I’m the fake young master in a story about a swapped-at-birth heir. My life was a whirlwind of extravagance and excess. I was the kind of guy who could bankrupt a company on a whim, just for the hell of it. Then the real heir showed up to claim his birthright, and the Shaw family kicked me to the curb. Without their protection, my enemies found me that very night. They killed me and left my body in a ditch. Now, I’ve been reborn. And this time, I went straight to the slums and found the real heir, beaten half to death in an underground fight, and saved him. The System, thinking I was finally going to suck up to the protagonist, was about to reward me with a cheat ability. Instead, I planted my foot on the protagonist’s fresh wound and ground my heel into it. “I’m giving you a choice,” I said, looking down at him. “Be my dog. Yes or no?” 1 I found Caleb in the slums right after he’d finished an underground fight. In a dimly lit, abandoned parking garage, the bare-chested teenager lay covered in his own blood on the makeshift ring, his fingers still clutching two crumpled bills. I crouched down, pushed his damp hair off his forehead, and patted his bruised, swollen face. He managed to pry one eye open, his gaze sharp and wary. “Who are you?” Seeing he was still alive, I smiled and stood up, then brought my foot down on a dark purple bruise on his arm. “I know you’re desperate for money,” I said conversationally. “And it just so happens I have a lot of it. I can give you more than you’ve ever dreamed of. The condition is, you have to be my dog. So, what do you say?” Before Caleb could answer, the System exploded in my ear. Host, your mission is to win him over, to get on his good side! Not to start bullying him ahead of schedule! The noise was annoying. I took out my cochlear implant, manually silencing the world, and continued to stare down at Caleb. He refused to speak. I pressed my foot down harder, grinding it into his injured flesh. “Answer me,” I urged. He gasped in pain, his hand shooting out to grab my ankle. He looked up, his bloodshot eyes studying me for a long, silent moment. Finally, his pale, blood-stained lips moved, shattering what little was left of his pride. I couldn’t hear him, but I knew what he was saying. “Yes.” On my way here, I’d had my people run a check on him. His adoptive parents—my biological ones—had been in prison since he was thirteen for vehicular manslaughter. Not only that, but they’d left him with a chronically ill younger sister. To pay for her medical bills, Caleb had started collecting trash and working odd, under-the-table jobs, scrambling for every last dollar. Eventually, he was forced onto this path, fighting in these illegal matches. To him, money was more important than anything. It was the only thing keeping his sister alive. 2 I saw him again three days later. He showed up at my villa wrapped in bandages, standing in the center of the living room beneath a massive crystal chandelier. I leaned back in my armchair, studying his face properly for the first time. It had been too covered in grime and blood before, but now I could see it clearly. He looked like a Shaw, especially like Logan—my so-called older brother. Their eyes were nearly identical: a pale, light color, with an upward tilt at the corners. When they narrowed their eyes, they reminded you of a hawk hunting on the plains. The thought sent a shiver down my spine. If that had been Logan I was staring at so disrespectfully, he probably would have had my pants stripped off and thrown me in the family chapel to be disciplined. “Logan,” I snarled, grinding my teeth. “Who?” Caleb asked, frowning at me in confusion. God, even the way he looked down on me was the same! Catching him off guard, I hooked my foot behind his knees, sending him crashing to the floor in front of me. He tried to scramble back up, but I was already on my feet, my shoe planted firmly on his shoulder, holding him down. “Caleb, my maid and my driver quit this morning,” I announced. “You’ll be taking their place. You’ll cook my meals and drive me to and from school. This arrangement will last for six months. During that time, you are on call, 24/7.” He looked up, his pale eyes like clear pools of water, a faint hint of confusion in them. “That’s it?” I raised an eyebrow and smiled, tapping his Adam’s apple with the toe of my shoe. “On paper, yes. But sometimes… I get in the mood for other things.” My voice was a suggestive purr. I leaned down, my lips brushing against his cheek. “What’s the matter? Don’t want to?” His head, which had been lowered, snapped up. His dark gaze met mine, and his eyes seemed to burn. Without any warning, he lunged forward and bit my lip. “I’m always at your service,” he rasped. I yelped and shoved him back. “Ugh, what the hell…” I spat, wiping my mouth. “System, didn’t you say he was straight? Does a straight guy just bite someone like that? That bastard broke the skin!” The System played dead, offering no response, leaving me to fume by myself. Maybe my stunned silence went on for too long, because he finally broke it. “Does the young master have any other orders?” I looked at him. He was still on his knees—a posture of submission—but his eyes held a defiant spark. A knot of frustration tightened in my chest. I told him to get out. As he was leaving, he glanced back at me, his gaze falling on my bare feet on the expensive rug. I saw his throat work as he swallowed. “It’s getting colder,” he said, his voice low. “You should… wear shoes.” I was so enraged I hurled an ashtray, and it shattered at his feet. Just like his goddamn brother. Both of them obsessed with whether or not I was wearing shoes. Fucking psychos. 3 Not long after Caleb left, a flash of lightning split the sky, followed by a torrential downpour. The System finally came back online. Host, Caleb doesn’t have an umbrella. You could bring one to him. It’s a great opportunity to improve your relationship. “In your dreams,” I snapped, rejecting its suggestion. I was about to head upstairs when I heard a knock at the door. Hmph. It had to be Caleb, coming back for shelter. I deliberately took my time, then sauntered over to the door, leaning against the frame with a practiced smirk, ready with a few sarcastic remarks. “Ca— Mr. Herman?” The middle-aged man in a black suit bowed respectfully. “Young Master,” he said, then stepped aside, gesturing for me to look behind him. A black sedan was parked in the driveway. Standing beside it, holding a large black umbrella, was Logan. I hadn’t seen him in three months. He stood tall and imposing, wrapped in the unmistakable air of someone in charge. He must have felt my gaze, because the umbrella tilted up, revealing a pale, exquisitely handsome face. Right now, it was as dark and stormy as the twilight sky behind him. I shivered involuntarily and walked toward him, getting into the car without a word. “What took you so long to open the door?” I looked down, guiltily rubbing my nose. “I was asleep. Didn’t hear the knock.” “Is that so?” He turned, his eyes landing on my face. They lingered for a beat before he suddenly leaned in, his fingers closing around my chin, forcing me to look at him. “Asher… are you seeing someone?” His cold thumb brushed over the bite mark on my lip, rubbing it with what felt like deliberate malice. “Your little girlfriend plays rough, I see.” Staring into his intense, pressuring gaze, I stammered, “No, I—I just bumped into something.” He let go, his eyes dark and unreadable. I couldn’t tell if he believed me. His voice cooled as he got back to the point. “It’s the family dinner tonight. I’m here to take you home.” I mumbled under my breath, “Why do I have to go? None of them even like me.” “You spend all your time chasing girls and hanging out in bars,” Logan said, his voice like ice. “When you act like such a good-for-nothing, of course no one will like you.” It was the first time he’d ever been so blunt. I never used to understand it. Every other member of the Shaw family was exceptional. They excelled in academia, business, politics—whatever they touched turned to gold. Logan, the best of them all, was practically born a king. I was the only exception. I was useless at everything. No matter how hard I tried, I was doomed to be mediocre. Now I finally understood. I wasn’t a Shaw at all. They were born with silver spoons in their mouths, while I was just trash. Even thrown into a golden nest like the Shaw family, I was still just trash. I had never, ever belonged. As expected, the second half of the dinner turned into another one of their lectures about me. Usually, Logan would step in and defend me, but tonight he just sat there, his mouth set in a grim line, silent. As they threw around phrases like “spoiled brat” and “useless degenerate,” I drank glass after glass of wine. Finally, I staggered to my feet, turned my glass upside down, and poured the last of the red wine onto the pristine white tablecloth. While they stared in stunned silence, I took out my cochlear implant, blocking out the noise I knew was about to erupt. “Enjoy the rest of your meal, uncles,” I said, my voice clear and steady. “I won’t be joining you.” As I turned to leave, Logan grabbed my wrist. His mouth moved, but I couldn’t hear him. I just shook him off and walked away. 4 I was drunk and disoriented, stumbling alone along the winding mountain road. The wind whipped at my face, making my head throb. The System chose that moment to come back online, screaming in my ear. Ahhh! Host, you can’t just burn your bridges with the Shaw family like this! What are you going to do when your identity is exposed? “What’s the worst that can happen? I die? Can it possibly be worse than my last life?” In my last life, my body rotted in a ditch for seven days. My soul lingered, waiting, but not a single person came looking for me. None of them cared. Not even Logan. Host, why don’t you try to get on Caleb’s good side? He might be able to save you. “Get on his good side?” I stomped hard into a puddle, sending a shower of muddy water into the air. “Not a chance in hell.” The System let out a mournful wail. I’ve had so many hosts, but I’ve never seen one with such a disregard for their own life. This is a second chance, Host! I reached for my ear to pull out the implant again, only to realize I’d already left it at the dinner table. The System, noticing my surprise, gave a smug little chuckle. I knew you’d try that again, so I upgraded. I now transmit sound directly via brainwaves. I sighed in defeat, finally giving in to its incessant nagging. “Fine. I’ll go find Caleb. I need some insurance to stay alive.” It was a strange way to put it, but the System didn’t question it, happily going silent. 5 I sat down on a large rock and pulled out my phone to call Caleb. “Caleb, I’m drunk. Come pick me up at the bar.” He was silent for a moment before asking for the address, promising to be there in half an hour. The System, confused, was about to speak, but I was already making another call. This one was to the bar owner. “Hey, man. I’ve got a guy named Caleb coming to your place. Do me a favor. Get a rent boy, some drugs… toss them in a private room and get me a high-def, close-up video of his face. Nothing major, he just pissed me off and I want to mess with him a little. Thanks. When it’s done, my new sports car is yours.” The second I hung up, the System shrieked. Host, are you insane?! If this gets out, the Shaw family will tear you limb from limb! I shook my head dismissively. “You don’t get it. For a family like the Shaws, with their fingers in politics and business, reputation is everything. They can’t tolerate any hint of scandal. An indecent video of Caleb will be the best life insurance I could ever have.” The System went quiet for a moment, the only sound a faint static. But… Caleb will hate you. I laughed coldly, covering my eyes with my arm. “Who the fuck cares?” 6 My head was fuzzy. I closed my eyes and dozed off, only to be jolted awake by my phone ringing. “Asher Shaw, I’ve been waiting at the bar for half an hour. How much longer are you going to make me wait?” Caleb’s voice was hoarse, different from usual. Something was wrong. I sat up, suddenly more alert. “Did… did you drink something?” “No. But the owner poured me a glass of water. I drank half of it.” “…Do you feel unwell?” “What?” He finally seemed to realize something was off. His voice grew even raspier. “Did you drug me?” I hadn’t expected him to be so sharp. He’d figured it out instantly. My first instinct was to hang up. “The Shaws really are a clever bunch,” I mused. The System, unimpressed, set up a live feed of Caleb’s location directly in my mind. “Whoa, since when can you do this?” The last upgrade was comprehensive. I’m a very advanced AI! Before the System could finish boasting, the scene in my head became crystal clear. It was Caleb’s private room. The lights were dim. On the table, an overturned glass dripped water onto the floor. He was slumped on the sofa, his shirt half-open, exposing a wide expanse of skin. I could see his chest heaving, his breaths echoing in the empty room, growing heavier, more frantic. A pretty young man with a camera opened the door and walked toward him. The moment he leaned over Caleb, Caleb shot up, throwing the boy to the ground with a violent shove. A raw, furious snarl ripped through the air and into my mind. “Get out!” The boy scrambled away in terror. Caleb’s breathing was even more labored now. He was practically on his knees, his head thrown back. His blood-red eyes seemed to bore through the screen, directly at me, as he spat out my name with pure venom. “Asher. Shaw.” The sheer force of his hatred sent a shiver down my spine. I felt like a snake was coiling around my neck, about to squeeze the life out of me. Just then, the System’s mechanical voice chimed in. Host, Caleb’s hatred level is now at maximum. You won’t have to wait for your old enemies to find you. Caleb will kill you himself tomorrow. “So what do I do?” Well… you could try to… subdue him with your body? “How am I supposed to talk him down from this? Look at him! He’s not going to listen to reason, and it’s not like I’m in the right here!” I said, subdue him… with your *body*. 7 Before I could even start cursing out the System, I was teleported directly into the bar’s private room. Holy shit. It could even teleport. This damn thing was so powerful, I should turn it over to the government one day. Before I could get my bearings, a scorching hot body slammed into me from behind. One of Caleb’s hands closed around my throat, the other clamped onto my waist. His fiery breath washed over my face, his voice a murderous snarl. “Asher Shaw. You have a death wish.” I could feel his grip tightening on my neck. In my head, I was screaming at the System. “Great idea! You said this was to save my life, and you teleport me here to get murdered!” Host, this is what’s known as finding life in the face of certain death. “I don’t see any life here…” Before I could finish my thought, the hand on my throat changed its tune. His feverish thumb began to stroke my Adam’s apple, the pressure varying from light to heavy. Then, he lowered his head and bit down. Hard. “Ow! Is he part dog? Is he going to bite me to death?” … From my experience, this is where I should probably go offline. That damn System bailed on me again. I was on my own, my neck craned as his bites grew more frenzied. Both of his hands slipped under my shirt, locking around my waist like iron bands. “The young master’s waist… it’s so slender,” he rasped, his voice thick. “I wonder if it’ll snap when you start moving.” What kind of filthy line was that? I was about to retort when his mouth crashed down on mine. His hot, slick tongue forced its way past my teeth, exploring and conquering until he had devoured me completely. The kiss left me weak and pliant. I instinctively wrapped my arms around his neck to keep from falling. … Oh, what the hell. If I have to sleep my way out of this, so be it. 8 When I woke up the next morning, Caleb was gone. I was alone on the sofa, still in yesterday’s white shirt, which was now in tatters, barely covering me. I swore under my breath and tried to stand up, but the moment my foot touched the floor, my knees buckled. My entire body ached as if it had been taken apart and put back together wrong. “That bastard. He eats his fill and runs!” I called the bar owner and asked him to bring me a change of clothes. “Young Master Shaw… do you still want this flash drive?” he asked, placing the clothes beside me. He held up a tiny USB drive, his expression making it clear he knew exactly who was in yesterday’s video. I snatched it from him and threw it on the floor, intending to crush it under my heel. But then I hesitated, picked it back up, and pocketed it. “I’ll handle it. You can go.” I was halfway dressed when the door opened again. It was Caleb. After a whole night of… activity, he looked completely refreshed. He was neatly dressed, and his complexion was even better than before. “I thought you ran off,” I grumbled. “No. I went to buy you breakfast.” His voice was a little subdued. He placed the bag he was carrying on the coffee table. It was filled with pastries, fried dough, and rice noodles. I eyed it with disdain. “I only drink coffee in the morning.” “Drinking coffee on an empty stomach is bad for you. I got you soy milk. Drink this.” He pushed a cup of hot soy milk in front of me. The steam rising from the straw tickled my lips. I condescended to take a sip. Hmm. It was warm and actually pretty good. “About last night,” he started, his voice suddenly firm. “I think you need to take responsibility.” My eyes went wide. “What?” He became more self-righteous as he spoke. “Even though I… lost control, it was ultimately your fault. So, you have to take responsibility.” “Dude, you left me covered in bite marks. I think whatever I did, we’re even. Why should I be responsible? And besides, we’re both guys. How am I supposed to take responsibility? Marry you?” He glanced at the purple bruises on my neck and had the decency to look a little guilty. He lowered his head, his voice getting smaller. “You don’t have to… marry me or anything…” I waited, curious to see what other nonsense he’d come up with. He seemed to run out of words, waving his hand dismissively and mumbling, “Never mind.” Then he reached over and carefully buttoned up my shirt, hiding all the evidence of his crimes. 9 Caleb drove my car, taking me back to the villa where I lived alone. My legs were still trembling as I gripped the railing of the spiral staircase. I shot Caleb a glare, and he finally got the hint and came over to carry me up the rest of the way. I’d wanted him to give me a piggyback ride, but whatever. It was all the same. I’d just collapsed onto my bed when I heard the front door open downstairs. Caleb and I exchanged a look of confusion. Then, I heard familiar footsteps coming up the stairs. They stopped right outside my door. My blood ran cold. Logan. What was he doing here? Did he find out? No, no, it must be about me causing a scene at the dinner party. I leaped out of bed and shoved a bewildered Caleb into the closet. “Don’t make a sound. No matter what you hear, don’t come out.” He started to protest, but I clapped a hand over his mouth. “Please. I’m begging you.” He stared at me for a second, a strange flush creeping up the tips of his ears, then nodded. I shut the closet door, pulled the collar of my shirt up as high as it would go, and took a deep breath before opening my bedroom door. “Logan? What are you doing here?” His tall frame filled the doorway, his shadow falling over me. The first thing he looked at was my feet. “I knew you wouldn’t be wearing shoes.” He opened the gift bag he was carrying and took out a pair of fluffy bunny slippers. He knelt down, placed them by my feet, and lifted my leg to slide them on. I couldn’t be sure, but it felt like his fingertips lingered on my calf for a moment too long. “Asher, about yesterday…” His grip on my leg suddenly tightened. He yanked up my pant leg, revealing a fresh bite mark on my calf. “Where were you last night? Who were you with?” He looked up at me, his eyes shot with blood, his hand gripping my leg so tightly I thought it might break. “I-I didn’t go anywhere. A dog bit me…” Of course he didn’t buy my flimsy excuse. He stood up, grabbed the front of my shirt, and ripped it open, exposing my entire torso. “A dog bit you?” He was so angry his eyes were red, a cold, humorless smile twisting his lips. “All these marks… were they from a dog too?” Logan had always been intimidating, but I had rarely seen him this furious. He looked like he wanted to flay me alive. I just stood there, frozen, with no idea what to do.
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