Charlotte stood there, the chill air finally getting to her. She looked for Mark, who finally came back.

"Sorry it took so long." apologized Mark, who kept giggling between breaths.

"It took so long because I sort of fainted like five times while carrying Sebas. Apparently I lost more blood than I thought, but it’s all good now. I even used some mana to fix my clothes, see? Good as new."

Charlotte watched him, something within her unable to settle down, like the morning wind that kept on going, just enough to feel it.

"Come on, let’s hurry, I’m freezing here."

Mark offered her his jacket, which she gladly took.

"Now, where exactly do you live?"

"Follow me, and make sure to keep up."

She gave him a smile that Mark thought of as mocking, yet he knew that sort of smile; it was the same one he’d do in a joking manner. Both of them started running, disappearing into the night, only to arrive in front of a house after a few minutes of running.

"Phew, I feel like dying, heh."

Charlotte took out a key, unlocking the door. She waved him in, which he did, after taking his shoes off.

"So, this is where the assassin sent by the organization lives. Not bad, I like it here."

She frowned when faced with the "organization" part, yet it was as Mark said; she did listen to orders, she did try to kill him. Mark glanced at her, all caught by her thoughts, yet he went on with his business. The couch was his for the night, and what was left was a good hot shower.

"Hey, sorry to wake you up, but I’m going to go take a shower. Don’t try to sneak a peek."

He winked at her, which only made it worse. It was her weak point, which Mark gladly exploited.

"Just why would I want to get a peek?"

Mark was gone, already in the shower. Charlotte prepared some extra sheets and a pillow, enough to make the couch a little more comfortable. She stood there, waiting for her turn.

Mark was living his best life—singing in the shower, enjoying the warmth of the water, and overall having a good time. Charlotte could hear him singing, which she gladly did; his voice was not the best, yet it didn’t sound bad either. It had a weird feel to it, one that she could get used to.

Yes, I keep forgetting—that man is supposed to own me now. Wait, what’s stopping me from running away?

A system notification popped up, saying, "You are bound to that user. Do not try to escape."

Now when did this happen? More importantly, how did it know what I was thinking?"

Her train of thought was stopped at the station; Mark was the one to give the signal. He came out of the shower, fully dried, moving around so much that no one would even have the slightest hint that he had been mortally wounded in the last hour or so.

"I’m done; the shower’s yours. Time to say my prayer, read some manga, then I’ll go to sleep. In case I won’t see you after this, good night."

He placed himself in the corner of the room, going on with his prayer, paying no mind to what was around him. She went upstairs, wishing to tell him the same line as he had, but disturbing him from his prayer seemed like a bad idea.

Mark had finished his daily ritual and was now lying on the couch, reading his manga. All of a sudden, a knock on the door broke the silence.

He went ahead and answered, which he instinctively did. Outside, in front of the door, stood a man, a little bit taller than Mark, but his build was something else. Even for Mark, who had put on some muscle after the system did its thing, he was still a lot bigger than Mark, yet he was lean at the same time. Mark felt himself crushed by the person’s presence, as if a mountain were placed on his head.

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The man stared down at him, making Mark feel even smaller than he was.

Just who the hell is this guy? Even that damned knight didn’t make me feel like this. Is there truly someone who managed to level up more than me?

"How intriguing. Intriguing indeed."

The man’s voice was cold, no shred of feeling in it.

"To fail to such a degree, even going as far as helping you. Truly, a failure."

"May I ask just who the fuck are you?"

Mark tried to force his fear down the drain, yet it was overflowing.

"Oh, calm down, you. Fortunately for you, I’m not here to kill you, I came to get rid of that failure."

Mark’s face froze. He turned around, watching the man go inside.

Just when did he?

He was going upstairs, one step at a time, taking his time.

I have to do something, fuck!

Mark turned around, forcing his body to move.

"Hey! Who the hell said you could go inside?"

The man stopped in his tracks, turned around, moving as little as possible. Something about him shook Mark to the core, rattling his very being. That man didn’t seem to be human; he acted more like a machine.

"And why is it that I can’t go upstairs? Are you perhaps going to try and stop me?"

Mark glared at him, a drop of sweat making its way down his face.

I got it. I need a buff, at least a little something.

Using some strange form of magic, he started playing a song, placing the source of that song inside his ear lobe, just like one would an earbud.

Yes, I need this one song. The chorus from that one nice Aria from Berserk, a good symphonic metal cover.

Something within Mark changed. He felt like fighting, even if it was a losing battle. That’s just how intense an effect the right song has on him. He felt himself grow in size, ready to fight death itself.

I love how one song can make me lose my fear. Truly, what a wonderful song this is.

The man watched, having sat there, in silence, not moving.

"So, I will ask again. Will you, perhaps, try to kill me?"

"You see, that matters on what you’ll do next. You can go outside and never show your face when I’m around, or we could end this here and now."

"Don’t forget, Mark. You have "that" trick up your sleeve, but using it now might end up being dangerous for you. You won’t be able to properly control him."

Mark was taken aback by Sys’ sudden appearance, but he didn’t show it. He wanted to appear composed and confident in front of his enemy, yet his own body gave him away sometimes.

"Huh, pathetic creature. Squirm on the ground, right where your place is."

He walked outside, yet this time Mark was able to follow his movement—even if barely.

"Huh, the guy even closed the door. Ain’t that one helluva son of a bitch? And people called me a narcissist."

Mark went on to read his manga, at which point Charlotte came down. Her hair was caught in a bun, which caught Mark’s attention.

He looked at her eyes, numb to the realization that she, too, was looking at him.

"You sure can’t help it, can you?"

He blinked rapidly, pretending that nothing had happened—not even the event that had taken place before.

"Oh, by the way, was someone else here? I heard you talking to someone."

"Nope, I just like talking to myself, that's all."

It was not a lie, generally speaking, but it was a lie in this situation.

Charlotte stole a glance at Mark’s phone, noticing the same manga he was reading when they first met.

"Are you still reading that manga?"

"Yes, you bet I am. What, going to call me a weeb again for it? Not that I have a problem with it, but the way you glare at me almost hurts."

She sat down beside him, doing nothing but watching.

"Oi, the hell are you doing? Are you perhaps feeling sick or something?"

"Didn’t you tell me that you wanted to read manga with someone? I guess that’s the least I could do."

Mark stared blankly, his face reddening ever so slightly.

"Yes, I did say that. Well, to go on, I have to bring you up to speed."

And so began what could only be described as one nightmare of a dream.