At the villa

Rory ended the video call with Xarion. Then she immediately called Yuel and Jasper to her room.

Without wasting time, she showed them the message from the Beast God Matching System.

Yuel read it and frowned deeply.

"With rewards like this..." he muttered. "Rory, are you sure the Beast God isn’t setting you up with a complete disaster?"

His tone was dry. "Nothing this generous comes without a catch."

He cast a meaningful glance. "Just look at Xarion."

Jasper nodded in full agreement. "I think Yuel’s right."

Rory had already considered that possibility.

But... She lifted her chin slightly, her expression firm. "Those are Beast God Fruits. A Rank 12 core. And sacred medicine."

Her eyes gleamed. "Fortune favors the bold. Even if the Beast God is throwing me into a pit... I’m still going."

Her logic was simple.

Worst case? She could just dissolve the match afterward.

But the rewards—once in her hands—she wasn’t letting them go.

Not a chance.

"You little money-grubber..." Yuel sighed, half amused, half helpless. "Fine. In that case, I’ll go with you."

He paused, then added, "And I’ll bring Paros along. Jasper can stay and watch Aren."

Jasper nodded. "Yuel going is the best choice."

Among them, he was the most perceptive. If anything was wrong with the matched male, Yuel would spot it immediately.

"Alright." Rory agreed easily. "Then Yuel and Paros will come with me."

She glanced at the time. "It’s already past two. We should leave now."

The journey to the Matching Center would take two hours.

Any later—and they might miss the deadline.

Yuel went to change. Jasper went to inform Paros.

Ten minutes later, Rory, Yuel, and Paros boarded a shuttle and departed for the Matching Center.

Two Hours Later — Matching Center 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Second Floor. VIP Reception Room.

The attendant wiped the sweat from his forehead—for the fifteenth time.

Across from him sat a man––a presence so oppressive it made breathing feel like a privilege.

Gathering what little courage he had left, the attendant stepped forward.

"Marshal... could you perhaps come back tomorrow? Working hours are almost over, and it seems the Beast God still hasn’t matched you with a suitable female today..."

Vangar glanced at the time on his communicator.

His long fingers tapped lightly against the armrest.

Tap.

The sound echoed like a hammer striking the attendant’s heart.

Vangar didn’t even look at him. He adjusted his posture leisurely, leaning back into the chair, one leg crossing over the other.

Elegant. Controlled. Dominant.

Then he lifted his gaze.

Calm. Cold. Terrifying.

"Want to leave work already?"

He said the words slowly, almost thoughtfully. A faint curl of mockery touched his tone.

"My device shows there are still twenty minutes left."

The attendant’s voice trembled. "B-But the reception area is closing... You could go home and wait. The system will notify you immediately once a match is found—"

Before he could finish, Vangar stood. The towering figure cast a shadow that swallowed the attendant whole. The air itself seemed to tighten.

"I want to meet my female the moment the match is made."

His voice was low, controlled, leaving no room for negotiation. "So save your excuses."

He took a slow step forward. "Go inform your staff. No one leaves today until I receive my match."

"B-But—"

"No ’but.’" The interruption was sharp. "My patience is limited. Don’t make me repeat myself."

The attendant froze, speechless.

No wonder everyone said that Vangar was even more unreasonable than rogue beasts.

Beast God...

Who exactly did you match him with?

And why aren’t they here yet...?

***

Downstairs — Matching Center Lobby

Rory hurried in with Yuel and Paros.

Just in time. The center hadn’t closed yet.

"Hello." Rory showed the message on her communicator to the staff. "This is the notification the system sent me today. Can I proceed with the match now?"

The staff member glanced at the screen and immediately nodded. "Of course, of course."

They quickly began entering her information. "Congratulations, Miss Roanna. The system is now matching for you. Please wait a moment."

Rory sat on the sofa, watching the large screen in front of her as lines of data scrolled rapidly.

I wonder how many matches I’ll get this time...

Hopefully not too many.

One minute later, the screen stopped.

Ding.

Her communicator chimed.

The staff smiled. "Miss Roanna, your match has been completed."

Rory opened the message.

Beast God Matching System:

"Esteemed female Roanna, congratulations. Your match has been successfully completed.

Your rewards have been deposited into the system and may be claimed at any time.

Please proceed to view your new match."

A second notification followed immediately.

Beast God Matching System:

"Your new match: White Tiger Clan — Vangar Reed, age 33. Contact details..."

Only one?

Rory blinked.

That’s... surprisingly good.

But then—Vangar Reed?

The name felt familiar. Very familiar. But she couldn’t quite place it.

She turned to Yuel and Paros. "Do either of you know someone named Vangar Reed?"

"Vangar?"

They both reacted at once.

Paros frowned slightly. "It sounds familiar... but I can’t remember."

"I know him." Yuel’s expression turned... complicated. Very complicated.

"Rory... you got matched with Vangar Reed?"

"Yes." She handed him the screen. "The system only matched me with one person this time. Him."

Yuel stared at the name. Then sighed like his soul had just left his body. "He’s my and Vincent’s superior. The Empire’s First Marshal."

Rory froze.

Yuel continued, "Five years ago, he entered the Beast God Mountain. Everyone believed he died there. But just before Vincent left for this mission... He came back. Alive."

"...What?" Rory stared at him, stunned.

She... got matched with her partner’s boss?

"This is..." She hesitated, then started to ask, "What kind of person is he? What does he—"

Before she could finish, a shadow fell over her.

"Female Master." The voice was low. Deep. Carrying absolute authority.

Vangar had arrived.

The moment he received the match, he came down immediately.

And in the crowded hall, his gaze locked onto her instantly.

Rory looked up—and froze.

Tall.

Imposing.

Dangerous.

That was her first impression of him.

The pressure radiating from him was overwhelming.

It made instinct take over—she unconsciously took a small step back.