Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Constellation Gallery EP.21
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The man stared at my hand for a long time before slowly peering deep into my eyes.
And after a moment of silence, he turned his body sideways.
"......Come in."
I scratched my forehead with the gun barrel.
'Unlike the others, no fuss about the gun that suddenly appeared...?'
Is this bastard an Incarnation by any chance?
While I was thinking that...
"Fuck, that scared me! Almost offed myself like an idiot."
I hurriedly pulled the gun barrel away from my forehead.
And in a very, very small voice, I whispered toward Tulip.
"Just in case, max out your Vitality too."
Tulip nodded a beat late.
"Additionally, depending on the situation... from now on, this uncle might end up killing not just monsters, but people too."
Tulip's steps faltered.
Her small lips parted, then closed.
I kept my gaze fixed ahead and said lowly.
"Look at the world. If we don't want to be the ones getting screwed, we have no choice."
Tulip thought for a moment, then soon nodded with a resolute expression.
And when we stepped inside, a scene unlike what I'd expected unfolded.
"......?"
I unwittingly tilted my head.
The man had just one other besides the guide.
Women: four.
Among them was the woman he'd sent out earlier to scrounge food.
The moment she saw me, her pupils shook violently.
'......What does that mean?'
She averted her eyes upon seeing me.
I didn't know what was up, but I quietly nodded, signaling it was fine.
'By the way, that guy... gives off weasel vibes, not really boss material?'
So is the guide the leader?
Well, couldn't say for sure.
That was when it happened.
"Boss."
A sly voice perfectly suited to the weasel tickled my ear.
"Who's that hothead fucker on the side?"
So this one's the leader after all?
The moment I thought that, a middle-aged man made his appearance.
A mid-40s guy radiating an unpleasant aura.
He emerged with one woman.
The woman had half-stripped clothes and disheveled hair.
......That state alone told the whole story.
"Hey, take it."
A quiet voice dropped.
With that single short phrase, the weasel-like guy reacted swiftly.
He grabbed a few bags of instant ramen and tossed them over.
"Thank you! Thank you!"
The woman bowed her head deeply.
Again and again.
'So that guy's the boss.'
'But why only three total?'
'Were the crowds outside just a fake-out?'
'No sense of any remnants hiding either.'
In the meantime, the middle-aged man spotted me.
He glanced at me with a nonchalant face and opened his mouth.
"Who's that fucker?"
"He wants some food shared."
The man who'd guided me answered.
"Figures. But what about the kids outside? You just let him waltz in?"
The guide fell silent for a moment.
Then he answered calmly.
"Heard a gunshot, went out—our guys were gone, just this man and the girl left."
"......"
The space fell quiet.
I grinned brightly and shook the revolver.
"Hi there? Sweet gun, huh~"
The middle-aged man's eyebrow twitched faintly.
Even amid all this, the Constellation Gallery was rowdy.
I checked the Constellation Gallery and felt reassured.
'At least, no more hiding around.'
At that moment, the middle-aged man spoke up.
"......In a country where even seeing a gun's rare, wearing a bulletproof vest—turns out it was yours."
I spun the revolver idly and replied offhandedly.
"If you think it's a toy, old timer, I can waste a bullet to prove it... how should I show you?"
"Don't bother."
He twisted his lips into a smirk.
But his eyes weren't smiling.
"More importantly, ever killed a person before?"
"......Pardon?"
"Got the guts to pull the trigger on a human, that's what I'm saying."
"......Hm."
Thanks to the Spirit of the Constellation, I wouldn't hesitate much, but Tulip was right there.
Even if I'd warned her ahead, showing it directly was another matter.
"Never have, right?"
The old guy smacked his lips.
"Can tell from the hesitation already. Even in this world, killing ain't easy."
His voice dropped lower.
"Ordinary folks get PTSD for life even from accidental kills."
"Whatever you think. Just share the food. Won't meddle beyond that."
"Heh, interesting kid."
The old guy let out a hollow laugh.
"Why should I share what I bled for? Nothing's free in this world."
"......"
"What can you give me if I share food?"
I shook the revolver in my hand.
"This? I got it myself. Wanna share it somehow?"
"Ho."
The old guy raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Does it fire? Not putting on a show with one bullet left, I hope?"
"Want me to shoot and show you?"
I smirked and added.
"Or pull out a bullet for inspection? But seems like you'd rush me the moment I do, so that's tricky."
"Heh, suspicious young punk. Think you're the sharpest in the world?"
The old guy chuckled lowly and slowly extended his hand.
"Hand it over first."
"......For real?"
"Yeah, gimme. I'll check if your 'share' is worth shit."
I met the old guy's gaze.
And slowly, quietly said.
"You're the one asking for it, right, old timer?"
"Yeah, yeah. Quit yapping and hurry..."
Bang!
"Gahhh!!"
A bullet lodged in the old guy's thigh.
"You fucking bastard!!"
The old guy shuddered as he collapsed, bleeding and screaming.
"What the fuck are you idiots doing?! Kill him!!"
At that instant, the guide moved to lunge.
But I wasn't standing still either.
I aimed the barrel at him.
"......"
The man froze.
I slowly turned my head and looked down at the groaning old guy.
"I shared what I had, so can I take some food now?"
"......Crazy fuck......"
I alternated the gun between the remaining two gang members.
"Or should I share a few more for your underlings' shares?"
"What kind of psycho fuck is this......!"
"Ah, not enough with the one share?"
Bang!
"Gahhh!!"
A bullet hit the other thigh too.
The old guy writhed, clawing at the floor.
I raised the gun again.
"Now, can I take my share of food?"
"Fuh......ugh...... Why me......"
"What? Calling me a psycho fuck—ain't that cursing my parents? Anyway, answer quick or next one's your head?"
"T......Take it, you fuck!!"
The old guy glared at me with bloodshot eyes.
"So I got your permission, right, old timer?"
"Take it and fuck off!"
"Got it, got it. Taking it quick then."
Bang!
The old guy's head burst like a crushed can, blood spilling as it hit the floor.
At that moment, the guide's jaw muscle bulged.
Tightly pressed lips.
An expression like he'd swallowed his rage but was struggling not to cross the line.
Then, slowly, lowly, he said.
"......You fuck. I said I'd share the food, so why kill him?"
I lowered the barrel.
And with a small smirk, replied.
"You didn't say what to take. No subject."
"......"
"Figured you meant your life."
I blinked indifferently.
"Problem?"
That was the moment.
What the hell, these guys... suddenly sponsoring in thousands...
You all like this shit?
Whatever it was, the reaction wasn't bad.
As I was thinking that.
Were the repeated gunshots the reason?
The friends he'd called showed up sooner than expected.
Instead, I started laughing.
'Maybe I can try some party play?'