Chapter 13: Scam In a form of a child
Shiori and her servants had decided to head toward the human town of Melvia. A place that looked as sweet and harmless as a fisherman's smile in the peak of summer.
But beneath that warmth…
Something rotten lingered. Something waiting to surface.
What dark secrets hide within it…?
......
I stared at the small figure standing directly in front of us.
A child. Alone at this hour.
My gaze narrowed slightly.
What is a child doing outside at this time?
The street around us was quiet, lantern light flickering against damp stone. The wind carried the faint scent of salt and smoke—typical of a coastal town pretending to be peaceful.
The girl fidgeted under my stare.
"U-um… excuse me… I… I—" she stammered, words breaking apart before she could form them properly.
Not lost, then. Just afraid.
I exhaled softly and turned my head slightly.
"Kuro."He stepped forward immediately, a faint oppressive aura slipping from him like a leaking blade.
"Please take care of this," I said.
"Understood." He approached the girl without hesitation.
His expression darkened.
"State your identity and purpose. If you cannot speak properly, move aside."
The girl flinched so hard she nearly stumbled backward.
"…Kuro," I called calmly. He paused mid-step. Then instantly brightened.
"Yes, Shiori-sama?" he chirped, walking back toward me with an almost cheerful bounce.
I smacked him lightly on the head.
"What exactly was that supposed to be?"
"Eh?" he tilted his head, rubbing the spot.
"She was interrupting our walk… I thought she might be dangerous."
"This is why I don't assign you simple tasks," I said flatly.
Haru sighed nearby, already beside the trembling girl.
"It's alright. We won't hurt you," she said gently.
The girl slowly nodded, but her eyes kept darting back to me.
I noticed, interesting.
I stepped forward and crouched so we were at eye level.
"You're not injured. You're not being chased. So why are you here alone?"
The girl hesitated.
"I… have a request…" she whispered.
Before I could respond, she suddenly grabbed my sleeve.
Her grip was desperate.
"Please… help me…"
Kuro immediately moved.
"Get away from her!" His killing intent leaked out instinctively.
The girl froze in terror
I raised my hand slightly.
"Kuro." He stopped.
"…Yes, Shiori-sama."
I sighed.
This is going to be troublesome.
I gently placed my hand over the girl's head and removed her grip without force.
"You're safe. Now breathe."
She trembled… then finally broke into tears.
"My sister… she's missing…"
We went back to the inn. I sat on the lounge chair, legs crossed, fingers resting lightly against my arm.
Across from me, the girl, sat wrapped in a blanket, still sniffling.
"My name is Mimi," she said softly. "It's just me and my sister… but she went missing after taking work…"
"What kind of work?" I asked.
"She's an adventurer."
Kuro tilted his head.
"Probably got herself killed."
"Don't say it so casually," Haru muttered.
"How long?" I asked.
"…Two months," Mimi answered.
Silence followed.
Mimi wiped her face quickly.
"And then… we lost our house… I was kicked out…" Her voice cracked again.
"I've been on the streets since then…"haru's expression softened immediately.
"What do we do, Shiori-sama?"
I didn't answer right away. Instead, my eyes drifted to the window. Night lights of Melvia shimmered like broken glass.
Ryu should be finished by now…
…........
Elsewhere, on the road outside Melvia…
A carriage sat there unattended as masked figures surrounded it from all sides.
Steel flashed under moonlight.
"Kindly explain your business with this wagon," a voice spoke calmly as a man stepped out.
A sword hung loosely at his side. The attackers lunged at once.
He sighed.
"Too slow." He moved. Effortless.
Steel rang once—
Then silence followed.
Bodies collapsed in pieces before they even realized they had been cut.
The man glanced at his blade. "…Still too clean."bFrom the corner of his eye, one survivor tried to flee.
He appeared in front of him instantly, slamming his palm against their skull as The man fell unconscious.
"Mission complete." He smiled.
...........
"What do you mean 'mission complete', you idiot?" My eye twitched.
Ryu scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"They were weak, my lady."
"That is not the point."i scolded as Kuro leaned back smugly.
"At least I didn't cause collateral damage this time...." Kuro smiled
Ryu ignored him.
I rubbed my temple.
"I said observe first. Not massacre first."
Before I could continue lecturing—
The door creaked and Mimi entered.
I stopped speaking immediately.
"…I'll let it slide this time," I muttered.
Ryu sighed with relief.
Mimi blinked.
"Thank you for letting me stay…" She bowed politely.
Ryu smiled warmly. "No need to thank us."
"Big sister…" Mimi hesitated
I glanced at her.
"…Call me whatever is comfortable." I shrugged
Her face lit up.
"Then… big sister!" She pulled out a folded paper.
"It's my sister! I have her picture!"
Ryu leaned in.
"Wow, it's well drawn." he nodded in approval
I took the paper And paused.
For the first time—
My expression turned completely still.
"…Go to sleep," I said.
"Huh?" Mimi blinked.
"I said go to sleep."
"…Okay?" She left the room.
The moment she was gone,The atmosphere shifted.
...
Kuro's POV
I walked back down the corridor humming softly
"So disgusting…" I muttered. "Shiori-sama's blood is far better."
I pushed the door open And stopped.
My master was inside, Standing over a bandit as she was Digging through his memories.
Silently.
Expressionless.
Even Ryu looked slightly uneasy.
"Oh, Kuro," she said calmly. "You're back."
The bandit convulsed.
I closed the door behind me.
"…What did I miss?"
"Information," she replied flatly
Ryu exhaled.
"This one is linked to the Crimson cross."
I blinked.
"crimson cross?"
Shiori's gaze didn't change.
"And Mimi's sister is connected to them."
A pause.
"Kuro. Ryu. Retrieve her." she ordered bluntly
"Now?"
"Yes."
Ryu frowned.
"Are you certain she's alive?"
Silence.
Then Shiori looked at us Coldly, Unmoving.
"Follow orders."
That was all. No debate was possible.
…..........
"The master is truly… something else." kuro sighed
Ryu nodded slowly. "She rarely acts like this. Especially not for strangers."
Kuro tilted his head. "Maybe Mimi is important?"
"Or," Ryu said quietly, "we simply don't know everything about her past."
Kuro's eyes narrowed. "…Her memories?"
Ryu didn't answer.
"So unfair!~ come on spill~" kuro whined
"And if we don't retrieve that woman soon, her mood would only worsen " Ryu frowned.
"No..." Kuro tensed at the thought, even thou expression his master made was always beautiful. The thought of her being upset bothered him.
"Its almost dawn, let's hurry" Ryu said as kuro nodded in agreement.
Shiori's pov
I'm counting on you two.
Mimi's remind me if sanemi last night. The fact that she's separated from her older sister at such a young age, only to be used as a scam is unforgivable
I frowned as I stared at the enemy before me. I did a little digging and searched for the remaining bandits that still lurked in this twisted town.
I asked Haruna to watch over and protect Mimi while I'm away.
"Why hello there, I can see business is booming" I said staring at the bandits as they held out their weapons.
"Tell me, why did you do all that to Mimi's sister and where is your coward of a leader" I asked sternly.
"Don't act smart with us, bitch!" One of them shot their gun, I stood my ground as the bullet passed me.
"No good at aiming I see, I'll ask a different question, where's that crimson cross dog you call your leader."
"How do you know that name? Who told you!" One of him yelled furious.
"I'm the one asking the questions, if you can't answer them, then you no longer have serve purpose to me"
{Steel Webbing activated}
There bodies fell to pieces as they're blood stained the ground. I had seen everything in that bandit Ryu had brought, How they experimented on Mimi's sister after gas lighting her and forced her into submission.
"How pitiful, your lives wasted on aiming for wealth and power only to gain neither and lose your humanity..."
{Slime manipulation activated}
I made a blade out of slime as it blocked the attacker from behind.
"I guess I'll play with you instead" I smirked.
"Don't underestimate me, kid!" He lunged forward only for me to cut him up with my webs.
"Didn't even last up to a minute, how laughable"
{Radar activated}
I looked around as no more enemies were viewed as I turned to the crates.
"Don't worry, I'll look after the valuables you've left behind" I smirks staring at their cargo as my eyes twinkle with delight.
Gold coins, art pieces, if you can even call it art, weaponry...
My trial of thought was disturbed as the sound of thumping caught my attention. I looked over to a covered cage with curiosity. I took of the cover as my eyes widened with horror.
What the actual hell?!
.............
The next morning, Haruna and Mimi went to sell the merchandise.
"Wow, I couldn't believe they sold for so much, guess shiori-sama was right after all" Haruna beamed as she looked at the large sack of gold coins in the back of the wagon.
Master still hasn't returned yet, I hope she's okay. Haruna sighed with worry.
"Um haru-san, I can't believe you can't drive a wagon." Mimi said unsure
"I'm surprised you actually can" she replied
"Ha! I'm a big girl and this is basic stuff" she beamed pridefully.
"Your sister must be so proud" Haru smile
"Yeah..." Mimi gave a sad smile as she recalled the memories.
Flashback.....
"What how are we indebt so soon we just cleared the last one?!" Mimi cried as her sister patted her head
"Don't worry, I'll paid it all back. We've been assigned a quest so it wouldn't be long" her sister smiled
A few days later, she returned covered with injures
"Sister!" Mimi looked horrified.
"I couldn't defeat the monster, Mimi, listen to me, you have to go to melvialine even if it's on your own."
"But sister..." "I have to stay to repay my debt, it would all be okay " she smiled
A few weeks later, the little girl stood on the streets as she listened for information.
"Apparently she collapsed before we could do anything " a bandit said walking with another
"Yeah, but she's utterly useless how " the other frowned.
The girl slowly backed away alone to bump into someone waiting for her. she turned around horrified.
"Where do you think you're going?" The man smirks
Flashback ends...
Meanwhile, in a random room the missing woman was held captive. She looked deadly pale as tears, drool and snort dried on her lifeless face.
"Oh my, how unsightly" kuro frowned staring at the woman who looked confused as two figures approached her.
"She looks like she's about to croak" Ryu deadpanned.
"Maybe experimentef on, but no matter..." Kuro casted healing on her as her once nearly deceased body felt normal and light
"What?!" She sat up abruptly, surprised she could move now.
"Impressive as always, kuroha" Ryu smirks.
"I don't care for your, opinion" he said breaking the door down.
The lady just stared at in shock, blinking a couple times before on instinct following the two.
"Hey!" A voice called as the lady tensed a bit, the two men turned to face the person who spoke, his golden hair shines as his blood red eyes stared at them.
"And you are?" Ryu asked, suspicious of him as he held his katana hilt. The man ignored his question and turned to the lady
"Your Lila, correct? where are you running off to?"
"Zerav mils..." The woman frowned.
Shiori's pov
I laid on my bed, scrolling through my phone. playing a game on it.
I might have to agree with Ryu on this town, it really needs some improvement.
................
"So you aren't here to recuse this woman?" Kuro asked.
"Recuse!" The man laughed
"No, he's actually their leader." The woman frowned as she trembled.
"Ara Ara, so he let's his minions do all the dirty work and facades as a hero, how cowardly." Ryu taunted
"Well if it isn't the big shots from the guild, I have a proposal for you two.." zerav smirks
"Proposal?" They blinked
"Join me, I can tell you're both really strong, I'll show you how to conduct yourselves properly, you'll have all the wealth and fame you could ever dreamed off!" He offered
"No thanks, I don't follow cowards" Ryu declined
"Not interested " kuro declined politely.
"Being faithful to that woman huh, some half baked monster! Well I must say I'm rather impressed she had the audacity to show up in this town like she's on equal footing with us humans, a far more superior race!" He mocked
The two's aura grew intense at the comments about their master, however, they respect their masters rules.
Just then kuro noticed something strange, this man, zerva had an insignia, similar to the one he remembered seeing when he was always summoned.
He's eyes darkened.
"Ryu, we can fight them" he spoke shocking the wannabe samurai.
"But, we can't -" he cut him off
"There with the Crimson cross it's alright"
Ryu smiled at the news.
Mimi sat in front of the inn feeling conflicted. The fox lady she met had been nothing but kind to her yet she had to steal from her to repay her sister's debt.
"Hey you!" Mimi turned to see the inn's receptionist as he frowned at her like she was dirt.
"Um...I..." She timidly stood up.
"Your going to drive away customers, so shoo!" He spoke harshly. Just then a hand tapped on his shoulder.
"That girl is my dear friend, so you better treat her with respect." The receptionist froze at the voice as he turned to meet the icy gaze of no one other than the fox hybrid herself
"Forgive me!" He begged on his knees knowing her servant were no joke.
"Are you alright?" She asked Mimi who teared up.
"Big sister!" She cried hugging the girl close.
You people will pay for pushing innocent souls like Mimi to do such vile crime.The fox girl swore.
I hope those two are ok...
....
"For the sake of your ego, you better not die on the first hit" Ryu grinned cracking his knuckles
"Don't mock us you bastard!" Zerav Don't mock us you bastard!" Zerav gestured for his men to deal with them.
Ryu beat the living shit out of them, laughing menacingly. Men crashed into the hallway as the cells were destroyed one by one in the process, freeing its other prisoners.
"You, seem to be having fun..." Kuro deadpanned as he looked for the leader.
One of them tried to backstab him only to be hit with poisonous mist and turned to dusk.
"There you are" he found the piece of shit laying on the ground, barely conscious.
"I won't kill you, but a scum bag deserve to be punished" kuro kicked him in the stomach before repeated slapping him across the face.
"How unsightly, now my gloves are soiled with your blood" he took them off before using them to slap the man once more as he passed out.
"Um what's going on here?" A prisoner asked dumbfounded.
The two monsters got carried away as the whole block was razed leaving everyone speechless.
"Big sister!" Mimi called from the destruction as her and shiori emerged from the chaos.
"Mimi!" The lady was on the verge of tears as she embraced her sister. Shiori finally got a clear view of the woman. She looked around her age, have purple hair and blue eyes .
............
{Location: inn}
"Thankyou so much for your help!" Lila bowed greatfully as tears strolled down her face. The two slept on the bed peacefully in each other's arms.
"Good work you two..."
Ryu and kuro smiled as Haruna entered the room
"The other victims are treated and all the merchandise has been sold." She reported
Very good.