Chapter 33: Chapter 33 – Condition

"I've been wondering something. When I met you for the first time, you looked like the usual kind people. But why did such people resort to kidnap Spirit Foxes, which is a peaceful Supernatural Beast?" Kai continued as he put on a barrier using a tiny bit of his Spirit Power.

Amber had already taught him how to do that. Due to his contract with her, he was able to do some Mystic art without needing the help of Talisman. Indeed, it would be easier if he only used a Talisman, but that would be a waste of money.

So he trained a little hard to learn how to put up a barrier first.

The people in the bar disappeared, including the bartender. They were left with the three of them, the people who could enter the barrier and had Spirit Powers.

"It's not your problem," Robert hissed with an antagonistic tone.

From his look, he didn't seem to have any intention of telling Kai about his goal. Telling it wasn't Kai's problem was a mistake on his part. Because…

"Of course, it is my problem. I have promised the Spirit Foxes to protect them." Taking the straw with his hand, Kai pointed it at Robert. "Even if I said I wasn't barbaric, I would still kill both of you, depending on your answer. You know I can do that easily."

That was just a threat. If they fought right now, Kai would have a bit of trouble defeating them both. He wasn't with Amber and could only use a part of her strength.

The only reason why he was confident was that they didn't know about it. They only thought Kai was a super powerful individual who could burn their Marionette Puppet easily. And the woman's condition also helped his confidence. She wasn't really in her best shape and couldn't exert all her strength.

Robert narrowed his eyes dangerously as he glanced to the side.

"An instant barrier? I didn't even see you use a Talisman. As expected, you're a monster. How could I've never heard about a guy like you?"

Spirit Power began leaking from Robert's body, a sign that he had put his guard up and was ready to strike anytime.

However, Kai remained calm. There wasn't even a single sign of him using a Spirit Power or Phoenix Fire. A smile appeared on his face as he tilted his head playfully.

"I am good at hiding."

Telling Robert that he was new to the Supernatural World would only backfire on him. That blonde guy would use tricks to lie to him, so the best move was to pretend he was already involved in the Supernatural World since the start.

Opening his eyes slightly, he asked again.

"So, what's your reason for kidnapping Spirit Foxes? You can be honest, you know?"

Both men stared at each other without moving for a while, then suddenly, a loud voice rang from the side.

"Money!"

They turned toward the blonde woman sitting beside Robert. She had a flushed face while holding an empty glass in her hand. Just at first glance, Kai noticed that she was dead drunk and blurted out the answer honestly.

Even Robert facepalmed when he saw his partner. "Rebecca…" He muttered.

On the other hand, Kai smirked. It was just as they thought. The invaders who tried to kidnap the Spirit Foxes did it for money. But he wanted to know their motives. They should've known there was another way to make money other than kidnapping the foxes.

"Oh? I am interested in why you guys need money to the point you resort to kidnap the Spirit Foxes in their home, Japan."

"You don't understand!" Once again, Rebecca shouted as she slammed the glass against the table with a loud bam. "This is the fastest way to save her!"

"Rebecca!" Robert shouted to stop Rebecca, and her body jolted before she slowly muttered sorry to him.

The blonde man turned around to look at Kai. His eyes weren't as serious as before, as he had calmed down a bit.

Letting out a long sigh of defeat, Robert raised his arms and said,

"It was as you've heard. We need money to save someone, our family. Can you please turn a blind eye to us? I promise I won't touch the Spirit Foxes once again."

He stopped a little and continued with a wry smile. "Heck, we won't be able to anymore as we already used the puppet and Talismans and are now in debt. With you protecting the foxes, I don't think we will have a chance to kidnap them."

"Hmm…" Kai hummed. "So you're honest now?"

"Do we have any other choice?" Robert shrugged his shoulders and then glanced at Rebecca. "Look at her situation too. I don't think we have a chance to fight you even if we attack you together. I still don't want to die."

"Wise choice." He nodded, smiling widely at the blonde man. "Well, I was curious about your reason, but that still didn't mean I forgave you for attacking the fox. There is a catch, you know?"

"Figures." The blonde sighed. "What's your condition?"

"Before that, I was really curious about something. You said you were in debt, right? How much?"

"What do you mean?" Robert asked.

"Your debt. You were in debt because you purchased that puppet and a Talisman to breach the barrier around the fox temple, right? How much did they cost you? Also, how much money do you need to save that family of yours."

Robert looked at Kai suspiciously. The man couldn't understand Kai's train of thought at all. Someone said that normal people wouldn't be able to understand the mind of the great. Maybe it was one of those occasions.

"Our debt is approximately $15,000, and we need around $100,000 to cure my family."

So he decided to be honest. He still loved his life. And he wouldn't be able to save that someone if he died here.

'That's a lot of money.' Kai thought. 'But the debt is smaller than I thought. Are the puppets unexpectedly cheap?'

"A total of $115,000, huh? That's a lot of money. And how much will you be able to make by kidnapping one normal Spirit Fox that you are willing to take such a risk?"

"Someone offered $25,000 for each fox." The blonde replied almost immediately.

"We will be able to cure her now if not for you! Monster!"

"Rebecca! Enough!"

"But–"

"Do you want us to get killed and let her live by herself?!"

"Ughhh…."

Rebecca once again shouted from behind but was quickly shut down by Robert. It seemed like their situation was worse than Kai originally thought.

They seemed like good people in a bad situation. He had once seen someone like this, and he was now sitting behind a prison. Why would something bad always latch itself to good people? He often wondered about that.

"Well, last question. Does the Slayer organization know that both of you are troublemakers?"

"No." Robert shook his head. "This is our first offense. Unless you told them, I believe we are still fine and are still members of the Slayer organization."

'As expected, they are also Slayers.'

Almost all humans who got involved in the Supernatural World were Slayers. Only some weird people like Kai didn't join the Slayer organization. The benefit of joining was good, and that was what brought people to join.

Still, those people who didn't join the Slayer organization were mostly troublemakers or some reclusive group.

Having people working together made work easier. Kai just realized that when he needed to find the invaders, namely Robert and Rebecca, by himself. It would be easier if someone did it for him. So…

"Now then, how about you work under me? I will pay your debt and give you the money to cure your family. In exchange, respond immediately if I contact you. I will also forgive you and let you live normally. I want you to do what I asked as fast as possible if I contact you."

Currently, Kai has too much money in his bank. The money he got from Amber and the Onis was around $300,000, so he only spent around a third of the bonus he got to settle the blonde couple's debt.

"Are you serious?"

"I am serious. How about it?"

The offer was really enticing that Rebecca stopped moving and looked at Kai with wide eyes. Naturally, they would never expect him to make such an offer. It was too good to be true.

Kai not attacking them in sight was a miracle, even. To think that he would offer them such a condition…

"Robert…" Rebecca muttered in a low voice. "W-What's your decision?"

Instead of answering, Robert asked back.

"How about you, Rebecca?"

"I-I think that's a really good condition."

"I think so too." The blonde man smiled widely as he turned to Kai and extended his hand. "Please… I accept the condition."

"Good." Kai nodded, satisfied. He took Robert's hand and did a handshake. "Nice working with you, Robert."

"Hahaha. I thought I was dead when you showed up in the bar, but to think you would offer such a condition. I am indebted to you. Don't hesitate to call me whenever you want. I will fly to your place immediately."

"That's good to hear. Ah, also. Change your girl's codename, please. I don't want her to use Phoenix as her codename when her flame is so flimsy."

"Ugh…" Rebecca groaned while Robert nodded.

"Will do."