" I really want to go home quickly to see little Corin."
Jiang Ge sighed, standing in front of the abandoned residential building where he had agreed to meet the Cunning Hares.
Ever since leaving the video store, Jiang Ge had rushed non-stop to get here, arriving twenty minutes early.
Just ahead was a hollow that had recently erupted in the 19th Block. The mission target for today was to enter this hollow and retrieve an item. Of course, before that, Jiang Ge needed to activate his role-playing.
While observing his surroundings, he walked into the residential building, muttering complaints.
"I'm really fed up with that pair of siblings, though I do bear some responsibility too. Whatever, for this role-play, just pick anyone, just not Kafka or Black Swan. Activate role-play."
After confirming there was no one around, Jiang Ge activated the role-play.
"Congratulations, Master! You have drawn Kafka for this role-play!"
"...Just great."
As Jiang Ge's resigned voice faded, he vanished on the spot, replaced by Kafka, who had her eyes closed.
"Um... Master, would you like to deactivate the role-play?" the system tentatively asked.
"Hmm? I see, so that's how it is," Kafka, however, didn't answer the system's question immediately. Instead, she slowly processed the information before opening her eyes with a smile. "No need. Let me proceed in this form. Okay?"
Just then, a clamorous noise came from outside.
"Bro, is this the hollow the boss sent us to?"
"That's right. Who knows if that woman is dead or not. Hopefully, she's already been corrupted by the Ether, so we won't even have to lift a finger."
Listening to the conversation outside, Kafka stretched lazily, her alluring figure fully displayed, then walked out with a smile.
"Hey, who is this woman?"
"Oho, she's quite the looker. Hey, miss, why don't you come have a little fun with us? Hahaha… Huh? Why aren't you guys moving?"
The thug turned around, only to see his friends pale and trembling in fear.
"This woman… something's not right—run!"
Panicked footsteps scattered in every direction, echoing briefly before fading into silence. Then, only a cold, clear female voice lingered in the air.
"Don't be afraid, listen to me—"
...
"Boss Nicole, just around the corner should be the place."
"Alright, alright, everyone, stay sharp. We can't lose face in front of the agent of 'Good Enough'!"
Upon hearing Billy's words, Nicole loudly boosted morale, then looked down at Eous, who had been listless the entire time while following them.
"Especially you, Belle! The day hasn't even started yet, why are you already so discouraged?"
"You don't understand… Just thinking about having to cooperate with Jiang Ge's agent, not only is it highly likely I won't get to see Miss Kafka, but there's also a high probability of running into those people… It makes me dizzy and weak all over."
Belle's voice came from within Eous body, sounding utterly despairing. Nicole looked at Eous; although she didn't know who "those people" were, she did know about Kafka.
red wine hair, wearing sunglasses, weapon is a long blade, very beautiful…
"Could it be that person?"
Nicole pointed at a figure sitting on a crate not far away, scrolling on their phone. All the described features miraculously matched this woman.
"Huh?" Following Nicole's pointing finger, Belle, controlling Eous, looked up. After clearly seeing the person, she was stunned for a moment, then jumped up excitedly. "It's her! Miss Kafka! Miss Kafka!"
"Hey, calm down!" Billy quickly covered Eous mouth, though it did nothing to stop Belle's voice. "Look, around Miss Kafka... aren't those... gang members?"
Billy was right. Belle also noticed that Kafka was surrounded by at least a dozen gang thugs.
"Miss Kafka, I'm coming to save you!"
Billy's intention was to get Belle to calm down first, but he never expected Belle to directly make Eous break free from his grip and run straight towards Kafka.
"Proxy, wait... Ah, forget it. Prepare for battle."
Nicole initially wanted to stop Belle from running over, but failed. Watching the retreating figure of the bangboo, she gritted her teeth, then led Anby and Billy, weapons in hand, to charge over together.
"Hmm? They're here."
Noticing the commotion, Kafka shifted her gaze from her phone and saw Eous charging towards her with a fierce look in its eyes. It then leaped up and kicked a thug who was foolishly standing beside her.
The thug fell to the ground with a thud, but the round Eous also lost its balance upon landing, tumbling to the ground and rolling over and over until it ended up at Kafka's feet.
"My... my head is spinning... Miss Kafka!"
After a few rolls, a dizzy Belle realized Kafka was looking at her. Not wanting to embarrass herself, Belle tried to mimic the protagonists from martial arts movies by performing a kip-up. However, after several attempts, she finally resorted to using Eous hands to push itself up steadily, then struck what she thought was a cool combat pose.
"Miss Kafka, I'll protect you!"
"Protect me? Hehe..."
"S-Sorry, I know that was a bit foolish."
But Belle didn't expect her words to draw a light laugh from Kafka, which made her feel quite embarrassed. She lowered her hands, feeling a little sad. Before she could react, a pair of slender hands picked her up.
"Not at all. I think you're very brave. I'm impressed. As expected of my baby."
Kafka held Eous in her arms, gently playing with its ears, speaking to Belle on the other side.
My...baby?
Back in the video store, Belle, watching Kafka's utterly doting smile, echoed the word baby in her mind. Her whole body felt weak, and Eous body also went limp accordingly.
Just then, Wise panicked voice also came through.
"Belle? Still working, let me think...for heaven's sake, Boothill, stop hiding and come lead the way!"
"Eek!"
Wise words were very effective, reminding Belle of that man with the cowboy hat, sharp teeth, constantly cursing, and imposing aura. Her body instantly straightened up.
"Boothill... Really, Wise, don't scare me like that. Thankfully, that plaster head didn't come either."
Having snapped back to reality, Belle, controlling Eous, looked around left and right. Only after confirming that Boothill the terrifying person weren't there did she breathe a sigh of relief.
"That's really strange, why aren't these people moving?"
Just then, Nicole led Anby and Billy over as well. They had expected a fierce battle, but found that these gang members not only stood completely still but also showed no reaction
whatsoever towards them, not even glancing their way, which Nicole found quite eerie.
"It's fine. They just suddenly had an epiphany and decided they don't want to be gangsters anymore."
Kafka said with a smile. However, this made Nicole even more puzzled. Firstly, she didn't believe Kafka's words—who would believe that over a dozen people just decided to quit being gangsters on the spot? And more importantly, why were they all just standing there dumbfounded?
But upon seeing Eous being held by Kafka, Nicole prioritized scolding Belle.
"Hey, hey, don't you usually hide behind us and wait until we finish fighting? Why did you charge so fast this time? If Eous accidentally gets broken, what are we going to do about this commission?"
"S-sorry, it's because, because..."
"Because cute kids always want to show off in front of someone they like, right?"
Before the stammering Belle could find an excuse, Kafka had already spoken up for her. Looking at Kafka's slight smile, Belle in the video store covered her heart and managed to say with effort.
"Y-yes, Miss Kafka!"
"Huh? Wh-what kind of reason is that— Forget it, forget it. May I ask if you are the agent of 'Good Enough', Miss Kafka? Nice to meet you."
Nicole didn't pay any more attention to Nicole and instead cautiously asked Kafka.
"You must be the Cunning Hares , I presume? Hehe, I'm also very pleased to meet you all. I believe we'll have a pleasant collaboration today."
"Mm, mhmm..."
For some reason, looking at Kafka's smile, Nicole couldn't shake the feeling that it was very dangerous.
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A/n: While I am a new translator, I have a Patreon! While it may be a bit empty right now both this and the other book on my page has advanced chapters posted on patreon. Set up for my web novel will be 2 chapters for every book a day and if you go to my patreon you'll see the set up there.
patreon.com/deadlygoober