Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended

CHAPTER 159: Daisuke's Adamant Stance

Lumielle's gaze hardened as she took a confident step closer. "Yet, two months have passed, and only now do you decide to appear, showing no sense of urgency or remorse whatsoever. To be honest, your attitude doesn't sit well with me... it's quite troubling. Perhaps another month in the dungeon would be an appropriate remedy to restore your sense of duty."

Daisuke chuckled softly. "I dare you to try," he challenged in a deep, seemingly malicious monotone, leveling his head.

At his defiant words, Lyndoria's fury ignited, and she lunged forward with lightning speed. "How dare you!" she hissed, her voice laced with venom. "You will pay dearly for speaking to the princess in such an insolent manner!"

At her silent command, the moisture in the air accumulated to form several glistening droplets, then they immediately froze solid upon taking the shape of lethal daggers. With a subtle flick of her wrist, the projectiles tore through the air, their icy blades cutting a deadly path toward their loathsome target.

The Water Elementalist gasped in alarm when her target disappeared from sight.

"H-He's fast!"

In a heartbeat, Daisuke dropped low, effortlessly weaving beneath the icy daggers like a shadow in motion. Lyndoria's eyes flickered with sudden terror as he surged up before her, her body folding as his fist slammed into her stomach.

CHENGG!

Before the girl could stumble forward, golden chains shot out from thin air, wrapping around her limbs and keeping her suspended off the ground. A sharp cry escaped her as bolts of electricity crackled over her body, numbing her muscles and freezing her joints in place.

DING!

[The bounded target has been afflicted with the Paralysis and Silence debuffs and will be incapable of moving or using mana for 35 seconds.]

Lyndoria grunted in pain and frustration, but no matter how much she willed it, she couldn't move or break free. "P-Princess..."

Lumielle's lips parted.

Daisuke's golden pupils blazed.

He could keenly sense the mana stirring within her veins. Before she could purpose the power into anything significant, he clutched her neck and drove her up against the wall. Then he leaned in so close her breath caught in her throat. As opposed to her humble and pleading self at the Adventurers' Guild, the girl had gotten surprisingly assertive and controlling now that she was back within her own domain. But she had made a crucial mistake—

"You seem to be under the wrong impression here," Daisuke whispered slowly, a dangerous undercurrent lingering in his voice. "I couldn't care less about your identity or the power you wield—sure, we made a deal. But let's be clear: it all boils down to the fact that I'm doing you a favor.

I'm not here to become one of your loyal lapdogs or expendable pawns, and that will never change—not even over my dead body. What I was expecting is a mutually beneficial relationship. I help you, and in turn, you help me. Simple as that."

After saying his piece and making his stance clear, Daisuke released both girls simultaneously and took a step back.

"Haxks Starfrost!" Lyndoria snapped, the sting from his blow still fresh in her stomach. "You brute! H-How dare you strike a lady's abdomen! What if I were with child?"

Daisuke flinched. "Wait, are you?"

The girl blushed fiercely. "O-Of course not!"

"Oh, then I'm sure you'll be fine," came the dry response. "Please don't scare me like that."