I, Herrscher Slayer

Shen Gonglin thought for a moment and said, and Durandal chuckled upon hearing this.

"Alright, if you win, I'll treat you to ice cream. Of course, if you lose... how about you help me find that brat who kicked the ball and hit me in the face?"

Durandal would never back down from a challenge. It had been a long time since she had a worthy opponent, and in football, a sport she loved, she couldn't possibly lose.

"Sure, no offense, but I think I'm pretty good at playing ball."

Shen Gonglin immediately accepted the challenge. Looking at the bouncing, fair, and tender curves of her chest, he felt a surge of desire. If she played football like this, wouldn't they bounce even more? How could he possibly refuse such a thing!

Chapter 121

"Come, come, everyone eat... What are you guys doing over there, performing facial expressions at each other? If you have nothing to do later, I'll perform for you. Hurry up and eat, cotton candy is best eaten fresh off the stove."

Distributing the cotton candy in his hand to Hayama and the others, Shen Gonglin had bought enough for everyone this time. Besides himself, who got two, everyone else had one. This was a huge change for him, as he usually liked to keep things to himself. Thus, Hayama and Hikigaya were all flattered. The boys ate their treats sweetly, but why weren't the girls coming over? They were just staring at each other without saying a word, really planning to show off their facial expressions?

When it came to talent, they should have asked Shen Gonglin; he was exceptionally skilled.

"Hmm... Shen Gong, did you get change just now? You didn't need this much for the cotton candy."

Picking a pink cotton candy from Shen Gonglin's hand, perhaps because those girls staring at her made her a bit embarrassed, Yukino felt like she was using money to deceive the naive Shen Gonglin. So, she wanted to get the change back. But as soon as she said it, the contempt in the eyes of the others intensified.

This girl, after getting a good deal, actually wanted to get the change back. No wonder her family is in politics and she's in business; Yukino's heart is truly black.

"Oh, here."

After buying what he wanted, Shen Gonglin didn't care anymore. Since Yukino wanted it, he'd give it to her. He returned all the change he had received to Yukino. Shen Gonglin opened his mouth wide and stuffed all the cotton candy in, eating it with all his might. Anyway, he didn't need to carry money; whenever he needed to spend money, he could just ask Yukino or others. Among this group, Yukino, Yumiko, the senior, and Eriri were all true rich girls.

This... it's really like a guardian and a ward.

Whether it was Yukino or Shen Gonglin, they both seemed quite familiar with this kind of arrangement. Hikigaya looked at them with envy. As expected of Shen Gonglin, he was living his dream life with ease, letting girls pay for him. A single kiss could earn him ten thousand yen. Was money that easy to earn for Shen Gonglin? He was truly envious.

"You're all done eating, right? Since you're done, you can pay me now. One thousand yen per cotton candy. If you pay now, you get an eleven percent discount... Ow! Yumiko, why did you hit me?"

Seeing everyone eating cotton candy, Shen Gonglin finally revealed his true intentions. As the saying goes, no business without deceit. After all, the Shen Gong family was in business. He bought them all cotton candy only to resell it at a high price. But before he could finish speaking, Yumiko punched him on the head. Not only that, but Kasumigaoka Utaha was also poking him with the cotton candy stick. Weren't these two planning to pay? Yukino wasn't going to do anything about it. He was being bullied.

With a complex expression in her eyes, Yukino, who had just begun to have a better impression of Shen Gonglin, turned away. She was too naive. Shen Gonglin was still Shen Gonglin; expecting him to have integrity was impossible. No matter how cunning a businessman was, he couldn't be like this. You guys can bully him however you want, I didn't see anything.

"You scoundrel, I treated you to so many good things, and you still dare to ask me for money? Since you want money, let's settle this properly. The lunch I prepared for you was made with high-quality ingredients, so you should be the one paying me. Hey, Shen Gonglin, pay me back!"

Yumiko grabbed Shen Gonglin's collar and shook him violently. This scoundrel was too much. She felt like all the exquisite lunches she had given him had been fed to the dogs.

"Even I have nothing to say this time, Shen Gong. Since you've said it, here's the money for the cotton candy. You should also return the money for the hotel rooms we booked before, shouldn't you... It was just a normal hotel booking. You don't have to look at me with those terrifying eyes. I was simply taken to book a room by Shen Gonglin."

Kasumigaoka Utaha also added fuel to the fire. As expected of the only senior in Shen Gonglin's heart, she always knew how to make things worse. Moreover, her explanation was more like covering up something. It was true that Shen Gonglin had booked a room with her, but Shen Gonglin had only taken off her socks and then went out to play. He hadn't done anything else... Tsk, looking at the stares of the people around him, Shen Gonglin suddenly felt like he had lost out by doing nothing. He gritted his teeth, looking at Kasumigaoka Utaha, who was giving him a provocative glance.

Just you wait, one day I'll lick those proud legs of yours until they're broken!

With Kasumigaoka Utaha and Yumiko taking the lead, no one present was willing to give Shen Gonglin money. Shen Gonglin could only follow them with tears in his eyes. It seemed that his grandfather's business talent had not been inherited by the Shen Gong family. This was his first business venture, and it had already ended in disaster... From this, it could be seen that his grandfather was probably adopted. The true bloodline of the Shen Gong family was only him and Shen Gong Xiu.

No matter how much I resist, I've still come. It seems people always have to move forward, whether they want to or not. The wheels of time always keep turning forward. This is probably what life is all about... Even if you don't want to move, there will be some unscrupulous people behind you pushing you forward.

"Senior, please don't drag me up, okay? I'll obediently eat my vegetables when I get back, I'll feed you and tuck you in on time, and I'll put a quilt in your shoe box when you sleep. Please don't drag me up, okay... Also, Eriri, I won't be picky about your doujinshi anymore, alright? But this, I really can't, this will kill people."

"What do you take me for? Why should I sleep in a shoe box? Come here!"

"Why should my drawings be picked apart by you? Since we're here, Shen Gonglin, won't you feel it's a waste if you don't jump at least once?"

"Not at all!"

In front of the bungee jumping platform, Kasumigaoka Utaha was pulling Shen Gonglin from the front, while Eriri was pushing his back from behind, urging him upward. Perhaps because it was a holiday, even though the weather was bad, there were still many, many people at the bungee jumping platform. However, more than half of them were probably there to watch the fun. Despite Shen Gonglin's constant struggles, these unscrupulous people still brought him here.

It seems those cotton candies were indeed fed to the dogs. Not a single one of these people spoke up for him!

Shen Gonglin bared his teeth and looked at the people behind him. One by one, Shen Gonglin memorized their faces. He had noted down today's events. For every one of them, Shen Gonglin would have his revenge!

Chapter 121: Shen Gonglin, Who Has Seen the World

A fierce football match. To ensure fairness at the start, Durandal did not use her physical abilities as the strongest Valkyrie. The girl only used her skills to compete with Shen Gonglin. Durandal also had some insights into football, but as the game progressed, she couldn't help but use her true strength. Otherwise... she feared her face would be swollen by this guy.

"You're doing this on purpose, aren't you? You're definitely aiming for my face, aren't you? I'm telling you, if you keep this up, I'll get angry."

Catching the football with her hand, Durandal looked at Shen Gonglin with an unfriendly gaze. This guy looked seemingly honest, but his heart was truly black. At first, they played properly, but as soon as she saw that she couldn't win against him, he started playing these little tricks. Durandal had already been fouled several times. This guy must have planned it this way!

When the two of them went to contest the ball, Durandal vaguely felt this guy bumping into her and faking falls. Now he was only kicking at her face. He clearly had good skills but just liked to use such underhanded tactics. As they played, Durandal felt like kicking his butt. This guy never intended to compete with her fairly.

"How could that be? It's because you're too beautiful that I can only focus on looking at you. Also, don't you know that charging with the ball is a foul? And you're wearing this while playing football. Which ball do you want me to kick?"

Unexpectedly, Shen Gonglin was even more righteous. He stood there, hands on his hips, panting. Such intense physical activity was indeed a bit overwhelming for him. Shen Gonglin wasn't good at running, and this golden-haired big sister's stamina was like a bottomless pit. Plus, her figure kept swaying as she ran... Shen Gonglin couldn't focus on playing football at all and couldn't help but think about other things. Was this her strategy? Truly black-hearted.

So, it was her fault? And what about charging with the ball... Did she think she wanted to collide? Isn't playing football like this? Durandal looked down at her figure. Her outfit today indeed didn't seem very suitable for sports. Plus, this guy honestly praised her beauty... She'd let it go for now.

"Then that's that. Let's just call it a draw for today. What do you think? Looking at you, you clearly can't keep playing. You've become like this after just a little bit of exercise. You need to strengthen yourself."

Kicking the ball towards the goal, Durandal announced the end of the match. If she continued playing with Shen Gonglin, who knew what other tricks he would use to take advantage of her. Next time she played football with Shen Gonglin, she had to be fully armored. That way, this guy wouldn't be distracted by such things.

Durandal looked down. In this posture, she couldn't even see her toes. Shen Gonglin was unable to concentrate on competing with her because of this.

"A draw? That won't do. Look, neither of us scored a single goal, but you fouled several times just now, and you even caught the ball with your hands. So, by all accounts, I should have won. You're not trying to go back on your word, are you? Are you that afraid of treating me to ice cream?"

Shen Gonglin looked at Durandal mockingly. This was the result he had worked hard to achieve. The match indeed ended with no goals. This blonde big sister seemed to have some skill, but she had fouled. Whether it was charging with the ball or catching it with her hands, these were undeniable facts.

"A clumsy attempt at provocation... but it's quite effective. I'll treat you. The amount of exercise today has exceeded the standard, so supplementing with some calories and sugar is not a big deal. If you want to eat, I'll treat you after I rest for a while."

Durandal didn't care about treating someone to ice cream. Rather, she wanted more time and reasons to understand Shen Gonglin. Currently, he seemed to be greedy for small advantages and petty. He probably liked sweets. She still needed to investigate further.

Durandal sat on the bench and patted the spot next to her, signaling Shen Gonglin to sit down too. This level of exercise certainly didn't put any pressure on her, but Shen Gonglin seemed genuinely tired. Seeing the sweat on his face, he still remembered to eat, so he probably had a foodie trait.

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

Shen Gonglin sat obediently beside Durandal, swinging his legs and looking at her from the side. After playing soccer with her for so long, Shen Gonglin had become a little interested in her. Of course, this was also due to the girl's outstanding appearance. Shen Gonglin was a complete sucker for good looks; if someone wasn't pretty, he wouldn't bother with them.

"...I'm older than you. Please don't call me that, no matter what. I am Bianca·Durandal·Attagina. Please take care of me."

No matter how you looked at it, she was older than him. This guy seemed a bit too familiar. He had indeed leaned closer to her earlier, hadn't he? Was he a bit of a pervert who liked to take advantage of women despite his appearance? No wonder Rita got into trouble with him. With her personality that loved cute things, it would probably be hard for her to handle him.

However, Bianca forgot that, just like Rita, she too was someone who had no resistance to cute things.

Didn't she notice that Shen Gonglin was practically leaning right next to her, yet she hadn't reacted at all?

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

Shen Gonglin didn't react immediately. This name seemed a bit too long. Speaking of such long names, Shen Gonglin was reminded of names like "Shang Si Meng Ruan." He always remembered some strange and useless things. What had he been remembering before he lost his memory?

"You can just call me Durandal or Bianca."

It seemed this guy didn't know her name. Observing Shen Gonglin's reaction carefully, Durandal introduced her name with relief. If Shen Gonglin knew she was the strongest Valkyrie... it seemed like it would be a bit embarrassing. The strongest Valkyrie being hit in the face by a soccer ball, it didn't quite match her identity.

"Oh, then Durandal, let's go eat ice cream. We've rested for so long, even the donkeys in the production team wouldn't rest this much. Let's go, let's go. My class monitor will call me home for dinner soon."

Nodding casually, although this older sister was quite to Shen Gonglin's liking in many ways, he still thought ice cream was more important. She was pretty, but what about his own class monitor... wasn't his Mei also pretty? She didn't lose to her in any aspect. Moreover, Mei was a great cook and could recharge him. For girls with such complicated names, just getting a free ice cream from them was enough.

Shen Gonglin had seen the world; he wouldn't be easily fooled.

Chapter 122: Concern?

Donkeys in the production team?

Upon hearing this strange analogy, Durandal was stunned. It was one thing that he had no reaction to her name, but he even used such a comparison to describe her. This Shen Gonglin truly lived up to being someone Otto had specifically mentioned.

Come to think of it, when they were playing soccer earlier, he seemed to have been preparing to use a flying head attack on her. Being able to casually use such an attack on a woman, Durandal didn't seem too surprised anymore.

"Let's go, let's go. I want vanilla ice cream... strawberry flavor sounds good too. Anyway, you decide which one to buy, I'm fine with either."

Unable to wait any longer, Shen Gonglin took Durandal's hand and walked forward. Durandal only reacted after being pulled for a couple of steps. Looking at Shen Gonglin, who was pulling her arm, this guy didn't seem to realize at all that he was holding the hand of someone of the opposite sex. He was so casual, as if he were carrying a plastic bag. It seemed different from how ordinary men treated women, but... she didn't seem to dislike it very much. No one had ever treated her like this before. Durandal relaxed and let Shen Gonglin pull her forward. Could this be considered friendship?

But it felt different from how she felt with Rita. Was this the difference between a male friend and a female friend?

"Don't say it as if you're being very tolerant of me. And if we're buying ice cream, it should be this way. Follow me."

Durandal, who was lost in thought, only reacted after being pulled for several steps by Shen Gonglin. Shen Gonglin was just walking around randomly. She grabbed Shen Gonglin's wrist in return and led him forward. Does he also have a problem with directions? It seemed... a little cute.

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

Durandal rarely ate things like this outside. After taking the ice cream from the staff, she carefully looked at the ice cream in her hand. The red strawberry sauce looked quite appetizing. Meanwhile, Shen Gonglin next to her had already unceremoniously started licking it. Seeing him eat it with such sweetness, Durandal couldn't help but stick out her tongue and lick it. Although this action might not be very ladylike, undeniably, it tasted quite good. The cool sensation... Right, this was a cold item. How could she have forgotten about this?

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

Eating ice cream in large mouthfuls, Shen Gonglin, whose teeth were starting to ache from the cold, rubbed his temples and looked at the girl beside him. She had only licked it once and then stopped. It shouldn't be that it wasn't good. So, what was going on?

"It's nothing. I just remembered that I shouldn't be eating cold things like this for the next few days."

Holding the ice cream in her hand, the very disciplined Durandal stopped when she realized this. For the sake of her health, she should avoid such cold and raw things for the next few days. If she didn't take care of her body, how could she better fight the Honkai?

"...What's with this fuss? Why would you not want to eat cold things for a few days? What's wrong with you?"

Shen Gonglin looked at Durandal in surprise. Hearing him speak so loudly, Durandal quickly covered his mouth. Why was this guy shouting so loudly? Didn't he notice that someone was already looking? Did he not understand what she meant? He was a boy, and he had also lost his memory, so... Durandal wasn't angry. She really wasn't angry.

"Shen Gong, you need to know that due to women's special physiological conditions, there are a few days each month when it's not suitable to eat such cold and raw things. If you want to understand specifically, you can refer to a physiology manual..."

Leaning close to Shen Gonglin's ear, Durandal whispered an explanation to him. Seeing Shen Gonglin looking thoughtful, she nodded with satisfaction. See, that's how it is. If you explain it clearly to him, then there's no problem. After all, Shen Gonglin seemed quite smart; he understood as soon as it was explained.

"Oh, so you mean you're on your period, right? Why say it so complicatedly? I thought you were..." Mmph mmmph!

Shen Gonglin nodded understandingly. So that's what it was. It would be fine if she just explained it clearly. It was such a simple matter. Shen Gonglin thought it was because the ice cream didn't suit her taste. Before he could finish speaking, Durandal quickly reached out and covered his mouth. Couldn't this guy be a little quieter? Such things about girls should be kept a little private, shouldn't they? If others heard it, even she would be shy and embarrassed.

Actually, Durandal was overthinking. Shen Gonglin's voice wasn't that loud; it was purely because she was too close.

"You know that, so shut up and be quiet!"

Her cheeks were already turning red. Like Rita, Durandal couldn't maintain her perfect demeanor around Shen Gonglin. This Shen Gonglin was toxic, wasn't he? He looked harmless and kind, so why could he speak so recklessly about such topics? Besides, why did she explain it so clearly to Shen Gonglin? She could have just brushed it off casually.

"Ptooey, ptooey... You just finished playing soccer, and you haven't washed your hands, right? I'm telling you, girls should pay attention to hygiene. Don't just cover people's mouths. Can't you be a little more particular? My ice cream is melting, you know."

Unexpectedly, Shen Gonglin pulled Durandal's hand away with disdain. The fact that beautiful girls' sweat also tasted salty proved him right. Durandal, being criticized like this, blushed. Seeing Shen Gonglin lick his ice cream, she quickly put her hands behind her back. After a brief moment of shyness, Durandal turned angry again. Fine, all her previous impressions of this guy were wrong. He was a hopeless little scoundrel!

Shen Gonglin's appearance was too deceptive. How could she have mistaken him for a good person?

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

Durandal was still angry, but Shen Gonglin cautiously asked this question again. Seeing his flickering eyes, Durandal felt a little better. It seemed this guy had realized his mistake. But it was too late to show concern now. Durandal never needed anyone's concern.

"Yes, but it's okay. Even if I have to play another soccer match with you right now, it's completely fine. So, you don't need to say anything about caring for my health or anything like that..."

Durandal stood up straight and looked into the distance. Her azure eyes flickered with the determination of the strongest Valkyrie. No matter when or where, she was the strongest.

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

Chapter 123: Failed Revenge

Women, how strange. Perhaps it was because it was just those few days, so her slightly strange temper could be understood. Shen Gonglin considered himself a mature man. In such situations, he should be a bit more tolerant of women. So... he would accept her apology gift.

Looking at the girl's angry retreating back for some reason, Shen Gonglin licked the strawberry ice cream in his hand, completely unfazed. This girl didn't have any intention of coaxing her. She was in such a hurry to leave; she must have something urgent at home, perhaps the gas wasn't turned off. She hoped she would be alright when she got home. This was the only thing Shen Gonglin could do for her.

"You guy, do you have nothing at all you want to say?"

As Shen Gonglin stood there enjoying another ice cream, he was suddenly enveloped by a shadow. He looked up to see Durandal, who had apparently left earlier, standing before him. The blonde girl, arms crossed, looked at Shen Gonglin sternly. Taking a step back, she felt increasingly annoyed. Durandal had expected Shen Gonglin to realize his mistake and come apologize after she left. Instead, this guy showed no such intention at all, truly heartless.

How I regret buying him ice cream.

"Um... Thanks?"

Finishing his ice cream, Shen Gonglin began to focus on enjoying the one Durandal had given him. Perhaps he really should thank her, since she had paid for it. It wouldn't feel right not to say thank you.

...This isn't what I wanted.

Durandal suddenly felt deflated, a feeling she had never experienced before. Yet, she was unwilling to let Shen Gonglin off the hook so easily. Ever since meeting him, she felt like she was always at a disadvantage. Leaving like this felt like she had lost. If she didn't make Shen Gonglin lose face, Durandal felt her anger wouldn't subside. No, she had to think of a way.

"You don't need to thank me, but if you really want to show your gratitude..."

Looking at the mall ahead, a thought suddenly struck Durandal. This method might work. She decided to go with it.

"Uh... I was just being polite. How about you take this back? Don't worry, I only licked this side. I didn't touch the part you already licked."

Shen Gonglin hesitated and handed the ice cream back. He felt like the woman in front of him was very troublesome. Shen Gonglin was already starting to wish he could go back to find the class president. The only person he knew here was the class president. That maid was only half a familiar face. Shen Gonglin felt he should be more vigilant; this blonde girl seemed like trouble. It would be best not to get involved with her anymore.

"...What's the meaning of you specifically avoiding the part I ate? You asked for it yourself, and now you're acting disgusted. What are you trying to pull? Besides, you know I can't eat cold things right now, and you still want to return it to me? Eat it obediently, and after you finish, accompany me shopping. That will be your thanks!"

She hadn't been this angry in a long time. Durandal tried to calm herself. Calm down. I can't just pin Shen Gonglin against the wall right now. He's human, not a Honkai Beast. If I want to bully him, I'll do it during the strength test. What I need to do now is make Shen Gonglin look bad.

Durandal glared at Shen Gonglin with a dark look. Underneath that gaze, Shen Gonglin could only obediently eat the ice cream bite by bite. Even for him, eating two ice creams in a row would give him a headache. It was so cold. What did this woman want? He should never have played soccer with her. Her face alone screamed trouble. The class president was much more straightforward. This woman was strange, probably not a good person.

"I think it'll be more convenient for you to buy this stuff alone. It's nothing. It's normal for girls to get this when they grow up. You don't have a tail or horns on your head, so what's embarrassing about buying something like this? It's perfectly normal. Look at those sisters over there; aren't they all buying it?"

In the women's personal care section, Shen Gonglin was earnestly lecturing Durandal. The once radiant strongest Valkyrie, however, now looked dejected, head bowed. She had failed again. Why didn't Shen Gonglin ever follow the script?