Schemes in the Shadows
Ichijo, having received Kazuma's orders, sprang into action without delay.
Speed was everything in a surprise attack like this, so there was no hesitation in his movements.
Even Yoshida, who usually obstructed him at every turn, offered no interference this time.
'Of course he wouldn't. This is a direct order from Kazuma himself—even that bastard Yoshida can't defy it!'
Ichijo couldn't help but grin at the sight of the normally arrogant Yoshida keeping his head down.
It was deeply satisfying to see him cowed like this.
'Just you wait. Once I pull this off, you'll stay groveling like that from now on!'
Yoshida's faction was still too strong for him to challenge directly, but if this operation succeeded, it would clip the man's wings considerably.
And once Yoshida's power base shrank...
'Heh... that day will be the end of him.'
They were comrades in the same expedition team, but Ichijo felt no camaraderie toward Yoshida.
Such bonds might matter among upstanding hunters in the light, but in the shadowy underworld of illicit hunters, they were irrelevant.
Everyone here pursued their own selfish desires and success—egoism was the norm.
With his only rival in the expedition staying out of the way, Ichijo prepared the ambush smoothly.
Yoshida watched Ichijo's antics in silence.
"What an idiot."
He sneered coldly at Ichijo, who was buzzing with childlike excitement, oblivious to everything.
Did that fool really think he'd do nothing?
His naive thrill at this petty "victory" was almost pitiful.
Ichijo seemed to fancy himself a rival, but from Yoshida's perspective... well.
He was just a minor nuisance.
Yoshida's true rival in the expedition wasn't some lightweight like Ichijo.
'Though his occasional antics did provide some amusing diversion from the boredom.'
With a smirk, Yoshida adjusted his glasses and quietly pulled out his phone.
After a brief ring, a low voice answered from the other end.
— ...What do you want?
"One of our pests is on the move. Get ready."
There was a pause on the line, a moment of silence as the other side gauged his intent.
Yoshida waited patiently.
— ...What's your angle?
"No angle. Just looking out for an old friend."
— ...Raid time?
"Dawn today. The pest plus three S-ranks. Thirteen As. About thirty Bs. I won't bother with the small fry."
A groan came through the receiver at his matter-of-fact tone.
— ...We'd have taken heavy losses without the heads-up.
"I'm not calling out of idle worry."
— ...So what do you really want?
Yoshida chuckled leisurely at the quiet probe.
"The S-ranks don't matter, but spare some of the As and Bs if you can. Planning to recruit them later."
— ...That it? No problem then. Got it.
"Oh, and I need some fodder for my own resume. Can you spare a few useless small-timers?"
— ...Unlike trash like you, I don't betray my brothers.
—Business done. Hanging up.
The call cut off abruptly. Yoshida clicked his tongue.
"Acting all high and mighty when we're both underworld scum."
He muttered under his breath and glanced over.
Ichijo, blissfully unaware, was barking orders at his subordinates to hurry preparations.
Yoshida let out a small laugh at the naive display.
"A bit disappointing that I won't get to see more of this foolishness."
He feigned regret, then turned away.
He'd taken the necessary steps, but he had no time to rest.
To surpass his true target, he needed to move even faster.
His ultimate rival was none other than Yamamoto Kazuki himself.
I got word from Toda.
The Yamamoto expedition hunters were on the move.
At the news I'd been waiting for, I mobilized immediately.
Snow, who had been fiddling with her smartphone as usual, joined me as we left the house.
She'd help Jeong Soo-ah in my stead.
I'd expected her to refuse, but she accepted without hesitation.
When I asked why...
"I was feeling a bit cooped up anyway. Perfect timing."
She stretched casually as she said it.
Her sister's pink tracksuit stood out glaringly.
With Snow tagging along, there was no need to worry about Jeong Soo-ah's side anymore.
Even if they had at least two S-ranks, they'd be mere post-meal snacks to Snow.
Literally or figuratively.
'This fight will be good experience for her too.'
Snow was an unmatched SS-rank monster, but her combat experience was limited.
Specifically against humans—hunters.
She had plenty of fights against monsters, but hunters were a different beast.
She wouldn't even be using her full power, and the monster-vs-hunter dynamic was unique, but it would still give her some valuable insight.
'At least she'll learn what hunters are really like.'
Weak individually, but troublesome in numbers.
With preparations done, we headed out.
Normally, Suli would throw a tantrum to come along, but Snow had anticipated that and handed over her smartphone ahead of time.
Even monsters fell for the power of Pox...
That preempted the drama, but something unexpected happened anyway.
Quiet little Rue suddenly insisted on coming too.
She was always so mild-mannered, rarely assertive or picky, so it caught me off guard.
No tantrums, and since it was a rare request, I wanted to indulge her...
Shhh───
I gazed at Rue as she flicked her tongue and whined unusually.
No telepathy due to her low rank, but as a fellow snake, I could guess her intent.
Something like 'Take me too!'
Her bright yellow eyes stared up at me intently.
'She really takes after her mother.'
Differences outweighed the similarities, but those eyes were pure Snow.
After a brief deliberation, I decided to bring Rue along.
No real danger from my perspective, and she was so well-behaved normally—I wanted to grant her wish.
Unlike flighty Suli, she wouldn't cause trouble.
Besides, if Suli noticed me wavering under Pox's influence, she'd get ideas.
Better to slip away quietly.
Rue let out a joyful 'Shhh─' at joining us.
Seeing the usually reserved child so happy warmed my heart.
Yes, as long as you're happy.
I'll just protect you more carefully.
Worst case, she could tag along with Snow instead.
But Rue wanted to follow me, not Snow.
No words, but her firm hiss conveyed it clearly.
She wanted to see her father's cool side.
Alright, let's make it happen.
Maybe wipe out the Yamamoto brothers and Zhang Wei—all those SA-rank hunters—in one go?
That'd show her an awesome dad...
Snow scolded me to hold back.
Didn't I want to stick to the carefully laid plans?
She had a point—the time and effort invested so far...
Still, postponing the SA-rank takedowns to later, per the original plan.
Did they even realize Snow had just extended their lifespans?
I wanted to impress Rue as a father...
Surely a little time and effort was worth sacrificing for her...
Snow scolded me again.
Stop dawdling and move, she urged.
She seemed pretty stressed lately.
Her excitement for the outing curbed my wild thoughts.
Instead, I pondered how to look cool for Rue.
Me, Snow, and Rue nestled in my coils—we moved swiftly.
Snow split off to join Jeong Soo-ah.
No need to worry, but I reminded her to be careful anyway.
"You be careful too. Especially with Rue along."
She smiled warmly, more concerned for us, and departed.
Rue peeked out and hissed softly 'Shhh─' at Snow's back.
Probably 'Come back safe.'
But could Snow find her way?
She'd rarely gone out alone, always with me or my sister.
This was her first solo outing.
"...Should I call just in case?"
The thought crossed my mind, then I remembered her phone was with Suli.
I quickly contacted Jeong Soo-ah.
Worried if she'd even locate a lost Snow with her abilities, but better safe.
Maybe I should've escorted Snow first...
Regret stung, but it was done.
All I could do now was pray she didn't get lost.
She's a proper nine-tailed fox, after all—she'll manage.
Foxes are canines, right?
Shelving Snow worries, I rendezvoused with Toda.
We hadn't met in days, and his face looked even more gaunt than before.
"Ahh, Master...! My great Master─!"
He spotted me and immediately prostrated himself—no change there.
But as he started crawling to kiss my coils, I subtly withdrew my foot.
Lucky this was a dim alley; on a main street, we'd draw a crowd.
I pulled back further; he groaned 'Ahh─' in dismay.
Three more steps back.
"...Good work so far. Get up."
"Thank you, Master!"
Toda's face, now upright, was profoundly unsettling.
Deep dark circles under his eyes, hollow cheeks, pallid skin, dead gaze fixed on me...
A perfect zealot.
Just reiterating: not normal.
I might've done this to him, but it was still creepy.
Made me wonder if I'd gone too far.
[Kyahaha─! Masterpiece! Absolute masterpiece! Love it! Let's make a few more like him!]
Left Eye didn't seem to think it excessive.
"Where are the Yamamoto expedition hunters?"
"They'll move soon, Master. I'll guide you."
I nodded at Toda's bowed, pleading form.
"We'll observe without interfering for now."
"Raid sites vary—clubs, shady offices, you name it."
"They're splitting up... Where's Ichijo hitting personally?"
"Exact spot's classified, but only one prime target fits."
He showed a map on his smartphone.
"Biggest operation nearby. Used to do drugs and loansharking, but since Zhang Wei took over, they've branched out."
"Branched out how?"
"Loot from labyrinths, monsters, even people. They sell everything. China's attempt at a second Black Market."
"Hmm..."
I pondered Toda's explanation.
"Any similar spots on the Japanese side?"
"Kazuki runs one. Yoshida usually manages it."
"...I see."
Filing away the new intel, I continued.
"Big enough for Ichijo to lead personally."
"Yes. Exact forces unknown, but other S-ranks from his faction likely."
I nodded at Toda's low report.
Not guaranteed Ichijo would hit here, but highest odds.
'If elsewhere, we'll pivot then.'
A real fight would leak mana signatures—no issue tracking.
Decision made, I nodded.
"Good. Let's move."
"Yes! This lowly slave will guide you!"
With Toda—already a devout fanatic—we headed out.
En route, updates: Snow and Jeong Soo-ah were mobilizing too.
Snow had joined safely. Relief.