Chapter 37: 37 | Freya Asked What’s the Next Move and I Couldn’t Say It’s Your Madam

Felix watched Dante’s back as they walked out of the alley. He couldn’t help but let out a sigh as he thought about his condition.

’What a shame.’ He sent a voice transmission to Freya, who was walking beside him.

’Hm? What do you mean?’ Freya turned to look at him and caught him staring at Dante.

’Someone like Sir Dante can’t cultivate. Don’t you think that’s a waste?’ He said with some emotion in his voice. ’If he could, I think he’d be a real pillar for Madam and for rebuilding Eden’s Gate.’

’What?’ Freya’s brow shot up. ’Since when do you think that highly of him? Don’t you remember how he talked to Madam when we picked him up at the bar?’

’I don’t know what happened between them that day, but he’s a completely different person now.’ Felix paused for a moment. ’At the very least, you have to admit he’s more trustworthy than our young master who went missing.’

’That’s... true.’ She admitted. ’I was actually worried about how he’d hold up against awakeners.’

’It doesn’t matter how many items you strap onto a regular human, one good hit from an awakener and it’s over. But he walked in there and dominated the whole room without breaking a sweat.’

’I hope we find a cure for both Madam and him someday.’ He said, his tone heavy.

’We will. It’s not like they’ll stay that way forever.’ Freya said, her chin lifting slightly. ’I’m sure Raven Labs will figure something out at least.’

Neither of them said anything after that as there was no certainty behind her words.

As Dante stepped out onto the street, the night air hit his face.

He took a long breath before climbing into the car. Felix took the driver’s seat and Freya got in the back as usual.

"So," Freya was the first to speak as the car pulled away. "What now? What’s the next move?"

"Next move?" Dante leaned back in his seat with a relaxed expression. "What next move?"

"Oh, come on. You’re seriously going to just sit around and wait?" She asked with a knowing look.

In the driver’s seat, Felix’s ears perked up.

"Why does everyone act like I’m some kind of troublemaker?" Dante put a hand on his chest like he was offended. "They told us to stand down. So I’m standing down. Like a good, law-abiding enforcer."

"You’re lying." Freya said flatly.

"I’m hurt."

"You’re full of shit."

Dante pressed his lips together to keep from laughing.

Freya stared at him through the rear-view mirror and waited, but nothing came.

She didn’t know why she suddenly felt disappointed.

’Hold on. Did I actually expect him to come up with something?’ She thought, and the realization annoyed her more than his silence did.

She was starting to understand what Felix meant earlier.

"I really want to crack your head open and see what’s going on in there." Freya said, crossing her arms.

Dante looked at her and shook his head with a smile. He could tell both of them were itching to know what he was planning next.

But he couldn’t exactly tell them he was going home to scheme against their madam, could he?

Besides, he had already completed what he set out to do.

’Stage one is done.’ Dante thought, watching the streetlights blur past. ’Now I just need to keep the pressure on until the two sides go at each other’s throats.’

He was never planning to finish off the gangs himself. That was the protagonist’s job. Why the hell would he do that bastard’s homework for him?

As a villain, he much preferred to light the fire, step back, and collect everything that fell out of people’s pockets while they burned.

And when the smoke cleared, he would take care of Marcus with his own two hands.

****

Late that night...

Dante sat cross-legged on his bed, fully focused on channeling the mana through his body. But this time, he wasn’t trying to absorb another mana stone.

He had already absorbed more than enough mana to break through. He just had to digest it properly.

The mana rushed through his circuits and his body shook once before something inside him finally gave way.

The wall he had been pushing against for days cracked open like an egg.

’There it is.’ Dante thought, keeping his breathing steady as everything settled into place.

He opened his eyes and pulled up the status panel.

[Name: Dante Ackerman]

[Realm: Mana Awakening Late Stage]

[Bloodline: None]

[Talents: Foresight(EX), Mana Affinity(SS), Scheming Mind(S), Two-Faced(C), Business Sense(D)]

[Luck: Doomed (In Rise)]

[Villain Points: 8,000]

[System Slots: 1/2]

[Bound Targets: Natasha]

[Techniques: None]

[Inventory: 50 Litres of wine, 200ml of medicine, 6 Mana Stones (Mythic)]

"Phew, that took some time." Dante said with a grin. "Not bad for a guy who couldn’t absorb mana a couple of weeks ago."

He then checked the notifications.

[You successfully infiltrated Crimson Hollow and obtained the position of Enforcer while plotting the destruction of a protagonist-affiliated organisation!]

[You have obtained 1,000 villain points!]

"Nice." He nodded with satisfaction. His total was now sitting at 8,000. The extra 500 came from wrecking the two White Tiger bases.

He closed the panel and leaned back against the headboard. He raised his hand and stared at the shiny ring on his finger.

It was a storage ring he got from Phantom Force. The tank, and the gun were developed by Raven Arms in top secret.

"And she actually let me use them however I want after I told her about my plan." He said with a joking smile. "I guess that’s why my school teachers taught me to be honest."

In the novel, mana weapon development would stay pretty limited. They barely worked against awakeners at Circuit Expansion.

Petra was at Circuit Expansion Early Stage.

The second she felt the danger, she attacked without wasting a breath.

For these weapons to actually work, he would either need to catch someone off guard or need them to stay perfectly still.

’Alright. The gang stuff is on hold for now. Petra told us to wait, and I’m happy to let her take her sweet time.’

His eyes narrowed as his thoughts shifted.

’Which means it’s time to focus on the person I’ve been neglecting.’

Natasha’s favourability had stalled after reaching 40, barely increased by 1. The daily cooking missions were keeping the rewards trickling in, but that was it.

He had given her enough time to recover, and it was time for him to act again!

He had already thought through different strategies and mission ideas, and he had already decided on one.

He pulled up the mission tab with a thought.

A grin formed on his face as the blue screen appeared.

[Mission: Let Him Cook!]

_________

[Moral’s Note]

Cooking mission chaps will drop tommorow.

Bless me with all those GT and Gifts if you like them!