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Chapter 272: Side Story: Kael's Bar
"You're paying for the next round."Kael slid a shot glass across the polished wood of the bar. It stopped perfectly in front of me.I picked it up. The amber liquid swirled, catching the dim light of the overhead lamps."I saved the world, Kael," I said, leaning back on my stool. "I think I deserve a discount.""You saved the world by lying to it," Kael grunted, wiping the counter with a rag that looked suspiciously like part of his old Dark Knight cape. "That just means you owe everyone a drink."The Rusty Sword Bar was quiet tonight. Located deep in the Undercity, it was a sanctuary for those who had retired from the grand narrative.And looking around, I realized I wasn't the only one.Sitting in a booth in the corner was Genjurou Yozakura. The Sword Saint. He wasn't wearing his combat robes. He wore a Hawaiian shirt and sunglasses, sipping a bright blue cocktail with a tiny umbrella in it.Next to him sat the former Demon General, Gorg. He was playing cards with a Goblin Merchant
Chapter 271: What If: No System
The rain in Tokyo was relentless.It drummed against the window of the small coffee shop in Shinjuku. I sat at a corner table, nursing a cup of black coffee that cost too much but tasted like survival.My name is Renji Amagiri. I am twenty-five years old. I work in sales for a mid-sized logistics company. My back hurts from sitting in an office chair, and my biggest problem today is a missing spreadsheet.No monsters. No magic. No countdown timer over my head.Just a normal, boring Tuesday."Excuse me," a voice said. "Is this chair taken?"I looked up.Standing there was a woman. She wore a beige trench coat over a sharp grey suit. Her black hair was tied back in a severe bun, and she wore rimless glasses that were currently fogged up from the rain.She looked exhausted. The kind of exhausted that comes from chasing bad guys—or bad paperwork—for forty-eight hours straight."It's free," I said, gesturing to the empty seat opposite me. "Unless you're waiting for a suspect."She froze. H
Chapter 270: What If: The Villain Renji
The world was perfect.There was no noise. No chaos. No bickering over pizza toppings or wedding venues.I sat on the Throne of the World Citadel. It wasn't made of salvaged rubble or memories. It was made of absolute, unyielding obsidian."Report," I commanded.My voice didn't echo. The acoustics of the room were engineered to absorb sound instantly. Efficiency was paramount.Runa Yozakura stepped forward.She wore armor of black steel that covered her face. She didn't walk with the swagger of a warrior. She marched with the precision of a clock.She knelt."The rebellion in Sector 9 has been pacified," she stated. Her voice was flat. Monotone. "Casualties: 100%. Efficiency: Optimal.""Good," I said.I looked at her."Runa, remove your helmet."She obeyed instantly. Click-hiss.She pulled the helmet off.I looked into her eyes.They weren't violet. They weren't burning with fire or loyalty. They were grey. Dull. Empty.There was no spark. No "I am your Sword." Just a blank slate wait
Chapter 269: Side Story: Family Picnic
"You're it!"ZOOM.A blur of gold light shot past my nose, knocking over the salt shaker."Leo! No thrusters near the potato salad!" I shouted."Catch me if you can!" Leo laughed, hovering ten feet in the air. He did a barrel roll, dodging a water balloon thrown by Marina.We were in the Neo-Tokyo Central Park. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon. The cherry blossoms were blooming (thanks to Eco), the sky was blue (thanks to me), and the grass was green (thanks to the landscapers Ayaka hired).My family was having a picnic.And by "picnic," I mean a tactical exercise in chaos management."He is cheating!" Kenji roared, waving his wooden sword. "Flight is an unfair advantage in Tag! Come down and face my blade!""Strategy, brother!" Leo stuck out his tongue. "Air superiority wins wars!""I will cut the air!" Kenji jumped, his little legs reinforced with mana, launching him like a missile.I sat on the checkered blanket, sipping iced tea."They have energy," I sighed."They have your st
Chapter 268: Side Story: Dr. Mai's Checkup
"Boring," Dr. Mai Shinozaki muttered, throwing the holographic tablet onto a pile of medical waste.I sat on the edge of the examination table, shirtless. The air in the underground clinic was cold, smelling of antiseptic and lavender."Excuse me?" I asked, buttoning my shirt. "I thought 'boring' was good. 'Boring' means I'm not dying of a cosmic void disease.""It means you're healthy," Mai sighed, adjusting her glasses. She walked around me, poking my arm with a gloved finger. "Your heart rate is normal. Your blood pressure is optimal. Your mana levels are... disappointingly stable."She looked at me with the eyes of a child who had just found out Santa Claus was an insurance agent."Renji, you used to be a medical marvel! A biological impossibility! You were a black hole shaped like a man!"She grabbed my hand, inspecting the skin where the necrosis used to be. It was pale, smooth, and perfect."Now look at you," she pouted. "You're just... fit. It's tragic."(She misses the rot. S
Chapter 267: Side Story: The Monster and the Maid
"Hypothesis confirmed," Elara had murmured.I left the lab, feeling lighter than air. The love of a scientist was precise, intense, and surprisingly electrifying.But the villa was large, and there were other hearts beating under its roof.I walked down the main hallway. The floors were polished to a mirror shine. The windows were spotless. The air smelled faintly of ocean breeze and lavender.Swish. Swish.A sound came from the grand staircase.I looked up.Melody was floating there. She wore her maid uniform—black and white, tailored to accommodate her violet fins and floating hair. She held a feather duster like a scepter.She was dusting the chandelier."Dirt," she whispered to the crystals. "You are an intruder. I will consume you."She wiped the dust away with terrifying precision.(She treats cleaning like a dungeon raid. It's adorable.)"Melody?" I called out.She spun in the air. Her fins flared."Master!" She floated down instantly, landing softly in front of me. She curtsie
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