Matsuda Jinpei watched Jiang Xia's rapidly retreating back, the corner of his eye twitching as he considered retreating too.
But before he could take a step, a thoughtful instruction from the Spirit Medium Master came through the Contract:
"I'll go wait nearby first. Don't rush off. Make sure the players see you before you escape in the coolest pose possible—Villains are all like that.
"Since you've already done it, carry the villain's principles through to the end. Be the most qualified villain."
Matsuda Jinpei: "..."
Why did he, a mature and steady adult Ghost, have to consider such a useless question as whether he looked cool while running away...
The Ghost in question had mixed feelings.
Still, since Jiang Xia had assigned it, it counted as work...
Matsuda Jinpei did his best to recall the manga he had read during his edgy teenage years. He knelt beside the corpse on one knee, flicked his cape, struck a fairly cool knife-wielding pose, and waited sorrowfully for the little brats to arrive.
In the café nearby.
After entering, Jiang Xia went straight up to the second floor. He came to the window and looked out at the street through the foggy glass.
Noah popped out from somewhere, bouncing beside him with a paji before obediently settling on the table.
Jiang Xia rubbed the Crystal Ball, which felt quite nice in his hand, then said naturally, "The drinks are good. Another cup. This time, make it alcohol." He snapped his fingers. "—Bring me this era's signature Beer."
Noah: "..." This was a café. He had only prepared coffee...
But since Jiang Xia wanted a drink...
Noah could only silently look up some information, work overtime on the spot, and whip up a cup.
Elsewhere.
One minute earlier.
As the game began,