Ren repeated himself again, calmly.
"Didn't you hear me? I said come out."
For a moment, the bushes rustled.
Then a person slowly emerged.
Skinny body.
Messy hair.
Large power glasses sitting crooked on his face.
And strangely enough… he was wearing those same clothes as those gangsters Ren killed a moment ago.
Ren glanced at Lucia with a bright grin.
"What did I say to you?" he said proudly. "Just a peep-squeak."
Lucia sighed.
"You can put me down for now…" she said, face slightly red and flustered.
Ren slowly placed her on the ground.
Then his gaze shifted to the skinny man.
His eyes narrowed.
You four-eyes…
How dare you ruin my perfect day…
Ren stared intensely at him, anger slowly bubbling under the surface.
The skinny man immediately felt it.
A heavy, suffocating murderous aura.
His body trembled uncontrollably.
Lucia stepped forward slightly and asked calmly,
"You don't look like a gang member."
The man nodded rapidly.
"Y-Yes… I joined them because… because they said if I didn't follow them they would kill me…"
His entire body was shaking in fear.
Lucia looked at him with a slightly softer expression.
"You don't have to worry," she said gently. "We won't do you any harm."
But the man was still trembling.
Lucia glanced sideways at Ren.
"Right, Ren?"
Her eyes clearly carried a silent message.
Don't do anything reckless.
Ren gave a wide, friendly smile.
"How could you even think I would do that?" he said innocently.
Lucia stared at him with a blank expression.
Because you are literally thinking about killing him right now.
She could clearly feel the bloodlust leaking from him.
Ren's thoughts twisted darkly.
You little peep-squeak…
I'm going to burst your balls for ruining my perfect mood today.
A faint, dangerous smile slowly crept onto his lips.
Lucia said softly, almost lovingly,
"Do you know—"
The peep-squeak suddenly froze as his face flushed bright red.
She's so hot… and cute at the same time…
Ren's gaze immediately sharpened toward the peepsquuek .
His eyes locked onto the skinny man like blades, blades which are eager to stike its prey.
The look alone screamed a clear message.
Dare to think about her… and I will chop you into meat pieces.
The peep-squeak felt a deep chill run down his spine.
His legs almost gave out from that Intense gaze, as his body filled with fear again.
Ren leaned closer to Lucia and whispered in her ear,
"Why the hell are you talking to him so politely?"
Lucia whispered back calmly,
"Because if we need information, we have to ask politely. Otherwise… who knows if he'll tell us anything."
Ren narrowed his eyes.
"Is that the only reason?"
Lucia nodded immediately.
"Of course. Yes."
Ren stared at her for a moment.
What a lame way, if that the intent then we can just—
Meanwhile, the peep-squeak was sweating like crazy.
What are they whispering about…?
Are they planning to kill me…?
His eyes slowly drifted toward the road as he was planning to run away.
Maybe… I should run.
Very slowly, carefully, he shifted his foot back.
Preparing.
One more step…
Then he could bolt.
Ren suddenly smiled.
An evil smile.
"Oh?"
The peep-squeak panicked.
He immediately turned around to run—
But before he could take even one full step…
A hand landed on his shoulder.
Firm.
Unmoving.
Frozen in place.
A cold voice whispered behind him.
"Where are you going?"
Ren stood there.
A merciless, terrifying smile stretching across his face.
The peep-squeak slowly turned his head.
And the moment he saw Ren's eyes…
His soul almost left his body.
Ren stepped closer, eyes cold.
"Do you have any important information… or should I just kill you?"
Then a thought crossed his mind.
She's right…
How could I forget Rule No.21?
Information is one of the keys to survival… and an essential one.
The peep-squeak began trembling violently. Tears streamed down behind his thick glasses.
"I—I'll tell you everything! Everything you want to know!" he cried. "Just… please don't kill me!"
Ren glanced at Lucia with a proud smile.
"See? We can do it this way too."
Lucia thought with heavy sarcasm dripping from her mind.
Yes… of course you can.
Ren turned back to the man.
"Then start talking. Tell me everything you know about the current situation in Black Lust City."
The peep-squeak suddenly shouted in panic.
"DID YOU LOSE YOUR MIND?!"
His voice shook violently.
"Don't even think about going there!"
Ren blinked.
Why the hell are you overreacting like you just saw an ugly ghost in the bathroom?
Lucia thought blankly.
Where does he even get these weird comparisons…
The peep-squeak gulped.
"Don't you know the area is under the control of the Snake Empress?!"
Ren shrugged.
"So what?"
Inside his head:
What if some hot babe is running the city?
What's she going to do anyway in these conditions?
The man continued, shaking even harder.
"The whole city is protected by special guards! They keep zombies away! And any man who enters without permission…"
He swallowed.
"…gets his manhood cut off by her. Brutally."
A deep chill ran down Ren's spine.
Wait… what?
Are you fucking joking with me?
You mean that rumor was actually true?!
An awkward smile appeared on his face.
Lucia stared at him with a completely blank expression.
Ren forced a laugh.
"Hah! Who would be scared of getting his… uh… thing cut by that snake?"
His voice trembled slightly.
"If someone fears that, he's not a real man!"
Lucia thought calmly.
Just stop pretending.
The fear is literally written all over your face.
The peep-squeak slowly asked,
"I told you everything you wanted to know… so… can I go now?"
Ren nodded slowly.
I'm a good person.
I always keep my promises.
With a pure, innocent smile, he said,
"Of course you can."
"Just drop everything you have."
The man immediately threw down his food, knives, and other supplies.
Ren calmly picked everything up and stuffed it into his backpack.
---
Moments later, the two of them climbed onto the bike again.
Lucia drove.
Ren sat behind her.
The engine roared as they rode away.
The peep-squeak watched them going far and far.
Relief flooded his body.
"I'm safe…"
A cruel smile slowly formed on his face.
"Heh… just wait."
"One day I'll kill that bastard…"
"And that woman…"
"I'll enjoy her myself!"
He burst into loud, evil laughter.
FWIP!
Something sliced through the air.
STAB!
A knife pierced straight through his throat.
The laughter died instantly.
Blood spilled down his chest.
Before collapsing, the peep-squeak stared toward the road.
The bike was still riding away.
Ren casually raised his hand and waved.
A merciless smile on his face.
"You fu—"
The man tried to speak.
But the words never came out.
His body collapsed to the ground.
THUD
On the road ahead—
Lucia slightly turned her head.
"Did you hear something?"
Ren pretended to looked confused.
"What are you talking about?"
Inside his mind—
Heheh… like I said… I'm a good man.
I always keep my promises.
But only my promises.
Not the ones I make to someone else…
Especially another man.
A wicked grin spread across his face.
Well… unless it's a beautiful woman.
WAIT!!! I should control my thoughts, i am becoming more of a scumbag than before, control....control.
Ren looked toward the distant skyline.
Now then…
Let's see what awaits us in…
Black Lust City.
---
Again—
WHAT THE FUCK?!
Ren stared in disbelief.
Why the hell is there a costume shop out of nowhere in these barren fields on the side of the road?!
He stood there, completely dumbfounded.
Dry land everywhere.
Empty road.
And somehow…
A costume shop.
The bike had already stopped.
Behind him, Lucia quietly stared at him.
Ren slowly turned his head.
And then—
He saw it.
Lucia's face.
Her eyes were wide.
Sparkling.
Almost like tiny stars were shooting out of them.
Her expression was pure, innocent anticipation.
Ren froze.
His soul trembled.
Oh no…
Not that look…
Inside Ren's mind—
WARNING!
CRITICAL ATTACK DETECTED!
Skill Activated: Lucia's Puppy Eyes
Mental Resistance: Failing
Ren clenched his teeth.
Stay strong…
Stay strong…
Don't fall for it…
Lucia leaned a little closer.
Her eyes sparkled even more.
Ren's internal defense system collapsed instantly.
DEFENSE BROKEN
Goddammit…
He sighed deeply.
Why does she always do this to me…