It seems I've underestimated this guy. He's far better at using mana than I thought. Being able to heal a wound caused by a relic…he's really piqued my interest.
The girl was visibly pleased by what Sato was doing, her eyes fixed on him the whole time.
…I can feel my mana clashing with hers…and something else. I need to focus on eliminating these impurities that are keeping her wound from healing properly.
Sato was completely absorbed in what he was doing, focused only on the girl. Meanwhile, Butterfly watched carefully, and Blueblade also kept a close eye on what was happening.
Sweat began to form on Sato's forehead as he concentrated, but after a little while he opened his eyes.
"I'm done."
Sato let out a relieved sigh and fell back on his butt, exhausted from giving her so much mana. The wound, which had shown no signs of healing at first, was now completely closed.
"Impressive," the girl said, delighted.
"No, I'm the one who's impressed. Your mana is incredible. Not only did it feel warm when mine collided with it, but it was also perfectly still. It really made my job easier to find whatever was stopping you from healing completely."
When she heard this, the girl was a little taken aback by his words.
Heh… He not only managed to cleanse the lingering effect of the relic, but he also understood my mana on that level… This guy is really something.
The girl stretched out her arm, mana gathering around it. In an instant, a sniper rifle materialized in her hand. Seeing this, Butterfly and Blueblade immediately manifested their weapons as well.
"Easy there. I don't mean any harm, I just want to show him something."
Everyone was on alert—everyone except Sato, who was now captivated by her sniper, and Asahi, who was casually eating the food that had been brought in the meantime.
"You see, my mana became like this because of the weapon I use. When you're using a sniper, you can't afford to be distracted by anything, not even by the mana in your own body."
I only meant to help her since she was hurt, but… wow, she's actually pretty cool.
As quickly as it had manifested, the sniper disappeared, dissipating into yellow mana. She then offered Sato a hand, helping him get up. The moment he took it, she pulled him with surprising strength, making him stumble into her.
"I'm sorry… I still feel a little weak."
"Don't worry about it. Say, why don't you and your friends join me at my table? We can talk and get to know each other better."
After Sato thought it over and talked with the others, they all changed tables and sat down with her.
"Aren't we a little cramped?" Megumi pointed out.
Since everyone was now sitting at a single round table, the space felt a bit cramped.
"It's alright, we're just fine!" the girl said, reassuring Megumi while sitting right next to Sato.
I'm happy she invited us to her table… but we could've picked a bigger one. Right now, I'm basically shoulder to shoulder with her. Not that I'm complaining.
"Now that we're all here, why don't you introduce yourself?" Blueblade asked in a solemn tone.
Everyone's attention fell on the girl, ready to hear who she was.
"People call me many things," she began, "but if you're going to call me something… KZ-Specter. Though you don't have to bother with the 'Specter' part. Hawkeye or KZ will do just fine."
"Hawkeye or KZ… those are definitely some unique nicknames," Butterfly said, not really sure what to think.
"These names are awesome tho, don't you think, Asahi?"
Asahi was still eating, not really paying much attention to what was happening around him, but he nodded in agreement with Sato. When KZ noticed how interested Sato seemed in her nicknames, she turned to him and locked eyes with him.
"You think these names are nice, huh? Although… I'd prefer if you didn't call me like the others."
At that moment, Sato was perplexed. What did she mean by not wanting him to call her like the others?
"I'd much rather you call me Killa," she said, leaning closer and whispering so only he could hear, "my real name."
She wants me to call her by her real name?
"Very well then… Killa."
After Killa introduced herself to everyone, they continued their lunch until she decided to break the silence.
"I was wondering, Sato… you're an exis, right?"
"Indeed."
"In that case, it means you've formed a contract with a hero. But from what I can see, there are only two heroes and three exis here.
"The truth is… my hero didn't want to come with us," Sato admitted, a hint of shame in his voice.
"Hmm… who's your hero, anyway?"
"Well… I guess every hero knows her as the Black Witch."
The famous Black Witch is his hero… and he's still with her? What kind of spell did she use on him for him not to sever the contract yet?
"The Black Witch, huh… now that's a surprising name to hear. And even more surprising to meet her exis. Personally, I don't know her, but I've heard rumors she's pretty insufferable. Is that true?"
"Well, she isn't the best person to be around. I won't deny that. She doesn't really treat anyone with respect or care about anything besides herself."
In that moment, a smile appeared on Killa's face, followed by an unexpected offer.
"You know, Sato… my exis isn't really interested in this competition. He agreed to supply me with mana as long as I don't disturb his life but I find that quite boring. You, on the other hand… seem dedicated to taking it seriously.. The only problem is your hero's personality. She doesn't treat you with the respect you deserve."
Everyone fell silent, their conversations ending as they leaned in to hear clearly what she was going to say next.
"So, what do you say, Sato? Don't you want to become my exis?"
The offer left Sato speechless. It was a tough question, one that could determine his entire future in the competition.
She wants me to become her exis… I mean, I'm flattered, but at the same time… what would happen to Irina? For her, giving up on her exis would just mean returning to a normal life. But if I give up on Irina… what will happen to her?
"I… I don't really know what to say. I'm not that good as an exis. I'm not that strong…"
"Said the one who helped me heal a wound caused by a relic and understood my mana better than some comrades from Nexus… and you say you're not strong?"
She raised a hand, materializing the sniper again as she sat up.
"Let me tell you a secret. To assassinate my targets efficiently, I modify my sniper to focus only on precision and power. One shot from this and any hero is finished—doesn't matter how much mana they have. With me, your win is guaranteed."
She boasted about herself while Blueblade chuckled under his breath and Butterfly looked away, wanting to say something but holding it back.
Everything she's saying sounds too good to be true. She really does seem incredible, and I'm sure things would be easier with her than with Irina. But at the same time…
"I'm sorry. I'd love to be your exis, but I can't give up on Irina. I know she's insufferable and hard to deal with, but I don't plan on betraying her."
Killa plopped back down into her chair, a little disappointed, the sniper disappearing once again.
"It's that so…"
He's loyal, that's for sure. It's just a shame he's loyal to the worst person possible… And this is depressing. Even though I knew what his answer would be, actually hearing it feels worse. But now… this just makes me want him even more.
"Very well then, I respect your decision. I was being inconsiderate, asking something like that after finding out you already have a hero."
"It's alright. Don't worry about it."
Her offer really caught me off guard. For a hero like her to ask me to be her exis…unfortunately, I can't accept it.
After everyone finished eating, Megumi asked for the bill. When it finally arrived, everyone was surprised at how high it was—the receipt was so long it began rolling across the floor.
"Is this really our bill?" Megumi asked, shocked.
The waiter, visibly intimidated by being surrounded by so many heroes, explained that besides what she and the others had ordered, he had also added what Killa had eaten before they arrived.
"Do you have a way to pay, Killa?" Sato asked, eyeing her as she finished some ribs with sauce smeared around her mouth.
"I have my sniper."
Killa was ready to manifest it again when Sato held up a hand to stop her.
"Easy there—no need to resort to that. I'll handle this."
"Are you going to pay for me? There's no need, really. I could just blow this place up with a single round if I wanted to."
"Yeah, but then you'd never be able to come back and eat here again."
Killa paused, eyes sad. She looked down at the floor, then back up at Sato.
"What should I do then, Sato? I don't have any money," Killa asked, grabbing his shoulders and giving him a light shake.
Now that's a change in personality.
"Don't worry," Sato said confidently. "Like I said, I've got the note covered."
Killa looked at Sato as if he were a hero, then he slowly turned his gaze toward Asahi.
"Asahi… pay."
"What do you mean pay? I never said it was my treat! And why the hell do I have to pay for her too?" Asahi grumbled, already pulling out his wallet.
"Because we're friends," Sato said with a grin. "And friends help each other."
Asahi pulled out his card and paid for everything. Once the bill was settled, they all got up, ready to leave.
"You know," Asahi sighed, "sometimes I wonder if our friendship is really worth almost three million yen…"
As he said that, he gave Sato a quick pat on the back and sped up his pace toward the exit. When Killa wasn't looking, Asahi shot Sato a playful wink before slipping out ahead of them.
That guy… He really is a good friend.
"Thanks for the treat, Sato!"
When Killa thanked Sato, Asahi froze mid-step and spun around.
"Why are you thanking him? I'm the one who paid!" he shouted loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Yes, yes, thank you to… uhm… who are you again?" Killa tilted her head, genuinely confused.
For a moment, there was silence—then everyone burst into laughter. Everyone except Asahi, who was waving his arms and yelling his name over and over again.