Chapter 13- Invitation!
In a thinly lighted, elegant room four figures could be seen.
Sat at the center of the bed was a handsome man in his teens with chestnut brown hair and similar shade eyes, currently focused on the girls around him.
In the lap of Ryuuta, sat a short blonde-haired girl with her eyes closed as she enjoyed the warmth of her favorite person.
Beside Megumi and Ryuuta, sat the beautiful red-haired girl, Hana. She had her arm entangled around him, as she also had her eyes closed as she listened to the conversation.
"How are you all doing? Sorry for not being able to check on you since I wasn't allowed to neglect my everyday life."
Ryuuta's voice contained genuine guilt for not being able to take care of the comrades who fell on the battlefield because of his incompetence.
Upon hearing Ryuuta's words, it was the raven-haired beautiful girl Aoi, who spoke to assure her considerate man.
"It's okay, Ryuuta. We know how troublesome your life already is. You came here to see us; it is already more than enough for compensation."
The other two girls hummed, as in to affirm what Aoi said.
Ryuuta smiled gently at how thoughtful his partners were as he brought his hand over Aoi's beautiful hair and stroked it gently.
"Thanks for understanding me."
Aoi also leaned on Ryuuta as she enjoyed his caress before she asked something, which made the atmosphere a little heavier.
"What happened, Ryuuta? I know there is something you want to talk about, right?"
Ryuuta's eyes went slightly wide as he realized that Aoi had already figured that there was something he indeed wanted to discuss.
And looking at Megumi and Hana's expressions, it seemed they knew about it too, but just left the talking to Aoi.
"I...umm..."
Ryuuta stammered profoundly under the watch of the girls, but in the end, with a sigh, he chose to speak truthfully.
Taking out a ring from his pocket, which had a strange red ruby illuminating the center, Ryuuta spoke in a heavy tone, as he saw everyone's gaze fixated on the ornament.
"This was given by Black Bounty."
"!!!"
Gasps resonated in the silent room as the name of the entity they only have met in their unconscious state, was brought up.
Ryuuta told them how they were saved from Dreakward, and what happened when the trio was lying on the ground lifelessly.
Naturally, since they trusted Ryuuta with their life, they believed whatever he said, unlike the people from the HQ.
"D-Did he say something?"
If anyone has heard Bounty Hunter's voice, then it might be when he releases an attack but naturally, no one exists, except for those whom Black Bounty chose not to kill.
Ryuuta also knew this fact, and that's why his following words were spoken with the fear of being laughed off by his comrades.
"He said, 'Feed blood, and I will come.'"
But contrary to his expectation, no one laughed; instead, their expression grew more severe as they heard Ryuuta.
"R-Ryuuta-san...have you tried..."
Even the all-time aloof and cold Hana was shivering and sweating profoundly while she asked something, which made her frightened to even think about it.
"I am not an idiot who would summon Black Bounty for nothing. If this indeed works as a channel between him and us, then this might become the insurance which we needed to venture more confidently."
Ryuuta's word, despite being a little self-deprecating, was correct.
Accepting someone's protection wasn't something Ryuuta would have taken as his last resort, but the person in the talk wasn't anyone but Black Bounty.
It was doubtful that the shrouded anomaly would come to help them again, but this world revolved around hope, and so they would.
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[Kei's POV:]
Returning home, I always felt dull these days, or maybe it always was; I just realized maturely now.
Going to convenience stores, buying cheap supplies, and preparing food never amazed me, but it was still good until I wasn't running off money.
I couldn't use treasures from the underworld since I didn't know who would buy them and give them in return for money. There were chances that my other identity might get revealed if I got involved in those markets.
Up until now, I used the money which an old man gave me when I killed the horde of demonic beasts around his territory. I don't know how an old man, loving on barren land, could be that much rich but he gave me funds which helped me survive for seven years now.
But everything reaches its limit. The figuring and in-app purchases I made on impulse just took a toll on my savings, resulting in my current situation.
'Should I also look for a part-time job now...? '
Dragging my feet which were getting heavier because of my weary thoughts, I made my way back to the apartment.
Due to the cyclone of my worries, I never detected someone waiting for me just on the other side of the elevator..resulting....
"Kei!!"
"Woah!"
Suddenly someone jumped on me, but since I didn't feel hostile intent, I grabbed their back so as not to let them fall.
Separating her face from me, I finally could see who she was.
Pale skin, with blood red eyes and supple lips painted with the same shade as her eyes, was the woman whom I said goodbye to some days ago in hopes of never meeting again.
"Why did you come here?"
"To say thanks to my benefactor. *chu*"
At the end of her words, she planted her juicy lips on my cheek, which I wholeheartedly liked but kept my face poker since I had to act hard here.
"Well, since you passed your gratitude, isn't it time to let go."
To be honest, even though her body temperature was way lower than mine, I felt comfortable embracing her. I mean, who wouldn't like to hug a sexy onee-san like her?
Hearing me, strangely, a teasing smile formed on the girl's lips as she whispered in an extremely seductive tone.
"Well, I can only move if you stop fondling my ass, no?"
Upon her remark, my attention finally went toward my hand, which indeed was squeezing her small yet round buttocks since the time she jumped on me.
"Oh, sorry."
Letting go of her, I helped Karen get down without letting my expression shift to a grin. I endured it.
Total like a chad...
"Ara~ Am I imagining things, or the infamous Black Bounty is blushing right now~."
Forget it.
In the end, I was a virgin loser.
Taking my things which I threw in the panic of holding her, I walked toward my room as I heard her following me.
"Ojamashimasu~"
She intruded without me inviting, but since I had the last business with her, I let her in without any word.
Walking toward my small fridge, which was in the kitchen just beside the main door, I started placing things accordingly when I heard the girl speaking again.
"Tomorrow, are you free? My mom has arranged a party, to thank you for saving her."
I halted in my movement before asking.
"I don't like getting involved with people."
Saying bluntly, I continued. In the first place, it was her daughter who saved her; I just gave two drops of blood. That kiss was more than enough as a token of gratitude.
Well, that's not something I would confess.
"Oh, don't worry. Other than me, mom, and some servants, there won't be anyone. And the servants, too, are our close people, so you don't have to think about leaking your identity as Kei."
Karen flailed her finger left to right while saying, which looked utterly adorable, but still, this wouldn't force me to get entangled with vampires all of a sudden.
"The answer is still no, since I don't have the urge to drink blood in a wine glass while pretending to be an aristocrat."
I stood up while shutting the fridge door as I concluded my final decision, which wouldn't waver whatever temptation she threw.
I swear...
"Oh, that. Of course, we won't treat our benefactor with something he doesn't like. Mom's maid is the head of the cooking department for the banquet, who has collected ingredients from Forest of Wonders, Seven Seas, and whatnot. Well, it's a shame if you don't come-"
"Wait."
**Gulp**
I halted her as a strong gulp passed down my throat.
"When is this banquet?"
Her soft smile upon hearing my remark, made me realize again....
'I am such a loser... '
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A/N: - Let me introduce the underworld~
Editor : Zenon #4120