Lackey's Seducing Survival Odyssey

Chapter 395 Ewww... Why are you always laughing? Thatʼs creepy and disgusting!

[Life is quite amusing, donʼt you agree... Gentleman Aether?]

Aether stared blankly at the words, his eyes dull and devoid of any real emotion, yet within them flickered glimpses of the past, unravelling like a film reel before him.

He let out a deep sigh, his voice laced with a mixture of amusement and frustration, ”So, this is your so-called heart game? Or whatever the hell you want to call it?”

The words shifted rapidly,

[Hahaha... Thereʼs no need to act so superior, Gentleman Aether... The game hasnʼt even truly begun yet.]

Aetherʼs expression hardened, his gaze intensifying as he glared at the mocking words. But then, without warning—

”Hehe...Mommy....!!”

The innocent sound of a childʼs laughter echoed through the room, pulling Aetherʼs attention away from the taunting text. He turned his head towards the reels and saw a small child, barely two years old, speaking with remarkable fluency. The scene before him showed the child being lovingly embraced by both parents, their affection filling the room with warmth that Aether could almost feel.

His jaw clenched involuntarily, the muscles tightening as a strange sensation began to creep into his body, an emotion he couldnʼt quite place. He shook his head, dismissing the feeling as he refocused on the words. ”I donʼt have time for this pointless game... Let me out.”

[Fu~Fu~ Whatʼs this? Are you feeling scared now?]

”Scared?” Aetherʼs brow furrowed, his voice laced with irritation.

[Yes~ Gentleman... I can see it. Your emotions are starting to unravel, arenʼt they? Hahaha.]

Aetherʼs lips twitched in annoyance as he glanced at the corner of his vision. Sure enough, his Level Bar was fluctuating wildly, the inconsistency only fueling his growing agitation.

[You see... Life is full of unexpected surprises, the kind that leaves you breathless, wondering how on earth such things could happen... especially when a defective product is somehow made into something high-end.]

Aetherʼs eyes burned with a deep, simmering rage. His vision tinged with red as veins bulged across his forehead, He gritted his teeth, his voice low and dangerous. ”Donʼt you dare call me defective... or else...”

[Or else what?]

”...” Aether fell silent. He could only stare at the words.

[Hahaha... Youʼre speechless, I see. Letʼs move on, shall we? Letʼs take a look at the beginning of your miserable existence.]

Suddenly, the scene before him changed.

The atmosphere transformed into that of a lively, extravagant party, and Aetherʼs expression twisted in discomfort, a bitter taste filling his mouth as he bit his lip to hold back the surge of emotions.

It was the childʼs fifth birthday. Aetherʼs parents had spared no expense, hosting a grand celebration in his honour.... Today was the day they would show him to the outside world.

The guest list was filled with their influential colleagues, top actors, and key figures from the entertainment industry, all mingling in a display of opulence.

”Oh! Is this your son? My, heʼs absolutely adorable~” a stunningly beautiful woman remarked, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at the five-year-old boy who stood before her, dressed impeccably in an elegant outfit that made him look like a miniature gentleman.

”Thank you,” the boy replied with a small, polite smile, bowing slightly in a manner far beyond his years.

”Wow! Look at him, heʼs so well-mannered,” the woman exclaimed, clearly impressed. She turned to the boyʼs parents, who were beaming with pride, their smiles wide as they basked in the praise being lavished upon their son.

”Haha... Thank you,” the boyʼs mother said, her smile radiating with warmth as she leaned down to plant a tender kiss on her sonʼs cheek. ”Heʼs such a curious child, always eager to learn new things, always striving to improve himself.”

The boyʼs father nodded in agreement, ”To be honest, even I was taken aback when he started flawlessly imitating my rehearsals. He picked it up just by watching me.”

The woman nodded, her expression a blend of surprise and genuine interest as she continued to observe the boy. Then, as if remembering something, she turned and called for her own child.

A little girl, also five years old, appeared by her side, shyly clinging to her motherʼs leg. Her large, nervous eyes flickered between Aether and his parents.

”Her name is Penelope,” the woman introduced, gently encouraging her daughter to step forward. ”I hope you can become friends with her... As you can see, sheʼs a little shy.”

Aether regarded the girl for a moment, his expression softening just a fraction. He nodded politely, bowing his head slightly before extending his hand to her in a gesture that was both respectful and inviting. ”Would you care for a dance?” he asked, his voice gentle.

The girl hesitated, her gaze darting to her mother, who smiled down at her with a gentle nod of encouragement. Gathering her courage, Penelope reached out and took the boyʼs hand, her tiny fingers trembling slightly as they intertwined with his.

Slowly, almost cautiously, the boy began to lead the girl in a dance, his movements graceful and deliberate.

”Hmm... not bad at all,” Penelopeʼs mother murmured, her eyes widening in surprise as she watched Aether expertly guide her daughter across the floor, the two children moving in perfect harmony.

”And to think, I never taught him how to dance,” Aetherʼs mother chimed in, her voice carrying a hint of pride. Penelopeʼs mother looked at her in astonishment, her jaw dropping slightly. ”Thatʼs... remarkable. How on earth is he managing that?”

”Just by watching us dance,” Aetherʼs father answered, a touch of amusement in his tone as he watched his son with a mixture of pride and amazement.

As they continued to dance, Penelope shyly lifted her gaze to meet Aetherʼs, her voice barely above a whisper, ”You... Youʼre really good at this.”

Aetherʼs lips curved into a gentle smile. ”Thank you”.

A certain five-year-old boy stood off to the side, his small face twisted into a frown as he watched Penelope and Aether dance together.

A knot of jealousy tightened in his chest, his young mind struggling to process the unfamiliar sensation.

”Looks like someoneʼs snatched your fiancée,” a nearby adult teased with a smirk, not realizing the impact those words would have on the child.

Hearing this, the boyʼs annoyance flared into something stronger. His little hands clenched into fists as he marched toward the dancing pair, each step heavier than the last. Without warning, he stopped the dance by shoving Aether hard, sending him stumbling to the ground.

”Get away!” the boy snapped, his voice high-pitched but filled with authority.

The entire party came to an abrupt halt, all eyes turning to focus on the unfolding situation. The atmosphere, once filled with laughter and music, grew tense with uncertainty.

Aether, however, remained calm. He stood up slowly, dusting off his clothes with a serene smile. ”Is something the matter?” he asked politely, his tone almost too mature for his age.

The other boy snorted in disdain, his chest puffed out in an attempt to appear intimidating. ”She is my fiancée!” he declared, grabbing Penelopeʼs hand with a possessive grip that made her wince in pain.

Aetherʼs eyes flicked to the boyʼs tight grip, then to Penelopeʼs distressed expression. His smile faltered slightly, replaced by a look of quiet concern. ”I see,” he said softly, his voice steady. ”But... youʼre hurting her.”

”So what? Sheʼs mine!” the boy retorted, tightening his grip even more. Penelopeʼs face contorted in pain, her small voice trembling as she cried out, ”M-Mommy!”

Her mother moved to intervene, but before she could reach them, Aether stepped forward, his hand moving swiftly to catch the boyʼs wrist. ”Youʼre hurting her,” he repeated, his voice now carrying an edge that hadnʼt been there before.

The boyʼs eyes widened in shock as he felt Aetherʼs grip tighten around his wrist, a sharp pain shooting up his arm. He let go of Penelope, who immediately bolted toward her mother, tears streaming down her cheeks.

For a moment, the two boys locked eyes, the air between them thick with unspoken tension.

Aetherʼs gaze was unwavering, his grip firm yet controlled. Finally, he released the boyʼs wrist and offered a smile that didnʼt quite reach his eyes. ”You should treat everyone with respect,” he advised calmly before turning and walking away.

The adults watching were stunned into silence, their gazes following Aether as he moved gracefully back into the crowd. Aetherʼs parents exchanged a glance, their hearts swelling with pride at their sonʼs maturity and composure.

The party gradually resumed, though the atmosphere had shifted. The boy who had caused the commotion stood rooted in place, his face red with embarrassment and anger.

His eyes followed Aether with a look of pure hatred, a bitterness that seemed too intense for someone so young. Meanwhile, his parents were engaged in a hushed but tense conversation with Penelopeʼs parents, clearly apologetic for their sonʼs behaviour.

Suddenly, the partyʼs uneasy peace was shattered by a loud, angry voice echoing through the hall. ”YOU BASTARD!!”

Aether, who had been dancing with another girl, halted mid-step. He turned his head to see his father, his face twisted with fury, shouting at a man who wore a smug expression. Aetherʼs mother was at his fatherʼs side, trying desperately to calm him, her face pale with worry.

”Father?” Aether called out, his voice small as he quickly moved to stand beside his father, confused and concerned.

The man being held back by Aetherʼs father sneered down at the child, his eyes glinting with malice. ”Hey, kid, I heard youʼve got a little problem, donʼt you?” he taunted, his voice dripping with mockery. ”Like you laugh all the time, even when youʼre hurt, right?”

”I TOLD YOU TO STOP!” Aetherʼs father bellowed, his voice thick with barely restrained rage. But the man only grinned wider, his words cutting deeper.

”Itʼs not like hiding it will do you any good... Just admit it to everyone—your child is defective!”

”GUARDS!!” Aetherʼs mother screamed, her voice filled with panic. This was supposed to be their familyʼs secret, something theyʼd fought hard to keep hidden. But somehow, this man had uncovered it.

As Aether watched the scene unfold, worry gnawed at him, twisting his stomach into knots. Before he could fully process what was happening, he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around, only to be met with a fist crashing into his face.

Thud!

The force of the punch sent him sprawling to the ground, his hands instinctively flying to his nose as pain radiated through his skull.

He cried out in pain.

”Hehe... mom... Hehe..he.. It hurt... Hehe...”

The sound of his laughter, so out of place and unsettling, sent a ripple of discomfort through the room. The guests stared at Aether in shock, their faces contorted with a mix of horror and pity.

”Ewww... Why are you always laughing? Thatʼs creepy and disgusting!” the boy who had punched him muttered, his voice laced with both amusement and disgust.