Shi Yihua (after battle)
I think we're safe, for now...
<Something tells me that they're not fighting us at full force... At least we routed them, so hopefully that means something...>
<Ah! Where'd Don Quixote go?!>
Hark! For I am here!
Don Quixote rushed into my room from the hallway outside.
I had gone to espy if the other Sinners had suffered as we have... verily, they were indeed targeted as well.
Most defended themselves well against the curs, and shall be here posthaste. Yet...
... Not everyone survived, huh.
Mm... young Sinclair and Yi Sang, while it appeareth that they had risen and battled, they were caught unawares by our foes; 'tis likely that their demise came soon after tripping over each other's foot...
How embarrassing...
And young Heathcliff, he...
Isn't that fella our resident mob fight expert...? How'd they even get 'em?
They didn't 'get' me, mate. I'm good as new.
<Heathcliff...!>
Hm? H-hmm?
What's got you so gobsmacked, lass?
I recall a blade piercing young Heathcliff in the back of his head... Didst thou turn the clock for him already, Manager Esquire?
<No...? Not yet, anyway.>
…….
Blimey, so that's what this funny itch on the back of my h -
Heathcliff reached up to rub the back of his head, then crumpled to the floor mid-sentence.
... Heathcliff's not breathing anymore. He's dead. How'd he even manage to walk all the way over here with a hole on his head...?
Young Heathclifffffff!!!!!
The other Sinners are starting to gather, manager.
... As pathetic as this force may be, we cannot spare any hands at the moment, Executive Manager.
We must also join the others as soon as possible and assist them. There are sounds of altercations coming from the lobby.
<... Gotcha.>
The clock turns as it always does.
Some time later...
Whoa, whoa. Please, hold on a moment.
... You?!
I can still see some people inside the lobby, which was also in the bizarre process of melting away.
Whew...
Among them, I notice Jia Xichun clashing against a figure wearing a bamboo hat.
... Going on the offensive already, huh? How come a big shot in control of a Heishou Pack decided to come after small fries like us?
And behind the black bamboo-hat wearing assassin stood...
I see that you have tracked me down, so certain of your own safety... but my master has already prepared countermeasures.
There stood Qingtao, our supposed 'collaborator' who led us here, and Wei, who was threatening him with a sword.
... So you were behind this.
Ah, it's you.
I sussed out that you'd be planning something like this... but you lacked the patience to pull it off.
You're quite observant. I thought I had completely won you over.
…….
You must know that at H Corp., there is but one path to survival and riches.
Choose a Family Hierarch candidate and serve them with utter loyalty. But who in their right mind would serve young master Baoyu? He who has grown up with no hardship, he who doesn't possess even a single speck of ambition?
You shut your bloody mouth, yeah?! And you, rich boy! Oi! Are you just gonna sit there and let that bloke talk shite to your face?!
Hm~ But he's right that I don't have any ambitions!
Have you got no self-respect...? What do you have, anyway?
Okay... Everyone, shut up for a second. He's obviously taunting you, stop indulging him.
Wei, speak.
I know that you have no means to wield a Heishou Pack.
So speak - which master did you choose to serve? Who controls them?
…….
Ah, so they are curious.
Stay your sword, Zilu.
Another unfamiliar voice, from the shadows.
... Haah.
Young master...? Are you certain this is wise...?
Worry not. They're destined to be swept away by the morning dew anyway.
The trajectory of their fate shall not alter course, were they to witness me.
The voice soon reveals himself from the shadows, walking into the light with a casual, assured gait.
Huh, seriously? You?
I see, you're...
Allow me to grace you ignoramuses with my exalted name.
I am Yihua, of the Shi family.
You may know me as a very prominent candidate to the throne of the Family Hierarch.