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

Ernest had successfully dodged with a backflip. While spinning in midair, he even managed to kick Brinci and Bronco in the face.

Pow!

Pow!

The shape of the bottom of his sandals was instantly imprinted on Brinci and Bronco's faces. The dirt and grime Ernest had stepped on while wandering the Central Business District found their way into their noses.

Finally, Ernest landed on his back. In order to reduce the impact on his back, he rolled backward like a snowball. Once the roll was complete, he stood up casually, wearing a relaxed smile.

"Please, come forward!"

The first thing Ernest did in his ready-to-fight position was to provoke the triplets.

Of course, Bronco was the first to take the bait, followed by the self-proclaimed smart one, Brinci, and finally Branca, the eldest brother who acted like a commanding general.

In the series of movements that followed, Ernest appeared to toy with the triplet despite his hands being bound. However, on one or two occasions, it could be seen that he was having some trouble dodging the triplets' punches. 

'Ugh, this body feels so heavy.'

There was even a moment where they almost dropped a punch on Ernest's face, but by predicting their movements, he managed to move in advance before the attack came. 

Crack!

The sound of Ernest's body muscles straining echoed several times as he performed high-flexibility maneuvers. He had no choice but to endure the pain, even though he hadn't taken a single direct hit from the triplet.

Even so, Ernest still managed to hold his ground.

A few moments later...

The game ended when Ernest decided to knock the triplets unconscious by striking the backs of their necks.

Through this fight, he could estimate the pure physical combat power he had. Although when compared to his pure physical strength when he was a demon it was like heaven and earth, the raw combat skills he trained in the past—especially during his demon years—hadn't vanished.

'Is this what they call soul memory?'

Of course, there was another factor as to why Ernest could fight three people who were bigger and physically stronger than him.

He clenched and unclenched his fists briefly before remembering that his hands were still tied with a cloth.

With his skills, it was not difficult to untie the cloth that bound his hands. The knots on the ties were not too complicated after all. 

Afterward, Ernest undressed the triplets one by one, and then he tied the three of them under a dawn redwood tree. 

He then broke off a branch and began writing something on the ground. Lines and scratches filled the dirt until the triplet slowly regained consciousness.

Branca and Brinci, who regained consciousness, immediately looked to the right and left in confusion. However, they immediately understood that they had been defeated when they saw Ernest standing in front of them, looking at them with a mocking face.

"You're awake?"

"W-What? Did we lose to a kid?"

"Ugh, this is humiliating."

Branca seemed unwilling to believe that they had been defeated by Ernest alone, while Brinci, looked embarrassed and hid his face downwards. 

On the other hand, the stupid one—Bronco—was still unconscious, his mouth hanging wide open.

"Since you're awake, you should memorize what I've written here. Especially you, Brinci, since you're the smartest."

Hearing Ernest's compliment, Brinci immediately lifted his head, and his confidence and smartass face returned. But when he saw what Ernest had written, his face quickly turned blank with confusion.

"Th-This is a cultivation technique?"

"You're right. Consider it a gift for our reunion."

Hearing the conversation between Brinci and Ernest, Branca immediately returned to reality. He also saw and read what Ernest had written on the ground. Not just writing, Ernest also drew a picture of the movements that should be applied when practicing the cultivation technique. 

Ernest smirked wickedly when he saw Brinci and Branca's eyes sparkle with interest.

This cultivation technique was something that rightfully belonged to the triplet.

A few years from now, they were supposed to discover this technique inside a dungeon guarded by a doppelganger monster. After obtaining it, they would gain incredible power.

The triplet only managed to defeat the doppelganger thanks to Ernest's analysis. Since Ernest had contributed to their success, the triplet became his protectors during future missions for the organization.

"This technique is called One Body, One Heart. I hope by the time we meet again, you'll have mastered it."

"Why are you giving us such a valuable technique?"

"Consider it a temporary debt payment."

Of course, Ernest wasn't simply being charitable.

The cultivation technique he provided wasn't complete. He intentionally offered the carrot before wielding the stick.

If they managed to master the partial One Body, One Heart technique that Ernest wrote on the ground, they would gain the ability to control Mana. However, they would later realize that something was missing, preventing them from achieving an awakening. 

That was when Ernest would make his move to turn them into his puppets.

When all seemed to be going well, Bronco woke up. The first thing he said was cursing Ernest and saying that he wanted to report this incident to their boss.

"Just wait until our boss comes to crush you!"

"Don't worry. I already have plans to meet Zara later."

"W-What? How do you know our boss's name?"

Not just Bronco, but all three of them widened their eyes in disbelief when Ernest casually mentioned their boss's name.

"Hmm... Let's just say I have my ways. Branca, Brinci, don't forget to teach your youngest brother some common sense. Anyway, I'll be leaving you here."

"What? At least untie us!"

"Hahaha, don't worry. The cemetery caretaker at the entrance will come to rescue you. Aren't you guys on good terms with them? Oh, and I'll be taking your car because I don't feel like walking back."

Ernest grinned as he spoke.

The triplets continued to shout their complaints, but Ernest simply covered his ears with both hands, making their words seem like a silent comedy routine.

"Hehe. Oh, one last thing—I promise to pay back the 50 million debt. Although, I don't know when that will happen."

This time, Ernest was serious and wasn't lying. He intended to pay off his debt entirely. Taking responsibility for his own mistakes was a new lesson he'd learned recently. Even so, disbelief still lingered on the triplet's faces as Ernest spoke with a playful tone.

"Stop spouting nonsense! Let us go—Eh, AARRGGHH! BUGS!!!"

The triplet—or rather Bronco—failed to finish his complaint as a large spider and several other bugs began crawling toward his exposed body.

"Okay, that's enough. Bye!"

With that, Ernest left them behind, their final cries drowned out by Bronco's disgusted screams.