I, Herrscher Slayer: A Worldly Shen Gonglin

Shen Gonglin thought for a moment before saying this, and Durandal smiled when she heard it.

"Sure. If you win, I'll treat you to ice cream. But if you lose... how about helping me find that brat who kicked a ball into my face?"

Durandal naturally had no intention of backing down from a challenge. She had not had an opponent in a long time, and in soccer, a sport she loved, she was even less likely to lose.

"Sure. To be honest, I feel like I'm probably pretty good with a ball."

Shen Gonglin accepted the challenge immediately. Watching those pale, soft curves of hers swaying constantly made his eyes burn. If she started playing soccer, they would definitely bounce even more. How could he possibly refuse something like that?

Chapter 121

"Come on, everyone, eat up... What are you people doing over there? Competing to see who can make the weirdest face? If nothing comes up later, I'll perform for you. Hurry and eat. Cotton candy tastes best when it's freshly made."

Shen Gonglin handed out the cotton candy to Hayama and the others. This time, he had bought them according to the number of people present. Aside from himself getting two, everyone got one. For someone who loved keeping food to himself, this was already an earthshaking change. Hayama, Hachiman, and the other boys were all flattered and ate happily. But why were those girls not coming over? Why were they just staring at each other without saying a word? Were they really about to put on a weird-face performance?

For anything involving talent, they should ask Shen Gonglin. He was especially good at it.

"Um... Shen Gonglin, there was change, right? It shouldn't have cost that much to buy the cotton candy."

Yukino picked out a pink cotton candy from Shen Gonglin's hand. Perhaps the girls staring at her earlier had made her feel uncomfortable. She always felt as though she had used money to deceive an innocent Shen Gonglin, so she wanted to ask for the change back. Yet the moment she said that, the contempt in the others' eyes grew even stronger.

After taking advantage of him, she actually wanted the change back too. No wonder her family was involved in politics and business. Yukino was truly black-hearted.

"Oh, here."

After getting what he wanted, Shen Gonglin did not care anymore. Since Yukino wanted it, he gave it to her. He returned all the change to Yukino, then opened his mouth wide and worked hard to stuff all the cotton candy into it. Anyway, he did not need to carry money. Whenever he needed something, he could just ask Yukino or someone else for it. Among this group, Yukino, Yumiko, his senior, and Eriri were all genuine little rich girls.

This... really did feel like the relationship between a guardian and someone under their care.

Whether it was Yukino or Shen Gonglin, both seemed rather accustomed to this arrangement. Hachiman watched them enviously. As expected of Shen Gonglin—he had so easily achieved the life Hachiman dreamed of. He could let girls take money from their pockets to support him. A single kiss could earn him ten thousand yen. Was money really this easy for Shen Gonglin to make? How enviable.

"You're done eating, right? Since you're done, it's time to pay. One cotton candy costs one thousand yen. If you pay now, I can even give you an eleven-percent discount... Ow! Yumiko, why did you hit me?"

Once everyone had started eating their cotton candy, Shen Gonglin finally revealed his true intentions. There was no merchant without cunning. The Shen Gong family did business too, after all. He had bought cotton candy for everyone so he could resell it at a high price. But before he could finish speaking, Yumiko punched him in the head. Kasumigaoka Utaha even held her bamboo skewer and poked him again and again. Were these two planning not to pay? Why was Yukino not doing anything? He was being bullied here.

Her feelings complicated, Yukino, who had just begun to think better of Shen Gonglin, turned away. She had been too naive. Shen Gonglin was still Shen Gonglin. Expecting him to have any integrity was simply impossible. Even the most unscrupulous merchant was not like this. Go ahead and bully him however you wanted; she had not seen a thing.

"You bastard, I treated you to so many good things, and you still dare ask me for money? Since you want money, let's settle the accounts properly. The lunches I prepared for you all used premium ingredients. You should be paying me instead. Hey, Shen Gonglin, pay up!"

Yumiko grabbed Shen Gonglin by the collar and shook him hard. This rotten bastard was too awful. It felt like all those exquisite lunches she had made had gone straight into a dog's belly.

"Even I have nothing to say this time, Shen Gonglin. Since you put it that way, here's the money for the cotton candy. But you should also repay me for the hotel room we got before... It was just an ordinary hotel room. You don't have to look at me with such terrifying expressions. Shen Gonglin simply took me to get a room, that's all."

Kasumigaoka Utaha added fuel to the fire from the side. As expected of the only senior in Shen Gonglin's heart, she had made things worse with a single sentence. And her explanation only made it more suspicious. Shen Gonglin really had gotten a room with her, but all he had done was take off her socks before going out to have fun. He had done absolutely nothing else... Tch. Seeing the looks around him, Shen Gonglin suddenly felt that doing nothing really had been a loss. He gritted his teeth at Kasumigaoka Utaha, who was looking at him provocatively.

Just wait. One day, he would lick those legs she was so proud of until they broke!

With Kasumigaoka Utaha and Yumiko taking the lead, no one present was willing to give Shen Gonglin money. Shen Gonglin could only follow behind them in tears. It seemed that the old man's talent for business had not been inherited by the Shen Gong family. His first attempt at business had already ended in disaster... From this, it was clear that there was a ninety-percent chance the old man had been adopted. Were Shen Gonglin and Shen Gongxiu the only ones left with the Shen Gong family's true bloodline?

No matter how much he resisted, he had still come in the end. It seemed people always had to move forward. Whether they wanted to or not, the wheels of time would keep rolling onward. Perhaps that was what life was... Even if you did not want to walk, there would always be some rotten people behind you pushing you along.

"Senior, could you not pull me up there? I'll go home and obediently eat vegetables. I'll feed you on time and put you to sleep on time too. I'll even lay a quilt in the shoebox you sleep in. Please don't pull me up there... And Eriri, I won't nitpick the doujinshi you draw anymore, okay? This really won't do. Someone could die from a fall this high."

"What do you take me for? Why would I sleep in a shoebox? Get over here!"

"Why should you be allowed to nitpick my drawings? Since we're already here, Shen Gonglin, wouldn't it be a shame if you didn't jump at least once?"

"Not at all!"

At the bungee platform, Kasumigaoka Utaha pulled Shen Gonglin from the front while Eriri pushed against his back, forcing him upward. Perhaps because it was a holiday, there were still many people at the bungee platform despite the bad weather. Though more than half of them were probably there just to watch the show. No matter how Shen Gonglin struggled, these heartless people still dragged him here.

Those cotton candies really had gone into dogs' bellies. Not one of these people spoke up for him!

Shen Gonglin bared his teeth at the people behind him. Every single one of them—he remembered all their faces. He would remember what happened today. Every last one of them could wait for his revenge!

A Worldly Shen Gonglin

It was an intense soccer match. At first, for the sake of fairness, Durandal had not used the physical abilities of the strongest Valkyrie. She had merely relied on her skills to compete against Shen Gonglin. Durandal had some experience with soccer as well, but as they kept playing, she could not help using her real strength. Otherwise... this guy might actually kick her face swollen.

"You did that on purpose, didn't you? You were definitely aiming for my face, weren't you? I'm telling you, if you keep this up, I'm going to get angry."

Durandal caught the soccer ball with her hands and glared at Shen Gonglin. This guy looked innocent enough, but his heart was truly black. He had played properly at first, but once he realized he could not beat her, he started resorting to these petty tricks. By now, Durandal had been forced to foul several times. That had to be what he was planning all along!

Whenever the two of them closed in to fight for the ball, Durandal vaguely felt him rubbing against her and taking fake falls. Now he was only aiming for her face. His technique was clearly decent, yet he loved using such dirty tricks. As they played, Durandal wanted to kick him in the backside. This guy had never intended to compete with her fairly.

"What do you mean, on purpose? It's clearly because you're too pretty, so I could only focus on looking at you. And don't you know that charging while carrying the ball is a foul? You're dressed like that while playing soccer. Which ball exactly are you trying to make me kick?"

Shen Gonglin was even more self-righteous. He stood with his hands on his hips, panting heavily. Such intense physical activity was indeed a little beyond him. Shen Gonglin was not good at running, while this golden-haired big sister's stamina seemed bottomless. And coupled with her figure constantly bouncing as she ran... Shen Gonglin simply could not focus on soccer. His mind kept wandering elsewhere. Was this her strategy? How black-hearted.

So somehow this was her fault? And what did he mean by charging while carrying the ball...? Did he think she wanted to ram into him? That was just how soccer was played, was it not? Durandal looked down at her figure. Her outfit today did seem somewhat unsuitable for sports. And this guy had honestly complimented her looks... Fine, she would let it go for now.

"Then let's call today's match a draw for the moment. What do you think? Looking at you, it's obvious you can't keep playing. You're already like this after exercising for only a little while. You need to train more."

Durandal kicked the ball toward the goal and declared the match over. Who knew what other tricks Shen Gonglin would use to take advantage of her if they kept playing? Next time she played soccer with him, she needed to be fully equipped. That way, this guy would not be distracted by such things.

Durandal looked down. In this posture, she could not even see her toes. Was that why Shen Gonglin could not concentrate on competing with her?

"A draw? That won't do. Look, neither of us scored a goal, but you fouled several times just now. You even caught the ball with your hands. No matter how you look at it, I won. Don't tell me you're trying to welch on the bet? Are you that afraid of treating me to ice cream?"

Shen Gonglin looked at Durandal mockingly. This was the result he had fought hard for. Neither of them had scored, and this golden-haired big sister did seem to have some real ability. But she had fouled. Whether it was charging with the ball or catching it with her hands, those were undeniable facts.

"A clumsy attempt at provoking me... but it's quite effective. I'll treat you. Today's exercise has already exceeded my usual amount, so replenishing some calories and sugar won't hurt. If you want some, I'll treat you after I rest for a while."

Durandal did not care about treating him to ice cream. Rather, she wanted more time and reasons to learn about Shen Gonglin. So far, he liked taking small advantages and held grudges. He probably liked sweets too. She would have to keep investigating the rest.

Durandal sat down on a bench and patted the spot beside her, signaling for Shen Gonglin to sit too. This much exercise naturally did not put any strain on her, but Shen Gonglin really did seem tired. There was sweat on his face, yet he still did not forget about eating. He probably had a foodie side to him too.

"Fine... What's your name? I can't keep calling you big sis forever, can I? Are you a Valkyrie too?"

Shen Gonglin obediently sat beside Durandal. He swung his legs and turned to look at her. After playing soccer with her for so long, he had become a little interested in her. Naturally, that was also because of the exceptional appearance of the girl before him. Shen Gonglin was a complete sucker for pretty faces. If she had not been attractive, he would not have bothered with her at all.

"...I'm older than you. Please do not call me that, no matter what. I am Bianca. Pleased to meet you."

No matter how she looked at it, she was older than him. This guy seemed a little too familiar, did he not? He had moved closer to her just now, had he not? Beneath that appearance, was he a little pervert who liked taking advantage of women? No wonder Rita had suffered at his hands. With her fondness for cute things, she probably had a hard time handling him.

However, Bianca had forgotten that, just like Rita, she too had no resistance to cute things.

Had she not noticed that Shen Gonglin was practically pressed up against her already, and she still had no reaction?

"...What did you say? Your name was too long, so I didn't remember it. I'm Shen Gonglin. See? My name is easy to remember."

Shen Gonglin did not react at first. That name was a little too long. Whenever he heard a long name like that, he thought of names like Shang Simengran. He always remembered strange, useless things. What had he been memorizing every day before he lost his memories?

"You can call me Durandal or Bianca."

It seemed this guy did not know her name. Carefully observing Shen Gonglin's reaction, Durandal introduced herself with relief. If Shen Gonglin knew she was the strongest Valkyrie... it would be a little embarrassing. The strongest Valkyrie getting hit in the face by a soccer ball did not quite fit her status.

"Oh, then Durandal, let's go eat ice cream. We've rested long enough. Even a production team donkey wouldn't dare rest this much. Come on, let's go. My Class President will be calling me home for dinner soon."

Shen Gonglin nodded casually. Though this big sister was quite to his taste in every regard, ice cream was more important to him. Pretty was pretty, but was his Class President... was Mei not pretty too? In every way, she was no worse than Durandal. Mei could even cook wonderfully and charge him up. For a girl with such a complicated name, getting a free ice cream from her was enough.

Shen Gonglin had seen the world. He would not be so easily bewitched.

Chapter 122: Concern?

A production team donkey?

The moment she heard that strange comparison, Durandal froze. It was one thing that he had no reaction to her name, but he actually used such a comparison to describe her. This Shen Gonglin truly was worthy of Otto personally warning her about him.

Thinking carefully, he had seemed ready to use a flying headbutt against her during their soccer match. Durandal was no longer so surprised that he could casually use such an attack against a woman.

"Come on, come on, I want vanilla ice cream... Strawberry sounds pretty good too. Anyway, you decide which one to buy. I'm fine with anything."

Unable to wait any longer, Shen Gonglin grabbed Durandal's hand and started walking forward. Durandal was dragged along for two steps before she reacted. Looking at Shen Gonglin gripping her arm, he seemed completely unaware that he was holding the hand of someone of the opposite sex. He was as casual as though he were carrying a plastic bag. His attitude toward women seemed different from ordinary men's. But... she did not seem to dislike it. No one had treated her this way before. Durandal relaxed and let Shen Gonglin lead her onward. Could they be considered friends?

Still, it did not feel quite the same as it did with Rita. Was that the difference between male friends and female friends?

"Don't make it sound like you're being so accommodating. And the ice cream shop is this way. Follow me."

Lost in thought, Durandal let Shen Gonglin drag her several steps before coming to her senses. Was Shen Gonglin just wandering around randomly? She grabbed his wrist in return and led him forward. Did he have a terrible sense of direction too? He seemed... a little cute.

"Two ice creams, vanilla and strawberry. Here you go."

Durandal rarely ate this kind of thing outside. After receiving the ice cream from the clerk, she carefully examined the one in her hand. The red strawberry sauce looked quite appetizing. Beside her, Shen Gonglin had already started licking his without any reservation. Seeing how happily he ate, Durandal could not help sticking out her tongue for a lick too. Though the action might not have been very ladylike, she could not deny that it tasted quite good. The cool sensation... Right, this was cold food. How had she forgotten that?

"What's wrong? Is strawberry not good? Why did you stop eating?"

Shen Gonglin took big bites of his ice cream. His teeth hurt a little from the cold, so he rubbed his temples and looked at the girl beside him. She had stopped after only one lick. It should not taste bad, so what was going on?

"It's nothing. I simply remembered that I shouldn't eat cold food around this time of the month."

Holding the ice cream, the highly disciplined Durandal stopped eating once she realized this. For the sake of her health, she should avoid raw and cold foods for the next few days. How could she fight Honkai better if she did not value her own body?

"...What kind of rule is that? Why are there days when you don't want cold food? What's wrong with you?"

Shen Gonglin stared at Durandal in surprise. When he said it so loudly, Durandal quickly covered his mouth. Why was he shouting? Had he not noticed that people were already looking over? Did he not understand what she meant? He was a boy, after all, and he seemed to have amnesia too, so... Durandal was not angry. She truly was not angry.

"Shen Gonglin, you need to understand that because of women's particular physiological conditions, there are several days each month when it isn't suitable to eat cold foods. If you want to understand the details, you can read a physiology handbook..."

Durandal leaned close to Shen Gonglin's ear and quietly explained it to him. Seeing his thoughtful expression, she nodded in satisfaction. See? There was no problem once she had explained it clearly. Shen Gonglin looked rather smart, and he understood as soon as she told him.

"Oh, so you're on your period. You could've just said that. You made it sound so complicated that I thought you were... Mmff!"

Shen Gonglin nodded in understanding. So that was all it was. She only had to say it clearly. Such a simple matter—Shen Gonglin had thought the ice cream did not suit her taste. Before he could finish, Durandal hurriedly covered his mouth again. Could he not speak a little more quietly? Matters like this concerning girls should be kept private. Even she would be embarrassed if someone else heard.

In truth, Durandal was overthinking it. Shen Gonglin had not been speaking that loudly. It was simply because she had leaned too close to him.

"It's enough that you understand. Close your mouth and keep your voice down!"

Her cheeks were slightly red. Just like Rita, Durandal could not maintain her perfect poise around Shen Gonglin. Was this guy poisonous or something? He looked harmless and kind, so how could he talk about such subjects so brazenly? And why had she explained it to Shen Gonglin so clearly in the first place? Could she not have simply brushed it off?

"Ptooey, ptooey... You haven't washed your hands after playing soccer, have you? I'm telling you, girls should pay attention to hygiene. Don't just cover someone's mouth whenever you feel like it. Can't you be a little more particular? My ice cream is practically melting."

Shen Gonglin pulled Durandal's hand away in disgust. Facts proved that even a beautiful girl's sweat tasted salty. Durandal's face reddened at his complaint. Seeing Shen Gonglin licking his ice cream, she quickly hid her hand behind her back. After her brief embarrassment, Durandal grew indignant again. Fine, everything she had thought about this guy before had been wrong. He was an utterly hopeless little bastard!

Shen Gonglin's appearance was simply too deceptive. How had she ever considered him a good person?

"Um... Durandal, you said you're on your period today, right?"

Durandal was still angry when Shen Gonglin cautiously asked this question again. Seeing the uncertainty in his eyes, she finally felt a little better. It seemed this guy had realized his mistake after all. But it was too late to start worrying about her now. Durandal had never needed anyone's concern.

"Yes, but it's no problem. Even if I played another soccer match with you right now, it would be completely fine. So you don't need to say anything about worrying over my health or whatever..."

Durandal straightened and looked into the distance. The strongest Valkyrie's resolve shone in her azure eyes. No matter when or where, she was the strongest.

"No, I mean, since you're on your period, give me your ice cream. You can't eat cold stuff anyway."

Chapter 123: Failed Revenge

Women really were strange. Maybe it was because she was having one of those days, so it was understandable that her temper was a little odd. Shen Gonglin considered himself a mature man, and in this situation, he ought to be a little more tolerant of women. So... he would accept her apology gift.

Watching the girl's back as she stormed away for some reason, Shen Gonglin took a lick of the strawberry ice cream in his hand and did not care at all. He had no idea how to coax girls. She had left in such a hurry, so there had to be something going on at home. Maybe she had left the gas on. He hoped she would get home safely. That was the only thing Shen Gonglin could do for her.

"You really have nothing else to say?"

Just as Shen Gonglin stood there enjoying his second flavor of ice cream, he suddenly felt a shadow fall over him. Looking up, he saw Durandal, who had supposedly left already. The golden-haired girl stood with her arms crossed, staring at Shen Gonglin seriously. The more Durandal thought about it after taking a step back, the angrier she became. She had thought Shen Gonglin would realize his error and chase after her to apologize. Yet this guy truly had no intention of doing so at all. How heartless.

She really regretted treating him to ice cream.

"Um... Thank you?"

After finishing his own ice cream, Shen Gonglin began focusing on enjoying Durandal's gift. Perhaps he really should thank her. She had treated him to it, after all. It would be inappropriate not to say thanks.

...That was not what she wanted.

Durandal suddenly felt so defeated. It was a feeling she had never experienced before. Yet she was unwilling to let Shen Gonglin off so easily. Ever since meeting this guy, she felt as though she had constantly been at a disadvantage. If she simply left like this, it would feel as though she had lost. Unless she made Shen Gonglin embarrass himself, Durandal would not feel satisfied. No, she needed to think of something.

"You don't need to thank me. But if you truly want to show your gratitude..."

Durandal looked toward the mall, and an idea suddenly came to her. This might work. She would do that.

"Uh... I was just being polite. How about I give this back to you? Don't worry, I only licked this side. I didn't touch the spot you licked at all."

Shen Gonglin hesitantly offered the ice cream back to her. He had the feeling that the woman in front of him was troublesome. Shen Gonglin was already starting to want to go back and find the Class President. The Class President was the only person he knew here, aside from that maid who barely counted. Shen Gonglin felt he should be more cautious. The golden-haired girl beside him seemed troublesome. It would be better not to get involved with her anymore.

"...What do you mean, you deliberately avoided the spot I ate from? You were the one who asked me for it, and now you're acting as if I disgust you? What exactly are you trying to do? And you know I can't eat cold things right now, yet you still want to give it back to me? Eat it properly. Once you're done, come shopping with me. Consider that your thanks to me!"

Durandal had not been this angry in a long time. She struggled to calm herself. Calm down. She could not pin Shen Gonglin to a wall with her lance right now. He was human, not a Honkai Beast. If she wanted to bully him, she could wait for the strength assessment. What she needed to do now was make Shen Gonglin embarrassed.

Durandal looked at Shen Gonglin darkly. Under that gaze, Shen Gonglin could only obediently eat the ice cream bite by bite. Even he got a headache from eating two ice creams in a row. It was so cold. What exactly did this woman want? He should never have played soccer with her. Her face looked troublesome from the start. The Class President was much more straightforward. This woman was strange; she was probably not a good person.

"I think it would be more convenient for you to buy this kind of thing by yourself. It's fine. All normal girls grow up and become like this. It's not like you've grown a tail or horns on your head. Why are you embarrassed about buying something like this? It's perfectly normal. Look at those ladies over there. Aren't they buying it too?"

In the women's products section, Shen Gonglin lectured Durandal with a serious expression. Meanwhile, the strongest Valkyrie, who had originally been full of spirit, now hung her head in dejection. She had failed again. Why did Shen Gonglin refuse to follow any of the usual patterns?