Evah watched him again—the way his expression shifted like an actor slipping into a role. How am I supposed to know if he's really concerned for us? Can I even trust him?
"Do you even know where you are?" The man's deep voice rumbled through the room like a commandment.
Evah flinched. Instinctively, she pulled Erion's jacket tighter around her shoulders. His hand brushed hers—the one clutching the fabric—and gently closed over it.
She was trembling. Her skin was ice.
"Signor, we can use the other girl," one of the men to the right muttered.
The man in the center gave a subtle nod. The two others moved forward.
He stood out immediately—sharply dressed in a black business suit, the air of authority clinging to him—while the others, dressed in casual clothes, were built like bouncers.
Where's the leader? Erion's eyes narrowed. According to reports, this should be a woman. She's pulling strings from the shadows, running her empire where law is rotten or nonexistent. And that's almost everywhere these days.
He leaned down, his voice soft at Evah's ear. "Don't be scared. Stay calm. We'll get out of here."
She nodded blankly.
Great. Now she looks like an obedient kitten.
The two men yanked them apart.
One seized both of Evah's hands, binding them tightly. The other moved toward Erion.
Don't react. Keep your head down. Just like he said. Evah repeated the words in her mind as the rope dug into her wrists.
Erion raised his hands, forcing a crooked grin. "Hey, easy! That's my wife you're manhandling." His jester's smile didn't waver. I just need time.
Option 3:Let myself get caught. Three hours. That's all I need to survive.
The cuffs clamped tight around his wrists with a metallic snap.
"What do we do with him? We can't use him," one of the men muttered.
"Kill him. If she escapes, he'll be a problem." With that, the man in the suit turned and walked out.
Just what I thought.
Erion's eyes swept the warehouse. Entrances. Shadows. Escape points. Every detail filed away.
"No, you idiot! Fight him!" Evah's voice cracked as she kicked out, but she was already tied to the pole.
Erion smirked at his captor like they were old classmates. "See that? You don't want to mess with my wife. She's terrifying."
"Can you stop joking?" she hissed, glaring, her vision blurring with tears.
Option 3-1:I could take them both down. But she'd see it. The blood. The truth.
He glanced at the door, memorizing the layout one more time.
A gun clicked behind his head. Cold metal pressed into his skull.
"In case you don't get it, you're about to die," the man growled.
"Erion! Do something!" Evah's voice cracked. This is my fault. He's going to die because I dragged him here. If only I'd agreed with his plan. But I couldn't leave Yuka—
Guilt gnawed at her, burning her chest hollow.
He glanced at her. Her eyes were wet, shimmering.
Why are you crying? He chuckled silently.
"Clean this up quickly," the man tying Evah barked as he moved toward the exit.
The muzzle pressed harder.
What a mess. His thoughts were as casual as if he were picking groceries.
"Erion! Please!" she cried again, tears spilling before she realized it.
He only tilted his head slightly. Why do you call my name so casually?
The man's finger tightened on the trigger.
Then—
A sharp beep split the tension.
The speakers fixed to the pole crackled.
"Gentlemen. Proceed to the extraction room. Immediately."
The woman's voice was smooth, commanding, merciless. Velvet over steel.
The man froze, cursed under his breath, then holstered his gun. "Looks like it's your lucky day."
"I bet," Erion said with a grin as they shoved him roughly against the wall, just a meter away from Evah and Yuka.
That voice… she's here. The mastermind.
"Don't try anything funny," the man warned before stalking off.
Evah's chest heaved, relief and fury colliding in her throat.
"Are you stupid? Why didn't you fight back? You're Grand Order! Secret agent, top-class fighter—aren't you? Or are you just a fraud?" Her glare burned through him.
Erion leaned back against the wall, calm as ever. The faintest smirk tugged at his lips.