Chapter 89: Now You Know I Know

Reiji didn’t move.

His gaze remained fixed on the hand Aoi had extended toward him.

’Negotiation...?’

What a ridiculous way to describe blackmail.

He remained silent for several more seconds before slowly lifting his eyes toward her face.

"You’ve thought this through."

"I had to."

"And if I refuse?"

Aoi lowered her hand but didn’t seem disappointed.

"Then I’ll report everything I know."

"You don’t even have proof."

"I don’t need absolute proof."

She smiled slightly.

"I only need enough suspicion for the Association or the military to start watching you."

Reiji’s expression remained calm.

Inside...

His thoughts were already racing.

’She’s right.’

Once the military started paying attention, it wouldn’t matter whether they had evidence or not.

His routine would disappear overnight.

Every gate he entered would become a risk.

Every late-night outing would place Hina in danger.

Even if they never managed to catch him...

He would be forced to stop raiding altogether.

That alone would cripple his growth.

His fingers slowly curled inside the sleeves of the oversized hoodie.

’This is bad.’

Not because she was strong.

Because she understood exactly where to apply pressure.

He hated people like that.

After several moments, Reiji finally spoke.

"What makes you think I need a partner?"

"I don’t."

"Then why insist?"

"Because eventually you’ll make one mistake."

She answered so naturally that Reiji almost frowned.

"You’ve been lucky."

"I’m still alive because of skill."

"I never said otherwise."

She folded her arms.

"But skill doesn’t erase exhaustion."

"It doesn’t erase injuries."

"And it definitely doesn’t erase bad luck."

Reiji remained silent.

Aoi continued.

"You leave alone."

"You return alone."

"If one day you collapse before reaching home..."

"Who’s going to help you?"

"I’ll manage."

"Will you?"

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

"You don’t look like someone who managed very well tonight."

Reiji didn’t answer.

She wasn’t wrong.

His body was still screaming from the battle against the Desert Tyrant Worm.

Had someone stronger than Aoi appeared in this alley...

He would’ve been in serious trouble.

Aoi looked toward the quiet street outside the alley before speaking again.

"I’m not asking you to reveal your face."

"I’m not asking for your real name."

"I’m not asking about your abilities."

"I don’t care how you became this strong."

Her voice remained calm.

"I only want one thing."

"Dungeon Cores."

Reiji finally frowned.

"That’s all?"

"That’s enough."

"You expect me to believe that?"

She laughed softly.

"I expected you’d ask."

Aoi reached into her jacket again.

This time she removed a small transparent pouch.

Inside were three dull gray monster cores.

Reiji immediately recognized them.

F-Rank.

"These took my team almost two weeks to collect."

She looked at them quietly before closing the pouch again.

"My growth has almost stopped."

"The Association prioritizes stronger Awakened."

"Guilds prioritize stronger Awakened."

"Everyone prioritizes stronger Awakened."

She looked back at him.

"If I continue like this..."

"I’ll spend the rest of my career watching other people become stronger while I stay exactly where I am."

There wasn’t any bitterness in her voice.

Only acceptance.

That somehow made the words feel more genuine.

Still...

Reiji wasn’t convinced.

"So you expect me to hand over valuable Cores for free?"

"I said work together."

"I didn’t say charity."

She smiled.

"I’ll earn them."

"How?"

"I’ll keep people away while you raid."

"If another Hunter appears..."

"I’ll send them elsewhere."

"If the Association starts investigating..."

"I’ll warn you."

"If someone follows you..."

"I’ll notice before they reach you."

She tilted her head slightly.

"You’ve already seen tonight that one person can become a problem."

Reiji couldn’t deny it.

Had Aoi chosen to report him immediately...

His situation would’ve become far more troublesome.

She wasn’t strong.

But information had value.

Sometimes...

More value than strength itself.

His thoughts drifted back to the system.

Bond Points.

That annoying notification appeared in his mind again.

[Level Up Failed.]

[Insufficient Bond Points.]

No matter how much EXP he accumulated...

Eventually he would need more partners.

He immediately pushed the thought away.

’Too early.’

He wasn’t going to think about that now.

Aoi suddenly broke the silence.

"You don’t trust me."

"No."

"You probably never will."

"...Probably."

"I’m fine with that."

Reiji raised an eyebrow beneath the hood.

She continued.

"Trust isn’t necessary."

"Mutual benefit is."

Those words caught his attention.

Not because they were impressive.

Because they matched the way he thought.

Mutual benefit.

Temporary cooperation.

Nothing more.

Nothing less.

He slowly asked another question.

"What happens if I agree?"

"We establish rules."

"What kind of rules?"

"The obvious ones."

She began counting on her fingers.

"I don’t ask about your identity."

"You don’t ask unnecessary questions about mine."

"I don’t interfere during your fights unless you ask."

"You decide which Cores I receive."

"If either of us wants to stop..."

"We simply walk away."

Reiji quietly listened.

Reasonable.

Surprisingly reasonable.

Almost...

Too reasonable.

"You’re prepared."

"I’ve been thinking about this for several days."

That answer made him pause.

Several days.

"So you suspected me before today."

"I did."

"But today confirmed it."

Reiji silently memorized that information.

The artifact hadn’t exposed him by itself.

It had only confirmed an existing suspicion.

Meaning...

His own habits had been the real problem.

Leaving home every night.

Returning every morning.

Using the same alley repeatedly.

He had become predictable.

’A stupid mistake.’

One born from complacency.

He had assumed no one would pay attention.

Clearly...

Someone had.

Aoi suddenly stretched slightly before looking toward the brightening sky.

"The sun’s almost up."

She smiled.

"I doubt you’d like standing here much longer."

Reiji followed her gaze.

Morning had fully arrived.

People would begin leaving for work soon.

Remaining here would only increase the chance of someone seeing them together.

He looked back at Aoi.

"You’ve put me in an annoying position."

"I know."

"And you’re surprisingly calm."

"I spent all night rehearsing this conversation."

"..."

"I was terrified."

Reiji blinked once.

She laughed awkwardly.

"I just hide it well."

That answer sounded far more believable than fearless confidence.

For the first time since the conversation began...

The atmosphere eased ever so slightly.

Neither of them spoke for several moments.

Finally...

Reiji slowly exhaled.

"I’ll think about it."

Aoi smiled.

"That’s enough."

She stepped aside, finally clearing the center of the alley.

"I’m not asking for an answer today."

"I only wanted you to hear my proposal."

Reiji remained where he was.

"...You’re just letting me leave?"

Aoi shrugged.

"I already achieved what I came here for."

"And what’s that?"

She looked at him with the same calm smile she’d worn since the beginning.

"Now you know I know."

The words hung between them.

Reiji couldn’t argue with that.

She had successfully changed the balance between them.

Whether he accepted or refused...

Ignoring her was no longer an option. Without another word, he walked past her. Neither looked at the other as they crossed.

When Reiji reached the end of the alley, Aoi spoke one final time.

"I’ll wait two days. If you decide to refuse... I’ll assume that’s your answer."

Reiji stopped for only a brief moment.

"...Two days."

Then he continued walking without looking back.

Aoi watched the hooded figure disappear into the awakening city until he finally vanished around the corner.

Only then did she release the breath she’d been holding.

"My legs are shaking..."

She laughed quietly to herself.

"I can’t believe I actually did it."

She looked toward the empty alley where Reiji had disappeared.

"I just hope... I made the right gamble."