Everyone Was Stunned! That'll Cost Extra!

"How dare this brat act so cocky! Doesn't he know he's about to die?"

"Those destined for destruction must first be driven mad."

"Heh, if he dares step outside, I can complete the family head's assignment."

The people lurking in the shadows whispered among themselves.

They thought they were well hidden, but to Lu You, they all stood out like glaring light bulbs. Even their voices came through perfectly clearly.

Only someone who was also at the second tier could hide from Spiritual Sense. Among these small fry, there wasn't even one at the peak of the first tier.

Huh? There actually is one. He's pretty well hidden, too.

Lu You looked toward a nearby high-rise. In the lingering sunset, a man dressed in yellow stood on its rooftop.

The man wore his hair in a long ponytail and had his gaze fixed on him, very discreetly.

"Tsk, looks like a professional."

At least he was much better than the other riffraff.

A professional meant a specific commission, and he would know more.

Lu You considered how to capture this fellow alive.

The enemy is out in the open, while I'm in the shadows. I shouldn't rush.

No one knew his strength yet. Complacency meant openings, which would give him plenty of opportunities.

Turning around, Lu You began strolling leisurely back.

This disappointed many of the people watching him.

"He chickened out after all. Heh."

"Damn it, I have to wait here another half month. What a boring job."

"An extremely dangerous job, too. Who knows whether that being has any backup plans?"

"Please don't jinx it, okay? Once I finish this job, I'm going back home to get married."

"Motherfucker, fuck you..."

Hearing their words, Lu You's lips curled slightly. Leave? Do they really think I won't go outside?

Walking behind the teaching building, he decisively wrapped his entire body in Spiritual Sense. Then he rubbed his chin as he studied the towering perimeter wall and the faint barrier power inscribed on it.

Fuyuki High School had a barrier. It hadn't been set up by the old principal, but had existed since the school's founding.

Its first purpose was to protect the students from being accidentally injured by Psychic Energy users fighting outside.

Its second was to make everyone enter and leave through the main gate. After all, the school was a public facility, not someone's private courtyard.

Perhaps the old principal had a way around the barrier, but unfortunately, she was asleep.

"So that's how it is. I'll still have to use the main gate."

In that case, he couldn't keep it from Old Nobuta.

A rough assessment put the barrier's strength at least at the third tier. It wasn't something he could challenge yet.

He ambled back to the school gate. Dozing Old Nitta blearily opened his eyes, which instantly went as wide as brass bells.

What is this...

That's fucking Spiritual Sense! Second tier?!

This little fellow is actually at the second tier? What? Where are my sword and shield?

When did he manage that? No, the real question is, how could he possibly do it?!

You old ghost, Kaguya, you still wanted me to guard the gate? Does this gate really need guarding? Who's the dangerous one here?!

"You..."

"Shh! Not a word, old man. I'm heading out to farm some jungle monsters."

Smiling, Lu You raised an index finger in a shushing gesture, then stepped silently through the school gate.

With his Spiritual Sense distorting sight, no one could notice anything unusual.

Old Nobuta silently watched Lu You walk farther and farther from the school, his expression somewhat dazed.

"Looks like those people are in for some bad luck. Lu Feng, you really don't measure up to your son."

The moment he stepped out of the school, an immense joy surged straight to the crown of Lu You's head. Even his body celebrated!

He had finally broken free of his past life of scraping by.

He had opened a new chapter in his life.

Before him stood a dazzling array of high-rises, streets busy with traffic, and bustling crowds.

Unlike the school, the world outside was full of noise.

"Honestly, it's been such a long road..."

He sighed inwardly. Who knew how much hardship and planning had gone into reaching this point?

"This isn't the time for reminiscing yet. Little mice, where are you all?"

His gaze swept darkly across the entire area before the school gate. His Spiritual Sense swept outward, invisible ripples rapidly spreading ahead.

Only Old Nobuta could detect it, his eyelids twitching.

"With proficiency like that, he probably reached the second tier long ago. No wonder this little fellow hasn't given up on himself, even with that old ghost Kaguya showing no signs of activity for the past half month."

Nobuta muttered inwardly.

"Found you, green pants."

Disappearing into the crowd, Lu You followed the street and soon entered an office building roughly forty stories tall.

Although it was nearly quitting time and many weary-looking office drones in suits were leaving the building, Lu You drew no attention as he went against the flow.

That was the ingenious use of Spiritual Sense.

By distorting perception and sight, it achieved the effect of invisibility.

"Tsk, if they can get off work on time, they aren't tired enough."

He squeezed into the elevator to the highest floor, then took the emergency stairs. Soon, he reached the rooftop door. His finger lightly touched the locked door, and with a soft click, the lock broke.

He pushed the door open without a sound.

The ponytailed man was still watching the school gate, hands in his pockets. Strong winds atop the high-rise whipped his clothes, giving him quite an imposing air.

But Lu You's mouth soon twitched.

At the man's feet lay a PlayStation, along with cola, chips, and other snacks, all scattered haphazardly.

Seriously, dude.

Are you a professional killer?

I feel like I am...

"Oi, mate, it's past three. Time for tea."

Lu You walked up behind him, patted his shoulder, and teased him.

The sudden voice sent goose bumps rising all over the ponytailed man's body. He whipped his head around, surging Psychic Energy dyeing his right arm black as he struck behind him!

The air boomed and shrieked.

Ability-Poisonous Arm!

Die!

Whoever could sneak up behind him without a sound had to be a Psychic Energy user.

Nor was he worried about hitting a teammate.

His only teammate in this city was his boss. If it was him, even an all-out attack wouldn't pose a threat.

Besides, if he really did beat his boss to death...

He would be delighted!

"Is that really necessary, friend?"

Whoosh! A biting chill instantly swept past the ponytailed man's cheek, then shot straight into the sky, splitting the drifting golden clouds in two.

A trickle of blood slowly flowed down, gathering at his chin before dripping onto the rooftop's concrete floor.

He froze, his arm raised in midair and his body twisted, unable to advance or withdraw.

That strike just now could clearly have sliced straight through his neck...

A chill gripped his heart, and sweat soaked the back of his shirt.

"Name."

"Zuo Lai..."

"Do you know why I spared your life?"

Now it was Lu You's turn to stand with his hands in his pockets. He spoke mildly, while the assassin named Zuo Lai squeezed his eyes shut, not daring to look at him.

"In our line of work, revealing client information is the biggest taboo, so..."

"So you refuse?"

"So that'll cost extra."

After forcing those words out, Zuo Lai fell silent.

"Heh, your life is in my hands, and you still want money? Are you really not afraid of dying?"

"No, I signed a Star God Contract. I can't disclose client information. But I secretly wrote a fallback clause on the back of the contract: it can be amended if I'm offered a higher price."

The Star God Contract was a wondrous power in this world, possessing a formidable binding force from the unseen.

"Fine."

Only when he heard Lu You agree did Zuo Lai let out a long breath and finally dare to open his eyes.

Then his eyes instantly went as wide as brass bells.

"It's you!!!"