"Mmm~"
In the experimental base, Samuel gently stroked Frenda's head as if petting a kitten.
The adorable blonde girl stayed obediently by his side, exuding an air of docility.
If those present didn't know what kind of mischievous troublemaker she was, they might have mistaken her for a genuinely sweet, gentle girl!
"Hey, hey! Frenda, why are you so compliant with this guy?!"
Mugino Shizuri shouted, clearly exasperated.
"Mm~"
After pulling Frenda close and playfully kissing her lips, Samuel smirked wickedly and said, "Mugino, it's work hours. Subordinates shouldn't be kissing their boss!"
"What are you talking about? When did I kiss you?! And didn't you just kiss Frenda?! Come on, Frenda, have some backbone!"
Mugino glared at Frenda, who was nestled in Samuel's arms like a pampered kitten, her frustration palpable.
"Hm? Why?"
Frenda couldn't help but recall the ten million dollars that had mysteriously appeared in her account yesterday...
"Sorry, Mugino... I'd love to be all principled, but... he offered way too much!"
Frenda thought to herself.
Samuel inhaled Frenda's faint fragrance, a smile curling his lips. He whispered to her, "Look, you all risk your lives and barely make a dime. Plus, Takitsume's still recovering from her injuries. Don't you want an easier job? One where you just lie back and earn more than you would risking your life?"
"Hey! That's too far!"
Mugino slammed the table, fuming.
"Uh... Boss, about that..."
"How about fifty million a month?"
"Boss, starting today—mmph!"
As Frenda's sky-blue eyes were tainted by the allure of money, Mugino yanked her out of Samuel's arms.
"Hey! Mugino, how could you? Not risking danger would be good for Frenda-chan! Are you letting your selfish desires—"
"Don't listen! This guy's words are like a devil's whisper. Don't listen!"
Kinuhata Saiai covered Mugino's ears. After spending some time with Samuel, they'd learned that his absolute strength was less troublesome than his ability to read people and his devilish, persuasive words.
"Hm?"
Samuel reached out, lifting Kinuhata's chin. His eyes gleamed with mischief as they roamed over her, a grin spreading across his face. "So, Saiai-chan..."
"I'm not listening, I'm not listening! Super creepy... let go!"
"Oh~ I love it when people resist! Nothing beats seeing that pained, helpless expression. Like..."
Using advanced spatial manipulation, Samuel set Frenda aside and pulled Mugino into his arms.
"Ohhh~ This is it! I've always wanted to see that look on your face—that mix of wanting to kill me but being utterly powerless! Hahaha..."
"Super creepy, okay?!"
"Next... your turn, Kinuhata Saiai!"
"Eh? No, no, no!"
When Samuel's gaze landed on her, Kinuhata instinctively activated her Offense Armor, hoping to resist him.
"Too bad, too bad! My Eternal Variable far surpasses your Offense Armor, even without interfering with your AIM Diffusion Field!"
"But you did use it!"
"Ohhh Your legs are even a bit longer than Frenda's! Win, win, win"
"Aaaah! No! Super creepy!!!"
"Mm~"
Amid Samuel's playful teasing with his subordinates, Takitsume Rikou, dazed, rested her head on his shoulder.
"Oh? Looks like the lingering effects of Body Crystal are still there. She'll need some recovery time..."
"Hey, Boss! Is Takitsume okay?!"
Frenda asked anxiously.
"She's fine, she won't die. So, have you thought about my offer? Interested?"
"Uh..."
Cough, cough...
"Never mind, Boss!"
After hearing Mugino's pointed cough, Frenda chose to decline.
For her, personally, it didn't matter much. To Frenda, life equaled her sister, slightly above money, and things like her body? Worthless in comparison.
But she deeply admired Mugino. It was her admiration for Mugino that led her to join Item in the first place, so Mugino's opinion mattered greatly.
Besides, following Samuel would mean less time with Mugino.
"Aww, such a shame. I'm starting to regret making you all my subordinates. Should've locked you up and trained you properly, blah blah~"
"...Super creepy!"
Beep, beep, beep~
"Hello? Oh, Mr. Mikihiko! You've made your decision, have you? Don't worry... I can meet any need you have, including your reluctance to share research data. But... that head of the Rosenthal family? I'm very interested... Hahaha, pleasure doing business!"
Samuel released Kinuhata, who shuddered as if a bug had crawled over her.
"Well, my dear employees? You've got a mission! Go welcome my newly recruited researcher. Oh, and be careful with the girl accompanying him. Don't let her escape. If she does... I'll pick one of you to take her place. Hm... guess how many tally marks I could write on your legs in one go?"
Samuel flashed a wicked grin, casually spouting utterly deplorable words.
"Super creepy!"
Kinuhata and Mugino reacted like ordinary girls spotting a cockroach, their repulsion clear.
"This one... I'll keep her here for now. She needs further treatment. Alright, get to work, Item!"
"Hmph~ Don't do anything weird to Takitsume, okay?"
Kinuhata muttered, clearly displeased.
"Relax, by the time you're back, we'll have kids!"
Samuel cracked a vile joke, leaving it unclear whether he was serious.
What could they do? Treat it as a joke, of course!
Kinuhata pouted and left with Mugino.
As for Samuel... the wickedness faded from his face, replaced by a thoughtful expression.
"A necromancer? Do you hold the value I seek? And... Mikihiko's experiment results... that research on amplifying esper abilities through volume? It might... also aid in soul materialization to some extent."
***
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