Damian crumpled to the floor.
The moment Destroy activated, I felt it. A shift, a weight, an overwhelming rush of something new. My mind sharpened, knowledge unfolding within me like an expanding universe—court procedures, case law, rhetorical techniques, every trick of the trade that had once been his.
--------
Lawyer (Rank-A) Acquired
Skills Acquired:
Legal Authority (Level 7) – Grants overwhelming influence in contractual disputes. Can nullify lower-rank agreements and override worker objections in legal settings.
Clause Manipulation (Level 8) – Instantly identifies loopholes in any contract, allowing for reinterpretation in favor of the user or their client.
Corporate Shield (Level 7) – Protects the user from legal repercussions when representing high-value clients, ensuring minimal risk of liability.
Intimidation Through Status (Level 8) – Increases persuasion against lower-rank individuals, making it difficult for them to oppose legal actions.
Case Precedent (Level 8) – Grants access to historical rulings and previous cases, allowing the user to strengthen their legal arguments.
--------
My fists clenched. The world slowed as I processed the change.
Damian wasn't just unconscious from my punch—Destroy had hollowed him out. I knew what it felt like. I had seen it happen before.
Losing your rank wasn't just numbers changing on a screen. It was something deeper. Losing a job, a skill set, a lifetime of effort—it was like losing a part of your soul.
Security rushed forward, dragging Damian away as he slumped like a broken puppet. Blood dripped from his nose, staining his once-pristine suit. He didn't even stir.
I stepped back, flexing my fingers. The weight of my decision pressed against me. I didn't have to use it. But I did.
And despite everything—despite the way he had taunted us, hunted us, called us frauds—it didn't feel good.
I inhaled sharply, shaking off the thought as an officer approached. The questioning was brief. Self-defense. A pitiful lawyer who had lost control after a devastating loss. Nothing more. Nothing less.
We were free to go.
The house was a sanctuary of relief.
The moment the door shut behind us, Alexis let out a groan, flopping onto the couch as she took off her outfit.
"God, I can breathe again."
Sienna collapsed beside her, stretching her arms over her head. "That was stressful."
I smirked, loosening my tie. The courtroom had been a battlefield, and we had walked away victorious. But even with the trial behind us, I could feel the weight of something lingering.
Camille hadn't spoken since we left.
I turned my head, watching as she silently walked past us, her mask still on, her Mr. Dust outfit pristine despite the chaos. Without a word, she disappeared into her office, shutting the door behind her.
I frowned.
"She okay?" Sienna asked, following my gaze.
Alexis' expression softened. "She'll be fine. She just… needs time."
I exhaled. No. Not this time.
"I'm gonna check on her."
They nodded, trusting me.
I made my way down the hall, stopping in front of the office door. At first, there was nothing but silence. Then—
A muffled sound.
Soft. Fragile. Sobbing.
I didn't hesitate. Slowly, I pushed the door open.
Camille sat curled up on the velvet couch in the corner, mask still on, arms wrapped around herself. Her shoulders trembled, though she made no sound beyond the occasional sniffle.
I closed the door behind me, stepping forward. "Camille."
She flinched.
Not from fear. Not from anger.
From pain.
I sat beside her. Close. But not too close. Not yet.
A slow breath. A careful movement. Then, gently, I reached forward and pulled her mask off.
I tensed.
A bruise.
Faint but unmistakable, blooming along her cheekbone like an ugly reminder of what had happened. Damian's punch had landed. Not hard enough to cause serious damage, the mask was tough after all, but it was hard enough to hurt.
A slow, simmering anger coiled in my chest. I clenched my jaw.
"Rey…" Camille's voice was barely above a whisper.
I looked into her eyes.
"Did you use it?"
I knew what she was asking.
I didn't lie. "Yeah."
She inhaled sharply, nodding slowly. "I thought so. I heard you say it."
I didn't make excuses. I didn't justify it. I had let my anger take over.
"I didn't want to," I admitted. "Not to him. Not when he's your brother. But… in that moment, I just—"
Camille shook her head, cutting me off. "I don't blame you."
She still wasn't looking at me. Her hands clenched the fabric of her outfit, gripping it like it was the only thing holding her together.
"But I'm still upset."
"I know."
Silence stretched between us. Not awkward. Not tense. Just… heavy.
I sighed, standing. "Wait here."
She blinked, watching as I walked to the mini-fridge tucked in the corner of her office. I grabbed a pack of ice, wrapped it in a cloth from one of her shelves, then returned to the couch.
Carefully, I pressed it to her cheek.
She flinched at the cold, before settling against it.
I expected her to pull away. To make some teasing remark about how I was being sentimental. But instead—
She leaned into me.
She shifted, pressing closer, her body warm against mine. Her breath was warm against my collar.
I swallowed.
This was different.
Camille always teased. Always flirted. But now? She was vulnerable.
She tugged lightly at my sleeve.
"Please...Stay."
I didn't argue.
I sat back, letting her rest against me. The ice pack pressed between us as I rubbed gentle circles against her other cheek. Slowly, her breathing evened out. The tension in her body melted away.
She kept inching closer, like the heat of my body was the only thing grounding her.
And then—
She looked up.
Face to face.
Her lips parted slightly, eyes searching mine.
A heartbeat passed.
Then another.
I exhaled. "Camille…"
She tilted her head. "What?"
I hesitated. Then, softly—
"I'm sorry."
She frowned. "For what?"
I hesitated. Then I spoke, voice low, steady.
"For… before. When I took our first kiss between us just to wake you up."
She blinked.
I kept going.
"But also for everything. For all the times I never really said what you meant to me." My voice softened. "For how much I care about you. For how grateful I am that you made the mask. For how you practically saved my life during my landing. For you being a night owl and how your impossible wake-up schedule makes my life… better."
She stared.
I swallowed, pulse steady despite the storm inside me.
"For everything, Camille."
A breath.
Then—
"I love you."
The words left me without hesitation.
And then—
I leaned in.
This time, it wasn't a stolen kiss. It wasn't playful. It wasn't teasing.
It was real.
Camille didn't pull away.
She met me halfway.
And as our lips pressed together, as her fingers curled into my suit, pulling me impossibly closer—
I knew.
This wasn't the same.
This time, it meant everything.
------------
[SYSTEM INTERFACE]
Name: Reynard Vale (Mr. Fox, Mr. Dust, Mr. Angel)
Job Title: Jobmaster (Rank SSS)
Construction Worker Portfolio (A-Rank):
Endurance Boost (Lv. 10)
Heavy Lifting (Lv. 8)
Material Efficiency (Lv. 5)
Team Coordination (Lv. 6)
Structural Reinforcement (Lv. 7)
Precision Engineering (Lv. 6)
Fast Assembly (Lv. 2)
On-Sight Adaptability (Lv. 2)
Workforce Command (Lv. 2)
Rope Handling Mastery (Lv. 5)
Firefighter Portfolio (A-Rank):
Advanced Rescue Mastery (Lv. 8)
Fire Suppression (Lv. 3)
Heat Resistance (Lv. 3)
Command Presence (Lv. 8)
Advanced Hazard Assessment (Lv. 7)
Thermal Perception (Lv. 6)
Endurance Mastery (Lv. 7)
Detective Portfolio (S-Rank):
Observation (Lv. 8)
Deduction (Lv. 7)
Interrogation (Lv. 6)
Instinct (Lv. 7)
Psychological Insight (Lv. 5)
Astronaut Portfolio (S-Rank):
Blueprint and Schematic Reading (Lv. 1)
Zero-Gravity Maneuvering (Lv. 4)
Spacecraft Operation (Lv. 3)
Scientific Research in Space (Lv. 3)
Mechanical Mastery (Lv. 4)
Astrophysics Understanding (Lv. 5)
Visible Job Skills:
Strategist (Lv. 5) – Improves planning and problem-solving abilities
Hand-to-Hand Combat (Lv. 1) - Enhances physical proficiency in unarmed combat, improving speed, strength, and the ability to anticipate and counter attacks.
Physical Recovery Efficiency (Lv. 3) – Enhances the speed and effectiveness of bodily healing, reducing recovery time from injuries and fatigue.
Muscle Reinforcement (Lv. 2) – Strengthens muscle fibers, improving raw strength and endurance.
Reflex Calibration (Lv. 2) – Improves reaction speed and motor coordination.
Muscle Optimization (Lv. 3) – Enhances the efficiency of muscle movement, maximizing output while minimizing strain.
Legal Analysis (Lv. 6) – Enhances ability to interpret laws, precedents, and statutes for case strategy.
Witness Credibility Assessment (Lv. 5) – Increases ability to detect deception and assess testimony reliability.
Persuasive Argumentation (Lv. 5) – Boosts effectiveness in presenting compelling legal arguments.
Case Precedent (Lv. 5) – Grants access to historical rulings and previous cases, allowing the user to strengthen their legal arguments.
Closing Statement (Lv. 3) – Enhances ability to deliver compelling final arguments, reinforcing key points and persuading judges or juries.
Corruption Identification (Lv. 3) – Improves skill in detecting unethical or illegal activities within legal, corporate, or governmental systems.
Opening Statement (Lv. 8) – Increases effectiveness in presenting a clear and persuasive case introduction to establish credibility and direction.
Legal Authority (Lv. 7) – Grants overwhelming influence in contractual disputes. Can nullify lower-rank agreements and override worker objections in legal settings.
Clause Manipulation (Lv. 8) – Instantly identifies loopholes in any contract, allowing for reinterpretation in favor of the user or their client.
Corporate Shield (Lv. 7) – Protects the user from legal repercussions when representing high-value clients, ensuring minimal risk of liability.
Intimidation Through Status (Lv. 8) – Increases persuasion against lower-rank individuals, making it difficult for them to oppose legal actions.
Jobs:
Construction Worker (A-Rank) — Active in Portfolio
Firefighter (A-Rank) — Active in Portfolio
Detective (S-Rank) — Active in Portfolio
Astronaut (S-Rank) — Active in Portfolio
Lawyer (A-Rank)
Special Skill:
Scan, Absorb, Destroy, Database
Cooldown:
Skill Copy (Ready for Use)
Available Rewards:
[1 Skill Level-Up]