—Pillar of Fire," I said, continuing to listen carefully.
— In! Generally perfect. Did you find it on the Internet?
- yes.
— Tell me what you know about it.
- hm. An impressive fire geyser. It can be created at a distance of up to twenty meters in three seconds. The radius is up to five meters, for Teachers — up to three. It does not require strong concentration, but absolutely without it in any way. What else? Yes, everything seems to be.
— Well, listen to what a beautiful young girl who has seen this horror in reality will tell you. I will not tell you about all the nuances, I will only say one thing: the "pillar of fire" does not harm the creator.
Oh, well... that's an ambush! But he could have been exposed. For a couple of seconds they froze opposite each other — and that's it. Goodbye, Maximka. Mm-hmm, this should be taken into account. But as in the video it was beautiful and clear… It turns out that I was lucky twice in the past times. They didn't want to kill me, and I killed quickly. So they didn't have time to feel the danger. Even three times. The previous Teachers, whom Akemi doesn't know about, were also silent during the fight. At least two, if they spoke, they would melt me like a candle. And after all, just one phrase was enough!
— Cool. Thank you, girl, I'll keep this in mind for the future.
— Young and beautiful!
— Smart and strong.
— That's it. By the way, I haven't finished yet. "What is it, am I really an ass? — Your problem is not that you don't know enough, but that for you all these Teachers are commonplace. As I said, there are too many high-ranking fighters around you. And everyone is friendly to you. — Well, no, accusing me of underestimating the enemy is... underestimating me. — That's why your train of thought is this, Shinji: "Another Teacher. What I didn't see there. Nothing complicated. I'll manage." Of course, you understand that they are not weaklings, but your subconscious is working, and you relax. You're still young, inexperienced," and after a momentary pause: "No, I'm young! You're just even younger!
— Yes, of course, of course, who's arguing, - I raised both hands, calming her.
"No kidding, Shinji. You have to realize that even a Warrior is cool. Yes, we have a couple of thousand Teachers for all Tokyo. And in Garagarahabi — about five pieces, no more. My guys, all four of them are Veterans, and this is a real force. Do you think it's easy for a woman to be a boss? Yes, if it weren't for the guys, I would have been let in a circle for a long time just for trying to match up with men. Sergei... — After all, you loved him, girl, you loved him after all. — Sergey took three Veterans with him and actually halved the enemy's forces, bringing them to me on a platter. I have four Veterans with me and three working for me in the city plus me. These seven make me one of the strongest bosses of Garagarahabi. More precisely, they are my main strength, and without them I would have no chance. Do you understand, Shinji? A miserable seven people! And now you come to me with stories about what you're going to kill
Teachers
! In fact, this status is the ceiling for the vast majority of people engaged in martial arts. You don't think I'll think you're normal after that, do you? No, baby, you're crazy.
It is after such lectures that you begin to understand that Sheena is really a Genius. Although about the fact that I underestimate the opponent, she's wrong. In theory, even an ordinary person can kill me with a firearm. However, only in theory. I forgot how to underestimate anyone a long time ago. And about everything else… It's not that I don't understand who the users of "bahira" are, I rather don't catch up with their place in the world. No, it's not like that… I just look at the world from a different perspective. I'm used to, you know, that strength is several thousand military plus equipment. And when they tell me that a couple dozen people are also a force, I subconsciously increase their number. At the same time, without detracting from the abilities of each individual warrior. And when I have an opponent in front of me, I prepare for a fight with another dozen. It's not surprising that from the outside it seems that I'm dismissive of this
one
person, I'm just looking for the rest. But Akemi can't explain it. But her confidence that I will lose says that I am on the right track. If I succeed, no brute will think of me as a Patriarch.
—That's good," I said thoughtfully.
— What's good? I hope it's not a genetic disease, and your children won't be the same psychos. You, most importantly, do not forget that you promised me a child.
It
seems that after I jumped up, she realized without my words that she had gone a little too far... Especially since I literally felt my eyebrows climbing on my forehead.
— Okay, okay. You can't even make a joke. But you promised to think!
— I said… Okay, I'll think about it if it's so important for you to hear it.
— The main thing is to think, and not remember, frown and forget.
— Let's hush up this topic for now. Better pick me up an order for a Teacher... that is... well, you get it.
Sighing heavily, closing her eyes and rubbing the bridge of her nose, she looked at me again, folding her arms on her chest. Is she provoking me, or what, with her forms?
— The child first. I raised an eyebrow. — This mission will be suicidal for you. So first the baby.
Super! It remains to pray to all the saints that no one else finds out that I am the Patriarch. Otherwise it will be hard, very hard for me.
— Just so you know, a young anxious girl:
I have three Teachers on my account
already.
— It's impossible! — As I typed it. And I started to get annoyed.
— So you're suggesting that I go about my business now?
— No, I'm suggesting that you tell me what you're up to.
— Akemi, are you a fool? And I don't need to play with my eyebrows here. I have told you in clear language what I need, why and how I will do it. I even revealed a little secret to you to calm you down. So pull yourself together, think about it and finally give me these damn options!
"It's impossible," she said, much less confidently.
— Akemi, don't make me angry. What did you not understand in my words?
"You couldn't have killed three Teachers," she said in an offended tone. And I forcefully passed my palm over my face. Okay, calm down, Max, you can understand her too.
— You hardly heard about the first one, it was the father of an aristocrat. The second one should be remembered. This is Hugo, who disappeared a year ago, like all his people. And the third was an Owl…
— About whom they said that he was killed by a man from the clan. And what did he do to you?
— He has a crush on a lady from the club staff. And what kind of boyfriend he is, you know without me.
— Unbelievable…
Well, it was only necessary to growl at her, and immediately believed everything. It seems that even she could not erase from herself the costs of female education of this world. No, no, yes it slips through. Oh-ho-ho. She had a lousy time without Serega. But if he were alive, and my scream would not have passed, there would always be a support behind him, no matter where he himself was at that time. She needs a child, and then she will probably devour all the Garagarahebi. Incredible willpower woman. In my world, the attitude towards a businesswoman is still simpler.
— But the fact is. So what's up with the assignment?
— Here and now I can't help you with this, it takes time.
— You not only live here, but also work here. Surely there must be some information stored here? Over there on the computer at least.
— This is a public place, — Akemi spread her hands in response. — I don't keep compromising material here. Especially after you gave my security a crash test. And in any case, if everything is as you say, then the goal should be chosen more carefully. You don't mind if you help me at the same time, do you?
After all, she has a smart mind, and Akemi never forgets about her own benefit. She probably already has a goal. Or maybe more than one.
— I'm asking you to make an order through the guild of intermediaries, but for what, where and from whom, I don't care.
— Intermediaries? This is... okay, I'll take it into account. But maybe without them?
— And how will you get off when everyone finds out that the Dwarf killed the Teacher who was bothering you? And the fact that I will be transferred from the category of thieves to the category of hired killers, is that how? You know, I don't kill by order, and that's exactly the kind of orders that will fall on me. And the attitude towards me will change immediately. Although it's time for me to quit long ago," I sighed. — I used to need money, but now I just need extra fame.
Akemi shifted in her chair.
— So you decided to retire?
— Well, yes. However, I will continue to use the name of the Dwarf. The main thing is that you and I are not connected. A couple more orders from someone else, maybe even for you, some high-profile case, and that's it. Finita la comedy. I will convince everyone that I work only for myself.
"Maybe you're right. Okay, I need a week to think it over.
— A week? Why so many?
— That's how it is! Do you think it's easy?
— Yes, I'm sure it's not difficult.
After thinking for a moment, she continued:
— Let it be three days. Two or three more for you to prepare. And next weekend you will go to work. In any case, it's more convenient for you to work on weekends, anyway, you don't need to think about much.
— Can you help me with a weapon?
— Why, you're not a Shooter?
- I need charges for the "Spit".
"Spit" — aka "PlPU-99", he is also an Urbanov plasma pistol. Almost a hundred plasma charges in the clip, high accuracy, low recoil, small weight compared to analogues. One of the best examples of plasma handguns. He doesn't have so many disadvantages, but they are there. And the main thing is the exorbitant price of charges. And all because of the rarity, because officially you will get some figs. And if I have money, then there are no such connections. Akemi, too, would hardly have had time to get the charges in a week, but the joke is that she doesn't need it. I know for sure that she has a reserve for a rainy day. She has a lot of things as a Shooter (and this is a very rare direction in martial arts).
— Wouldn't you go? Honestly, I don't even know if I need this Teacher with such and such requests? And why would you, "Spit" is a "killer of Veterans", not Teachers.
— He's also not sour on him. What-no, but help. What are you doing, I'm not for free.
— To hell with the money? Where will I restock later?
— And where did you replenish them before?
— Through Ugo…
M-yes, a joint.
— And what, no one else does it?
— Many people are engaged in weapons, but no one else has access to the right Russians. For now, at least.