NTR: Minor Villain Wants to Be the Main Villain

"He swallowed, man," Artis said, his voice quivering. "And then... he ran. He just... ran away, screaming. I... I don't think he'll ever be the same again."

Hajin was trembling, his hands shaking.

"This is... This is a nightmare... How... How could something like this happen?"

Artis placed a firm hand on Hajin's shoulder, his face serious.

"That's why I got her out of there, man. I couldn't let her witness such... depravity."

He looked over at Lily, his eyes softening.

"I couldn't let those animals lay a hand on her... or worse... make her watch that freak show."

Hajin's eyes filled with gratitude.

"Artis... You... You saved her..." His voice cracked. "You... you're a hero..."

Artis smiled heroically, his teeth gleaming.

"I did what any man would do... to protect a woman's dignity."

Lily's mouth fell open. Dignity?!

'Oh, you arrogant son of a—'

Hajin's eyes sparkled with admiration. "

Thank you... Thank you so much... I... I can never repay you..."

Artis waved him off.

"No need, man. Just... take care of her."

He shot Lily a wink, his smirk infuriatingly sexy.

"She's one hell of a woman."

Lily felt her heart skip a beat. Damn him. Damn his stupid face and his stupid charm.

Hajin turned to her, his eyes filled with love.

"Are you okay, honey? I-I'm so sorry this happened to you. Lily... I... I'm so glad you're safe... I... I promise... I'll protect you... I won't let anyone hurt you..."

Hajin's voice was trembling, his eyes glossy with tears. He reached out, his hand gently grazing Lily's arm, his touch as delicate as a butterfly.

Lily bit her lip, doing her best to look vulnerable.

"Yeah, I'm okay now. If it wasn't for this beloved and kind man who picked me up and ran away from the scene, I don't even think I'd be standing here, Hajin. I don't even think..."

Her voice quivered dramatically, her lashes fluttering like a damsel in distress from a second-rate play.

Artis raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching.

'Oh?'

He didn't expect her to play along, but damn, she was good. Her eyes were glossy, her lips trembling... If he didn't know better, he'd think she really was shaken up.

'Damn, what a fox.'

Hajin's face crumpled, tears spilling over as he turned toward Artis.

"Oh my God!"

He choked out, his legs giving out beneath him as he fell to his knees with all the grace of a collapsing house of cards.

"Thank you! Thank you so much for saving my Lily!"

And before Artis could even react, Hajin wrapped his arms around his legs, his face pressing against Artis's thighs as he openly sobbed.

"I-I don't know what I would have done if... if..."

His words were lost in a series of blubbering noises, his snot soaking into Artis's pants.

Artis stood there, frozen, his eyes wide.

'What the fuck...?'

He looked down at the pathetic display, then over at Lily, who was covering her mouth to hide her laughter. Her shoulders were shaking, her eyes gleaming with mischief.

Artis scowled, giving her a look that screamed Really? She just shrugged, her eyes flicking down at Hajin as if to say, Yeah, he's that pathetic.

Artis let out a sigh and placed a reluctant hand on Hajin's head, patting him awkwardly.

"Uh... There, there... I... uh... I just did what any man would do... I guess..."

His face twisted in discomfort as Hajin's tears soaked through his pants, cold and wet against his skin.

Hajin only sobbed harder, clutching Artis's legs tighter.

"Y-You're... you're a hero... A... A real man..."

His shoulders were shaking, his nose making unattractive honking noises as he sniffled pathetically.

Artis looked down at the man clinging to his legs like a toddler and fought the urge to kick him off.

'This is the guy she's marrying? Seriously?'

Hajin's fingers tightened, his sobs growing louder.

"I... I'm so useless... I... I should've been there... to protect her... But I... I was too scared... too weak..."

Artis rolled his eyes, his patience wearing thin.

"Yeah... well... good thing I was there, huh?"

He patted Hajin's head harder, his fingers digging into his scalp a little rougher than necessary.

"You can... uh... let go now."

Hajin only hugged tighter, his face rubbing against Artis's thighs, dangerously close to his crotch.

Artis's eye twitched, and he looked over at Lily with an expression that clearly said, Get your man off me before I kick him.

Lily was trying so hard not to laugh, her shoulders trembling as she covered her mouth. She finally took a deep breath and put on her most gentle voice.

"Hajin... sweetie... you can let go now. I'm safe. Thanks to this... hero."

Her lips twitched at the word, and Artis shot her a glare.

Hajin sniffled and looked up at Artis, his eyes wide and wet.

"You... You're so strong... so brave... I... I could never..."

His lips quivered, his chin wobbling.

"You saved her... when I... I couldn't even..."

Artis fought the urge to smack him and smiled at Lily suddenly, his eyes gleaming with pure mischief as he leaned in close, his breath hot against Lily's ear.

She shivered, feeling that familiar tingle of danger.

'Oh no... What's this bastard up to now?'

He tilted his head, his lips almost brushing her earlobe as he whispered.

"I don't like holding on to loans. I like to pay back as soon as I can."

Lily blinked, her brows knitting in confusion.

'What the hell is he talking about?'

She stared at him, her mouth opening to question his sanity, but then... it hit her. Her eyes widened in horror, her hands flying to her mouth to muffle the gasp that nearly escaped.

'Oh. Fuck.'

The loan. The damn pinch. She'd pinched him earlier when he made that crack about her ass, and now this bastard was paying her back... with interest.

Before she could react, his hand was already on her ass, fingers squeezing her cheek with enough force to make her jump. She bit down on her lip, fighting the yelp that almost slipped out.

'Oh, that son of a—'