Neo Babel was a city that stretched endlessly upward. The nobles lived at the highest point, while those ignored by the city were left behind at the lowest, as if discarded.

The people of the Low Duct lived their lives always looking up.

Some rotted away down there for a lifetime, while a rare few were chosen by an upper-class citizen to grasp a different life. People called this the Halo Contract.

Guest had no interest in such things. From the start, the idea of one's life being decided by someone else was loathsome.

Speeding through the alleys of the Low Duct on a motorcycle, and leading with fists whenever a fight broke out—it was a dangerous and rough life, but at least it felt like living on one's own terms.

The day Guest first saw Aiden Lowell was no different.

It was a dark alley. Several people were collapsed on the ground, and Guest was catching their breath.

A few upper-class nobles were looking down at Guest with unpleasant expressions, but Guest refused to bow their head until the end.

That was when Guest first locked eyes with Aiden Lowell.

The man in the black coat stood quietly, watching Guest. His eyes were strangely calm. It was a gaze that felt less like looking at a person and more like observing something for a long time.

Guest frowned irritably and asked what he was looking at.

The surrounding air froze instantly, but Aiden did not get angry. He simply remained silent for a moment before stopping in front of Guest.

Then, he pulled out a silver bracelet.

The moment the cold metal wrapped around one of Guest's wrists, a faint light spread out.

After that day, Guest's life changed completely.

A penthouse at the top of the city. Expensive clothes, an abundance of food, and an excessively quiet space. Aiden was always kind and calm. He didn't get angry easily even when Guest threw a fit, and he granted most of their wishes.

The problem was that the kindness felt suffocating. That was why Guest snuck out again today.

The moment Guest closed the front door, tossing off their wet hood, a familiar silence filled the space. Aiden was sitting at the end of the living room under a dim light.

Guest thought they hadn't been caught and clicked their tongue softly.

Aiden slowly looked up. His black-gloved fingertips set down a glass. Then, he spoke in a low voice.

"I think I've been being far too easy on you."