Deal With The Devil
The next day arrived without problem. It wasn't until the doorbell rang that things started to change.
"Hey, Adam? Can you get the door?" [Vivian]
Hearing the call from downstairs, Adam stepped out of his room.
"I got it." [Adam]
He opened the door expecting Felix to be most likely the one to show up. However, it was a man in a black suit.
"Huh?" [Adam]
"Hello. Remember me?" [Suited Man]
It was the other person who was present when Adam signed the contract with the old man.
"I… never quite got your name." [Adam]
"Call me Ricky." [Suited Man]
He smiled as friendly as he could.
"I also have a package for you." [Ricky]
Reaching into his suit, Ricky took out a small cardboard box.
"As promised, three boosters." [Ricky]
Adam took the box and opened it. What lay inside were three dark brown pills placed about an inch away from each other.
"...Are there any side effects?" [Adam]
"You may become hungry and thirsty." [Ricky]
That was a bit different from what Adam expected.
"...No physical pain or anything? Just that?" [Adam]
Ricky nodded.
"I have no need to lie." [Ricky]
Looking at the pills, Adam closed the box and slid it into a pocket.
"Is that all?" [Adam]
"I've also come to pick you up." [Ricky]
"Pick me up?" [Adam]
Adam felt a bit lost. He feared that he simply forgot an arrangement.
"Do you remember when you were told that the military attendance was pushed up?" [Ricky]
"Wasn't that for next week?" [Adam]
Ricky put on a troubled look.
"Well… yes… However, that only applies to normal students." [Ricky]
"Normal? What's that supposed to mean?" [Adam]
Adam wore a slightly unhappy expression.
"I don't mean to insult you. I meant exceptional students must come in as quickly as possible. There is a program to separate them into different categories." [Ricky]
Hearing that, Adam didn't think it was too bad.
"Oh? The humans mean to weed out the weak." [Astos]
"Weed out the weak?" [Adam]
Accidentally speaking aloud, Ricky's eyes widened in surprise.
"...You caught on pretty fast." [Ricky]
("What? It's true?!") [Adam]
He suppressed his facial expression and cleared his throat.
"Yeah. Mind explaining?" [Adam]
Ricky glanced around nervously before speaking.
"I'll explain on the way. Do you mind coming with me right now?" [Ricky]
Adam refused.
"You guys should've sent a notice beforehand. This is highly unprofessional. Also, I need my sister's permission." [Adam]
"That… is very reasonable. Is your sister home? I'd like to ask her if you can come along." [Ricky]
Adam craned his neck back towards the house and cupped his mouth.
"Hey sis! The government guy wants to speak to you!" [Adam]
There was a momentary pause.
"What?!" [Vivian]
She came rushing over with a ladle in hand.
"What are you talking about?" [Vivian]
Taking a moment to observe the situation, Ricky waving his hand at her caught her eye.
"May I have a moment of your-" [Ricky]
"Whatever you're selling, I don't want it." [Vivian]
"No- Ma'am. I just-" [Ricky]
He raised his foot to step forward, but quickly found a ladle hovering mere inches away from his face.
"You take one more step and I'll have your leg." [Vivian]
Feeling a bit threatened, Ricky moved back slowly.
"Miss, I only wish to ask for permission." [Ricky]
"Permission for what?" [Vivian]
"The government would like to borrow your brother for a month." [Ricky]
"A month?!" [Vivian]
"A month?" [Adam]
"A-And! There will be due compensation for the lack of notice." [Ricky]
Adam waved his hands in a panic.
"Hold on. There wasn't a mention of a month!" [Adam]
"There will be tax exemption!" [Ricky]
"Oh?" [Vivian]
That somewhat piqued her interest.
"That can't be all can it?" [Vivian]
"O-of course not! Shops partnered with the government will give discounts a-and you will be sent weekly benefits!" [Ricky]
"Like?" [Vivian]
"Gift baskets holding liquor and snacks! I-if you don't want that, you can request something else through official lines!" [Ricky]
A slight grin started to appear on Vivian's face.
"For how long will these benefits last?" [Vivian]
"As long as your brother's training lasts!" [Ricky]
"And the tax exemption?" [Vivian]
"Uh… One year!" [Ricky]
"Make it three." [Vivian]
Ricky started to sweat from stress.
"I-I'm sorry, but I can't-" [Ricky]
"Either yes or no." [Vivian]
Ricky grit his teeth in frustration.
"I can only go up to two years!" [Ricky]
"Make it two and a half." [Vivian]
Clenching his fists, Ricky sighed.
"...Deal." [Ricky]
Vivian smiled smugly.
"Kay, have fun!" [Vivian]
Patting Adam on the back, Vivian went back into the house.
"What just happened?" [Adam]
Ricky took out a handkerchief and wiped his forehead.
"...She just scammed me. Dear god, your sister is a scary one." [Ricky]