Chapter 377: …Doesn’t always translate to Respect
“Godsdamned! That’s a lot of shadows!”
“Huh…I guess Miss Venus has significantly more influence than I thought…”
“Yeah…wait a minute…”
Victor fell silent as he made a couple of quick realizations about the situation…namely that they could totally get the hell out of dodge since it had evolved to the the point where they weren’t consider active combat elements anymore…probably.
Right now, the demons and the shadows were staring each other down, waiting for someone to make the first move.
‘Once the fists start flying, so will I. But what about these two…,’ Victor thought to himself as he stared at the two fellows who’s deal he essentially piggybacked on.
Normally, Victor wouldn’t feel bad about ditching people to horrible fates, honor amongst thieves and all that, but…this time was different.
This time, Victor was forced to face the reality that was the karmic consequences of his actions, in the form of literal demons from some nefarious underworld.
‘Them preachers always say that the wicked will punish for their misdeeds, while the charitable would be blessed…and that sinners could…redeem themselves? Maybe if I help get these two out of here and turn their lives around, I can earn some good boy points, or redemption points or whatever they’re called!’
With this plan in mind, all Victor had to do now was to wait for an opportunity.
Thankfully, it wouldn’t be too long of a wait….
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[1,2,3…I’m counting up to double digits over here…I think about…sixteen? Sixteen I can see anyways. By the aether, I hate dealing with sneaky types,] Razor Maiden griped as she readied her claws.
Slowly but surely, each of the kaijin were becoming surrounded at least four to one by these weird shadow guys.
Each group of four seemed to contain at least two Aether Masters and two Aether Acolytes.
While all of them had the same dark cloak and blue mask like the one Jasper had sent flying earlier, each of them appeared to have completely different weaponry and fighting styles. Granted, there were some double ups in regards to short swords, kusarigamas, chakrams and other easy to carry weapons.
[Wait…are these guys technically ninjas?,] Hurricroak/Japser observed while still staring down Fia Venus, the one who summoned these guys in the first place, [Does the Conservation of Ninjutsu apply here?]
[Don’t…think…so…?,] Frosttusk answered in an unsure tone as the ground around his feet began to freeze over.
[Wait, what the fuck are you talking about?,] Nepherage asked while charging up heat into her limbs in a somewhat subtle manner. She was already looking like she was glowing like lava, so if a few parts suddenly glowed brighter, nobody would bat an eye…probably.
[Conservation of ninjutsu! You know, that trope in martial arts films where the hero fights one ninja and it’s super hard, but later on a whole bunch of them show and they just get absolutely bodied with one punch, one after the other?]
[I…I don’t think that applies to real life,] Nepherage answered incredulously.
Hurricroak for her part didn’t shoot Nepherage a disbelieving look, but she could send that emotion with her rebuttal.
[See, you say that, but the bystander effect is a real thing, so why couldn’t that apply to fighting?]
[I…huh…]
[Don’t think…it…works like… that…]
[This entire conversation is starting to become way too nerdy, can we just cut these dudes to ribbons already and go home?,] Razor Maiden interjected.
[We will, we will,] Hurricroak assured her, [just need to wait for this bitch to start monologuing.]
[…what?]
“Hehehehe. You know…it’s funny…”
[Oh dear gods, you were serious.]
[See? Dramatic knows dramatic, and this bitch as well be calling herself Macbeth.]
[Boo, bad joke is bad!]
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As the shadows entered the warehouse, they began to surround the three monstrosities and the warrior in purple armor, drawing weapons that were laced in powerful paralytics that could stun even a third rank Bronze-Tusk Elephant with a single scratch.
While the ranks were being formed and the targets surrounded, a single shadow in a decidedly more detailed blue mask came up to Fia’s side.
“Lady Venus, are you alright? What are these things?”
“I am quite fine, my dear shadow,” Fia replied with an arrogant smile, “and these fellows say that they are demons coming to bring about retribution.”
“Demons?”
“Yes. These fuckers had the audacity to not only interrupt my deal and injure my shadow, but also claim that it was all for the sake of exacting that retribution on me. Isn’t that funny?”
“Indeed.”
Now that her back-up had arrived, Fia now felt more assured than before that she could take down this detestable little boy and his so-called “demons”.
It didn’t matter if each these demons, except for one, were all radiating with the power of at least a Grand Master, she was one too, at the fourth ring at that, and now her squadrom composed of several Aether Masters and a few fifth ring Acolytes had arrived to assist.
It would have been better if her own guardian shadow could participate as well, but he was… indisposed of for the time being.
Out of the corner of her eye, she could see that two of them shadows she had called upon were in the middle of providing emergency medical treatment and prepping the man for extraction.
‘I suppose they decided to be merciful today. Makes sense.’
Powerful aether warriors were powerful assets, so it made sense that the organization would prioritize saving the shadow’s life as opposed to…disposing him.
Surprisingly, neither Geo nor his demons protested to the act despite happening in full view, perhaps they were intimidated by the other shadows?
If that was the case, then…
“Hehehehe,” Fia began to chuckle.
“You know… it’s funny…after all of these years in my line of work, I thought there wouldn’t be anymore surprises in store for me, but lo and behold! Demons! Coming to punish me for my sins? Hah!”
While a majority of the shadows didn’t react to their superior’s sudden laugh not ensuing monologue, they were busy keeping an eye on the aforementioned demons, a few did share knowing looks with one another, the kind that said “so…should we address the fact that our boss might be having a mental breakdown or not?”
Evidently, they chose “not”.
“In my lifetime I have seen all sorts of ‘do-gooders’ and criminals come my way because they either needed something from me, try to screw me over during a deal or they aimed to kill me, but you! You’re the first to ever have actually managed to not only screw me over, but force me to call upon the shadows! Honestly, give yourself a round of applause!”
Fia began to mockingly clap to emphasize her sarcastic comment.
None of the demons looked amused at the gesture, but neither did they look offended. If anything, they looked…bored. Granted, Fia at this point was so caught up in her braggadocio, that she failed to notice that even Geo rolled their eyes at her behavior.
When Fia finished clapping, she clasped her hands together and proceeded to give Geo a rather dark look.
“You know, I can’t help but wonder just how much money I could make selling you and your demons wholesale at the next auction. Ten thousand? Fifty thousand? A million gold coins? But alas…I think I’d make more selling you all for parts,” Fia finished with a growl.
“Now then, with all that said, any last words?”
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[Seven out of ten. That villain speech was a solid, seven out of ten,] Nepherage said generously, [I think the Marquis was creepier but she is pretty solid in the evil department.]
[Ehhh…more like…six…out of…ten. Too much…bluster.]
[Why do all of these weapons smell funny? Wait…are their blades coated in poison? Are they trying to poison us? Really?! They do realize most of us are technically inorganic, right?,] Razor Maiden asked.
[I don’t think they do-wait…I’m technically in someone else’s body right now, so I might not be immune to poison at the moment,] Hurricroak realized.
[Oh…that’s a pretty bad handicap, but don’t exit that kid’s body yet. That’d probably be worst.]
[Wasn’t planning to. Eh, it’ll be fine. Now we should probably get to wasting these fools like they’re rotten fruitcake before sunrise, yeah?]
[Hold up, remember what our lord said? No trail of bodies?]
[Wait, what? The whole lot of them seem to be creepy super ninjas or some shit like that, I’m pretty sure they don’t have any families that will seek revenge on us.]
[Are you sure?]
[Uhh…]
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“Now then, with all that said, any last words?”
Fia at this point in time expected either begging or some violent sputtering about how they will be avenged or about justice or something stupid like that.
She did not expect the following sentences being asked:
“Attention creepy shadow fuckers!,” Geo shouted, “Do any of you have any lovers or families that will definitely notice if y’all end up in shallow graves? If so, consider this your warning to get the fuck out of here before the rest of y’all get wasted. I’d rather not increase the widow and orphan population of the world, and give this bitch more business opportunities, I’m just saying.”
The whole warehouse was stunned at the sheer straightforwardness of the question.
What the fuck?
