The standoff between the detective and the disciple was attracting a crowd.Sae Kirishima, Special Crimes. Runa Yozakura, Fallen Prodigy.And me, Renji Amagiri, Professional Scammer and Current Victim of Success.(I should run. If they start fighting, the shockwave alone will shatter my ribs.)"I asked you a question," Runa said, her hand tightening on her sword hilt. "Why are you harassing my Master?""It's police business," Sae retorted, adjusting her glasses. "And frankly, I should be asking why a Yozakura is following a man with no registered address."Sparks flew. Literal mana sparks.I opened my mouth to diffuse the situation—maybe fake a coughing fit—when a voice cut through the air like a rusty saw."Runa! Step away from that filth!"We all turned.A sleek red sports car had pulled up to the curb. Leaning out of the window was a young man with dyed blonde hair, expensive sunglasses, and a face that screamed "my father is a lawyer."Daichi.I recognized him from the Hunter Asso

The Central Arena was deafening.Fifty thousand people were screaming my name. Or maybe they were screaming for my blood. It was hard to tell over the sound of my own heart trying to escape my ribcage.I stood in the center of the sand-covered ring, wearing my usual black coat. My hands were shoved deep into my pockets.Not to look cool. But because if I took them out, everyone would see them shaking like leaves in a hurricane.(I am going to die. I am going to die in front of a live studio audience.)Across from me stood Daichi. He was clad in gleaming red mage armor, surrounded by floating orbs of fire. He looked like a protagonist.I looked like a guy who had forgotten to eat breakfast for three days."Renji Amagiri!" the announcer boomed. "The man who claims he can win without using his hands! Is it arrogance? Or is it godhood?"Daichi spat on the ground. The saliva sizzled."You're going to regret humiliating me," he shouted, his mana flaring. "I'm going to burn that smug look ri

"Pet?"The word hung in the silent arena like a guillotine blade waiting to drop.Ayaka Saionji stood before me, radiating an aura that wasn't just magical—it was financial. Her dress probably cost more than the entire gross domestic product of my neighborhood.She reached into her cleavage—a movement that made half the male audience lean forward instinctively—and pulled out a checkbook.It wasn't paper. It was made of thin, gold leaf.She scribbled something with a pen that glowed with mana."Here," she said, flicking the golden slip toward me. It fluttered through the air and landed on my chest. I caught it reflexively.I looked at it.It was a check from the Saionji Group.The 'Amount' line was blank."Fill in whatever number you desire," Ayaka purred, stepping closer until the scent of her perfume (which smelled like crushed roses and superiority) overwhelmed the smell of burning ozone. "In exchange, you belong to me. Exclusively."(Oh my god. It's blank. It's actually blank. I co

"He's my suspect."Sae Kirishima’s declaration hung in the air, heavy with possessiveness and police authority.The twelve mercenaries were still kneeling on the pavement, groaning as the effects of [Voice of the Dominator] wore off.But before I could thank the Detective for the rescue (and ask her to please let go of my arm because she was cutting off my circulation), a sleek black door opened.The limousine that had been blocked by the police cruisers finally made its move.Ayaka Saionji stepped out.She didn't look worried about the police. She looked annoyed, like someone had served her lukewarm champagne."Detective," Ayaka said, her voice cutting through the sirens. "You are touching my property."(Oh no. She's actually here. I thought she just sent the goons.)Sae stiffened. She turned to face the heiress, her grip on me tightening."Property?" Sae scoffed. "This man is a person of interest in multiple federal investigations. He belongs to the State right now.""He belongs to

"Drink this," Mai said, holding out a beaker filled with bubbling purple liquid. "It tastes like grape soda and existential dread."I sat on the edge of the steel table, buttoning my shirt with trembling fingers. My hand wasn't black anymore. It was pale, smooth, and felt completely numb."What is it?" I asked, eyeing the concoction."A cocktail of slime mucus, crushed mana crystals, and... a few secret ingredients," she winked. "It will coat your internal organs in a mana-resistant film. The Void won't be able to eat anything for 48 hours."Forty-eight hours of life. It was a bargain.I took the beaker. I chugged it.It did not taste like grape soda. It tasted like battery acid mixed with ghost peppers."Gah!" I gagged, wiping my mouth. "That was awful.""Give it a second," Mai grinned.Suddenly, a shiver ran down my spine.It started at my neck and shot down to my toes. Every nerve ending in my body lit up like a Christmas tree.The cotton of my shirt suddenly felt like sandpaper. T