"Araya, consider the destruction of this body as the interest I'm collecting. However, I'm not an unreasonable man. I genuinely respect your ideals and ambitions. So, after settling this debt between us, I'll give you a piece of information you can't refuse." Takashi Kuroda lowered his voice, speaking in a tone only Araya could hear. "Those connected to the Root—she's not the only one in this world."
Araya's pupils contracted slightly before an intense pain erupted in his chest, plunging his consciousness into darkness as it transferred to a backup vessel. Takashi crushed the heart of the discarded body and tossed it aside without a glance, ignoring the terrified Alba, who had wet himself. Turning around, he met the slightly pale face of Ryōgi Shiki.
Just then, Aozaki Touko arrived beside Shiki, shooting Takashi a disapproving look. "You tell me not to smoke in front of the kids for their health, yet here you are, killing someone right in front of them."
"Don't underestimate me. I'm fine..." Shiki's stubborn, slightly strained voice interjected. Having been born into the Ryōgi family, she was no stranger to bloodshed—though she had yet to kill anyone herself.
"They need to learn this feeling sooner or later. The underworld is a place that devours people without spitting out bones. They can choose not to kill, but they can't afford to fear killing—especially when it's directed at them." Takashi gestured dismissively toward the red-robed magus fleeing in panic. "Otherwise, they'll end up like that pathetic mess, full of openings. If his enemy had the slightest intent, he'd have died a hundred times over."
"And you just let him go? Aren't you worried he'll come back for revenge?" Touko asked.
"You don't actually think my blade only took a kidney, do you?"
"Hmph. Typical of you." Touko watched as Alba disappeared into the apartment complex and shook her head. "That guy had quite a few conflicts with me back in the Clock Tower."
"Oh, it was more than just conflicts. Truth is, he didn't come to this backwater to help Araya out of loyalty or friendship—he came for you, Aozaki. Before you arrived, he had quite a bit to say about you. Full of resentment and hatred, apparently dating back to his academy days. He joined Araya just to get his hands on your life."
This was a lie. Alba had barely exchanged three sentences with Takashi before their fight. But since Touko hadn't been present, Takashi could spin the story however he pleased. A broken dog like Alba wouldn't be missed.
"Oh? My life? Now that's something to look forward to." Touko chuckled, utterly unfazed.
"You actually sound happy about it?"
"Even I can't guarantee I could kill myself. Sometimes, I'm not even sure what ties me to the identity of 'Aozaki Touko.' Honestly, Alba's hatred, festering since our academy days, is almost refreshing. At least it proves I existed as Aozaki Touko."
"Fair enough. But either way, he won't last much longer. Call it karma." Takashi shrugged. In the original timeline, Alba had foolishly invoked Touko's forbidden nickname, leading to his gruesome demise at the jaws of a sealed monstrosity. Now, he'd simply died by Takashi's hand.
Tap… tap…
The apartment door opened again, and to their surprise, Araya—who had just been killed—reappeared before them. Touko's eyes narrowed slightly, though she wasn't particularly shocked. All three of them were well-versed in resurrection methods, so it wasn't hard to grasp how he'd returned.
What did surprise her was Araya's audacity to face two magi again. Had his obsession with obtaining Shiki driven him to madness?
"Relax, Aozaki. Take Ryōgi and head back first. I have some private matters to discuss with him. It won't take long." Takashi spoke without turning around.
"Seems my invitation's expired. Fine, Kuroda. But don't take too long—this isn't a daycare." With that, Touko led Shiki away.
Araya watched as Shiki's figure retreated into the distance, unconsciously taking a step forward—only for Takashi to block his path. A bitter frustration welled up in Araya's heart. He didn't fear death; he had long embraced the adage, "To hear the Way in the morning and die at night is enough."
Once, he had carried the noble ideal of "saving all people," traveling far and wide to aid the suffering. But after witnessing the endless atrocities of war, he realized the futility of his mission. If he couldn't save everyone, then at the very least, he would record their deaths—study them, trace the origins of humanity, and reach the Root to determine whether mankind deserved salvation or deserved to end.
For a man like him, threats of death meant nothing. What truly tormented him was having his dream within reach yet being powerless to grasp it. The man before him was too strong. If not for the sliver of hope Takashi had offered—the existence of another Root-connected being—Araya would have no choice but to throw himself into the flames like a moth.
"Kuroda… is it truly possible? Another being connected to the Root?" The existence of someone like Shiki was already a miracle among miracles. If such miracles could occur more than once, did that not make them… cheap?
"It's true. I was once like you, searching everywhere for those linked to the Root. The difference is, I wanted to become their teacher. As for your methods… well, I won't judge." Takashi shrugged. "Before meeting Ryōgi, I had already encountered another. Unfortunately, she had no interest in being my student—and honestly, I wasn't qualified to teach her."
"I see. Then what price must I pay for their whereabouts?" Araya's voice was heavy.
"You're a smart man. Reaching the Root is your life's goal, correct?"
Araya nodded.
"The Ryōgi family's wish was to possess an omniscient, omnipotent being. I granted it. The price they paid? Everything." Takashi's tone was indifferent.
"...I understand." Araya grasped the implication.
And so, Araya handed over his life's work—his research, his collected magecraft materials, his knowledge and skills—everything but the clothes on his back.
"Good, Araya. But with just this, I can only give you a general location. Finding her in a sea of people will be up to you." Takashi stored the spoils in his system space before smiling.
"A city is enough."
"It's actually quite close—the heart of this country. Tokyo."
"Tokyo… Could you at least tell me their name?"
"The Buddha says: Speak not."
"..."
Takashi's words left the former Buddhist monk in stunned silence.
"Let's be real. What you handed over doesn't compare to what the Ryōgi family gave me. They handed me a precious disciple—one already connected to the Root. If you could offer something on that level, I'd not only give you a name, I'd personally take you to her. Full-service guarantee." Takashi spread his hands, embodying the principle of you get what you pay for.
Like hell I could offer something like that. If I had a Root-connected being, why would I need you to lead me? Araya, normally unshakable, nearly lost his composure at Takashi's audacity.
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