Chapter 35: Redheads don’t die! (1)

Until this morning, Yushin wasn’t in such a bad mood.
Of course, having his identity revealed to Athena came with considerable risks.
But on the other hand, it meant he had gained a reliable ally.
On top of that, he had extracted information from both the student council and the disciplinary committee.
He felt he had gotten a little closer to the main scenario.
Or so he thought.

Yushin narrowed his eyes.
It was an act that didn’t hide his displeasure.
However, the person in front of Yushin didn’t seem to care at all.
He was a middle-aged man dressed in a black suit, even wearing a fedora.
In many ways, his actions and appearance exuded dignity.
But before he could even ask who the man was, Yushin moved his body around as if it were a familiar sensation.
Like being submerged in water, his movements were extremely heavy.
“I see, is this a dream?”
“You’re a sharp customer.”
“A customer? Me?”
“All humans are potential customers. Even if they are in a relationship where they point swords at each other.”
With just that one sentence, Yushin could roughly grasp the man’s identity.
If it’s a relationship where they point swords at humans.
There’s only one possibility, isn’t there?
“Aren’t most monsters non-sentient?”
“Oh, a sad misunderstanding. But I understand, the ones you’ve dealt with so far have all been classless rabble.”
The man’s golden eyes, as he nodded in understanding, were filled with deep arrogance.
It was as if he was operating on the premise that Yushin was beneath him.
He knew his opponent was not to be underestimated.
With his current strength, he would probably be the one to get beaten.
However, Yushin was not one to bow his head just because he lacked power.
Yushin spoke, veins popping on his neck.
“Your tone is f*cking annoying. Do you want to die?”
“Me? Don’t be ridiculous. On the contrary, I am showing you a certain level of courtesy.”
“Is blatantly looking down on me what you call courtesy?”
“Aren’t we sitting here, face to face, having a conversation?”
Surprisingly, he was serious.
Indeed, he didn’t have many partners with whom he would sit face to face and converse like this.
Yushin was dumbfounded.
But he couldn’t just throw a punch.
To be more precise, just before his fist flew, the words of the gentleman in the fedora stopped it.
“Isn’t there something you want to know? No, should I say, something you’re looking for?”
“……”
“I can help you. Of course, only if you show a little sincerity.”
“I don’t need it.”
Without a moment’s hesitation, Yushin immediately rejected the man’s offer.
If there was one thing he’d learned from his countless experiences as a hero.
It was that the vast majority of those who proposed a deal were not to be trusted.
The thieves’ guild was crazy about backstabbing, and demons tried to steal souls.
Even a king of a country would try to break his promises by any means necessary.
Let alone having any thought of making a deal with a guy who came on like this.
“Not even a moment of hesitation? I see, you must have a lot of experience with this sort of thing, don’t you?”
But the man showed no sign of disappointment.
He had already heard the story to some extent, and Yushin easily realized that.
“You son of a bich, who did you hear that from?”
“Perhaps I just noticed it by looking at your composure.”
“Don’t kid me, that confident tone. You definitely heard about me from someone.”
Although he was hiding it with a relaxed tone, Yushin noticed immediately.
That man already knew everything about him.
But how was that possible?
“Let’s just say I heard it from an old friend who knows you very well.”
“…An old friend?”
“That’s right. And that person, unlike you, is my V.I.P. customer.”
“Among my old friends, there are very few who would deal with someone like you.”
Not to mention Athena, most of his comrades would rather pour beer into a ten-year-old boot and drink it than make a deal with such a shady guy.
Among the living comrades, that is.
Suddenly, a thought crossed Yushin’s mind.
However, the thought was denied as soon as it emerged.
‘That guy might be capable of it, but no, it’s impossible.’
‘Because that guy is dead.’
‘I was the one who definitely ended his life.’
‘To block any chance of resurrection.’
Yushin’s expression hardened, and in contrast, the man smiled.
“It seems you’re close to the right answer.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“The service ends here. You’ll have to find out the rest for yourself. Now then.”
The man in the fedora clapped his hands.
Simultaneously, the beautifully sparkling night sky began to collapse.
Soon, his voice lingered by his ear.
It’s time to wake up from the dream.