The Return of the Shadow Villain: My Role Is My CEO Wife's Furnace

In this life, Ernest actually had the option to escape from the pursuit of the Cerberus organization, but he chose not to run.

He already knew that the phone given to him by the Cerberus organization had a tracking device. 

They had also inserted a tracking device in his body, but it had disappeared. He realized it was missing when he underwent a medical examination at the hospital.

'Should I have thrown away the phone they gave me yesterday?'

Simply throw away his old phone, they'd have a hard time tracking him down.

No. No matter what, that was his only phone.

He used to have a personal smartphone, but as a way to sever ties with his relatives, Ernest deliberately threw his old smartphone into the sea.

There were several reasons why he chose not to run and instead allowed the triplets to find him, even going so far as to let them take him somewhere without resistance.

First, he admitted he was at fault for borrowing money in the first place.

'At the very least, as a civilized person…'

Since Ernest was no longer in the Netherworld as a demon, he wanted to maintain his humanity by paying back what he owed.

The second reason was that, even though he might end up as a slave, his relationship with the Cerberus organization had actually been quite good.

In fact, the triplets could be considered old acquaintances, as they often worked together on tasks in his previous life.

Of course, that alone wouldn't soften his heart, and he still planned to turn the triplets into his new puppets.

'Since we went through struggles together in my past life, I'll be gentle with you.'

Before long, the triplets seemed to reach their destination, just a few minutes after driving east.

Ernest had been worried they might take him to a different place than in his previous life, but as soon as he saw the location, he exhaled a sigh of relief.

They'd brought him to the same place.

Looking out the car window, Ernest saw countless tombstones scattered around.

This was a cemetery.

This was the place where he had been intimidated before being handed over to their boss.

As soon as the car stopped and the engine was turned off, Ernest was pushed out by Brinci and Bronco.

If he didn't know their intentions, he might have thought they were planning to bury him alive here. But he knew it was merely an act of intimidation. In the eerie stillness of the cemetery, their efforts were quite convincing.

But Ernest simply smirked, mocking their antics. To him, it was amusing. They even went as far as tying his hands with a grimy cloth that was still stained with dried blood.

"Seeing how you were staring at our tattoos earlier, I'll assume you already know why we're here to collect your debt. Do you remember what you promised two years ago if you couldn't repay your loan?"

Branca, the eldest of the triplets, asked as he stepped out of the driver's seat.

However, since Ernest remained silent with a sly grin, Branca answered his own question.

"Based on the data I've seen, you've been in the hospital for two years, right? Even if your organs might be damaged, as per our agreement, we'll have to take them."

"So, you already know I've been hospitalized for two years?"

"Yes, and since that idiot Bronco already spilled the beans, there's no point in hiding it anymore."

Branca shot a sharp glare at Bronco before turning his attention back to Ernest.

"Look at me—my shabby clothes, my unkempt face. There's no way I have the money to pay my debt. So, can't you give me some more time?"

Ernest tried to negotiate.

It wasn't as if they didn't already know he couldn't possibly repay his debt. They had even confiscated and searched his sling bag while in the car earlier. However, Branca's temper flared, and metaphorical smoke seemed to rise from his head.

Branca approached and held Ernest's shoulders. By applying force to the hand holding Ernest's shoulder, Branca instantly pushed Ernest's body down. 

With Branca's strength pressing on him, Ernest's upper body bent forward.

"Hasn't two years been enough of an extension?"

Branca yelled, attempting to push Ernest further down.

But Branca's strength wasn't enough to make Ernest kneel on the ground.

Ernest showed no anger, instead seeing this as a good opportunity to test his combat skills. In the worst-case scenario, he'd get beaten up.

Besides, the triplets weren't awakened. Ernest felt no pressure emanating from them.

Perhaps embarrassed by his failure to subdue Ernest, Branca coughed and looked to his two brothers.

"Ahem. Do you know the total amount of your debt now? The sum is around 50 million US dollars. We know you can't possibly repay that, judging by your appearance, but don't resist. We've already prepared everything to harvest your organs. At least we'll get some compensation for the money we lent you."

Ernest ignored Branca's long-winded speech, focusing instead on the debt amount.

"Fifty million?"

Ernest tilted his head to meet Branca's gaze.

He was shocked by the amount. Two years ago, he had only borrowed $100,000. How had it ballooned to 50 million in just two years? As far as he remembered, the interest rate wasn't high enough to reach such a staggering number.

'Is this why the homeless people warned each other not to borrow from them?'

As Branca smirked at Ernest's silence, he pulled out something resembling a syringe.

"Is that an anesthetic? Hmm. I'm sorry if this sounds rude, but I don't like having unknown substances injected into my body."

Ernest spoke with his usual playful expression.

And then, he began his counterattack.

Pow!

A loud crack echoed.

Just as Branca was about to jab the "needle" into Ernest's neck, Ernest slammed his forehead into Branca's face. Even though his hands were bound, his head was still free to move.

"Ugh!"

Although Branca was larger than Ernest, he stumbled backward. Blood gushed from Branca's nose, dripping down to his lips and into his mouth.

Branca wiped the blood from his face while his eyes widened with fury.

Seething with rage, he shouted at Bronco and Brinci.

"Hey, grab him tightly!"

"Don't you dare resist, you little brat!"

"You're gonna regret this!"

Perhaps because they didn't want to accidentally hit Ernest's important organs, Bronco and Brinci looked a little cautious as they hurriedly tried to catch Ernest's body from left and right. As a result, they failed to catch Ernest and only succeeded in catching empty air with a style like wanting to hug using arms that were spread wide.