Kaito Shirogane leaned against the window of the second-floor office in the white compound. Lin, his wrist wrapped in a thick bandage, stood at the door with his head bowed.
"I've done as you ordered. I've shut down the flesh trade and the telecom operations and dismissed most of the staff. The only ones left are working on the distillery…"
Lin's wrist was throbbing with pain, but he didn't dare leave to get dical attention without permission. The compound walls were still stained with the blood and gore of his n. The man before him was unimaginably brutal.
He hesitated, not understanding what this "Boss Kaito" was trying to do. He had shut down the two most profitable businesses. Did he really think he could support this entire compound just by trading with those drug lords in the mountains?
In truth, Kaito hadn't shut them down for moral or legal reasons. He had simply found the track-marked won an eyesore, and the telecom business required him to interact with too many people, which was a hassle. The distillery was simple. He would just have to go up the mountain and have a "patient chat" with the drug lords—people who wouldn't be missed if they died—and his new industrial park would be up and running.
The rest of his ti, of course, would be spent developing his intelligence network and transforming this "Number 815 E-Fraud Compound" into a new kind of "headhunting" group. Yes, literal headhunting.
In an environnt this chaotic, death was a normal, everyday occurrence. No one in this country paid much attention to how many people died or went missing each day. The overly safe environnt of Japan had made many people lose their ability to adapt to real danger.
Kaito, however, was thriving.
He leaned against the window, studying several photos. They were the few pictures that existed of "Grinder." The man in the photos was bare-chested, with dark skin and a fat, fleshy body. He didn't look like a speed-type. He was decked out in gold chains, which didn't look like special equipnt. Overall, he looked completely unremarkable.
But according to the rumors, this was a man who had single-handedly slaughtered his way into a drug lord's ard compound, facing down nearly a hundred n who were ard and had no qualms about killing. He clearly possessed a special ability.
"You said soone once heard a bear roaring from Grinder's territory?"
Lin, startled, didn't know why this man was so interested in such a baseless rumor. In a place like this, everyone needed a few tall tales to build a fearso reputation. But Grinder's power was now imnse. He had connections to the governnt, and there were even rumors he was building a private army in the mountains. He was on his way to becoming one of the "Five Families." No one dared to provoke him.
But, with his head under the eaves, Lin didn't dare to question. "Yes, that's the rumor. Maybe he really does own a bear. They used to say he'd feed the useless 'pigs' to it."
Kaito nodded, scribbling on the paper in his hand. [Suspected summon-type or transformation-type ability.] He thought for a mont, then looked back at the layout of his new compound. It was in a clearing in the mountains, with a good field of fire. A plan began to form.
"By the way, Lin. Does this compound have caras?"
Lin flinched, only just now realizing this monster, who couldn't be much older than twenty, was calling him "Lin." "Uh, yes. We have a few. Mostly on the outer walls and in the work areas." They were, of course, to stop the "pigs" from escaping or slacking off.
Kaito waved his hand. "Move all of them to this building. Aim them at the main square outside."
Lin was full of questions, but he just nodded and went to do it. His plan was to act ek and obedient for a few days. Then, when this guy let his guard down, he would find a way to kill him or just escape and let Grinder teach this arrogant bastard a lesson. What's the use of being a good fighter? This is the modern age!
He also had to admit, this "Boss Kaito" was too good at fighting. Could a person really kill four n ard with AK-47s with their bare hands? He felt like the world had gone mad. He'd been hearing these kinds of absurd rumors for the last six months, but this was the first ti he'd seen it with his own eyes. Was it like those short-form dramas back in Japan said? Was it the "Spirit-Qi Recovery"? Or was humanity evolving without him?
His mind a ss, he left the office, his heart aching as he looked at the now-empty compound he had worked so hard to build, only to have it stolen.
Damn you, you bastard. I'll kill you. I'll kill you! he muttered under his breath.
Inside the office, Kaito's lips curled into a smile. He sat in the chair, and with a flash of light, two silver rings appeared in his hand.
[Weapon ÄRM: Psychic Rings]
[Quality: Blue]
[Description: A special magical tool (ÄRM) from the world of MÄR, possessing unique effects.]
[Requirents: Constitution > 8, Spirit > 5]
[Effect 1: When worn, ditation efficiency is slightly increased.]
[Effect 2: Can be activated with Spirit. When active, Strength is amplified by 20%.]
[Effect 3: For each additional ring worn, the Constitution requirent is increased by 4.]
These were the items that the Reincarnator [Reed] had transferred to him in his dying monts, a magical tool from the manga Märchen Awakens Romance. They were an incredibly useful and convenient item. The requirents were low, but the effects were excellent. In that world, everyone used these silver "ÄRM" to fight. Kaito's were of the [Weapon ÄRM] type, for close-quarters combat. While Weapon ÄRMs were the most common, these Psychic Rings were extrely practical.
Kaito's Constitution was 13, so he put both rings on. He clenched his fist, activated them with a thought, and lightly tapped the solid redwood desk.
CRASH!
The surface of the desk exploded into splinters. The rings amplified his strength and released it as a psycho-kinetic attack. Kaito was very satisfied. These were even more practical than the [Spirit-Gathering Finger] he had just bought.
The sound of the desk exploding made Lin, who was in the hallway, jump, and he ran down the stairs even faster.
That afternoon, Lin received an order from Kaito to have soone purchase a batch of special herbs, primarily from Japan, Korea, and China. "Sanxianmaocao, Yuyeguidengqing, Ashitaba…" Lin frowned. He had never heard of these tongue-twisting herbs, but Kaito's orders gave him an opportunity. He imdiately sent his most trusted subordinate to the nearest town with the herb list... and a verbal ssage for Grinder.
He stood on the compound's parade ground, where the "pigs" usually got their air. It was now empty, save for a few n installing caras. Lin looked back at the second-floor office and sneered.
The next second, Kaito's face appeared in the window. Lin's heart stopped.
"Rember, as fast as possible!" Kaito called down with a smile. He leaned his whole body out the window, watching the n install the caras in the hidden spots he'd designated, and nodded in satisfaction.
Lin broke out in a cold sweat, but it seed the man didn't suspect him. He clapped his subordinate on the shoulder. "Rember. Tell Grinder this Kaito is a monster fighter. He needs to bring more guns…" He thought for a mont, perhaps influenced by Kaito's own questions, and added, "And tell him to bring the bear!"
The subordinate nodded, got in a rickety pickup truck, and sped away.
Kaito counted the days on his fingers. He knew that even if Grinder got the ssage, it would take him at least a day or two to get here. And knowing the strength Kaito had displayed, he wouldn't co unprepared. Which was perfect. He himself was... quite busy.
With a thought, Kaito's form vanished. He was back in the Nexus Public Space. A ssage was waiting for him.
[LT44344564 (Conspiracy) has sent you a ssage: I'm at stall E385 in the bazaar. Co trade. Quick.]
This was a paid, direct-ssaging service in the Nexus. It was the most convenient way for Reincarnators who weren't on a team to contact each other without risking their real-world identities.
Kaito had been planning to visit the [Destiny] faction's official stall to buy an item anyway. He might as well go see this Reincarnator who also knew about the secret fusion trait. If he hadn't gotten the info from a broker, it ant he, too, had received an S-rank evaluation at so point. A promising player.
Kaito, wearing his now-infamous "Elder God" mask, appeared in the bazaar, drawing a small crowd.
[Conspiracy] was a figure wearing a crow-like plague mask, his face completely hidden. In the Nexus, an avatar was all about recognition. A mask was as good a thod as any. He saw Kaito, who was trailing a crowd of onlookers, and recognized the owner of the [Head of Douma] material.
"You didn't accept my trade. Did you already find out the thod?"
Kaito glanced at [Conspiracy]'s stall. He had to admit, this guy had so real power.
[Lineage Item: Genetically Mutated Spinal Fluid]
[Quality: Purple (Exceedingly Rare)]
[Description: The spinal fluid of a powerful psychic from a certain world. Possesses the potential to cause genetic mutation and awaken superpowers.]
[Price: In-person discussion]
[Effect: ]
His other wares were also all superpower-related.
"Yeah. Got an S-rank evaluation. You know how it is," Kaito said. "What about you? Just got back from looting a superpower world?"
[Conspiracy] didn't deny it. He just studied the rising star, "rcenary Tao." Not long ago, this man had been selling materials from a low-difficulty world like Demon Slayer. Now, rumors were flying that he had destroyed [The Fifth Elent]. The leap in strength was massive. Either the rumors were a lie, or his power was growing at an explosive rate. Or… both.
"It seems you are worth building a relationship with," [Conspiracy] said, his voice flat. "Not like these other fools wasting my ti." He glanced at the crowd that was now watching them, his disdain clear. These people won't even survive a few more missions. Not worth my ti. But this [rcenary Tao]... he was different. He had value.
"I want Douma's head. If you see anything on my stall you like, we can talk."
Kaito was about to speak, but a long, narrow blade appeared at the edge of the stall, its surface glowing with a faint red light.
"Well, now. You two aren't going to make a private deal, are you? Since we both made an offer, you should let us bid fairly, shouldn't you… Tao?"
A woman's voice, possessing a special magnetic quality—not quite crisp, not quite hoarse, but with a vibration that seed to pluck at one's heartstrings. In the public space, where all abilities were nullified, this had to be her natural, talented voice.
Kaito turned. A woman in a purple robe was standing at the edge of the stall, holding a long, curved blade. A smile spread across Kaito's face.
"I didn't expect [The Intestine Hunter] to really make her avatar look exactly like Elsa Granhiert."
"You are… very interesting."
Most Reincarnators tried to hide the true nature of their abilities. For example, if you had an animal-type Devil Fruit, you might disguise it as a Werewolf lineage to prevent people from knowing your weakness. Hiding your true power was the best way to avoid being countered.
But this woman, from her weapon to her appearance, was advertising her abilities. This ant one of two things: either this was a deep, multi-layered bluff, or…
Kaito looked at the unrestrained, arrogant look in her eyes and was sure it was the latter. She was just that confident. She wanted you to know exactly who was killing you.
[Conspiracy], seeing his deal being interrupted, also stood up. These two were both well-known Reincarnators. Their gathering, along with the infamous [rcenary Tao], was enough to draw a lot of attention and speculation. Many of the strongest teams had been ford from powerful lone wolves just like this.
From a distance, the [Black Butler] watched, his mind racing. Those three... are they planning to form a new team?!
~~~
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