Chapter 14: A Date with the Devil
The knock at the door came as a surprise. Conversations halted, and all eyes turned toward the entrance. In this part of the Down World, unexpected visitors usually meant trouble.
Rin remained seated in the dimly lit room, back resting against the worn-out couch, his fingers subtly tensing near the hidden blade at his waist.
The door creaked open, revealing a young woman standing with an air of confidence that only a select few in this world could afford. The moment she stepped inside, the group subtly lowered their heads in acknowledgment—a sign of respect.
A smirk played on Engine's lips as he leaned against the wall, his red umbrella resting against his shoulder. "Well, well," he mused. "What does the mistress of the Balotelli family seek in our humble den?"
The woman waved dismissively. "Just call me Elsa."
Rin's body stiffened slightly, though he quickly forced himself to relax. He recognized her instantly—the girl whose bodyguard had nearly gotten him killed because he had the audacity to save her cat.
He averted his gaze. Nothing good would come from being involved with her.
Unfortunately, Elsa had already fixed her piercing eyes on him.
"You," she said bluntly. "I want you to take me on a date."
Silence.
Selina coughed. Chad's eyes widened in disbelief. Even Engine's smirk faltered slightly before he let out an amused chuckle.
Rin frowned. "...No."
Elsa tilted her head. "No one knows I left my house."
"I don't see how that's my problem," Rin said flatly.
Her hand moved swiftly. In an instant, she pulled out a custom rifle—a sleek, golden firearm, one of the latest and most advanced weapons of the era.
Before Rin could react, two shots rang out.
The first bullet grazed his hand, sending a sharp sting up his arm. The second embedded itself into the wall behind him, leaving a small hole in its wake.
The room tensed.
Smoke curled from the barrel as Elsa lowered the rifle, frowning.
"Now, let's try this again," she said, her voice void of playfulness. "Will you take me on a date, or do I have to aim somewhere more painful?"
Rin clenched his teeth. His mind raced through the possible responses. If he refused again, she might escalate things further. If he agreed, he could turn the situation to his advantage.
"...Fine," he muttered.
Elsa's frown disappeared, replaced with a satisfied smile. She spun the rifle in her hand before holstering it. "Good. The lady there " she points at Selina"you're coming with me to pick out something to wear."
As she left, dragging Selina along, Engine let out a low whistle.
"You just got yourself into a whole mess of trouble," Chad remarked.
Engine, however, was grinning. "No, no. This is good."
Rin shot him a skeptical look. "How the hell is this good?"
"Because," Engine said, tapping his umbrella against the floor, "she's a caged rat. Probably experiencing her first affection for someone outside her family. And that, my friend, makes her incredibly useful to you."
Rin exhaled sharply. He had already intended to manipulate the situation to his benefit, but Engine's words confirmed that Elsa's attention was more than just an inconvenience—it was a potential tool.
Now, he just had to make sure the tool didn't end up controlling him.
The next evening, the group was dressed in sharp formal attire, blending into the high society of the Down World. Rin, clad in a well-fitted black suit, still felt somewhat out of place.
Elsa, however, owned the spotlight. Draped in a sleek, fitted black dress, her golden accessories complementing her sharp features, she carried herself with the elegance of someone who had always been told they were above the rest of the world.
As they walked, Elsa filled the conversation, her voice animated.
"It's the Voz family," she said with irritation. "They stole our drink brand—the one my family spent years perfecting. Now they're undercutting our market and trying to erase our legacy. It's war now."
Rin listened, nodding at the right moments. He wasn't particularly interested in mafia feuds, but knowledge was power, and every piece of information could be useful later.
Casually, he asked, "And Valdo? What kind of man is he?"
Elsa's expression darkened. "He despises my family. More than anyone else. His sister was sold off to us, and he's never forgiven it."
That explained a lot. Rin tucked the information away.
Before he could press further, a notification chimed in his ear—a signal from his hidden earpiece.
"Penguin's been found. The Hax brothers are about to run a deal on goods distribution. If you want him, now's the time."
Rin's first instinct was to move. He adjusted his stance, preparing an excuse to slip away.
But before he could act, Engine's voice cut through his thoughts.
"Ignore it."
Rin frowned slightly. "What?"
"Stay where you are. Focus on your date. Let the others handle it."
Rin clenched his jaw. It wasn't like Engine to keep him out of something this important.
"You're wasting time, Rin. Your position with Elsa is far more valuable than whatever Penguin is up to. Stay put."
Rin exhaled through his nose, frustration settling in. But Engine had never led him astray before.
"...Understood."
Hours later, when Rin finally returned to the meeting point, Elsa was already waiting for him.
Her arms were crossed, her expression unreadable.
"You left," she said flatly.
Rin adjusted his sleeves. "Had something to handle."
She studied him for a moment before sighing. "You're a difficult man, Rin."
He smirked. "You're just realizing that?"
Elsa shook her head. "No. But I think I like difficult men."
Rin remained silent.
If Engine was right, Elsa's growing interest in him was something he could leverage.
But it was also something dangerous.
She wasn't just any girl—she was a Balotelli. And the more she became attached, the harder it would be to navigate the fine line between control and being controlled.
Still, Rin was a strategist at heart.
And every move he made was leading him closer to his ultimate goal.