Theodore didn’t even question it... he was already caught.

"H-huh?"

"Don’t ’huh’ me, you know exactly what I’m talking about."

Cassien looked down, a smile creeping onto his lips, then scanned the area quickly.

"We’re alone, so you can be honest. I know you’re a transmigrator," he whispered. "So then, I’ll give you two options."

"Two options for what...?"

"To either live, or become one of my disciples."

"Are you crazy?"

Cassien stomped on Theodore’s head mercilessly, Theodore letting out a moan in pain.

"So, will you listen to my offer at the very least?"

"F-fine, just please don’t hit me... I never asked to be summoned into these games in the first place! I skipped through the novel’s Chapters until Chapter 100, or so, I barely know what’s going on... I only started reading it for the smut scenes in the first place, which were never even given... I swear that was it!"

"Jeez, talk about folding under absolutely zero pressure... but either way, that doesn’t matter."

Cassien sighed, then began.

"I can kill you now, gain 10 free points, and advance through these games by myself..."

"Please tell me there’s a ’but,’ please say there’s a ’but!’"

"Or..." Cassien continued, "I can help you live, and persevere through these games... only under one simple condition."

"State your clause!"

"Calm yourself, man," Cassien clapped his hands together once. "I don’t see any reason we should be in a hurry. Unless you have somewhere to be... remember, you can always be transparent. No need to get yourself killed when there can be more uses to your life."

"..."

Cassien’s grin widened; the plan he was about to tell Theodore had been on his mind since the beginning of the game.

It was finally coming together now.

The timing, the place, the area they stood in... this was it.

Here and now, Cassien’s masterful idea would finally come to fruition.

"Inventory," Cassien suddenly called out. "Take out the Chained-Core."

[Yes sir!]

[Chained-Core transporting to user’s active items!]

...

[Item Successfully Transported!]

Inside Cassien’s palms was a string of silver, almost eager to be chained onto something. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"Now then, where was I... oh yes, well you see... the second option I’m giving you is unlike any other." He exhaled calmly. "If you swear your loyalty toward me through life or death, then I’ll allow you to live..."

"R-really...? That’s all?"

Cassien smiled, knowing he had something else entirely up his sleeve.

"But of course it is," then, he clicked on the silver string suddenly, "Activate."

"F-fine, I’ll do it," Cassien raised his foot as Theodore stood while exhaling nervously. "I pledge my life’s loyalty toward..."

Cassien suddenly wrapped the chains around Theodore.

"...Cassien Artfold, the third-class aristocrat singularity."

’Perfect...’

"Eh-dhhh!" Theodore gripped his chest, pain bursting from the area around his heart.

"Just a little longer, Theo," Cassien whispered. "Hang in there."

"Edhhhhh!"

The pain gradually increased as the silver string vanished.

And then it began clinging around Theodore’s heart, tightly squeezing around it.

Before yesterday, Cassien had gone to one of the most underground slavery stores imaginable, ruled by criminals who somehow still hadn’t been caught.

And spent exactly 100 Gold on the [Chained-Core], an item that only activated when someone openly pledged loyalty while the utility remained active.

The only downside was the massive mana drain it caused the user.

But it was more than worth it.

And then, the pain stopped.

The silver string remained wrapped around Theodore’s heart, clinging tightly against the pumping organ.

"Now you feel it?" Cassien asked. "If you ever dare go back on what you said, turn against me in any way, or ignore my commands, your heart will explode, and you’ll be sent straight to the afterlife."

"Y-you didn’t tell me all this?!"

"I could’ve killed you instead. Tortured you too. Would you rather have that?" Cassien replied, annoyed. "At least I’m someone you can trust. So now, let me explain the plan."

"Plan...?"

"Listen to me carefully, Theodore. I’m going to help you orchestrate many killings, but I’ll be working behind the scenes while you expose yourself to the public more." Cassien continued calmly. "People will think you’re a genius. And eventually, I’ll use that reputation to deal with the intelligent transmigrators."

Theodore stared silently.

"I won’t let you die," Cassien added. "Trust me. You’ll have exposure, women, money, fame... and I’ll do what’s necessary to win this game."

Theodore shook slightly, then nodded. "How will we stay in contact?"

"No need. I’ve already adjusted everything to my liking. Just remember to never turn your back on me."

Theodore accepted it, then slowly stood up.

"I’ll do as you say."

Cassien smiled. "That’s what I’d like to hear." He calmly extended his arm. "Welcome to the team, Theodore."

Theodore grabbed his arm and shook it with a calmer expression now.

"What’s the team’s name?"

"Name...?" Cassien whispered. "Now that I think about it, I never really planned one."

Then suddenly, an idea came to him.

"How about... ’We Hate Extras!’"

Theodore laughed immediately. "No, that definitely won’t work... would you allow me to do the honors instead?"

Cassien nodded. "Go ahead."

"Outcast."

Cassien smiled. "I like that. It has a nice rhythm to it..."

Theodore stepped forward beyond their position. "I’m ready to go now, Cassien."

"Good," Cassien replied calmly. "So then... let’s kill some transmigrators."

Theodore nodded.

’And once I’ve drained every bit of usefulness out of you...’ Cassien stared quietly at Theodore. ’I’ll kill you too.’

...

2 days later... December 15th, 11:00 PM.

It was Sunday night, and Cassien stared outside his window, watching the moonlight shimmer peacefully across the academy grounds.

Some students walked through the campus, enjoying the fresh night air before classes officially began tomorrow.

Cassien felt more than prepared for what was about to come.

Tomorrow, things would stop being peaceful.

Real threats would finally begin appearing.

And more than ever before, Cassien would need to work twice as hard.

Monday would mark the beginning of a completely new arc.

The end of one story.

And the start of another.