Thenma was taken aback by the sudden arrival of Penelope and Kato. They stood at the doorway, looking at him and Adeline with smug smiles. Their presence exuded an oppressive threat-if not for him, then it was undoubtedly magnified for Adeline.Holding a beautiful bouquet of flowers, Penelope stepped forward. "Sorry it took me so long to visit you, Adeline. I didn't think you'd go to such extremes. But because of that, I see now-you've learned our lesson well."Adeline froze, her face pale, her eyes wide with fear. The usually brave Adeline now looked like a drenched, helpless chick. Thenma grabbed Penelope and pulled her aside, his gaze burning with anger."How dare you... Have you no shame?" His voice was laced with menace and hatred. He couldn't believe Penelope and Kato had the audacity to show their faces in front of Adeline-the very reason she was in this state.But Penelope, unbothered, brushed his hand off."I'm just checking in, damn it. Why are you being such a pain? Kato br

Using his recovery time to train his body, Thenma made people worry about him. He had just been discharged from the hospital, and a fortnight wasn’t enough time to fully recover. But Thenma ignored everyone who told him to rest.He didn’t deny that he still felt pain, especially around the wound from the stabbing. It hurt when he pushed his arm too hard, but he couldn’t afford to relax. His victory over Julian had boosted his confidence for the next step—his revenge plan.Thenma pushed himself to improve his physical abilities, training every day—alone or with the best mentors he could find. He wouldn’t hesitate if it meant advancing his plan. Like a perfect birthday gift, he wanted his revenge to be prepared and delivered in the best way possible.Ding![Congratulations! You just reached Level 42!]Thenma paused when he saw the notification from Reve— the system. In just one week, he had completed numerous side quests to boost his physical sk

The kitchen was a mess. Flour dusted every surface, bowls and spoons piled high in the sink, and the warm scent of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger lingered heavily in the air. But amidst the chaos, there was triumph.For the first time since he’d started this maddening quest, the cookies tasted like Mary’s. Thanks to Katarina who added a secret ingredient and finally Thenma discovered the 'magic' his mom used to add into her gingerbread. Also thanks that he let Katarina stuck around. Thenma would finally be relief and took Adeline home with his wish on while Katarina was left in the apartment after she said she would take care of the room before Adeline arrived.The following morning, Thenma stood outside the hospital, waiting for Adeline. His breath clouded the crisp winter air, but his spirits were high. He clutched a thermos of coffee in one hand, already picturing Adeline’s face when she tasted the gingerbread cookies. It had been too long since he’d seen her smile.When she finally

Chapter X: The Quiet MomentsIn the dimly lit private room of his apartment, Thenma moved with precision and focus, sweat dripping from his brow as he completed his physical training. The system's translucent panel hovered nearby, tracking his progress with a quiet hum.[Mini Quest Completed: Daily Physical Training. Reward: +2 Endurance Points.]He exhaled deeply, satisfaction flickering across his face. Every step he took, no matter how small, brought him closer to his ultimate goal of revenge. Even mundane tasks carried weight when they played into the system's intricate design.Thenma wiped his face with a towel and glanced at the clock. It was nearing dinnertime. After a quick shower, he stepped out of his room, dressed in casual clothes, and headed to the kitchen. As he passed through the hallway, a soft movement in the living room caught his eye.Adeline was sitting by the large window, a delicate potted flower in her hands—the same one Katarina had gifted her two days ago. She

The city lights streaked past the windows of the sleek, luxurious sports car as Thenma steered effortlessly through the quiet streets. The hum of the engine purred beneath the silence, but inside the car, a different kind of tension lingered. Thenma’s smirk was practically glued to his face, his thoughts replaying the chaos he’d orchestrated earlier in the day.Adeline sat beside him, her hands folded tightly in her lap. Her gaze was fixed on the passing scenery, but her mind was elsewhere. She’d been silent since they left the bakery, letting the night swallow her words until she couldn’t keep them in anymore when she still saw the smile.“Was that... part of the plan?” Adeline asked, her voice breaking the stillness.Thenma glanced at her briefly, his smirk widening into a full grin. “Part of it? Oh, absolutely. Though I must say, it went even better than I expected.”He leaned back in his seat, one hand on the wheel, the other drumming lightly against the console. “You should’ve se