01-20 · 017
Chapter 16: Reflection
The night after the uproar, I turned on the TV and every channel was showing the same footage. Japan's strongest S-Rank explorer, Seira Jinguji, pulling a suspicious man in a gas mask (me) close to her shoulder and intimidating the media.
“Anyone who tries to extort unfair profits… consider that the same as making an enemy of me.”
“…Haah.”
I sank deep into the plush sofa in my tower apartment and let out a heavy sigh.
Seira had kept her promise in the best possible way. Thanks to her declaration, there should be almost no idiots left who would try to snoop around me or ‘Master_Eye.’
But my mind was still clouded.
On my smartphone screen, anonymous forum posts flowed like a waterfall. Alongside praise like “Eye-sama is amazing!” and “Being Seira-sama’s favorite is the strongest,” there were also posts that stung my heart.
‘But why doesn’t Eye-sama show his own face?’ ‘Because he’s a craftsman with no combat ability. He’s like an S-Rank’s kept man lol.’ ‘So he can’t do anything without Seira-sama to protect him?’
“I’d like to call that slander, but… it’s way too true. I have no comeback at all.”
I covered my face with both hands.
That was it. After getting my hands on 1.6 billion yen, I’d completely gotten carried away.
I went to the dungeon in expensive brand clothes and forgot to remove the tag, leading to my identity being exposed. I was almost swayed by Rin’s smooth talk into signing what was practically a slave contract. Careless. Far too careless. Even though things had worked out, it was simply because I’d been lucky. When the next crisis came, running to Seira was about my only option.
“…Haah.”
…At this rate, nothing had essentially changed from the days when I was exploited as the ‘pack mule’ in Goda’s party. Even though I had the strongest weapons—money and connections—I myself was too weak.
“I have to change.”
I looked up and gazed at the small bag on the table. The dangerous item I’d found in the deep layers: the ‘Seed of Servitude.’
A cheat item that, if the conditions were met, would establish an absolute master-servant relationship. In the worst case, using it would allow me to fully control Rin.
“No… that’s no good.”
I shook my head. When I first found it, I’d been a little high on the idea, but on second thought, using it might be something to reconsider.
This wasn’t my weapon. My weapon was ‘True Appraisal,’ and the overwhelming ‘value’ it could create. Above all, the risk was too great. I had no confidence that I could make Rin go through all the required steps without her suspecting anything given the current circumstances. With the risk of losing my skill, even if I were to use it, it would have to be at a time when Rin’s guard was down. For now, it would serve as a mental talisman, a last resort.
Pling! ♪
Just then, my phone went off. A D-Chat notification. The sender was—Rin Sakai.
‘Toru-kun! I saw the news! Getting Seira-sama as your backer, that’s amazing! I wish you’d said something!’ ‘But let’s move forward with our business as planned, okay? I’ll be waiting at the usual lounge tomorrow to sign the final contract ♡’
…I was astounded. She was still putting on an act. Even though she didn’t know I’d seen through her contract, it seemed she was still eager to milk me dry after seeing that news report.
Despite Seira’s warning that she would crush “anyone who tries to extort unfair profits,” Rin probably thought she could use legal loopholes to get away clean.
I tapped the keyboard and replied briefly.
‘Yeah. I’ll come alone tomorrow.’
Seira was a busy person. I couldn’t ask her to accompany me to the negotiation. Besides, I felt this was a direct confrontation I had to face alone.
The message was marked as read in an instant. She was probably thinking, “Excellent, Seira’s not coming. I can still fool him.”
I stood up and looked in the mirror.
It’s okay. I’m calm.
Tomorrow’s contract signing. I’ll be on her turf, but I’ll use her own weapon—the contract—to crush her head-on.
With my resolve set, I went to bed.