The Strongest Sidekick (5)
My master spoke without changing a single expression on her face.
"Dad told me not to go off with strangers, you know?"
"Haha, what a smart girl. That's right."
Master played her part perfectly. If she'd followed him right away, it would've raised suspicions. She was fully immersed in the role. That thoughtful look on her face was melting my insides!
"Do you know my dad, by any chance?"
"Of course. He asked me to take good care of our little Tanya until dinner."
"Oh! Really?"
The moment he used her name, Master's wariness melted away. Her acting was so spot-on, it had my heart pounding. The gentleman flashed a friendly smile.
"Our mansion's right next door. Wouldn't it be the perfect place to wait?"
"Hmm... still..."
"If you're really worried, I can let the shop owner next door know too."
With that, the man knocked on the door of the adjacent building.
"Pardon the intrusion."
"Uh, yeah... who is it?"
"I'm treating this young lady to dinner here."
"Yeah, and?"
The shopkeeper yawned, looking utterly bored. The gentleman pulled a gold coin from his pocket and flicked it into the air.
"Whoa!"
His eyes lit up at the glinting gold, and his expression flipped instantly. The shopkeeper's voice turned syrupy sweet.
"Sir, what can I do for you?"
"This girl's parents... they told her to wait here. If anyone comes looking, could you direct them to the mansion next door?"
"Of course! I'll guide them there with the utmost care!"
The shopkeeper beamed and bowed deeply.
"Well then, shall we go have dinner, miss?"
"Yes!"
Master skipped happily after the gentleman.
"Phew..."
It had been a bumpy ride, but things had gone according to plan. Mission accomplished—I needed to move. Lingering too long could spell trouble. I trusted Master more than anyone, but damn, I'd been worried sick. The second she vanished behind the mansion fence, I headed to the shop.
No sign above the door. I knocked and stepped inside.
"Pardon the intrusion."
"We're closed."
The owner, cigarette dangling from his lips, was buried in some dirty magazine. He didn't look like he gave a damn about business.
"Got a question."
"Don't know nothin'."
He waved me off like I was trash. I sighed inwardly and slid a coin across the counter.
"Can I ask anyway?"
Silver—it was all I'd exchanged. Finally, he glanced my way.
"What? Spit it out."
His attitude still sucked, but at least we were talking. Progress.
"I told my kid to wait around here, but she's gone. You seen her?"
Banging on the front gate outright might get me chased off. Better to play it safe, even if it was a hassle. Ignoring the shopkeeper? That'd just give me an excuse to barge in later.
He picked his nose and shrugged.
"Huh? A kid? What kid?"
"Black twintails, pretty yellow eyes."
"Hmm...? Nah, haven't seen her."
He'd taken that gold coin and promised to help... Was this bastard just being lazy? Officially, I hadn't witnessed it. So I had to hold back. For smooth entry into the mansion.
Phew... "You sure? She was right next door. Really?"
I locked eyes with him, pleading with my gaze. Quit slacking and earn your pay, asshole.
"Yeah, really didn't see her. Now beat it?"
But he spat it out curtly and went back to his magazine. Show's over—I was invisible again.
"Phew..."
I walked toward the door. Then dropped the security shutter. The grating clang of metal drew his attention.
"Hey! Don't touch that!"
"Too bad, asshole."
"What? Asshole?"
He glared, ready to unload. But I dragged him out from behind the counter first. Grabbed his collar and slammed him down.
"Gah!"
The balding prick hit the floor with a thud.
"Last chance. You see her or not?"
"No! I told you, I didn't! What the hell, man—this is a crime!"
Phew... phew... I'd misjudged. He wasn't just lazy. Why hadn't I realized? Right in the middle of the city. No way he'd risk cannibalism alone. This dogshit bastard was in on it from the start.
"You're fucked, you piece of shit."
"W-wait! Why— I swear I didn't see her!"
No more words. I mounted him and started pounding.
"Gah!! Agh! Stop!! Stooop!! Urgh!"
No mana—just raw fists. Any more and he'd die. Blood sprayed, bones cracked. One spot caved in, another bulged. Teeth shattered against his lips. Sticky rips echoed as flesh tore.
I stopped and asked again. "You see our girl or not?"
"I... I didn't..."
Even with his face a pulp, he stuck to it. There had to be a reason. I grabbed his thinning hair and dragged him to the back. Butcher tools everywhere. Hooks with cow and pig carcasses. Blood-soaked deboning gear.
Staring at it all, horrific images flooded my mind. No... Knowing the truth made me dizzy. This was probably reality.
"Where's the warehouse?"
"Wh-what? What warehouse?"
"You know damn well. Huh?"
My head burned. Rage boiling over, yet I felt eerily calm. I thought I'd scream when pissed... Guess not. Crossing that threshold sharpened everything crystal clear.
I stomped his wrist. "Aaaagh!"
Snatched a butcher knife from the table.
...This filthy hand had probably diced up dozens of girls from that ledger. Maybe even Master soon...
Something snapped in my head. No warning. I brought it down.
"Hnnngh... Aaaaaagh!!! Aaagh!! Aaaagh!!!"
Four fingers—sans thumb—severed clean. He'd been limp till then. Now he flailed like a madman. Disgusting.
"Warehouse. Where."
"Th-there... behind the shelves!! Behind it!"
Tears and snot leaked from his mushy face. I yanked his hair and dragged him. Kicked the shelves over. Steel door revealed.
"Open it."
"Y-yes... yes!"
He fumbled for the key. The heavy plate door swung open.
"Phew..."
Dizzying. Inside: meat on hooks. Shredded, but shapes unmistakable. Little girls' body parts.
"Pl-please... spare me..."
Even now, valuing his own life. Revolting. Stumpy mittens for hands, face a mess. Rubbing them together pathetically.
"Hng... heh...!"
How could I not laugh? The butcher of dozens of innocents, begging like a fly larva...?
But time was short.
"Hey, there's a passage to the mansion, right?"
"Y-yes...! Yes!! That hole... over there..!"
"Good. We're done here."
Time to part with the cannibal's accomplice. I hoisted him up and skewered his back on a hook.
"Kyyyaaagh! Let me down! Down!!!"
To make sure he couldn't escape, another one.
"Uwaaaagh! Aaagh!!!"
"One more."
-And another. Fixed like tanned hide on the rack. His shrieks were deafening. I stuffed his screaming mouth with filthy rag and headed for the hole.
Expected a trap—nothing. Stone-faced, I searched for Master. Wrapped mana around my body, maxed out my senses.
Battlefield vibes. Drew both swords from their sheaths.
Footsteps outside the kitchen connected to the hole. Noises—crashing, breaking.
I approached. Through the door crack:
[Where are you, pretty thing...?]
The torn-clothed gentleman prowled with a crossbow in hand. Dinner table overturned, food everywhere.
I kicked the kitchen door open.
"Huh? Who the hell are you!"
He startled at my drawn twin blades. But greeted me with a bolt.
Slow. My mana-sensed perception saw the arrow clear as day. Knocked it aside one-handed and charged.
Compared to Master, I was glacial. Couldn't blink-teleport like her. But a beast pouncing on prey? Easy.
Distance closed in a flash. He fumbled in panic.
"Wha— stay back or your girl gets poison..."
No time for brains. The moment he pulled the black orb,
I'd already severed his right arm. Arm and mystery orb flew. Poison, huh. Caught it safe on my instep before it hit the floor.
"Urgh... uurrgh!!"
Gritting teeth, staunching with his left. Up close, he looked annoyingly pristine. Half-crippled, but better safe. Yanked his rapier from his belt. Pierced his left leg and pinned to the floor.
"Grrraaagh...!!"
Broke the hilt-side blade so he couldn't pull free. Mechanical motions. My mind elsewhere.
Glanced around and bellowed. "Master!! I'm here!!"
Ah... She peeked out from behind a statue.
"A bit late, child."
Master Tia smiled brightly. No visible injuries. Rushed to her, checked every inch.
Thank god. Just some red scrapes. Dress hem torn, hair mussed. That was it. Really, thank god.
"Sorry."
"Child, why that face? What happened?"
She'd been smiling warmly. But scanning my face, her expression hardened. Frowned, fingering my battered knuckles from the beating.
"Why are your hands like this again...! And your clothes soaked in blood! Not yours, is it? No wounds on you?"
Her face paled as she inspected me head to toe. Who was worrying who? Absurd, but it felt good. Embers reignited in my cooled heart.
Should've been laughing, but my face was stone. Forced a cheery tone.
"I'm fine, Master."
"Then why that look..."
She nearly teared up, pulling me into a hug. "Twas this one's fault. No more stubbornness... don't make that face. Forgive me..."
Her vulnerability melted me. Warmth spread. Ugly rage cooled fast.
Regretfully, she pulled back and clasped my hand. Her gaze on my wounded knuckles—we stared at the same spot like kids. Dried flesh and blood, faint scars. Felt alien, like not my hand. Maybe a monster's crimson claw? Facing the loathsome marks soured my expression.
Master wiped it gently with her dress hem. Like polishing a gem. Looking up from her bowed head, she asked softly.
"Did it hurt...?"
