Thirty minutes later, on the outskirts of Tokyo.
The evening breeze gently stirred the wild grass, accompanied by the soft sounds of insects and birds, while the stars twinkled overhead.
Screams, mingled with the chirping of birds and insects, formed the symphony of the night.
"Whew…"
Fujino took a deep breath, wiping away the barely visible beads of sweat from his temples. "Injuring someone severely without killing them really is a skill."
Saying this, he glanced down at the unconscious Zhang Tianzheng.
After a passionate, one-sided beating [30-minute Torture.avi], Zhang Tianzheng had already been knocked out by Fujino's fists, which were as big as sandbags.
Multiple rib fractures, internal bleeding in the abdomen.
An average person would be dead by now.
However, with Fujino's precise control, none of the injuries were life-threatening.
Using the medical knowledge in his mind, every punch Fujino threw hit a precise, non-lethal point on Zhang Tianzheng's body.
Though not fatal, whether the pain or possible long-term damage might persist was another question entirely.
Based on Fujino's estimate, the injuries he inflicted would likely keep Zhang Tianzheng bedridden for at least six months.
Still, six months wasn't quite what Fujino had hoped for.
"Looks like I need to up my game."
Fujino took another deep breath, recalling his medical knowledge, and then administered another round of righteous beatings to Zhang Tianzheng to settle the score for being provoked earlier that day.
The six-month recovery time was upgraded to a year.
"That should do it."
Fujino admired his handiwork, stroking his chin in satisfaction.
After making sure there was nothing left to hit, Fujino hopped on his motorcycle and headed back to Tokyo.
It wasn't that there was nothing more to beat, but if he kept going, Zhang Tianzheng would likely be beaten to death.
Even though this guy was guilty of many crimes, he wasn't quite at the point of deserving death.
Enough is enough.
…
After returning to Tokyo, Fujino didn't forget to stop by a phone booth and call a private ambulance for Zhang Tianzheng.
Though private ambulances in Tokyo are expensive, surely a gambling addict with massive debts would appreciate having his life saved, right?
Fujino really was too kind.
This was truly "repaying evil with kindness."
As for whether Zhang Tianzheng, upon waking and seeing the massive hospital bill, might angrily jump off a building, Fujino didn't know.
Even if he did take the plunge, it would have nothing to do with Fujino.
That would be the result of Zhang Tianzheng's own weak willpower and addiction to gambling.
All Fujino could say was: gambling ruins lives—stay away from it; everyone has a responsibility to do so.
…
The next day was Friday.
Early in the morning, Fujino received a phone call.
The drink machines he ordered from Treasure Island had finally arrived.
Driving to the port, Fujino hired a truck and, after paying the remaining balance of one million yen, brought the machines home.
The drink machines were placed in the kitchen of Snow King Ice City.
The kitchen, counters, seating, and other facilities of Snow King Ice City had all been fully set up.
Everything was ready—only the final touches remained.
Once the storefront was renovated and the business license obtained, Snow King Ice City would be ready for its grand opening.
…
After setting up the machines, it was noon.
Thanks to a referral from the furniture store owner, Fujino found a construction team.
After showing them the renovation plans for Snow King Ice City, the construction team said they could start first thing tomorrow.
The total cost was 400,000 yen.
…
Among the costs, materials were around 250,000 yen.
The remaining 150,000 yen was labor costs.
It had to be said, labor in Japan was really expensive.
For a storefront renovation, 30% of the cost went to labor—outrageous.
But there wasn't much Fujino could do.
He didn't have any skills in civil engineering or construction.
He could handle basic tasks like painting walls or putting up wallpaper.
But for heavy-duty storefront renovations, professional equipment and knowledge were needed.
After discussing the details and paying a 100,000-yen deposit, Fujino got back on his motorcycle and headed home for lunch.
But on the way home, a sudden system notification rang in his ears: "New bodyguard mission detected. Please check!"
He pulled his motorcycle to the side of the road and glanced around.
Seeing no trucks barreling toward him, he opened the system interface.
A screen appeared, displaying his new mission:
**[Bodyguard Mission: Robber - Little Girl]**
**Mission Objective:** Protect a young girl from a home invasion robber who intends to kill her.
**Mission Reward:** 500,000 yen, 50 bodyguard skill points
**Mission Time Limit:** 2 hours
"Protect a little girl?"
Fujino removed his helmet and rubbed his chin as he looked at the mission screen. "500,000 yen to save a little girl? Looks like I've found a way to cover the renovation costs."
Accepting the mission, Fujino found a quiet spot to change into his "Conan Batman" disguise, complete with his assassin's cloak and mask.
Following the mission's guidance, Fujino sped off on his Batbike and arrived at the base of a high-end apartment building.
Looking up, he saw a towering apartment block, likely more than forty or fifty stories high. In a city like Tokyo, such tall buildings were rare.
The price for apartments here must be steep.
Then again, it was also possible that multiple murder cases had taken place in the building, turning it into a "haunted" apartment with cheaper rates.
Mihama's property market was notorious for such things.
The mission's target was located on one of the floors between the 20th and 30th levels.
Fujino pulled out his grappling hook gun, and using his enhanced vision goggles, gauged the distance.
The closest angle he could reach was about 30 meters.
Pulling the trigger, the hook shot out quickly, latching onto the edge of a balcony.
Pulling the trigger again, the hook quickly reeled in, lifting Fujino into the air.
After several rounds of grappling up the building, Fujino reached the balcony of the 30th floor.
According to his HUD, the little girl should be in the apartment just beyond this balcony.
Fujino hid behind the wall of the balcony and peeked into the living room.
Inside the messy room, a helmet-wearing man in a blue jacket was rummaging through drawers.
This was clearly the robber from the mission briefing.
Seriously, dressed like an "Uber Eats" delivery guy again?
Fujino couldn't help but shake his head.
He remembered the last bank robber he encountered had the same look.
What's with all these robbers wearing blue jackets and helmets?
"Hm?"
Just as Fujino was watching, the helmeted man seemed to notice something.
He suddenly turned his head, staring toward the balcony.
Fujino quickly ducked back.
Had he been spotted…?
(End of Chapter)