Chapter 123: A Monster's Deal
Splat!
The head shattered, and foul-smelling brain matter exploded everywhere.
Kaito Shirogane's expression was grim. His [Death-Taint of the Myriad Gods] had indeed triggered, but it had hit a decoy. The target had withdrawn his consciousness from the body just before the final blow.
[Heartless] stood in the hospital room, watching as "Mercenary Tao" smashed the strange man's head to pieces. He felt a deep, profound chill. He had always known that Reincarnators were a lawless bunch, but this "Mercenary Tao" was, without a doubt, the most terrifying and heretical one he had ever met. In that moment, he understood with absolute clarity that he could not compete with this man. To make an enemy of him... he didn't have enough lives to play that game.
He remembered [Providence]'s words. He should have gotten rid of the [Card] earlier. Perhaps, he now thought, making a deal with this man is a good choice. No... it's my only choice.
Kaito turned, casually wiping his hand on the corpse's clothes. "Noir," he said, "you should have his appearance. Have Vought's intelligence department run a city-wide search for him."
He thought for a moment. Based on his own habits, even when a person lies, they often use a half-truth. He didn't believe a Reincarnator could truly operate with just their consciousness, controlling a body from afar. At least, none at the level he had encountered. Therefore, he believed Kalpa's story about possessing people through sexual abuse had some credibility. He added, "Have the police or the other heroes start investigating single women, or women who have recently gone missing."
Kalpa's abilities were strange, but Kaito had seen his reaction. He was now certain that his [Death-Taint] could, in fact, kill him for good.
The fact that his prey had escaped had put Kaito in a bad mood. He saw Black Noir turn to carry out his orders, then he walked over to [Heartless]. Ripples of Hamon were already flowing from his hands.
"So. Are you ready to give me that [Card]?"
This Reincarnator, codenamed [Heartless], truly had a bit of cleverness. He knew the [Card] was a guaranteed drop upon death. Therefore, he hadn't kept it in his inventory or his private space. He had hidden it somewhere in this mission world. That way, the [Card] was temporarily separated from him. Even if Kaito killed him now, it wouldn't drop. It would only be extracted by the Nexus at the end of the mission, reappearing in another world or some other random place. Most of the time, this was how [Cards] were lost—the owner would hide it, and then die before they could retrieve it.
Kaito knew that he could find it if he was willing to spend the time. This world was full of Supes with special abilities. If he used Vought's resources and Homelander's support, he could track [Heartless]'s every move, even if his special invisibility also made the [Card] invisible. With enough time and resources, he could find it.
There was no warmth in Kaito's eyes. [Heartless] was certain he wasn't being threatened, nor was this a negotiation. This was an ultimatum. If he gave a negative answer, he would be killed, right here, right now.
His heart pounded. He gasped for air, the sharp killing intent from Kaito刺痛ing his nerves. Kaito didn't enjoy killing, but he didn't dislike it, either. What he loved was the process of the slaughter. Killing was just the final result. He formed his index and middle fingers into a sword and placed them on [Heartless]'s forehead. A powerful force was coiled, ready to be released. With just a gentle push, it would scramble his brain.
Humans are so fragile.
"I… I agree to give you the card…"
"Hah… hah…"
[Heartless] gasped. He had originally wanted to try and negotiate, but he was completely unable to resist the pressure. He had surrendered unconditionally.
Kaito smiled. He removed his fingers from the man's forehead and patted him on the shoulder, even using a bit of Hamon to kindly stabilize his injuries. The man's lung had been pierced and his right hand had been cut off. While he wouldn't die, he would be completely incapacitated until he returned to the Nexus. He was the perfect target.
"Mr. Heartless," Kaito said, his voice smooth. "I think we can amend the details of our deal a little."
"You don't want to just lose the [Card] for nothing, do you? If you had sold it in the public space, you would have gotten a pretty good return."
[Heartless]'s eyes darted away, and he just mumbled a vague reply.
Kaito clicked his tongue. He could tell there was more to the story of the [9527] survivors, but he didn't care. It had nothing to do with him.
"I need you to do something for me. As for the payment…" Kaito paused, then smiled. "The payment is that I will genuinely let you return to the Nexus, alive. How does that sound?"
[Heartless]'s expression changed. He hadn't expected him to say such a thing. He had subconsciously assumed that a famous Reincarnator like this would honor an agreement. He had even been trying to think of how to word a contract that wouldn't make him seem untrustworthy. But now, he understood. This "Mercenary Tao" had been planning to kill him all along, even after getting the [Card].
His face was as pale as paper. A wave of absolute despair washed over him. He felt like a lamb, waiting for the slaughter.
SLAP!
Kaito slapped him across the face, snapping the terrified, naive Reincarnator out of his stupor.
"Listen. Originally, no matter whose hands you fell into, mine or theirs, the ending would have been the same. We would have forced you to hand over all of your resources, including the [Card], and then we would have found some way to get around the Nexus Covenant and kill you."
[Heartless]'s face grew even paler. Kaito had done it before. A contract had power, but there were always loopholes.
A light flashed in Kaito's hand, and he pressed something into [Heartless]'s hand.
[XX53562211 (Mercenary Tao) has initiated a trade.]
[You have obtained the Lineage Item: Werewolf (Rare)]
It was a still-beating heart, larger than his own hand. He didn't understand. A lineage item like this was incredibly precious and valuable. While it couldn't compare to the [Card], he couldn't believe a man like this would just trade it to him. He stared at Kaito, not daring to use the item or even put it in his inventory.
Kaito smiled. He appreciated the man's cleverness and his pragmatism. But at the same time, he knew that a person with this kind of personality, while they might be a good person in the real world, was destined to achieve nothing in the Nexus.
"Of course, I'm not trading it to you. This is just… collateral. To ensure you make it back to the Nexus alive."
[XX53562211 (Mercenary Tao) wishes to form a Covenant with you.]
[Covenant Details: XX53562211 will entrust the Lineage Item: Werewolf (Rare) to LK99547854 (Heartless). The item is to be returned to XX53562211's inventory at the end of the current mission world. If LK99547854 is unable to return the item, he must pay a penalty of 2 B-rank Singularities, 15,000 Dimensional Points, or an item of equivalent value before the start of the next mission cycle. Failure to do so will result in ANNIHILATION.]
[WARNING: The terms of this covenant are extremely harsh. Please sign with caution.]
Kaito noted that while the Nexus gave Reincarnators the authority to create contracts, the more complex the terms, the higher the price. Just creating this contract had cost him 2,000 Dimensional Points, and if [Heartless] refused to sign, the fee would not be refunded.
[Heartless] now understood. Kaito had just entrusted him with a precious item to prove that he was genuinely willing to let him live. After all, even if he killed him, the Crimson Drop Card wasn't guaranteed to drop that specific, rare lineage item from his junk-filled inventory.
And, if he were to run into danger, he could use this lineage item. He could use the werewolf's powerful life force to survive. The corresponding price, of course, was that he would then have to pay a debt equivalent to two B-rank Singularities and 15,000 Dimensional Points.
This was, in its own way, a forced sale. A lineage item was precious, but this price for a rare-quality one was absolutely exorbitant. He bowed his head, feeling the powerful, pulsing vitality from the heart in his hand. He craved it.
[Heartless]'s own invisibility ability was also very precious. It was one of the greatest treasures of the [9527] legacy: the [Suke Suke no Mi - Clear-Clear Fruit]. He was still able to use other lineage items; the Devil Fruit was classified by the Nexus as a special ability, and did not affect a Reincarnator's lineage slot.
"Fine!" he said. "I accept."
He was now prepared. This task that Kaito was giving him… it was clearly something else. This world, the things that he had to give up his own life to plan for… without a doubt, it was to kill [Bad Kid] and [Kalpa].
This guy… he really is a beast, [Heartless] thought, a shiver running through him. No. Even a beast would avoid fighting another strong beast. A beast only hunts weak prey that can't fight back... like me.
This Mercenary Tao… he's a monster. He enjoys hunting other monsters.
VMMMM!
A blur of motion, and Homelander appeared in the medical bay. He looked at the corpse embedded in the wall, then smiled at Kaito.
"Hah-hah! My friend! I heard you were attacked and came as soon as I could! Good thing you're okay!"
He had already seen the data from Ashley. After he had given that "radical" speech, his approval ratings had skyrocketed. The internet was full of people supporting him and condemning the corrupt, incompetent government. He now acknowledged the Asian man's wisdom. And more importantly, the Asian man had excellent taste.
Kaito smiled and congratulated Homelander, then changed the subject.
"Homelander. I think it's time we started our plan. The beginning of a new era."
Homelander was all smiles. "Then what are we waiting for? But… where should we start…?" He was reluctant to expose his own incompetence, but he really had no idea.
Kaito smoothly took the lead. "Naturally, we must first make the public realize that you and the so-called 'Seven' are completely different classes of hero."
"The Seven… it's time for them to be destroyed. Those people who can only shine in your shadow… now is the time for them to serve their final purpose."
Homelander raised an eyebrow. He understood. "For example?"
Kaito shrugged. "Any member of The Seven… besides you."
"You pick. I'll make the arrangements."
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Guys We cross the 1300 power stone goal and as promise here the bonus chapter
Next goal 1400 power stone,come on guys you'll can do it, good luck.
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