Richard and Cindy were led by the tall woman whose name was Takei Maiko-

’I was expecting her to use the name of that urban legend... but I guess mystical beings also need an identity huh? Does she pay taxes? Probably right?’

[If you want to make a joke on how "even ghost could not escape the IRS, remember, this is Japan]

’Same difference, Japan also taxes its people right?’

Richard did not pursue the matter, even his own internal monologues were being disturbed but this was also a kind of assistance- maybe.

After all, the Goddess’ straight man act prevented Richard from giggling out of nowhere.

He was so smart that his brain had to think about many things at the same time just so he doesn’t get bored. This leads to him suddenly laughing unprompted, mostly because of his jokes whispered inside his head-

Of course, that was all Richard’s own assessment.

But since he didn’t say it aloud, he could continue with his delusion as the Goddess did not even try to point that out.

’Well, I need to get my mind of the elephant in the room... or better yet, the elephant following us’

Next to Richard, Yuna was keeping up with the group.

Why did she join in?

Officially, her reason was-

"To assess whether the business is profitable"

She was of course referring to the fact that she was going to be supporting Richard’s plans in the future.

Because of that, she HAD to see whether supporting it was beneficial for her or not. Whether supporting Richard was going to bring her a great boon or just endless trouble that was not worth the pitiful rewards.

Of course, she completely forgot that her "reward" was "Richard’s Friendship".

But then again, her actions were done in an "official capacity".

Meaning her actions were less a "necessity" and more of a "pleasantry".

Like how politicians would go around kissing babies to show their "good will" when they are just doing that because they were either "PDF Files" or because they were planning to scam the nation of their taxes for the duration of their office.

In short, it was just to "show face".

Of course, Richard didn’t bother addressing the woman who followed along as he had a good feeling that talking with her would only bring a headache.

Since she could gain knowledge of his name, one that SHOULD ONLY be known by the FMC, Salem and Nova Munda, moreover, Cindy confirmed her identity as a "claivoyant".

Richard didn’t want to talk with a woman who could probably see through his actions because she "dreamed" of it.

Of course he tried to test the waters-

"Did you know that I won’t push you away?"

"Maybe~"

But her reply... for some reason, most of the witches would act coy and playful.

Was that part of their training?

Were witches trained to act like young curious girls?

[Men are scared of mature women, a few would grovel and scream "mommy" and the rest would avoid dealing with such women. Why do you think your feed is filled with asian women with heavy make-up that makes them look like they just came of age dancing?]

’...’

Of course, the Goddess had to call him out.

Fortunately, nobody else could hear her voice. It would be a disaster if anyone knew about his feed.

[Politics, business and horror story telling compose 20% the rest are cute asian women dancing]

’You DID NOT need to emphasize that!’

[Oh? Are you a beta then?]

’Huh?’

[Cute asian woman, acting coy, young looking, barely legal appearance... "If only such women were around me", "If I were Japanese I would totally hit!", now then... what are you doing?]

The familiar words that the goddess whispered into his mind almost made Richard explode.

Truly, it was fortunate that the goddess was not declaring those things like she always did.

’That’s different- those women were cute and normal! These two are witches who are after my dick!’

[... I see no issue?]

’There is!’

[Is what a typical Japanese Beta MC would say]

The attack he received from the goddess truly did some damage. She was not replying with her words but with the stuff Richard declared and typed out- as a teen!

In other words- they were his dark history!

Those comments happened long ago! He already had a relationship once! He was not some-

[Did you actually sleep with her though?]

’...’

Richard’s thoughts went silent and just then-

"We’re here"

The voice of Maiko spoke aloud and when Richard raised his gaze to look at the place where Maiko led them-

’No fucking way’

He can’t help but curse, although they haven’t entered yet, the apartment building before them was familiar. Extremely familiar...

Richard didn’t want to say anything but he met Cindy’s gaze-

*glare*

His glare spoke louder than words and Cindy just rolled her eyes at his actions.

Maiko did not seem to bother with their silent exchange as she led them towards the room of the person she cared about.

As they did, Richard’s guts grew heavier by the second.

The bad feeling he had slowly grew worse as they got closer to the room until-

"Karen Tamashiro... she disappeared a few days ago"

Maiko said before turning towards Richard.

’Is she an enemy?’

[No]

Richard confirmed with the Goddess, at this moment, he had battle ability but little experience.

He wanted to communicate with Ragnar who had mysteriously vanished- likely using invisibility to hide himself or something.

But that may cause Maiko to react preemptively.

’Yuna’s words during our exchange... you know, that could be seen as a gun’

[She’s not Chekov]

’Man are there so many shadows’

[Stop being paranoid, I said she’s ok]

Richard’s current weakness was his inability to detect intent. He could vaguely feel it but only when it was strong.

But people in the world of mysticism were masters at the art of lies, concealment and misdirection.

If he wanted to detect "killing intent" he would need to get used to feeling the slight ripples of it.

But such ability was not something that could be trained.

He had to experience it and familiarize himself with how people acted.

Unfortunately, the people in the mystical world were less "sane" than the people of the non-mystical world.

His way of assessing the people he dealt with could not be matched- unless he was dealing with someone like Adrian who was just a normal person with too much information.

In contrast, Maiko was a being who lived and breathed mysticism. Her whole identity revolved around mysticism and so-

"Karen... no... Shio-chan... she disappeared after promising her fans a new song..."

"Eh?"

"She had a concert lined up and a 3D reveal..."

"Hm?"

Richard tried desperately to resist the urge to say something.

The things Maiko said were not unfamiliar to him, after all, Richard himself had quite the sizable amount of information on Karen Tamashiro, about her school life and her life as an internet celebrity.

He even prepared a plan and money to buy out a few contracts... but all of those were dropped.

Still, he didn’t expect a mystical being to-

"Are you her fan?"

Maiko did not answer and instead unbuttoned her trench coat.

Her actions were reminiscent of a flasher but that would be better than what she revealed.

[No. 1 Shiogumi]

Instead of a naked body, what Maiko revealed was a shirt underneath a flannel button up.

She had three layers on that hid the degeneracy she wore underneath.

It wasn’t anything sexual but more... parasocial?

The woman who he had begun to believe was part of the group that did the kidnapping turned out to be nothing more than a supporter of the missing Karen Tamashiro.

She was so supportive that she even knew of Oshi’s address and real name which Karen had desperately tried to hide.

Not that it would take a paranormal entity to find out such secrets but it was still amazing how such an entity would do something so... human.

"I tracked the scent of Shio-chan and found the group that kidnapped her! I tried to act but they vanished along with the unconscious Shio-chan! Moreover, they seem to know about me and were able to cut off their trail!"

"... well,.. Tracking through scent... I guess you learn something new everyday?"

Richard had a ton of things to say but ended up with only those words.

He expected Maiko to defend herself but she didn’t seem to bother as she led the group to enter the apartment.

Moreover, she started to unlock the door with keys which were likely obtained through unofficial channels.

Seeing her actions, Richard and Cindy only exchanged glances and shook their heads.

Yuna on the other hand turned her head towards the streets below.

The apartment building’s walkway was not enclosed and directly opened up to a small balcony.

Richard only noticed it now but seeing Yuna’s focus directed away from Maiko made him immediately follow the direction where he eyes were looking at-

"!!!"

Richard did not say a word and pulled out his gun.

*thwip*

There was no bright flash or loud bang, instead a silent whistle sounded from the gun as the mystical projectile struck a dark shadow on the streets.

The shadow distorted and its figure-

Abnormally long limbs and a very thin, almost skin and bones type of frame was reflected in Richard’s eyes.

*thwip* *thwip* *thwip*

Three more shots were fired rapidly crippling the monster and Richard didn’t hesitate as he immediately parkoured over the railings.

But instead of dropping to the ground, it was as if his body was resisting gravity, he stood perpendicular to the railings using it as a foothold to launch himself towards the monster.

There was no loud "boom" that accompanied his actions. Just silent whistling of something rapidly cutting through the air.

The monster on the street had no time to react, Richard had already appeared before it and the moment he did-

’A puppet’

[You’ve gotten better]

Richard saw through the monster’s nature, he did not hesitate and immediately terminated its existence.

’No trace’

[Classic, it wasn’t set on autopilot so-]

’I stared the culprit right in the eyes huh?’

The monster had no reason in its eyes but with the Goddess’ words, Richard confirmed that the monster was being remotely operated. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Like an inhuman version of a drone, the abomination made from the sacrifice of countless lives was nothing more than a disposable pawn.

Yet... the appearance of such a monster left a chilling bit of confirmation.

’We need to hurry’

[Calm down, rushing won’t do you any good]

Richard took a deep breath and let out all out just in time for Cindy and the others to arrive.

"So this is a demigod huh?"

Yuna commented as her eyes scanned Richard but he didn’t have time to waste on her.

"Cindy, get as much information from this as you can"

"Sure thing boss"

Cindy... just like always spoke in a sassy tone as she "investigated" the corpse of the monster.

This time, Richard turned to Maiko, his face dead serious as the situation just took a turn for the worst.