Volume 5 Chapter 35 Progress Sharing, Part Ii
After surpassing the night of two intense battles, we gathered before Lord once again.
"As expected, we've taken control of all Nightfather's departments and eliminated 2 high-ranking officials, 'Swallow' and 'Puppet Master'."
Lord confirmed, and Toxy and Frain nodded with exhausted faces. I praised the two of them.
"No way, you two were amazing yesterday "
"It was all for Wade's sake! But it was really tough..."
"We should take a break for a while... but we can't let our guard down against the boss. We'll take a real break after we've taken down the main stronghold."
"That's right. I'll have you guys do your best until the very end. And Nightfather's strongest man, 'Protean', is still undefeated."
When Lord said that, Frain let out a sigh and replied, "That's true."
Looking back, it was because of Swallow's sneak attack and Protean's sudden appearance that I was caught off guard. I didn't fight him directly, but he's an unpredictable enemy with unknown powers.
―――Besides, I know that Puppet Master created an abominable masterpiece.
That's something we've already discussed up until now. "There was a reason for that abnormal appearance," Lord nodded.
"Still, it's not good to challenge him when we're exhausted. Let's take a break for today and do it tomorrow. Nightfather's side can't handle your attacks with just one gold-ranked member. It's safer to recover first and then attack."
Lord told us that. Indeed, my house has become an impregnable territory with multiple gold-ranked members. There's also the question of whether my true identity has been exposed, but it's not good to attack recklessly.
Frain's party is also hiding their current residence to ensure their safety. So, in this critical situation, it's correct to prioritize safety.
"But what if Nightfather's side tries to flee?"
When Frain asked, Lord replied, "That's not a problem at all."
"The location of Nightfather's boss is something we've already grasped. The reason we couldn't attack is simply because of their enormous power. In other words, what I'm trying to say is that we've already been monitoring them, and we're keeping tabs on their every move."
"They can't attack, and they can't escape either, huh? So, let's take a day off and relax while they're struggling."
Frain said with a chuckle. I also nodded in agreement with Lord's proposal.
"That's right. Let's decide on a plan for tomorrow, Frain. Then, we'll put it into action."
"That's true... If we're being honest, we should've taken action to prevent their escape earlier, but that's just how it is. They won't try to escape."
I tilted my head at Frain's sarcastic remark.
Anyway, we decided to resume our plan the next day, and the meeting was disbanded.
After the meeting, I walked around the city with Toxy.
"Huff~, it's finally coming to an end. This time was tough, wasn't it?"
Toxy laughed jokingly. I laughed back.
"That's right, it was tough... or was it? It didn't feel that tough."
"Don't you remember when you almost died, Wade?"
"...Yeah"
"Ah, no, not 'yeah' How could you forget?!"
Toxy glared at me, so I surrendered with a "No, I'm sorry."
"It's just that I don't have any memories of the intense battle, so I don't really feel like it was tough. It's like I let my guard down and got defeated, so it didn't feel tough."
"Wild boar..."
"It's been a while since I've been treated like a boar."
Toxy looked at me with an unsatisfied gaze, then hugged my arm.
"I don't want to worry about you anymore, so be careful. It's more painful to see you hurt than to hurt myself."
"...Sorry. I'll be careful."
I placed my hand on top of Toxy's, who was hugging my arm. Then, we walked in silence for a while.
It's more painful to see my friends hurt than to hurt myself. I know that all too well. When Windy attacked, I saw all the members who were down, and my chest felt like it was going to burst from the pain.
I didn't mean to make them think that. But probably, I'm just numb to my own pain. That's just my natural disposition, and my immortal nature, along with the Anahata Chakra, is fueling it.
Alex said, "From now on, things like this will increase." Until now, I haven't really had any strong enemies appear. But from now on, it'll be nothing but those kinds of enemies.
So I said,
"Toxy, I won't die. Everyone's here. I won't die, and I can't die."
"...Yeah. I won't die either. For everyone's sake. Above all, for Wade's sake."
"That's a relief. I'm weak when it comes to everyone."
"But honestly, I wish you'd just be weak in front of me..."
Toxy looked up at me with a sulky, pampered gaze, and I couldn't help but laugh a little. It was cute.
"Why are you laughing?"
"It was cute."
"Ugh... Wade, you're making me embarrassed."
"I act tough in front of Toxy."
"You idiot."
Toxy's cheeks turned bright red. So cute. I felt like pulling her into a back alley and... but I managed to restrain myself.
Instead, I asked her a few questions.
"So, are the others all going dragon hunting today?"
"Ah, yeah. I think so."
"Moruru and the others are probably playing at Lord's mansion today, right?"
"Yeah, I heard that."
"Alex has been going out early in the morning and not coming back until night lately, too."
"...Uh, yeah."
I whispered into Toxy's ear.
"So, it's just the two of us, then."
"...Yeah."
Toxy's face turned completely bright red, and she looked down in embarrassment. I wonder what kind of courage it takes to make a confession like that after beating up a loan shark. Maybe it's the alcohol. Maybe it's the influence of the alcohol.
I couldn't help but mutter.
"Love-struck girl..."
"!?"
We teased each other like that and headed back home.
When we got home, it was just as expected ―― no one was there. As soon as Toxy realized that, her movements became awkward. So cute.
"Ah, haha, oh, there's really no one here!"
"...Why are you so tense?"
"!? Wh-what do you mean?! "
Just by teasing her lightly, Toxy gets flustered like a big deal. It's really entertaining to tease her. If it were Ice, she'd just charge straight in, and if it were Sandra, she wouldn't even notice my teasing.
"Toxy is so cute!"
"U, uu... Something's complicated..."
"Hey, I'm complimenting you. Only Toxy would roll around on my palm like this, feeling so good."
"Don't compliment me!"
As Toxy protests and approaches me, I grab her arm and pull her close, hugging her. Just that makes Toxy go "..." and become powerless.
"Toxy"
"W, what..."
"What do you want? Tell me"
"U, a, ..."
Toxy easily gets flustered and can't say anything. Her whole body loses strength, and she's at my mercy. I find that Toxy so adorable, so I gently lift her chin and give her a peck on the lips.
"Ah, now...!"
"Now? What now?"
"I said..."
"Said?..."
"U, uuuuuuuu..."
Toxy's eyes well up with tears, and she clings to me. It's pathetic how she clings to the person who's teasing her.
I stroke Toxy's hair and give her gentle kisses on her forehead, cheeks, and neck. Then, I try to touch the hem of her clothes――
But the doorbell rings.
""...""
Silence. Toxy gently releases my hand and gives a bright smile.
"I'll go get the door real quick and melt them."
"Don't melt them, okay...?"
She's getting angry.
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