Wait for me to gather strength and make a phone call

As soon as the not-so-sturdy door to Kefeier’s secret base was kicked open, Longtao’er barged in with a bunch of burly men dressed in black and wearing black masks, looking every bit like bandits.

Not only did they block off the door and windows, but there were even people posted outside to keep watch.

This wasn’t some random gang out for petty revenge — with how organized they were, I immediately thought of those iron-armored guys who wiped out the Tiexia group right after Kefeier arrived!

Longtao’er holding a grudge against Kefeier? Hah, impossible!

More like, if Longtao’er actually knew Kefeier, he wouldn’t dare step foot in her secret base even with a hundred lives.

It was precisely because he didn’t know her — and because he had that “kill me” plot thanks to the certificate incident — that he showed up today with these local knights!

Longtao’er looked around the base with a smug expression, like he was holding two jokers and four aces, then sneered at me.

“Not bad, poor boy. After tricking the certificate out of me with your little tricks, you’re living pretty well, huh? Even got a maid already? And such a hot one too.”

His eyes fell on Nilu, and his expression subtly changed.

Nilu, hiding behind me, gripped my arm tightly.

“Yeah, that’s right. She’s the maid I got using the certificate.”

While returning his gaze, I also skimmed more intel on Longtao’er — including his reason for wanting to steal the certificate from me!

[Longtao’er wants to become an official priest to climb the social ladder. He plans to get close to Kefeier, thinking Queen Louie IV is a promiscuous ‘public bus,’ while Kefeier is a pure maiden.]

A villain should act with villainous pride, and even side characters should know their place. Who’s the real toad lusting after a swan here?

“Jealous? Let me tell you — last night, I went bam bam bam bang bang with her all night long. Her big chest is sooo soft, man. Unreal.”

A faint whimper came from behind me — Nilu.

But I didn’t have time to explain.

As long as I could get this overly picky side character to lose interest in Nilu, maybe she’d be safe from danger for now.

This wasn’t just for me — it was for your own good too, Longtao bro. If you piss off my busty maid and trigger her script’s “cosmic explosion,” your entire family tree might get turned to ashes.

Longtao’er’s face went through several emotions.

Whether it was jealousy, rage, or blood pressure acting up, at least he stopped staring at Nilu’s chest.

He kicked over a stool and cut me off, his tone growing much more direct.

“You’re the first guy in Longtao Town to dare snatch something from me! If it was just a few coins, maybe I’d let it slide. But you dared to trick me and use the priest certificate to get a woman!?”

His goons jumped in right on cue.

“If you know what’s good for you, hand it over now! Lord Longtao’er is generous — he might even let you live!”

“Oh really? Then sure, I’ll give it back.”

I only needed the certificate to cling to Kefeier’s leg anyway — now that I had, this worthless thing just felt like extra baggage.

If handing it over makes this side character disappear from the script, great for me.

The goon gave a surprised grin.

“Damn, you’re pretty sensible. You’ve got potential.”

No kidding. When it comes to being a villain, I’m basically your ancestor.

But just as I found the certificate, Longtao’er suddenly kicked that goon aside.

“Get lost! Who said you could talk, idiot!”

He turned to me with a nasty glare, and I realized once again: I really can’t dodge these scripted death flags so easily.

“You think I’m falling for your tricks again? You give me the certificate and what — you’ll stab me in the back right after?”

No, I wasn’t planning that… but thanks for the suggestion, I guess?

But it didn’t matter. Longtao’er’s posture screamed: I’m going to kill you.

“Hey, you second-hand goods in the back! If you know what’s good for you, scram. That guy’s just a con artist. I’ll let you off for being used by him. Get lost while you can!”

I shivered. Damn it, Longtao’er! If you’ve got beef with me, take it up with me! Why drag a protagonist into this!? Planning to die and take me down with you!?

Before I could stop her, the once-nervous Nilu behind me stepped forward. Her face was calm — too calm — and her voice was cold and emotionless.

“What do you plan to do to him?”

“What’s it to you?”

Longtao’er didn’t even notice her change.

He pushed her aside.

Nilu — still technically an “unleveled” protagonist — stumbled to the ground.

“C’mon, girl, our lord ain’t interested, but how about a drink with me?”

“That loser who banged you? Total scammer. Poor thing. Lemme comfort you~”

Longtao’er might’ve lost interest, but the two goons hadn’t.

They grinned creepily and reached toward Nilu.

To her credit, Nilu didn’t glare at me like I was a useless coward. She didn’t even seem to need my help.

She just lowered her head and covered her eyes — whether out of fear or something else, I couldn’t tell.

But then — just as their hands were about to touch her…

“A Tier 2 warrior swordsman. A Tier 2 mage.”

“!”

The two goons retracted their hands like they’d been shocked.

Even Longtao’er stared at me in disbelief.

“What the hell trick are you pulling now!?”

“The leader behind you is a Tier 4 warrior. He brought… Tier 3, Tier 3, Tier 2… uh, quite a few. Might need backup…”

As I said that, I helped Nilu up and hugged her tightly.

First — I was seriously pissed. These low-tier thugs had no standards. See a girl, must grope?

Second — Nilu could explode at any moment, just like in the script. I needed to stop her from leveling up!

“I’m not pulling any tricks. Just saying… your hometown might be gone soon. If you leave now, you might just escape in time.”

As I said that, I locked eyes with the thugs in front of me.

I took a deep breath and unleashed the earth-shattering power within me!

Just my sheer aura was enough to make even the Tier 4 captain freeze!

“Contract link, activate— Hello? Hello hello?! A bunch of bad guys came to our house and started wrecking the place! They said they wanna take Nilu as a sl*ve!”

“You bastard! How dare you slander Lord Longtao’er!”

“Shut up! Mind your damn business! Think I’m falling for this again!?”

Enraged, Longtao’er shouted, and the Tier 4 captain launched a heavy punch at me — fast as lightning!

I didn’t even look.

One step back — dodged clean.

Silence filled the room.

Only my voice echoed from the contract link.

“Hello? Hey, big boss? Don’t ignore me now!”