So…
"An unyielding blade is indeed what people seek," Renjiro thought.
"But even a treasured sword can't resist corrosion; it fears acid too."
Recalling the advice from the ancient god Goibniu that had once changed his approach to undermining others, Renjiro exhaled deeply.
"Although the current situation is very different from the first encounter I had imagined… there's no need to overthink the trivialities now."
With that resolved, he began walking slowly toward the two skinny figures.
Since he had no intention of concealing his presence, the moment he approached…
Liliruca jumped, startled by the somewhat familiar face.
"Yo, long time no see."
Renjiro greeted her casually.
"Liliruca Arde, it's quite a coincidence running into you here."
The pallum girl had once stripped away her disguise in front of Renjiro.
So she had no intention of putting on a facade now.
Her expression remained cautious as she probed,
"Renjiro-sama… yes, quite a coincidence. Do you need something from Liliruca?"
Her emphasis on "still" betrayed her suspicion, yet her manners were impeccable.
Liliruca knew she couldn't afford to provoke him.
Ever since failing to steal the Ten Rings of the Human King, she had been avoiding him, fearing retaliation.
She had once glimpsed Renjiro walking alongside a blonde girl—undoubtedly one of the Twin Stars, the era's most dazzling rising star.
Even someone running errands for a person like that would normally feel like they'd struck gold.
Yet the atmosphere between Renjiro and that girl was clearly… unusual.
Thus…
"Actually, I don't have anything for you," Renjiro said.
He tilted his head toward the other figure.
"Right now, my familia is short on members, and I'm trying to recruit new talents. Coincidentally, I've come across a promising candidate."
The words barely left his mouth when…
"Huh?"
The rabbit boy, completely unprepared, froze.
After a moment…
"Y-you mean… me?"
"There shouldn't be anyone else around here."
Hearing Renjiro's answer…
At first, the rabbit boy's excitement was palpable.
But then realization hit, and his expression faltered as he bit his lip.
"I… I can't…"
"Idiot."
Liliruca snapped, frustrated.
"Why would you refuse such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? Do you want to stay in that awful place—the Soma familia—forever?"
Her reaction was intense, so some dangerously honest words slipped out before she could filter them.
Instantly, a few nearby adventurers glanced over.
Liliruca quickly covered her mouth.
As for Bell…
"Miss Liliruca, but didn't you say before—"
Don't ask strangers for help; you might implicate them.
The rabbit boy remembered that warning.
And he clearly didn't want to put Renjiro in danger.
But…
"That's why I said you're an idiot."
Liliruca, regaining her composure, lowered her voice and whispered into Bell's ear:
"This man knows the Twin Stars. Even if he's just borrowing their prestige, no matter what, Zanis wouldn't dare mess with him.
And his familia couldn't possibly be worse than the Soma familia… got it?"
The unexpected information left Bell stunned.
When he looked at Renjiro again, his eyes carried a new sense of understanding.
It was at that moment…
"To be honest, after you disappointed me last time, I only intended to recruit one member today."
Renjiro looked directly at Liliruca, smiling.
"But based on your recent behavior… ahem~ first, I should tell you that adventurers have sharp senses. Whispering, no matter how quietly, can be heard clearly when standing this close."
"Uh~"
Liliruca stiffened.
"Then…"
A faint smirk appeared on Renjiro's lips.
"One is willing to endure suffering to avoid implicating innocents. Another, though mired in a swamp, still hopes others can attain something beautiful—your nature isn't bad."
"Now, both of you have passed my 'recruitment test.'"
"So… how about it?"
The black-haired youth extended his right hand.
"Want to join?"
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100 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter
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