"Alright, alright. Payment on delivery—I may be a scumbag, but I at least believe in equivalent exchange. Since you're still unsatisfied, I'll give you one last piece of advice. This Root user isn't like Ryougi Shiki. They're not someone to be trifled with, so I suggest you prepare thoroughly. Of course, you could also choose not to go. Your life is your own—don't throw it away carelessly."
After saying this, Takashi Kuroda vanished in a flash, clearly unwilling to waste any more words on Araya Souren. Left alone, Araya Souren could only swallow his frustration and return to his apartment, simmering with unspoken emotions.
"Tokyo, huh? At least I have a location now. She can't hide forever," Araya Souren muttered to himself.
He wasn't entirely free of suspicion—perhaps the man had lied to him. But then again, given Kuroda's current strength, why would he bother with deceit? If he wanted something, he could simply take it. With that thought, Araya Souren brushed aside his unease and instead began to look forward to his trip to Tokyo.
Little did he know, the Root user he was about to face was an existence far more terrifying than he could imagine.
...
"System, settle my rewards."
Ding— "Host, you mercilessly harvested Araya's kidney with such brutality that it would make men tremble in fear. Reward: 200 Villain Points. Additional reward: Title [Kidney Reaper] obtained."
Ding— "Host successfully destroyed one of Araya Souren's avatars. Reward: 100 Villain Points. Host successfully deceived Araya Souren, leading him further down the path of death. Reward: 200 Villain Points."
Ding— "Host has deeply influenced the fate of the destined heroine, Ryougi Shiki, deviating her from her original path. Reward: 500 Villain Points. Reward: [Mystic Eyes of Death Perception] Skill Card Fragment x1 (Collect 3 to synthesize a complete skill card. Current count: 2)."
"Your current Villain Points: 4000. Effects of your new title [Kidney Reaper]: You gain a significant bonus to kidney-harvesting techniques. Additionally, every kidney you harvest will absorb a portion of its essence to strengthen your own, enhancing your kidney's capabilities."
"Fine, the other rewards make sense, but what's this [Kidney Reaper] nonsense? System, are you implying my kidneys aren't up to the task?" Takashi Kuroda was instantly incensed. A man could never admit to being inadequate!
"Host, don't forget—the number of female characters around you will only grow. Not to mention the two goddesses at home, you've already got Matou Sakura and Ryougi Shiki. An ordinary man would struggle with just one, but you'll have to handle multiple. Without indestructible kidneys, how will you manage? This system only has your lifelong happiness in mind," the System replied with a cheeky laugh.
"...Fair point." Kuroda was quickly convinced.
"Heh, so go forth, Host, and harvest the kidneys of your enemies. Let them tremble at the mere mention of your name," the System encouraged.
"System, I have a question."
"Ask away, Host~"
"Do you have kidneys?"
"?????"
...
Returning to the Garan no Dou, Kuroda found Aozaki Touko brewing tea. Without hesitation, he plopped onto the sofa in front of the coffee table to rest.
"Everything settled?"
"Done. Araya Souren won't be showing his face in Mifune City again. And he won't be eyeing my precious disciple anymore," Kuroda said, rolling his neck.
"So now that everything's wrapped up, you're leaving?" Touko set a cup of tea in front of Kuroda before taking a sip from her own.
"Gonna miss me?"
"Do you think I enjoy jokes like that?"
"I thought we could at least call each other friends. I was even hoping to establish a long-term partnership," Kuroda shrugged, taking a sip of his tea. "Good tea."
Whoosh—
"What's this?" Kuroda caught the black cube Touko tossed his way.
"Think of it like a phone, but with my own unique contact method. Encrypted communication," Touko explained. "We may not be friends, but a long-term partnership is fine. I see potential in you, Mr. Kuroda. If you ever need anything, the Garan no Dou is always open. Just remember to bring payment."
"Tch, so tsundere, Ms. Aozaki." Kuroda stored the black cube in his system inventory.
"Where are you planning to take those two kids next?" Touko finished her tea and pulled out a cigarette, lighting it up.
"Back to Fuyuki City."
"The Holy Grail War?"
"You know about that?" Kuroda raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"I do have connections in the magecraft world. The news about the Holy Grail War's sudden acceleration has been making headlines lately," Touko said, eyeing Kuroda. "So, are you a spectator or a Master?"
"Both." Kuroda paused, then asked, "Since you're in the loop, has anything interesting happened in the Clock Tower related to the Holy Grail War?"
"There has. Rumor has it that the Mineralogy Department's Lord El-Melloi had the Holy Relic he prepared for the Holy Grail War stolen. Investigations are underway."
Huh? The Mineralogy Lord—that's Kayneth, Director Kayneth. So Waver must've already stolen Iskandar's relic. The timeline's moved up way sooner than I expected. The early start of the Holy Grail War must've caused a ripple effect. If that's the case, Waver's probably already in Fuyuki. Maybe I should pay him a visit.
"Lord El-Melloi of the Mineralogy Department, huh?" Kuroda mused, nodding.
"In terms of magecraft talent, he's one of the Clock Tower's top geniuses. Not someone to underestimate," Touko said, stubbing out her cigarette. "But against someone like you… even a Clock Tower genius is bound to take a nasty fall. Who knows if he'll even make it back alive."
"You make me sound like some kind of monster." Kuroda shook his head.
Touko smirked slightly, thinking to herself, If you're not a monster, then nothing in this world is.
"Well then, I'll take my leave. Who knows—maybe I'll bring another business opportunity in a month or so. Sakura, Shiki, time to go." Kuroda called out to Matou Sakura and Ryougi Shiki, who were elsewhere in the building.
"I'll be waiting," Touko replied.
...
"The Clock Tower's standards have truly fallen. Disgraceful." Kayneth sneered as the search for the thief continued to yield no results. With no way to recover the Holy Relic, he had no choice but to seek an alternative.
"And that backwater town, Fuyuki—even a simple magecraft ritual can't proceed without issues. Originally set for a year from now, it's been pushed forward by a full eleven months. Everything's been thrown into chaos. What a mess." Kayneth glared at the documents on his desk before shoving them aside. The Tohsaka family, the Einzberns—none of them were worth his attention.
"Honestly, all these problems started because you insisted on participating in that so-called magecraft competition in that godforsaken place. And you haven't even left yet—look at all the trouble that's already cropped up. Who knows what other misfortunes await you there?" A sharp, disdainful female voice cut in.
"Sol…" Kayneth's usually cold expression softened slightly at her words. "Even if it's just a rural magecraft competition, the eyes of the entire magecraft world are upon it. Many are watching."
"Besides, staying cooped up in the Clock Tower is stifling. Consider this a vacation," he continued, standing up to face Sola. Though she averted her gaze, Kayneth pressed on. "I despise deviations from my plans, but like stepping on a pebble, they're inevitable. But pebbles are just pebbles—these trivial obstacles will be crushed beneath my feet."
"Hmph." Sola ignored him. As Kayneth's fiancée, she held no affection for him. To her, she was nothing more than a pawn in a political marriage.
"A magecraft competition is no different from any other. Victory is a foregone conclusion." Seeing Sola's indifference, Kayneth turned to the window, calmly stating what he believed to be fact.
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