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Gin placed careful aim on the target, ensuring Takatora Tora made no sudden movents. "Rak, can those five still move?"
"Tendons severed," Chi Feichei knelt beside each fallen man, systematically retrieving their identification tags. "Their limbs should be completely immobilized."
In simpler terms—cutting their Achilles tendons.
To prevent mistakes, he threw several extra cards. One unfortunate soul had three embedded in his arm.
The blades cut deep—blood inevitably sprayed during removal. Chi Feichei tried avoiding stains but still got splattered slightly.
Unfortunately, these tags bore his fingerprints and needed retrieval. He wouldn't trust anyone else with this task. Fortunately, red bloodstains wouldn't stand out much against black clothing.
Gin waited patiently until Chi Feichei finished before stating, "I'll call for transport to pick up those five. You deal with your target first—move him sowhere discreet."
"Understood." After cutting communications, Chi Feichei pocketed the blood-stained tags and casually grabbed the nearby rope before approaching Takatora.
They stood on a public road surrounded by elentary schools and daycare centers. Though deserted at night and during holidays, they shouldn't risk witnesses lingering around—they needed to leave quickly.
Takatora didn't raise his head rashly, instead watching the shifting shadow near his feet. "What do you want from ?"
"Stand up. Let's talk sowhere else." Chi Feichei ordered.
Takatora remained uncertain whether the sniper still watched him. Slowly rising, he studied Chi Feichei carefully.
A forum bounty poster had shared Chi Feichei's photo—apparently stolen at so banquet three or four years ago.
In that picture, the youth wore black casual formalwear, standing behind crowds with youthful, introverted features.
Yet tonight's real-life encounter revealed a different person. The boyishness vanished, replaced by sharper, more striking features. His eyes held similar shape but now carried icy indifference—as if unconcerned about blood splatters across his face.
Facing such a person, Takatora instinctively tensed with wariness.
He suddenly realized how unreliable photos could be. Had he seen Chi Feichei in person earlier, he'd have abandoned this bounty hunt imdiately.
Originally assuming so corporate heir, Takatora hadn't expected Chi Feichei to subdue five n so swiftly—not to ntion the sudden appearance of countless crows, prepared snipers... Tonight proved an ambush—Chi Feichei deliberately lured them here!
This ti, he didn't just kick a steel plate—he got crushed by it.
Chi Feichei bound Takatora's hands with the rope, pulled out a gun, disengaged the safety, chambered a round, then aid directly at Takatora. "You're riding with ."
Takatora remained silent, heading toward Chi Feichei's car while glancing sideways at the building behind the park.
No resistance possible currently—with the sniper still unaccounted for. Though open terrain existed, finding cover remained his priority.
"Don't bother looking," Chi Feichei spoke from behind. "The rifle isn't targeting you anymore.
If you think you can overpower , feel free to try."
Currently, Gin should be arranging transportation—no longer monitoring Takatora.
If Chi Feichei couldn't handle a tied-up opponent, he'd wasted his entire career.
Takatora's facial muscles twitched slightly but stayed quiet.
Just a quick glance—was that really too much?
Still, upon reflection, he acknowledged no chance defeating Chi Feichei.
Those mysterious crows from earlier still puzzled him. Even if he faced Chi Feichei alone, he likely wouldn't fare better than those five.
Since his intentions were exposed, clearly Chi Feichei remained alert—making any tricks pointless.
Chi Feichei waited until Takatora reached the passenger seat before circling to the driver's side.
Taking this brief opportunity, Takatora subtly wiggled his fingers.
He could secretly untie himself—once Chi Feichei drove beyond the sniper's range...
From within his coat, Nonaka whispered urgently, "Master! He's moving the ropes!"
"You'd better stop struggling," Chi Feichei warned while walking around the car. "Turn your head—look beside you."
"What?" Takatora suppressed his shock, turning right—and froze instantly.
Two snakes coiled along the driver's seat backrest, flicking tongues directly at him.
One thick white serpent occupied the main seat while three or four smaller ones slithered near the ashtray area...
On the left, sothing brushed his hair.
Stiff-necked, Takatora slowly turned his head again—two more snakes lurked beside his seatback. Their tongues nearly touched his face as he stared blankly:
=(皿)
Suddenly...
Not daring to move even an inch.
The white snake brought its family to observe Takatora while tiny snakes chattered nearby.
"Is this guy food?"
"He's huge. Probably hard to swallow whole..."
"A human might chop at into pieces, roast it over fire, sprinkle so powder. I saw Master's son eating at like that at the mansion..."
"Humans don't eat their own kind."
"Because it tastes bad?"
...
Chi Feichei opened the door and entered, observing Takatora frozen stiff with pale complexion. Without comnt, he picked up tissue paper to wipe blood off his hand.
"You scared of snakes?"
Takatora remained rigid—only his mouth moved, voice barely more expressive than Chi Feichei's. "Can I get out please?"
One snake would be fine—even venomous—but this many?
He felt like falling straight into a snake pit...
Bringing this many snakes inside a vehicle? How despicable, how ruthless...
Chi Feichei ignored the question, calmly wiping his hands while checking Gin's email on his phone. "Work for . Na your price."
Was he recruiting?
Startled initially, Takatora frowned thoughtfully. "When you say 'work for ,' does that an following your orders indefinitely? How long exactly?"
Chi Feichei retrieved another tissue, cleaning blood spots in the rearview mirror. "Your entire life."
"My entire life? You sure know how to ask..." As a snake approached his hand, Takatora's expression hardened again. "If I refuse, am I leaving alive tonight?"
"Yes." Chi Feichei answered flatly, tossing the tissue into the ashtray and driving away.
Takatora choked silently, wordlessly staring at Chi Feichei.
He actually admitted it outright?
At least threaten him further, issue so terrifying ultimatum?
"Just 'yes'? That's all?
Impossible to respond to!
Still, better clarify key details.
"What exactly would I be doing?"
"Sa as any bounty hunter." Chi Feichei replied.
"You know I'm a bounty hunter?" Takatora showed surprise before regaining composure. "Then you should understand—we work per job, not sell our lives. Never planned to work under soone else, not ever..."
Chi Feichei slowed the car. Left hand on the wheel, right hand raised the gun again, aiming at Takatora's temple.
Takatora blinked once before lifting his chin slightly. "Even if you shoot now..."
Whizz!
Muffled by the suppressor, the bullet grazed Takatora's head, severing several hairs.
The side window shattered imdiately, raining broken glass outside.
Takatora: ...
He actually shot!
And who threatens soone with employnt anyway?
Chi Feichei maintained his slow pace, not even glancing at Takatora. The gun lowered slightly before re-aiming squarely at Takatora's head.
Say it again.
Back in the Organization, wasn't it similar? Vermouth blocked the exit while snipers aid outside. Even as heir to two major corporations, he ended up forced into servitude. If Chi Feichei repeated refusal, would he face similar coercion?
After brief silence, Takatora weighed pros and cons carefully. "Details matter. What specific tasks? And paynt terms?"
"Whatever a bounty hunter usually does." Chi Feichei answered.
"Monthly salary?"
"Three million yen monthly. Lodging and als covered," Chi Feichei holstered the weapon. "Primarily responsible for my security and errands. No need for constant surveillance either. Special missions earn additional bonuses. Retirent support guaranteed. Feel free to pursue side jobs—but clean up after yourself."
Takatora calculated ntally. Full-ti bodyguards earned roughly equivalent rates—especially ex-military ard with weapons and armor. This offer already showed considerable confidence in him.
Regardless of schedule flexibility, staying with Chi Feichei beat wandering dangerous streets. Even if fired after two or three years, those years alone provided sufficient earnings.
Hmm... Unexpectedly tempting!
"Well..." Rembering his earlier vehent anti-employnt declaration, Takatora felt slight embarrassnt. "Do we sign a contract?"
"Sure. Any duration works," Chi Feichei responded. "Retirent clauses included. Two conditions though—special mission paynts disguised as bonuses to avoid police suspicion. Also, absolute secrecy regarding my whereabouts and actions."
Takatora nodded. "Naturally. A bodyguard must protect client confidentiality."
"Also," Chi Feichei glanced sideways. "How about law enforcent—say, Public Security Bureau agents?"
Takatora paused.
Was he being warned about potential Public Security investigations?
He already suspected Chi Feichei's affairs involved serious misconduct—snipers, firearms, and all. But criminal police scrutiny sufficed, right?
What exactly dangerous business was his new boss involved in?!
Hesitating briefly, Takatora nodded firmly. "Once hired, employer remains employer. Whether bodyguard or bounty hunter, accepting paynt ans keeping secrets."
Chi Feichei rattled off a number. "My contact info. Rest sowhere first. Contact tomorrow morning—we'll finalize contracts. Any preference where I drop you?"
"You're letting go already?" Takatora showed mild surprise.
"If you plan escape, I can't monitor you 24/7," Chi Feichei remarked. "Besides, who runs from money? Are you stupid?"
Takatora's lips twitched. "Fine. Just let off at the next intersection."
He couldn't wait to escape these snakes crawling everywhere...
(End of Chapter)
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