Chapter 51
Chapter 51
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: Red Rakshasa
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Red Rakshasa's cruise ship.
In the middle of the deck was a swimming pool and a bar selling drinks.
♪♬.
Festive music filled the ship.
The deck was full of all sorts of people.
People enjoying a swim.
People throwing pick-up lines at women.
People checking the time, waiting for someone.
They had all come to this neutral zone for their own reasons.
Thud.
Thud.
Someone came up the stairs.
A new guest.
At first, no one paid much attention.
People coming and going was a constant thing here.
But the figure that soon appeared threw them into a panic.
“D-Dark Knight!”
“Why are you here…!”
Those with guilty consciences drew their weapons.
‘Dark Knight’ ignored them and walked past.
Those who had drawn weapons were stopped by the ‘guards’ and had to put them away.
The guards were all Awakeners equipped with stab-proof vests, mana coats, and rifles.
They were in charge of maintaining order on the ship and defending against external threats.
“How could you let that lunatic on board?”
“He’s a guest too.”
“A guest? That psycho killer—”
The one about to say ‘psycho killer’ suddenly remembered who he was and shut his mouth.
That term fit him better.
Shin Noda headed straight for the cabins.
The information broker was inside.
But a guard stopped him.
“Dark Knight. Red Rakshasa wants to see you.”
He thought it over briefly and decided to go along.
‘From the way he said it, she doesn’t seem like she’ll cause trouble. Maybe she just wants to say hi.’
Besides, this was ‘Red Rakshasa’s territory.
Defying her recklessly wouldn’t be wise.
‘Dark Knight’ followed the guard for a while until they entered a room.
He looked around the room and thought.
‘She sure loves luxury.’
From the interior decorations to the furniture.
Everything was top-of-the-line.
One wall had shelves filled with precious metals.
Shin Noda didn’t know much about characters like Red Rakshasa who had no ties to the Academy.
In the game, they were only mentioned in passing unless they were main villains.
The shipboard party raid story happened when ‘Red Rakshasa’ was away.
“You made it. Dark Knight. Seeing you in person brings back memories.”
A beauty in a red silk dress that revealed her ample cleavage.
She lay on a luxurious leather sofa to greet Shin Noda.
“Why’d you call me?”
“Just to bond a bit between Awakeners. I hear you’re looking for info? That won’t take long. Chat with your big sis here.”
‘Red Rakshasa’ patted the sofa, gesturing for him to sit.
Shin Noda had no choice but to sit across from her.
She was the owner of this place.
No need to stir up trouble.
Up close, the woman called ‘Red Rakshasa’ looked far too young for her forties.
“Have a drink.”
She poured liquor into a glass and handed it to ‘Dark Knight.’
He accepted without refusing.
“Cheers?”
“…….”
They clinked glasses awkwardly and drank.
‘Red Rakshasa’ downed hers in one go, while Shin Noda pretended to drink and dumped it inside his robe.
Thanks to the ‘Hermit’s Leather’ effect, she couldn’t tell if he’d drunk it.
‘Stuff from a place like this? I’ve got too much bad karma to chug it down.’
He was well aware he was a target of hatred for villains.
‘Red Rakshasa’ appraised ‘Dark Knight’ like he was merchandise.
“Not quite A-rank… but strength and agility might be S-rank?”
She was inwardly surprised but hid it behind a sultry smile.
‘Even I couldn’t beat him without my gear. He’s way stronger than I thought.’
‘Dark Knight’ voiced his doubt in his characteristic tone.
“Why say that?”
This was actually her attempt to seize the initiative.
Showing she was strong enough to see through his level.
“Just that us S-ranks should get along.”
Shin Noda was dumbfounded but didn’t show it.
“I see.”
‘Red Rakshasa’ got to the point.
This was why she’d set up the meeting.
“What’s your deal, anyway? Chinese?”
Korea’s S-ranks were curious about his identity.
If she found out first, she’d have the upper hand at gatherings.
“Korean.”
“Pfft. As if. Every Awakener in this country is in the palm of our Inner Circle’s hand. We’d know about any irregular like you. Even that famous Academy can’t escape our influence.”
The ‘Inner Circle’ she mentioned was the secret alliance among S-rank Awakeners.
They didn’t actively collaborate, but helped each other if one was in danger.
That was the original intent, but now it was just an entrenched power group.
Some who grew disillusioned had left.
“If you won’t believe me, don’t ask.”
‘Red Rakshasa’ poured herself another drink and knocked it back.
Her face flushed red.
“One more question. Answer honestly. Your big sis here doesn’t have endless patience.”
Killing intent prickling at him like needles.
Laura sensed the fight and warned him ahead of time.
[That woman won’t be affected by Dispel.]
‘Red Rakshasa’ glared at ‘Dark Knight’ with a serious expression.
Her eagle-sharp eyes.
Enough to make an ordinary person’s legs give out.
“Dark Knight. What’s your goal?”
“Protecting the world.”
Her tension melted away.
Soon, ‘Red Rakshasa’ burst into laughter.
“What? Puhahaha! Oh man. That’s just too ridiculous. Puhahat.”
“What’s so funny?”
A dagger suddenly flew at ‘Dark Knight.’
Thrown by ‘Red Rakshasa.’
He parried it with Dragon Flame Sword.
‘Red Rakshasa’s’ face twisted in fury.
Her beautiful features turned demonic.
“Fuck. You kidding me? Do I look like a joke to you?”
“I told you not to ask if you wouldn’t believe me.”
“Ah, you’re totally insane? Fine, say you’re protecting the world. Then why kill villains? What’s that got to do with it?”
‘Dark Knight’ thought for a moment.
‘I can’t explain without revealing the Inheritance skill.’
After pondering, he reached a conclusion.
If he couldn’t explain, he just wouldn’t.
“No obligation to answer.”
“You think the world’s yours? People hype you up a bit and you think you’re hot shit? This is my turf. You wanna die for real?”
This was her home ground.
There was a stat difference, and he couldn’t use Dispel.
Long or short, they’d find out in a fight—but one of them would die.
Even Shin Noda couldn’t be sure of victory this time.
‘Dark Knight’ replied as calmly as possible.
“You sure about this? If we fight, one of us won’t see tomorrow. We’re both living well enough. Worth risking it?”
‘Red Rakshasa’ had assumed she was a step above ‘Dark Knight’ until now.
But seeing him show no fear unsettled her.
‘Is he hiding his power? How’s he so calm?’
Former S-rank hunter, ‘Red Rakshasa.’
Her notoriety and strength were legendary; anyone she intimidated cowered.
Congressmen, even the president—no exceptions.
Even fellow S-rank Awakeners backed off, treating her like a mad dog.
Yet he showed no sign of agitation.
Plus, what ‘Dark Knight’ just said echoed the Inner Circle’s original motto.
Why fight when S-ranks could enjoy everything life offered?
Young ‘Red Rakshasa’ would’ve fought anyway, but age had made her more pragmatic.
“Boring…. You killed the mood, so get lost. Cause a scene and I’ll really kill you.”
‘Red Rakshasa’ issued her dismissal, clinging to her pride to the end.
Still, she’d learned one thing—worth it.
‘Dark Knight doesn’t seem interested in opposing our Inner Circle.’
That alone would let her brag at the next meeting.
‘Dark Knight’ left the room quietly, without provoking her.
***
Shin Noda patted his chest in relief.
‘Dodged a bullet. Would’ve been risky if we fought.’
He didn’t know Red Rakshasa’s specific abilities or weaknesses; she was just a minor character in the game.
Sure, long or short would only show in a fight, but no need to take the risk.
‘I can get as strong as I want with Inheritance as long as I have time.’
Soon, he’d overwhelm her in stats too.
Time was on his side.
Shin Noda headed straight for the information broker.
Along the way, everyone he met in the corridors spotted ‘Dark Knight,’ panicked, drew weapons, or fled.
Every movement caused a commotion.
‘If I had a skill to detect guilt, I’d wait till Red Rakshasa’s gone and nab them all. Easy stat farming…’
But since non-villains came here too, indiscriminate arrests wouldn’t do.
‘Dark Knight’ could only move properly after the guards calmed the chaos.
He took advantage of a guard’s arrival to ask for an escort.
No getting lost in the complex ship, and no scaring people.
Two birds with one stone.
The guard kindly led the way.
“Here we are, Dark Knight.”
“Thanks.”
Click.
The door opened.
‘Dark Knight’ entered.
It was like an office with a desk; three customers stood in line.
The last one turned, went pale, and screamed.
“Dark Knight! I-I’m not a villain!”
The others turned at his shout and freaked out.
“Gasp! N-not me either. I’m not even an Awakener!”
They fled the room in terror.
Only the merchant at the front, handling registrations, and ‘Dark Knight’ remained.
They exchanged awkward glances.
The information broker reacted predictably.
He fell backward off his chair, begging for his life.
“P-please spare me. I’m not the kind of v-v-villain you think!”
“You handle information?”
“Y-yes, but buying and selling info isn’t always bad! Right? I find lost kids for parents…. Or track bad guys for cash. I’ve lived righteously. Please….”
Shin Noda shook his head.
Everyone on this damn cruise had something to hide; they all freaked out and begged at the sight of him.
‘What a crowd…’
He sat in the chair across from the broker.
“I’m here to buy info too.”
Only then did the broker stop trembling and relax his near-tearful face.
“Ah, ahh. Here to buy info…. Whew. Oh man.”
He righted his toppled chair and sat.
“What info are you after….”
“Details on domestic bio-experiment labs. Specifically, ones making and dealing ‘designer babies.’ Pretty sure it’s underground somewhere.”
The broker’s eyes lit up.
Incredibly, it was recent intel he’d just gotten.
Not his target, but stumbled on it while digging into Chinese spy stuff.
“Heh heh, ironic. Like it was meant for you…. I just got related info. They stole new humanity DNA samples from China for experiments somewhere.”
‘Dark Knight’ knew this was it.
“Yeah, that’s the one. How much?”
“How much you got?”
“100 million.”
“Hmm… that’ll cover it.”
He casually demanded everything.
“Serious? Rip me off and it won’t end well.”
“Haha. Save the threats. It’s worth that much. You’re a guest too, right? Can’t act rashly here. The ship’s owner is Red Rakshasa.”
The broker spoke boldly, as if he’d never cowered.
Dealing with gangsters and villains toughened you up.
“Fine.”
“Got it. Have a seat over there; I’ll get the documents.”
The broker worked the computer.
A printer spat out sheets noisily.
He handed the stack to ‘Dark Knight.’
“Here you go.”
“Thanks. I’ll leave the money here.”
Shin Noda skimmed the papers.
Details later; location first.
Busan Metropolitan City.
CK Biochemical Research Institute.
‘Busan, huh.’
‘Dark Knight’s’ next destination was set.