CHAPTER 35: DON’T BUY THIS CHAPTER YET!

I was telling the truth. There were only seven thugs inside, and their strength was nothing remarkable, probably just like the ones I’d fought by the city gate. Had they stayed on the same floor, it would have taken me even less time to get rid of them.

And during that moment, I truly realized just how monstrous I’d become.

A thug I’d once needed to be careful around, the kind I would have feared in my old life, was now no different than an ant I could simply trample.

Or maybe there’s been a hidden basement inside the house all along, one that holds a buried secret of humanity?!

It had only been a few hours since I inherited the original Aiden’s memories, and there was still a flood of information to process. Trying to pinpoint any specific memory that might offer a clue was like finding a needle in a haystack.

"Wait, why was I trying so hard to guess? I’m about to meet them anyway. I can just get the answer straight from their mouths."

As I walked closer to my destination, Richie’s words suddenly echoed in my mind. Instinctively, my gaze shot upwards, scanning the ceilings and roofs above.

"Nothing, huh? Well, Richie said his drink buddy saw an owl. It’s noon now, perfect napping time for an owl. I guess even a beast tamer can’t push their pets to go against their nature."

I was on the verge of exhaling in relief when a faint squeak reached my ears. My head instantly turned around to the noise’s direction, catching sight of a rat. It stood there, staring at me oddly before darting off somewhere else.

"A rat? I recall Peter was seen conversing with one. That odd stare... could that have been one of his tamed animals?" I whispered to myself.

At this very moment, a flash of lightning struck my mind.

’Is it possible for Peter to be nearby at this hour? Or better yet... is he at my house?’

If that were the case, I had to act fast. Capturing him now could save me a massive amount of effort, and might just be the key to wiping out the Sadis Gang entirely.

With that thought, I reached into the worn cloth bag where I kept all the items Althea had given me and pulled out a fiery red pill.

[Mid-Tier Temporary Stats Enhancer Pills]

[Function: Grants the user a temporary boost in all stats to B-Rank for 60 minutes.]

[Usage: Consume directly.]

"It might be reckless to use this pill so soon, less than a day after arriving in this world, but for the sake of my future... for the sake of a good night’s sleep without worrying about a knife pointed at me in the dark... this is worth it."

Without hesitation, I placed the pill in my mouth, but didn’t swallow. Instead, I held it between my cheek and gum.

This way, I could activate it instantly if things went south. And if Peter wasn’t nearby, I wouldn’t waste it.

While keeping the pill tucked away, I reached into the bag again and pulled out a thin talisman with a drawing of an eye without eyelids.

[Inspection Talisman]

[Function: Allows the user to see a target’s personal information, such as name, stats, race, and age. It can also reveal weaknesses or hidden conditions and illnesses.]

’If this is the power I get from just possessing a B-Rank physique, I can’t even imagine what I’d be like at S-Rank. Would I be a demigod-like? Hah. Looks like my childhood dream of becoming as strong as Goku was just around the corner after all...’

Words couldn’t describe how thrilled I was. Considering the strength and power I always longed for, now in the palm of my hand.

I soon continued in a nonchalant tone, "I know I said I’d give you a minute to think it over, but I’m afraid I’m gonna take back that. I don’t really have time to wait. So here’s the deal; tell me where your boss is right now, or I’ll start breaking the rest of your fingers."

"What?" Peter’s eyes widened in horror.

Even now, he was still silently enduring the pain of his broken right hand. Tears welled in his eyes at the thought of his left hand being next. He couldn’t afford to lose any more fingers, not when it hurt as hell!

Yet, he knew that if he spilled information about his boss, there’d be no place left for him in the gang. He’d have to change his identity and disappear, move far away, because once they found out, his body would be floating in the river for everyone to see.

But on the other hand, if he kept his mouth shut, the devil standing in front of him looked like he was ready to start the torture to force the answer out of his mouth.

"Please... spare my life!"

Peter suddenly dropped to his knees, pleading.

"Why are you kneeling? Get up and tell me where your boss is." I demanded coldly, wearing my scariest expression. Now that Peter clearly feared me, I figured it was better to keep up the cold act rather than slip back into my usual self.

When he didn’t budge, my eyebrows knitted together in irritation.

"Are you trying to annoy me?" I said grimly.

Peter flinched like a whipped dog. Slowly, he lifted his head, speaking through clenched teeth, "I-I just need to tell you where my boss is... right?"

I stared at him for a second, then let out a chuckle.

"I changed my mind. Get up. You’re taking me to him now. And don’t even try thinking about doing anything stupid. One lie, one trick, and you’ll end up like your men inside. Or worse."

"Y-you killed my men?" Peter was in shock. In his mind, he began counting time. How long was he even in the house? Ten seconds? Twenty? And all of my men... wiped out? How the hell is he this strong? Does coming back from the dead usually give you such overwhelming power like that? What the hell is even he, right now? An undead? Or a human?

So many questions bombarded his mind that he felt his head might explode.

"Guess," I shrugged.

That alone was enough to get Peter racing back to his feet. He shot up from the ground, wiping sweat from his brow and no longer daring to drag things out.

"If I take you to my boss... you’ll spare me, right?" he asked carefully.

"Yes,"

He exhaled like he’d been holding his breath for a decade. "This way," he said, gesturing hurriedly.

I was about to follow when a thought made me pause.

"Wait a minute,"

"Y-yes?" Peter turned stiffly, looking like a frightened lamb about to be slaughtered.

"First, tell me where he’s staying."

It was the eyes of a true, seasoned criminal who had done many horrible things, probably including killing!

For a second, I felt frozen in place.

However, almost instantly, I forced myself to be calm. I simply reminded myself that my stats were four ranks above his. There was no need to fear someone so terrifyingly outmatched.

’I’m stronger than him... I’m stronger than him...’

I repeated the words like a mantra.

To distract myself from his predatory gaze, I simply closed my eyes. As darkness enveloped me, the fear gradually receded, replaced by a growing sense of calm.

All the while, I never stopped walking.

By the time I opened my eyes again, I had closed a good chunk of the distance between us.

After going through a few more steps, I finally arrived in front of him.

"Do you know who I am?"

I heard him asking the question.

Without meeting his gaze, I replied calmly, "Yeah. You’re ’Rat’ Peter, right?"

"So you do know me, and you still walk up to me like this? Either you’re brave... or just plain stupid."

He spoke with a harsh, arrogant, and truly menacing tone, exactly the same tone that most thugs used when they tried to intimidate their victims.

My body froze again, fear seizing me before I could even fight it off. I closed my eyes once more, pretending not to hear his words, hoping to stave off the terror. When I opened them, I deliberately avoided his gaze, an easy feat, given that I was much taller.

"I don’t know what you’re trying to pull by walking up to me, but I’m busy right now. So I’ll let you off... just this once."

Then, suddenly, he reached for my robe.

Before I could think, my body moved on its own.

Just like when I caught a fly earlier, out of instinct, I slapped his hand away.

Pa!

Before I could fully register what had just happened, Peter dropped to his knees, screaming at the top of his lungs.

"A-AHHH! My hand! My fingers!"

"Ah, sorry, I’m still not used to my new power," I blurted out, the words escaping before I could stop them.

Then I blinked. Wait... why the hell did I just apologize? And wait, I’m actually this strong already? A single slap from me just crushed five fingers of a notorious criminal?

Then why the hell did I freak out twice earlier from his gaze? He’s weaker than me! I’m stronger than him! There’s no reason for me to be afraid of him and his kind anymore if I possess this power!

He nodded quickly. "He usually stays at the Carnivore Bar on Mowa Street. I was supposed to report back there after retrieving the map from your place."

"A map?" I repeated, puzzledly.