Leticia's words made the old man's expression stiffen. He was indeed in a difficult position now; he couldn't just let these people go, could he?
He had used 'Fog City' once, and the materials he consumed were almost half of his reward. If he just let these people go, wouldn't he be at a huge loss?
"Yes, your threat is completely useless to us." Kira also agreed with her sister. "You should directly ask these two ladies for money. What's the use of asking me and this person?"
Threatening two demons with a human he didn't even know, was this old man out of his mind?
"Eh?!" The Captain blinked in surprise. "But I don't have any money."
Of course, she wouldn't ask Leticia to agree to the old man's conditions. Leticia didn't know the Blond at all. A friend of a friend, that relationship was a bit too distant.
"Hmph, all I want is money, I don't want your lives." The old man's veins pulsed with anger from the girls' words. "If absolutely necessary, write an IOU."
"I think he really has a problem with his brain. This is kidnapping, and he's actually asking for an IOU as payment?" Leticia muttered softly.
"He probably just doesn't want to lose face because his plan has already failed." Kira somewhat understood the old man's thoughts. Since he had lost substance, he couldn't lose face as well, could he?
Unfortunately, Leticia was unwilling to save the old man any face. How dare he threaten her without looking in a mirror to see what kind of pathetic state he was in.
"I advise you to stop thinking about all that nonsense and quickly let us out. I can still overlook your offense, otherwise, I'll let you know what a terrifying existence you've provoked." Leticia crossed her arms, a hint of faint arrogance in her tone.
It was as if the old man was nothing more than a small mouse in front of her, and her not pursuing the matter was already the greatest favor to him.
"So there's nothing to discuss?" The old man gripped his cane tightly, his voice full of grimness. "Don't doubt whether I'll make a move."
"Wait!" Momo, who had been idle for a long time, quickly spoke up. She couldn't just watch her partner be killed in front of her eyes.
"You're not actually going to agree to him, are you?" Leticia looked at Momo curiously. She remembered that the Hero Association wouldn't agree to an enemy's conditions because of a captured hostage.
Otherwise, wouldn't those villains kidnap hostages every day to bargain with the heroes?
Negotiating with villains? That was the worst choice.
Even destroying the hostage and the villain together was better than bowing to the villain.
"Siyu, you can't agree to him." Kamanato grabbed Momo's hand and shook her head firmly. "This is the Association's rule. We can't break the rules just because he's our partner."
If they let this villain get a taste of success, would he become even worse in the future?
With a strange item like 'Fog City', he was fully capable of kidnapping people without anyone knowing. If other innocent people were harmed because of their compromise, would they still have the face to be heroes?
"So we just watch the Blond die? He's our classmate, our partner!" Momo cried out in a low voice. "I can't do it!"
"Sometimes, people have to force themselves to do things they can't do." Leticia said with emotion. "Only by experiencing unforgettable pain can a person grow."
"Hey, old man over there, if you want to kill the hostage, then kill him. But after you're done, I won't be so easy to talk to."
"Are you threatening me?" The old man was stunned.
"I'm quite curious about your item. If you can transfer it to me, then I can pretend that nothing you've done ever happened." Leticia nodded, she was indeed threatening the old man.
Logically speaking, with such a magical item appearing before her eyes, how could she not be envious?
This was something that could even trap her, and these dense fogs would seriously interfere with her perception. It was clearly a rare and valuable item.
If she could get it, she could completely trap anyone she disliked inside and deal with them properly.
Although there were almost no people she couldn't defeat head-on, if she did encounter someone she couldn't beat, she could use this item to forcibly stall for time. Its strategic value was immense.
Look at Malanie, our combat expert, still trapped in the fog.
The old man's expression began to change in a series of ways, making one sigh at how rich the expressions on a single face could be.
Finally, he tapped his cane. "I'll put him on top of the Clock Tower. Whether you can save him depends on your own abilities."
He still didn't dare to kill. As a middleman, he never pushed things too far.
This time, he was originally trying to snatch that book, and now that goal had basically failed. Making more enemies was not a wise move.
These three young brats were quite strong despite their age. They should be the darlings of those old fogies in the Hero Association. If one of them really died by his hand, he probably wouldn't be able to stay in Central City.
"As for how to convince that person to let you out, I can't control that."
After speaking, the old man disappeared back into the thick fog.
He came out this time having gained nothing, but instead lost a pile of things, which filled his heart with immense regret.
He shouldn't have been so greedy and gotten involved in this mess.
After the old man left, Leticia looked at the Clock Tower in front of her, pondering the old man's last words.
Convince.
Who did they need to convince?
Was that old man not the one controlling this Fog City?
This question was answered when she stepped inside the Clock Tower.
"Welcome, welcome, I've finally waited for you. It seems that old man was somewhat useful after all, it wasn't in vain that I kept him alive." A clear voice echoed within the bright Clock Tower. A girl in white floated in mid-air, her eyes covered in mist, watching the girls who had entered the Clock Tower.
"Who are you? Are you the true master of 'Fog City'?" Leticia felt the girl's gaze constantly sweeping over various parts of her body, which made her very uncomfortable.
"That's right, I am the master here, the sovereign of fog, the God of Fog." The girl spread her arms and solemnly spoke a long string of words.
"God?"
"Yes, God." The girl looked at Leticia, a faint curve slowly forming on her lips. "I want to make a deal with you."
"Hmph? I don't like making deals." Leticia had a natural distrust for this eccentric girl.
"You don't have a choice. I've been trapped here for countless years, and I finally found a suitable vessel. No matter what, you won't be able to leave today."