Revenge was a dish best served cold.

Neville had been rolling this particular idea around in his head through the night. Even in his dreams, it tasted so sweet. He contemplated how he would get back at Grayson for doing this to him.

But then, like a bucket of ice water dumped unceremoniously over his head. A more pressing issue welcomed him the moment he opened his eyes that morning.

The translucent interface of the system floated before him. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

[SIDE QUEST: Save Your Target!

Current Favorability: 12%

Time: D-9

Target: Grayson Maxwell

Reward: ???

Penalty: DEATH]

Neville stared at the time, and his stomach churned uncomfortably. The blood drained from his face so quickly he felt a little lightheaded.

D-9.

Nine days.

He had thought, he really thought that he had already completed this quest. After all, hadn’t he successfully uprooted those conspiring behind Grayson in the company?

Director Cox was already behind bars.

Mick was still trying to fight for his case, but it wasn’t going well either.

Even Killian has gone to prison, too.

So why was the quest still active?

The question gnawed at him, and he couldn’t ignore it. His confidence was crumbling.

[Host, you looked so stressed.] Shelly said in wonder.

’Who wouldn’t be?’ Neville retorted. ’I thought I had already cleaned up everyone who could possibly hurt Grayson.’

[Ah, guess that’s just life, right?] Shelly replied.

’Right? Right your face!’ Neville angrily.

He dragged himself through his morning routine on autopilot, his mind churning through possibilities.

If the threat wasn’t from the company, then where else could it be from?

The military?

Neville paused mid-brush, toothpaste foam threatening to drip down his chin.

Grayson had retired from active service, but his history with the Imperial Military ran deep. With a power like that at a young age, he would definitely accumulate enemies through his years there.

But that didn’t make sense.

From what he knew about the original timeline, Grayson wouldn’t be involved with the military anymore the moment he stepped into the company. After all, that would eventually turn into Xavier’s turf. Even if he still had his previous people there in active service, he wouldn’t visit there without proper reasons.

He spat into the sink and rinsed, his reflection stared back at him with bloodshot eyes and a frustrated expression. This was supposed to be a sweet romance novel, not a thriller.

Where was the system finding all these near-death experiences for Grayson?

The walk to the office felt longer than usual, Neville’s feet carrying him forward while his brain remained thoroughly preoccupied.

Who had he missed?

"Hope!"

The voice snapped him out of his thoughts. He looked up and saw Liam approaching him. He was furrowing his brow with a slight frown on his mouth.

"You alright?" Liam asked, falling into step beside him. He adjusted to match Neville’s pace naturally. "Are you in trouble?"

Neville managed to smile a little. "No?"

Liam tilted his head, studying him. "Doesn’t look convincing."

For a moment, Neville considered telling him, but what could Liam even do about it?

"Just work stress," he said instead, which wasn’t technically a lie. "You know how it is."

Liam’s expression looked like he didn’t really believe his explanation, but he didn’t push it. He simply walked beside him, a steady presence that asked nothing.

Which reminded him.

"Oh, I almost forgot." Neville stopped walking, turning to face Liam properly. "I still owe you a meal."

Liam blinked, clearly not having expected the conversation to change in this direction. "The lunch thing? You really don’t have to—"

"I insist. A promise is a promise." Neville paused, considering his schedule. "Will Lisa be joining us? She seemed interested last time."

Something flickered across Liam’s face that Neville didn’t understand. But Liam checked his light brain, he typed fast, and his expression changed fast accordingly.

"Lisa won’t be available," Liam said and looked at him with a peculiar smile that Neville found vaguely mysterious. "She’s... got other commitments."

"That’s a shame," Neville said, feeling a little regretful. After all, Lisa seemed to want to have some more of the cookies he gave before. "Three days from now, then? I was thinking of preparing something homemade. We could eat in Maxwell’s gardens during lunch break."

"Actually," Liam said, his expression brightening, "have you been to the Xylos’s Shopping Center? The new one downtown?"

Neville shook his head. "I haven’t been out much. I thought there was only StarNet Shopping Center."

"Perfect!" Liam clapped his hands together. "Forget the gardens—let’s go there instead. They’ve got this amazing food court, plus we could grab ingredients together if you’re planning to cook. Consider it killing two birds with one stone."

"That... actually sounds nice." Neville found himself agreeing. "Same time, then? Three days?"

Perhaps a change of scenery would help clear his head. Perhaps getting out of the corporate bubble would provide some perspective.

"It’s a date." Liam winked, then seemed to realize what he had said and coughed awkwardly, a faint flush creeping up his neck. "—A friend date. A meal between colleagues. You know what I mean."

Neville’s lips twitched at Liam’s exaggerated movements. "I know what you mean."

They parted ways at the anti-grav lift. The brief interaction had lifted his spirits. But as soon as he was alone, his brain instantly recalled his quest.

To be able to play three days later, he needed to solve his problem as soon as possible.

For that to happen, he needed information. More specifically, he needed to know exactly what each of their imprisoned enemies was doing at this very moment.

’Shelly,’ he called, ’I need you to monitor the people we sent to prison. Live feeds, if possible. There should be one or two who might try to seek revenge on Grayson, even from behind bars.’

[Ooh, surveillance! Shelly loves surveillance! (ノ◕ヮ◕)ノ*:・゚✧] Shelly cheerfully said, [I love a good melon~]

Neville ignored the dangerous implications of Shelly’s loving surveillance.

’And if none of them pan out,’ he continued, ’the next most likely candidate is Ethan. He’s still unaccounted for.’