Chapter 160

Knock… knock…

“……”

Kajun’s gaze shifted from the leather wallet rolling on the ground to the blood dripping slowly from it… and then returned to the front.

It wasn’t because he was dazed by the realization that the blood flowing was his own or because the pain from the torn forehead was bothering him.

He was simply intrigued by how much force had been used to throw something so smooth that it had ended up tearing his skin.

He was also trying to gauge, as a sort of indicator, just how furious the wallet’s owner, Executive Director Edamatsu, was.

“…Say that again. I believe my ears must be deceiving me.”

“There’s nothing wrong with your hearing, Director. Given your intense reaction, it seems you heard what I said quite clearly.”

Rather than wiping away the flowing blood, Kajun indifferently closed his damaged eye to prevent any foreign substances from entering it, responding of course by faithfully repeating what he had just said as commanded.

“If you keep pampering and wrapping yourself up like that, considering the authority of oversight and available personnel granted to you, it’s difficult to refuse even if Chairman or Sousuke requests a personnel reassignment, isn’t it?”

“…!!”

“Well, I suppose it doesn’t matter since the upcoming social gathering is limited to those who are on Kasane’s level.”

While he mentally went over the details of the attendee list he had acquired,

Kajun did not cease his bold actions of aggravating his superior.

It wasn’t a spontaneous ad-lib or an outburst made out of rage. It was a psychological battle conducted under thorough calculation, and thus his mind remained as calm as water in a teacup. Just…

Clank…!

‘Oh dear.’

As Edamatsu, furious, mentioned the chairman’s name and that of his eldest son, he stood up from his chair gripping the lamp upside down.

He had not considered the fact that late at night, in a space that was practically his personal bedroom, there were weapons scattered about that could be used against him.

He wouldn’t die from being beaten here, but losing consciousness and being expelled without a chance to defend himself was not a pretty picture. It looked more like a tragic end for a power-seeking individual.

“Wouldn’t it be better to leave some official record of being together on some kind of formal occasion to protect the personal safety of Researcher Anastasia? Besides, since we suddenly notified of our attendance, having a partner would help diminish suspicion.”

The heavy object that was about to slam down abruptly stopped just above Kajun’s head.

Now that he thought about it, anyone could have entertained the idea that if he had miscalculated just a bit closer, the weight of that glossy brass might have turned his brain to mush before losing consciousness.

But he was too calm for someone who had narrowly avoided the risk of being beaten to death.

Why? Was it because he had prepared for such a process from the very moment he came here? That was somewhat correct.

Was it that enduring was the right choice for a harsh yet brilliant future life plan? Perhaps.

Ironically, the answer was that he had experienced true fear.

Those who fluctuate over the façade added to their faces are easier to handle. In contrast, digging deep into a heart that had never been permitted and grasping the heart itself, all in the blink of an eye, was an impressive skill that had even enchanted the executive director he intended to use as a shield…

Thinking that far, Kajun quietly shook his head.

As for the pleasure of having experienced enough to break through any threshold, he was curious about how one would extract the soul of a human who had been bored for so long, but now was not the time.

Right now, it was time to focus all his energy on devouring Amagi Kasane.

He might not understand Anastasia’s skills, methods, or ultimate goal, but at least for this occasion, he would keep his promise to help. First, he needed to create the conditions for her to act.

“…Now that you’ve stopped your hands, I believe you are willing to hear my presumptuous words. I am grateful that you, dear Executive Director Edamatsu, are broad-minded enough to grant someone like me an opportunity… but at this rate, you are merely the chairman’s convenient stick. You won’t be able to rise above that level.”

“Hmph! Enough with the flattery. And… you’ve never acted that faithfully.”

“I wanted to convey that simply rebelling mischievously isn’t sufficient.”

It wasn’t a problem that the personality of the boss he served was eccentric. It was advantageous that as long as problems didn’t break out, he possessed a bold attitude of not fussing over trivial details.

However, having only a desire for revenge without a clear reason? It was never good to be in a state lacking improvement, which was more important than that.

Ultimately, if they didn’t crush the growth of the Amagi siblings but merely made it difficult for them, defeat was assured. Therefore, he needed a guarantee that they would match his pace and join in on the hunt.

“The plan to place all responsibility for the collapse of the Delta Laboratory onto Kasane hasn’t changed. However… to swallow the companies that will have a gap due to that, you must actively negotiate with the chairman.”

Kajun had seen Edamatsu’s reaction when discussing Ohtsuge multiple times since meeting Anastasia, but he still brought it up.

While there might be several unofficial lines, those who can officially visit the ‘villa’ among the Enema Corporation’s ranks are exceedingly few.

It crossed his mind that he might be thinking too easily since he hadn’t experienced it himself yet, but in Kajun’s view, throwing away that enormous privilege would be nothing but foolishness.

“…You’re already talking as if my sister has willingly fallen. That’s quite an inflated confidence.”

“I’ve received far too much undue assistance, and I can’t see a future of failure.”

Dozens of next-generation trackers would be mobilized for forming an encirclement. Hundreds of armed soldiers disguised as security personnel would surround the vicinity of the social gathering.

Was that all?

The host, Kasane, would be directly restrained by Edamatsu, the security system would be disrupted by Kajun himself in various ways, and most importantly, the extremely crucial role of the extractor would be taken by that enigmatic girl herself.

If it went well, they could douse the party’s atmosphere before things ever got heated.

Considering it was practically his debut as a close aide, he was starting with an excessive foundation.

“Well, that’s enough about that. However, there’s something that hasn’t been explained.”

“…What is it?”

He had been eagerly awaiting a chance to show his sincerity, even at the risk of soiling his suit with the blood dripping down his neck, but now that the amount of bleeding was approaching a dangerous level, he grew anxious and asked back.

Hadn’t he sufficiently explained the next direction, aspirations, and the necessity to act? Was there something he had missed in the middle? He couldn’t leave the impression of a rattle-headed fool at this point…

How pitiful.

Kajun’s brain, which had been racing, fell into a temporary state of stagnation upon hearing his superior’s next words.

“I have no intention of treating Anastasia as a partner just for the sake of an alibi. I have no intention of exposing her at an official venue just to take a few photos. If that is the only excuse I have to take her along, it’s better to leave her here.”

“……..Huh?”

‘What the hell…!!’

For a brief moment, the words got stuck in his throat, and he released a tirade of curses inwardly.

He now realized why he had been told to persuade the executive director as a condition when he had gone to ask for a little help. How did that witch charm him enough that he wouldn’t even want to expose her outside?

Hadn’t they just convinced him to embark on the long journey of becoming the head of Enema Corporation?

If that was the case, why had he asked that they dismiss him as part of the trade conditions…? Was it just to watch him struggle in a hopeless position?

…How wicked could this woman be…!

Kajun’s poised stance faltered and crumbled.

The buzzing in his head and the blurring of his vision made it clear he had truly reached his limit.

It has always been said that it is women who ruin men.

Well, sure, someone gambled their life on a risky bet.

If the greatest concern of the spoiled heir is only that, then he would rather not be coy and would return a primal admonition that suits their level. Along with a 100% sincere sentiment, he also expressed it without reservation.

“If… you genuinely wish to welcome that woman as your partner, wouldn’t it be better to give her the feeling of being treated as an ‘equal companion’ instead of just binding her mindlessly…?”

“……”

‘It’s not like she’s a prostitute bought with credits…’ ‘Is this truly a conversation worth having?’ He was about to add a few bitter remarks when he noticed Edamatsu frowning while contemplating, which made Kajun quickly close his mouth.

He questioned whether such logic would actually work, but it seemed to have been taken seriously, leaving him in a more disturbed state.

It was natural for one wanting something to flatter the other, but… somehow it felt very unjust. It was downright, very much so.

Silence, tranquility, and an endless weight of contemplation for someone.

In a sense, the careful deliberation that passed could be even more serious than the previous suggestion to dunk the Mega Cop executives one by one.

“I will consider it as positively as possible. I will take my leave now.”

“…Yes, I apologize for disturbing your sleep at such a late hour.”

At last, having obtained the desired answer with great difficulty, the puppet master let out a deep sigh and made his exit.

Originally, he had planned to review the operation, but he resolved to simply retire quietly to gain the sleep he had been lacking after barely surviving this dreadful crisis.