. Installed by my men after I knocked her out and left at dawn. Sole purpose: wake me if she stirred first.
Liu Linfei finally roused after three more hours, blinking groggily before realizing I was gone. She whipped her head side to side in panic—until she spotted the note I'd left on the bedside table. "I'll be back soon. Don't panic, wait for me."
Relief and joy bloomed on her face. She checked the mirror, prepping for my return.
"Time to head up."
After remotely approving documents and diving back into the Zhonghua cipher—still unsolved, damn it, with Meriyam's sisters waiting—I rose, frustrated.
"Kill the camera when I go in. Might get embarrassing."
"Got it."
Grabbing my overcoat and the concierge's deliveries, I headed upstairs.
"Ah..."
Entering the bedroom, she pulled the covers to her collarbone at the sound, letting out a soft gasp. Our eyes met, and her face melted in bliss. No acting there—my sight pierced her skin to confirm.
I sat on the bed's edge, handing her the bouquet.
"I wanted you to wake to the scent of dew-kissed flowers. A bit late, though."
"No!"
She shook her head, voice husky yet thrilled.
"Not late at all! Not even a little! This is just... so... incredible..."
Unable to finish, she touched a petal's droplet. Dew I'd condensed from the air's moisture with mana on the way up.
She buried her nose in the blooms, wiping tears, beaming.
"Best bouquet I've ever gotten."
Counting the roses—one, two, three, nine—she brightened more. Center nine roses: may our bond last forever.
I handed over the next gift calmly.
"This too."
"Huh?"
"Earrings. Saw you wearing fakes."
She blinked, then flushed crimson, glancing at her earrings on the table.
"W-was it obvious...?"
"No. I'm just an expert."
"..."
Click.
Opening the case amid silence, her embarrassment vanished in wide-eyed awe. Cubic zirconia to real diamonds—who wouldn't be floored? From some communist noble's vault, repurposed from Becklux stock via concierge.
"C-can I really accept this—"
"I like you."
"..."
"Try them. Now. Want to see if they suit."
"O-okay..."
Swallowing, she took them with trembling hands. But shakes made the pins miss. Frustrated smile after fails.
"Why won't it... Sorry, just a sec."
"Let me."
"Ah..."
Leaning close, I fitted them one by one, slow for that cherished feel. Hot breaths teased her neck the whole time.
"Done."
Stepping back, I eyed my entranced prey.
"Suits you. The jewels found their owner."
Her response: impulsive kiss. Body before brain. Morning breath thick, but after last night's ordeal, expected. Still, I obliged her craving.
Effect's solid.
Not the gifts. Her psychological walls crumbled last night; now I just verified.
The kiss lasted two minutes on the clock. I added a forehead peck, then stood.
"Go wash up. Breakfast time."
"Yes."
Obedient, she buried her face in the sheets after I left, giggling madly, thrashing in pure joy. Unaware I watched, she kicked, rolled, curled, squealed silently—till muscle pain made her groan. Entertaining.
Post-shower, I scanned from entrance to bedroom: strewn stockings, lingerie—traces of last night everywhere.
Seeing neural flows, brain chemistry shifts, pleasure centers lighting up firsthand? Invaluable. Tells if it's real, what spots thrill most, when to ease or push. Serial orgasms drain stamina best.
Last night's goal: etch unmatched pleasure in her brain. Exceeded expectations. Magic's return made it easier.
Love? Mostly conditioned chemical addiction. True love's rare exception. Worse in this materialist continent. Liu Linfei? In love—with me, at least chemically. Brain showed classic addiction on sight. Question if she sees me as human... but effective. Could use myself for honey traps more, sans distaste for the work—rolling naked with anatomical dolls? Nah.
Shaking reverie, I resumed the cipher.
Nearly an hour later, she emerged, makeup fresh, gait stiff.
"Sorry... kept you waiting?"
"Nah."
Truth: I'd decode all day if free.
Brunch—more lunch than breakfast—in the suite's vast dining room. Despite soreness, robe-clad Liu Linfei teased with footsie all meal. Like a junkie ignoring pain for the hit.
I obliged post-meal against the wall, then in the shower—unscheduled, deepening her fix. Checkout extended, inevitably.
Parting, she clung tight.
"Never felt this happy. First time ever."
"Yeah?"
"Yes. But it scares me. What if it ends today?"
"Told you: I like you."
"You'll call again?"
"Yes."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
"Kiss me."
Fresher breath now. She rubbed her forehead on my chest like a hooked prey knowing her hunter.
"Don't wanna part... Could I follow you? Be a bother?"
"Yeah. I hate women who disrupt work."
Hands fell away at "hate." Till I left, she stood frozen like a scared animal.
Hand on knob, I turned.
"Liu Linfei."
"Yes?"
"See you soon."
"...Yes! Definitely! I'll wait! But my number—"
Click.
Door shut on her cry. Anxiety amps future joy.
I returned to Becklux near 3 p.m., sleep deprived from overruns. Mana enhancement or Life incantation can't erase brain fatigue fully. Too complex an organ.
Suyeon greeted, paused, sniffed close.
"Smell?"
"Yes. Best wash it off."
"Will."
Lingering perfume from final cling. Nose dulls to own scents.
Human scent remover spray—hunter staple. She signaled a subordinate for it.
"Give here. I'll do it."
"No, allow me."
Fine. Arms out, I stood still for the mist.
"Done."
"Thanks."
"My pleasure."
She bowed slightly.