The standoff between the detective and the disciple was attracting a crowd.
Sae Kirishima, Special Crimes. Runa Yozakura, Fallen Prodigy.
And me, Renji Amagiri, Professional Scammer and Current Victim of Success.
(I should run. If they start fighting, the shockwave alone will shatter my ribs.)
"I asked you a question," Runa said, her hand tightening on her sword hilt. "Why are you harassing my Master?"
"It's police business," Sae retorted, adjusting her glasses. "And frankly, I should be asking why a Yozakura is following a man with no registered address."
Sparks flew. Literal mana sparks.
I opened my mouth to diffuse the situation—maybe fake a coughing fit—when a voice cut through the air like a rusty saw.
"Runa! Step away from that filth!"
We all turned.
A sleek red sports car had pulled up to the curb. Leaning out of the window was a young man with dyed blonde hair, expensive sunglasses, and a face that screamed "my father is a lawyer."
Daichi.
I recognized him from the Hunter Association roster. B-Rank. Heir to a mid-tier guild. And, according to rumors, Runa's self-proclaimed fiancé.
(Great. The cliche 'Young Master' has arrived. Can this night get any worse?)
Daichi stepped out of the car. He wore a designer suit that cost more than my entire life's earnings. He ignored Sae completely and marched straight to Runa.
"I heard the rumors," Daichi sneered, glaring at me. "That you were seen carrying bags for some F-Rank nobody. I didn't believe it until I saw it."
He pointed a manicured finger at my chest.
"You. Walk away before I have my security team remove you."
(Gladly. Goodbye.)
I took a step back, ready to fade into the crowd.
"How dare you!" Runa stepped between us, her aura flaring violet. "Master Renji is a Sovereign! He is teaching me the True Way!"
Daichi laughed. It was a loud, ugly sound.
"The True Way? Runa, look at him. He's pale. He's shaking. He looks like he's going to faint if the wind blows too hard."
He wasn't wrong. The stress of the standoff was making my Mana Void ache. My knees were trembling.
"He is trembling because he is restraining his power!" Runa shouted. "If he releases it, you would turn to ash!"
Daichi rolled his eyes. "Please. He's a con artist. And I'm going to prove it."
He turned to me, his eyes filled with petty malice.
"Hey, trash. I challenge you. A duel. Right here, right now. Or are you too scared to fight a real Hunter?"
The crowd gasped. A duel challenge in the middle of Shinjuku? That was illegal without a permit, but Daichi clearly didn't care.
Sae stepped forward, her detective mode activating. "Citizen, unauthorized combat is—"
"Stay out of this, cop," Daichi snapped. "This is a matter of honor."
He looked back at me. "Well? If you're a Sovereign, you should be able to crush a B-Rank like me easily, right?"
My heart hammered against my ribs.
(I can't fight him. He shoots fireballs. I shoot... nothing. I will die. I need to decline. I need to apologize and leave.)
"I have no interest in bullying children," I said, turning my back. "Runa, let's go."
"Coward!" Daichi yelled. "You're just a fraud preying on naive girls!"
I ignored him. I took a step away.
Ding.
A massive, crimson System window slammed into my vision, blocking my path.
[System Quest Alert.] [Scenario: The Rival's Challenge.] [Objective: Accept the duel and dominate the target.] [Reward: 'Vitality Pill' (Cures 1% of Mana Void Syndrome).] [Failure Consequence: Reputation Collapse. Runa leaves the party. Death by Mana Void in 4 weeks.]
I froze.
Cure... 1%?
One percent didn't sound like much. But for a dying man, it was a lifeline. It was an extra month of life. It was hope.
But to get it, I had to fight a B-Rank Fire Mage.
(The System wants me dead. It absolutely hates me.)
But the alternative was losing Runa—my only source of income/survival—and dying in a month anyway.
I stopped walking. I took a deep, shuddering breath.
I had to do it.
I slowly turned around. I forced my trembling body to stillness. I looked at Daichi with eyes that I hoped looked like calm abysses, not terrified puddles.
"You are persistent," I whispered.
Daichi smirked. "Changed your mind? Ready to beg?"
"Beg?" I chuckled. It was a dry, raspy sound. "No. I was merely considering how much force I can use without... staining the pavement."
(I am going to throw up.)
I walked back toward him. The crowd parted. Sae watched me with intense curiosity. Runa looked ready to murder Daichi herself.
"I accept your challenge," I announced, my voice carrying over the street noise. "But under one condition."
"What?" Daichi scoffed. "You want a handicap?"
"No," I said, shoving my shaking hands deep into my pockets.
I stared him down.
"I will not use my hands."
Daichi blinked. "What?"
"Using my hands against someone of your... caliber," I sneered, channeling every ounce of arrogance I possessed. "Would be bullying. I will defeat you without lifting a finger."
(Because if I lift a finger, you'll see it shaking uncontrollably.)
The crowd erupted.
"Did you hear that?!" "He's going to fight hands-free?!" "That's so arrogant! I love it!"
Daichi's face turned beet red. "You... you mocking bastard! Fine! Three days from now! The Central Arena! I'll kill you!"
He stormed back to his car and peeled away.
I stood there, heart racing, palms sweating.
[Quest Accepted.]
"Master!" Runa grabbed my arm, eyes shining with tears. "You accepted a handicap for my honor! You truly are the strongest!"
Sae walked up to me. She peered closely at my face.
"You're insane," she whispered. "A B-Rank Mage? Without hands? You're going to die."
I looked at the retreating taillights of the sports car.
"Perhaps," I said, turning to walk home before my legs gave out. "Or perhaps... he simply isn't worth the effort."
(I need a plan. I need a miracle. I need a drink.)