CHAPTER 275: SCRAM.

"haa~ I’m full."

After the first rice serving, Nobara went all out, treating Dante to a special ramen with extra beef. The meat was authentic, unlike the synthetic stuff served in other restaurants, and that made the taste simply divine.

Such a rare ingredient wasn’t something that would be served in a small noodle shop in an impoverished district. Realizing that it might have been something meant for the old shop owner, Dante felt a little bad about eating it, but his hunger won in the end, forcing him to eat three whole bowls.

’Damn you REDs’ He thought while relaxing in one of the chairs. ’To think I was this hungry...’

[For humans, food is more than just a source of energy, isn’t it?] Volcan asked.

’C’mon, Volcan. Stop being such a downer.’ Dante replied. ’Taste is half the reason people eat something.’

[And the other half.]

’The fear of death.’

"Boy, are you free right now?"

Nobara came back from the kitchen, wiping her hands with a towel.

"I got the time," Dante replied right away.

"Good. It’s about Jonah."

"Mr. Johanson?"

"Yes. He has been stuck at the station since this morning. Probably won’t make it to dinner, either. Help me get this lunch box to him."

"Things haven’t gotten any better, huh?"

"It’s been quiet around here, but I hear it’s getting worse in other parts."

"Hmm... Okay, I will deliver it to him."

"Great. Wait just a moment."

Running a small errand wasn’t much of a problem. Larry had instructed him not to overexert himself, but after being bedridden for more than two weeks, Dante welcomed the chance to move around some more.

’I guess this is meant for dinner...’

It was already 16:30 by the time he left the Bowl of Fortune. The first thing he did was find a corner where he could scan and store the lunch box, wanting to reduce the chances of it being damaged.

The police station where Jonah worked was a few streets away, but Dante still decided to walk that distance. Thanks to the cold weather, most people stayed at home, and as a result, the number of street rats outside was small. Dante came across a few here and there, most of whom were gathered around portable heaters linked to nearby light poles.

’Come to think of it, it’s almost New Year’s...’

[Indeed.] Volcan said. [There have been quite a lot of events themed around it as of late.]

’Well, it’s a great time to make money.’ Diving down memory lane, Dante remembered something important. ’I wonder if there will be a party this year, too.’

A message notification popped up just then, Severing Dante’s thoughts.

[Finn: When are you coming out?]

The boy had sent a variation of the same message several times over the past couple of weeks, and it has been getting on Dante’s nerves all this time. He was sure the brat would start pestering him about their plans to take out the Daggers as soon as he recovered, so Dante didn’t want to tell him that he was out just yet.

[

Dante: Drop by my apartment tomorrow.

Finn: So you are out.

I’m coming over right now.

Dante: Don’t bother. I’ll pass out after taking my meds.

Finn: Oh, c’mon!

I’ve been dying to know what happened!!!

]

’Hm?’

All of a sudden, Dante wasn’t too sure about what the brat wanted.

[

Dante: That can wait till tomorrow.

Finn: Fine.

]

Staring at the message box for a few seconds, Dante sighed and cleared his field of vision. Taking out the Daggers was looking to be his next big gig. Scale-wise, it should be bigger than the heist, since it involves a lot more fighting. Still, Dante found it difficult to believe that anything would be more difficult than fighting a bunch of heroes and Sorcerers.

The police station was already within sight so Dante thought it was the right time to take out the lunch box. As he looked for some corner where he could do so, Volcan spoke up, sounding more serious than usual.

[Dante, there is danger nearby.]

Dante came to a sudden stop, suddenly alert. His right hand shot up inside his jacket as he prepared to equip a gun, and his eyes quickly scanned the surroundings. An instant later, his gaze locked onto a rusty fan parked nearby.

’That one?’

[Yes.] The AI replied. [There are four individuals inside. Two are enhanced, but they are barely Level 1. From what I can gather, they seem to be armed with kinetic rifles and some explosions.]

Listening to the very end, Dante glanced at the truck then turned his gaze to the police station. It only took him a second to figure out what was happening, and he could only purse his lips and curse his luck.

’You got to be kidding me...’

Right now, the last thing he wanted was to get caught up in some other incident. It should have been obvious that a visit to the police station wouldn’t go without any trouble, but he didn’t expect any of this kind.

"Fuck this shit."

Dealing with the bunch was as easy as thinking to himself that he wanted them gone. With Volcan listening, their brains would be on fire after only a few seconds, but that’s not how Dante wanted to solve this one problem.

Making his way to the rusty van, he walked to the back and stared at it for a moment. A red line descended from above and passed over the vehicle, painting it red and revealing the forms of those inside. The four idiots appeared yellow in his vision. They seemed to have stopped moving after noticing his arrival, but if they thought that would be enough to hide their presence, they were sorely mistaken.

Not hesitating for a single second, Dante raised his arm and banged on the back of the truck. The sound echoed through the empty street, but there was no response. Waiting a couple more seconds, he banged on the door again, but the yellow figures inside didn’t move. Only once he knocked the third time did he see some movement.

The four appeared to be scrambling to hide their stuff, having realized that there was no avoiding this confrontation. Once they were prepared, one of them made a few gestures with his hands and the others nodded. Right after, he walked over to the door and pushed it open.

The idiot was tall and bald, with dark brown skin and a scar on his chin. he couldn’t be a day older than twenty-five, but going by his rough appearance, it appeared that he had spent most of that time on the streets. Dante noticed the red cloth wrapped around his right arm and instantly figured out who he was.

He looked around then turned to Dante, his brow angling as confusion struck him. Dante returned the glare, unafraid to meet his eyes. Before he could say anything, a wave of cold washed over him as Dante said a few words.

"You can’t park here."

The idiot stared at him for a moment, his confusion rising to higher levels. Surprisingly, Dante didn’t have to repeat himself before the rat showed a reaction.

"Huh? The fuck do you want?"

A classic street rat line, one Dante had grown tired of hearing.

’Volcan, let’s give him a little scare.’ He said internally. ’Get me their contacts.’

[Understood.]

Not a second later, four new names appeared on the messenger app. Not bothering to read any, Dante composed a quick message and prepared to share it with all four.

"I said,"

[

[ ]:You can’t park here. Scram.

]

"The hell do you..."

The words halted in his mouth and the angry mast fell right away.

"Don’t make me say it a third time," Dante said. "Scram."