"You're indeed beautiful, but I'll never like or love you just because of that."
"..."
After an awkward silence...
The receptionist I came with whispered something to Ruby.
Then, Ruby smiled and opened her mouth.
"So basically, you easily lost interest in me because I'm not yours?"
Her words made my eyes twitch.
I glanced at the receptionist for a moment, then brought my gaze back to Ruby.
"When I told him that, I'm talking about things, not humans."
I said.
"Though, it's pretty much true, instead of liking one one-sidedly. I'll pour my love instead to those who love me as well."
Then I added.
Strangely enough, Keara entered my mind when I said that, making me break out a small smile on my face.
Looking at Ruby, I sent her a mischievous smile.
"You see, I like it more when I'm the one doing the seducing."
I declared.
Ruby stared at me for a while, then with a curious, but charming smile...
"You're weird~"
She said that.
Ruby squinted her eyes and her voice was playful.
'God, she's hot...'
Shaking such thoughts off my head, I rebutted.
"You're weirder, you're a famous hero and you're the head of the [Paradise]. Yet, you're openly revealing your face to me."
Seems uninterested and unfazed by the fact that I know her identity and I can expose it to the public, Ruby replied with a shrug on her shoulders.
"[Paradise] is only a black market in name. This place is legally approved by the [Heroes Federation]."
She said.
"We're an organization that exist to maintain the balance. The federation keeps the heroes on watch..."
"While us, the black market, also known as [Paradise], controls the underworld businesses. We also collect information about majins and sell them to the federation."
Then, Ruby explained.
I know some of that information from the novel, but now everything got clearer to me regarding the relationship between the [Paradise] and the [Heroes Federation].
'In short, they have some sort of partnership or peace treaty.'
Tilting my head slightly and resting my right cheek on my right hand that is placed on the armrest. I then crossed my legs and yawned before replying.
My activity with Keara while taking a bath earlier made me quite sleepy...
"That's good and all, but aren't you too trusting?"
Not minding my rudeness, Ruby replied.
"Well, trust is a must between business partners after all."
"Also if you happen to be an enemy..."
Her tone became threatening as my sleepy expression turned to an annoyance.
A heavy pressure pressed on my body afterwards and my frown only deepened. I started sweating bullets and my heartbeat got faster.
Though, I look calm and normal on the outside thanks to
"Haa..."
After letting out a sigh, my eyes turned cold, I fixed my sitting posture and looked at Ruby directly.
And with a single thought.
'
I activated my skill.
My majestic and elegant presence made the pressure Ruby is emitting bearable, then my skill clashed against Ruby's aura.
Though I may be losing, everything few centimeters around me is void of Ruby's pressure...
I know Ruby wouldn't hurt me so I'm not really intimidated, and that mindset of mine made it easier for me to resist against Ruby's pressure.
"Do high ranking people enjoy intimidating people?"
I asked with an annoyed tone.
Seeing me not fearing Ruby, everyone in the room displayed shocked expression on their faces.
And at my casual actions, Ruby just smiled.
She then withdrew the pressure pressing me.
And I deactivated my skill in response.
"You're really interesting."
Ruby mumbled as she seducingly bit her rosy lower lip.
Her actions made the others in the room flustered, not me though.
I frowned at the weird feeling inside me, but soon, I smiled slyly and leaned my back against the back of the seat.
I don't like the feeling of a woman hitting on me even though it's a joke.
"So does that mean you're interested in me?"
So I did the seducing.
Seeing my approach, Ruby smiled similar to mine.
"Yes, I'm very interested in you~"
Her voice is beautiful, it's alluring.
But I'm not here to flirt!
So I stood up and extended my hand to Ruby.
"It may be a late introduction, but my name is Raven Obadiah."
I used my real name to gain Ruby's trust.
Ruby then also stood up and grabbed my hand.
"My name is Ruby Skye."
Once we sat back down again, I placed an envelope on the table between us.
Then with a sly tone, I started to go to the business part.
"Well, if you're really interested in me, maybe you'll find these interesting too."
Ruby grabbed the envelope and opened it...
Inside it are documents I prepared beforehand.
Ruby started reading through their contents.
"An
"Full of traps and
Ruby mumbled the important parts written on them...
"Does that mean you already raided it? "
Then she asked me that after.
"Yes, I already did."
I briefly replied.
"How long did it take you raiding it?"
"I was lucky and picked all the short paths. I reached the boss monster in under 48 hours."
'Also, I have a rough idea of the dungeon's layout so I got to the boss fast. The dungeon is fairly big that it might've taken me about a week wondering if I got lost because of its maze-like structures.'
At first, there are only a few paths to take but as you reach further inside, [The Stygian Lair]'s paths that you can take increases...
Some leads you to a dead end, and some leads you to death...
"Do you have a map of it?"
Ruby asked after reading through the documents.
I smiled and took something out of my spatial storage...
"I'll sell you guys a copy if you guys accept my proposal."
I said while casually waving the map in my hand, then I put it back in my spatial storage after.
Ruby frowned after hearing what I said, but then she smiled mischievously.
That smile sent chills down to my spine...
"I'll throw your words earlier back at you, you're too trusting~"
Ruby's music-like voice was heard as she continued to talk, though her tone was soft... Her demeanor wasn't!
"We can just take the dungeon forcefully."
"You're not the owner of it anyway."
The room's temperature seems to have dropped by a lot, I almost shivered.
'Almost.'
With a calm voice...
"Well, I bought the land where the entrance of the dungeon is and everything around it. The paper arrived this morning, so the dungeon is officially mine."
I casually threw a certification that proves my ownership of a land. And the location of that land... Is where the dungeon is.
There's a law that if a dungeon appeared on your land, it's now your property.
Though usually when that happens, they immediately get sold to the federation.
Anyway, this is the reason why I bought the land instead of immediately making a deal with the [Paraside].
I used that certain law and bought the land, so technically, the dungeon is my property.
They can't come near it without my word, and even if I die, the dungeon would be transferred to the federation, not them...
"So if you guys enter the dungeon without my permission, it can be considered as trespassing."
I said with a sly smile.
"Though, if we became business partners, you will be able to use it privately with my permission. The federation can't just barge into private lands, so it will really be exclusive use for us."
[Paradise]'s main source of income is the dungeons they control, they put entrance fees on them and let people enter them. But because of the [Heroes Federation], that business of them is going down.
They may have a peace treaty, but dungeons are so precious that it can break the harmony between the two organizations...
"You really came prepared."
Ruby's defeated voice entered my ears.
"Well, I don't like troublesome and annoying things, so I always prepare things I think I'll need."
I said and shrugged.
"So what's your condition?"
Ruby asked.
I leaned my body forward...
"Let's do 50 to 50."
And answered seriously.
After hearing my words, Ruby frowned.
"Hmm... That's a bit..."
She seems hesitant.
I know that this condition is quite unfair to them as I only provide the dungeon while they will run and handle it. And that's not an easy task.
"55 to 45."
Ruby bargained.
I pretended to think about it for a while. But I'm smiling inwardly.
I already expected this much, but I plan to take more and make the opposite party think that they won the bargain.
'[Paradise] is currently low in number of possession of dungeons. Let's use that in our advantage.'
"Running a dungeon is harder than you think."
Ruby then said with a frown, seeing me not answering.
'Well, I really haven't thought about running a dungeon so I don't care.'
After a few more seconds, I looked at Ruby and spoke.
"Fine, but I'll add another condition."
"What condition?"
Ruby asked.
And with a big smile on my face...
"Give me the strongest gun you have here."
I said that.
Ruby is confused, that's why I decided that this is the right time to convince her to agree.
"Guns are known to be the weakest weapons in this era, so giving me your strongest one will not really affect you."
I said.
Ruby then started to think about it after my words.
'I just need a little more push!'
"If you accepted this, our relationship will improve, and by a lot at that."
"Just so you know, I'll make a lot of money in the future."
I declared while giving Ruby a confident smile.
Looking at me briefly, Ruby shook her head and spoke.
"You're really weird."
"Yeah, I'm weird."
I do really think I'm weird.
Anyway, Ruby just laughed at me...
"Hey."
Then she called out to me.
"What?"
"You're also weirdly attractive, you know that?"
Ruby said. I don't know what to do about that information.
So I calmed myself, smiled, and spoke as politely as I can.
"I will not lessen my share any longer."
And with a sly and seducing smile...
"But it'll be a different if you become mine."
I teased her back.
Ruby just smiled at my words.
"You're unexpectedly flirty."
"I already said earlier... I like it more when I do the seducing."
"Hmph, fine."
After our short exchange of words, Ruby pouted and took out a mana contract from her spatial storage.
"You're unexpectedly cute sometimes."
I unconsciously said. I was ashamed after realizing what I just said.
Though, my poker face prevailed!
"You're really honest, aren't you?"
Ruby said as she smiles at me.
"Well, yeah, isn't that one of my good points?"
I replied.
"Whatever."
Ruby then handed me the mana contract.
And after putting the conditions we agreed on in the contract, we both signed it.
Though, I forgot that there are other people in the room except me and Ruby.
And one of them... Is glaring at me!
***
Ruby and I are currently waiting in the same room after coming to an agreement with our deal.
It's just us here.
Normally, I would've been nervous.
But I'm so tired that I can't be asked...
On the other hand, Ruby is reading a mail on her phone.
She's probably reading informations about me...
I noticed her sending some weird signals to her subordinates that are in the room earlier before they left us alone.
So I'm assuming that she's currently investigating about me. Well, we'll be business partners so it's understandable...
Anyway, the reason I'm waiting here is because of the gun.
Ruby said that I can have it today as it is stored nearby.
And the earlier I get my hands on it, the better it is for me.
'The strongest gun in the world...'
I closed my eyes, remembering some details of it from the novel.
'Even though it's the strongest gun, it's still a gun, the weakest weapon in this era...'
I thought.
"Interesting."
And breaking me out of my thought was Ruby's amused voice.
Opening one of my eye, I asked her.
"What is?"
Ruby pointed at me using her long and slim index finger...
"You."
Then she said that.
"Me?"
Me? Interesting? Why?
"You're younger than I expected."
'Ahh.'
I suddenly frowned when I heard that, she had already finished her investigation about me.
"So you're my student."
"You aren't my professor to any of the class I take."
I rebutted. Ruby only teach sophomores.
"So what? Are you gonna blackmail me now and make me do lewd things for you to not reveal any information about me?"@@@
I heard Ruby's seductively beautiful voice as she whispered in my ear. The enticing and pleasant fragrance coming from Ruby almost made me want to jump at her. Almost.
It's getting harder to keep my composure now that she's near me!
'When did she get near me?'
Ruby just appeared beside me like she teleported. But Ruby being an rank hero is already the answer.
Opening my other eye as well and looking at Ruby, I spoke.
"Why would I do that?"
"If I do that I'll lose your trust. Seducing you will be harder for me."
I added whispering back to Ruby's ear.
Ruby smiled and went back to her seat.
After sitting, Ruby spoke again.
"Your past and background are as weird as you."
Her words piqued my interest as I perked my ears and waited for her next words.
"What do you mean weird?"
I asked.
Ruby pointed at her phone and looked at me.
"There's not much information about you, your parents's origins are not clear, and your grandparents on your mother's side are also a mystery as if they doesn't exist."
"Oh, sorry for digging in your past. I have to be careful at making new connections for my safety you see, no offense."
She apologized.
"None taken."
I replied as her digging about my life actually helped me a little.
Seeing no dirt in my life, our relationship will be stronger. I also got clue from my past in this life.
"Anyway, is there anything else you discovered about me?"
I asked. Ruby smiled and opened her mouth.
"You have no strong backing, you have no history of doing something great until you got admitted to Lunar. Oh, and I know this is bullshit based on what I saw from you today, but it is said you're a victim of attempted murder of someone your age months ago."
Hearing the last part of Ruby's words made me frown. Why would someone at my age attempt to murder me? What did I do?
Because I know I wouldn't get any answer about that topic, I redirected my attention.
"Why did I get admitted from the Lunar?"
I thought I got admitted because of money. I think there's something more.
When I entered this body, I'm
"You got admitted using money. But you entered the highest section because of your talent."
Ruby said with a shrug.
My talent?
"What talent?"
"I don't know, only your homeroom professor, Kendy Nasah knows, he's the one who picked you."
I started racking my brain to find my talent, but to no avail. So I stopped thinking about it.
Instead, turning my attention back to Ruby, I asked her.
"Is that all you got?"
Ruby seemed to misunderstood my question as a provocation. She raised her chin and proudly opened her mouth.
"Well based on what I got, you seems to be a new rising novel author."
I nodded.
"And you like older women."
But my face twitched at Ruby's words just now.
"You have a lover who is over half a decade older than you."
'She's talking about Keara?!'
Just how good is Ruby's informatiom team?
"It also seems that you seduced her under 24 hours. You must be good."
Ruby said, smiling playfully. She's trying to annoy me, and it's effective.
Losing one-sidedly isn't m taste, so my pettiness unconsciously activated.
So with a sly smile, I said:
"Oh, shut up if you're that curious..."
And after a pause.
"...You should try me yourself"
I added.
But shame attacked me hearing how cringe I am. So I decided to correct Ruby's information.
"And it's not like I like older women. I just like her, there's no other reason behind it."
Ruby sent me another beautiful smile as she spoke.
"You just made me more interested in you."
"It's fine, bacause I'm pretty interested in you too."
'You're the leader of black market after all even though she's only 27 years old.'
So I'll be naturally interested in her.
"Then the feeling is mutual then."
Ruby said in a seductive voice.
I was about to say reply when a knock was heard from the door.
"Come in."
Ruby calmly said.
Following her words, a handsome man in a suit entered holding a black heavy-duty briefcase. He seems to be someone who is in the room with us earlier.
"Here's the item."
Them said then placed the case in front of me.
And without replying. I opened the case.
Click-
A subtle click sound was heard opening the briefcase.
Looking at inside.
I saw a beautiful obsidian-black pistol.
And without further ado, I made the system appraise it.
[You flirt her and there since yesterday like a horny dog and just order me around like a slave. What a bitch.]
I have no time to argue with the system so I just let it nag at me as I looked at the description of the gun in front of me.
=====
[Nyx]
-The last product of the greatest unnamed gunsmith that ever lived.
-Have a passive skill
-Lessen the sound and spark of the gun produces when shooting.
=====
A satisfied smiled appeared on my face.
[Nyx]'s firepower is strong enough to pierce through the skins of
[Nyx] would just rot in Aoi's long-ranged weapon collections.
This gun was just briefly mention in one chapter in my novel in a filler chapter to use it as a remembrance of a certain event.
Aoi was supposed to get [Nyx] as a reward from Ruby after saving the Zreles City with Alec and the others, from what I mentioned dungeon overflow yesterday, though, in the novel Ruby got [The Stygian Lair] for free.
Well anyway, my point is taking [Nyx] will not affect the story. Probably.
"Tsk."
While holding the gun, I heard a tongue clicking.
And at the corner of my eyes. I saw the man who brought the gun, glaring at me.
I looked at Ruby in front of me, she was smiling at me as if asking for my understanding.
I planed to do just that and ignore the man.
"Arrogant leech-like shit."
But I heard the man muttered beside me.
Ruby was about to talk, but I snapped first.
Shifting my gaze to the man. I spoke.
"Hey, what's your problem."
This man is angry at me for no reason so I'm annoyed.
"What?... I just hate your guts."
The man then said. Not hiding his hatred toward me.
Appraising at his stat, he's
It's pretty low for his age.
I crossed my legs and looked at him like he was a disgusting bug.
"Why do you have to be a bitch about it?"
I provoked him.
"YOU!"
It worked seeing him about to explode in anger.
While looking at him, I suddenly asked myself.
'Why would he hate me?'
Is it because I demanded the [Nyx]?
Well maybe that's a part of it, but most likely it's because of the way I interact with Ruby.
I came up with that conclusion for thinking for a second. I looked at the man again, he seems to be at his mid 20s.
"Gosh, why are you throwing a tantrum when you're older than me. Aren't you embarrassed?"
I spat out harsh truths as a provocation.
And when his veins was about to explode.
I smiled.
Ruby is looking at the whole situation as if she's amused.
But I wasn't focusing my attention on any of them at the moment.
Because as soon as I provoked the man.
The system appeared with a message.
[The Transcend Beings said they will give you 1000 CP if you fight and win agains that man.]
I smirked and opened my mouth.
"Say, if you really hate me even though I didn't do anything wrong. What about having a duel against me?"
I need to test some equipments anyway.