The voices coming from downstairs made Ren's eyes narrow sharply. Instinctively, he pressed himself against the floor, listening closely.
Then, from their words, he sensed danger.
"Is this the place?"
A refined-looking man stepped through the shop's front door, holding a flintlock pistol in one hand.
The gloved finger resting on the trigger was aimed casually—though not accidentally—at the back of Mondo.
Completely unaware, Mondo was spitting as he talked excitedly. "Yes, that's right, Godfather. This is Keya's shop. I saw him with my own eyes paying off everyone else's debts. He even muttered about not wanting to live anymore. I bet he couldn't take it and decided to off himself. That's terrible for your business, Godfather."
The man known as the Godfather smiled faintly, lowering the muzzle a little. "I'm a man of integrity. When I say I sell only the freshest goods to my customers, I mean it. If he really killed himself, that would damage my reputation."
He chuckled softly, eyes glinting with amusement. "Still, you're quite the loyal friend. You knew Keya might kill himself, so you brought me the news to offset your gambling debts. Truly, a good friend."
"Haha…"Mondo forced an awkward laugh, not daring to contradict him. "That's what friends are for—helping each other out."
"Helping? More like stabbing each other in the back."The Godfather sneered coldly, then looked at his four men. "Find him. Alive or dead—I want to see him. If you can't find him…"
He didn't finish the sentence, but his gaze lingered on Mondo—the debtor before him.
He knew exactly what kind of man this was: a worthless gambler trying to pay off his debt by selling out a friend. Maybe even hoping to become one of his lackeys.
But lackeys were family—and family didn't owe debts.
Unfortunately for Mondo, the Godfather wasn't short on lackeys right now.What he was short on… was fresh material.
His business had only just begun, after all. And no one said fresh material had to come from a stranger.
Mondo had no idea what the man was thinking. If he did, he would probably collapse to his knees and beg for mercy, regretting every word he'd said.
Keya, when they come to take you apart, don't blame me. You're doomed anyway—so at least help a friend out. Once you're dead, your debt's cleared, and I won't owe you anymore.
Vicious thoughts filled Mondo's mind one after another as he joined the four knife-wielding goons in searching for their target.
Damn it! It's not enough that I got a hell-mode start—now the boss himself is coming for me?!
Ren, still lying flat on the floor, could clearly hear the creaking of footsteps on the stairs. In two or three minutes, they'd find him for sure.
Escape through the window?
Where could he even go?Even if he ran, they'd hunt him down. And if the Marines found him, they'd just tie him up and hand him back over.
This was a Marine base town—under the control of the 16th Branch.
Yes, that infamous town ruled by the corrupt Captain Nezumi.
And the Godfather—the man with the flintlock—was none other than his nephew, Nezuro.
Even if Ren somehow made it to the edge of the island and jumped into the sea, his odds of survival were slim.He could barely swim. Half a duck, at best.
And this wasn't a river—it was the open sea!
A dead end…?!
Ren's mind raced, but nothing he'd inherited from his body's previous owner could turn things around.
The man whose body he now inhabited had been too honest, too meek. He hadn't even owned a gun—he'd rather stab himself than fight back!
If it had been Ren's choice, he'd have spent his last coins on a flintlock.
Then sneak up on the bastard who'd tormented him the most and blow his head off.
If you're doomed anyway, might as well take your enemy down with you.No need to walk the Yellow Springs alone!
Calm down, calm down. That was him, not me.
Ren forced down the storm inside and tried to think rationally.
The Dimension Roulette?
He still had some Beli—maybe a few tens of thousands—in the drawer.
But with his luck stat at I-, using that to gamble would be like trying to build a bridge out of tin foil.
What did I- even mean?
Ren remembered the stat grading system in his status window.
{MAX, S, A, B, C, D, E, F, G}
Nine total ranks.And there was no I. Not even an H!
G was the baseline for an average person.So I-—the next letter after H—would be the tenth tier.
In other words, his "luck" stat was practically synonymous with "about to die."
Ren wanted to scream something unprintable.But screw it—better than sitting here waiting to die!
If he could at least pull out a knife or something, maybe he could drag one of them down with him.
He got up quietly, creeping toward the drawer.
But before he could open it, a glowing notification popped up before his eyes.
{Please claim your apology compensation from Driver 9527 promptly. Delay will incur stasis fees.}
"!"
Ren's mind buzzed.
Right!The apology compensation!
He didn't know if the Dimension Roulette took time to activate—or how long the recharge process took—but the compensation might work instantly!
It was all a gamble either way—but he trusted the driver's "apology gift" more than his own luck.
Maybe, just maybe, it'd be something useful.Even a pistol would save his life right now.
Meanwhile, the footsteps in the hallway grew louder, accompanied by curses.
"Damn, the smell of blood's a lot stronger up here. Did the bastard really kill himself already?"
The gang leader, machete in hand, kicked open the bedroom door where the scent was thickest.
Mondo's face went pale. No way, did he really die?!If he did, would the debt still count?
Hearing the footsteps closing in, Ren shouted mentally—
Take it out! Now!
He prayed the Dimension Roulette could hear him.
{Package opening... Reward dispensing...}
[Vajra Indestructible Body — Ten Years of Cultivation!]
Wait, what?
Before he could process it, a familiar voice echoed in his head.
{Hey buddy, my bad! Turns out you weren't even on the list. I kinda hit the wrong guy.Lost my job over it, but that's not your fault. The Vajra Body Technique kept me alive as a driver, so I'll give you ten years of my cultivation as compensation.Fate's long and winding, see you around~ (Five-star review, maybe?)}
Five-star review?!
"Five-star your damn—!"
Ren cursed—but before he could finish, searing heat flooded his body.
It was like molten lava poured into his veins. His skin turned red, cracks splitting across it as golden light shimmered underneath.
[Vajra Indestructible Body — Ten Years of Cultivation granted!]
The chime of the Dimension Roulette was the sweetest sound he'd ever heard—right as the door burst open with a bang!
"Damn, the stench is thick! He's probably dea—"
Before the thug could finish, blinding golden light filled the room.
"What the—gold?!"
"Take my Oscar, you bastards!"
Ren roared and launched himself forward.
A golden fist smashed into the lead thug's face.
Boom!
The man and the one behind him slammed into the wall and slid down, unconscious.
"Gold man?!"
Mondo gawked. "You're—Keya?!"
The remaining two goons froze, eyes wide, as the golden man turned toward them.
"What are you staring at? Never seen a fist this big before?!"
BAM!Another flash of gold—and another thug was plastered to the wall.
The last one snarled and swung his machete—only for a clang! to ring out as the blade bent like soft metal.
"That's it?!"
Ren's punch shattered the man's nose. He dropped instantly.
So strong!
That punch had to rival a professional boxer's strike.
Ren's heart leapt—then sank.
Because he knew what this power had cost him.
His life.
No wonder it was strong.
"Keya—you—you're alive! Thank heavens! It's me, Mondo!"
Mondo was shaking, his back pressed against the wall, sweat pouring down.
"...Mondo?"
Ren frowned, feeling a sudden pain in his head.
Then, fragments of Keya's memories surfaced.
Mondo. A friend. A gambler. The only one who'd still visited after Keya fell into ruin.
But according to those memories—he was also a scumbag.A man who never repaid his debts.
And unfortunately, one of the debtors was him.
Ren's eyes narrowed. "You? What are you doing here?"
"G-Godfather said he wanted to check on you. I came along because I was worried!"
Mondo's smile was stiff, but jealousy burned in his eyes.
So the rumors were true—Keya must've eaten a Devil Fruit!The legendary fruits that granted power at the cost of swimming—Keya, the useless weakling, had one!
Mondo's heart twisted with envy. If he'd eaten that fruit, he could crush all his debts, the Godfather, everything!
He'd be unstoppable—a superman!
But that was fine. He knew Keya too well.
Soft. Timid. Naïve. The kind of person who blamed himself when others hurt him.As his "friend," Mondo was confident he could manipulate him.
He'd use Keya as his stepping stone to the top.
"You really scared me, Keya," Mondo said, voice full of fake sincerity. He pointed to the thugs on the floor. "But you've got a big problem now. These guys belong to the Godfather. And he's downstairs right now."
As he spoke, he watched Keya's face closely, waiting for the panic—the fear.
But there was none.
Still smiling, Mondo continued smoothly, "Don't worry. I'll help you. You just have to listen to me—"
(End of Chapter)