"I thought we are friends who work together," Michael said and put an innocent look on his face that fooled Gaya to think he was serious.

Thinking he was really going to agree to her terms, she gently patted his hand and said,

"Of course we are human, but favors like working for free break friendships. We can share the profit and continue to taste the fruits of our friendship, what do you say?" Michael could notice even she was trying to fight the urge to burst into laughter after shamelessly lying like this.

If she was born on earth, she would have made an excellent politician.

"You're right, friends should not continue to work for free and we shouldn't owe each other anything, am I right?" Micheal asked as Gaya nodded with a grin.

"I will give you 50% of the profit"

"REALLY?! I mean... you will?" She almost screamed out loud in surprise but she quickly regained her composure and asked. Her face brightened and she wanted to dance around in joy.

"So when are you going to give the 5million gold you owe me?" The smile froze on Gaya's face. she knitted her brows in confusion.

"What 5 million? What're you talking about?" Micheal retrieved the bounty poster and showed it to her with a devilish grin on his face. Gaya's hands started to tremble when her gaze fell on the poster. The reason for her reaction might be because of shock or fear but one thing was sure, she's in deep shit.

"Xanali, that bitch!" she tore the poster into pieces and threw it away.

However, her anger turned into panic and fear when she saw the look on Michael's face. She couldn't help but swallow her saliva as she thought he's going to hand her over to them for 4 million gold. Right this moment, she wanted to punch herself for asking 50% of the profits.

"Hu..human" she put on her best pleading face and meekly called Michael like a scared kitten.

"So when are you planning to give me the 5million gold?"

"Isn't it 4million?"

"You said friends should not work for free right? 4miilion for not handing you over to Xanali and 1million for the pills you have swallowed until now, for free" Just as he said, she leaped at him and hugged him tightly. This reaction of her surprised him but he knew this snake was trying to use this hug as a bribe.

"Forgive me for asking 50% human. Please don't hand me over to that bitch, you know what they do to me" she was even able to conjure enough tears to wet his shoulder. Michael was having fun laughing out loud in his mind and continued to mess with this shameless snake.

"But you said friends shouldn't work for free and that would break friendships"

"Fuck what I said, I was just messing with you. I will never ask something like that for real, hoo..hoo" she sobbed hugging him

"But what about the fruits of our friendship?" he could feel her grip around his neck tighten. She continued to sob and talk

"What kind of friend charges for helping a friend. Only heartless horrible fuckers would try to take advantage of their friends"

"So you're not going to ask for 50% of the profits?"

"Of course not, I'm happy as it is. Just don't hand me over to them" He chuckled and hugged her back. If this snake was using this hug to her advantage, he also deserved to enjoy this hug.

"Alright then, I won't hand you over to Xanali. But remember, you're in deep shit. Poster like this is all over Bredia and every adventurer and wannabe disciple is searching for you" she tried to wiggle herself out of the hug but he didn't let her

"You are safe only as long as you are with me. Without the mask I gave you, you are good as dead"

"I promise, I won't leave you human" she tried to sound truthful as she possibly could.

"You know how many girlfriends said this before they became exes"

(No offense to my female readers, it's Michael who said this)

Michael's inner voice reminded him while he patted her on the back.

"I know you won't"

"Thank you human, now can you let me go?" she tried her best to wiggle herself out but how could a mortal like her overpower someone like Michael.

"It feels good, doesn't it? Let me hug you for a little longer"

"Speak for yourself, let...me go, you bastard" she came back to her usual self and scolded Michael. He was chuckling while she kept punching his back

"I will... bite you if you don't...let me go" after teasing her for a few more seconds, he let her go. She stood up angrily and corrected her dress while cursing him under her breath.

However, her loyalty towards him increased and reached 50%.

"Come on, I have to meet Claire and the Elders"

"Those dumb fuckers! Tell me you killed those fuckers when I was sleeping"

Michael annoyed her but Vandan and his men made her furious. Therefore when she remembered them, she forgot all about Michael's little play with her and cursed Vandan.

"I will soon but for now, they can live. When I get stronger, I will make them suffer" Seeing his honest expression, she believed him.

"Good, I want to burn that bald fucker's ass on fire before we kill him"

"Damn girl, hahaha" Although he didn't want to, his brain showed him the sight of Gaya burning Vandan's butt on fire.

"I've done worse" she proudly said and followed him behind to meet Claire and the Elders.

*****************

it was almost in the evening where the entire sky was painted red with the setting sun. Looking at Michael and Gaya approaching the building where the Elders and Claire were staying, a couple of female disciples came running.

"Brother Ghost, Sister Aelia"

"Hey you two" Michael smiled and waved at them.

"Are the Elders and sect Leader Claire inside?"

"Yes, yes they are Brother Ghost. The Elders just finished their lectures"

The two girls said and tried to lead them inside

"Where are you two coming, the grownups are going to the meeting. You two little things could go and do whatever you do" Gaya slapped the girls on the back and sent them away. The girls rubbed the back of their heads and ran away before they stuck their tongues out at Gaya.

"Do you really have to be such a bitch?"

"What can I say, I love bossing around, hehe" Michael knew he can't change this snake's personality and chose to ignore her atrocities for now.

Soon after he entered the building, he realized the sorry state of the sect. The broken wooden beams, mold-covered walls, ceiling with countless patches, and many things like that made him feel ashamed because this wasn't only his sect but it's also his Base of Operation. No wonder he didn't get any Badass points from the sect yet.

"Wow, I feel like I stepped into another realm" Gaya's nose witched as she frowned looking at the place. There wasn't even a proper chair for her to sit in this place.

"Ghost" Just as they were looking around, Elder Mark came from one of the rooms. There was a hint of shame in Elder Mark's eyes and he tried to avoid direct eye contact with Michael.

"Elder Mark, I want to talk with all the other Elders and Sect Leader Claire for a moment" After settling their debts and becoming a representative of the sect, Michael's authority in the sect reached the level of Claire's. His reputation among the disciples was sky-high as they basically worshipped him.

Therefore when Michael asked Elder Mark to set up a meeting, he nodded without asking a second question. When Elder Mark went to bring the elders and Claire, Michael turned his gaze towards Gaya.

"Hey, do you think you can transform this sect to look at least somewhat decent? This place is gonna mess my reputation"

"Yeah, no shit. My ma"

"Your maids have a better place, that's what you were going to say right?"

"It's the truth" Gaya shrugged and looked around the place again before asking Michael.

"So you want me to fix this place?"

Michael nodded, "yes, I know you must have seen many sects. So, I want you to remodel this place and not only this place, the entire sect. What will the people think of me if they see the current status of the sect" As a first step of getting Badass points out of his Base of Operation, he decided to renovate the sect and who else would be a better person to lead the task other than his haughty assistant?

"Hehehe, you're right, I have seen many sects and places. I can turn this place around to suit my...I mean our tastes but it's not gonna be cheap"

"Money is not the problem. Let me first have a talk with the Elders and Claire about my place in the sect first, then we can start turning this place around"