Faced with Mira Tsubakihara's devastating question, Luo Shu's expression froze.
He was too embarrassed to explain the ring's ability to Mira Tsubakihara, but he also didn't want to make up a lie to deceive her under these circumstances.
That left Luo Shu looking extremely awkward.
Sitting across from him, Mira Tsubakihara seemed to notice his predicament. After glancing at him, she said quietly:
"If it's a secret you can't disclose, please forget I asked."
"...It's not exactly a secret I can't talk about."
Although he did have some rather immoral thoughts, Luo Shu wasn't yet at the point of letting his lower half control his brain.
After a brief silence, he chose his words carefully:
"This ring, which called itself the 'Demon Heart' in front of you, belonged to a member of the transnational criminal organization 'Astronomy of Truth.'"
"Its ability is to mentally control women. Um, I think you can probably understand the specifics..."
Hearing Luo Shu say this, Miss Mira blinked, her expression seeming to go blank for a moment.
"You mean..." Coming back to her senses, Mira Tsubakihara instinctively shifted away from the box on the table.
At this point, Luo Shu threw caution to the wind and nodded outright.
"Yes, its ability is hypnosis, specifically a very vile form of hypnosis targeting women."
"According to the information Chief Tachibana Kirika gave me, quite a few European porn stars apparently fell victim to this ring's previous owner."
After listening to Luo Shu's explanation, Mira Tsubakihara gripped the sofa cushion, then looked at him nervously.
"...Luo Shu, you wouldn't use such a vile ring on me, would you?"
"What do you think?" Luo Shu rolled his eyes at her question.
I was kind enough to explain the ring's ability so you could watch out for it, and this is how you treat me? By worrying I'll use it?
Believe it or not, I could make you a mother ten months from now. Of twins, at that!
"Sorry, I didn't mean to doubt you. It's just that this ring... well, its ability really is rather awful. If possible, please do everything you can to keep it sealed away."
Mira Tsubakihara made her request with great sincerity.
"...I will." Although Luo Shu felt a little guilty, he still gave his word as a man at a time like this.
At least for now, he promised he absolutely wouldn't use this on Miss Mira.
Just then, Mira Tsubakihara uneasily grabbed the white cushion beside her and hugged it tightly. After taking several deep breaths, she seemed to remember something and cautioned Luo Shu:
"If possible, please don't hand this ring over to the Zeus Industries Group backing Chief Tachibana."
"Hm?" Luo Shu froze at her words, then looked at Mira Tsubakihara hesitantly, seemingly unsure whether he should ask.
Apparently noticing his indecision, Mira Tsubakihara explained to him:
"I heard from my family that Chief Tachibana is very close to a female executive at the Zeus Industries Group. Apparently, they were classmates in college."
"The Zeus Industries Group is very enthusiastic about collecting and studying these Abyssal Artifacts to develop more powerful 'military equipment.' That's why, at the urging of that executive and Chief Tachibana, SDS was founded as an organization that collects Abyssal Artifacts in Japan."
"So it would be best not to hand this 'Demon Heart' over to Chief Tachibana."
At this point, Mira Tsubakihara added very seriously:
"To protect innocent women from being harmed."
Before Luo Shu could react, Mira Tsubakihara added again:
"Incidentally, if my family contacts you later, please keep the ring's existence a secret from them as well."
After saying this, Mira Tsubakihara's face was filled with resignation.
"My family has much the same idea as the Zeus Industries Group. Or rather, all the Six Major Arms Groups in the Americas have the same intentions toward these Abyssal Artifacts."
So the people backing Tachibana Kirika are this Zeus Industries Group? One of the Six Major Arms Groups in the Americas? No wonder she can order the Garrison's soldiers around and ignore the Japanese authorities. Turns out she works for their daddy's master... Luo Shu grumbled inwardly.
Before transmigrating, he had known that the arms industry giants in the Americas were notorious for playing fast and loose. He hadn't expected them to be just as brazen in this world, even controlling secret organizations like this from afar. No wonder they were so powerful.
But Miss Mira comes from an arms industry giant's family too...? No wonder Tachibana Kirika didn't dare act recklessly, yet told me to bring the Demon Heart over if I could. So she was worried her rivals would get a head start on researching it?
While thinking this, Luo Shu gave his assurance aloud:
"Don't worry. I won't let anyone get their hands on this."
Make a fake with points... I can manage something that simple... After all, I am the leader of a secret organization... even if it's a pretty pathetic one... Luo Shu silently contacted the system. Once he learned that making a fake would cost only 300 points at a special discount, he felt reassured.
Incidentally, Luo Shu had also just asked the system to examine the Demon Heart and the Lucky Wallet. Discovering that the Demon Heart would cost 60,000 points to make, while the Lucky Wallet would cost 80,000, made his heart tighten.
"Including my family?" Mira Tsubakihara deliberately reminded him.
"Of course." Luo Shu agreed, but inwardly wondered why Tsubakihara
Mira had to emphasize that. Did she think her family would somehow get special treatment from him?
Aren't you overestimating your influence on me...? Although he really wanted to say that, Luo Shu wasn't stupid. Why be so blunt for no reason?
Seeing Luo Shu "agree," Mira Tsubakihara immediately showed a faint smile, but quickly reined it in.
Meanwhile, Luo Shu, whose mind was occupied with why these two Abyssal Artifacts were so expensive, pretended to suddenly remember something and took out his phone to check the time.
His phone showed 9:15. Seeing the time, Luo Shu finished the remaining black tea, put away the box containing the Demon Heart on the table, then stood up and made his intentions clear:
"It's getting late. Should I be going?"
Luo Shu asked Mira Tsubakihara, sounding out her opinion.
Mira Tsubakihara hurriedly took out her phone to check, then said in surprise:
"Oh, is it almost bedtime already?" Seeing the time on the screen, Mira Tsubakihara immediately stood up. "Let me see you out."
"No need. I'm right next door."
Luo Shu pointed at the wall adjoining apartment 303, silently adding: A young lady with a healthy sleep schedule? That's a plus... Unlike me, who often can't stick to one.
Hearing him say this, Mira Tsubakihara finally remembered that Luo Shu lived right next door, somewhere she could see just by poking her head out over the balcony. She couldn't help smiling.
"That's right. You're right next door."
As she spoke, Mira Tsubakihara took out her phone, opened LINE, and waved it at Luo Shu before giving him a sweet smile.
"Oh? Oh!"
Luo Shu immediately caught on, and they exchanged LINE contact details.
After changing into his own shoes in the entryway and stepping outside, Luo Shu turned to look at Mira Tsubakihara, who was holding the door half-closed.
"See you tomorrow, Luo Shu." Mira Tsubakihara waved with a smile.
"See you tomorrow, Miss Mira."
The door closed, and Luo Shu walked toward his own apartment, his mind weighed down with worries. He needed to take a good look at what exactly these two uninvited Abyssal Artifacts were.
Meanwhile, Mira Tsubakihara leaned back against her door, gazed at the step in the entryway, and murmured:
"A whole eight years younger than me..."
Mira Tsubakihara sighing.jpg
Before you continue