Chapter 2From Love to Leverage

Before I could object, 001 teleported me into my first failed world. Its words still echoed in my mind.

【I, 001, do not accept failure. We get back up right where we fell.】

The first thing I felt was the cold, sticky shock of red wine splashing across my face. Asher’s icy gaze bore down on me as he stood with his arms crossed, looking down his nose at me.

“Cut the crap with your cheap little tricks, Evelyn. If it weren't for you, why would Isabelle be ignoring me? Since you love making a scene so much, go on, give everyone a show.”

With a snap of his fingers, he summoned six large, brutish men. He even took the time to set up a camera, ready to enjoy the spectacle he had arranged.

Only then did I realize I was wearing a slinky, backless red dress. The wine had soaked through the fabric, making it cling to every curve.

Déjà vu hit me like a punch to the gut.

This had happened before. Asher, annoyed by my constant presence, had blamed me for making the girl he was chasing, Isabelle, jealous. He’d hired these six thugs to humiliate me, filmed the entire thing, and posted it online. My reputation was destroyed. Isabelle later had me sold off overseas, where I died a particularly miserable death.

The memory sent a tremor through my entire body.

Asher saw it and smirked. “Scared now? It’s a little late for that.”

He gave a nod, and the nearest thug started lumbering toward me.

Just then, 001’s voice rang out in my head.

【Don’t be afraid, Host. I’ve downloaded advanced combat knowledge into your mind. Now, do exactly as I say.】

001 wasn’t lying.

A strange, potent energy surged through me. I felt like I could take down eight men with my eyes closed.

As the closest thug’s sweaty, leering face got inches from mine, I closed my eyes and threw a punch straight at his nose.

There was a deafening BOOM.

I opened my eyes.

The thug was gone. In his place was a massive, gaping hole in the wall of the hotel room. The remaining five men stared, their faces pale with terror, and stumbled backward.

Asher was frozen in place, his smug expression wiped clean off his face.

001 issued a cold, simple command. 【Now, go slap Asher a few times.】

A thrill coursed through me. “Just a few slaps?”

【If you’re so inclined, you can give him a proper beating.】

My fingers twitched. “Any… restrictions?”

【None. You can beat him until he’s a stranger, and then beat him some more until he feels like a long-lost relative.】

“Huh?”

001 was concise. 【Beat him until he gets on his knees and calls you ‘Mommy’.】

“…”

I walked toward Asher step by step. Seeing their chance, the other thugs scrambled out of the room.

Asher’s brow furrowed. “Evelyn, what do you think you’re doing?”

“Asher,” I said softly. “Long time, no see.”

He looked completely baffled. “What the hell are you talking about?”

I didn’t explain. I just swung my hand, and the crisp sound of a slap echoed through the room.

Asher was furious. “You’re the one who wouldn’t leave me alone! I was just pushing back—”

Before he could finish, another sharp slap sent him stumbling. He fell backward, his head cracking against the edge of a cabinet. He grimaced in pain.

“You! You bitch! I’m going to kill you!”

I remained silent, letting my fists do the talking.

Asher sputtered, “You just wait…”

A punch knocked out a few of his teeth.

“I’ll make you pay for—”

A sickening crack signaled a broken arm.

Finally, he started begging. “I was wrong! Please, let me go!”

I kept at it, silent and relentless, until Asher’s eyes rolled back in his head and he passed out cold.

001 applauded in my mind.

【A shame you didn’t kill him, but it’s progress.】

My eyes widened. “Isn’t he my conquest target? If I kill him, won’t the mission fail?”

001 sounded utterly unconcerned. 【So what? If he dies, we’ll just pick another one.】

“…”