"I understand how you feel. I've always liked you a lot," Lucas gazed deeply into Kunikuzushi's eyes and said sincerely, "But we've been siblings for twenty years now. If our relationship suddenly changed…"
"I don't want to change the relationship between us," Kunikuzushi shook her head. "More than being my husband or lover, I want you to be my brother—or rather, it's precisely because you're my brother that I like you this much."
Her eyes held a trace of infatuation. Perhaps her fascination with Lucas came largely from her obsession with the "brother" role. If their relationship were anything else, it might even feel dull.
This was probably the ultimate form of brother-complex.
"Even if our relationship stays hidden underground, does that not matter?" Lucas asked again.
"Of course it doesn't," Kunikuzushi nodded and smiled. "But even if you marry someone in the future, you're not allowed to forget me, or else…"
Her lips curved into a threatening smile: "Even if I have to drag you all the way to hell, I will!"
Yeah, still very much a Raiden Kunikuzushi—just the right flavor.
"I… I promise you," Lucas sighed helplessly, "So get some rest. You have classes tomorrow, right?"
"Wh-what do you mean by 'get some rest'?"
Kunikuzushi's cheeks puffed out as she pouted. "We just confirmed our relationship, and you're already thinking about sleeping? How's that fair?"
"What else?" Lucas narrowed his eyes, a teasing glint in them. "What do you want?"
"I want…" Kunikuzushi suddenly cupped Lucas's face and leaned in fiercely. "To have you!"
Compared to the kiss earlier that day, this one was far more unrestrained, as if she was unleashing twenty years of buried feelings.
At first, everything felt normal—then suddenly, he felt a sharp pain on his lips. He instinctively pushed her away, only to see blood dripping from the corner of her mouth. His own lips had been bitten.
Though the wound wasn't large or deep, the pain was sharp. Lucas frowned, "Are you a dog?"
"I just couldn't hold back," Kunikuzushi said without a hint of guilt. She licked her lips and smiled. "Why don't you bite me back?"
"Why would I bite you?" Lucas laughed helplessly. "I'm not a dog."
"But… I want you to bite me…" Her eyes burned with passion. "Like before—bite me hard."
"Aren't you afraid it'll hurt?" Lucas asked.
"I'm not," she shook her head. "I like the pain, brother… Let me feel the pain!"
Lucas suddenly recalled their "special relationship" years ago. Back then, to help Kunikuzushi grow, he had to be tough on her, sometimes unintentionally biting her a little too hard.
Even then, she never told him to stop because of the pain.
Now it made sense—she actually enjoyed the pain.
Good grief. Learned from Yelan, huh? The more sadistic one seems, the more masochistic inside.
Though Kunikuzushi's love of pain was different from Yelan's.
In this simulator world, Kunikuzushi wasn't a doll—otherwise she couldn't have grown from a baby into a graceful young lady.
But what even Lucas didn't know was that compared to normal people, her senses were very weak. What others would find unbearably painful was like a mosquito bite to her.
That was why she was called a "mad dog" from a young age—because she wasn't afraid of pain and never backed down in fights.
That's also why she was so obsessed with pain, especially the pain Lucas gave her.
"You'd better hold on then," Lucas's breathing grew heavier. He murmured, "I bite hard."
That night, encouraged by Kunikuzushi, Lucas completely deleted "treating women gently" from his vocabulary. Like a starving beast, he ravenously devoured the fresh flesh before him.
For ordinary girls, the bitterness of the first glass of wine was unbearable—but for Kunikuzushi, it was bliss. She only wished her wounds wouldn't heal, so she could experience such beauty over and over.
If not for the inn staff knocking to remind them to keep their voices down so as not to disturb others, their terrifying howls might have drawn the attention of the Tenshukaku guards.
They didn't know how long they had gone on before finally falling asleep.
The next morning, Lucas slowly awoke to the hotel's morning service.
Kunikuzushi was curled up in his arms.
What happened last night felt like a dream—if not for the teeth marks still visible on Kunikuzushi, Lucas wouldn't have believed he'd done something so wild.
Luckily, her "injuries" didn't look serious. Naturally, Lucas didn't bite too hard; otherwise, given how fragile a girl's skin was, it wouldn't just be marks.
"Wake up, Kunikuzushi," Lucas gently poked her cheek. "If you don't get up soon, you'll be late for morning class."
"I'm skipping…" Kunikuzushi mumbled with eyes closed. "I… want to sleep a little more."
Lucas smiled helplessly. "Then sleep some more. I have work to discuss today. When you wake, go back to school by yourself. And…"
"Don't disturb my sleep!"
Before he finished, Kunikuzushi impatiently kicked him off the bed, mumbling, "So noisy…"
She was showing her true colors.
Lucas was speechless. He'd heard men could be ruthless, but now it felt like he was the one getting played.
Rubbing his sore backside, unsure how to handle this "not-quite-sister" girl, he kissed her forehead gently before getting dressed and leaving the room.
What Lucas hadn't expected was that no sooner had he stepped out the door than Kunikuzushi—who had been lying on the bed, deep in an endless sleep—suddenly flipped off the covers and jumped up, completely shedding the drowsy haze from moments before.
"You don't want me meddling in the Kunikuzushi Group?" Kunikuzushi's face broke into a mischievous grin as she murmured, "I'd really like to see what big business you've come to Inazuma to talk about!"
Inazuma City, Kujou Estate.
The room was a private reception hall, its dimness caused by the lack of lights making it seem somewhat gloomy. Lucas eyed the man before him: half of his face was cloaked in shadow, while the other half, lit by the faint glow, appeared solemn and dignified.
This extraordinary middle-aged man was the head of the Kujou family—Kujou Takayuki—the very person Lucas had come to see in Inazuma.
One was the current head of the Tenshukaku, the other the leader of an island underworld organization. The two sharing the same room was, to say the least, peculiar.
The reason was simple.
Two years ago, Lucas had already forged ties with the Tenshukaku. Through persistent efforts and bribes, he had arranged for the Tenshukaku to turn a blind eye to the actions of the Kunikuzushi Group on the Outlying Island.
The Outlying Island was originally under the jurisdiction of the Kanjo Bugyo, and the Tenshukaku's reach there was limited. Since they couldn't interfere much anyway, they happily played along and did Lucas a favor.
Kujou Takayuki was aware of this but didn't care much. He only knew of the Kunikuzushi Group's leader by name, nothing more.
What surprised him was that such an "insignificant" figure actually wanted to meet him.
At first, Kujou Takayuki didn't take him seriously and had no intention of meeting him. But Lucas was thick-skinned, sending countless costly gifts.
Whether out of impatience or curiosity about this persistent man's true worth, Kujou Takayuki finally agreed to the meeting, which led to the scene before them now.
"A small token, hardly worthy of respect."
Lucas placed a brocade box on the table and slid it toward him. Kujou Takayuki opened it casually. Inside rested a pure gold golden toad, exquisitely crafted and clearly expensive. But he just sneered disdainfully, saying coldly, "Why aren't you staying on your Outlying Island? What brings you to Inazuma City?"
"You know, when I was a kid, I thought the Outlying Island was huge," Lucas smiled. "But now it seems… smaller."
"It's not the island that's gotten smaller, it's you who's grown," Kujou Takayuki replied coldly. "I've seen plenty like you—once they achieve a little success, they get restless, wanting more. The end? Just stepping stones for others to climb on."
"I'm different from them," Lucas said seriously. "I was a fishing boy without a father, and I've climbed my way here step by step without fail because I've always known what I want and what I can get."
This seemed to pique Kujou Takayuki's interest. He smiled faintly. "You know my time is precious, so no life lectures. Here's the deal—I'll give you one minute. Tell me, what do you really want?"
"I want the seed of the Kunikuzushi Group to take root and grow in the soil of Inazuma City," Lucas said deliberately. "I know I'll need your support to do that."
"You're young but you have a big appetite," Kujou Takayuki scoffed. "You should know that to the Tenshukaku, these gangs are nothing more than tail-wagging dogs. When I eat meat, dogs get bones. But there are only so many bones. If I feed one dog more, the others get less."
Lucas naturally understood the meaning behind Kujou Takayuki's words. Although it was an insult, there was nothing he could do. To these high-ranking nobles, the common people were just dogs and pigs.
"But you're not without hope," Kujou Takayuki shifted tone. "One of my dogs has grown fat over the years and even snarls at me sometimes. If you can take care of this unruly dog, you can take its place."
Lucas frowned. "Who?"
"The head of the Inagawa-kai," Kujou Takayuki said expressionlessly. "Hanayama Genichiro."
Kujou Takayuki actually wanted Lucas to overthrow the Inagawa-kai?
Never mind that the Kunikuzushi Group was weaker than the Inagawa-kai, and that powerful local bosses rarely get toppled—trying to kill Hanayama Genichiro was pure folly.
Lucas sighed. "This is going to be difficult."
"Anyone can handle easy tasks. This isn't for you," Kujou Takayuki stood up, coldly adding, "If you don't have the ability for this, then just go back to the island and sell fish. No more gifts."
Lucas said nothing and left the room. Outside, Kujou's men began to escort him toward the main gate. But just a few steps out, a familiar figure approached.
She was a beautiful woman, her expression stern. She looked about Lucas's age, but even more striking than her face was her proud figure, which seemed to ripple with every step.
The stark contrast between her cold face and alluring body created a unique impression.
This was Kujou Sara, the adopted daughter of Kujou Takayuki.
Though many years had passed, Lucas recognized her instantly. Back when Kunikuzushi was still a rough-edged tomboy, Sara was like a steel wall—but now, they were worlds apart. If that girl ever found out, she'd be furious.
Thinking this, Lucas couldn't help but chuckle, the gloom in his heart lifting.
However, Sara suddenly stopped and asked coldly, "What are you smiling at?"
Startled, Lucas awkwardly smiled. "Sorry, I… just remembered something funny."
"Wait…" Sara stared at him, as if recalling something, then sniffed and suddenly said, "You're the fish seller from the Outlying Island?"
"You remember me?" Lucas was a bit surprised. "That really makes me feel honored."
"I don't remember you—I just remember your smell... a strong fishy odor." Sara's face remained expressionless. "The Tengu have an incredibly sensitive sense of smell. Once we've caught a scent, we don't forget it for decades."
Lucas didn't get angry, though. He chuckled, "Looks like I'll have to use more soap when I shower next time."
"So…" Sara narrowed her eyes, "what are you doing here?"
"Thanks to you and Lady Kamisato," Lucas immediately came up with an excuse and smiled, "after I got released back then, business picked up. I've opened several fish stalls. I wanted to expand to Inazuma City, so I came to pay respects to Lord Kujou."
"My adoptive father is always just and upright—never takes bribes. Trying to find him won't get you anywhere," Sara said coldly. "If you're doing business, then be down-to-earth. Don't always look for shortcuts."
What a "just and upright" guy who doesn't take bribes…
Lucas sneered inside. Kujou Takayuki really was a sly old fox, hiding his true self even from his own adoptive daughter. She actually thought he was an honorable man.
"Thank you for the advice," Lucas bowed his head. "You're right. I'll take my leave."
"Wait." Suddenly, Sara stopped him and asked, "Has your Outlying Island had a gang called the 'Kunikuzushi Group' these past few years?"
Lucas was slightly stunned, but quickly recovered his composure. "I'm an honest businessman. I have nothing to do with those shady types."
"That's good," Sara said with hatred. "Those gangs are the cancer of Inazuma. One day, I'll root them out completely, leaving none behind!"
She had no idea—the real cancer were the big umbrellas shielding those gangs, letting them survive in the daylight.
"I believe you can do it," Lucas smiled faintly. "That way, ordinary people like us can finally live in peace."
Leaving the Kujou Estate, Lucas sighed deeply.
He faced two paths: one was to return home, guard his tiny patch on the Outlying Island, and quietly be a local tyrant.
The other was to find a way to take down Hanayama Genichiro, the head of the Inagawa-kai, to gain Kujou family's support.
The Tenshukaku naturally couldn't get their hands dirty, so Kujou Takayuki had assigned this task to him. If he succeeded, great; if not, he'd at least risk his own life.
He would reap the benefits with zero loss—a guaranteed win.
"That old fox..." Lucas cursed silently.
Suddenly, a voice came from behind him.
"Bro, I didn't expect you to be negotiating with the Kujou family for your business."
Lucas blinked and saw Kunikuzushi standing before him, wearing a meaningful smile. "Let me guess—you're planning to expand the Kunikuzushi Group's operations into Inazuma City?"
That girl was smart. Lucas knew he couldn't hide it, so he just gave a bitter smile. "That's right. But that old fox Kujou Takayuki has put forward an impossible condition."
"What condition?" Kunikuzushi scoffed. "We're siblings. What can't we accomplish together?"
"This one really can't be done," Lucas snorted. "That sly old fox wants me to kill Hanayama Genichiro, the head of the Inagawa-kai..."
He suddenly stopped talking. "Forget it, you don't need to know about this. It's not going to happen."
"Do it!"
Unexpectedly, Kunikuzushi's expression turned cold. "Why can't it? It's just killing one person."
That girl had never feared anything since she was young. Don't mention killing a gang leader—if he told her to go assassinate the Raiden Shogun in Tenshukaku, she wouldn't bat an eye.
"Hanayama Genichiro is notoriously slippery. Don't even think about killing him; finding his hideout is almost impossible," Lucas shook his head. "I'm going back to the inn to think this through. Don't bother me about this anymore."
Actually, Lucas had already made up his mind. After all, this was a simulator. If he failed, it'd just be a game over.
Still, he wanted to keep Kunikuzushi away from this matter, to protect her if things went south.
Unexpectedly, she nodded and smiled. "Got it. I'll leave this to you. I have class now."
"Hey!" Lucas frowned, sensing something off. "You're not... mad at me, are you?"
"Of course not. I know it's about me," Kunikuzushi winked. "Go rest at the inn. I'll come find you after class. No running off, okay?"
Watching her leave, Lucas felt puzzled.
Had she changed? Why was she suddenly so easy to get along with?
As the saying goes, "Unusual happenings invite strange things." But that girl was no killer. She definitely wouldn't storm the Inagawa-kai alone.
So Lucas didn't dwell on it and returned to the Unlinked Inn to ponder how to take down Hanayama Genichiro.
Though he shared the name with the real Inagawa-kai boss who had died of illness, Lucas couldn't be sure of this simulator's Hanayama Genichiro's state. If he were at his prime, Lucas's current strength might not be enough.
Unconsciously, he fell asleep. When the doorbell rang, he slowly woke and went to answer.
Outside stood Kunikuzushi, dragging a fairly large suitcase.
"Why bring a suitcase?" Lucas asked, puzzled. "School's not on holiday yet."
"Shh!" Kunikuzushi shushed him, struggling to drag the suitcase inside. Then she smiled, "Bro, I brought you a gift!"
"It's not my birthday or a festival," Lucas frowned. "What gift?"
Just then, the suitcase suddenly shook and with a bang flipped over, and from inside came the sound of struggling "woo woo."
Lucas was startled and hurried forward, opening the large suitcase to find a young man curled up inside, his hands and feet bound, mouth sealed with tape, struggling furiously.
It was none other than Hanayama Kenji, the heir to the Inagawa-kai, the same young man who had been chasing Kunikuzushi outside the school gates just yesterday.
Seeing Lucas and Kunikuzushi, Hanayama's struggles intensified. Kunikuzushi delivered a sharp kick, snapping, "Stop it right now!"
Hanayama whimpered in pain, quieting down a bit.
"Kunikuzushi!" Lucas grabbed her shoulder in anger. "What are you doing?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Kunikuzushi smiled. "That guy's a loser, but Hanayama Genichiro has only one son. Using him as bait—don't you think it'll draw out that old turtle?"
"Nonsense!" Lucas shouted. "How did you manage to capture him? Does anyone else know about this?"
"Relax, I'm cautious," Kunikuzushi said proudly. "I pretended to agree to his date, sent those two troublesome bodyguards away, then went to his place. After knocking him out, I brought him here. Absolutely no one else knows."
"You're way too reckless!" Lucas patted his forehead, worried. "What if something happened to you?"
"You care about me that much?" Kunikuzushi smiled sweetly. "I know you wouldn't let me do this, so I just went ahead without telling you."
Indeed, given Lucas's personality, not to mention the recklessness of such a plan, he would never have agreed to using Kunikuzushi as bait.
But since she'd already captured Hanayama Kenji, it meant war with the Inagawa-kai was officially declared. There was no turning back now. It had to be a fight to the death.
Lucas wasn't a newcomer to the underworld, so he quickly calmed down and began planning the next steps.
He helped Hanayama Kenji onto a chair and coldly said, "I want to talk. But if you scream or shout, I'll pull your teeth out one by one. Understand?"
Hanayama Kenji, stripped of his arrogant demeanor from yesterday, nodded quickly.
Lucas then ripped off the tape covering his mouth with a sharp tear. The tape stuck so tightly that Hanayama winced in pain, leaving a deep red mark on his face. Kunikuzushi couldn't help but laugh.
"Spare me! Spare me!" Hanayama begged. "As long as you don't kill me, I'll give you whatever you want! My father has plenty of money!"
"Don't worry. I'm not fond of killing either," Lucas said calmly. "Just behave, and you'll be free to go tomorrow."
"But…" Hanayama seemed to realize something and whispered, "I saw your faces. Do you really think you'll let me live?"
"In that case, I won't hide it anymore. I'm going to use you to lure your father out—and then kill him," Lucas said coldly. "Once he's dead, you'll no longer be a threat to us, so there's no need to kill you."
"Why'd you tell him the whole plan?" Kunikuzushi blinked. "Do you really think he'd help you kill his own father?"
"I trust he knows what to do," Lucas said confidently. "I have a good eye for people."
Unexpectedly, Hanayama showed no hesitation. "My relationship with him isn't good anyway. If you want to kill him, I have no objections. But... he's strong. Can you really kill him?"
"Nonsense!" Kunikuzushi slapped Hanayama hard, furious. "My big brother is invincible!"
Lucas's face flushed slightly as he cleared his throat. "As long as you can lure him out, we have ways."
"Still," Hanayama changed tone, "I advise you not to provoke my father. There's still some wiggle room. Kunikuzushi, if you marry me, we'd be family. What happened today, we can pretend it never did…"
Before he could finish, Kunikuzushi slapped him hard across the face. "Say one more word and I'll cut out your tongue!"
"Kunikuzushi, I'm doing this for your own good," Hanayama tried the pity card, addressing Lucas. "Trading Kunikuzushi for a future isn't a bad deal..." smack!
This time, it was Lucas who slapped him—much harder than Kunikuzushi ever did—knocking out two of Hanayama's teeth.
"I won't trade anything," Lucas said, wiping his hands coolly. "So, are you going to help us or not?"
"I can help," Hanayama said, cheeks puffed out. He swallowed nervously. "But you have to swear… First, you absolutely cannot kill me. Second, you have to pay me a large sum of money and get me out of Inazuma."
This guy was already laying out his escape plan in case his father got killed.
"I promise I won't harm you," Lucas nodded. "You know the rules—we never go back on our word."
Suddenly, he noticed something. He glanced at Hanayama's back, puzzled. "Don't all past Inagawa-kai heirs have tattoos on their backs?"
"You mean that 'Chivalrous Stand' tattoo?" Hanayama sneered. "My dad never mentioned it to me. I don't want such an ugly tattoo anyway. What kind of era is this, still believing in that nonsense…"
"True, you probably won't have a chance to get that tattoo," Lucas said, patting his shoulder and smiling. "Your personality isn't really suited for this line of work."
What followed went much more smoothly. Lucas took several photos of Hanayama Kenji and then wrote a letter. He casually hired someone on the street, gave them some money, and had them deliver it to an Inagawa-kai outpost.
Throughout the entire process, Hanayama cooperated willingly, but Lucas didn't let his guard down, keeping him securely tied to the chair.
The letter was simple: the next day at 2 PM, Hanayama Genichiro was to personally come to a dilapidated temple outside Inazuma City with 100 million Mora to retrieve his kidnapped son. If he himself didn't show up, or if there were any extra people, the son would surely be killed.
The Alone Inn wasn't just isolated from other buildings nearby; the rooms themselves were spaced far apart to create a quiet, comfortable environment far from the hustle and bustle.
But the innkeeper never could have imagined this design perfectly suited the needs of Lucas and Kunikuzushi—the kidnappers of the Inazuma underworld's big shot's son. No one would believe that Hanayama Kenji, heir of the Inagawa-kai, was currently bound in one of these rooms.
Hanayama Kenji was a classic example of someone who looked tough but was actually weak inside. Usually, he swaggered around relying on the Inagawa-kai's name, but now, humbled and subdued, he was obedient to the extreme.
As the saying goes, you don't hit a smiling face that's begging. Seeing him fawn and cooperate so much, Lucas didn't plan to torture him. Kunikuzushi only occasionally went to kick him a few times, but to Hanayama, a desperate admirer, that felt more like a reward.
In another room:
"I say..." Kunikuzushi's face was full of displeasure. "If the plan works, are you really going to just let him go?"
"When you live this life, you have to keep your word," Lucas nodded. "People like us, who operate outside the law, live by our own rules. Break the rules, and you don't survive."
"But I still want to teach that guy a good lesson," Kunikuzushi grumbled. "What if we soak him in the bathtub all night, or hang him upside down from the rafters?"
Seriously, even Satan himself would have that tattooed on him.
This was very much in line with Kunikuzushi's character: anyone who wasn't important to her was fair game, especially if they'd crossed her.
"Better not," Lucas shook his head. "If Hanayama Genichiro sees his son all wrinkled from a soak, or with bloodshot eyes, there might be slip-ups tomorrow."
Kunikuzushi stroked her chin thoughtfully. "Is there a way to torment him that won't hurt him?"
Lucas narrowed his eyes, as if an idea struck him. He whispered something in her ear. The girl's face flushed slightly as she listened, then suddenly pushed him away playfully and scolded, "You're so mean!"
"Because I'm a big bad guy," Lucas stood up with a smile. "Go take your bath. I'll handle this."
"I'm counting on you!"
Kunikuzushi giggled and ran into the bathroom.
Lucas opened the door to the other room. Hanayama Kenji was still tied to the chair, but when he saw Lucas enter, a flicker of nervousness appeared on his face.
Lucas ripped the tape from his mouth, and Hanayama quickly asked, "W-what do you want? I have no intention of running."
Hearing this, Lucas chuckled silently. With a fool like him, even if he wanted to run, he wouldn't have the ability.
"Don't be nervous. I trust you," Lucas smiled. "But even though you're cooperating, just to be safe, tonight you'll have to put up with a little discomfort."
"No problem!" Hanayama said, not resisting. Tentatively, he asked, "But what kind of… discomfort?"
"You'll find out soon enough."
Lucas led Hanayama to the bedroom and lifted the bed frame.
This inn had very high-end beds with adjustable bed boards to fit guest needs.
"What… what are you doing?" Hanayama swallowed nervously. "Are you going to lock me in there?"
"No choice. Other places aren't safe enough," Lucas said as he laid Hanayama flat under the bed. "Don't worry, there are air holes so you won't suffocate."
"But—"
Hanayama barely started to protest before Lucas taped his mouth shut again. Then, he removed Hanayama's pants. The man's heart sank—did this polite-looking gentleman have some weird fetish and plan to do something to him?
But for the sake of survival, Hanayama closed his eyes, resigned.
Lucas sneered and slammed the bed board down with a sharp "clack." Then he adjusted the height until the board pressed tightly against Hanayama's body.
In the pitch-black darkness, Hanayama could only see faint light filtering through the air holes. It felt like being buried alive—uncomfortable, but not unbearable—yet terrifying nonetheless.
Soon, the bathroom door opened, and Hanayama heard Kunikuzushi's voice.
"Ready?"
Hearing her voice stirred excitement deep in Hanayama's heart. Even trapped like this, he still adored this goddess he'd longed for. He still dreamed that maybe tomorrow, when they all got defeated by his father, Kunikuzushi would be his prize.
At that thought, his body reacted involuntarily.
Suddenly, a sharp pain hit him—he realized that his uncooperative manhood was pressed hard against the bed board. Since the board was nearly flush with his body, and the underside lined with wooden spikes, the pressure made tears well up.
"All set," Lucas said with a smile. "He's locked under there now."
"Then let's get started." Kunikuzushi licked her lips. "I don't like to say gloomy things, but none of us knows what will happen tomorrow, so let's treat tonight like it's our last."
"Then I better do a good job," Lucas said with a glance at the bed. "After all, we have an audience."
Hanayama Kenji, trapped beneath the bed, finally understood why Lucas had taken off his pants—this was their chosen method of "torment."
Soon, the bed board began to shake violently. Along with it came Kunikuzushi's unrestrained voice.
Thinking of his beloved goddess being intimate with another man, Hanayama's heart ached bitterly. But even worse, her voice pouring into his ears only stoked a furious fire inside him.
The sound of Kunikuzushi's voice was unending.
On the bed, Lucas was enjoying the softness and sweetness of cotton candy, while beneath the bed, Hanayama Kenji was being endlessly tormented by the hardness and splinters of the bedboard.
One above, one below—like heaven and hell.
Hanayama Kenji tried to calm himself down, to keep Kun-kun's anger from bringing him more pain, but he couldn't shut out the sound.
His admiration for Kunikuzushi was so deep that just hearing her voice left him completely unable to control himself.
But now, that same admiration had become shackles—no, a form of torture that ravaged both his mind and body.
The battle between Lucas and Kunikuzushi lasted until the latter half of the night—not because either lacked stamina, but because there were important matters to attend to tomorrow, and they needed to rest.
The two fell asleep in each other's arms, utterly content.
Hanayama Kenji, however, lay awake nearly the whole night, from heartache and… lower-body pain, only dozing off near dawn. Even then, he slept for barely a moment before waking again from a fresh wave of agony.
For some reason, his mind felt hazy, lost in a fog for who knew how long.
When he finally came to his senses, he realized he was no longer under that cramped bed, but in a strange, unfamiliar place.
The surroundings were dilapidated, like an abandoned, crumbling shrine. Instead of a deity, the altar here housed a fox statue.
"You're awake?" Lucas said with a faint smile when he noticed him. "So, how was your beauty sleep last night?"
Hearing this, Hanayama Kenji felt a surge of anger. Wasn't this just a deliberate jab?
Even now, a certain part of his body still throbbed faintly. But though his heart was full of hatred and resentment, he forced a fawning smile and said, "Thank you for your care. I slept very well. This place… where is it?"
"This is where the hostage exchange will take place," Lucas replied. "If nothing goes wrong, your father will be here to take you home soon."
"That's… wonderful." Hanayama Kenji hesitated, then asked, "But are you sure you can actually kill my father?"
Lucas narrowed his eyes and smiled. "With your help, there's no doubt about it."
"What… what do you mean by that?" Hanayama Kenji asked, confused. "I'm just a hostage. How could I help you?"
"You just need to play the role of the hostage properly," Lucas said, patting his cheek before sealing his mouth again with tape. "Be good, and soon you'll be going home with your dear old dad."
As soon as he finished speaking, a figure dropped from the roof beam—it was Kunikuzushi. She nodded and said, "Hanayama Genichirou is almost here. He's alone. I saw clearly."
"I see." Lucas flexed his sweaty hands. "Everything goes according to plan."
"With the two of us working together, we can definitely kill that old man," Kunikuzushi said with an easy smile, not the least bit nervous. "Once he's gone, the Kunikuzushi Gang will take the Inagawa-kai's place. Big Brother, you'll be one step closer to becoming Inazuma's underground emperor!"
But Lucas's expression showed no trace of a smile. He said quietly, "Kunikuzushi… I've always kept you out of the Kunikuzushi Gang's affairs. But if something happens to me, the group… will be yours."
Kunikuzushi blinked. "What nonsense are you talking about? You're the boss of the Kunikuzushi Gang!"
She wasn't just the woman Lucas loved most—she was also his most loyal "subordinate."
"I've already made a deal with Kujou Takayuki. As long as we take down Hanayama Genichirou, the Kunikuzushi Gang will have the protection of the Tenryou Commission," Lucas said flatly. "I will kill Hanayama Genichirou today, no doubt about that—but I can't be sure I'll survive. So I'm telling you in advance."
"I don't want—"
Before she could finish, she suddenly felt a sharp pain at the back of her neck and lost consciousness. Lucas caught her, carried her to the altar, and hid her beneath the fox statue's shrine.
———
A few minutes later.
Heavy, oppressive footsteps sounded outside the door. Then, with a loud crack, the decaying shrine doors split apart.
A tall, broad-shouldered old man stepped inside. Compared to the withered Hanayama Genichirou in the real world, this version seemed younger. Amid his white hair and beard, a few strands of gray still remained, and his physique was far more robust. If not for the wrinkles crowding his face, one might not believe he was an old man.
Aside from the long, narrow katana at his side, he carried nothing.
At the sight of his father, Hanayama Kenji let out a muffled "mmph! mmph!" of excitement. But Hanayama Genichirou only shot him a cold glare and said, "Quiet, useless thing."
"Hanayama-san, you truly are a man of your word," Lucas said with a polite smile, sitting upright. "But it seems you didn't bring any ransom money."
Truth be told, in the real world, a swordsman like Hanayama Genichirou would be no match for Lucas. But here, in the simulator, that was far from certain. At the very least, the old man's presence now carried real pressure.
"Hahahaha!"
Genichirou laughed heartily. "You're right—you don't really want money, do you, little brat from the Kunikuzushi Gang?"
"You know me?" Lucas smiled. "I'm flattered that a big name like you would recognize me."
"In all my years in Inazuma, I've spent so much money, raised so many men," Hanayama Genichirou said with a cold smile. "And yet every year, countless arrogant young fools like you end up dead. In my eyes, you're nothing but a small fry."
Lucas smoothly drew the short blade at his waist and pressed it against Hanayama Kenji's neck. "Well, this 'small fry' is about to kill your only son."
"To be honest, if it weren't for my late wife asking me to look after this useless waste, I'd have killed him myself," Genichirou said with a shrug. "Let him go, and I'll pretend today never happened."
Without another word, Lucas hurled Hanayama Kenji—chair and all—to the ground, leveled his blade at Genichirou, and said, "I'll let him go… after I kill you!"
As the words left his mouth, he shot forward like a swordfish, driving the short blade straight for Hanayama Genichirou's chest.
So slow.
These weren't Hanayama Genichiro's true thoughts—it was Lucas's own impatience.
Though his combat experience gave him an edge in close quarters, the version of himself inside the simulator was much weaker physically than in reality.
It was like taking a max-level player in a game and suddenly forcing them to play at level one. The gameplay knowledge was there, but the restrictions were overwhelming.
It was like dancing while shackled.
Hanayama sneered, swinging his long katana to block Lucas's assault. The force shook Lucas' hand so hard his fingers tingled.
"Is that thing in your hand even a weapon?" Hanayama looked disdainfully at the short blade Lucas held. "Is your weapon as short as your… other piece?"
Lucas paused, staring at the two-foot-long dagger in his hand. He wasn't sure if Hanayama was complimenting him or mocking him.
In the simulator, Lucas' role was that of a fish butcher—no formal training, relying on street tactics, always using a short blade similar to a fish knife. If a real fight broke out, he probably couldn't even beat Kunikuzushi.
Once the Kunikuzushi gang got started, he wouldn't have to fight himself. Honestly, if this wasn't immersive mode, relying on his real-world combat experience, he wouldn't last more than a few moves against Hanayama.
In text mode, it would probably just say: "You drew your blade and fought Hanayama Genichiro. One strike. You died. Simulator ended. Calculating results."
But losing to Hanayama was part of Lucas' plan from the start.
Without a shred of fear, Lucas attacked again, locking blades with Hanayama. Though wielding an unfamiliar weapon, his skill kept the fight back and forth, and he even managed to leave scars on Hanayama's body.
Beneath torn clothing, the "Chivalrous Blade" tattoo was faintly visible—just like in reality.
But now, that solemn, fearsome tattoo was marred by several new wounds—courtesy of Lucas.
Lucas' own body bore even more cuts.
With a tearing sound, Hanayama ripped off his shredded clothes and laughed, "It's been a long time since I met an opponent who fought so fiercely. So, I'll give you a reward: a swift death."
He sheathed his sword and suddenly radiated a fierce black-and-red killing intent. Before Lucas could react, Hanayama swung a wide, blood-red slash. Though slow, its reach was massive and carried an oppressive, deadly aura.
"Special skill? The Undying Slash!"
Only Lucas in reality might dodge this attack.
In the simulator, Lucas felt like he'd passed through the gates of hell. When the red-black blade faded, his whole body ached fiercely. With a tearing sound, his body erupted like a blood-red blossom from dozens of wounds, spraying a fountain of blood.
"Impressive…"
Lucas muttered silently before collapsing heavily.
"This is a technique that can kill even the undead. Dying to it means your life has no regrets," Hanayama coldly glanced at Lucas before walking over to his son, ignoring him as he sat, and said, "You're pathetic. You know why I wouldn't let you get the 'Chivalrous Blade' tattoo?"
Hanayama Kenji, worn out from a torturous night and recent beating, shook his head weakly.
"Because you're not worthy."
Hanayama Genichiro raised his katana and without hesitation cut both his son's legs clean off. Hanayama Kenji screamed in agony, while his father's face remained expressionless.
"This way, you won't be running around embarrassing me anymore. I promised your mother I'd protect you—not because I loved her, but because I don't break my word."
He lifted his son like a chick and turned to leave the dilapidated temple, leaving two bloody trails where Kenji's legs once were.
At the door, Hanayama glanced back at the barely conscious Lucas and gave a bitter laugh, "If only this guy were my son… but no, he's just cannon fodder sent by that old fox Kujo Takayuki."
Lucas was losing consciousness but a faint smile crossed his lips as he murmured, "Forty-three, forty-two, forty-one…"
Hanayama Genichiro couldn't hear Lucas' whisper, less than a mosquito's buzz, as he strode away. The painful whimpers of his son echoed from his shoulders.
Growing impatient, Hanayama ripped off the tape from Kenji's mouth and snapped, "It's just two legs cut off—what's there to whine about?"
"My… stomach hurts…" Kenji murmured.
"My legs were cut, how can your stomach hurt?" Hanayama pulled open Kenji's shirt to reveal a freshly stitched wound on his abdomen, from which faint dripping sounds could be heard.
Having spent decades in Inazuma's underworld, Hanayama immediately knew what it meant—but it was too late.
Before he could curse, a loud explosion shattered the air. The two figures were engulfed in a violent blast, reduced to a bloody, mangled mess.
Indeed, whether hostage or duel, Lucas' goal was never to openly kill Hanayama Genichiro. Late last night, while Kenji was asleep, Lucas injected him with a strong anesthetic and secretly implanted timed explosives in his abdomen.
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