Afterward, it was the two teenagers’ turn to talk, “The two of us are brothers. Our parents exchanged us for some cows with a slave trader who in return auctioned us off as slaves to other rich chosen ones who needed a replacement to die in their stead. So, we don’t really have a place to go back to since we were supposed to die today.”
‘What shitty parents.’ While deliberating that line, out of curiosity, Virus interrogated, “Huh? What about your parents, don’t you wanna go back to them?”
Gritting their teeth, however, the two rejected at once, “They are better off and much happier with the cows.” It was clear they could not forgive them just yet. Furthermore, who could say for sure they wouldn’t we sold off for a second time if they went back.
As for the last old guy, he merely said, “Ah, I’m actually a homeless guy, I was just sitting beside my bonfire when I felt sleepy all of a sudden and passed out, when I came to my senses, I was already in that damned room, waiting to die.”
Listening to their stories, Virus felt speechless at their tragic stories while murmuring, “How can they all happen to be living such miserable lives?”
Still, he didn’t comment about accepting or denying them and instead proceeded on his path to the outside. However, if there was a difference in his behavior, it was the fact that he no longer told them to stop chasing after him.
Following that, when Virus finally reached the previous spot where the cloaked woman had handed him over to the buffed-up guy, Virus couldn’t discover any shadows of the cloaked female.
However, he could easily see a woman with tan skin at some distance who was anxiously and yet sadly waiting for something or someone. Her eyes were full of guilt.
Subsequently, the woman’s eyes went wide open in shock when it fell upon Virus’ frame. She could not believe Virus had returned alive!
Promptly realizing something, however, a glint of relief seemed to occupy her eyes at last as she turned around and was about to leave.
Right before her departure, however, Virus’ figure promptly dissipated before materializing beside her.
Bam!
Grabbing her by the neck next, Virus pushed her into the wall.
“Argh…!”
“W-what are you doing?!” After the initial state of stupor, the woman voiced in surprise.
“You really think I won’t recognize you without your cloak?” Getting his face closer to hers, Virus’ icy stare locked into her pupils.
“Y-you… how?” While her gaze was directed downward, nonstop beads of sweat were dripping from her forehead as she looked at Virus in terror and confusion. The tan lady was incapable of comprehending how Virus had come to be aware of his identity.
“It doesn’t matter. What matters is that you had enough balls to try to deceive me. And now, you’re going to face the consequences of your actions.” Wearing a smile full of contempt, Virus sneered at the female in his grasp.
“I-I…”
“Go on… try coming up with an excuse, I’m listening.” His smile transforming into a quizzical one, Virus waited patiently.
“I-I’m so sorry. That’s the only thing I can say. I just can’t die yet since I’m all my little sister has left in this world.” Maintaining minimal eye contact, she notified him.
“Huh? Am I supposed to care?” Tightening the grip around his fingers at once, Virus choked her so hard that her face turned red and purple.
Argh~ Crrhgh!
There wasn’t a shadow of any doubt that she was doomed to die soon in case Virus’ palm remained tight around her neck.
Tch!
Clicking his tongue, at last, Virus let go of her neck, dropping her trembling figure which was trying her best to catch her breath on the floor.
Hee! Haa! Hee…! Haa…!
“Count yourself lucky I made a huge profit out of this. Believe me when I say this; if this encounter of ours was anything but beneficial in the end, it would’ve been your lifeless corpse that would be on the floor right now.”
In all honesty, just as Virus was claiming, he had every intention of eliminating the cloaked woman after he was done seeing this little scheme of hers to the end. And yet, since the outcome had been nothing but positive, he decided against that temporarily.
“Hmph, just pay the rest of the promised Qi Ingots.”
“I… I apologize, but those ten Qi Ingots I bought your Identity Plaque with were my entire fortune, I could barely get my hands on that much alone after selling all my properties.” Her voice breaking up due to both fear and guilt, the sole course of action she could take was to beg for further forgiveness, “I-I’m really sorry.”
“Hmph, you being sorry isn’t worth shit. Begone this very instant or I may just change my mind and take that worthless life of yours.”
Listening to everything Virus had to say, the tan female briefly locked gazes only to realize those eyes were dead-serious. If she delayed any longer, he may truly go ahead and kill him.
“O-okay…!” Therefore, with the horrific image of her lonely sister overwhelming her heart, the tan woman rose to her feet in a rush and walked away in a wobbly manner.
Observing her unsteady amble to the distance while holding her painful neck, Virus merely let out a harrumph of indifference.
Meanwhile, behind him, seeing his cruel attitude toward the tan woman, a shiver went down all four’s spine as they unanimously agreed, ‘Ah, I better remember to never deceive or lie to the boss… unless I have a death wish.’
With his face returning to its expressionless state at once, Virus started walking again while casually inquiring, “So, what are your names? I know that annoying oldie’s called Archibald. But what about you three?”
At once, one after another, the two brothers replied, “I’m the older brother and my name is Luca, boss.”
“I’m the younger brother. Please call me Luna, boss.”
“Hmm, Luca and Luna, eh? Good names!” Virus exclaimed with an unceremonious nod.
“What about you? Are you ever going to introduce yourself or not?” Targeting the second old man who had been the quietest one so far, Virus questioned.
“Please address me as Augustus, boss.”
‘Augustus, huh? I wonder what his background was before becoming a homeless person.’
“So… Archibald, Augustus, Luca, and Luna.” Contemplating for a bit, Virus became resolved at last. “Alright, you four may follow me as my servants and aids from now on, do you consent?”
“Yes, boss!” All four nodded in agreement without any signs of dissatisfaction whatsoever.
“Bear in mind, now that you are my servants, you have to loyally serve me to death. However, before that, I’ll give you one final chance to go away right this instant.”
“You better think this through, it’s your sole opportunity to quit alive. Henceforth, only death will be your retirement plan.” Afterward, Virus proceeded to walk silently, giving anyone who wished to quit to depart at once.
Albeit, none desired to part ways with him as they chased after him tacitly.
“Alright, that’s that then, I suppose. Now…”
