"You're indeed beautiful, but I'll never like or love you just because of that."
"..."
An awkward silence engulfed the room when I said that.
The receptionist I came with whispered something to Ruby.
Then, she smiled and opened her mouth—
"So basically, you easily lost interest in me because I'm not yours?"
Her words made my eye twitch.
I glanced at the receptionist for a moment...
'What a snitch.'
Then I brought my gaze back to Ruby.
"When I told him that, I was talking about things, not humans."
"Though, it's pretty much true. Instead of liking someone one-sidedly, I'll just pour my love into those who love me as well."
I declared.
Strangely enough, Keara entered my mind when I said that, making a small smile break out on my face.
Anyway, I sent a mischievous smile to Ruby.
"You see, I like it more when I'm the one doing the seducing."
Then I followed with that.
Ruby stared at me for a while, then, with a curious but charming smile—
"You're weird~"
She mumbled that.
Ruby squinted her eyes and her voice was playful.
'Well... She's really hot...'
Shaking such thoughts out of my head, I rebutted.
"You're weirder. You're a famous hero and the head of [Paradise], yet you're openly revealing your face to me."
Seemingly uninterested and unfazed by the fact that I know her identity and could expose it to the public, Ruby replied with a shrug of her shoulders.
"[Paradise] is only a black market in name. This place is legally approved by the [Heroes Federation]."
She said.
"We're an organization that exists to maintain the balance. The federation keeps the heroes on watch..."
"While we, the black market also known as [Paradise]—control the underworld businesses. We also collect information about majins and sell it to the federation."
Ruby added and explained.
I knew some of that information from the novel, but now everything became clearer to me regarding the relationship between the [Paradise] and the [Heroes Federation].
'In short, they have some sort of partnership or peace treaty.'
Tilting my head slightly and resting my right cheek on my right hand that was placed on the armrest, I then crossed my legs and yawned before replying.
My activity with Keara while taking a bath earlier made me quite sleepy...
"That's good and all, but aren't you too trusting?"
Not minding my rudeness, Ruby replied.
"Well, trust is a must between business partners."
"Also, if you happen to be an enemy..."
Her tone became threatening as my sleepy expression turned to annoyance.
FWOOSH~
A heavy pressure pressed on my body afterward and my frown only deepened. I started sweating bullets and my heartbeat sped up.
Though—I looked calm and normal on the outside thanks to
"Haaaaa..."
After letting out a sigh, my eyes turned cold, I fixed my sitting posture... And looked at Ruby directly.
Then with a single thought—
'[Monarch's Presence]'
I activated my skill.
SWOOSH—
My majestic and elegant presence made the pressure Ruby was emitting bearable. Then my skill clashed against Ruby's aura.
Though I may be losing, everything a few centimeters around me was void of her pressure...
I knew Ruby wouldn't hurt me, so I wasn't really intimidated, and that mindset of mine made it easier for me to resist her pressure.
"Do high-ranking people enjoy intimidating others?"
I asked with an annoyed tone.
Seeing me not fearing Ruby—everyone in the room displayed shocked expressions on their faces.
And at my casual actions... Ruby just smiled.
She then withdrew the pressure pressing me.
And I deactivated my skill in response.
"You're really interesting."
Ruby mumbled as she seductively bit her rosy lower lip.
Her actions made the others in the room flustered—though not me.
I frowned at the weird feeling inside me, but soon, I smiled slyly and leaned my back against the seat.
I'm feeling a bit of uncomfort whenever a woman is hitting on me...
"Does that mean you're interested in me?"
So I did the seducing to flip the situation around.
Seeing my approach, Ruby smiled similarly to me.
"Yes, I'm very interested in you~"
Her voice was beautiful—it was alluring.
But I'm not here to flirt!
So I stood up and extended my hand to Ruby.
"It may be a late introduction, but my name is Raven Obadiah."
I used my real name to gain Ruby's trust.
She then also stood up and grabbed my hand.
"My name is Ruby Skye."
Once we sat back down again, I placed an envelope on the table between us.
Then, with a sly tone—I started to move to the business part.
"Well, if you're really interested in me, maybe you'll find these interesting too."
Ruby grabbed the envelope as I said that, then she opened it.
Inside were documents I prepared beforehand.
Ruby started reading through their contents.
"An
"Full of traps and
Ruby mumbled the important parts written on them.
"You already saw the boss... Does that mean you already raided it?"
She asked me that.
"Yes, I already did."
I briefly replied.
"How long did it take you to raid it?"
"I was lucky and picked all the short paths. I reached the boss monster in under 48 hours."
'Also, I had a rough idea of the dungeon's layout, so I got to the boss fast. The dungeon is fairly big—it might've taken me about a week wandering around if I got lost because of its maze-like structures.'
At first, there were only a few paths to take, but as you reach further inside... [The Stygian Lair]'s paths increase.
Some lead you to a dead end, and some lead you to death.
"Do you have a map of it?"
Ruby asked after reading through the documents.
I smiled and took something out of my spatial storage.
Fwish~
"I'll sell you guys a copy if you accept my proposal."
I said while casually waving the map in my hand. Then I put it back in my spatial storage afterward.
Ruby frowned after hearing what I said, but then she smiled mischievously.
That smile sent chills down my spine...
"I'll throw your words earlier back at you—you're too trusting~"
Ruby's music-like voice was heard as she continued to talk. Though her tone was soft... her demeanor wasn't!
"We can just take the dungeon forcefully."
"You're not the owner of it anyway."
The room's temperature seemed to have dropped by a lot. I almost shivered.
'Almost.'
With a calm voice—
"Well, I bought the land where the entrance of the dungeon is and everything around it. The papers arrived this morning, so the dungeon is officially mine."
I casually threw a certification that proved my ownership of the land. And the location of that land... is where the dungeon is.
There's a law that if a dungeon appears on your land, it becomes your property.
Though usually, when that happens, it's immediately sold to the federation.
Anyway, this is the reason why I bought the land instead of immediately making a deal with [Paradise].
I used that certain law and bought the land, so technically, the dungeon is my property.
They can't come near it without my word. And even if I die, the dungeon would be transferred to the federation—not them.
"So if you guys enter the dungeon without my permission, it can be considered trespassing."
I declared with a sly smile.
"Though, if we became business partners, you'd be able to use it privately with my permission. The federation can't just barge into private lands, so it would really be exclusive use for us."
[Paradise]'s main source of income is the dungeons they control. They charge entrance fees and let people enter them. But because of the [Heroes Federation], that business of theirs is declining.
They may have a peace treaty, but dungeons are so precious that they could break the harmony between the two organizations.
"You really came prepared, huh."
Ruby's defeated voice entered my ears.
"Well, I don't like troublesome and annoying things, so I always prepare the things I think I'll need."
I said and shrugged.
"So what's your condition?"
Ruby asked.
I leaned my body forward—
"Let's do fifty-fifty."
Then I answered with that in a serious tone.
After hearing my words, Ruby frowned.
"Hmm... That's a bit..."
She seemed hesitant.
I know that this condition is quite unfair to them, as I only provide the dungeon while they will run and handle it. And that's not an easy task.
"Fifty-five to forty-five."
Ruby bargained.
I pretended to think about it for a while. But I was smiling inwardly.
I already expected this much, but I planned to take more and make the opposite party think they that won the bargain.
'[Paradise] is currently low in possession of dungeons. Let's use that to our advantage.'
"Running a dungeon is harder than you think."
Ruby said with a frown, seeing me not answering.
'Well, I really haven't thought about running a dungeon so I don't care.'
After a few more seconds... I looked at Ruby and spoke.
"Fine, but I'll add another condition."
"What condition?"
Ruby asked.
And with a big smile on my face—
"Give me the strongest gun you have here."
I asked for that.
Ruby was confused, which is why I decided that this was the right time to convince her to agree.
"Guns are known to be the weakest weapons in this era, so giving me your strongest one won't really affect you guys that much."
I mumbled casually.
Ruby then started to think about it after my words...
'I just need a little more push...!'
"If you accept this, our relationship will improve—by a lot."
"Just so you know, I'll make a lot of money in the future."
I declared while giving Ruby a confident smile.
Glancing at me briefly... Ruby shook her head and spoke.
"You're really weird."
"Yeah, I'm weird."
I really do think I'm weird.
Anyway, Ruby just laughed at me...
"Hey."
Then she called out to me.
"What?"
"You're also weirdly attractive, you know that?"
Ruby said. I didn't know what to do with that information.
So I calmed myself, smiled, and spoke as politely as I could.
"I will not lessen my share any longer."
And with a sly and seductive smile—
"But it'll be different if you become mine."
I teased her back.
Ruby just smiled at my words.
"You're unexpectedly flirty."
"I already said earlier... I like it more when I do the seducing."
"Hmph, fine."
After our short exchange of words, Ruby pouted and took out a mana contract from her spatial storage.
"You're unexpectedly cute sometimes."
I unconsciously said. I was ashamed after realizing what I just said.
Though—my poker face prevailed!
"You're really honest, aren't you?"
Ruby told me.
"Well, yeah... Isn't that one of my good points?"
I replied.
"Whatever."
Ruby then handed me the mana contract.
And after putting the conditions we agreed on into the it, we both signed it.
Though... I forgot that there were other people in the room besides me and Ruby.
And one of them... was glaring daggers at me!
*****
Ruby and I are currently waiting in the same room after coming to an agreement with our deal.
It's just us here.
Normally, I would've been nervous.
But I'm so tired that I can't even give a fuck.
On the other hand... Ruby is reading a mail on her phone.
'She's probably reading information about me.'
I noticed her sending some weird signals to her subordinates that were in the room earlier before they left us alone.
So I'm assuming that she's currently investigating me. Well, we'll be business partners, so it's understandable.
Anyway, the reason I'm waiting here is because of the gun.
Ruby said that I can have it today as it is stored nearby.
And the earlier I get my hands on it, the better it is for me.
'The strongest gun in the world...'
I closed my eyes, remembering some details of it from the novel.
'Even though it's the strongest gun, it's still a gun, the weakest weapon in this era.'
I mumbled in my head.
"Interesting."
Then breaking me out of my thought was Ruby's amused voice.
Opening one of my eyes—
"What is?"
I asked her that.
Ruby pointed at me using her long and slim index finger...
"You."
Then she said that.
"Me?"
Me? Interesting? Why?
"You're younger than I expected."
'Ah...'
I suddenly frowned when I heard that. She had already finished her investigation about me.
That was fast.
"So you're my student."
"You aren't my professor in any of the classes I take."
I rebutted. Ruby only teaches sophomores.
"So what? You're still my student... Are you going to blackmail me now and make me do lewd things for you to not reveal any information about me?"
I heard Ruby's seductively beautiful voice as she whispered in my ear. The enticing and pleasant fragrance coming from her almost made me want to jump at her. Almost.
It's getting harder to keep my composure now that she's near me!
'When did she even get near me?'
Ruby just appeared beside me like she teleported. But her being an rank hero is already the answer for that.
Opening my other eye as well and looking at her, I spoke.
"Why would I do that?"
"If I do that, I'll lose your trust. Seducing you will be harder for me."
I added, whispering back into Ruby's ear.
She smiled and went back to her seat.
And after sitting, Ruby started talking again.
"Your past and background are as weird as you."
Her words piqued my interest as I perked my ears and waited for her next words.
"What do you mean weird?"
I asked.
Ruby pointed at her phone and looked at me.
"There's not much information about you, your parents' origins are not clear, and your grandparents on your mother's side are also a mystery... As if they don't exist."
"Oh, sorry for digging into your past. I have to be careful when making new connections for my safety. No offense."
She apologized.
"None taken."
I replied, as her digging into my life actually helped me a little.
Seeing no dirt in my life, our relationship will be stronger. I also got a clue from my past in this life.
"Anyway, is there anything else you discovered about me?"
I asked. Ruby smiled and opened her mouth.
"You have no strong backing, you have no history of doing something great until you got admitted to Lunar. Oh, and I know this is bullshit based on what I saw from you today, but it is said you're a victim of attempted murder by someone your age months ago."
Hearing the last part of Ruby's words made me frown. Why would someone my age attempt to murder me? What did I do?
Because I know I wouldn't get any answers about that topic... I asked a different question to Ruby.
"Why did I get admitted to Lunar?"
Before, I thought I got admitted because of money... But I think there's something more than that.
When I entered this body, I was
"It says here that you got admitted using money... But you entered the highest section because of your talent."
Ruby said with a shrug.
My talent?
"What talent?"
"I don't know. Only your homeroom professor, Kendy Nasah, knows. He's the one who picked you."
I started racking my brain to find my talent, but to no avail... So I stopped thinking about it.
Must've been just a mistake.
Moving on, turning my attention back to Ruby—
"Is that all you got?"
I asked her that.
And she seemed to misunderstand my question as a provocation. She raised her chin and proudly opened her mouth.
"Well, based on what I got, you seem to be a new rising novel author."
I nodded.
"And you like older women."
But my face twitched at Ruby's words just now.
"You have a lover who is over half a decade older than you."
'She's talking about Keara?!'
Just how good is Ruby's information team?
"It also seems that you seduced her in under a day. You must be good."
Ruby continued, smiling playfully. She's trying to annoy me, and it's super effective.
Losing one-sidedly isn't my taste, so my pettiness unconsciously activated.
So with a sly smile...
"Oh, shut up. If you're that curious—try me yourself."
I declared that.
But shame attacked me after hearing how cringe I am. Why am I so cheesy sometimes?!
Anyway, I decided to correct Ruby's information.
"And it's not like I like older women. I just like her... There's no other reason behind it."
I said, talking about Keara.
Ruby sent me another beautiful smile as she spoke.
"You just made me more interested in you."
"Hmm...? You're pretty interesting as well for me."
I said.
'You're the leader of the black market after all, even though you're only 27 years old.'
So I'll be naturally interested in her.
"The feeling is mutual then."
Ruby said with a seductive voice.
Tok- tok- tok—
I was about to reply when a knock was heard from the door.
"Come in."
Ruby calmly said.
Following her words, a handsome man in a suit entered holding a black heavy-duty briefcase. He seemed to be someone who was in the room with us earlier.
"Here's the item."
The man said, then placed the case in front of me.
And without replying, I opened the case immediately.
Click—
A subtle clicking sound was heard.
Then looking inside of it—
"..."
I saw a beautiful obsidian-black pistol.
I was speechless.
And without further ado, I made the system appraise it.
[You flirt here and there since yesterday like a horny dog and just order me around like a slave. What a bitch.]
I had no time to argue with the system, so I just let it nag at me as I looked at the description of the gun in front of me.
=====
[Nyx]
-The last product of the greatest unnamed gunsmith that ever lived.
-Has a passive skill
-Lessens the sound and spark the gun produces when shooting.
=====
A satisfied smile appeared on my face.
[Nyx]'s firepower is strong enough to pierce through the skins of
[Nyx] would just rot in Aoi's long-ranged weapon collection in the novel.
This gun was just briefly mentioned in one chapter, in a filler one... It was used as a remembrance of a certain event.
Aoi was supposed to get [Nyx] as a reward from Ruby after saving Zreles City with Alec and the others, from what I mentioned yesterday about the dungeon overflow. Though, in the novel—Ruby got [The Stygian Lair] for free.
Well, anyway... My point is taking [Nyx] will not affect the story. Most probably.
"Tsk."
While I was holding the gun, I heard a tongue clicking.
"...?"
And out of the corner of my eye, I saw the man who brought the gun... He was glaring at me.
I looked at Ruby in front of me. She was smiling at me as if asking for my understanding.
I planned to do just that and ignore the man.
But—
"Arrogant leech-like shit."
I heard him mutter that beside me.
Ruby was about to talk, but I snapped first.
Shifting my gaze to the man, I spoke.
"Hey, what's your problem?"
This man is angry at me for no reason, so I'm annoyed.
"What?... I just hate your guts."
The man then said, not hiding his hatred toward me.
Appraising his stats, he's
It's pretty low for his age.
I crossed my legs and looked at him like he was a disgusting bug.
"Why do you have to be a bitch about it? Are you mentally handicapped?"
I provoked him.
"... You...!"
And it worked, seeing him about to explode in anger.
While looking at him, I suddenly asked myself.
'Why would he hate me?'
Is it because I demanded the [Nyx]?
Well, maybe that's part of it, but most likely... It's because of the way I interact with Ruby.
I came up with that conclusion after thinking for a second. I looked at the man again—he seems to be in his mid-20s.
"Gosh, why are you throwing a tantrum when you're older than me? Aren't you embarrassed?"
I spat out harsh truths as a provocation.
And when his veins were about to explode—
I smiled.
Ruby is looking at the whole situation as if she's amused.
But I wasn't focusing my attention on either of them at the moment.
Because as soon as I provoked the man—
The system appeared with a message.
[The Transcend Beings said they will give you 1000 CP if you fight and win against that man.]
I smirked and opened my mouth.
"Say... If you really hate me even though I didn't do anything wrong, what about having a duel against me?"
I need to test some equipment anyway.