Kaoru watched her cautiously, trying to analyze the situation through his magical sight. At a glance, the aura of this woman felt strong and wild, far from the elegant or dignified impression he expected from someone with a well-known name like Towako. There was something mysterious and potent hidden behind her crude demeanor.
"So, you're the one they call Kaoru Rasputin?" the woman asked with a mocking tone, crossing her arms over her chest. Her gaze was sharp, as if trying to measure who this man standing before her truly was.
Kaoru didn't answer immediately, still analyzing the situation. "Yes, that's me," he replied calmly. "And you... Madam Towako?"
The woman scoffed, looking slightly dissatisfied. "What did you expect? An old lady with white hair and a long robe?" She rolled her eyes, seemingly accustomed to the reaction Kaoru was showing.
Kaoru shrugged, trying to control his expression. "I wasn't expecting anything, just trying to understand the situation."
The woman smirked, though there was still a hint of annoyance in her voice. "Alright then, Kaoru, let's get straight to the point. I heard you want an old phone from my collection, right? But the thing is, I don't just hand out valuable items like that for free."
Kaoru looked at the woman more seriously, sensing that the conversation was about to shift to the real core of her request. "So, what do you want in return?"
Kaoru sat calmly, though inside he felt a growing irritation. 'Damn, what's with this? She's supposed to have a granddaughter my age!' he thought, annoyed, feeling deceived by the man who had previously given him information. The image he had of Madam Towako as an older, influential figure shattered the moment he saw the young woman with her arrogant demeanor.
Still, Kaoru kept his composure outwardly, his eyes fixed on Towako, who was now walking slowly towards the window. The dim light from outside reflected her arrogant silhouette, adding a sense of mystery and hidden power behind her figure.
"I have a problem, and only someone like you can solve it," Towako said in a low but firm voice. She turned slightly, revealing a sharp gaze that could make an ordinary person feel uncomfortable. But not Kaoru—he was used to people with demands like this.
Kaoru sighed softly. "Go ahead, I'm listening," he said casually, sitting with his arms crossed in front of his chest. Though Kaoru didn't show any fear or intimidation, his calm yet indifferent attitude only made Towako slightly irritated.
Towako narrowed her eyes, holding back her anger. She pointed to a woman standing in the corner of the room, a servant with long purple hair and yellow eyes, Reika. "I learned about you from Reika-san," Towako explained, her voice tightening. "She's part of the Shiki Clan, a supernatural clan with a long history. Last week, Reika visited the village of Gosha to attend a festival, and there she witnessed an attack by Nomad. Her friends in the village told her that you were the one who destroyed the Nomad forces before they could ravage the village."
Kaoru glanced briefly at Reika, who remained standing still with a neutral expression. Her yellow eyes revealed no emotion, but the aura she radiated indicated she was not just an ordinary servant. As Kaoru suspected, Reika seemed to be more than a shadow agent—the Shiki clan's expertise in supernatural matters wasn't something to be underestimated.
"So, I take it you think I'm suitable for this request," Towako continued, as if convincing herself that Kaoru was the right person for the job.
"Yes, go on," Kaoru replied curtly, his tone still casual. However, his indifferent demeanor only seemed to irritate Towako further.
Towako's face turned angry, her brows furrowing as she glared at Kaoru with sharp eyes. "You're quite arrogant, aren't you?" she said, her voice filled with barely contained rage. "I'm offering a rare opportunity to work with me, and you're acting like this is some trivial matter."
Kaoru remained calm, not even slightly affected by Towako's anger. He had often dealt with people like her, who believed the world should revolve around them. "If you have a request, just say it clearly. I don't need any drama," he responded in a flat but sharp tone.
Towako clenched her fists, holding back her anger. She was used to dealing with people who bowed to her power, but Kaoru was clearly different. She could feel that he wasn't afraid of her, and that only made her more frustrated. However, she knew that Kaoru was the only one who might be able to help her solve this problem.
Towako took a deep breath, trying to calm herself before continuing. "Alright," she said in a more controlled tone. "The group I mentioned earlier, the Nine Child Naga Association—"
Kaoru couldn't hold back his laughter, the man who usually kept his calm demeanor this time failed to contain himself. "Pfft! What's with that cringey name? 'Nine Child Naga Association'? Seriously?" Kaoru laughed, though he tried to remain polite, the disbelief on his face was undeniable.
Towako, who had already tried to calm herself from Kaoru's earlier arrogance, now looked even more annoyed. Her cyan eyes glowed slightly as she stared at him coldly.
Kaoru wiped the smile off his face, though there was still a hint of amusement at the corners of his lips. "Sorry, the name is… a bit odd," he said, trying to ease the tension. "But I'm serious. What makes them so dangerous?"
Towako let out a long sigh, trying to ignore Kaoru's sarcastic comment. "Nine Child Naga Association," she repeated, this time more seriously, "it may sound strange to you, but they're a dangerous criminal organization. Recently, they stole something incredibly valuable from our auction house. It's not just any item—it's an ancient artifact from a lost Western civilization."
Kaoru looked at her with growing interest. "Oh, really? So my job is to capture them or recover your item?"
Towako clenched her fists, holding back the urge to get angry at Kaoru's sarcastic tone. But before she could answer, Reika, who had been standing calmly in the corner, spoke up. "I know this might be bothersome for you, Kaoru-sama," she said, her voice soft and calming. "But the item has the potential to become a catastrophe if misused. We can't let it fall into the wrong hands."
Kaoru looked at Reika, sensing the honesty in her words. Unlike Towako, who was quick to anger, Reika clearly had the calmness and self-control that made her more trustworthy.
"Can I know what exactly they stole?" Kaoru asked, this time more seriously. He could feel that this wasn't just about business or profit—there was something bigger at play.
Towako and Reika exchanged glances for a moment before Towako finally nodded slightly, granting Reika permission to explain. "The item is an ancient artifact, known as the 'Star Eye Relic,'" Reika explained in a quiet yet firm voice. "According to legend, this artifact originates from an ancient civilization that wielded great power to control natural phenomena and spiritual energy. If used by someone who doesn't understand its power, the consequences could be catastrophic."
Kaoru pondered the information, considering how dangerous it would be if such an item fell into the wrong hands. "Alright," he said finally. "I'll help. But remember, once this is over, that phone and additional information about the artifact are mine."