Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Premium Fever! (2)
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1.
Let me sum up the situation briefly.
I chose the option to kill Arbel.
The time limit is 20 days.
Various Premium Fever perks have been granted.
While searching for a loophole to clear this route by saving Arbel.
I even got this info from Isis: 'True Ancestor blood' might make it possible?
'So who's the True Ancestor?'
'…….'
She clammed up on who the True Ancestor was, probably due to some code.
But the info Isis gave connects to what Eiming said before.
The biochemical weapon scattered for 'Project Z' was actually diluted True Ancestor blood.
Project Z was halted, so maybe Twilight Resource Development has some blood left?
Or will the charismatic True Ancestor heroine make her grand entrance?
Please...
"I'll figure it out step by step."
There's still plenty of time.
Time to hustle with power-ups, achievements, and intel gathering.
After leaving Isis Clinic, I headed straight to work.
Work meaning, of course, the Drunken Red Tower in Night Blossom Garden where Eiming stays.
Night Blossom Garden at night is dazzling, but early morning Night Blossom Garden evokes the image of a public restroom the day after record floods.
"Uweeeek!!!"
"Uwaaaah!!! I lost 300,000!!!! My life's over!!! Someone lend me money!!!!"
Drunks worn out from partying till late, gamblers who sold their souls at the tracks, and courtesans clutching their bodies after countless men passed through them all night, staring blankly while puffing on pipes.
The last group especially caught my eye.
Gives me chills.
If I'd gotten hit by that TS beam, I might be sitting there too.
Today too, I worship you, good luck charm.
"Lord Rowen, good morning."
"Morning."
"Why not stop by our place? We'll serve you with fiery passion."
"In that case, could I snag a cheongsam? Size like this."
"Pardon...? Of course!"
"New one."
As I passed the brothels, the pimps under Eiming greeted me.
I'd been tailing Eiming like a goldfish turd these past few days, so naturally I'd stamped myself as 'some big shot.'
Farmed a cheongsam for Arbel and entered Eiming's office.
"Brother Eiming, I'm here."
"Rowen, huh?"
Eiming was already plastered from the get-go.
Branch head is like director at Twilight Resource Development, polar opposite to workaholic Ceres the hag.
Knew it!
"Down this shot. It'll settle your stomach."
"Yeah, thanks."
I handed him the honey water I'd brought and asked.
Eiming's face, usually beaming, was dark.
"Something bad happen?"
"Some bullshit that's got me heated."
"Yeah? How about a mood changer?"
"Nah."
Eiming turning down club activities?
"Then I got some fresh stockings I procured..."
"That too, no."
No way! He's not some picky mongrel dodging feed—Eiming rejecting Ceres's stockings?!
This is fucked.
Emergency.
His speech is more curt than usual too. Looks like our Eiming ham's on his period today.
I wanted to grill him on what True Ancestor is, details on Project Z and True Ancestor connection, any way to snag True Ancestor blood.
But...
Not the vibe.
"Brother, if I can ease your worries, I'll help."
"You? Oh right, you're 7th rank or something."
"Yes, brother. Technically 9th, but I can handle 7th rank."
Eiming pondered briefly, then waved it off.
"Nah, no need for you to step up."
"What's the issue?"
After a moment's hesitation, Eiming spilled.
From his explanation...
There's this fixer office called 'Red Cloud Room' in E Sector slums, formed by a dozen or so 8th ranks.
They mainly take subcontracts from Crimson Dragon Clan's branch head.
"Those Red Cloud Room fuckheads seem to have skimmed our goods? But no solid proof."
I knew from reports and rumors.
Overnus Pharma's got deep cartel vibes, roots in all C Sector industries.
Way more violent turf wars than at Twilight Resource Development.
'War' is taboo, but 'proxy wars' via hired fixers are fine as long as they don't cross lines.
That's why no insurance companies in Necropolis, huh?
Eiming's probably agonizing over who to send—someone to handle it without escalating to full war, save face, and resolve things.
In the world of violence, face means authority.
Hmm, opportunity here.
Officially his Yoobi, but really just joined a crossdressing club on the brink of disbandment with zero members.
Calling myself Phantom Ghost Clan member right now is embarrassing.
Can't just spy and learn Eiming's top courtesan rankings or life lipstick without getting his trust.
To truly become his Yoobi and build more trust.
Gotta dip into clan business.
Plus, new playstyle for experience, points too.
"Brother."
"Yeah?"
"What am I to you?"
"Why the sudden? Didn't share blood, but you're my brother."
"Bullshit."
"What?"
I got serious, and Eiming blinked in surprise.
"If you saw me as brother! As a man! You'd have told me to go chop those fuckers' heads off right now!"
"No, I just didn't want you in danger..."
"Brother!!!!"
I pleaded with fervent emotion.
"I'm not serving you from the safe shadows!"
"……!"
"I'm here as a man to be your strength! Why don't you get that!"
"Ro, Rowen...!"
"Don't you want a brother like that to be proud of!!! Phantom Ghost Clan's proud spirit beats in this heart too."
Eiming's eyes shook violently.
Then took on a grave light.
"You up for it?"
"Just tell me the spot. I'll twist those Red Cloud Room chickenheads' necks and bring the goods."
"...So frustrating. Why'd I only meet you now."
Eyes closed briefly, then he hugged me fiercely.
Fuck! Don't do this!
"Come back safe. My brother. Rowen."
Deepened my voice in response.
"Back before the drinks cool."
Ha... Finally got him to bite, the hardass.
Honestly, I don't get continental sentiment.
2.
Past rounds had jack shit, Project Z blew up huge draining blood.
But this Premium Route's full clear gives a whopping 60 days leeway.
Means I can steadily build Arbel's yeto reincarnation base.
"Even rice thieves start with the granary."
In that vein, something I'm personally stoked for.
✧ [Growth Acceleration]: All growth proficiency gains ≪500%≫ UP!
This.
Premium Fever's growth acceleration.
Leverage 5x is meh.
But with 'high' death comprehension added, curious about the synergy.
Death Verdict projects death sigils via mana.
Hard to compare effects on non-livings.
Real combat's best teacher.
Thus, to my old haunt E Sector.
Red Cloud Room's hideout: outskirts logistics warehouse.
14 8th rank fixers, right?
"Even if Sunming shows, I'll mop 'em."
Not just any Sunming, junkie Sunming.
Present strongest 7th rank fixer? Child's play before me.
Hid in smog-made shadows, observed.
Warehouse height: 2 stories.
Exposed H-beams rusted black.
1st floor storage, 2nd offices—lamplight leaks from windows.
One entrance. Two guards out front.
Not really guarding.
Just giggling with cigs in mouths.
Perfect for a test.
Last Sunming fight: implemented Kisara's slash, fall death.
But not yet gun-to-head blowout.
"Huu...."
Drew up mana.
Sticky liquid in veins sensation.
'Death' imagery beaded like droplet on hand.
Target distance: about 50m.
No hesitation now.
Front and back decided.
Who told you to skim Eiming bro's goods and start a mob office in Necropolis?
That's life-or-death stakes.
"Focus."
Index and middle together, pistol grip feel...
Aim.
Hold breath.
Fire.
No sound, no sign.
Black droplet bullet slicing air.
-Pbuk
Death Verdict fired, aimed guy's head exploded simultaneously.
Cig ember scattered mini fireworks.
Blood splattered warehouse wall like paint.
Thought it'd be silencer-movie quiet, but skull burst louder than expected.
Never heard over gunshots before.
"Huh?"
Partner stared shocked at vanishing head magic trick.
"Magic, not trick though."
Changed imagery in Death Verdict this time.
Mana stretched flexible cord-like, wrapped his neck.
Imagery: spec ops sneaking back, silent neck snap.
What to call it?
Neck twist death? Cervical crush death?
-Krunch!
Anyway, mana wrapped neck.
Head spun like top on string.
Atlas crunch and choked gasp cut short.
"Okay, that works too."
Way simpler than expected.
Had 'slash' ready just in case.
"Hmm."
Glanced at hand.
Proficiency up noticeable?
Kinda not, kinda smoother than usual.
Placebo maybe. Few tries won't cut it?
First real combat Death Verdict was Sunming anyway.
Various thoughts as I approached warehouse.
"Grrrk, grrrk...."
Neck-snapped guy alive.
Barely breathing, suffering.
Winced involuntarily.
"Ew, hey. Sorry. Messy kill."
Fixer life, kill or be killed no complaints? Mindset.
But meant painless send-off.
-Shwak
"Go to bliss."
Follow-up clean finish.
"Hmm, weird."
On reflection, mana felt sticky.
Low rez cuz not personally experienced?
"Reps train mastery?"
Few more might get the feel...
-Clang!
"What, what the fuck!"
"Who sent you!"
"Daring to hit Red Cloud Room...!"
Side door opened, coatrack dudes poured out.
Huddling to hit the john probably.
Saw me, drew weapons, charged.
Total 16 even.
Minus two dead, 4 more than intel.
Whatever.
All 8th rank scrubs?
I beat doped 7th rank Sunming.
8th to 7th gap like sheep to wolf.
Still.
"Ha, fuck. Kinda a lot up close?"
Formed hand seal.
No time for leisurely tests now.
Then.
"Halve and die."
Gonna slam full barrage!
3.
Wang Pei was Red Cloud Room's 7th rank fixer and boss.
Not originally though.
Wang Pei led 'Ascending Dragon Gang,' four 7th ranks fixer office, recently force-merged Red Cloud Room.
Two days later, got intel from client, skimmed goods big.
Then, thought merger success.
Fixer work always risky, big scores rare.
Similar risk, better align with Crimson Dragon Clan for advancement.
Had 2-level augmentation done, three peers same level.
14 minions too—smooth sailing ahead.
"Cough, cough...."
But now thinks.
Shouldn't have entered monster's game.
Blood-soaked half-red vision saw one man.
Reaper-black hair, merciless black eyes.
No vital signs disrupted, not even breath.
"Ha... different somehow? Way more output than before.... Nah? Placebo? Too mixed, can't tell."
Wang Pei's gaze slid.
To man muttering like psycho, amid bloodsea corpses.
Fish market gutted like.
'How?'
Incomprehensible.
Draining blood, slow-spinning head couldn't grasp.
Man's eerie hand motion—dozens black lines fired everywhere.
First volley halved 8th ranks, instant deaths.
But all fixers.
Combat sense from experience.
Survivors tried gaps: surround entry, dodge lines with mobility, evade approach.
"No. Think positive. Omni-directional fire now works?"
Futile.
Autistic scribble-dense lines refilled space.
Double initial density.
Various spells, even 0th rank resist barriers worn.
Meaningless.
1 sec later, surviving 8th ranks wiped.
Under 3 sec, original Ascending Dragon 7th ranks fell.
Desperate dodging Wang Pei barrier torn before 5 sec, limbs severed before 10.
"Tch, fuckers. Some non-8th rank mixed in...."
Muttering man entered warehouse, last sight.
Wang Pei's eyelids sank heavy.