Chapter 64 – Crush That Scheme

“Is this your dоing tоo? Framing mе as a murdеrеr?”

“Y-уеs. Тhе Hound Dоg members wеrе quite willing tо tаkе оn thе falsе chаrges. In Gatе сrimеs, tеstimony is еverуthing. You can’t еsсape now—”

“I sее, I see.”

Yuki’s eyes glintеd shаrply.

—Here it соmes!?

Brаcing fоr аn аttаck, Cain tensеd up.

“—So thаt’s hоw it is, Тatekаwа. Еven aftеr hearing this, dо you still intend to саll me an еvil Нunter?”

“…Nо, Mr. Yuki. I’m truly sоrry for doubting уou.”

“Wh—”

Тhе one Yuki had addressеd was thе Guild’s strоngеst shield wаrrior, Tаtеkаwa Mаsaуоshi.

Не hаd beеn hiding in thе shаdows, using а ‘Нiding Cloak’ to conceal himself.

He should have been ordered not to move until Cain attacked, at which point he was to step in and defend.

(Why!? I should have had Tatekawa completely under my control using ‘Charming Eyes’!)

‘Charming Eyes’ is a Gold Shop item that, when used, makes the target obey the user’s commands for a certain period.

Its effect is extremely potent—so much so that even a high-level shield warrior like Tatekawa couldn’t resist it.

On the downside, each use costs five thousand Gold, making it not something to be used lightly.

This time, however, Cain, having estimated Yuki Asuto’s potential to the fullest, had used the Charming Eyes.

(And yet, why…)

It made no sense.

Cain was bewildered.

“Alright, you can wake up now.”

“Huh, already? Phew, I never thought I’d end up in such a state.”

“Why are you alive!?”

Yuki’s words, followed by Ginzan rising to his feet, only added to the confusion.

Cain no longer had the composure to maintain the facade of being a Shisei Guild Executive.

“Now then, it’s time for punishment.”

“…Wait. Do you intend to fully oppose the Shisei Guild?”

“What kind of nonsense are you spouting? After all this, opposing you is the only option.”

“If our Guild gets serious, crushing one or two Hunters is easy. Knowing that—”

Yuki’s figure, which should have been ten meters away, seemed to blur, and in the next instant, his fist was already embedded in Cain’s nose.

“—THUMP!!”

The struck Cain was sent flying backward with tremendous force.

He spun through the air, fell, slid across the ground, and finally came to a stop after crashing into a pillar.

His entire body ached intensely.

His sense of balance was thrown off; he couldn’t even tell which way was up.

If he hadn’t been equipped with armor gear beneath his coat, the fall to the ground and the impact with the pillar would surely have killed him.

That’s how powerful the attack had been.

In his dazed state, Cain barely managed to look up at Asuto.

He wore an expression that would send shivers down even a Veteran Hunter like Uzuki.

“Who said they were going to crush who?”

“Y-you… don’t think you’ll get away with this…”

“Stop spouting nonsense.”

Yuki released an intense killing intent.

The sheer pressure made Cain’s body begin to tremble uncontrollably.

“The moment you crossed the line, this stopped being something either of us could walk away from. Don’t you understand that yet?”

“…”

Cain’s mind couldn’t keep up with reality.

But one thing became clear.

(Have I picked a fight with someone I should never have laid a hand on…?)

“Never get involved with me again.”

Yuki bent his knee, bringing his eyes level with Cain’s.

Instantly, a terror surged up as if his very life had been grabbed barehanded.

Their eyes met directly. That alone was enough to crush his spirit utterly.

“Tell Hound Dog this too. If they lay a hand on me or my friends next time, I’ll crush them completely.”

“…U-understood.”

Trembling, Cain nodded, and Yuki swiftly averted his gaze.

—He survived.

Freed from the terror, Cain was then overwhelmed by the intense pain and lost consciousness.

○

“Mr. Yuki, I’m truly sorry!”

“It’s fine. The misunderstanding has been cleared up.”

“But…”

“Tatekawa didn’t have any ill intent.”

“I’m grateful you’d say that.”

In front of Asuto, Tatekawa made himself small, looking uncomfortable.

True to his name, he lived by justice.

His previous attack was due to being brainwashed by the ‘Charming Eyes,’ and this time, Asuto hadn’t been harmed at all.

There was no reason to condemn him.

“I never thought the Shisei Guild could be so rotten.”

“I feel the same.”

Having been unable to escape the bottom ranks last time, Asuto had no chance to glimpse the true nature of the Shisei Guild.

Beyond surprise or anger, he could only feel dumbfounded.

“What will you do now, Tatekawa?”

“I have no intention of staying in such a despicable Guild. I’ll withdraw immediately.”

“I see. If you’re willing, I have a few requests.”

“Huh? Oh, yes! If it’s something I can do, please tell me anything!”

“…Anything?”

Getting into the taxi he’d had waiting outside, Asuto wore a full smile as he made several proposals to Tatekawa.