บท 39: [Ch.39] The Rabbit's Seductress

Panzram forced himself not to breathe a sigh in relief.

It wasn't that he wanted to spare the other mercenary. He only worried about what other horrific death Ryu would come up with. Before he could say anything. Ryu embraced him and buried his head into Panzram's chest.

Panzram's body tensed up instinctively as he looked down in confusion.

Ryu whined, "I'm sorry Panzram! I only left you because I wanted you to get more practice! I didn't think it would progress to that level!"

Panzram's eyes widened slightly. Practice? Did Ryu really not abandon him for some ulterior motive?

Although Panzram wanted to feel hopeful, he didn't entirely believe in Ryu.

Ryu looked up at him with a tearful expression, "Are you alright?! Did they hurt you?!"

The tighter Ryu held on to him, the more Panzram was confused. He had been through too much in his life. How could he just accept something so easily?

Panzram frowned slightly, "Did you really not want me to be killed?"

Ryu's eyes nearly fell out of his head. He looked at Panzram feeling aggrieved, "Why would I want you to be killed?! No way!"

Panzram still had a sense of doubt, "Are you sure?"

Ryu hugged him tighter and looked into his eyes with an unwavering gaze. He smiled warmly at Panzram, "Panzram. If I lose you, I will not have anything left in this world."

Panzram sighed and flicked Ryu's forehead, "Do not say such things."

Ryu pouted as he rubbed his forehead, "But it is true. I have never lied before, nor will I ever lie to you."

Ryu had not meant it in a romantic way, but he still believed it wholeheartedly.

Before he had met Panzram, he had merely lived for the sake of living. He was always unambitious since he was a child and that soon morphed into a feeling of indifference towards life. However, after meeting Panzram all of that changed.

He suddenly found himself wanting to do anything and everything for him, no matter what that meant.

Ryu noticed that Panzram still didn't seem like he believed him, so he spoke quickly, "I will do anything to make you believe me!"

Panzram's lips twitched with lewd thoughts, "Anything?"

Ryu nodded quickly with an innocent look, "Yes! Anything!"

Panzram chuckled in a low tone and embraced Ryu back. He squeezed him suggestively, "Then give me your body."

Ryu furrowed his brow trying to figure out what this meant.

Ryu nodded firmly, "Very well. From now on I will be your meat shield."

Panzram's eyebrow twitched, "I didn't mean it like that."

"Oh? What did you mean?"

Did Panzram really expect anything different?

He released Ryu, "You are too naive for your own good."

Ryu tilted his head as he looked at Panzram, "Naive? I do not think anyone has ever said that to me before."

Panzram let out a laugh that sounded more like a grunt.

Ryu stared at Panzram as he continued to try to figure out Panzram's meaning. As he watched him, Ryu suddenly realized that Panzram was bleeding from wounds he had received. Ryu hurriedly reached into his bag and pulled out some ointment. He reached out to dab some on Panzram's wound.

Panzram winced from the sudden sting from the medicine and pulled away from Ryu.

Ryu did not feel insulted and instead spoke casually, "You can relax. This medicine was given to me by someone trustworthy."

This made Panzram more distrustful, "Who?"

"You remember Nezu?"

He clicked his tongue in annoyance, "That guy?"

Ryu nodded, "Yes. He gave it to me a while ago, but I never needed it."

Ryu sighed as he stared at the bottle containing the ointment in his hand. He never had to use it because his body has always healed on its own. Ryu had to admit he felt a little upset over the fact that it had been a worthless gift with good intentions.

Panzram noticed his glum expression and reluctantly held out his wounded arm. Ryu's melancholic mood lifted when he realized Panzram was giving him permission to treat his wound. Ryu beamed as he hurried to apply the ointment before Panzram would change his mind.

Even though it stung a bit, Panzram maintained his steel-like expression. As he watched Ryu happily treat his wounds, his cold heart warmed up ever so slightly.

Once Ryu finished, he nodded in satisfaction. "There. Now your wounds are taken care of. But... I'm sorry you got so hurt…"

Panzram went to rub Ryu's head but hesitated. He pulled his hand back and cleared his throat, "We should get going."

Ryu looked behind him and noticed the flames completely engulfing the city. He nodded, "Yes. They will probably send more mercenaries soon."

"Where should we go?"

Ryu shrugged, "Is there anywhere you'd like to go?"

Panzram shook his head, "Nothing comes to mind."

Ryu pointed, "I guess we can just start walking in one direction and see where it goes."

Thus, they started walking with nowhere to go.

As they walked, Panzram spoke. "What happened to that one man you were fighting with?"

Panzram was trying to refrain from asking about this matter, but he was still suspicious and could not stop himself. Why did they seem so friendly? Why did Ryu act so playful towards him? Just what do they mean to each other?

Ryu answered with a mischievous giggle, "I used my paper seductress to lure him away."

Panzram raised an eyebrow, "Paper seductress?"

Ryu nodded, "Yes. It takes the form of the one you desire most. It is a true seductress. No one can help themselves when they see someone who perfectly meets their desires and expectations."

"Really?"

Ryu nodded, "Would you like to see for yourself?"

Panzram spoke quickly as he looked away, "Not necessary."

He had a feeling that what he would see could not be unseen. Panzram was sure that a certain person standing next to him would likely appear as the seductress and did not feel like going down that road quite yet.

Ryu chuckled lightly, "Are you sure? It still feels real. Plus, some don't even know what they want until they see it."

Panzram shook his head, "I'm not interested in women."

While most people would look at Panzram with a horrified expression upon hearing this, Ryu looked at him without changing his expression. Ryu answered shamelessly, "It does not have to be a woman."

Panzram coughed in surprise, "What?!"

Ryu nodded, "I said it could be whatever you consider is your ultimate desire in a person. Naturally, if you like men it would become a man."

Panzram stared at Ryu and answered calmly, "Don't you feel ashamed?"

Ryu blinked, "Why would I feel ashamed?"

"Then..." Panzram smirked teasingly, "What would you see?"

Ryu shook his head, "I've tried it before, but the seductress would not take shape. It told me I had no desire and was not attracted to anything."

When Ryu discovered that he could create a person from anyone's desire, he naturally wanted to try it on himself. He was always curious about the kind of person he would be attracted to. However, when the paper said he was not attracted to a single thing, he felt a bit left out.

He wanted to feel attraction also.

Panzram noticed his pouting face and reached out to pinch his cheek. "I'm sure you will find someone you are attracted to in the future."

Ryu smiled as his cheeks were pinched, "I really hope so. I've always wanted to know what it would feel like. Everyone else acts like it is the most incredible feeling."

Panzram looked at him with pity in his eyes. What a waste of such a nice-looking body.

Ryu noticed his stare and frowned, "Why are you looking at me like that…"

Panzram shook his head, "Such a waste."