Volume Four: Withering in the Mortal World - Chapter 318: Communication Problems?

"..." "..."

In the deep alley, the two people, one big and one small, were staring at each other intently.

"..." "..."

Silence.

The atmosphere was less awkward and more stagnant.

A delinquent girl who's bad at interpersonal relationships and a monster girl with absolutely zero social experience—it couldn't be worse.

Furthermore, Xiao Wu is a battle-hardened warrior, and Sin Annihilation is a killer with countless victories; the two are already accustomed to carefully observing each other's movements before taking action.

"... Hello."

"... Um?"

"Why don't you... pull up the hood of that tattered garment? At least let the person who helped you see your face."

The Sin Annihilation was delayed.

As the fourth Goddess who shouldn't exist, although the possibility of her being exposed is slim, she still can't show her face to the people of the Holy See. What exactly is the purpose of this woman who is making her show her face? She doesn't seem to be from the Holy See either...

"... Are you a clergyman?"

"Huh? Of course not, don't compare me to those scumbags."

Why ask yourself this? Xiao Wu was puzzled for a moment, then she understood. This child had just been harassed by that man who looked like a sheriff, so she must have developed a deep distrust of the Vatican's forces, which was why she was worried... How pitiful.

"Well... it's fine to show your face then."

If possible, Sin Annihilation would love to slip away, or knock Xiao Wu unconscious and leave, or at the very least kill her, since having an outsider around would definitely hinder the mission. But judging from his observation just now, the tall, beautiful woman in front of him was definitely a ruthless character, no less than or even more powerful than the pink and black twins. If he suddenly did something out of line, there was no guarantee that unforeseen changes wouldn't occur.

And it was only his face that was shown.

Sin Annihilation made his decision and slowly lowered his hood.

"Well..."

Xiao Wu frowned the moment she saw Sin Annihilation's face clearly, her gaze turning cold and sharp.

Just as she had predicted—the idea of Sin Annihilation Thoughts was exactly as she had foreseen.

Objectively speaking, the grotesque marks on her face from repeated Sacrifice Attack would evoke a sense of physical disgust in anyone who saw her. Everyone who had ever seen her face—the Chief Justice, the Pope, and even a passerby—would have shown utter loathing, and the woman before her was clearly no exception.

If only I could disgust her like this and make her leave obediently.

However, Xiao Wu's next move was completely unexpected by Sin Annihilation.

A cool hand touched her face, gently tracing the hideous marks, the movement so gentle it was unbelievable.

"Tsk... Domestic violence? Or was it done by some scumbag? Really..."

Xiao Wu was genuinely furious. Not because of disgust for the marks on Sin Annihilation's face, but purely outraged by the fact that "such a lovely girl had suffered such cruel abuse." Clearly, without these horrific scars, this girl would be an angel cherished by everyone, for her appearance was so pure and ethereal, yet it was all ruined by these scars!

The Sin Annihilation organization is now in complete chaos.

As a killing machine raised to carry out dirty missions, her mechanical thinking allows her to handle all sorts of situations based on experience, but being cared for and pitied is something she has never experienced before. Xiao Wu is someone who is neither good at expressing kindness to others nor good at appreciating kindness from others, which is already a problem in interpersonal relationships, but Sin Annihilation even more extreme—she has no idea what kindness is, let alone the difference between kindness and malice.

"Hey, hey! Didn't you hear me calling you? Tsk... Where are your parents? I'll take you home and teach them a lesson while I'm at it..."

"Ah... no, I don't have parents..."

Temporarily thrown into confusion Sin Annihilation answered foolishly. It was the truth, because when the Inquisition trained teenage assassins, once they found a promising candidate, they would eliminate all of the girl's relatives and sever all ties so that she would be completely devoted to them. Sin Annihilation couldn't even remember what her original parents looked like.

"No parents... an orphan, or was he completely kicked out of his home? How could they treat such a child like that... despicable!"

Xiao Wu scratched her head, a mix of annoyance and embarrassment. She knew the battle would begin in a few days, and she couldn't afford any unexpected trouble, but her sense of justice (which she herself was unwilling to admit) wouldn't allow her to ignore this poor girl... Ah, she had an idea.

"Do you know where the Orphanage or welfare institution is in Sadington City? You should be able to find one there—"

"No!"

"... ha?"

Seeing Xiao Wu's confused expression, Sin Annihilation knew she had overreacted. She was incredulous at her mistake; she could usually control her emotions perfectly, so why did she keep making mistakes when talking to Saki...?

"I... I mean... Orphanage and such are all run by the Vatican, I... I don't want to go there, and I don't want to see the people there!"

"... Ah, I see."

Xiao Wu immediately accepted this explanation.

Xiao Wu had already heard far too many dark stories about the Orphanage controlled by the corrupt church from Loxue. Clearly, this girl had experienced those dark things; what kind of atrocities must the church's perverts have done to turn her into this...?

Xiao Wu subtly made a decision.

There shouldn't be any problem for the next few days... and Sadington, these poor orphans won't have to suffer anymore.

So--

"... Hey, do you trust me?"

"Trustworthy...?"

"If you trust that I'm not a bad person, then come with me first. At least I'll help you get some decent clothes."

"Why?"

"Why... well... tsk! There's no why!"

Xiao Wu blushed slightly (unwilling to admit she was a kind-hearted person who became arrogant when doing good deeds like Lei Feng), she snorted, turned around, and walked out of the alley. Although she exuded an "take it or leave it" aura, her eyes, which kept glancing back, betrayed her.

"...(⊙_⊙)"

What considerations did Sin Annihilation go through at this moment? No one knows, not even Sin Annihilation himself.

"Okay, thank you... you, uh..."

"Urahara Sakura Dance, that's my name."

"Ms. Urushihara..."

"My full name is Urahara Sakura Dance, but it's best not to call me by my surname."

"Xiao Wu..."

"Don't add Miss."

"Xiao Wu?"

"Okay, that's good."

"Age?"

"Just turned twenty."

"Interest?"

"Sleeping, housework, cooking."

Marital status?

"Unmarried."

"Height?"

1.76 meters tall.

"Weight?"

One hundred and twelve jin (approximately 67.5 catties).

"So fat."

"For my height, this is considered on the thin side!"

"Vision?"

"Are you getting a medical check-up?! At least tell me your name!"

"... Xiao Wu, you're so stingy."

"You're the one who's so strange!"

"Ahhh—" Xiao Wu sighed repeatedly. Whether it was Ye, the Qipao Woman, or this newly acquainted girl, why did everyone speak so strangely? Did she have a constitution that easily attracted oddballs?

"So you haven't introduced yourself yet! What's your name?"

"..." "Speak?"

"... Sin Annihilation, fifteen years old."

"Sin... exterminated?"

Xiao Wu stunned for a moment.

What the heck is "Sin Annihilation"? It doesn't even sound like a human name! And in Ye's words, it's more like... chuunibyou (a Japanese term for someone with delusions of grandeur)? But my own name, "Xiao Wu," is strange enough; I have no right to judge others. Ye once told me something baffling like, "If you search your name on Baidu, you'll be pleasantly surprised." Speaking of which, what is Baidu?

"Hmm... not a bad name."

"(Stare--------)"

"... Okay, this name is really weird."

"I'm sorry, you can't go in."

"Huh? Why?"

"This shop does not serve beggars." With that, the female shop assistant, whose hair was tied in a high bun and who had a smug expression, pointed to the sign hanging by the door. "No entry for the lowly and dogs."

"Hey you... don't look down on people like that."

"Please watch your words. This is the flagship store of Sadington's No.1 chain brand. If you're looking to cause trouble, I advise you to give up."

Although Xiao Wu's appearance truly surprised the shop assistant, she immediately calmed down after seeing Tsumi wrapped in a dirty Sin Annihilation.

"What a nuisance..." Xiao Wu frowned. Facing this bitch who probably couldn't even withstand her killing intent, if it weren't for the rule against causing trouble on the eve of a battle, she would have already punched her. But now—

Pull, pull. "Xiao Wu."

"What's wrong?"

"Steal it."

"Don't talk about illegal things in such a serious manner!"

Even though it might feel satisfying to have such a pretentious store robbed.

There's nothing I can do... Xiao Wu sighed. She didn't like owing favors to others, but it should be fine if it was Ye. She could just consider it compensation for their usual troublesome words and actions.

"Let me reiterate: if you continue to obstruct our business, we will have no choice but to resort to force."

"Tch, trying to act all high and mighty, all you care about is money—come on, you're asking for it!"

Smack!!!!

With a crisp sound, the arrogant shop assistant was sent flying sideways. Although Xiao Wu hadn't exerted any force, her cheek was still swollen like a small mountain.

"How dare you—eh?"

Just as she was about to unleash a torrent of abuse, the shop assistant suddenly realized what Xiao Wu had used to slap her away.

It was a thick stack of banknotes.

But that wasn't enough to shock her.

The problem is that each ticket has many zeros and a symbol of a bird spreading its wings as if about to take flight.

These are special denomination banknotes issued by the Gray Starling Bank, not circulating in the market, and only a very small privileged class has the opportunity to access them. Even in the extravagant upper class of the West Saint Continent, those qualified to use these banknotes are at least of the rank of Diocesan Bishop, making them a true symbol of status and wealth.

One minute later--

"Welcome, sir!!!!"

Xiao Wu and Sin Annihilation were both dumbfounded.

In just one minute, all the customers in the huge shop were "asked" to leave, and all the staff and even the manager personally came out to line the way to greet them. It was like a cruel joke.

"Hey, I said..."

"What can I do for you?"

"Just buying this girl a decent outfit," Xiao Wu thought for a moment, then added, "As long as it looks clean and she can wear it out, it doesn't need to be too—"

"Our brand's top designer is on their way. Please come in and rest!"

"Let me finish!"

Before coming here, Ye gave Haoyue, Xiao Wu, and Xiao each a bundle of these bills, saying that they were forcibly given to her by the Gray Starling Group as an apology after the Northern Realm Rally, and that they could not only be spent but also serve as a pass to high society.

At first she was skeptical, but now it seems... the effect is a bit too good.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A wealthy man flaunts his riches while shopping with his new lover; Monet Margaret must be crying in the bathroom (just kidding).