Mastermind Behind The Scenes

Looking at the information on the table, Ethan finally understood why this man's head was worth 200,000 points. Developing a special drug for leukemia treatment made it highly valuable. Unfortunately, Ethan was not interested at all. Moreover, he didn't possess the ability to turn Alex back to normal.

Pouring red wine into two goblets, Ethan smiled faintly and said, "You killed so many people using the abilities I gave you, and now you say you want to be normal, to have a regular life? Isn't that a bit unreasonable?"

Alex's body stiffened. Then, his head dropped heavily again. "Please," he begged.

Ethan took a sip from his goblet and said, "There is no medicine for regret in this world. Drink a glass."

Alex knelt on the ground, covering his face as he cried silently. He had already expected this outcome, but a glimmer of hope had kept him going. Now, Ethan's words had crushed that hope completely.

After a long moment, Alex stood up from the ground, sat on the stool opposite Ethan, picked up the glass of red wine, and downed it in one gulp. "Can I have a few more drinks?" he asked hoarsely.

Ethan flicked his cigarette ash into the tray and replied, "As you wish. If there's one thing I'm not lacking, it's wine."

Red wine, beer, white liquor—Alex poured bottle after bottle into his mouth. He wanted to get drunk, but unfortunately, he couldn't. His altered body wouldn't allow it. He didn't stop drinking until he had emptied Ethan's private wine cabinet.

Ethan noticed the two thick stacks of cash that Alex placed on the table. A satisfied smile appeared on his face. "Sensible."

"Can I stay here? I don't know where to go or what to do anymore," Alex asked, his voice rough from all the drinking.

Ethan swirled the wine in his glass and replied, "I'd like to take you in, but I hate trouble—and you are nothing but trouble."

Alex nodded silently, stood up, and prepared to leave. But as he turned, he suddenly stopped, his sharp gaze fixed on something outside the window. Ethan noticed it too and turned his head.

On the rooftop of the building opposite, in the drizzle, stood a girl, about 20 years old, staring at them in shock. Her mouth opened, and the next moment, she screamed, "Ah~~!"

The girl spun around and ran.

Alex glanced at Ethan. "Catch her alive."

With a low growl, the two-meter-tall lizard monster leaped out of the window in pursuit.

---

Gina's Perspective

My name is Gina. I am a rural girl from a poor family. My mother passed away early, and my father is old and disabled. As the eldest daughter, I took on the responsibility of supporting my family at a young age.

I started working immediately after finishing junior high school, earning a meager living in a small county. Although I managed to support my family, I couldn't save any money. So, I came to Riverton City, the central city in our area, where there are more opportunities and higher wages. But the cost of living here is also very high.

It's been over a week since I arrived, and the little money I brought with me is almost gone. Despite my efforts, I haven't found a job. I've come to realize how hard it is for someone like me—a girl with no education or connections—to find a decent-paying job in a big city.

The most pressing problem is my younger brother, who is about to start school. He has poor grades and doesn't want to study. Last year, he got into a fight at school and injured a classmate, leading to his expulsion. I know he did it on purpose. He's a smart boy, but he doesn't want me to work so hard.

He often says, "As a man, it's my responsibility to support the family." But he's only 13 and just in the second grade. Because of his reputation, no public school will accept him. I've managed to find a private school, but the tuition is steep—over 10,000 dollars per semester.

With school about to start, I have only 300 dollars left. Tuition, tuition, tuition—it's all I can think about.

I looked out at the drizzle and remembered the landlord's words. She's a woman in her 40s, unmarried but still beautiful. She told me that she had a similar life when she was young but eventually found success. She now owns a building, earning hundreds of thousands in rent each month, along with profits from a hotel and nightclub she runs.

She said I reminded her of her younger self. She suggested there's only one way for someone like me—a rural girl with no education or strength—to succeed in this big city. She even offered me 20,000 dollars a month if I moved into her house.

If she were a man, I would've refused outright. But she's a woman, so I hesitated.

To clear my head, I stepped onto the rooftop, letting the drizzle cool my face. But then I saw something that will haunt me forever.

Opposite my building is a small two-story tavern. From the third-floor rooftop, I could see directly into its second-floor window.

Inside, I saw a monster—a creature with a lizard-like head, drinking casually. Opposite it sat a man, about my age, very handsome but cold. He seemed completely unfazed by the monster.

I froze, terrified. Their gazes locked onto me.

The lizard creature's yellow vertical pupils made my skin crawl. I couldn't help but scream.

I turned and ran as fast as I could, my mind blank with fear. I didn't stop until I collided with a massive figure.

The impact knocked me to the ground. As I looked up, the evening sun cast a shadow over me. The figure was enormous, with green skin speckled with brown spots.

It looked vaguely human—but not quite.