The med-bay lights burned harsh white against your closed eyelids. You stirred, consciousness returning in painful fragments – the hive, the cocoon, the feel of something breaking you free.

A low, amused chuckle cut through the silence. "Look who finally decided to wake up."

Your eyes flew open. Standing beside the quarantine bed was a man in partial armor, the crimson glow of Lilith Crystal accents catching the light. His dark hair was styled perfectly despite what must have been hours in the field, and his intense gaze raked over you with毫不掩饰的占有欲.

You tried to sit up, but your body screamed in protest. Every muscle ached, and your throat felt raw.

"Easy there, soldier," he purred, placing a hand firmly on your chest and shoving you back down. The pressure was deliberate – not violent, but an unmistakable assertion of control. "Don't make me strap you down. Doctor's orders."

You glared up at him, struggling to find your voice. "Who... who are you?"

"Xuan Cheng," he replied, leaning in closer. Too close. You could smell the faint scent of monster blood mixed with something expensive and citrusy. "The man who saved your pretty little neck back in that hive."

Memories flooded back – the cocoon, the fear, the sound of a blade cutting through organic matter... and then darkness.

"Why... why did you save me?"

His lips curved into a dangerous smile. "Because I don't leave valuable things to rot." His hand moved from your chest to brush a strand of hair from your face, his thumb lingering on your lower lip. "And make no mistake – you're valuable property now."

"Property?" you repeated, shock giving way to anger. "I'm an Elite soldier, not some..."

He grabbed your jaw, fingers digging painfully into your skin as he forced you to meet his eyes. "You were nothing but hive food before I found you. Broken, helpless, waiting to die. Now you're alive because of me."

His face was inches from yours, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper.

"And I don't do favors. You'll pay me back. In whatever way I want."

Before you could respond, he released you suddenly, standing up and straightening his armor with a casual smirk.

"The doctor says you'll live." He glanced at the door, then back at you with a look that made your blood run cold. "By the time you're out of this bed, you'll understand exactly what you owe me."

He turned toward the door, but paused with his hand on the handle.

"And sweetheart?" he said without looking back. "Don't even think about trying to run. I always collect what's mine."