In a dim alleyway illuminated only by moonlight, devoid of streetlamps.
An indescribable atmosphere weighed heavily on everyone present like a mountain.
Luo Shu, having given his answer, naturally chose not to speak further to avoid provoking Kurumi.
And Kurumi Tokisaki, who had been pressing him relentlessly just moments ago, also fell silent.
The only third party present, Sharon, kept glancing between Luo Shu and Kurumi Tokisaki, rather unethically enjoying the show.
After a long silence, Kurumi Tokisaki suddenly smiled at Luo Shu, let out a soft "oh dear", and then said:
"Everything you just said was a lie, wasn't it?"
'Is she deceiving herself now?' Sharon thought with a strange expression.
At this moment, Luo Shu, not wanting to provoke Kurumi Tokisaki further, pondered briefly before nodding:
"What I just said could be considered false."
The word "could" here was quite thought-provoking.
Fully aware of this implication, Kurumi Tokisaki momentarily lost her earlier smile and asked:
"May I withdraw all my clones from this location?"
This withdrawal naturally included the captured Kurumi.
However, upon hearing this request, Luo Shu frowned and replied:
"Personally, I believe that to avoid future conflicts, we should maintain at least one communication liaison between us."
"In the future?" Sharon muttered, drawing cold stares from both Luo Shu and Kurumi Tokisaki.
Seeing this, Sharon shrugged and took a step back, keeping silent.
At that moment, Kurumi turned her gaze back to Luo Shu and smiled sweetly:
"In that case, the terms won't be the same as before, don't you agree?"
The previous agreement was for Kurumi to leave behind an expendable clone, while Luo Shu would reveal the technique he had just used.
But now, Kurumi was clearly dissatisfied with these terms and wanted to renege.
Logically, Luo Shu shouldn't agree to this—but then again, the trick he had just pulled was far too underhanded and damaging to one's reputation.
Considering this, Luo Shu weighed his words carefully before speaking:
"What additional conditions do you want?"
Hearing Luo Shu's concession, Kurumi narrowed her eyes, the corners of her lips curling slightly.
At the same time—
Click-clack.
The sound of old-fashioned flintlock guns being cocked echoed around Luo Shu as the surrounding Kurumis readied their weapons.
Hearing this, Luo Shu's brow twitched.
Then, Kurumi said with a playful smile:
"Don't move, Luo Shu~"
"Just one bullet each—that's already the bare minimum I'm asking for."
Her implication was clear: every Kurumi present would take a shot at Luo Shu as part of the new "conditions."
But Luo Shu knew full well this wasn't about terms—it was pure retaliation.
Realising this, he tentatively asked:
"And then we're even?"
"What do you think?"
Kurumi tossed the question back, but her tone made it obvious she had no intention of honouring the deal afterwards.
Luo Shu understood this but wasn't about to indulge her:
"Fine, I accept. But this is the last bit of goodwill I'm offering."
"My Lord?" Sharon's expression shifted as she moved to warn Luo Shu against potential treachery, but a single glance from him silenced her.
After signalling Sharon not to worry, Luo Shu turned back to Kurumi and said:
"Go ahead and shoot."
Kurumi gave him a long, searching look.
The next instant—
Bang!
A rapid volley of gunfire rang out. Luo Shu counted thirteen shots in total, all aimed at his left leg.
Yet when the smoke cleared—
Kurumi stared at Luo Shu's left leg, where the fabric of his trousers was torn, revealing unblemished skin beneath. Not a single wound.
She couldn't help but scoff.
She had expected this outcome, but Luo Shu hadn't even bothered to pretend. It irked her more than she cared to admit.
'At least make it bleed a little, you bastard.'
Seeing Kurumi's irritation, Luo Shu calmly remarked:
"I gave you the chance to use special bullets."
Her expression softened slightly at this. At least he hadn't barred her from underhanded tactics—even if she'd chosen to vent her frustration instead.
Still, she refused to back down entirely:
"That would've been letting you off too easily."
The black-and-red shadows of the City of Devouring Time pooled beneath the Kurumis' feet.
Then, one by one, the Kurumis fixed their gazes on Luo Shu and spoke:
"Don't go dying before I come for you next time."
Hearing Kurumi Tokisaki's words that sounded like a vendetta waiting to happen, Luo Shu couldn't help but twitch his face.
This time, he was probably permanently etched into Kurumi Tokisaki's little black book, unlikely to be forgotten in this lifetime.
At that moment, the only one left behind—wrapped up like a mummy by Sharon using an Abyss Artefact—was Kurumi Tokisaki herself, glaring at Luo Shu with clear displeasure.
Noticing this, Luo Shu deliberately teased her:
"Seems like you're quite unhappy about being unanimously voted by all the Kurumis to be the hostage?"
Kurumi Tokisaki couldn't help but roll her eyes at that.
Wasn't that stating the obvious? Who would enjoy being a hostage, especially when it was her own selves who'd sold her out to become one?
This kind of experience was probably unique in the entire world.
"Well then, Luo Shu, what exactly do you plan to do with me now?"
After her brief moment of resentment, the remaining Kurumi Tokisaki quickly regained her playful smile:
"Are you planning to drag me back to your place and do all those things you just did with your abilities—but never got to experience in person?"
"Or will you hand poor little me over to the lab, letting other men have their way studying me?"
Luo Shu gave her a rather surprised look at that:
"You've got quite the imagination."
"A helpless princess and a ruthless mercenary? A mad scientist and a defenceless beauty?"
"You're wasting your talents not writing light novels."
Kurumi Tokisaki was momentarily speechless at his words.
Seeing her expression, Luo Shu's eyes gleamed with amusement:
"Don't tell me you've actually written before?"
Kurumi Tokisaki's face froze.
Noticing this, Luo Shu decided not to dig further into Kurumi's embarrassing past and calmly stated:
"I'm in charge of the Hidden Management Department under the SDS, specifically overseeing hazardous materials and dangerous lifeforms."
Kurumi Tokisaki immediately understood his meaning:
"Just imprisonment?"
"Don't overthink it." Luo Shu rolled his eyes before adding cryptically: "The department's only just been established. I don't have time to keep idle hands around."
After a moment's thought, he tentatively suggested:
"How about... a secretary?"
"A secretary for nighttime activities?" Kurumi Tokisaki smirked at him.
Having been tricked by Luo Shu's underhanded tactics, she wasn't about to believe he was some kind-hearted soul.
What kind of conscience could someone have when they collected pain just to use it as a dirty trick?
"You wouldn't even get nighttime shifts."
That blunt remark made Kurumi Tokisaki's face twitch in exasperation.
At this point, Luo Shu dropped a hint:
"Think of it as a working secretary detained at the Hidden Management Department's base."
"Aside from not leaving the premises, you'd only need to handle some paperwork. Everything else is off-limits—not that we'd dare let you handle anything else anyway."
"A form of house arrest?" Kurumi Tokisaki suddenly realised, then said in surprise: "You're actually planning to use me as a communications officer?"
With this arrangement, any future operations by the Hidden Management Department would inevitably reach her original self. If there were any profitable opportunities, she doubted her original self would stay inactive.
This setup practically meant Luo Shu was voluntarily planting one of her moles within the SDS.
Was he really this confident she wouldn't cause trouble?
On what basis?
Weren't Truth Astronomy and the SDS confirmed to be opposing organisations?
Staring at the bewildered Kurumi Tokisaki, Luo Shu explained:
"Just consider me shamelessly bold."
Hearing this, Kurumi immediately understood Luo Shu didn't want to elaborate.
Since that was the case, she couldn't press further, though there was one question she couldn't resist asking:
"Then let me ask something else. Why did you use such a filthy move against me?"
After speaking, Kurumi fixed her gaze intently on Luo Shu, awaiting his answer.
At this, Luo Shu's expression turned rather peculiar as he said:
"Do you want the truth?"
Kurumi's heart skipped a beat.
Having just heard the truth about Luo Shu's technique, she could still vividly recall the sensation of that pain coursing through her abdomen. The mere memory made her scalp tingle.
Her legs weakening slightly, Kurumi gritted her teeth and nodded. "The truth."
Luo Shu then said pensively:
"I only recently acquired this ability and don't have much ammunition stored. Well, as someone who uses lifespan to fuel your powers, you should understand what I mean?"
Hearing this, Kurumi froze.
She stood dumbfounded for a long moment before murmuring:
"So... that was literally the only move you had?"
Luo Shu paused, then nodded:
"...Pretty much. The only thing in my arsenal that could briefly restrain you was that technique."
Without reserves for bestowal, Luo Shu could only bestow elemental calamities, which would be too costly and might not have stopped Kurumi earlier. So yes, that underhanded move had been his only option.
"What if I'd met you later?" Kurumi ventured cautiously.
Luo Shu stroked his chin thoughtfully before replying:
"Then I'd probably have more techniques prepared. For instance, visiting hospitals to encounter special patients and developing control-type moves wouldn't be difficult?"
"Like the legendary pain of childbirth?"
Seeing Luo Shu say this, Kurumi's eyelid twitched violently as she stared at him speechlessly.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
The scrutinised Luo Shu seemed taken aback, but what embarrassed him more was:
"Sharon, why are you standing so far away?"
Sharon, who had unconsciously retreated to the side, smiled faintly:
"My apologies, my Lord. I'm unaccustomed to standing in illuminated spaces."
Could she admit she feared Luo Shu might make her experience childbirth pain with a glance? She couldn't. But she could distance herself.
Kurumi said quietly:
"Luo Shu."
"What is it?" Luo Shu turned back, looking puzzled.
At that moment, Kurumi Tokisaki said to Luo Shu with utmost seriousness:
"No girl will ever like you in the future."
"Ever!!"