Benton's Brutal End and a Tearful Embrace
Valentina's inner thoughts.
The Fang Office crew didn't show up at the building where Benton was until a full day had passed. Normally, you'd go with your subordinates, but their leader, Benton, didn't give a damn about that—he lived by the creed that the first one to catch a Blood Fiend gets the prize.
The Fang Office members yawned as they unlocked the building's door right on the dot of the time their leader had promised the day before. As the door creaked open with a long, grating screeeeech, they couldn't help but freeze in shock.
"Am... am I dreaming right now...?"
Vice-leader Kachiasis rubbed his eyes and stared at Benton, who was slumped against a marble pillar. Both of Benton's arms had been cleanly severed. Brain matter oozed from his cracked skull. His eyeballs were either gouged out or bulging grotesquely from their sockets.
The horrific, unbelievable sight left every Fang Office member in stunned horror. Kachiasis hurriedly scanned the surroundings. He spotted the shattered glass windows—completely smashed. The red knight Blood Fiend who killed Benton must have escaped through there.
"Damn it... the old man's tougher than he looks..."
Kachiasis muttered, glaring at Benton's mangled corpse.
"Kachiasis. What about the red knight?"
The one calling out to him was Thumb's Underboss, Morrison. Just yesterday, he'd shaken hands with them, genuinely hoping they'd catch the red knight.
"Benton... I see. Looks like the red knight's stronger than we thought. This fight won't be easy."
"...To leave Benton like this and run... I swear I won't let that red tin-can-wearing bastard live."
"..."
"Kachiasis, calm down first. Someone from our side wants to autopsy Benton's body. I'm really sorry, but could we examine your leader's corpse just a bit?"
"...Do whatever. As long as we find that red dog who did this to our boss, I'll kill him myself."
Kachiasis clenched his fists as he spoke.
"Understood. You can come in now."
A woman walked in from where Morrison had gestured, greeted them, and examined Benton's ruined body.
"Hmm... These wounds weren't made by a lance piercing through. The cuts are completely severed—unlike a thrust wound that tears on removal. It looks like the work of a Blood Fiend who wields a sword, opposite to the one with the lance."
"You mean..."
"Yes, exactly as you're thinking. Another Blood Fiend seems to have helped kill Mr. Benton. One just as strong as the red knight, I'd estimate."
The woman pointed to the severed limbs as she explained.
"When weapons like swords or blades cut bone, they usually don't slice cleanly, leaving jagged edges. But Mr. Benton's arms are perfectly severed. Like it was done with precision machinery."
"Tch... So there's another troublesome Blood Fiend besides the red knight? For that bastard to have a fellow kin... that's a pain."
Morrison sighed in lament.
"Kachiasis. What will you do now...?"
"...What do you think? It's obvious. I'll hunt down the Blood Fiend who killed our boss with my own hands and tear it to shreds. Just like it did to him."
"I see. If Thumb wants, we can pay you blood money for your leader."
"Hah... blood money. Our boss wasn't worth just a few coins. To us, his life is why we're here right now. Without him, we wouldn't exist."
Kachiasis addressed his subordinates.
"From this moment, the Fang Office hunts that red bastard down. Anyone who doesn't want in, go back to the office and save your skin."
The Fang Office members responded only with silence, smiling at their vice-leader.
"Good... Then we're all going to kill that dog."
...
At that moment, Valentina was handling a fixer mission with Kali.
"Let's see... 'Find the thief who stole an item around here.' Features: yellow hair... agile movements... Is that seriously all?"
Valentina read the paper, ready to jump out of her skin in frustration.
"No way. What are we supposed to do with this little info?"
"Guess the thief's more capable than we thought."
"All they do is steal stuff...?"
"'All they do'? Escaping with stolen goods without getting caught is a skill. Back when I was a kid, thieves who got nabbed never had it easy."
"...That's pretty sad... Anyway, how do we even find the thief?"
At Valentina's question, Kali struck a pose like an expert in the field—trust her on this.
"Thieves move where there are no people."
"So?"
"We hide and stake out at night when everyone's asleep. Grab 'em when they show."
"Uh... well, that's not wrong, Kali. But what if they don't come at night?"
"Hmm. Didn't think that far. If not, oh well. But I've got another plan too."
"What?"
"Beat up every yellowhead in the district."
"...I'm kinda blonde too...?"
"Yours is more gold with green tint. That's not yellow."
"Anyway... you're seriously planning to rough up every yellowhead here...?"
Kali's expression turned dead serious at Valentina's question. As Valentina started trembling in rage, Kali finally cracked a smile.
"Kidding. I'm not that reckless or thoughtless."
"Phew... you scared me. Why tease like that?"
"'Cause your flustered face is cute."
Valentina froze at Kali's words, utterly dumbfounded.
"Every time I see you, you're just my type. This short hair, that tough-girl outfit you pretend not to flaunt... If I were a guy, I'd have you pinned already."
"..."
(Smirk)
"No one reacts as fun as you."
"Y-you... uh-uh-uh... aaah..."
Her words glitching out, she desperately avoided Kali's face.
"Anyway, lunch? We've been grinding hard—wanna hit up Ham Ham Pang Pang?"
"..."
"Still sulking?"
Valentina turned away at Kali's coaxing.
"Make it up to me and lunch is on you."
"...Extra cheese..."
"Ten slices if you want."
Kali soothed the pouting Valentina as they headed to the eatery. Ding-a-ling. The door opened to reveal a scary-looking chef slicing ham with a massive cleaver.
Gulp.
Kali ordered casually.
"One Ham Ham Pang Pang sandwich, and one with extra cheese."
The owner nodded and headed to the kitchen to prepare.
"Y'know, it's been a while since you came here."
As Kali said, Valentina had been around long enough. Subjectively, it felt like two months. Probably 'cause hanging with Kali was so comfy.
"...Kali, I don't wanna leave. Can't we just go to the outskirts, just us?"
"..."
Kali fell silent at Valentina's words.
"I'll... I'll scrape together money somehow. And food... Together, nothing scares us in this world. What do ya say...?"
"...You know that's not possible. I owe these people. Days with you are fun, sure. But I don't wanna leave yet. I've finally adjusted to District 23 a bit."
"...Right... then I...!"
"No. You're key personnel in the Bonyatelli family. If they find out you vanished, Thumb and your family might tear the district apart looking for you."
"..."
Kali silently pulled Valentina into a hug, patting her back with scarred hands.
"It's okay. Lean on me when it's too much."
Tears welled in Valentina's eyes at Kali's warm words. In this harsh world, Kali was the first to treat her kindly—not for money, power, or skill, but just for her. Valentina wept soundlessly in Kali's arms.
...
It's been nearly ten years since I started running Ham Ham Pang Pang in District 23, but I have no clue what to do in a situation like this...
The massive chef watched Valentina sobbing in Kali's arms while staring at the ham sandwich in his hand, pondering. He'd devoted his life to making tasty ham sandwiches. But he'd never talked to women, living solely to craft the perfect sandwich.
Hmm... guess I'll wait a bit...