Chapter 99 My Answer . . .

Megu's POV

"Yes, it was all me," I said with a small smile on my face. "I only wanted to give Angelica a safe place to grow up in, and this place is perfect."

"I made sure that Brago and Ford would eat all the meat they caught. It wasn't that hard since both of them had the desire to do just that, to begin with, until, eventually, they didn't need my help," she explained and added.

"The girls were easier to manipulate. When I controlled Emi to not do her work, it was only a matter of time before Sheryl also stopped working. After that, the girls both spent their time enjoying their tea by the fireplace and sowing discord with the guys.

"As for Edgar." Megu shook her head and sighed. "I didn't need to do anything to that guy. I knew that he wouldn't be able to resist and eat all those chickens. Humans would always find a way to ruin themselves. I just gave them the push they needed."

"So you made them fight in the first place to claim the territory for yourself at the end?" Cross asked.

I nodded. "That was the plan."

Cross slowly clapped his hands in a mocking gesture. His face was serious, and his eyes intense. "So what now?"

". . . You can't kill us," I said with my chin held high. I didn't know where I got the confidence, but I believed in Angelica's ability to keep us safe.

Cross chuckled. "But you also can't kill me. I'm sure that you already used your remaining spells for the day."

I controlled the fear rising in my heart. He spoke like he already knew all our spells. Could it be that . . . he was also a BUG player like them?

Cross looked down at us from the bridge of his nose. "So now what?"

I wanted to cower from pressure, but I didn't. As a mother, I had to be strong for Angelica.

"We will leave here," I said. "Safe and sound."

"And where will you go?" he asked. His voice contained zero concern. It was more like he was genuinely curious about my answer.

I didn't know. To be honest, probably went back to the wilderness and back to controlling other players.

When I didn't answer, he continued, "Tell you what . . ."

Cross stepped closer to me, and I couldn't even pull away from his intense gaze. It was like I was being pulled to bathe in his mesmerizing silver eyes.

"Instead of being on the run again, always fearing for your next meal, I'll offer you a once-in-a-lifetime chance to stay here in exchange for your ability. The both of you."

​ ". . ." I had a hard time believing what he was offering, so I had to repeat it myself. "You want us . . . to stay here?"

"You have a rare class, and Angelica is also pretty overpowered. I could really use you two in here. In turn, for your abilities and loyalty, I will provide you with shelter, food, and my protection. How about it?"

". . ." I was still having a hard time believing what he was saying. "But . . . I just tried to kill you."

Was he playing with me right now? Just like what he did before?

Crossed shrugged. "You're just trying to live like the rest of us. No big deal. It's not you would succeed anyway."

His offer was too good to be true, and I wasn't born yesterday to just trust him.

"I have only one condition," he said.

I thought so. He was like the others, too. I was sure that he would like to 'possess' me as well.

Cross got something in his inventory, and when he presented it to me, I saw an engagement ring.

His cold façade broke, but only for a second. It seemed like he himself was shocked at the item. That went for the two of us.

Crossed cleared his throat and his cold façade was back on his face. "You can stay here if you wear this. This is an accessory. Once you equip it, you cannot remove it. Another thing, this will ensure that you remain loyal to me no matter what happens."

"And if I'm not?"

I didn't like the silence that followed.

"Then . . . you will lose your life."

". . ."

"I think it's a fair trade considering that you'll live comfortably for the rest of your life here. Think about it. Think about Angelica."

". . ."

If it were just me . . . I would have walked away and taken my chances outside. I didn't want to be under a man again. Both figuratively and literally.

However . . . Angelica stared into my eyes. Her big shining eyes spoke into my soul, and her sweet innocent smile melted my heart.

For her, I would do anything.

Outside wasn't for a baby to venture.

I faced Cross and asked, "How would I know that this item isn't a controlling item?"

"You just have to wear it to know, then."

". . ."

His eyes told me that he wasn't joking. I knew that he was serious, but he had fooled me once before.

However, the sincerity in his voice when he said that he needed me for my ability rang in my ears again and crashed into my heart.

Even now, the strong impression it left me remains.

Everyone wanted me for my face, my body, my love. Those were the things that every man sought when they approached me.

The only one who asked for my strength was you. A young man with a cold face and an even colder personality. Who never looked away when calling my name.

A small smile made its way into my lips. I think I just had to take the gamble, then.

I extended my hand to him, voice soft as I resigned to the future that he promised.

"Yes, My Lord . . ."

A ray of light slipped past the scarlet clouds and peered into the windows, casting on our figures, and made the ring on my finger sparkle so brightly.