Josh's elder brother was confused. There were two strangers in his house right now. His little brother was being held by his collar, lifted from the ground by a bandaged girl who should be half his weight. Then there's this second stranger who just walked into the house.
"Release Josh right now!"
The elder brother angrily stomped down from the second floor.
"And who are you?"
Trisha looked at the elder brother with disdain. She thinks that they're all collaborating with Teren. She just called Josh 'innocent' because he was too weak.
"You dare to ask my name while you're causing a ruckus in my house and with my little brother!? Guards!? Where are those idiots!?"
But ignoring the shouting man, Teren walked closer.
"Trisha, if you don't release him, I'll have to do extra today."
He threatened, yet, against his expectation, Trisha didn't do what he says.
"You know I'm no longer scared of that. I still feel pain but my tolerance towards it is nearly a hundred. What can you do to me now? If you can, you should just kill me before I kill you."
Trisha threatened back.
Josh's elder brother was stupefied. What are these kids talking about? Are they serious? Since they don't look ordinary, he felt that something bad was going to happen.
Immediately, he took out his phone and was about to call the emergency hotline when-
"Wait, don't!"
Josh reached out his hand to stop his elder brother. When the elder brother stopped in his tracks, Teren disappeared from his position while Trisha's face got serious and dropped Josh.
Bang!*
A collision created an echoing sound that shook the sibling's hearts.
'She's become so strong.'
Teren evaluated as he blocked Trisha's punch. After that thought, their exchanges continued. Their speed was not something the siblings could catch.
"J-josh! Who are these monsters!? Come on, let's get out of here!"
Realizing how grave the situation is, the elder brother pulled Josh out but the latter declined.
"Sorry, brother, but it's... complicated..."
Josh looked away with shame.
And after that short conversation, the booming fight came to a stop when they heard a groan.
"Urgh!"
Both siblings looked and saw Teren holding Trisha's neck up high while the latter tried to fight back with kicks.
"Josh, come with me."
Teren ignored Trisha's resistance and walked to the stairs that led down.
"Brother, please, don't tell anyone about this! I-I'll be back as soon as possible!"
Josh hurried and followed Teren.
Entering the basement, Teren threw Trisha onto the bed before sitting on his usual chair.
Cough cough*
Trisha held her neck and was attacked by intense coughing which soon passed. She then glared at Teren with deep hatred.
"Josh, I thought your brother wouldn't come home after a month?"
Teren asked as he returned Trisha's glare with his crossed arms and legs.
"A-about that... his business trip was stopped when a rival appeared in this city... if he left, he could go bankrupt since this rival has been growing."
"Hm, what's your brother's business?"
"Ehh... if I remember correctly, he owns a brokerage firm and large amounts of stocks... basically, he's a CEO."
'Brokerage firm... the rival must be Alph, that business genius.'
"Is your position in danger?"
Teren asked which Josh depressingly nodded.
"Yes... if this goes on, my brother said that we will be buried in debt."
He knew that this has nothing to do with Teren but just saying it out loud makes him feel relieved. Josh doesn't know a lot about business but he feels what his brother was currently feeling.
"At first, I thought I was lucky since he didn't notice that I dismissed most of our staff for a while. He was too depressed to notice it. But uhmm... she escaped and..."
Josh lowered his head and the fact that he's colluding with Teren in keeping a person in a basement really made him guilty that it's strangling him.
"Hear that, Trisha? You messed it all up."
Teren said. He was a little irritated but he doesn't show it on his face.
"Heh, looks like I made the right decision then."
Trisha smiled as if she's proud of what she's done.
"So I guess you passed the physical stage." Teren said and then glanced at Josh, "Go get a large bucket, fill it with water, and bring it here."
Josh nodded. Even though he doesn't want where this is going, he rushed himself to the task.
"Also, bring your brother here."
"Eh? But..."
"Do it."
Towards Teren's domineering voice, Josh was forced and made his way. After he was out, Teren stood up and walked towards Trisha.
"What are you going to do with a bucket of water?"
Trisha asked as if it has nothing to do with her.
"Have you ever experienced drowning?"
Presented with a dark question, Trisha's face turned solemn again as she shook her head.
"I wouldn't explain any further. Experiencing is the best way to learn it."
"..."
"Also,"
"W-what?"
"Your friend came to my school and demanded to see you."
"Friend?" Trisha raised her eyebrow. Has she ever considered anyone as a friend?
"The red-haired boy."
"Ah... Chihua, he's not my friend, he's more like my assistant or maybe an underling, a dog too."
"You're thinking too highly of yourself."
"Said the guy who wants me to wear a collar."
The two stared at each other for a moment before Teren continued as if nothing happened.
"Anyway, I'm going to need proof that I'm treating you well. So, smile when I'm about to picture you."
Trisha tilted her head.
The audacity of this guy!
"I THINK there's something wrong with that. I don't remember being treated well?"
Without replying, Teren reached out his hand which Trisha evaded at first. However, Teren was still faster, holding onto her shoulder.
When she was about to escape from it, she felt revitalizing energy coming from Teren's palm.
"W-what are you doing?"
"Healing you... you wouldn't be 'well' if you're full of bandages, right?"
"..."
Trisha didn't know what to comment on the situation.
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