[Ch. 30] To Die By Your Hand

Panzram frowned, "That doesn't look like a small headache."

It looked more like Ryu was experiencing a pain so severe it would cause most people to faint. This was particularly startling to Panzram since Ryu never seemed to have such a strong response to pain before.

Ryu looked back up at Panzram and wiped his sweaty brow. He couldn't force himself to lie about the reason behind the headache so he changed the subject instead, "I remember. I saved my friend from some bandits once. He had promised that I could always come to his restaurant and eat for free as thanks."

Panzram thought to himself that it wasn't really a friend, but a meal ticket instead. Somehow Panzram did not feel as angry once he thought this.

Ryu shrugged, "I don't really understand why he was so gracious. It's not like I went out of my way to help him. They were all merely blocking the road and were in my way."

Panzram blinked at his shamelessness. Panzram felt ridiculous for wondering about Ryu and this man's relationship. Why was he getting so worked up over this?

Panzram spoke in a low voice, "So when you helped me, you were probably only doing it on a whim as well."

Ryu's face turned serious, "I would never help you on a whim! I helped you because-"

Ryu abruptly stopped midsentence.

Panzram raised an eyebrow, "Because?"

Why was Ryu so compelled to help Panzram? It's true that he had felt bad for Panzram's previous experiences and wanted to help him achieve his goals. However, why was he so obsessed over it? Ryu had never experienced feeling obsessed to this extent before.

It was almost as if someone had planted a seed within him and the seed was starting to grow out of control.

Ryu glanced up at Panzram with a coy expression, blushing slightly. "I, ah, I just want to help you achieve your goal."

"And what goal is that?" Panzram asked, already knowing the answer.

"You want to kill all of humanity… Or at least, kill as many as you can. I will help you with that."

Panzram quietly surveyed Ryu's bashful face. He spoke indifferently, "And if that includes you?"

Ryu smiled at this, "Then that's fine as well."

Panzram could not help but shake his head. Really. This man is truly crazy.

Ryu continued, "I mean, I'm going to die soon anyway. I'd much prefer to die by your hands instead of anyone else's."

Panzram raised an eyebrow, "Why do you believe that?"

Ryu answered nonchalantly, "I am meant to die within a few years. It's predestined."

Panzram scoffed, "Predestined. What nonsense."

Ryu had a weak smile as he looked down at his hands, "Everything is predestined..."

He slapped his cheeks and looked towards Panzram with determination, "But I won't allow your fate to occur. Even If I have to destroy all of reality, I will save you from your predestined fate."

"My predestined fate?"

Before Panzram could ask. A waitress knocked and opened the door, "Honorable customers… I've brought your orders."

Their conversation stopped as the two workers brought in their order.

They set it out neatly and bowed to them, "If you do not need anything else dear customers, we will excuse ourselves."

Ryu looked at the food with a fake smile. Panzram went to drink a cup, but Ryu put his hand on it preventing him from doing so. Panzram looked at Ryu with an eyebrow raised. Ryu looked at the waiters, "And who are you two?"

They bowed respectfully, "We are the waiters here."

Ryu's smile grew larger, "Oh? And how long have you two have worked here?"

One answered, "For a few weeks, Fourth Young Master."

Ryu propped his chin up with his hand, "Oh really? But I don't recognize you."

The same one answered, "There are several workers here, dear customer. You probably have just forgotten our faces."

Ryu chuckled and shook his head, "I fear that's not possible. I frequent this place often. I know every worker. I even know when there is a new hire. Therefore, I know you two are actually hired mercenaries."

Panzram was startled by this revelation and looked at Ryu. When he saw Ryu with a confident smile on his face, he knew that Ryu was serious.

Ryu tilted his head, "So did they send you to kidnap me or kill me?"

Their eyes turned venomous as they pulled out weapons from their sleeves. "You filthy Taira scum!"

One threw a small knife and Ryu made no effort to avoid it. It struck into Ryu's shoulder causing him to fall back without even wincing from the pain. Panzram saw this and instantly jumped to his feet.

In the blink of an eye, he grabbed the first mercenary's head, squeezing it in his grip. The mercenary screamed in pain as Panzram beat his head into the floor, smashing the floor in the process.

The other charged at Panzram, but he used his sheer strength to kick the other mercenary away. The mercenary flew through the wall destroying it in the process. The kick was so strong, it even broke the stair railing.

The last mercenary fell onto a table downstairs, shattering it into pieces. Everyone screamed as the last mercenary gurgled while he coughed up blood before dying.

Panzram noticed the two had died and rushed over to Ryu's side. However, he was surprised to see Ryu nonchalantly pull out the knife without a change in expression.

Panzram watched in confused shock as Ryu's wound healed up instantly. Panzram checked out the faded wound carefully. He pulled down Ryu's robe, checking his skin for any scratch. He muttered under his breath, "It disappeared?"

Ryu looked away bashfully as Panzram carefully looked at his shoulder. Panzram was so close he caught a whiff of his scent. He caught himself breathing it in greedily. Ryu spoke quickly, "Ah, my body is good at healing. Don't pay attention to it."

Panzram looked up at Ryu wanting to ask about how it was possible but ultimately decided not to. Panzram figured it must be some kind of illusion.

After all, no one would ever willingly let themselves get hurt.