The assassin stood frozen in the doorway, knife still raised, her body language shifting from lethal intent to confusion.
Behind her mask, Min-jae could see her eyes—sharp, cold, and calculating. They were a striking shade of gray, like storm clouds.
"Impossible," she whispered. "The intel said you were alone."
Seo-yeon stepped forward, placing herself between Min-jae and the assassin. Black energy crackled around her fingers. "Leave now, and I'll let you keep your life."
The assassin's grip tightened on her knife. "Han Seo-yeon. Heir to the Han Demon Clan. The intel didn't mention you'd be here."
"Your intel is clearly outdated," Seo-yeon said coldly. "This human is under my protection."
"And mine!" Mira added, her twin tails manifesting, spiritual energy swirling. "Nya~ Master, stay behind us!"
The assassin's eyes flicked between the three of them, assessing. Min-jae could practically see her calculating odds, escape routes, attack patterns.
Then her gaze locked onto him.
[WARNING: FATED COMPANION PROXIMITY - BOND ATTEMPTING TO INITIALIZE]
[CURRENT AFFECTION: -50%]
[CONFLICTING EMOTIONS DETECTED: DUTY VS DESTINY]
"You," the assassin said, pointing her knife at Min-jae. "You're really the Harem Lord?"
Min-jae swallowed hard. "I... yes? I mean, apparently?"
"You don't sound very confident."
"It's been a rough day!"
The assassin tilted her head, studying him. "The Purists sent me to eliminate you before you could gather your companions. They said you'd be dangerous. A threat to the natural order." She lowered her knife slightly. "But you're just... ordinary."
"Hey!" Min-jae protested, though honestly, she wasn't wrong.
Seo-yeon's aura intensified. "If you're not going to attack, then leave. Now."
"I can't do that." The assassin's voice was mechanical again, emotionless. "I have a contract. Lee Min-jae must die tonight."
"Then you'll have to go through us," Mira hissed, her claws gleaming.
The assassin was silent for a moment. Then she sheathed her knife.
Both Seo-yeon and Mira tensed, preparing for a trick.
But instead, the assassin reached up and removed her mask.
Min-jae's breath caught.
She was beautiful in a dangerous way—mid-twenties, with short dark hair and those piercing gray eyes. A thin scar ran across her left cheek, only adding to her lethal appearance. Her expression was carefully neutral, but Min-jae could see conflict in her eyes.
"My name is Kang Ji-woo," she said quietly. "I'm ranked number seven in the Purist assassination corps. I've killed forty-three targets without failure."
"Is this supposed to make us less worried?" Seo-yeon snapped.
Ji-woo ignored her, focusing on Min-jae. "But there's a problem. The moment I entered this room, I felt... something." She pressed a hand to her chest, confused. "My orders say kill you. My training says kill you. Every logical part of my brain says kill you."
"But?" Min-jae prompted nervously.
"But something else is telling me to protect you." She looked genuinely disturbed by this. "I've never hesitated on a contract before. Never. But right now, the thought of actually killing you makes me feel..." She struggled for the word. "Wrong. Physically wrong."
[BOND INITIALIZATION CONFLICTING WITH HOST'S PROGRAMMING]
[AFFECTION: -50% → -30%]
[WARNING: SUBJECT IS FIGHTING AGAINST FATE]
[RECOMMENDED ACTION: GIVE HER A REASON TO CHOOSE YOU]
Min-jae took a cautious step forward, despite Seo-yeon's hiss of warning.
"Ji-woo," he said gently. "I don't know how this system works. I just found out about it today. But if you're feeling conflicted, maybe that means something."
"It means the system is manipulating me," Ji-woo said bitterly. "I'm a weapon. I don't have feelings. I don't hesitate. But now..." She looked at her hands. "Now I can't even think about completing my mission without feeling nauseous."
"That's the bond," Seo-yeon explained, her tone slightly softer. "The Fated Companion system doesn't work through mind control. It amplifies what's already there—compatibility, connection, potential for attachment. If you truly had no capacity for those feelings, the bond wouldn't affect you at all."
Ji-woo's jaw clenched. "So you're saying I'm weak."
"I'm saying you're human," Seo-yeon corrected. "Even assassins are human. The bond just brings what's hidden to the surface."
Mira nodded. "Nya~ The system doesn't create feelings from nothing. It recognizes what could be and makes it possible."
Ji-woo was silent, clearly processing this. Then she looked at Min-jae again.
"If I don't complete this contract, The Purists will send someone else. Someone stronger. And they won't hesitate like I did."
"Then don't go back," Min-jae said.
Everyone stared at him.
"What?" Ji-woo looked shocked.
"Don't go back to The Purists. Stay with us." Min-jae knew he was probably being an idiot, but something told him this was important. "You said yourself—you can't kill me. And if the bond is real, then maybe you're supposed to be here."
"I'm an assassin. A killer."
"And I'm a convenience store worker who got hit by a truck this morning," Min-jae countered. "We're all dealing with things we don't understand. At least if you stay, you're choosing for yourself instead of following orders."
Ji-woo's expression flickered—surprise, uncertainty, and something that might have been hope.
"If I betray The Purists, they'll hunt me. Forever."
"They're already hunting me," Min-jae pointed out. "At least this way, we face them together."
[AFFECTION: -30% → 0%]
[NEUTRAL GROUND ACHIEVED]
[CONTINUE PERSUASION]
Seo-yeon stepped forward, surprising everyone by saying, "He's right. You're a Fated Companion whether you like it or not. The bond will only grow stronger. Fighting it will destroy you from the inside."
"How do you know?" Ji-woo challenged.
"Because I tried to kill him too," Seo-yeon admitted flatly. "Three hours ago. The bond stopped me. Now I'm stuck protecting him whether I want to or not."
"You make it sound so romantic," Min-jae muttered.
Mira giggled. "Seo-yeon is just tsundere~ She actually likes Master but won't admit it!"
"I will throw you out the window, cat."
"There is no window! You broke them all!"
While they bickered, Ji-woo continued to stare at Min-jae. He could see her internal war playing out—years of training and indoctrination versus this strange new pull she was feeling.
Finally, she spoke. "If I stay, I need ground rules."
Min-jae nodded quickly. "Of course. Whatever you need."
"First: I'm not doing this because of some magical bond. I'm doing this because strategically, it makes more sense than fighting a losing battle against my own instincts."
"Okay."
"Second: I'm not some love-struck companion. I'm a professional. I will protect you, but don't expect me to swoon over you like—" She glanced at Mira. "—others might."
"Hey!" Mira protested. "I don't swoon! I'm dignified!"
"You literally wrapped your tail around his wrist and called him 'Master' within thirty seconds of meeting him."
"That's different! We have history!"
Ji-woo ignored the interruption. "Third: If you ever give me a reason to regret this decision, bond or no bond, I will make your life miserable. Understood?"
Min-jae managed a weak smile. "Crystal clear."
Ji-woo stared at him for another long moment, then sighed and holstered her knife completely.
"Fine. I'm in. Temporarily."
[THIRD BOND ESTABLISHED]
[KANG JI-WOO - AFFECTION: 0% → 15%]
[SKILL UNLOCKED: DANGER SENSE (ENHANCED)]
[YOUR COMBAT AWARENESS HAS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED]
Immediately, Min-jae felt different. His senses sharpened. He became acutely aware of the hospital's layout, exits, potential threats. It was like someone had turned up the resolution on his perception.
"Whoa," he breathed.
"You felt that?" Ji-woo asked, looking surprised. "The skill transfer?"
"Is that what that was?"
Seo-yeon nodded. "Each companion grants you abilities related to their nature. From me, you got Shared Vitality—our lives are linked. From Mira, you probably got something spiritual-related. And now from Ji-woo..."
"Combat instincts," Ji-woo finished. "My awareness, transferred to you. Diluted, but present." She looked almost impressed. "The system really is real."
"Told you," Mira sang. "Nya~ Now we're a proper little group! Master and his three beautiful companions!"
"We are not a 'group,'" Seo-yeon said coldly. "We're three individuals bound by circumstance."
"That's literally what a group is."
"Shut up, cat."
Min-jae's enhanced danger sense suddenly flared, sending warning signals through his body.
"Someone's coming," he said. "Multiple people. Armed. Three floors down and moving fast."
All three women looked at him in surprise.
"You can sense that already?" Ji-woo looked genuinely impressed. "That usually takes weeks of training."
"The bond must be amplifying it," Seo-yeon mused. Then her expression hardened. "We need to leave. Now. Ji-woo, who did The Purists send besides you?"
"I was supposed to be alone. But if they detected my hesitation..." Ji-woo's face paled. "They would send a cleaner team."
"What's a cleaner team?" Min-jae asked, though he had a feeling he didn't want to know.
"Assassins sent to eliminate failed assassins," Ji-woo said grimly. "They'll kill everyone in this room. No questions, no hesitation."
"How many?"
"Usually five. All ranked higher than me."
Mira's ears flattened. "That's... not good."
Seo-yeon pulled out her phone. "I'm calling my driver. We have maybe three minutes before they reach this floor."
"They'll have blocked the elevators and main exits," Ji-woo said, already moving to the broken window. She looked down. "We're on the seventh floor. Too high to jump without injury."
"Not for me," Seo-yeon said. Her demonic features began to emerge—small horns, dark wings. "I can fly."
"I can use spiritual levitation for Master and myself," Mira added, her tails swirling with energy.
Ji-woo looked between them. "What about me?"
"You made your choice," Seo-yeon said with a slight smirk. "Figure it out."
"I hate you already."
"The feeling is mutual, assassin."
Min-jae's danger sense spiked. "They're two floors down! We need to go NOW!"
Seo-yeon grabbed his arm while Mira took the other. Ji-woo, muttering curses, wrapped her arms around Seo-yeon's waist from behind.
"Touch my wings and I'll drop you," Seo-yeon warned.
"Just fly, demon princess."
With a powerful beat of her wings, Seo-yeon lifted them all through the broken window just as the hospital room door exploded inward.
Five figures in black tactical gear poured in, weapons raised. But they were too late.
Min-jae looked down as they soared over Seoul's nighttime skyline. The city lights sparkled below, cars like fireflies on the streets.
"This is insane," he breathed.
"Welcome to your new life," Seo-yeon said. "Get used to insane."
They landed in an alley three blocks away. Moments later, a sleek black car pulled up—Seo-yeon's driver, an older man who didn't even blink at seeing his employer with wings.
"Where to, Miss Han?" he asked calmly.
"The safe house in Gangnam. The secure one."
"Very good, miss."
They all piled into the car. Min-jae found himself squashed between Mira and Ji-woo in the back seat, with Seo-yeon in front.
As they drove through Seoul's streets, reality started to sink in.
He had three supernatural women now. Three incredibly dangerous women who all had complicated feelings about him. And somewhere out there, people wanted him dead.
His phone buzzed.
Another message from 'M':
"Three companions in one day. Impressive. But you've also made three powerful enemies tonight. The Purists won't stop. And they're not your only problem. Tomorrow, someone new will find you. She's not going to be as easy to convince as the assassin. Sweet dreams, Harem Lord. —M"
Min-jae showed the message to the others.
Ji-woo frowned. "M knows too much. They're either very well-connected or..."
"Or they're one of the companions," Seo-yeon finished grimly. "Someone who hasn't revealed themselves yet."
Mira shivered. "That's creepy. Nya~ I don't like being watched."
"Get used to it," Seo-yeon said. "From now on, we're all being watched."
The car pulled up to a modern apartment building in Gangnam—expensive, secure, definitely way above Min-jae's pay grade.
"This is one of my family's properties," Seo-yeon explained as they entered. "Top floor. Secure. Warded against supernatural intrusion."
The penthouse was massive—probably bigger than Min-jae's entire apartment building. Floor-to-ceiling windows, expensive furniture, a view of the Han River.
"Make yourselves comfortable," Seo-yeon said. "We'll discuss strategy in the morning."
Mira immediately claimed the couch, curling up with her tails wrapped around her. Ji-woo moved to the window, constantly scanning for threats.
Min-jae just stood there, overwhelmed.
Twelve hours ago, he was restocking energy drinks. Now he was in a luxury penthouse with a demon heiress, a 300-year-old cat spirit, and a reformed assassin.
"Try to sleep," Seo-yeon advised, seeing his expression. "Tomorrow will be harder."
"How could it possibly be harder than today?"
She smiled grimly. "You still have nine more companions to find. And if today taught us anything, it's that each one will bring new dangers."
Min-jae collapsed onto a chair. "Great. Just great."
[QUEST UPDATE: SURVIVE YOUR FIRST WEEK]
[DAYS REMAINING: 6]
[CURRENT COMPANIONS: 3/12]
[NEW QUEST AVAILABLE: PREPARE FOR COMPANION #4]
[WARNING: THE NEXT ONE IS PARTICULARLY VOLATILE]
[HINT: SHE HAS A VERY COLD PERSONALITY]
Outside the window, snow began to fall.
In summer.
In Seoul.
Where it never snowed in summer.
All three women noticed immediately.
"That's not natural," Ji-woo said.
Mira's ears twitched nervously. "That's spiritual energy. Very powerful spiritual energy."
Seo-yeon's expression darkened. "No. Not her. Please not her."
"You know who this is?" Min-jae asked.
Before Seo-yeon could answer, the temperature in the penthouse dropped twenty degrees. Their breath became visible.
And standing on the balcony, visible through the window, was a woman.
She had pale blue skin, white hair that floated as if underwater, and eyes like frozen sapphires. Ice crystals formed wherever she stepped.
She smiled, and it was beautiful and terrifying.
"Found you," she whispered, her voice carrying despite the glass between them.
[EMERGENCY ALERT]
[FOURTH FATED COMPANION DETECTED]
[DESIGNATION: YUKI - THE ICE EMPRESS]
[DANGER LEVEL: CATASTROPHIC]
[CURRENT AFFECTION: ???]
[WARNING: SHE SEEMS UPSET ABOUT SOMETHING]
[REASON: UNKNOWN]
[SURVIVAL PROBABILITY: LOW]
The window froze solid, then shattered.
Yuki stepped inside.
"Hello, darling," she said to Min-jae, her smile widening. "Did you really think you could forget about me?"
"I don't know you!" Min-jae protested.
"Oh, but you do." Her eyes gleamed dangerously. "We were engaged. Three years ago. Before you died."
Min-jae's world stopped.
"What?"