"Cyborg No. 17 is actually my own brother. He's been absorbed by Cell, so…"
No. 18's voice trembled slightly. It was obviously hard for her to bring herself to say it.
She wasn't good at asking others for help, especially not like this.
But No. 17 is her younger twin brother. She has to save him, yet…
She doesn't have the strength. She knows full well she can't defeat Cell.
"So?"
Linze naturally guessed what No. 18 was thinking, it was written all over her face. To him, it was hardly a challenge.
But in this world, there is no such thing as a free lunch.
If you want someone to act, there must be a price.
"So… I hope you can save No. 17."
"I know that with your strength, you can definitely defeat Cell!"
No. 18 bit her lip, forcing herself to say something that wounded her pride.
"Oh? You're so sure I can beat Cell?"
Linze smiled, teasing her just a bit.
"If even you can't beat Cell, then guys like Son Goku don't stand a chance!"
This time, No. 18's tone was full of conviction.
Even though she hadn't seen Goku in person yet, she had heard from Vegeta and the others. According to them, Goku's power was only roughly on par with Vegeta's at the time.
And Vegeta had just been absorbed by Cell. That meant Goku likely wouldn't stand a chance.
What's more, she'd noticed that Linze had remained completely calm even when Cell absorbed Vegeta!
Clearly, even with that power-up, Linze hadn't seen Cell as a real threat.
"Alright."
"I can defeat Cell and I can save your brother, No. 17."
"But you know the truth of this world. There's no such thing as a free act of kindness. Since you want me to rescue your brother, shouldn't you offer something in return?"
Linze gave a sly smirk, turning his gaze toward No. 18.
In ancient times, the ultimate gesture of gratitude was to offer oneself body and soul.
And frankly, judging by No. 18's appearance, there wasn't anything she could offer Linze besides herself.
"This…"
No. 18's brows furrowed slightly. Linze was right she had nothing of value to offer him.
And the truth was, they'd only just met barely an hour had passed since they crossed paths.
It was already a blessing to have followed Linze to escape from Cell now she was asking him to help save her brother. Linze wanting compensation for that was completely reasonable.
But…
The problem was, she didn't have any money right now.
And even if she did, it was unlikely someone as powerful and mysterious as Linze whose aura alone rivaled even Perfect Cell's would care about something as mundane as money.
"If you can really save No. 17…"
No. 18 bit down lightly on her lip, clearly struggling with something difficult.
After a tense half-minute of silent inner turmoil, the conflict in her expression vanished. She looked up at Linze with determination and said firmly, "If you can save No. 17… I'll be your woman. How about that?"
Although No. 18 said it with her usual cool confidence, her cheeks flushed the moment the words left her mouth.
Like a ripe red apple, her blushing face only added to her already striking beauty.
Gulp…
Seeing the normally stoic No. 18 biting her lip and blushing, Linze couldn't help swallowing hard.
At this moment, she was incredibly captivating—her cold demeanor clashing with the warmth in her eyes.
"You're offering… yourself?"
Linze composed himself, looking at her with a slightly incredulous expression.
Although he'd suspected something along these lines, hearing those words come from someone as reserved as No. 18 still surprised him.
"What? You think it's not a good deal?"
Her red-tinted face shifted slightly with irritation.
She had confidence in her appearance—confidence backed by the fact that even someone like Krillin, who had known fear and death, would later risk his life to protect her.
She didn't expect hesitation from Linze after offering something this bold.
That was humiliating.
"It's not that it's a bad deal, but…"
Linze started to speak he wanted to ask if she'd really thought this through. After all, it wasn't a small matter.
But No. 18 cut him off coldly. "It's not about what you want this is all I have to offer!"
Even though she was asking for help, her tone was commanding, proud true to her character, a mix of Android precision and lingering human spirit.
"Haha! You're certainly bold… fine!"
"I promise I'll save No. 17."
Linze chuckled at her attitude and nodded. He had to admit—it was both refreshing and oddly charming.
As someone who had traveled through worlds, facing all kinds of madness, even he found No. 18's beauty and fierceness striking.
What man wouldn't?
Still, there was something about the way this deal was made that felt a little strange to him.
"You said it yourself don't back out later."
Hearing Linze's promise, No. 18 responded quickly, as if afraid he might change his mind.
After all, No. 17 was her twin brother her only family left in this world.
And the truth was, the only reason she even dared to make such an offer was that Linze wasn't just strong he was calm, confident… and undeniably handsome.
If Linze had been some sleazy old man in his sixties, there was no way she'd have made such a trade.
"Relax. I won't regret it."
Linze nodded again.
Regret?
With his power, defeating even Perfect Cell would be like swatting a fly.
He'd save No. 17 and gain the stunning beauty that was Android 18?
That was a win-win, no doubt about it.
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