The knights looked at Ryuji with a delicate gaze now.


    This caused him to feel irritated, but Yumiko''s smooth hips, bumping into him while she swayed her hips, distracted him.


    Though he knew she did it on purpose, her eyes peeking at him from the corner of her eyes. She was like a cute little animal.


    He had already been a fool before, but now, with his mind no longer fractured, Ryuji ignored the useless thoughts and wrapped his arm around her curvy waist, pulling her towards him.


    "n, what is the n regarding the future?"


    n turned, nked by two female knights, his expression momentarily stern before a sinister smile crept across his face. "You are about to descend into a living nightmare," he warned, "and I will be the one to liberate you from the kingdom''s clutches."


    ***


    The words still shocked Ryuji, who sat on thefortable royal red seat with Yumiko on hisp, her head leaning on his shoulder while her tail rested over his abdomen.


    He had never expected this kind of news, which is why the situation seemed so surreal. He could hardly believe what n had said. However, the truth felt soforting to Ryuji as his sharp fangs nibbled on the neck of Yumiko, who started touching something she shouldn''t in public.


    "Lord Qwass will probably have his sights set on killing you somehow. Be it through the high-ranked heroes or assassins." n had exined.


    "What can we do to stop them?"


    "Nothing. We cannot stop them. So, we need to kill or crush those he sends before that."


    The words were like a hammer on his skull, yet there was no feeling of worry, disgrace or rejection. "True, killing them might be good. Crushing them is also a wonderful choice." Ryuji''s ocean-blue eyes flickered with a magical glint while he gripped tightly onto Yumiko''s waist, causing her to let out a groan, much to his delight.


    "I don''t understand the situation. The Kingdom had sent us here and treated us as nothing more than tools. Or is it that only the worthless be tools, and those worthy can be something more?" Ryuji asked, his deep voice calming and elegant, but he looked like a beautiful yet ferocious beast with a brutal animosity that caused the two female knights to hold their swords in fear of attack.


    n shrugged his shoulders, pouring two sses of brown liquor.


    The scent was sweet, simr to caramel, and reminiscent of cigars and wood. He had a smile on his face as he handed one ss to Ryuji. "To be honest, I had never nned to tell you all of this. But you disyed your worth when I saw the images of you fighting those knights and the review She and Simon gave about you."


    Ryuji epted the ss and sniffed the contents. He wasn''t a big fan of liquor, but the aroma was nice. The smell felt nostalgic, and it was the thought that counted. He took a small sip, letting the taste fill his mouth, letting his new tongue slide around his mouth before gulping it down.


    "Delicious..."


    It seemed when his blood awakened, Ryuji''s taste also changed.


    "With summoned heroes, we treat them as pawns or chosen."


    Ryuji raised an eyebrow.


    "Chosen?"


    n nodded, smiling. "Yes, the chosen are the heroes who can be something more—those who can be stronger, wiser, or just more valuable. The kingdom''s nobles can choose two depending on rank; lower nobles like the Baron can only have one."


    He then grabbed the small ss, swilling the brown alcohol, before downing it in one go; with a m on the table, he continued. "I have selected and received approval for two individuals: You, Ryuji, and another person who will emerge in the future. I am sure she will get along with you just fine. Rather, once I mentioned you as the other, she epted me even after rejecting many other top lords."


    "She, get along with Ryuji!?" Yumiko whispered while her tail pped hisp.


    ''n is a smart guy, but not too smart as he made Yumiko angry.''


    Ryuji had a thoughtful expression. "I see, but I don''t understand. If you are doing something behind the kingdom''s back, then how are you getting approval?"


    n chuckled, pouring another drink before sipping it slowly.


    "The chosen won''t betray the kingdom but would be more like a part-time worker? I think your world referred to it like that. A part-time job. You help us, we help you. That kind of deal."


    "We give money, a wage, so to speak and a bonus per mission or task. You gain the freedom to leave the castle, be an adventurer or mercenary and kill monsters outside, enter dungeons in the real world and grow stronger. Thus, we pay you more, and our rtionship will be deeper."


    "A contract of sorts," Ryuji muttered, rubbing his chin.


    "Correct. It isn''t a contract, but it can be called something like that. Of course, the unchosen heroes can''t enjoy such benefits—they will fight battles against enemies, endure wars, and most of them die within a year."


    Ryuji wondered, "Why don''t you keep the ones with special sses, like farmers, tailors and chefs?"


    "Oh, we do. Those are safe. Hence, we put those two with you. Akari and Ryo, those two will eventually be my servants in this manner, though they cannot fight. I realised seeing you that the higher their level, the more delicious the food. Because a hero differs slightly from a native, their levelling up adds more than just new recipes.


    It''s like the goddess of creation mingles with them."


    "Gods exist here?"


    "Well, yeah..."


    "Ugh!? *Cough* Strong?" n coughed on his refill; Ryuji''s words caused him to snort the alcohol up his nose from shock. "You want to fight the gods already!?"


    "Eh, not really." Ryuji''s handsome face showed a pleasant smile while refilling his ss to the brim. The expensive alcohol was something n only drank a small shot of, and he just gulped the ss down, a burning sensation causing him to feel tingles all over his body. "Not yet, anyway."


    "Haha.... hahahaha! Ryuji, Ryuji, you are such a funny hero! Normally when they hear about gods, the heroes get all solemn or deny them. Why do you want to fight them?"


    "Why not? If they are strong, I want to test them. I want to fight powerful things and kill them. Mother said I should never show weakness no matter how strong the opponent is!"


    [Luna, the goddess of werewolves, feels amused at your words - She is now watching your progress.]


    [Ishtar, the Beastkin goddess of battle, thinks you are amusing - She has fixated her gaze upon you!]


    [Helena, goddess of peace, feels you are a menace. Her judgemental gaze is upon you.]


    [Aries, the human god of war, feels conflicted about your rtionship with a beastkin. His gaze is following your choices.]


    "Well, there are the gods and their avatars. There are the demon lords, dragons, and angels."


    "Demon lord, dragons, angels..." Ryuji repeated the names, causing a glint to form in his eyes. "So, those are the strong beings?"


    "Ah... yes, they are the strongest," n said with a wry smile. "You are still at the level of goblin. Don''t think those in the dungeon were strong. A true goblin woulde at you in packs of over twenty."


    "Tsk, I will get stronger."


    "You better! I spent over five thousand on you! Do you know how many female nobles wanted to hire you?"


    "Sex."


    "Pfft," Yumiko giggled at his dumb look. "My god, he is a naturaldy killer, but he doesn''t seem to realise when girls want him."


    "Shut up, you!"


    "Make me!" Yumiko stuck her tongue out yfully.


    "I will!"


    "Please do, but not in front of the boss," she whispered, licking her lips seductively, her eyes gleaming with lust.


    "Ahem... by the way, I have a licence and freedom permit for your partner. I realised to you she is important and thus I will respect your choices. Wee to my mansion, Lady Yumiko. Tomorrow, I will invite Shi and Simon because they will be taking you to the Rank-C dungeon. ''Aberrant Cavern.''"


    "I will have someone guide you to your room. Rest well, Ryuji and Yumiko. I hope to be great allies."


    n reached over the table, his eyespletely sincere, while Ryuji nodded. Wanting to return that sincerity, he sped n''s hand and made a promise that he would keep, even if the kingdom betrayed him.


    Only n would be forgiven.