Whispers of the Cult and the Mangeubucho Trade

Newbie: Johan31

"You're talking about that murder case inside the academy, right? Any secret societies in Silnakwon showing obvious activity?"

"Hmm... who knows? This island's crawling with schemers cooking up all sorts of plots. Ask me something that vague, and I can't give you a straight answer."

Jake scratched the back of his head as he spoke.

"If I had to narrow it down, word's been spreading through the underworld lately about some creepy religious group's movements rubbing people the wrong way. Not many secret societies worship gods, you know. Those shady bastards are definitely serving some evil deity hell-bent on world destruction."

Jake's answer hit pretty close to the truth. He really was a proper back-alley info broker.

"What's the name of that religious group?"

"No clue. We just call 'em the suspicious cult. No idea if they're new or have been lurking in Silnakwon forever."

"Hm... Who belongs to it, then?"

"Hey, you know I don't go that far. I wanna live long and skinny, not get myself killed."

One of Jake's iron rules: never give info that pins down personal identities. The guy buzzed between factions like a mosquito, so he avoided anything that'd get him stabbed.

Of course, despite his efforts, he still gets offed by an assassin from a villain group in the original story. Not exactly a hero, so ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠karma's a bitch.

"Not much to go on. A suspicious cult's doing..."

"That's worth exactly one bottle of booze. Satisfied?"

"Yeah. Honestly, it's sorely lacking."

"Get lost. I'm drinking this."

Perfect send-off. No prying more out of Jake now.

We stepped out of the shop. Scarlett-senpai looked dissatisfied.

"Ugh. I figured it'd be slim pickings, but this is way worse than expected."

She eyed me.

"Don't go blabbing what we heard today. Got it?"

"Of course."

No plans to spill. I don't want the Seven Star Hall busted yet. They pop up in a few story arcs to shine. They'll vanish by my hand eventually anyway.

"Alright, back to the dorms for real. Curfew's closing in."

Scarlett-senpai pulled a pocket watch from her skirt pocket. The brutal incident had tightened curfew. Staying out past meant demerits.

"Ah, I've got a quick errand. You go ahead."

"Huh? What for?"

"Nothing big. We're in different dorms anyway—split here. See you next time. Bane and Rias-senpai too. Tomorrow."

"Don't stay out late! You've got enough demerits already."

"No worries!"

I waved to the three and headed deeper into the bustling streets. Dodging prying eyes, I returned to Jake's tailor shop.

Clunk!

"Hic~!"

Jake was belting out bottle farts inside. No ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠wonder business was dead in this prime spot. His real gig was info brokering anyway.

"Haa~! Shutters down today. Come back tomorrow."

His slurred, mangled speech made me wanna slap him.

"Not here for tailoring, Jake."

"Eh? You the junior that secretary dragged in earlier? Hic~! What's up? Running an errand for her?"

"Nah. Business with you."

I strode to the counter and chucked the bottle aside. It shattered with a crash.

Crimson herbal liquor splashed amid the glass shards. The stench said high-proof stuff.

"What the hell?"

Jake's slur vanished instantly. He was pissed for real.

"Jake Frederick. Listen up. One time only."

I locked eyes with his stiffened glare and laid it out.

"Can your connections move some goods?"

"You punk got some nerve spouting bullshit."

Jake growled like a wolf, but it didn't faze me. This guy's no powerhouse from the original—he's all info. And that don't work on me.

"Answer the question. Can you sell dangerous goods?"

"Dangerous goods?"

That piqued his interest. Dangerous stuff usually meant big bucks. An info guy like him knew best.

"Dangerous and pricey. Ever hear of Mangeubucho?"

"Mangeubucho...? You mean that drug?"

"Yep. Selling that."

I pulled a purple flower from my inventory.

"This one's worth over 5 million kant easy. Think you can handle it?"

Showing the real deal made Jake's face tremble. First time handling dope, probably.

"Mangeubucho... Definitely genuine. No student's business."

Jake stared stiffly, voice icy. Eyes darting—crunching numbers in his head.

"80-20. Me 80, you 20."

"70-30. Gotta eat that much to risk it."

His face cleared at the counter. Money seals deals like nothing else.

"Deal. 70-30."

"How much you got?"

"10 flowers weekly to start. You can handle that?"

10 a week: 50 million kant. Monthly around 200 million; my cut 140 million.

"Quite a haul. Where from...? Nah, none of my business."

Sharp as ever—knew when to back off.

"Smart. But no backstabs, or Pathfinder learns where you hide."

"......How do you..."

Pathfinder: the crime syndicate hunting Jake for his past betrayal. They get him via assassin in the original.

"Here's ten for today."

I dumped ten Mangeubucho flowers from inventory onto the counter. Jake's glare bored into me, ignoring the blooms.

Wondering my identity that bad? Guy knows his deepest secret now—natural reaction.

"Later."

Whatever he wonders, not my problem. Just use him right.

A life-clinger like him won't betray easy. If he does... hunt to hell's end for payback.

Sword Mastery and Mana Sword had quietly hit level 3. Progress was smooth.

Bernehardt was an excellent teacher, pouring her passion into my swordsmanship. On non-club days, I'd stay in the training grounds for private lessons. Partly to improve, but mostly to close the distance with her.

"Good! Your stance is getting more refined. Well done!"

Her scarred bronze skin gleamed in the sunlight. That grinning face was feminine, clashing with her macho build.

Bernehardt had the alluring body of an Amazon warrior. I wanted to claim it ASAP.

'About time, right?'

Spending so much time close up, I could read the wordless signals her body sent. That voluptuous frame craved a young, virile man's touch. She played it cool, but her body said otherwise.

'Yeah. I've laid enough bait—harvest time.'

Prep was solid.