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On the balcony, Saeko Busujima and Venom were chatting when they suddenly heard a noise at the door. Both of them exchanged puzzled looks—who could it be?
Venom stepped back into the room, opened the door, and found a young girl in a kimono standing outside.
She had flowing golden hair, a delicate face, a well-developed chest, and even through the kimono, it was clear she had a fine figure.
"Uh… can I help you?"
Venom stared at her, confused. He had only just arrived in this city—why would someone already be knocking at his door?
The girl's cheeks flushed. She looked shy as she spoke softly:
"Sir, do you… need any services?"
"…"
Venom blinked, speechless. So they even had door-to-door services here?
"Sorry, no. I don't need anything. You can go."
But the girl immediately dropped to her knees, pleading desperately:
"Please, sir! My friend is sick, and I need money urgently. If you give me the money, I'll do anything you want."
Venom scratched his head, half-tempted to agree—but he could feel two scorching glares on his back, making the choice rather awkward.
"What's your name?"
The girl hesitated, then whispered:
"Leone."
"It's your first time doing this, isn't it?"
Venom tilted his head. The way she blushed, the way she acted—it was obvious she was new to this.
Hadn't she ever heard of madams? Those women who ran brothels would arrange everything properly. They'd never send someone clumsily knocking on doors like this.
"Yes… they said the first time could sell for a lot."
Leone's face turned as red as a tomato. She'd heard that a girl's first time could fetch a high price, so she'd been looking for a wealthy patron.
"So you picked me as your target?"
Venom sighed helplessly. He had noticed her eyes on him when he passed through the red-light district earlier, but hadn't paid much attention.
"…Fine. Come in, then."
He stepped aside, making room.
Leone, blushing furiously, rose to her feet and walked inside. Venom shut the door behind her.
…
The next morning, Mine was busy tidying up the room while Venom and Saeko stood at the balcony's edge.
"You're just gonna let her leave like that?" Saeko asked, eyes narrowing as she watched Leone hurrying down the street. Jealousy flickered in her gaze.
"And what exactly do you expect me to do?" Venom replied with a careless smile, watching Leone's retreating back.
Saeko had no answer for that. She could only force a smile in return.
"Anyway, it's about time we moved," Venom said, glancing at the sky and calculating the hour.
"What about the kid?"
Saeko turned, smiling faintly at Mine, who was still cleaning diligently.
"Leave her here. It shouldn't be a big problem, but there are risks. Better she doesn't get caught up in it."
Venom nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah. Safer that way."
Saeko agreed quietly, and the two of them vanished from the balcony.
Minutes later, they reappeared out of thin air in front of the imperial palace.
"Halt! Who goes there? State your names!"
The guards at the gate instantly drew their weapons, surrounding the two intruders.
Venom grinned, completely unfazed. "Go tell your emperor this—your granddaddy's here!"
"You insolent cur! How dare you insult His Majesty? Men, execute them on the spot!" barked the officer in charge.
The soldiers tightened their grip on their weapons and charged forward.
Saeko raised one foot and tapped the ground lightly.
A surge of lightning exploded beneath the soldiers' feet, locking them in place before they collapsed, bodies charred and smoking.
"Let's go," Venom said casually, stepping toward the gate with her.
But more soldiers came pouring out of the palace gates, weapons raised.
Saeko strode forward and stomped once. A wave of lightning shot across the ground, blasting through the ranks. One after another, the soldiers were flung into the air, groaning as they hit the ground.
In seconds, the entrance was littered with writhing, smoking bodies.
Saeko didn't break stride as she walked through the palace gates.
Venom followed at an easy pace, strolling past the carnage like a tourist admiring the scenery.
From within the palace, lightning flashes lit up the halls again and again, each strike pushing further inside.
Saeko Busujima strode straight into the imperial city without the slightest resistance. Every soldier who dared to rush her fell before they even got close, struck down by lightning.
Venom followed lazily behind her, hands tucked behind his head, watching her back. He couldn't help wondering if maybe—just maybe—he'd trained her a little too well.
Judging by this world's power scale, Saeko was already among the strongest alive.
With a casual flick of her wrist, another bolt of lightning blasted out, sending the charging soldiers flying like rag dolls.
Before long, the two of them reached a wide open plaza.
At its center stood a middle-aged man in armor, arms folded across his chest, waiting for them.
Venom stepped up beside Saeko, eyed the man in the distance, and asked with a grin,"So, what's your read on him?"
"Strong," Saeko replied flatly. She didn't need to test him—his aura alone told her enough.
"I am General Budo, commander of the Imperial Guard!" the armored man bellowed. "Insolent rebels, your arrogance ends here!"
Even his voice carried weight, pressing down on them like an invisible force.
"Rebels?" Venom shot back. "Nah, you've got it all wrong—we're here to become generals."
The middle-aged man's expression hardened. "If that's truly your goal, then you should follow the proper channels. Not storm the palace like criminals."
Venom rolled his eyes and scratched his ear, looking bored. "Yeah, see, that's the problem. Climbing the ranks from some grunt takes forever. Easier to just ask the Emperor directly for a promotion."
"You dare speak of His Majesty with such disrespect!" Budo's voice thundered with outrage.
"I said it, didn't I?" Venom smirked. "What're you gonna do about it?"
"Enough!" Budo roared. He lunged forward in a single bound, his iron fist swinging down like a hammer.
Venom didn't even flinch, standing there with the same lazy posture, as if the attack didn't concern him at all.
The general faltered for half a second at the strange lack of reaction, but he didn't hold back. His fist kept driving forward.
That's when Saeko suddenly stepped in front of Venom. She caught the punch with one hand, then spun on her heel and delivered a sharp kick.
Budo went flying.
He smashed through wall after wall before finally coming to a stop, crumpled against the last one standing.
"....."