"Hm? That’s more than just surprise on your face, mister Darius."

"…."

I remember now…

Darius’ face was grave as he looked up at the hotel that, inside the game, and back when he first came here in his first life, was completely destroyed. Border Hotel was exactly the name of a restricted area inside the city where monsters appeared after a mad hydra crashed onto it and killed hundreds of people inside. It was known as a huge shock to the stock market as many influential, powerful, and rich people died on that day. And that day was known as the 11th of the economic collapse, when the stocks of the companies with their CEOs or owners killed, plummeted, and inside skirmishes started appearing everywhere in the business world.

"Mister Darius. Is there something wrong?"

"… What is today’s date?"

"What? 11th of August, but why so sudden?"

"Sigh~… Nah, nothing. Let’s go then."

Darius walked in while feeling his heart heavy, finally understanding why his sense of danger was there the whole time since he arrived.

If today really is that day, then maybe I’ll be able to prevent it… Even though all I have on me is a gun, one plasma knife, two grenades, dopamine for mages, and a damn quarter of a spirit pill... Shit, to fight a hydra, not even a tank is enough... If only I had my gloves...

Hydras were mythical, lesser dragon-type beasts with more heads. In some myths, some are shown with wings, able to fly, while in others they are shown with fins, able to swim. The one that was told it crashed into the hotel was one able to fly. They are known to not die until all their heads are severed or heavily damaged, while a boss-ranked hydra is known to regrow two heads after one has been severed and be seemingly immortal if one doesn’t land a strong enough blow to destroy or severe all the heads in one strike.

Even when the heroes were fighting, they could only keep a boss-ranked hydra in place and wait for the army to send rockets to completely pulverize it, needing to sacrifice a great deal of ammunition for only one monster.

It’s a variant of the dragon-type monster, and, although not as powerful, it still proved to be a challenging monster. If even a high-ranking hydra were to appear here, only mayhem would befall.

After entering the hotel, they walked towards the lift and reached the last floor. When the automatic doors opened, what they saw was a whole floor turned into a restaurant with fancy tables everywhere. People dressed in expensive and fancy clothes were sitting at tables, chatting and laughing merrily. He couldn’t help feeling a bit out of place, as everyone there was either in a costume or a custom dress, him being the only soldier-like individual inside.

Many men stared at him with a frown, while others couldn’t help but look interested. On the other hand, the women also raised their eyebrows, seemingly intrigued by his presence.

Simply chuckling at the feeling of being stared down upon, he looked at Lily and asked calmly,

"Now? Where should we sit?"

"Oh, no rush for that."

Not even finishing her words, a waiter appeared before her and bowed respectfully.

"Good evening. Do you have any reservations?"

"Reservation?"

Darius asked confusedly, but Lily only chuckled and calmly told the waiter her name.

"Understood. This way, please."

The waiter bowed again, then walked both of them towards the table near the window to observe the chaotic horizons. After giving them the menus, he stepped back and waited for their commands.

"… Reservation, huh? Then you, asking me where to, was just a façade."

"Oh my, please don’t get mad at me now. I just wanted to surprise you."

"You sure surprised me. Me and my wallet. I’ll command a cup of water, and that’s it. I came to chat, not to empty my savings on buffoonery."

A bit irritated, Darius commented while leaning above the table. However, Lily was unfazed as she waved her hand and said with a beautiful smile,

"I had a feeling you might be reacting this way. That’s why I decided I would be the one to treat you. So please don’t worry and command all you want."

"… What?"

"No need to be shy now. Take it as me wishing to make a better connection with a great elite like you."

"… Former elite."

"Still one of the best."

"………"

Darius thought for a moment, then looked far into the horizon. He smirked for a moment, then looked back at Lily.

"Well, I will pay you back soon enough. So, sure. Why not?"

"Hm?"

She seemed confused by his words, but Darius didn’t mind it, as he just commanded something cheaper and a cup of water, then waited for the waiter to leave. After he departed, he turned serious and spoke out.

"Now that we’re here seated, let’s talk about the reason why we met."

"Surely it wasn’t just to have a good time, am I right?"

"Obviously."

He crossed his hands and calmly stated,

"Your offer from before to participate in that group of youngsters was to have me train them, am I right?"

"Oh~? Have I been exposed?"

"I wonder why you thought a soldier like me could train a group of mages like them. We’re talking about superhumans that can fall from a ten-story building without a scratch and snap metal bars like crayons. But most importantly, what would I even win from that?"

"First of all, what would you win? A well-trained team of mages to help you gather more expensive materials in greater quantities and finish missions of higher difficulty. As for why... the group of mages I told you about, you already met them before."

"So it’s those foolish brats that got chased by a few golems, eh? I suppose they already told you everything."

"Exactly, and your advice on using explosives as well made them rethink again what type of equipment to carry. However, what impressed me more was how great your advice was on how to have them use their abilities. It was as if you were a mage yourself. But I think that’s not the case after looking at you closely."

Lily smiled as she remembered the sparkling eyes of the youngsters who talked about Darius and his rich knowledge about monsters. She stared deeply at him as he gazed in the distance outside the window, and she couldn’t help but find him only more mysterious and intriguing.

Darius then opened his mouth and woke her up from her dazed state.

"My knowledge about mages comes from all the first-hand combat I had. As you know, elites are also trained to deal with mages. Since we’re more than happy to eliminate superhumans that took the elites' roles as main forces, everyone studied that eagerly."

"But since you gave out such great advice, I get that you don’t actually hate mages yourself. Correct?"

"…I have humanity’s survival as my first priority. And if kids like them could become a factor that would bring humanity closer to victory against this cursed land, then I’m more than just willing to help them."

"Then-"

"But I won’t join their team."

"Hm?"

She seemed surprised by his response but asked nevertheless,

"Do I understand that you already have a team in mind?"

"No. Better said, I wish to share my knowledge about monsters and how to fight them."

As he said that, he took out his phone and showed her the video he made while fighting the high rank, boss rank, and even the semi-field boss rank.

"To share your knowledge? What does that-…………. Oh my…"

After seeing the footage of such high-ranked monsters, Lily kept quiet and continued to look until her interest changed into awe. Of course, she wasn’t showing it on the outside; only she knew how shocked she was on the inside.

After watching for a bit longer, she stopped the video herself and stared at Darius, almost perplexed.

“The dopamine for mages will burn your nerves and might make you end up in a wheelchair.”

“I have a way to resolve this problem. As you can very well tell, this is not my first time using it.”

“…”

Darius smiled confidently, as he already knew a way to recover from the internal damages caused by the dopamine. Lily on the other hand, looked at him as if wishing to ask further about this, but refrained as she had a feeling he might not answer, simply tapping on the table while glancing at him intrigued.

"With such abilities, you could be put in the same position as a superhuman and be treated with great respect. Why don’t you just join the Blue Sparks? They will be able to nurture you as much as you wish."

"It would be a waste of time to join one of the three powers. What I need is the freedom to do my own thing while at the same time making people aware that with a bit of technique and strategy, you can take out even such monsters."

"That’s not a bit, Mr. Darius…"

"For a human, sure, it isn’t. But as a mage, about anyone could pull this off with some training beforehand."

"So to speak, you wish to indirectly train the superhumans through your videos... Am I right?"

"This, and also by having someone who manages the VR training facilities examine the videos and collect as much data as possible, to make the monsters in the VR as real and lifelike as possible."

"… So you know of that as well."

Lily sighed at this point, not even surprised anymore.

The VR training facilities it’s a project added together by Blue Spark and Black Fortress through which they wish to utilize the VR technology to train their soldiers. The VR has reached such a level that the user's body is completely integrated into the VR while their body lies asleep inside the VR capsule, sending all five senses inside the VR.

Reaching such a high level of reality simulator, the Blue Spark decided to accumulate data from monsters and integrate all that information into the VR to help the mages and Spirit Wielders who will fight against such monsters, have first-hand experience against them inside the VR world.

The amount of data was easily accumulated, but not many actually had the chance to go through all of it and explain the abilities and weaknesses of the monsters. Darius, on the other hand, who’s a human no less, gets to exploit exactly those types of weaknesses so he could survive in the first place.

To have an elite soldier who’s so knowledgeable about monsters gain us the data we need might give a great boost to the VR training machine and give more accurate details. But…

"What would you win from this?"

"You can pay me per video."

"How much."

"You decide."

"… What?"

She stared confused at him as he just drank some water, but Darius continued with his usually calm voice.

"The amount is not important. Just be sure to integrate all the details I can get to help the new generations of superhumans fight against those monsters. None of the four cities are able to say they’re holding their ground against those monsters, so it would be best if someone could tell them how to kill the monsters more efficiently."

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

"… Why do you want to do such a thing?"

"What do you mean?"

Lily’s eyes turned skeptic, and she sighed as she explained,

"You’re an elite soldier, right? I did hear that the pay in the Main Army is quite bad, but they train and live safely far away from the border, while the missions you have to do are mostly those of a bodyguard or bandit-extermination. The fact that you came all the way here only for that, and as a mercenary nonetheless, I can’t help but find it to be just a mad decision. Now, I would’ve understood if you wanted to become one of the hunting members of a squad to hunt safer and possibly make more money. But you don't just want to join a hunting squad but actually continue to venture into danger’s teeth on your own for some data? Are you aware just how ridiculous that sounds?"

"I suggest not prying any further into my reasons and just answer to my proposal. I told you all of this because I’m confident you’ll be able to help me while I help the the 3 powers with my information. As you already know after using your ability, my reasons are genuine: the stronger humanity gets, the better for me as well."

"So you do know me."

"I heard of a few things about Miss Iron Rose. Especially about how nobody was ever able to get your heart."

"What rumors are there about me now…?"

She sighed while being unable to actually find this amusing anymore. She then glanced at him, a bit confused, and couldn’t help but question his decision. Seeing her like this, Darius sighed as he commented simply,

"You don’t need to understand anything. If needed, just tell me what you want to help me with, and I will be sure to pay you whatever is needed. Just help me out in this aspect."

You want to help advance our strategies against monsters and still be the one to pay us?

"Darius, you…"

She sighed, unsure what to say anymore, and in the end, she just reached a conclusion.

"Alright Darius. I will do all I can to help you with what you wish to do, and the payment will depend on the next factors: The rank of the monster you’ll fight, together with the amount of information we get to absorb from your fight with the said monster. Full details about a lowest-rank type monster will give you 1.5k rozoni. A low-rank will go up to 5k rozoni. A mid-rank will be 300k rozoni. A high rank will be 800k rozoni, while a boss-rank will be 2 millions rozoni. As for a field boss-rank will get you 10 millions rozoni. But keep in mind, the price it’s for complete details about: traits, abilities, defenses, attack power, agility, weak points, and obviously, rank."

"The differences from one rank to the other are quite stunning."

"We are talking about information about monsters that even the Blue Spark’s Spirit Wielders have a hard time dealing with. And from my perspective, a few millions is still too low, but based on how things are financially at the moment, this is the best the three guilds can offer."

"I’m not complaining."

Darius smirked, more than satisfied by the result. Rather, he wouldn’t have minded it if they gave him nothing at all; he would have still done it.

But now, with the Iron Rose backing my plan, I can just focus on my next objective.

"……"

Lily stared intently at Darius, and this made him snap out of his thoughts. Seemingly confused, Lily asked with a neutral look on her face.

"However, I don’t understand why you’re in such a hurry."

"Pardon?"

Darius frowned and Lily sighed deeply. With a firm gaze and clear voice she spoke again, making Darius’ heart jump for a moment.

"Sir Darius, have we seen each other before? Because, although I’ve never seen you, I have a feeling you already know me."

"… Haven’t I said I heard things about you-"

"Knowing someone from rumors and knowing them after meeting them first-hand is different. And that difference, I see it so obviously in you, Darius."

"Lily, do you suspect me of something I’m not aware of?"

Darius’ eyes turned sharp with obvious annoyance, but Lily didn’t seem surprised at all as she simply added,

"You must not do anything careless right now. I can already tell that you know me, so better speak the truth. I can tell lies from truth with ease."

She smiled softly, but Darius couldn’t help feeling like he fell on a spider web, with the predator right in front of him. But this didn’t scare him. Rather, it ignited his spirit further.

"If I tell you the truth…"

A sudden feeling of dread made Lily twitch for a moment, and after gazing into Darius’ eyes, her breath froze, a purple hue inside his dead-like gaze making her whole being to feel like freezing cold.

"Are you sure you can handle it?"

"!"

She looked away instinctively, then became aware of what she just did, this being the first time someone made her look away.

He’s… more dangerous than I thought…

With some sweat covering her forehead she still smiled while turning back to him after Darius relaxed his gaze. He closed his eyes, then spoke out calmly.

"So you’re a mage... From the first glance, you seem like just any other person in a higher position... High Perception, was it? Is that the name of your ability?"

"I see you’re quite knowledgeable. Have you also read the superhuman's manual?"

"It’s a must-read for any elite soldier who’s bound to fight against bandits. There are many superhumans who turned to madness or to their own greed."

"I am aware."

Afterwards, an awkward silence befell, and Lily was unsure what else to say anymore.

It seems I’ve made a mistake. Not only was I unable to find out more about him, but I only gave out the fact that I’m a mage to a complete stranger. Getting rid of him won’t be easy…

"….I want you to trust me…. I’d rather have you as an ally than an enemy…"

As she tried to think of ways to get away from this predicament, she remembered what he told her right after meeting, making her feel a bit ridiculous.

Why am I so on guard? He already told me more than I could ever wish for; trying to find out more it’s already greedy of me.

She smiled self-mockingly, but Darius’ voice interrupted her train of thought.

"Let’s do this. I’ll keep your secret of being a mage, as I’m well aware of your intentions to keep it a secret. And in exchange, you won’t ask me again from where I know of you."

She was surprised by how cooperative Darius was, but still, with a mischievous smile, she continued to ask as her greed took the best of her.

"Aren’t I at a disadvantage here? How do I know you’re not someone sent by the higher-ups to give me hard days? I suppose you already know of the other tittle given to elites, right? Was it tools?"

Her mysterious smile made Darius’ eyes squint. Until Annabelle was turned into an artificial Spirit Wielder, no outsider should be aware of this title that the higher interns are giving to the elites.

She’s trying to shake me with her knowledge, but isn’t she aware that by further talking, she’s only giving away more information about herself?

He grinned sinisterly, and Lily couldn’t help feeling how things weren’t going as planned at all. In the end, Darius just sighed to calm his excitement and added calmly,

"I recommend stopping talking about such subjects anymore, before you’re giving out your position any further."

"What-"

"I want you to also understand that I’m no enemy. I work for nobody since I separated myself from the army. The reason why I have such a familiar feeling for you is simply because…"

Now this is tricky…

Lily was obviously curious for the reason why she felt such a strong sense of familiarity from Darius’ aura towards her, and now Darius was in the predicament of giving a valid enough answer that could be in accord with his own aura.

"Because…?"

Lily asked after seeing him falter for some reason, then her eyes opened wide as she was able to see a shade of pink make its way through inside his initially bluish aura.

Huh? Don’t tell me… this man is…?

Darius then sighed, and with an awkward feeling, he scratched his head while saying,

"Because once I happened to see you, and I… kind of fell in love at first sight… Because of that, I had some great interest in you and tried to find out as much about you as I could…"

"…"

She continued to stare at Darius, trying to look at his aura and see if he was lying one way or another, but then she saw that shade of pink fade away in the bluish-purple, as if there was no pink in the first place. She was confused by this sudden change, and when she looked again at his eyes, there was no affection, only a gaze that one would use for any other stranger or business-partner.

"However, that was in the past. The fact that I met you today was by pure coincidence, and I wish for this to not complicate any possible collaborations in the future."

"Hm~? So you’re saying that you feel nothing for me now?"

"Exactly. Things have changed."

How cold, right after doing something like confessing just a few seconds ago.

Lily lightly smirked, still unsure whether to believe in the man in front of her. At first, she found him a bit interesting because of his ability to hunt so many monsters on his own while being a simple human. Then she started to understand that he’s more than just meets the eye; even his aura is hard to decipher, as if he were able to control it and crypt it consciously.

But that’s ridiculous. There’s barely anyone aware of its existence, let alone of someone able to control it. It’s like being able to control one’s own feelings and thoughts. It’s simply impossible.

She rested her beautiful chin on her slender hand, looking at Darius as if fascinated for the first time in a while, a mysterious smile on her face.

"… I’ll ask you to stop using that ability of yours. It’s uncomfortable."

"What do you mean? There shouldn’t be any hint to prove that I’m using it."

"Are you doing so right now?"

"Yes."

"Then please stop."

With a dead-pan face, Darius asked her to stop while she smiled brightly, her ruby-like eyes staring at him more and more intently.

No matter how steel-hearted Darius was, having such a devilish beauty stare at him so intently would make even him feel some kind of discomfort after a period of time. Inside his aura, Lily was able to see how a light shade of pink and also red were mixing together, showing his state of annoyance and embarrassment growing.

"Fine, I’ll stop it. I understand that you’re more sensible than I expected."

She said while closing her eyes then looking again at him, that there was no obvious difference from before. Even so, Darius was able to tell that her gaze was no longer as piercing as before.

This woman must be the biggest pain I have had to deal with since I came back.

Darius thought to himself while trying to evaluate what just happened.

Lily’s conclusion that Darius was able to control his aura wasn’t wrong. In fact, he was able to do so in a simpler way than anyone could expect.

If you can lie to yourself, then you can easily lie to others.

What Darius did was lie to himself into thinking that he loved her. However, to actually believe a lie, one needs a seed of truth.

Back when Darius was just playing the game in his world, he was one of the many that felt attracted to the NPC Lily. Although her beauty couldn’t be expressed that well by some 3D animations, no matter how HD it was, what truly attracted him was her cool character, which was more befitting for a villainess than a savior.

Afterwards, this feeling was even more amplified when he first appeared in this world and first saw her while helping the heroes in the eastern city. He was completely smitten by her at first, but that love turned into a burning desire to possess her after getting infected by miasma.

Knowing her strong and cool character, the corrupted Darius tried to do everything in his power to see her cry, feeling a sadistic desire to break her. However, because of her stubbornness, he was unable to take her, as she was killed before he could do anything. Even so, before she died, she made up a plan that gave the heroes the chance to get near enough to Darius to actually kill him.

In one way, he could say that she was the main reason he died in his past life, but that wasn’t why the fact that he loves her is a lie. The true reason was simply because, after going through so many things, reviving back, and being engulfed in guilt and hate from the fact that he was the main reason why the world ended, Darius’ feelings extinguished and he couldn’t feel anything for anyone as long as he didn’t just force it for a few moments.

In other words, his heart was numb, while his only desire was to see the six heroes win the war against the cult, completely stop the miasma from advancing, and find a way to re-seal the spatial rift.

Well, it’s better this way. She’s not one who should be burdened by something as stupid as a relationship, and neither am I. We have too many things to worry about.

After a bit, the waiter finally came with the drinks—a cup of red wine for Lily and some more water for Darius—and went back to also bring the food.

Funnily enough, the restaurant already had water prepared at the table, so the fact that Darius asked for more water only showed his ignorance of the high life.

"Ahem, anyway. Now that everything’s clear, there shouldn’t be any more suspicions between us, right?"

He asked while sipping water that the waiter had brought. The food also appeared, and the two plates were placed in front of them. At his question, Lily smiled and asked again, this time with a mischievous glint in her eyes, making Darius feel a light shudder for some reason.

"When was it that you saw me?"

"…What?"

He asked somewhat irritated while trying to eat, but Lily leaned closer, very well aware of the risqué position she was in as her chest was pressing on the table, making Darius not even feel the string of pasta tangling outside by the corner of his mouth. She was aware of his gaze, but her charming smile only turned wider as she got closer, reaching for his pasta and taking it from his mouth.

"I. Asked. You~. When did you see me? How long ago was it that you fell for me?"