Terence said to Oliver, who sat before him, “Hmm, what can I say… It’s ridiculous, surprising, yet somehow not surprising at the same time.”
He had been informed about the situation involving Milieu, and though he expected complications, he never anticipated such a convoluted turn of events.
Oliver, the catalyst of the incident, offered his apology. “I’m sorry, Mr. Terence. Professor Kevin.”
Terence responded, “No, no, it’s not about getting angry. We especially needed Milieu’s help, but… I just can’t understand. I can’t believe you would do such a thing.”
Terence’s words were sincere and filled with disbelief.
Demanding an apology from the opposing side’s leader while serving as a bodyguard, thereby tarnishing his own daughter’s reputation and completely disrupting the negotiation process.
Certainly, such occurrences were not unprecedented.
It was a phenomenon that occurred quite frequently when an individual’s power exceeded a certain threshold, to the extent that there were dedicated fields of study in sociology and psychology.
However, Terence had not anticipated Oliver’s involvement in such an act. While Terence didn’t claim to know Oliver intimately, he believed Oliver was not one to recklessly misuse his power. There were peculiarities about Oliver, to be sure, but this behavior seemed out of character.
Hence, aside from the complex circumstances, Terence’s curiosity was piqued. The exceedingly polite and cautious Oliver must have had a compelling reason for his actions that outweighed his level of authority.
“Really, was it because of that Miss Jane?” Terence inquired, seeking confirmation, to which Oliver replied, “Yes.”
“May I ask why?”
“She’s a friend.”
Terence was momentarily rendered speechless by the seemingly straightforward answer. Yareli chimed in as he contemplated the matter.
“I apologize as well, Colonel Terence, Professor Kevin. It was also my fault for not responding properly.”
Yareli apologized, feeling accountable for the mission’s setback. While it remained uncertain whether her involvement would have made a difference, it was evident that Oliver’s presence had overwhelmed her, leading to inaction.
“No, it’s okay. There’s a positive side to look at.”
“A positive side?”
“Yes. We might not get Milieu’s help, but we did manage to demand and receive an apology from their stronghold, right? At least we’ve got a story to tell when we get back to the Tower.” Terence quipped.
It may have sounded like a light-hearted remark, but it was a shrewd move. Getting angry wouldn’t change the situation, so it might be wiser to accept the current circumstances, maintain morale, and explore alternative options.
“I don’t think you necessarily have to think that way?” Kevin suddenly interjected from his quiet corner in the hotel room.
Terence and Yareli exchanged puzzled glances at Kevin’s cryptic comment. Kevin pointed towards the hotel room door, and as Terence and Yareli turned their heads, they heard a knock – the unmistakable sound of someone rapping on the door.
It was a hotel staff member.
“Excuse me. Mr. Lucian Mura requests to meet with you.”
***
Kevin, Terence, Yareli, and Oliver followed the hotel staff’s directions to the hotel’s lobby. There, they found a middle-aged man flanked by two bodyguards.
Lucian Mura had dark skin, thick lips, a square jaw, and slicked-back hair – a distinct appearance befitting the boss of the Mura family, Milieu’s prominent organization. As soon as they identified him, Kevin led the group over.
“Are you Lucian Mura?” Kevin initiated with a direct inquiry. Lucian, seeing the red-skinned Kevin, displayed a sly yet weighty smile without any surprise.
“Yes, I am Lucian Mura, the boss of the Mura family. And you must be the person from the Tower who has come to assist Rokuri University… the captain?”
“For the time being, yes. My name is Kevin.”
“Pleased to meet you, Mr. Kevin.”
Despite it being their first meeting, the conversation between Kevin and Lucian flowed effortlessly. They could speak openly because of their mutual understanding.
Kevin asked, “May I sit?”
In response to Kevin’s question, Lucian gestured towards the chair across from him, indicating that Kevin could sit at any time.
As Kevin settled into the chair, Lucian posed a question of his own. “Are you not surprised by my visit?”
“I had some expectations about the reason for your visit.”
“Is that so?”
“I’ve just heard about what happened between you and Zenon… But if you came straight here, there could only be two reasons. Either for revenge or for a trade.”
Lucian widened his eyes in admiration of Kevin’s astuteness. “I always hear from the trade that the people from the Tower are smart, but it seems it’s not an exaggeration.”
“Did your trade also inform you of our location?” Kevin pressed, but Lucian shook his head, demonstrating his sincerity.
“I found out on my own. My trade doesn’t know your location, and I wanted to show my capability as well.”
“Capability?”
“Yes, I’ve heard. You need a local force to help you deal with Human-meat Chef.”
“The word does travel fast.”
“It seems you prefer it that way. Or would you rather we beat around the bush? Then, I’ll start by telling you how I found you. I deduced who was from the Tower through a person I have on my payroll at the immigration bureau, then compared the entry dates—”
“—It seems I do prefer a quick conversation after all.”
Satisfied with Kevin’s response, Lucian smiled contentedly.
“I thought so. In that spirit, let me get straight to the point. If you want, I can help you deal with Human-meat Chef.”
While everyone was taken aback by this unexpected offer, Kevin’s expression conveyed a hint of doubt.
“You will help us deal with Human-meat Chef?”
“Human-meat Chef and our Milieu have always been at odds, so it’s not such a strange offer, don’t you think?”
He had a point. Galos’ underworld was primarily divided between Milieu and Human-meat Chef. It wouldn’t be surprising for Milieu to assist the wizards to spite their rival.
“But that’s exactly why I’m doubtful. Why are you offering help only now?”
Kevin voiced his concerns, and Terence and Yareli belatedly grasped the implications.
Offering help at this juncture implied that they hadn’t offered any assistance until now, even during this opportune moment when Human-meat Chef was under attack from multiple fronts, including Rokuri University and the Galos government.
It didn’t add up.
“I was surprised as well. At this perfect timing, when Human-meat Chef is being attacked from all sides, Milieu was passive… At best, they only passed on insignificant information to the university or the police, and they only sent some small fry to take over the territories that the Chef’s underlings abandoned. And now, suddenly, you come to offer direct help? Something doesn’t add up.”
“If I say we were too busy with business, would you believe that?”
“No.”
“Damn.”
Lucian muttered to himself in response to Kevin’s straightforward reply.
“This is why I find people who are too smart to be troublesome. It’s better when people are only moderately intelligent.”
“That wasn’t an answer to my question.”
Despite Lucian’s playful remark, Kevin persisted with an unwavering determination to receive an answer.
Lucian instinctively realized that without a satisfactory response, they couldn’t progress any further. While Kevin needed assistance, he was prepared to walk away if he didn’t hear a plausible explanation. Regardless of the urgency of the situation, he couldn’t blindly venture down an uncertain and uncomfortable path; that would be closer to a death wish than a challenge.
After briefly sharing their thoughts, Lucian spoke up.
“Not to brag, but do you know what the greatest talent is for surviving in this line of work? In the underworld, I mean.”
It was an unexpected question, but it carried genuine emotion in his voice.
“Strong force? Tenacious vitality? Money? Influence? None of those. They may help you succeed in the underworld, but they don’t do much for survival.”
“Is that so?” Terence asked skeptically, but Lucian was resolute.
“Yes! No matter how strong you are, there’s always someone stronger, and even the most tenacious life can be stamped out!! Money and influence can sometimes be worth less than dung. Even billionaires shit themselves and die when they get stabbed in the gut. Stab them and see if I’m not telling the truth.”
“So, what is it then? The talent for survival you’re talking about.” Kevin inquired.
“Something purer. The instinct to recognize a stronger predator. The instinct of a prey.”
“The instinct of a prey?”
“Yes. To survive a long time, one must not challenge a predator stronger than oneself.”
“Have you ever seen Human-meat Chef?”
“I’ve seen him, and more than that, I’ve seen him fight.”
Oliver showed keen interest, as this was valuable information.
Neither Rokuri University nor the data provided by Unna contained detailed information about Human-meat Chef’s abilities. At most, the available information mentioned that he gathered supernatural emotions and mana by consuming humans, wielded a kitchen knife, and specialized in black magic related to diseases. On the surface, it might have seemed like sufficient information, but in reality, it was woefully inadequate.
Such characteristics could be inferred just by observing Human-meat Chef’s disciples. However, this might be all there was to it.
“What was it like?”
“A predator.”
“Excuse me?”
“A predator, I said. A predator that a human could not possibly defeat.”
Predator. While Lucian’s description was somewhat enigmatic, it was evident how much he feared Human-meat Chef, regardless of the specifics of his words.
In the past, Unna had stated that Human-meat Chef didn’t rule over half of Galos’ underworld due to a lack of strength but because he desired it, and that assertion seemed to hold true.
“By the way, there are several within Milieu who share that view, including myself. That’s why there’s an artificial order in the underworld of Galos.” Lucian casually revealed.
“You seem quite proud of that fact.” Kevin remarked.
“What’s there not to be proud of? Is there shame or cowardice in survival? Honor and fairness are concepts created by the strong for their own convenience.” Lucian unabashedly stated, his boldness reflecting a certain conviction.
“But why do you want to help us? You seem so afraid of Human-meat Chef.”
“Because now seems like a good time to have courage.”
Lucian involuntarily glanced at Oliver upon hearing the question, and Kevin didn’t miss that subtle exchange. He comprehended the situation not through logical deduction but rather through intuition, having experienced a similar sentiment towards Oliver in the past.
“What do you want in return?”
“It’s quite a lot, so I will discuss it separately later, during the negotiations with Rokuri University and the government.”
“I wonder if they’ll be willing to negotiate.”
“Do you naively think they are noble enough not to deal with a criminal organization?”
“No, Landa is quite dirty too. I was just saying that because they are planning to catch him by taking advantage of Human-meat Chef’s internal strife.”
“Don’t worry about that. It will never happen.”
“?”
“Even if all the members of Human-meat Chef’s organization attacked him, they couldn’t catch him. I’ve seen it myself in the past.”
***
In the capital of Galos, Ravel, in District 8.
This area, renowned as one of Ravel’s opulent neighborhoods, boasted the royal palace and the triumphal arch. In addition to these landmarks, it was home to Galos’ pride, a luxurious department store, a museum, beautiful promenades, and numerous nobles who supported the king.
In other words, it was the heart of the capital.
As a result, any disruptions were strictly prohibited here, and if one did occur, it was investigated with utmost diligence.
For precisely this reason, Human-meat Chef had chosen to establish a restaurant in this location. The purpose was to allow the country’s bureaucrats, nobility, and capitalists to dine there conveniently and without concerns.
“But what is he doing now?”
Human-meat Chef gazed at his disciples and grand-disciples surrounding him, each of them clutching a kitchen knife.
Terence said to Oliver, who sat before him, “Hmm, what can I say… It’s ridiculous, surprising, yet somehow not surprising at the same time.”
He had been informed about the situation involving Milieu, and though he expected complications, he never anticipated such a convoluted turn of events.
Oliver, the catalyst of the incident, offered his apology. “I’m sorry, Mr. Terence. Professor Kevin.”
Terence responded, “No, no, it’s not about getting angry. We especially needed Milieu’s help, but… I just can’t understand. I can’t believe you would do such a thing.”
Terence’s words were sincere and filled with disbelief.
Demanding an apology from the opposing side’s leader while serving as a bodyguard, thereby tarnishing his own daughter’s reputation and completely disrupting the negotiation process.
Certainly, such occurrences were not unprecedented.
It was a phenomenon that occurred quite frequently when an individual’s power exceeded a certain threshold, to the extent that there were dedicated fields of study in sociology and psychology.
However, Terence had not anticipated Oliver’s involvement in such an act. While Terence didn’t claim to know Oliver intimately, he believed Oliver was not one to recklessly misuse his power. There were peculiarities about Oliver, to be sure, but this behavior seemed out of character.
Hence, aside from the complex circumstances, Terence’s curiosity was piqued. The exceedingly polite and cautious Oliver must have had a compelling reason for his actions that outweighed his level of authority.
“Really, was it because of that Miss Jane?” Terence inquired, seeking confirmation, to which Oliver replied, “Yes.”
“May I ask why?”
“She’s a friend.”
Terence was momentarily rendered speechless by the seemingly straightforward answer. Yareli chimed in as he contemplated the matter.
“I apologize as well, Colonel Terence, Professor Kevin. It was also my fault for not responding properly.”
Yareli apologized, feeling accountable for the mission’s setback. While it remained uncertain whether her involvement would have made a difference, it was evident that Oliver’s presence had overwhelmed her, leading to inaction.
“No, it’s okay. There’s a positive side to look at.”
“A positive side?”
“Yes. We might not get Milieu’s help, but we did manage to demand and receive an apology from their stronghold, right? At least we’ve got a story to tell when we get back to the Tower.” Terence quipped.
It may have sounded like a light-hearted remark, but it was a shrewd move. Getting angry wouldn’t change the situation, so it might be wiser to accept the current circumstances, maintain morale, and explore alternative options.
“I don’t think you necessarily have to think that way?” Kevin suddenly interjected from his quiet corner in the hotel room.
Terence and Yareli exchanged puzzled glances at Kevin’s cryptic comment. Kevin pointed towards the hotel room door, and as Terence and Yareli turned their heads, they heard a knock – the unmistakable sound of someone rapping on the door.
It was a hotel staff member.
“Excuse me. Mr. Lucian Mura requests to meet with you.”
***
Kevin, Terence, Yareli, and Oliver followed the hotel staff’s directions to the hotel’s lobby. There, they found a middle-aged man flanked by two bodyguards.
Lucian Mura had dark skin, thick lips, a square jaw, and slicked-back hair – a distinct appearance befitting the boss of the Mura family, Milieu’s prominent organization. As soon as they identified him, Kevin led the group over.
“Are you Lucian Mura?” Kevin initiated with a direct inquiry. Lucian, seeing the red-skinned Kevin, displayed a sly yet weighty smile without any surprise.
“Yes, I am Lucian Mura, the boss of the Mura family. And you must be the person from the Tower who has come to assist Rokuri University… the captain?”
“For the time being, yes. My name is Kevin.”
“Pleased to meet you, Mr. Kevin.”
Despite it being their first meeting, the conversation between Kevin and Lucian flowed effortlessly. They could speak openly because of their mutual understanding.
Kevin asked, “May I sit?”
In response to Kevin’s question, Lucian gestured towards the chair across from him, indicating that Kevin could sit at any time.
As Kevin settled into the chair, Lucian posed a question of his own. “Are you not surprised by my visit?”
“I had some expectations about the reason for your visit.”
“Is that so?”
“I’ve just heard about what happened between you and Zenon… But if you came straight here, there could only be two reasons. Either for revenge or for a trade.”
Lucian widened his eyes in admiration of Kevin’s astuteness. “I always hear from the trade that the people from the Tower are smart, but it seems it’s not an exaggeration.”
“Did your trade also inform you of our location?” Kevin pressed, but Lucian shook his head, demonstrating his sincerity.
“I found out on my own. My trade doesn’t know your location, and I wanted to show my capability as well.”
“Capability?”
“Yes, I’ve heard. You need a local force to help you deal with Human-meat Chef.”
“The word does travel fast.”
“It seems you prefer it that way. Or would you rather we beat around the bush? Then, I’ll start by telling you how I found you. I deduced who was from the Tower through a person I have on my payroll at the immigration bureau, then compared the entry dates—”
“—It seems I do prefer a quick conversation after all.”
Satisfied with Kevin’s response, Lucian smiled contentedly.
“I thought so. In that spirit, let me get straight to the point. If you want, I can help you deal with Human-meat Chef.”
While everyone was taken aback by this unexpected offer, Kevin’s expression conveyed a hint of doubt.
“You will help us deal with Human-meat Chef?”
“Human-meat Chef and our Milieu have always been at odds, so it’s not such a strange offer, don’t you think?”
He had a point. Galos’ underworld was primarily divided between Milieu and Human-meat Chef. It wouldn’t be surprising for Milieu to assist the wizards to spite their rival.
“But that’s exactly why I’m doubtful. Why are you offering help only now?”
Kevin voiced his concerns, and Terence and Yareli belatedly grasped the implications.
Offering help at this juncture implied that they hadn’t offered any assistance until now, even during this opportune moment when Human-meat Chef was under attack from multiple fronts, including Rokuri University and the Galos government.
It didn’t add up.
“I was surprised as well. At this perfect timing, when Human-meat Chef is being attacked from all sides, Milieu was passive… At best, they only passed on insignificant information to the university or the police, and they only sent some small fry to take over the territories that the Chef’s underlings abandoned. And now, suddenly, you come to offer direct help? Something doesn’t add up.”
“If I say we were too busy with business, would you believe that?”
“No.”
“Damn.”
Lucian muttered to himself in response to Kevin’s straightforward reply.
“This is why I find people who are too smart to be troublesome. It’s better when people are only moderately intelligent.”
“That wasn’t an answer to my question.”
Despite Lucian’s playful remark, Kevin persisted with an unwavering determination to receive an answer.
Lucian instinctively realized that without a satisfactory response, they couldn’t progress any further. While Kevin needed assistance, he was prepared to walk away if he didn’t hear a plausible explanation. Regardless of the urgency of the situation, he couldn’t blindly venture down an uncertain and uncomfortable path; that would be closer to a death wish than a challenge.
After briefly sharing their thoughts, Lucian spoke up.
“Not to brag, but do you know what the greatest talent is for surviving in this line of work? In the underworld, I mean.”
It was an unexpected question, but it carried genuine emotion in his voice.
“Strong force? Tenacious vitality? Money? Influence? None of those. They may help you succeed in the underworld, but they don’t do much for survival.”
“Is that so?” Terence asked skeptically, but Lucian was resolute.
“Yes! No matter how strong you are, there’s always someone stronger, and even the most tenacious life can be stamped out!! Money and influence can sometimes be worth less than dung. Even billionaires shit themselves and die when they get stabbed in the gut. Stab them and see if I’m not telling the truth.”
“So, what is it then? The talent for survival you’re talking about.” Kevin inquired.
“Something purer. The instinct to recognize a stronger predator. The instinct of a prey.”
“The instinct of a prey?”
“Yes. To survive a long time, one must not challenge a predator stronger than oneself.”
“Have you ever seen Human-meat Chef?”
“I’ve seen him, and more than that, I’ve seen him fight.”
Oliver showed keen interest, as this was valuable information.
Neither Rokuri University nor the data provided by Unna contained detailed information about Human-meat Chef’s abilities. At most, the available information mentioned that he gathered supernatural emotions and mana by consuming humans, wielded a kitchen knife, and specialized in black magic related to diseases. On the surface, it might have seemed like sufficient information, but in reality, it was woefully inadequate.
Such characteristics could be inferred just by observing Human-meat Chef’s disciples. However, this might be all there was to it.
“What was it like?”
“A predator.”
“Excuse me?”
“A predator, I said. A predator that a human could not possibly defeat.”
Predator. While Lucian’s description was somewhat enigmatic, it was evident how much he feared Human-meat Chef, regardless of the specifics of his words.
In the past, Unna had stated that Human-meat Chef didn’t rule over half of Galos’ underworld due to a lack of strength but because he desired it, and that assertion seemed to hold true.
“By the way, there are several within Milieu who share that view, including myself. That’s why there’s an artificial order in the underworld of Galos.” Lucian casually revealed.
“You seem quite proud of that fact.” Kevin remarked.
“What’s there not to be proud of? Is there shame or cowardice in survival? Honor and fairness are concepts created by the strong for their own convenience.” Lucian unabashedly stated, his boldness reflecting a certain conviction.
“But why do you want to help us? You seem so afraid of Human-meat Chef.”
“Because now seems like a good time to have courage.”
Lucian involuntarily glanced at Oliver upon hearing the question, and Kevin didn’t miss that subtle exchange. He comprehended the situation not through logical deduction but rather through intuition, having experienced a similar sentiment towards Oliver in the past.
“What do you want in return?”
“It’s quite a lot, so I will discuss it separately later, during the negotiations with Rokuri University and the government.”
“I wonder if they’ll be willing to negotiate.”
“Do you naively think they are noble enough not to deal with a criminal organization?”
“No, Landa is quite dirty too. I was just saying that because they are planning to catch him by taking advantage of Human-meat Chef’s internal strife.”
“Don’t worry about that. It will never happen.”
“?”
“Even if all the members of Human-meat Chef’s organization attacked him, they couldn’t catch him. I’ve seen it myself in the past.”
***
In the capital of Galos, Ravel, in District 8.
This area, renowned as one of Ravel’s opulent neighborhoods, boasted the royal palace and the triumphal arch. In addition to these landmarks, it was home to Galos’ pride, a luxurious department store, a museum, beautiful promenades, and numerous nobles who supported the king.
In other words, it was the heart of the capital.
As a result, any disruptions were strictly prohibited here, and if one did occur, it was investigated with utmost diligence.
For precisely this reason, Human-meat Chef had chosen to establish a restaurant in this location. The purpose was to allow the country’s bureaucrats, nobility, and capitalists to dine there conveniently and without concerns.
“But what is he doing now?”
Human-meat Chef gazed at his disciples and grand-disciples surrounding him, each of them clutching a kitchen knife.
