Infinity, The Arcade Age-Chapter 369: The Temptation Offered by the Hakkesshu

"It's you!"

Seeing the two women who appeared ahead—more accurately, seeing the one in the long formal gown, her body still wrapped in bandages and her injuries not yet healed—Kasumi Todoh instantly jumped to her feet and instinctively assumed a defensive stance.

And you couldn't blame her for reacting that way—because the one approaching wasn't just anyone.

It was Vice, the very woman who had beaten her senseless just yesterday, nearly killing her!

And walking beside Vice—was Mature!

Facing the tense and wary Kasumi, Vice simply rolled her eyes. She couldn't be bothered to respond. She casually pulled out a chair and sat down.

And it was Kasumi's chair she pulled out!

Clearly, this woman was still as malicious as ever, a pure bully who got a kick out of pushing people around.

Right after, Mature also pulled out a chair and sat down, her sharp, cold gaze immediately locking onto Qin Ming, who sat across the table.

"Qin Ming, long time no see."

Qin Ming, still munching on his barbecue, raised an eyebrow at her words.

"We just saw each other yesterday."

"It's just a polite phrase."

"Oh, then—long time no see. So, why are you here? What, she still wants to fight me?"

While speaking, Qin Ming turned his gaze toward Vice, his brow quirking, expression turning a little playful.

"You still want to give me a massage, lady?"

Qin Ming had expected that, after hearing such teasing, Vice would surely blow up in rage—maybe even launch into a full-blown fight right there.

But instead, when his words fell, Vice didn't get mad at all. She leaned her elbow on the table, propped her cheek up with one hand, and gave him a sultry, smiling look.

"That depends on how much you're willing to pay, sir."

"What? You charge by the hour now?"

"Of course. The price determines the service. If you're generous enough, I even offer special services."

The moment her suggestive voice dropped, Mature, who was clearly done listening, frowned and gave Vice a sharp elbow in the side.

Grimacing in pain, Vice clutched her slim waist, turned around with an annoyed glare, and snapped at Mature.

"What the hell! Why are you so uptight? You jealous I'm chatting with someone else? If you're upset, go hit him! Why hit me!?"

Mature simply glanced once at Qin Ming, giving his massive frame a quick once-over, then calmly looked away.

"Because compared to hitting him, hitting you is far safer."

"Tch, coward. Bully the weak and fear the strong."

Crossing her arms, Vice whipped her head away in a huff.

Seeing this, Mature's expression didn't even flicker—she just rolled her eyes in silence.

Watching the whole exchange from across the table, Qin Ming furrowed his brows.

"What exactly are you two here for? Spit it out."

Hearing Qin Ming cut to the chase, the squabbling Mature and Vice finally turned their attention back to him, their eyes locking onto him together.

After a few seconds of eye contact, Mature spoke solemnly, her tone serious.

"To recruit you."

"Recruit me?"

"Yes. You've caught Goenitz's attention. At this point, you only have two options—join us, or be killed by him."

At the mention of Goenitz, Qin Ming's pupils shrank. At last, his face showed a hint of seriousness.

"Goenitz is targeting me? And he sent you two to recruit me?"

"That's right."

"And if I refuse, he'll come and kill me?"

"Exactly."

"I don't believe it! I don't think he'd stir up trouble at such a crucial moment."

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Leaning back into his chair, the grave look on Qin Ming's face suddenly faded.

"If he really planned to go hostile the moment negotiations failed, then the ones knocking on my door would've been him, not you two. He clearly handed off the recruiting job to you, didn't he?"

His words made both Mature and Vice's expressions shift slightly. Mature let out a deep sigh and nodded.

"Correct. He gave us this task."

"So what happens if I say no?"

"Under normal circumstances, we'd try to force you with violence. But you're strong—we might not be able to beat you. So we're willing to offer you some... incentives."

As she spoke, Mature casually pointed to Vice, who was sitting beside her.

"If you agree to help us, we'll give you Vice."

At those words, Vice, who had been leaning lazily on the table enjoying the show, froze in place.

Then, realizing what had just been said, she instantly reached out and grabbed Mature by the collar.

"Mature! What the hell do you mean by that!?"

But Mature didn't even bother to look at her. She calmly turned back to Qin Ming and said:

"She can't beat you anyway. She's not exactly a good person. Always picks fights with me. If you're interested, you can take her. And if she resists, I'll help you deal with her."

As her words landed, Qin Ming finally snapped out of his stunned silence.

"What the hell? You people in the Hakkesshu are this wild? Win a fight and you get to take someone with you? Then if I beat you..."

"You can, but it's one or the other between us. Either you pick her and I help you deal with her, or you pick me and beat me, then you help me deal with her. If you want to pick both, then you better beat the two of us at once! Otherwise, you'll die!"

"...Wait a second! No matter who I pick, I'm the one helping you deal with her?"

"Because I saved your life, I'm your benefactor. You wouldn't hit your benefactor over some woman, right? I'm on your side! Aren't friends supposed to help each other and team up against outsiders?"

"Mm! That makes sense!"

Hearing Mature's righteous words, Qin Ming nodded firmly, instantly sold by her logic.

Seeing him nod, Mature nodded as well.

Thinking there was some benefit to gain, Kasamoto Eri—who had been sitting nearby—also nodded along.

Only Vice and Kasumi Todoh were left stunned.

Vice was in disbelief at how casually she was being bartered away between two people.

Kasumi Todoh, meanwhile, was shocked by just how bizarre this group dynamic was. So you can get a partner by beating people up?

Mature had no psychological burden whatsoever in throwing Vice under the bus as a bargaining chip to get Qin Ming to join them.

After all, with a great enemy looming, the organization was desperate for manpower. If Vice had to suffer a little for that, so be it—not like it was her suffering.

The mission given by Goenitz had to be completed. If it failed, the consequences would be worse. So Mature was doing whatever it took—especially since "whatever" didn't include herself.

More importantly, with the Serpent's resurrection plan underway, both Mature and Vice were already on a countdown.

If the plan succeeded and the Serpent revived—they'd die.

If the plan failed and they were defeated—they'd still die.

So either way, death was on the table. What was there to worry about anymore? Might as well go out swinging! She could play however she wanted!

Especially when it came to messing with Vice—her long-time nemesis.

If she didn't drag Vice here in chains, that was only because she was afraid she couldn't beat her. Otherwise, she'd have done it already.

Goenitz cared about how to resurrect the Serpent.

Mature and Vice? All they cared about in these final moments was settling their personal score.

Vice, now used as a bargaining chip on the spot, sat there dumbfounded and silent.

Seeing her stunned, Mature felt a wave of satisfaction.

Fight! Didn't you love fighting? Why aren't you fighting now?All I did was kill your childhood friend, your family, your neighbors—and you just had to oppose me every single day. Always ambushing me, using brute force to bully me...

Now look! You've met someone who you can't even touch! Someone who doesn't buy your crap! Let's see how you plan to use your brute strength to push him around!

At the end of her life, seeing Vice take a loss like this, Mature felt like her life was complete. She even began to smile faintly.

Only... she smiled too early.

Before that smile could fully bloom, Vice suddenly exhaled softly and slumped into her chair.

"Sure, whatever. I don't care. I can't beat you anyway. And hey, I'll even throw in a joining gift. See that girl next to me? I'm giving her to you too. If she acts up, I'll help you pin her down."

The words had barely left her mouth when Mature's face froze and slowly turned to look at Vice.

"You just have to go against me, don't you?"

Vice also turned her head slowly, her smile serene and eyes half-lidded.

"You started it."

"If I hadn't killed your family, Goenitz would've done it anyway—and in a much crueler way. At least when I kill people, they don't suffer."

"I don't care! I just know I have a grudge against you! Even if I die—I want to see you croak first!"

"Even if it means getting slept with by a bear?"

"Even if it means getting slept with by a bear!"

SMACK!Once again, the two completely fell apart. Their palms slammed together as foreheads clashed, veins bulging.

Mature's fingers dug into the back of Vice's hand, causing blood to pour.

Vice, relying on brute strength, squeezed Mature's hand until the bones creaked, making Mature's eye twitch in pain.

The two were like blades drawn at each other's throats—neither willing to back down.

Opposite them, the "bear" himself—Qin Ming—was utterly baffled.

Before he could even collect his thoughts, Kasamoto Eri leaned in close and whispered in his ear.

"Count me in too. I'll help massage Mature's legs."

"Why are you here again?! Can't you see it's already a mess? Just eat your chicken leg!"

He shoved a chicken leg into Kasamoto Eri's mouth and forcibly pushed the female delinquent aside. Then, watching the two Hakkesshu women still locked in a full-on brawl, refusing to give ground, Qin Ming rubbed his forehead and fell deep into thought.

Joining the Hakkesshu, huh...? Hiss... actually, not a bad idea!Maybe I'll go villain again this time?

Can't kill the Hakkesshu and get Heavenly Clan bloodline?

Then kill the protagonist crew and snag the legendary Three Sacred Treasures instead—sounds pretty great too.

Qin Ming swore—he wasn't swayed by the temptation dangled in front of him by the two squabbling maniacs!

His willpower was solid! His decisions were made with his brain, thank you very much—not his lower brain!

He just figured joining the Hakkesshu was simply more profitable!

So, he made his decision—this time, he'd join the villainous side!

"I accept. So, when do I get my... I mean, when do we go see Lord Goenitz?"

(End of Chapter)