Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Fate-Changing Taxi 14
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(…)
"…"
When I climbed into the passenger seat, the taxi driver settled into the driver's seat as well, but neither of us said a word or made a move.
The taxi driver, who had every right to touch my body, refrained from doing so, while I simply sat there motionless.
'But I still need to strike a deal...'
I knew I had to speak up.
Yet I couldn't bring myself to say anything.
No, to be precise, I had no idea what to even say.
I'm the type who would rather silently sever ties than get emotionally tangled up in a fight with someone.
'One more question, and I could probably get out of here...'
The fact that I'd gotten swept up in the Stalker's tale—a Great Monstrosity.
The problem was that the taxi driver's own tale, Fate-Changing Taxi, was being treated as official work.
If involvement in other monstrosities' tales counted as work too... it wouldn't qualify as grounds for getting off.
Companies hand out performance bonuses to employees who tackle major projects, not vacation time.
So I needed to position myself as an employee who had to take a break mid-task on a Great Monstrosity job for some reason.
My body was perfectly fine, so it would have to be a mental issue.
'Something tied to trauma... that might work.'
The taxi driver already knew about my trauma.
When he'd tried slathering semen on my pussy like lotion, it had triggered unconsciously, nearly making me hand everything over.
I could claim I needed time off because of it... but to tie it neatly, I'd need one more question.
'Still, no clue how to phrase it.'
Emotions are one thing. Duty is another.
I knew full well to keep work and personal matters strictly separate.
Back at my old job as a man, I'd learned that no matter how wronged or upset I felt, the work still had to get done.
Hell, I'd even discussed business matters with people I'd drawn firm lines against.
But... drawing a line against a monstrosity—one that saw me as a sex object and had done something tantamount to rape—made opening my mouth first incredibly tough.
What man simulates breaking the ice after being raped by a futanari and cutting ties?
'Bringing it up feels so damn awkward.'
The taxi hummed onto the highway, the fare skyrocketing to 3,000 in seconds.
But I still hadn't spoken.
The taxi driver kept his blank stare locked ahead even when I snuck sidelong glances, driving on expressionless.
That unreadable face. It was impossible to guess his thoughts, making small talk feel all the more tricky.
I couldn't tell if he was pissed, apologetic, irritated—nothing.
Aside from when he was aroused, all his expressions blurred together.
I jumped at the sudden flat voice while peeking sideways.
It wasn't the taxi driver's soft tone from his lips, but a mid-range baritone crackling from the radio between the seats.
"Wh-what...?"
A child's voice first, then a middle-aged man's, finally the taxi driver's soft timbre.
I'd wondered how he'd mimicked that drunk slob earlier, but shapeshifting voices like a mountain witch made perfect sense.
"Deal terms?"
"'Answer' is vague—you could dodge with roundabout bullshit or fancy metaphors."
Exactly the offer I needed.
Cost: one round of sex.
Sex right now turned my stomach... but if I picked the position, I could stomach it.
A face-away pose to keep my sanity intact, like before.
'Why offer terms like this now, though?'
The real question was the timing.
If he was just folding, perfect... but I had to consider alternatives.
Could he extract something beyond lust from sex with me?
'Overthinking it.'
Even if there was more to it, I had to take the deal.
No telling how much negative fare I'd need to rack up for my question.
And to squeeze negative fare from a taxi driver whose satisfaction bar had risen after all that sex? More sex anyway—same outcome.
"How far does that one question extend?"
The taxi driver spoke with grim resolve.
Having endured the Stalker's power firsthand, I got it.
An ability like the world-altering Revision in the Chairman's hands? Monumental.
Match that with Stalker-level might, and the influence rivals a nuclear deterrent—or worse.
The Stalker had dangled her powers and rules like priceless bait too, so the Chairman's sounded valuable... but honestly? Not my concern.
I was laser-focused on my current foe: the taxi driver.
But the secretary who popped up didn't see it that way.
Materializing as a hologram like before.
The sudden intruder started screaming as if it was utterly forbidden.
"Hey."
This entity that barged in and monologued its piece.
Normally, I'd let it play out, but not today.
A deal not even sealed yet—one I actually wanted—getting sabotaged?
And waving around some bullshit authority I don't recognize?
I wasn't in the mood to indulge that crap.
"Shut the fuck up."
From the tone, it knew intervening violated the rules crystal clear.
But secretary pride dragged it in anyway.
Probably couldn't stand by while something threatened the Chairman.
Aim: scrub the Chairman's ability from the taxi driver's slip.
"You think I'm fucking funny?"
But that wasn't my problem.
Normally, I'd play nice to avoid enemies—listen or claim zero interest in the Chairman's power.
But this bitch acting like the queen bee, hijacking my scene? Revolting.
Taxi driver missed the invite, fine. But the secretary saw the one I flashed.
"Meddling pisses me off enough, but straight-up ignoring me to steer shit your way? You my buddy or something?"
"Company line? Or personal grovel from the secretary? Latter? Shove it."
I knew how to handle tools like this.
Pin it on accountability.
Responsibility roles panic at blowback and bail.
No reply came.
The thing starting to speak suddenly choked out a guttural groan.
Like seized by some massive force, its feet lifted slowly off the ground as it clawed at its throat, gagging.
'That's gotta be... the Rule.'
Matched the taboo on tale meddling and tongue-ripping warning from before. Textbook Rule punishment.
Who else but us tale players or the Rule would punish tale intrusion?
As the secretary's jaws yawned wide, I braced for the tongue extraction—
Then something warm and soft blocked my view, accompanied by a wet rip.
"...What the hell?"
The taxi driver's hand over my eyes.
After clocking this world as tale central, I'd steeled for gore.
Meant to toughen up watching the meddler's tongue yanked... but this gentle block? Never saw it coming.
A chorus of voices—men, women, young, old—overlapping as one.
The Rule that tore out the secretary's tongue impassively pronounced judgment on the sinner.
The secretary could only gurgle, hacking up bloodied chunks.
"Wasn't just mouth intervention."
Right on cue, a crushing pressure bore down—but I shrugged it off.
Like the Rule's glare when convincing that firefighter. Been there, survived it. 'Can't let it take its lumps and bail.'
No plans to stop here.
Rule's core: plausibility.
Enough logic, and you could push for more... or less.
"The secretary heard our deal and spoke up. Ears intervened too."
"Hearing and speaking. Two violations."
Demanding auditory sanction.
Found merit in my logic?
A faint rip, then gurgles swelled.
Rule conceded. Sanctioned hearing too.
The prolonged gurgles finally died.
The soft cover over my eyes lifted.
"Pissed me off."
'Really...?'
Mulling it over, yeah—regular folks would dread bargaining with the Rule.
Lack plausibility, and backlash hits you. Plus that piercing glare and pressure? Brutal.
This time? Pure rage-fueled shove, Rule's squeeze be damned.
'Secretary bitch ended up useful.'
Taxi driver still public enemy number one in my book.
But a lot of my pent-up grudge eased.
Gauged the stakes of his Chairman ability offer.
Info so hot the secretary risked tongue-loss to shut it down.
"Fine. Deal."
A statement worth his life.
Shielding my body on the way back.
Just now, my eyes.
No excuses—just pure actions begging forgiveness for his fuckup.
I'm not heartless enough to hate someone showing that raw sincerity to the bitter end.
Fool that I am, I'd trust the taxi driver one more time.
"So, what position you craving? Spill before I pick, for reference."
"Fuck off. I'll just go prone—you figure it out."