Chapter 355 Cornered Prey

The Baron, visibly trembling, couldn’t tear his gaze away from her fiery red eyes and the unnervingly wide grin on her face. 

“Well, what are you waiting for, Baron? Let’s see if your wealth is as impressive as your promises. And remember, I’m a woman of my word. You show me the gold, and I’ll let you go... after all, I’m just a reasonable girl, right?”

The Baron gulped, his hands shaking as he nodded furiously, stumbling to his feet. Every step he took toward the safe felt like walking into the lair of a demon, with Suzuka’s piercing gaze burning into his back.

He reached for the book on the shelf, pulling it with shaking hands to reveal a hidden compartment behind the ornate paneling. A concealed safe emerged, he twisted the dial and opened it, revealing a glittering trove of gold coins, sparkling jewels, and other valuables.

He stepped back quickly, gesturing to the open safe as though it were an offering to a goddess. 

“Here, all of it is yours. Take it all. Now... as agreed, I’ll go,” he stammered.

She crouched in front of the safe, the red glow in her eyes still faintly lingering as she surveyed the treasure with a satisfied smile.

 “Sure, sure. Get lost, I don't care,” she said waving a dismissive hand toward him without even looking up. 

“You’re free to go. Run off or whatever.”

She began storing the treasure in her magical item storage, the coins and jewels vanishing into the enchanted space as she worked.

The Baron wasted no time. He scrambled to grab his clothes, fumbling as he dressed in a hurry. Just as he was about to bolt for the door, something in his mind screamed paranoia. He paused, his hand on the doorknob, and turned back to Suzuka.

“You’re really letting me go? Just like that?” he asked, his voice quivering with doubt.

“You’re not going to backstab me the moment I turn my back? I mean... you’re working for Isaac, aren’t you? You must be some sort of mercenary or bounty hunter. We had a deal, and you’re going to follow through, right?”

Suzuka finally looked up, her wide grin making an appearance again. Her voice dripped with sarcasm as she casually brushed off his concerns. 

“Yes, yes, Baron. Your free. I’m a woman of my word. You can go.”

But her lighthearted tone seemed to do little to soothe his frayed nerves. To him, her response sounded too good to be true.

 “Wait, wait,” he blurted, raising a hand.

 “How about this? What if I hire you instead? As my personal guard? You seem to handle yourself well—clearly, you’re not just any ordinary thug-for-hire of the street alley. I could use someone like you. I’ll pay you even more if you help me deal with Isaac!”

Suzuka chuckled, still focused on transferring the valuables to her magical storage. Without sparing him another glance, she replied, “Baron, Baron... you’re wasting your precious time. Recruiting me? Really? Now, of all times? Don't want to alarm you but time is ticking. Tick-tock! You want to escape, don’t you? Then I suggest you hurry up and leave before I have a change of heart.” 

She glanced at him briefly, her grin changing in serious look as she added, “Don’t push your luck. Get lost.”

The Baron’s face drained of color at her words. He backed away slowly, his eyes darting between Suzuka and the now-empty safe. Realizing that lingering any longer would only court disaster, he turned and bolted but, halfway to the door, froze in place as an idea sparked in his desperate mind.

 “Wait!” he blurted. 

“What if I make you an even better offer? Another 100 gold coins. That’s 200 gold coins in total! Just help me get rid of Isaac—permanently!”

Suzuka paused mid-action, her hands hovering over the last few glittering coins in the safe. Her expression remained neutral for a heartbeat, but then her head turned slowly toward the Baron, her eyes narrowing with mock curiosity.

 “Hmmm,” she mused, tapping her chin with a finger. 

“Another 100 gold coins? That is tempting. I suppose I can at least hear you out. What exactly do you have in mind?”

The Baron’s expression shifted from desperation to a glimmer of hope as he stepped closer, wringing his hands nervously.

 “I’ll be direct. I need Isaac gone—for good. No more games, no more negotiations. He’s a thorn in my side, and I can’t let him destroy me.”

Suzuka tilted her head and playfully placed a finger on her lips, as though deeply pondering his proposal. After a long pause, she finally replied, “Baron, Baron... you’re asking for an awful lot from someone you don’t even know. I mean, what’s your name, anyway? If you expect me to take this seriously, I’ll need at least that much. And let’s not forget—I’ll need way more details about this little ‘plan’ of yours.”

The Baron’s face lit up, a glimmer of relief washing over him as he realized she was engaging. Straightening his posture, he took a step forward and bowed slightly, as if presenting himself.

 “My apologies for the oversight, my lady. Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Baron Gideon Vayner, a man of noble standing and considerable influence... at least, under normal circumstances. I assure you, my resources are vast, and my offer is sincere.”

He straightened as he began outlining his plan.

 “Isaac is dangerous—too dangerous to confront directly. But he’s also predictable. How about we lure him into a trap? He confronts me in my room, and you take him by surprise, while his focus is on me, it would be a clean strike. No witnesses, no loose ends. I’ll pay you handsomely for your trouble. 200 gold coins now, and a promise of further reward once this is all over. I swear on my title and my family name that I will deliver what I’ve promised. I need Isaac dead, and you’re the only one capable of making it happen. I’ll even provide you with whatever resources you need—information, supplies, anything. Please, my lady, consider my offer. What do you say?”

Suzuka’s smirk grew wider, and she let out a soft chuckle that sent a shiver down the Baron’s spine. Her golden-red eyes glinted dangerously as she crossed her arms and leaned slightly forward, her presence dominating the room.

 “Well, well, Baron. It seems like it’s your lucky day after all. Not only do you get to walk away from this mess scot-free, but you’ve also managed to recruit a helping hand to get rid of your little enemy problem.”

She straightened, her tone turning mockingly formal.

 “Just to make sure I’m crystal clear on this arrangement, Mr. Baron Gideon Vayner: you want me to kill Isaac, yes? Approach him when he’s suspecting nothing, catch him completely off guard, and end him. That about sum it up?”

The Baron nodded fervently, sweat glistening on his brow as he clasped his hands together.

 “Y-Yes, yes! Exactly! That’s precisely what I need. He’s dangerous, a threat to my life, my title, everything I’ve worked for! With your... unique talents, I have no doubt you can handle this swiftly and efficiently. And, of course, I’ll ensure you’re compensated beyond your expectations.”

Suzuka tilted her head, pretending to mull over his words.

 “Hmmm, yes, yes, that is exactly the words I needed to hear. Very well, Mr. Vayner, I accept your deal.” She leaned in close, her sharp teeth flashing in a wide grin as her voice dropped to a chilling whisper. 

“But let me give you a little piece of advice... don’t try anything stupid. If you even think of crossing me, you’ll wish Isaac was the only problem you had to worry about.”

The Baron flinched but nodded again, stammering out his assurances.

 “N-No, of course not! I wouldn’t dare! I trust you completely. Just... handle this quickly, please.”

Suzuka stepped back and laughed, her demeanor suddenly shifting back to casual and playful.

 “Relax, Baron. I’ve got this. Now, go scurry off to the ballroom before you give yourself a heart attack from all the stress. Isaac is in the crowd, lure him here and I will do the rest.”

Baron’s trembling hand barely managed to grip the doorknob as he swung the door open, desperate to flee. But the moment the door cracked wide enough to reveal the figure standing before him, his heart nearly stopped.

Standing there was Isaac Van Blous, his piercing gaze locked onto the Baron with an icy intensity that seemed to strip away all his defenses. The flickering light from the hallway cast long, menacing shadows across Isaac’s stern face, and his presence alone exuded an aura of inevitability—a predator staring down cornered prey.

Baron stumbled backward, his face contorted in pure terror as he tripped over his own feet, nearly falling.

 “N-No! No, no, no!” he screamed, scrambling to put distance between himself and the doorway. His voice rose into a panicked wail, almost incoherent.

 “He found me! What is the meaning of this?! How could this happen?! Someone! Anyone! Help!”

He backed into the room, colliding with the bed, his trembling hands clawing at the sheets as if they could somehow shield him. 

“Isaac Van Blous is here! He’s here to kill me! Guards! Anyone! Help me!”

Isaac, unflinching, stepped into the room, his eyes never leaving the Baron. His voice was calm, measured, but carried a weight that silenced the Baron’s desperate cries.

 “You’ve done a fine job running, Uncle Gideon. But you always knew this moment would come.”

Baron shook his head violently, his entire body trembling.

 “N-No! This isn’t fair! I-I had a deal! I had—”

Isaac cut him off with a sharp glare.

 “You had years to change your ways, to atone for what you’ve done. Instead, you’ve hidden behind lies, stole from the innocent, and left ruin in your wake. And now, it’s time you face the consequences.”

Suzuka turned her back to Isaac. She meandered toward the Baron’s desk, her fingers brushing along its edge with an almost casual air. As she passed, her sharp eyes caught the glint of the letter opener lying on the surface. With a fluid motion, she snatched it up, concealing it deftly in her hand.