Yandere Levelling in Her World-Chapter 179 - 180: Ren’s new job

The room was quieter than Nina expected.

No handcuffs.

No guards standing too close.

Just a wooden table, two chairs, and a small lamp casting a warm yellow light over the concrete walls.

Nina sat with her hands resting on her knees, posture straight out of habit. Across from her, Olivia leaned against the table, arms crossed, expression calm but watchful.

"So," Olivia said first, breaking the silence, "how are you holding up?"

Nina blinked, slightly taken aback by the question.

"I am alive," she replied. "That is more than many can say these days." 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Olivia nodded slowly. "Fair answer."

She pulled a chair back and sat down properly, facing Nina instead of looming over her like an interrogator. That alone made the atmosphere feel strange.

"I wanted to ask you personally," Olivia continued, "what really happened to Valkyria."

Nina's fingers curled slightly. Her eyes lowered for a moment before lifting again.

"It fell," Nina said. "Not all at once. Bit by bit. Trust broke first. Then discipline. Then everything else followed."

Olivia listened carefully.

"I knew a lot of girls from Valkyria," Olivia muttered. "Good girls. Virgin girls. Some of them barely understood how cruel the world could be."

She shook her head and looked away.

"It is such a shame," Olivia added quietly, "that something like that happened."

Nina did not respond immediately. Her lips pressed together as memories surfaced.

"It was not just cruelty," Nina said. "It was betrayal. From inside and outside."

Olivia exhaled and reached into a small insulated bag beside her chair.

Nina watched, puzzled, as Olivia pulled out a glass bottle.

Clear. Thick glass. A familiar shape.

Vodka.

Nina's eyes widened slightly as Olivia set it on the table.

"You are joking," Nina said. "That is real?"

Olivia smirked faintly.

"You look surprised."

"You are offering me alcohol," Nina replied. "In this place."

Olivia grabbed two metal cups from under the table and unscrewed the bottle cap.

"Do not be so surprised," she muttered. "I am a commissioner. It will not be one hundred percent corruption to smuggle a vodka bottle like this."

She poured carefully, the clear liquid catching the light.

"Some gatherers found it outside the safe zones," Olivia continued. "Buried under rubble. Sealed storage. This vodka was produced twenty years ago."

Nina stared at the bottle.

"That means," Nina said slowly, "it survived the incident."

"Exactly," Olivia replied. "A relic."

She slid one cup toward Nina.

"Are you sure about opening a bottle like that for me?" Nina asked.

Olivia raised her own cup.

"Of course," she said. "You are one of the most important guests that came here."

Nina hesitated, then took the cup.

She raised it to her lips and took a careful sip.

Her shoulders relaxed almost instantly.

"…This is good," Nina said, surprised. "Very smooth."

Olivia chuckled softly. "Old world craftsmanship."

Nina took another sip, smaller this time, savoring it.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Nina looked up.

"What happened to Amanda?" she asked. "I have not seen her since before everything collapsed."

Olivia's smile faded.

Her hand tightened slightly around her cup.

"She had a rough time," Olivia said. "A few days before the incident."

Nina waited.

"She was suspended," Olivia continued. "Internal disputes. Accusations. Pressure."

Olivia paused.

"And then," she muttered, "she disappeared."

Nina frowned. "Disappeared?"

Olivia nodded slowly.

"No body. No trace. No confirmation."

She stared into the vodka as if hoping answers might float up.

"I have no idea what happened to her," Olivia admitted.

Nina lowered her gaze.

"That is a shame," Nina said. "She was a good friend."

"Yes," Olivia agreed quietly. "She was."

Silence settled again, heavier this time.

Nina took one last sip and placed the cup down.

Then she looked straight at Olivia.

"So," Nina said, "did you bring me here just to catch up?"

Olivia met her gaze.

"Or," Nina continued, "do you really want something from me?"

Olivia placed her glass on the table with a soft clink.

Her expression hardened, the warmth draining away.

"I want you to convince Astrid," Olivia said. "Tell her to join us."

Nina's brows furrowed.

"And stop forming a different community," Olivia added. "This path she is taking will not end well for either of us."

Nina looked down at her hands.

"I know," she muttered. "I truly do."

She clenched her fingers together.

"But Astrid joining here," Nina said, "will not end up being good for either party either."

Olivia leaned back slightly.

A smile appeared, crooked and tired.

"That is true," Olivia said. "It is shit versus shit, what we are dealing with."

Nina almost smiled at the blunt honesty.

Before either of them could speak again, a sharp crackle broke the room's calm.

Olivia's police radio lit up on her shoulder.

She pressed the button.

"Commissioner Olivia speaking," she said.

Static hissed, then a rushed voice came through.

"Emergency report. Area Delta Seven. The zone where Astrid is currently located is under attack."

Olivia's posture stiffened.

"By who?" she demanded.

"Unknown party," the radio replied. "Multiple soldiers. Wearing masks. Carrying strange weapons. Not standard issue."

Nina's chair scraped loudly against the floor as she stood up.

"What?" Nina said sharply.

Olivia ended the transmission and stared at the radio for half a second.

Then she looked at Nina.

"Well," Olivia muttered, standing as well, "looks like they are here."

She clipped the radio back into place.

"Traitors are back in the business."

Nina's expression hardened instantly.

"Astrid," she said. "We need to move."

Olivia grabbed her coat.

"I agree," Olivia replied. "This conversation will have to continue later."

Nina nodded once, resolve replacing hesitation.

"Then let us go," Nina said. "Before it is too late."

Olivia turned toward the door.

"I am sorry but law is law, you won't be going anywhere" she muttered and suddenly two uniform wearing police women entered the room and put struggling Nina back in handcuffs.

"Fuck! Let me go...she needs me," Nina shouted but Olivia left the room without minding her.

And the light in the room flickered as she stepped out.

***

Ren stepped out of the upscale boutique, adjusting the collar of his crisp white shirt. The new suit fit him like a glove, slim black pants, a tailored jacket, and polished shoes that clicked softly on the pavement.

A satisfied smile spread across his face; after all, landing a job at one of the city's finest restaurants was a stroke of luck. Or so it seemed. He slung the shopping bag over his shoulder and headed down the bustling street toward La Belle Époque, the elegant restaurant where his new life as a server awaited.

As he approached the grand entrance with its gold-trimmed doors and twinkling lights, Ren's mind raced. This wasn't just about the paycheck. He'd overheard whispers in a shady bar downtown, rumors that the owner, a mysterious woman named Eliza Voss, had ties to Judith, the enigmatic figure pulling strings in the underworld.

How he'd caught wind of it was his secret, buried deep. But now, here he was, ready to play the part.

Pushing open the door, Ren entered the opulent dining hall. Crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow over velvet booths and marble floors. Waitstaff glided about like shadows. Before he could announce himself, a striking woman in her mid-forties approached.

She wore a sleek red gown that hugged her curves, diamonds glittering at her neck. Eliza Voss herself.

"Well, well," she purred, circling him like a predator. "You must be Ren. Perfect. Absolutely perfect. I never expected such a handsome young man to fall out of nowhere into my restaurant."

Ren stood tall, meeting her gaze. "Thank you, ma'am. I'm eager to start."

Eliza stepped closer, her perfume intoxicating. Her hands roamed, first his shoulders, then down his arms, tracing the fabric. "Mmm, strong build. Customers will love you." Her fingers ventured lower, boldly fondling him through his pants.

Ren tensed but didn't pull away. She leaned in, lips brushing his ear. "I'll visit you tonight, baby. Consider it a welcome bonus."

Ren's eyes narrowed slightly. He could see right through her the lavish spending, the possessiveness. She thought money would chain him here, make him her toy. But Ren had plans.

Eliza was a key to unlocking Judith's secrets: who she was, what she plotted. He'd play along, extract what he needed.

He nodded calmly.

Eliza clapped her hands, shouting, "Perfect!" She turned to a young woman in a frilly maid outfit standing nearby, black dress with white apron, stockings hugging her legs. "Lila, teach him the ropes as a server. And remember..." Her voice dropped to a dangerous whisper, eyes flashing. "Don't touch him. He's a valuable asset."

Lila nodded frantically, sweat beading on her forehead. "Y-yes, ma'am. Right away."

Eliza swept away, heels clicking sharply. Ren watched her go, sensing the aura around her, dark, powerful. This wasn't an ordinary restaurant owner. No, she reeked of hidden agendas, connections that could topple empires.

Lila cleared her throat, forcing a smile. "Follow me, Ren. Let's get you trained." She led him to the back room, her eyes flicking over him appreciatively now and then. Ren ignored it, laser-focused on his mission.

"First things first," Lila said, handing him a tray. "Balance is key. Hold it like this one hand underneath, steady. Practice with these empty glasses."

Ren mimicked her, tray wobbling at first. "Like this?"

"Close. Tilt your wrist a bit. Good. Now, greeting customers: 'Good evening, welcome to La Belle Époque. May I take your order?' Smile, make eye contact. Flirt a little if they're ladies it boosts tips."

Ren practiced. "Good evening, welcome—"

Lila giggled. "You're a natural. Handsome face helps. Next, wine pouring. Angle the bottle, pour slowly to avoid spills. Here, try."

He poured a mock glass flawlessly. "How's that?"

"Impressive for a newbie," she said, batting her lashes. "Most guys fumble. You sure you haven't done this before?"

Ren shrugged. "Beginner's luck."

They moved to table settings, forks on the left, knives right. Lila demonstrated folding napkins into swans. "Fancy touch. Customers eat it up."

As they worked, Lila leaned in. "Ms. Voss is intense, huh? Don't cross her. She's got... connections."

Ren's ears perked. "What kind?"

She hesitated. "Just rumors. Powerful friends. Anyway, let's head to the floor. Shadow me for a bit."

Training wrapped up quickly. Ren donned his apron and stepped into the dining area, tray in hand. His first table: a group of businessmen.

"Good evening, gentlemen. Welcome to La Belle Époque. May I start you with drinks?"

One nodded. "Scotch, neat."

Ren served smoothly, earning a tip. Next, a couple. The woman smiled. "You're quite the charmer. What's your name?"

"Ren, ma'am. Your order?"

She giggled. "Steak, medium rare. And keep smiling like that."

Compliments flowed as the night progressed. A table of ladies cooed over him. "Oh, honey, you're too cute for this job!"

"Thank you. Wine recommendations?"

"The house red, please. And your number?" one teased.

Ren chuckled politely. "Afraid that's not on the menu."

He weaved through tables, orders flying: "Lobster bisque for table five!" "Yes, chef!"

Tips piled up. Women especially fawned. "Such service! You're a gem."

But then, at table twelve, Ren froze mid-stride. The woman there, elegant hair, pearl necklace, sharp green eyes was Victoria Morgenstern. Anna's mother. Shock hit him like ice water. If Victoria was here, Anna must be too.

One of the woman that is destined to be with him.