None of the women in this organization were fools—certainly not Galina or the others. You wouldn't find someone like Xiong Da acting without brains in a place like this.
Each woman was fully aware of her own capabilities. It was true they were stronger than the subordinate-level Wolves, but not so overwhelmingly strong that they could dominate them effortlessly.
They also understood the capabilities of the Follower Wolf who had just fought Jiang Hai. She wasn't the strongest among them, but she definitely wasn't weak. If they wanted to beat her purely with brute force, it would still take a hundred moves—at the very least.
And yet Jiang Hai had defeated her easily, almost playfully, as if it were nothing.
These four women weren't support-class agents, and even if they were, none would be stronger than Jiang Hai. They couldn't beat him one-on-one—there might be a sliver of hope only if they attacked together.
Of course, they all had their specialties. If they truly wanted to kill Jiang Hai, they had other means—like poison.
Meanwhile, Poison Spider and Wolf Spider, who had originally been seated beside Jiang Hai, rose to their feet. They were stunned. They hadn't expected Jiang Hai's combat ability to be this terrifying. For a moment, they just stood there, unsure what to do.
"If you don't mind, let's go together," Valentina—whom Azarina had introduced earlier—stepped forward, her expression solemn.
Jiang Hai simply smiled and shrugged. "Up to you."
Following her lead, the Chinese woman joined the fray, and finally, Galina Vasikaya, the proudest among them, stepped forward as well. The four of them slowly formed a circle around Jiang Hai. For the first time, his expression grew serious.
"Ah!" the German woman suddenly shouted. Jiang Hai turned toward her—but it was a distraction.
A gust of wind cut past his head—Valentina's ambush.
With casual ease, Jiang Hai caught her ankle in midair. But that strike had merely been the signal. The others attacked in unison—fists and feet flying, closing in with no room to retreat.
But Jiang Hai just laughed. Still holding Valentina's leg, he yanked her forward and swung her like a shield toward the incoming attacks.
Startled, the three others hesitated for a fraction of a second. It was enough.
Jiang Hai wrapped his arm around Valentina, whispered in her ear, "You lose," then gave her earlobe a playful flick before tossing her onto the sofa like a doll.
Then he launched forward.
In one smooth motion, he caught the Chinese woman by her collar and flipped her effortlessly onto the floor. Spinning, he grabbed the German by the hair, pulling her into his arms as she gasped. He locked her wrists firmly and kissed her on the lips.
"You lose too," he said softly, before sending her flying onto the sofa as well.
Galina's attack came next, but Jiang Hai sidestepped, sweeping his arm out to pull the Chinese woman—who had just gotten to her feet—back into his grasp. He chuckled, cupped her chest, and then tossed her back onto the couch.
It had all happened in seconds.
Though his actions were suggestive and assertive, none of it had crossed into cruelty or harm. This was a display of dominance, not violence—a way to establish authority. The three women, breathing hard, did not attempt to rise again.
Despite their pride, they knew: Jiang Hai had proved his strength beyond question.
Their identities, their current circumstances, meant they could no longer react as ordinary women might on the street. They belonged to Jiang Hai now—like concubines in a palace. Even if they felt resistance inside, they no longer had the status to defy him openly.
Now, all eyes turned to the last one standing—Galina.
"You're impressive," she admitted, her tone cool. She was indeed stronger than the others, but the difference wasn't vast. And Jiang Hai had just defeated all three of them—at once.
"Come on," Jiang Hai said with a grin. "Let's finish this."
With a sudden burst, he launched forward.
Galina kicked instinctively, but he dodged at high speed, closing the gap. In a blink, he caught her raised leg with one hand, and her wrists with the other, forcing her into a one-legged stance.
"Convinced now?" Jiang Hai asked, smiling.
"No!" Galina snapped, lunging with a headbutt.
Jiang Hai didn't dodge. He headbutted her right back.
The sharp crack of skulls echoed through the room. Galina reeled, her vision swimming, stars flickering before her eyes. Her strength gave out. Jiang Hai caught her easily, lifting her into his arms and striding toward the bedroom.
He had paid a high price for these women—not just for their skills or protection. Their beauty was part of the package too.
The others hesitated. Watching Jiang Hai carry Galina into the room, they exchanged looks. But Azarina remained quiet, not trying to stop anything—only smiling faintly.
Then they heard it: the sound of tearing cloth… and Galina's soft moan.
What followed needed no further narration.
Jiang Hai didn't leave the room for the entire day—nor did any of the women. He was intent on fully "conquering" them.
The next morning, sunlight streamed into the room.
Jiang Hai lay in the center of a chaotic pile of limbs. His head rested atop Poison Spider's chest. One arm held the Chinese woman; the other cradled Valentina. Wolf Spider and the German woman lay wrapped around his legs, while Galina—once the fiercest—rested atop his chest.
She was the first to wake.
As the light touched her face, Galina slowly opened her eyes. Seeing Jiang Hai beside her, and feeling what he had left within her body, her expression hardened. Her fists clenched tightly.
She wanted to strangle him.
But she knew she couldn't. She'd witnessed Jiang Hai's terrifying strength firsthand. Without poison or weapons, she couldn't even come close to threatening him.
And that left her with a deep sense of helplessness.
Galina had become strong for one reason: to seize control of her own destiny—especially after Azarina had fled. But now, that control seemed further than ever. If she couldn't even protect herself, how could she take charge of her life?
She felt violated—not just physically, but emotionally. With a grimace, she sat up, carefully removing what Jiang Hai had left inside her. Her body trembled as she stood. Her legs almost gave out beneath her.
She had no idea how many times Jiang Hai had taken her the night before. Her memory was a blur. But it had been... a lot.
Wobbling on unsteady legs, she wrapped a towel around herself and made her way out, hand trailing the wall for support.
She found Azarina in the living room, seated on a sofa with a laptop open. The woman didn't look up, only patted the space beside her.
Galina hesitated, then walked over and sat down.
"How does it feel to be a woman in the morning?" Azarina asked, smiling slightly.
"Not great," Galina muttered, her face sour.
"Physically or emotionally?"
"Both."
Azarina laughed lightly. "Looks like he was really into you. I'm almost jealous."
She glanced at Galina's towel and teasingly lifted a corner, revealing the mark Jiang Hai had left. "Tsk. Poor thing."
"Bastard," Galina growled.
"Well, like it or not, he's our man now. Our master. Might as well learn how to please him. I saw how tightly he held you last night. He's clearly taken a liking to you."
Galina clenched her teeth. "Who cares what he likes?"
"Come on. This is our home now," Azarina said gently, handing her the laptop. "Take a look. This is Jiang Hai's manor. I gathered everything I could find."
Galina frowned, but took the computer. Onscreen were aerial shots of the sprawling estate. Endless green pastures. Clear ocean waters. A vast, open sky.
These images had been taken at Qi Li's request for promotional use in a hotel in the Imperial Capital.
As she watched, Galina's expression softened.
"Will I really get to live here? Breathe clean air? Bask in the sun... freely?"
She wasn't really asking Azarina—she was asking herself.
From childhood, she had been trained as a weapon. Human in body, but not in freedom. And humans always crave what they lack most.
For her, that had always been freedom.
Now, it felt... within reach.
"Yes," Azarina said softly, watching her. "Live with me. When Jiang Hai wakes up, you'd better make a good impression."
Galina didn't answer.
But her heart—long hardened by the shadows—had begun to thaw.
(To be continued.)