Lucifer didn't spare a thought for the system's opinions as he leaned back on the bed, exuding an air of casual elegance. He cracked open one eye and reached out lazily, his slender finger poking at the panda's round belly with surprising gentleness.
"Hey."
"Yes, Lord Host." System 4858 floated closer, its small form hovering above the bed as it observed Lucifer with a mixture of wariness.
"There's one more thing I need you to handle before tomorrow," Lucifer murmured, his lips curling into a faint, amused grin as he squeezed the panda's plush paw.
His touch was unexpectedly soft, a stark contrast to his usual cool demeanour, and yet it still felt like a calculated act, each gesture laced with a subtle, hidden intent.
The System couldn't shake its discomfort, despite its familiarity with Lucifer's unpredictable temperament.
The tyrant-like host's gentle attitude was as foreign as it was disconcerting. "Yes, Sir!" the System replied, trying to mask its surprise.
The morning dawned quiet and solemn as Lucifer packed his things. A palpable tension hung in the air, casting a heavy gloom over the female staff who had gathered nearby, their faces tinged with reluctance.
They dared not approach, though the regret in their eyes was unmistakable. It was as though a dark cloud hovered over them, whispering to them that this was the last time they'd see him. Yet, none spoke a word.
Choa appeared as he always did, calm and composed, naturally taking Lucifer's luggage. His actions were automatic, borne of habit, and he carried them out with a sense of reverence, even though neither man exchanged a greeting.
Together, they walked towards the exit, the soft scuffing of shoes on polished marble echoing in the quiet hallways.
Once outside, Lucifer slipped into the back seat of the car with a silent elegance, his posture unhurried yet regal.
As Choa started the engine, Lucifer's gaze shifted to the road ahead, his expression unreadable as the scenery began to blur past. "Go to the Lu family residence," he commanded, his tone steady yet laced with a touch of indifferent.
Without another word, he closed his eyes and reclined, sinking into the seat.
Choa remained silent, but as he drove, his mind raced. Fingers flying over his phone, he discreetly messaged his subordinates, instructing them to dig into the Lu family's background. When the results came in, the result made him doubt his life.
He couldn't believe this young man was from such a family, not to mention his position at home was unstable.
The young man in his backseat belonged to a newly emerged wealthy family but the details revealed a turbulent history.
This "young master" had been sent abroad at thirteen, cast away like an afterthought, only to be called back in their moment of desperation.
As the car rolled to a smooth stop in front of the Lu family's mansion, Lucifer didn't step outside.
He remained in the back seat, eyes shut, fingers resting lightly against the armrest as he seemed lost in thought.
System 4858 worked all day yesterday so it was dead asleep on its host shoulder, utterly oblivious to the grand estate looming before them.
A few moments passed before Choa, growing restless, turned in his seat. "I can help you reclaim your position if that's what you want," he offered, his voice low and tentative, breaking the silence.
Lucifer opened his eyes, fixing Choa with a gaze that was as cold as it was piercing. "Do you think I care for a small fortune like the Lu family's property?" he replied, his voice sharp and dry, as if he were amused by Choa's naivety.
Choa stiffened under Lucifer's stare, immediately regretting his presumption. "No… but if that's the case, then why did you come back? It's clear they only called for you because the company is in financial turmoil," he said, trying to maintain his composure.
Lucifer's lips curved slightly, a knowing look in his eyes. "Of course I know that," he replied smoothly. "But did I ever say I came back to save them?" He let out a low, amused chuckle, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the seat. "This Lu family wealth might be worthless to me… but it was something my mother left behind.
If it can't be mine, then I might as well destroy it."
A faint tremor ran through Choa as he caught a glimpse of Lucifer's half-smile, a hint of dark satisfaction flickering in his gaze.
Something about that smile made Choa's heart pound, an involuntary reaction he couldn't quite suppress.
However, Lucifer's smile faded as he turned to Choa, his eyes glinting with a harsh, unforgiving light. "But," he said slowly, "I don't recall giving you permission to conduct a background check on me. You crossed a line."
Choa felt a sudden chill, as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over his head. The casual camaraderie he'd grown accustomed to vanished in an instant, replaced by an invisible wall of authority. At that moment, he realised he had taken liberties he had no right to.
He was somewhat arrogant because the young man treated him differently but now he realised that from start to finish he was the one who took the initiative to do the things and forget his place.
"I… I…" he stammered, the words choking in his throat. He wanted to apologise, to explain, but under Lucifer's unblinking stare, his mouth went dry.
The indifference in Lucifer's eyes left him feeling like he was an inch away from being cast aside.
A tense silence stretched between them, the weight of it suffocating, as Choa understood with chilling clarity the unbridgeable distance between them.
If the system was awake it would definitely tell him it was a real host, The System called him a tyrant host for a reason, Lucifer was someone who acted like a wimp. Not even Lucifer himself knows what he will do next.
Lucifer didn't care what the other person was thinking, confidently lifting his luggage and heading through the entrance. His movements were calm each step echoing softly in the grand entry hall.
The car that brought him had caught the attention of the security guard on duty, who had already noticed its polished black exterior standing out at the estate's gate. The guard's gaze was sharp, his attention fixed on the unfamiliar vehicle.
As Lucifer exited the car and began to make his way toward the entrance, his presence demanded attention.
He was a young man with striking red hair that, despite the glasses he wore, gave a glimpse of his distinctive and intense aura.
The guard felt a sense of intrigue and unease, sensing there was something remarkable about this young man.
His curiosity drove him to approach Lucifer, unable to shake the feeling that he had seen or heard about someone like this before.
"You are…?"
At that, Lucifer looked up. His pale blue eyes, vivid and penetrating, came into full view beneath the dim lighting.
Recognition dawned on the guard as he remembered the rumours circulating among the staff—of a young master with uniquely pale blue eyes, who had been abroad. This must be him.
"Young master?" the guard asked, his tone edged with both surprise and respect.
Lucifer merely nodded, offering nothing more in response as he walked past the guard and into the estate.
Inside, the grand mansion's atmosphere was alive with soft laughter and conversations.
The warmth of the interior, filled with the subtle aroma of freshly brewed tea and polished wood, contrasted sharply with Lucifer's cold demeanour.
Everyone in the parlour, seated comfortably on luxurious sofas, turned to the entrance at his arrival.
Conversations stilled; all eyes settled on him.
Lucifer's attire was strikingly impressive. Dressed entirely in white—from his fitted shirt to his tailored coat and polished shoes—he looked almost otherworldly, He was like a jade untouched by any filth in the world.
Even though he wore his glasses his pale blue eyes were very recognisable.
It was only expected that everyone was staring at him in shock.
His pale blue eyes, though partially hidden behind his glasses, glinted with a sharp intelligence, a quality that was unmistakably recognizable to those who had once known him.
Lucifer, however, paid no attention to their astonished gazes. He nonchalantly dragged his luggage across the polished marble floor, each sound echoing in the silent hall, and made his way toward a nearby sofa.
With an air of casual confidence, he sat down, draping his arm over the back of the sofa, his posture relaxed yet commanding.
For the first time since his arrival, he allowed his gaze to wander across the room, taking in the faces of those present, silently assessing them.
There was a calm intensity in his eyes, a look that hinted he was taking stock of the situation and the people before him. He appeared at ease as if he were finally back in a place that belonged to him,
yet his presence alone seemed to change the atmosphere in the room.