CHAPTER 82: THE WAGER BETWEEN US

A sleek, modern design.

Architecture that stunned and wowed many who entered it.

Space that was occupied by bodyguards and maids alike.

--This was the dark red and black mansion with a beautiful white interior that Liohime and the rest of the Shinigami Soldiers had walked into.

With countless members now guided to the main room on the first floor and ordered to wait until the client showed up, the room received a loud hum of mumbles, mutters and gasps as gazes darted all over, inspecting the interior.

The five Shinigami Soldiers groups that all amounted to at least fifty members from across the country were all gathered here, ready to receive their final words before heading to the Paradisus Legion the next day.

"Oi, Bica, you’re dozing off while leaning on me again," Ophiel scolded the young woman who held her hand to her mouth and yawned while slouching onto his back. "You gotta stay awake for important shit like this, you know."

"Uweeh? I don’t wanna..."

"The fuck you mean you don’t wanna!?"

"Hey, give me uppies for a bit," she replied while closing her eyes and stretching out her pale, slender arms, signalling the want to be lifted.

"For the last time, I’m not fucking babysitting you again!"

"Hmmm!!!" Bica hummed violently with a seemingly mild temper tantrum, and Ophiel sighed, his cheeks heating up.

This girl who is always drowsy is supposed to be our most hardworking Weapons-For-Hire Shinigami Soldier, huh? Nobody would have ever guessed.

He peered at the dark circles under her eyes, and continued to notice the forced smile that curled upwards on her lips.

Then again, she always seems to be working so hard without anyone from our group even noticing, so...

"Fine. But you better be half-asleep so that you can listen to what the client has to say."

"Okie, okie. Uppies."

"...Uppies it is."

He stooped down with her back facing her front, and she slid onto his body and kept her arms around his neck, instantly sighing with relief as he stood up and leaned slightly forward, using his back as a makeshift bed for Bica to sleep on.

Meanwhile...

If I get the Magical Beast egg first, then you guys have to pay me at least twenty five percent of the money that you’ll get for assisting me with the mission."

"BULLSHIIIIT!!"

Harvey and Jolene were bickering while Liohime and Leah watched on in silence.

"Alright, then let’s make a bet on it!" Harvey spoke up amongst their group. "Whoever gets it first will have that benefit. What about it?"

Ah, that makes sense. After ridiculing Ophiel for making a bet, he makes one himself not even two days later. Nice work, man.

Jolene was first to laugh haughtily and respond.

"You’re just a fucking hobo drug dealer. What the fuck do you think you can do to beat a LITERAL ASSASSIN!?"

"Ooooh, strong words, there, Jol. I’m guessing that you’ll have no problem accepting the bet, then?"

"Tch, don’t make me laugh. Knowing you, you got some sketchy plan that you stuck up your ass for you to even have a chance. However..."

She narrowed her eyes, glaring at him while initiating a sly smile as she tilted her head.

"I’m feeling pretty confident in myself. I’m in, so bring it on, you fucker."

"C-Count me in, too!" Ophiel chimed in, adding his own terms to the deal. "Let’s bump it up to a fifty percent assistance tax payment to the one who gets it first!"

"BWAHAHA! You can’t smuggle your way outta this one, dumbass!!" Harvey replied, but the seriousness of Ophiel’s face kept his attitude in check. "Hmph, fine, but you’ll regret it!"

"And I get to have Bica with me!"

"Now you’re just pushing it, dammit!! You’re trying to team up with the one who knows weapons like they’re the back of her hand, and you don’t think that I know what you’re doing-"

"Let have his delusional advantage," a voice chimed in, and the trio faced Liohime, who had spoken those words.

"L-Lio? Stay outta this, nerd!" berated Harvey, but Liohime would not back down.

"Hell the fuck no, not when I’m joining in on this bet!"

"Nobody invited you, but sure thing! I’ll enjoy crushing you all! You wanna get in on it too, Leah!?"

"H-Huh? Me?" the older woman pointed to herself while questioning Harvey, and with all eyes on her, she felt pressured to agree.

"S-Sure, but I’m not that good at fighting to defend myself, so I wanna join Lio!"

"We all know that’s a lie!! You fought to defend yourself after a client creep tried to do some kinky shit that you said no to just two weeks ago! You yourself mentioned that in your monthly report to the Chief!"

"E-Eh!!? W-Well, uh....t-that doesn’t matter!" she replied with stutters and eyelids that rapidly blinked as she squished her body against Liohime while embracing him, and Harvey shook his head.

"You damn cowards, already trying to team up..."

"Shut the fuck up, you crybaby," Jolene muttered. "Do you see me complaining? Plus, you yourself are practically teaming up with your new Magical Beast yourself, right?"

"-hk."

"Now that I think about it, that must be why you’re suddenly getting such a big head during this discussion, you scum. I’ll crush your bet, your dreams and your Magical Beast again if I have to!"

"I-I dare you, you damn bitch!"

"HAH!?"

And of course, during this meltdown, Bica continued to sleep soundly, until-

CLAP! CLAP!

Two, loud, distinctive claps were heard from above, which silenced almost everyone as the crowd faced the balcony that stood from the end of the beautifully crafted stairs that led to the second floor.

All eyes remained fixed on the figure that stood from the balcony, and Liohime’s eyes widened.

A masked man stood with allure and confidence, casually holding his arms out as he began to address the many members of the Shinigami Soldiers below.

"Well, hello there," a deep, distorted masculine voice spoke out, quickly exposing the voice changer that was clearly being used.

Silence fell among the spectators, and Jolene leaned towards Liohime, whispering:

"Was he always there? I didn’t even notice anything."

"I’m...not really sure."

This man, who wore a distinct, dark red suit and a white tie, along with a black formal shirt underneath and long, black formal pants, continued, looking straight into the eyes of Liohime.

"I am your client. Listen to my final words of advice very carefully."