Chapter 274: 10.15

'So you are still the same in the end… I may be wishing for too much,' Long Zhen thought in his heart. He laughed at himself. Why would he believed that James Grind would spare him out of the assassination mission just once?

But it was obvious that it would never happen. James Grind was just like the rest of them, a spy and assassin ready to kill him just because it was their mission.

'Maybe I am only worthy when my head rolls on the ground,' Long Zhen mocked at himself. He stared at James Grind, who was still shocked because his trick had been seen through. Long Zhen chuckled and asked, "Why are you scared? You are the one who wants to entertain me. I guess this is part of your entertainment, huh?"

James Grind gulped, he tried to struggle, but once he struggled just a bit, Long Zhen tightened the grip on his wrist. It was so strong that James Grind thought his wrist would break. "Aaahhh! It hurts, it hurts!" James Grind yelled and then whimpered.

'You think this hurts? I've been killed fifteen times here. Something like this is nothing for me,' Long Zhen said in his heart. "Then don't struggle. I can break all your bones like breaking twigs, so be obedient."

James Grind finally stopped struggling. He was like a scared bunny who trembled under Long Zhen. His eyes sparkled like stars, and it made Long Zhen weak again. His heart was pained whenever their eyes met.

"Mister Assassin, do you think I don't know this small trick of yours? Seduction is the easiest and probably also the deadliest weapon you can use. But I am quite immune with your seduction," Long Zhen grinned.

[Nah, not really. You were totally hard before.]

[Pupa: Tch, what a cheap man, easily swayed by a spicy chicken hoe.]

"Y—You evil crime lord! I—I will kill you as my mission!" James Grind yelled. He struggled weakly, only for Long Zhen to subdue him by twisting his wrist until it was too painful, and James Grind dropped the knife.

Long Zhen grabbed the knife and pointed it at James Grind's cheek, "You have such a pretty face. It would be unfortunate if this knife ruined it."

James Grind shuddered when the cold and sharp metal touched his cheek. "Y—You don't scare me at all!" James Grind yelled. But his expression made it obvious that James Grind was terrified right now.

"Really?" Long Zhen pressed the tip lightly until a drop of blood seeped out of James Grind's cheek. James Grind trembled even more, scared that Long Zhen would really kill him here.

Long Zhen was strangely pleased when he was in this position, with him scaring James Grind and making an assassin like him turned into a terrified bunny, entirely under his control. 

'I should've done this since the very beginning. James Grind is just a scaredy-cat without his gadgets. He is weak and clumsy. As long as I can scare him to submission, then it should be good enough.'

Maybe it was just part of his nature as a mafia lord to like obedient people. "Now tell me, what is your name?"

"J—Johnny Sins…" James Grind replied. Long Zhen reacted by poking another hole on James Grind's cheek.

"What is your real name? I don't need your pretend name."

"H—Hatsune Miku… Aiyeee! Don't poke me with that knife. It's too scary!" James Grind almost cried when Long Zhen almost poked his cheek for the third time.

"So tell me, what is your real name? Do you want me to pierce your cheek with this knife?"

"G—Grind… James Grind," he finally replied.

Long Zhen was satisfied when James Grind finally admitted his real name. He threw the knife away and got up from the sofa. James Grind was still shocked at what just happened. He glanced at Long Zhen, who silently buttoned his shirt and suit again, and also fixed his hair.

James Grind slowly got up from the sofa and stared at Long Zhen, full of warning. "M—Master Long Zhen is willing to spare me?"

"No." Long Zhen replied curtly. He glanced at James Grind for a moment, "You are a bad and incompetent spy. There is no use in killing you. It's like killing a fish out of the water. You are completely in my mercy right now."

"I—I'm not incompetent! I tell you, I can kill you quickly if I want!" James Grind exclaimed proudly.

"Try me then," Long Zhen taunted. James Grind took another knife from his pocket and charged towards Long Zhen in an entirely predictable manner. Long Zhen sighed and grabbed James Grind's wrist again. He pressed on one spot, and James Grind felt that his entire body had been electrocuted.

He dropped the knife again, and his body slumped to the ground. Long Zhen caught James Grind in his embrace first. "There is no use. You will be doing this over and over just because it is your mission, right?"

"… yes…" Jame Grind replied weakly. "But I will kill you one day, this… this is my mission. I can save many people by killing you…"

"If I fail today, I will try again next time…" James Grind said.

"Who said there will be next time?" Long Zhen replied with a grin on his face. He grabbed James Grind's hair and yanked his head until James Grind was facing up. Their eyes met again, and Long Zhen said, "There will not be next time. Because I will declare to your Director that you are dead."

James Grind's eyes widened. "Y—You will kill me here?"

"Why can't I? I've considered you as my enemy. There is no use in letting you alive."

[Oh god, what if Long Zhen really wants to kill me? Will we restart from 0% Breakmeter and Fatemeter, Pupa?"

[Pupa: Of course not, it will restart at the same threshold as the first time since you've unlocked the hidden plot.]

[So what is the use of your stupid restart other than returning to the same hell again and again?]

[Pupa: Nothing, really.]

…

[Maybe you should upgrade something, Pupa. So you have a better use.]

[Pupa: Upgrade your brain first, then I will reconsider.]

"C—Could you please spare me for once?" James Grind asked pitifully.

Long Zhen blinked few times to clear out his daze after getting attacked by such charm. Knowing that he couldn't hold James Grind for too long before he fell in love for real, Long Zhen released James Grind from his embrace, but still keeping an eyes on him. 

James Grind tried to stand up and staggered to distance himself from Long Zhen. Long Zhen only watched as James Grind attempted to escape by the main door.

"I—I will get you later!" James Grind exclaimed. He tried to twist the knob on the marble doorknob but found that it was locked.

He turned his head towards Long Zhen again, who used a remote control to lock the door. "I told you that you are dead now, right? Your Director will know about your death tomorrow morning. Whether you are alive or not, it is all within my control, James Grind."