It was a few hours before I would execute the plan I had devised to kill Tsuhre without the slightest danger. I had been in Pandia for two weeks, and today was my only chance because, after re-confirmation from the organization (the one he temporarily works for as an assassin), Beelzebub would arrive in 8 hours.

Wan: Hoe, no matter what you see out there, don't act until Count Tsuhre is dead.

I finally agreed to let Hoe help me. After all, given how strong she was, she could assist me in case of trouble. At the moment, she's even stronger than me. Last time, I was just in a place that disadvantaged Hoe and worked to my advantage, and even then, we were just about equal.

Hoe: Mr. Hypnos-... (interrupted)

Wan: You can call me Wan now.

Hoe: O-okay, Mr. Wan! By the way, I have some questions...

Wan: Hmm, I'm listening.

Hoe: I have a strange feeling in my neck. Is that normal?

Wan: Yes, after all, it was tough, and it went deep into your throat.

Hoe: Hmm, it still feels weird, though. (Holds her throat)

Wan: Let me remind you that you were the one who wanted this.

Hoe: Yes, that's true. By the way, should I call you master now?

Wan: .....

I was a bit surprised by this question. Even though what happened could lead her to call me that, I thought she'd understand it's just temporary.

Wan: Do as you like. °It's not like we'll be together for another two weeks anyway.°

Yes, as soon as Baron Tsuhre is dead, I'll head to the sinister forest of Pandia, and I'll leave her behind. She'll be alone again, and by breaking the guide she found in me, I'll indirectly break her.

Hoe: Yes, Master Wan! (Shows a wide, happy smile)

Wan: At least tell me you know the servitude contract is temporary. It only lasts 3 days, and at the end of those 3 days, the crystal sealing the contract will liquefy into magical power.

Hoe: Yes, I know, so I might as well enjoy it!

After checking the thousands of U crystals I had amassed by playing at the casino, the weapon that would kill Tsuhre, reviewing the identity I would assume, making Hoe review the identity she would assume, and putting on our outfits that were just perfect for the situation, I packed up the tent and stored the table in my knowledge lair.

Hoe: I'm ready! (Making a quick fist gesture)

Wan: (Looking at the sky) °Night has fallen° (Moves his gaze to Hoe)

Hoe was wearing a long black dress, a kind of neck warmer not connected to her dress, and some gloves that went just a little past her elbows (descriptive image at the end). Her skin seemed a bit more well-kept compared to when she was feeding her fake homeless people and exhausting herself for them.

Wan: Hmm, it suits you.

Hoe: (Blushes a little) T-thank you, master! It suits you well too.

Wan: Hmm, I guess, although I might have let my hair grow a bit too much.

My hair had grown about ten centimeters in the meantime. It's probably because, over the past two weeks, I've been exposed to magical power for the first time in 17 years.

Otherwise, I was wearing a classic suit ensemble: a black suit jacket, a white shirt underneath, black suit pants, black loafers, and a black bow tie. I was almost entirely dressed in black. I even changed the color of my horns to dark gray. Except for my shirt and my eyes, I was dressed all in dark colors to blend in better when I'd flee with Hoe.

Hoe: Long hair really suits you, master.

Wan: Well, it's normal, but for now, let's move on. We have more important matters at hand.

We then arrived on a muddy street. We wore long trench coats that covered us completely, so as not to get extorted, noticed, or dirty. After a good ten minutes of walking, we finally arrived at the door leading to Tsuhre's slave market. We removed our trench coats and took the stairs right after the door, which led us to a long corridor with completely black walls, floor, and ceiling.

In this setting, our outfits seemed inappropriate, but after picking out masks we liked from boxes on the sides and putting them on, we then passed through a double door, revealing a room resembling the hall of a castle (descriptive image at the end). We weren't alone; there were about five or six others besides us, all masked.

Wan: (Whispers to Hoe) Don't get distracted by what's around us; we just need to find Tsuhre and talk to him. (Stops whispering) Besides that, I like your mask.

Hoe: Huh? Oh, yes, I suppose it's nice. I picked it because it wasn't bulky.

Hoe opted for a mask that only covered a quarter of her face, and she chose her right eye.

Hoe: And yours... covers your whole face.

Wan: That's what you think.

Baron Tsuhre's slave market was never mentioned in IT0, but all slave markets in demon territory have one common feature: they all have masks made of slime, so they're completely customizable.

Wan: [Slime form change, type: mental]

It changes shape according to the wearer's desire and the closest idea. By saying this formula, the mask adhered to my skin and turned into a fairly thin fabric mask that only covered my eyes.

Hoe: Wow, as expected of you, master.

Wan: Focus.

Hoe: Yes... You're such a killjoy, master.

Wan: Are you doing this on purpose? °We're going to kill someone, and she's messing with me?°

After touring everything vile and illegal we could see, we finally found ourselves in front of Baron Tsuhre, who was walking with two guards.

Tsuhre: (Walks past, glancing quickly at Hoe and her body, then licks his lips)

Wan: 5,000 U crystals.

Tsuhre: (Stops, then turns his gaze to Wan) For? (Serious)

Wan: °This pervert knows how to be professional° Your slaves.

Tsuhre: Sorry, but I already have an important guest who has reserved all the slaves for tonight.

5,000 U crystals, with one U crystal being worth 73,968 won (50€), means 5,000 U crystals are worth 739,688,353 won (500,000€). A slave generally costs 5 U crystals at most, so this offer should have been enough, but he prefers to miss this offer for Beelzebub, who is surely wealthier, but mainly to gain his favor.

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Wan: When I said 5,000 U crystals, it was just to see the slaves. I wasn't talking about buying bread.

My plan was to act like a spoiled brat so he'd think he could extort as much money as possible from me.

Tsuhre: ... (Takes on a huge malicious smile) You should have said that earlier, young master. (Claps his hands together) Follow me. (Speaks to his guard) And you, go gather all the slaves down below.

Hoe and I then followed him down the hall, and just before exiting the hall, I felt a gaze on me. I looked up and saw a beautiful young woman with a whip in her hand and red hair staring at me. A sadistic and amused smile spread across her face, and two or three seconds after our eyes met, I caught a card in front of my face, put it away, and continued following Tsuhre.

[The character 'Miyoku' has taken a certain sadistic sexual interest in you.]

I realized that when I read her card, I had just encountered one of the future antagonists.

[Thanks to your involvement, you have gained 2 tokens.]

Wan: °As long as she gives me tokens, that's fine by me.°

I know saying that when a sadistic and super-powerful antagonist is emotionally and sexually interested in me isn't the best thing to do, but well, I currently have 63 tokens, so if I could get a good dozen by increasing her affection for me, that's fine by me. But it's a double-edged sword; unless there have been changes to her as well, I risk getting captured and... well, I'll spare you the details, but it's truly a double-edged sword.

Anyway, I arrived in Tsuhre's office, which seemed to be the room just before the one his subordinate was preparing with the slaves.

Wan: (Sits down in a relaxed and laid-back manner) Yeon, give him the 5,000 (Makes a quick hand gesture to Hoe).

Hoe was pretending to be Yeon, the secretary of this spoiled young master that I was; so she placed a bag full of 5,000 U crystals.

Wan: (Looks around the room, then points to an unusual globe) What's that thing called?

Tsuhre: A dimensional holographic globe.

This globe was rather large and didn't seem physical. It was a first for me, as I had never seen such technology.

Wan: Yeon, write that down. I'll ask Dad—hmm, I mean, Father to buy me a hundred of them.

Hoe: At your command, master. (Jots down notes in a small notepad)

After verifying all the U crystals in the bag, he resumed his malicious grin.

Tsuhre: I'll be direct, young master, but what's your budget?

Wan: I'd say it doesn't have an exact limit, but if I had to set one so that Dad—sorry, Father—doesn't cut off my allowance, I'd say about twenty thousand U crystals. Why? How much do slaves cost here?

Tsuhre: Well, it depends on which ones, and how much money do you have on you?

Wan: Yeon.

Hoe: Currently, we have 7,000 crystals on us, but if that's not enough, we can fetch another ten thousand and be back in an hour.

Wan: °Beelzebub arrives in 7 hours, we should be fine.°

Tsuhre: (Still with his malicious grin) Well, unfortunately, you're short by 8,000 U crystals, but... (Looks at Hoe with a lecherous and perverse gaze) we can work something out...

Wan: (Stands up) °What a disgusting pervert° I'll go get the 8,000 U crystals; I'll be back in an hour.

Hoe and I left, acting as if we were really going to fetch the U crystals. Then we returned 1 hour and 20 minutes later, went back to Tsuhre's office, and then went to see the slaves.

Wan: Father wasn't lying; this is amusing to see.

All the slaves were locked up in cages. They were dirty, muddy, and most of them were either large, robust men or ravishing women with many assets. There were also children, 90% of whom were girls, which I found really disgusting. I mean, there should be some limits. What's more, there were slaves of all species, really of all species.

Wan: I need to see humans, elves, dwarves, spirits, and all those living in the fantasy domain and the shared domain.

At that point, anyone would be wondering what I was doing. He was right beside me, and it was the best moment to kill him. Even if there were guards, Hoe was there to handle them. But I had to make this all more credible, so I walked past a slave with wolf ears who seemed to be respected by everyone in his cage.

Wan: (Whispers very softly) Make sure the children close their eyes when I come back. I'm going to kill Tsuhre.

Then I randomly chose an elf. That pervert Tsuhre probably thought I chose her just because she had nice assets or something. I swallowed the U crystal that was supposed to seal the contract, but too bad for him, I don't have magical power, so I can't infuse it into the U crystal, which means I can't make someone my slave unless they want it.

Wan: What's her name?

All the slaves suddenly became much quieter.

Tsuhre: You can give her whatever name you want. (Pleased with the deal he just made)

And as he knelt down in front of the cage to open it, Hoe killed the three guards, and I cut off his head in one clean stroke. His body fell, and blood flowed abundantly, but it wasn't enough. His head, which had rolled to my feet, I crushed with all my strength.

Wan: °My first kill in two and a half years.°

I said that to remind myself.

Hoe: Did you really need to be that violent?

Wan: It's the first time I've killed a demon, so I wanted to make sure he was dead. (Lifts his foot and looks at the bits of brain stuck to his loafers)

The elf woman I had supposedly taken as a slave charged at me, but Hoe stopped her, and then I said:

Wan: Jump three times. That's an order.

Of course, she didn't jump three times because I didn't actually make her my slave.

Wan: You're not my slave, that's all. Well, I wish you all a better life. (Starts to leave)

Hoe: (Grabs Wan by the collar) Maybe we should open them, Master?

Wan: You can't open living beings.

Hoe: I meant the cages, Master.

Wan: Oh, then go ahead, open them. I've done my job; I've got nothing else to do—

[The character 'Savio' feels conflicted about you.]

Wan: I didn't say anything, let's help all these people.

Savio is a descendant of Qilin, and above all, a teacher in the broadest sense of the word, in both combat and moral, physical, and technical education, as well as culture. Truly, he's multi-functional and loves teaching people. Right now, I don't need a plan or anything; I just need to ask him to teach Uli. Then, when I'm sure he won't reveal that Uli is a dragon, I'll give him all the details, and he'll gladly accept to teach a species known for its wisdom and intelligence.

Wan: (In the process of opening a cage) Oh, and I almost forgot, but who is Savio? I heard that he's a brilliant teacher.

Savio: That's me, indeed.

Wan: °... I'm speechless. Whether it's the system or the author, I'm speechless.°

[WARNING – CHANGE REGARDING THE CHARACTER OF SAVIO]

[The character 'Savio' has had their gender changed.]

I was happy to finally face a man because so far, the only man I've been around for the past two weeks was Shin-hee. So yes, I'm pissed off. I've had enough of being polite, but I can't take it anymore. Damn it, let me hang out with some men, for crying out loud!

Wan: Could I speak with you a little later?

Savio: O-of course. (A bit hesitant)

[The character 'Savio' is wary of you.]

Wan: °Whatever, as soon as I talk about teaching, she'll say yes.°

Her core issue hasn't changed, and since it hasn't changed, she's still as passionate about teaching as ever.

After freeing all the slaves, I found myself in front of Savio while Hoe distributed the crystals I had amassed. I didn't donate out of kindness; I gave them away because it's a good way to scatter possible evidence.

Wan: (Sitting in a nonchalant manner on a throne) I heard from a great elf friend that you're an excellent teacher, is that true? (Removes his mask)

At this point, I wasn't even trying to play the arrogance card. No, I just made myself comfortable on this rather cozy throne.

Wan: But also that you're passionate about teaching.

Savio: Well, yes, I love teaching, but I don't know if one can say I'm an excellent teacher.

Wan: Stop being modest; I've been told about the hundreds of offers you've received.

Savio: It's more because I have connections that helped.

Wan: Anyway, I'm going to make you an offer that a teaching enthusiast like you could never refuse.

Savio: ?

[The character 'Savio' feels a certain curiosity.]

Wan: Among your achievements, it's said that you've taught every race on this planet, and that you've even taught a Winged One.

The Winged Ones are... well, that's a story for another time, but they're a really, really, really special and rare race.

Wan: I'm going to let you teach someone from a race that has no more than 4 or 5 members.

Savio: A... race like that...? Even the Winged Ones have around thirty-five members...

Wan: Although officially, it's been completely annihilated, less than ten members still exist, and I'm asking you to teach one of them.

Savio: But... if that's really the case... you know it's dangerous to— tell me that.

Wan: That's why I want us to sign a contract.

Savio: (Shivers and jumps)

Wan: Not a slavery contract; I want to sign a temporary contract, one where all you'll have to do is teach and keep the existence of both the race and the individual, as well as the location, a secret.

Savio: ...— (Thinks)

Wan: °She can't say no. Her passion for teaching is like an alcoholic's passion for alcohol; they can never resist.°

I sold her a dream, and I gave her an exit door but also an entrance door. To be honest, these are simple things to do. I mean, everyone has manipulated someone without even realizing it, and here—I offered her what, for her, is the Holy Grail.

[Thanks to your involvement with the character 'Savio,' you've obtained 3 tokens.]

[You have earned the title 'Manipulative Pervert' (more commonly known as: "Narcissistic Pervert")]

Now, written like this, it sounds weird for sure, but let me give you its true definition: "Manipulative Pervert" or "Narcissistic Pervert." These terms refer to a person who manipulates others in a calculated and often cruel way to satisfy their own needs and desires without regard for the consequences for others. So it has nothing to do with perverse ideas!

[You receive nothing you didn't have before.]

[As an apology, you receive 5 tokens.]

Wan: °Tokens, yesssss!° (Still with a monotone expression)

Anyway, she accepted, which she couldn't refuse—not because I had it all calculated, but more because it was just logical that she would accept

______________________

End of the chapter|