Volume 3 Chapter 51: Nice Job!!【Assassination Organization Arc】

Artemis plays dumb.

There’s no sign she’s doing it on purpose or trying to provoke anger.

It simply seems she doesn’t remember.

If anything, that must be even more shocking.

Ah, look… the man who had been bubbling with excitement while approaching is now trembling.

I’m desperately holding back my laughter, while several of my companions burst out laughing.

Poor guy…

Yet there’s immense delight in seeing someone else like this.

“No, he’s clearly someone you know.”

“Hmm… but I just can’t recall at all. Not remembering means it’s nothing significant. Just ignore it, ignore it.”

Artemis sinks my lifeline.

So brazen…

Look, his cheek is twitching badly.

I’m not involved.

You two, handle it together. Please do.

“Ha, ha, ha. As always, your attitude that gets on people’s nerves—making them angry and causing them to lose their cool so you can easily finish them off—won’t work on me, Number Two.”

“No, I really just forgot.”

Even though he’s about to be convinced, let’s not ruin the mood with a harsh reality check!

I mean, ever since a while ago, that guy has been obstinately calling Artemis “Number Two.”

That’s totally fine—truly fine—but don’t drag me into some tedious story about your past.

I’m not interested in your past at all.

“I mean, ‘Number Two, Number Two,’ you’re so noisy. I thought you wouldn’t be called that name anymore.”

“To me, you’ll always be Number Two. After all, you’re a comrade with whom I’ve honed my skills.”

So it wasn’t that we were merely acquaintances, but rather comrades.

…Underworld comrades?

Isn’t this getting sketchy?

“Ah—ugh, annoying… Master, it’s no good to pry into a woman’s past, you know?”

Artemis looks up at me as if scrutinizing me.

As usual, she has that elusive, floaty aura, yet there’s an unmistakable sense she’s observing me closely.

…If I were to pry into Artemis’s past, would she literally stick a blade in my neck?

Inside, I tremble.

I must not err in my choice here.

I exhale deeply and steady my nerves.

Choose the best option!

“No, I won’t.”

Upon hearing my words, Artemis’s eyes widen, as if to say, “That’s not what I expected.”

“…Don’t you normally care?”

No, I don’t care.
I’m not interested in others.

In fact, I’m only interested in myself.

“I don’t care about what happened in the past or what you’ve done. More than that, I value you being by my side right now. That’s what matters.”

Even if your past was that of a murderer, if you’re a living shield useful to me now, I’ll accept you.
…Well, I won’t keep you too close, though.

Because it’s scary.

“So, no matter what past you have, I care about the Artemis you are now. I won’t call you Number Two; I’ll accept you as Artemis.”

Frankly, I don’t care what name you go by.
Even if it’s ‘cat bastard’ or ‘booze thief,’ it’s fine.
As long as I know who you are, that’s perfectly fine.

“…You’ve got a big heart, nya. I’ve known that since back then, but it still amazes me. I can kinda see why one would be captivated by tanned boobs and white hair, nya.”

Artemis’s demeanor softens.
It seems I chose the right option.

Well, success always follows me.
There’s no way I could make a mistake, and if I ever did, it would be someone else’s fault.

“So, from now on, I’ll call you Artemis instead of ‘Myaa.’ …Ah, on second thought, don’t call me that. It’s creepy.”

Isn’t that too dry?
Even so, I can’t help but be a bit impressed by the man, who still wears a smile.

Well, I won’t lose if it’s just a thick hide!

“…You’ve really gone soft, Number Two. When we were in the same organization, you were tougher, colder, more ruthless.”

“Because I was a stray cat. Once you’re tamed, your fangs fall out, nya.”

Tamed, huh…?
You’re living pretty freely, aren’t you, damn cat?

“Is that so? Then, let’s have you go back to your old self. I don’t need who you are now, but I need the you of the past—the one who could assassinate a target in an instant without anyone noticing.”

An unexpected cuckold twist…?
Sorry, that’s not my taste…

No, I don’t get hurt romantically at all.
Though I’d be pissed if someone took over my pawn.

Anyway, you two youngsters can discuss that as you please.
I’m not involved.

Can I go home now?

“For that to happen… you’re in the way, Balor Apophis.”

Whoa!?
I never even imagined they’d turn their target on me, so I panic fiercely.

Me, in the way…?
To think I’m someone they’d be grateful just for being around, what a twist…

“I won’t kill you. You have value to be used.”

Huh?
How dare you talk about using me? You must seriously underestimate life.

Sure, I might use others, but the reverse is impossible.
…If you weren’t valuable, would you have killed me?

Isn’t that over the top?

“To bring Number Two back to form and make him a puppet in the underworld, you’ll have to suffer a little. Do it.”