Dear Heroes, I really am a Villain-Chapter 59: Expedition Negotiation

— Maximilian’s POV —

I’ve arrived at the Rust Gate bar in the Fringe once again. Still... this place really feels like something out of a cyberpunk movie where shady deals go down in every dark corner. I wonder if there’s a dropout school kid simping for a beautiful hacker somewhere in here.

[Why? Are you planning to simp for her too? (ʃƪ＾3＾）]

{Don’t tease me, Athel. I don’t even know any hacker girls. At best, I just know a gamer girl who also happens to be a weeb.} I shot back.

[Says the weeb waving his weeb-stick and yelling about becoming the storm. (≧▽≦)]

{You’re not going to let that go, are you?} I sighed.

[Nope! (≧▽≦)/ ]

Sigh~

After letting out a sigh, I walked up to the bartender—the same guy who was working here last time. That bald head and unfriendly face... I really wonder how this bar manages to stay afloat.

"Hello, I have an appointment with Ms. Switch. She didn’t specify the booth, just said she’d be waiting here. Could you tell me where she’s seated?" I asked politely.

The bartender looked stunned. It was like politeness was a foreign concept in this place.

"And who the hell are you?" he asked, his tone full of suspicion.

"I’m Max Sterling Graham. I’m the one who posted the expedition contract," I replied. But seriously, what’s with that look?

"Ah... So it’s you." The bartender’s eyebrows rose in realization.

"Yes, it’s me." Yes, I’m the one who hired her—now tell me where she is already.

"So, what’s your job?" he asked, giving me a scrutinizing look.

"Pardon?" Huh? What’s this now?

"I said—what’s your job? Are you a researcher? A merc? A soldier? Or just some f*cking corpo?"

My job? What does that have to do with the contract? Is this some kind of screening process or something? Whatever. I’ll just answer and see where this is going.

"Ah... I just moved to the city recently. Haven’t gotten a job yet," I replied.

Don’t tell me there’s some unwritten rule saying a jobless guy can’t hire someone? Are they doubting I can pay up?

"What!? You don’t have a job!?"

As expected. They don’t believe I can actually pay her.

"Why are you trying to get close to Switch!? Are you trying to leech off her!?"

What? Leech off her? What the hell is this guy talking about!?

"I’ll have you know, Switch is a good girl! She’s not someone a gigolo like you should be—" The bartender pointed his finger in my face.

Is this guy looking for a fight!? Great, I’ll beat the shit out of you until your hair grows back onto your shiny head!

"Stop it, baldy!" a woman’s voice cut through the tension from the entrance of the bar.

I turned and saw a woman with a metallic prosthetic for her right arm.

"Oh! It’s you! Thanks again for the other day. I’m Max Sterling Graham. Nice to meet you," I said, extending my right hand.

She looked at me like I was some kind of idiot.

"It’s better if you use your left. I don’t want to crush your right."

So she thinks I’m just a regular guy with no combat ability? That’s actually perfect. If everyone thinks I’m harmless, I won’t have to lift a finger during the expedition. Just the way I like it.

"Oh... how thoughtless of me. Thank you for the reminder, Ms. Switch," I said, switching to my left hand and shaking hers.

"Hey girl! I don’t think he can pay you! This guy looks too innocent—he’s suspicious as hell!" the baldy bartender started dissing me.

What are you, her dad!? I don’t think so.

[He’s right about you being sus, though. (¬‿¬)]

{Shut up~}

"Oh, please, stop already, Rick! Don’t you know how strict the UEC’s screening process for expedition clients is!? He had to pay at least half upfront to the Expedition Center just to post the job!" Switch shot back.

"But that guy..." Rick—the bartender—made a face like he just lost an argument to his daughter.

"Stop acting like you’re my dad already, Rick! I know you’re just nosy. Otherwise, when I wanted some free booze on the house, you didn’t even budge!"

"That is that, this is this! It’s a different matter!" the baldy tried to explain, but the girl with the metal arm clearly wasn’t having any of it. freeweɓnovel.cøm

"Shut it! I don’t want to hear it," she said, making a hand gesture for Rick to zip it before turning back to me. "Let’s go to the private booth on the third floor. I want to talk about the job—follow me."

Switch then walked toward the stairs, and I followed behind her.

Looking at her dainty and spotless back—though partly marred by the heavy modifications where two heat sinks replaced her shoulder blades—there was something strangely sexy about it. Especially her waist, exposed beneath that tight, revealing tank top... and that ponytail.

[Ah~ I nearly forgot you’ve got a weakness for ponytails. And look! She’s dressed all spicy, too! Hmm... you are interested in her, aren’t you? (¬‿¬)]

{It’d be a lie if I said no. I’m a man, after all. But being interested and acting on it are two completely different things. I already have you. I’m not the kind of scumbag who would...}

[Ding! Congratulations! New Side Quest initiated.]

— Side Quest: The Villain’s Masks —

Description: True villains wear many masks and live countless lives to fool the forces of justice! Developing a believable second persona is essential to becoming the Greatest Villain of All Time! Create a convincing alternate identity today, become the ultimate villain tomorrow!

Time Limit: 7 days

Objective: Develop a persona different from Maximilian.

Bonus Objective: Make a ponytailed girl fall for your new persona!

Reward: Bajiquan Master Package

Bonus Reward: Bajiquan Supreme Master Package

—

"What!?" I unconsciously blurted out at the absurdity of the side quest.

"Huh? What’s the matter?" the girl turned toward me.

"Ah! No... it’s nothing. I’m sorry if I startled you," I quickly apologized. Let’s hope she doesn’t think I’m a nutcase.

"Weirdo..." the girl muttered before continuing on her way.

[(≧▽≦)]

{Don’t you dare manifest, or I’ll spank your butt red!}

[Hey! You’re the one who blurted out! Why blame it on me!? (´･ω･`)]

Just you wait! Just you wait!

{By the way, what’s with that unnecessary bonus objective?}

[Because it’s unnecessary, that’s why it’s called a Bonus Objective, no? (´･ω･`)]

{I know, but I mean...}

[Max, if you don’t sit down now, she’s going to think you’re a weirdo, y’know. (´～｀)]

"Mr. Max."

Switch called out to me. That’s when I realized we’d already arrived at the private booth.

"Oh... Sorry, Ms. Switch," I quickly replied and sat down.

"Are you alright, Mr. Graham? You seem to get lost in thought a lot," Switch asked as she took the seat opposite me.

"Ah! I’m okay. You don’t need to worry, Ms. Switch," I replied, though the girl was looking at me like I wasn’t quite right in the head.

Fine! This time it was my fault.

"Ahem..." the girl cleared her throat to disperse the awkwardness before continuing.

"Mr. Graham, before we start, can I ask you a few questions?" Switch asked.

"Please, go ahead. What would you like to know?" I replied politely.

She nodded, then began. "This is very important. Whether or not I take you there depends on your answer."

"Why do you want to go to ’Sector-A7, Old Manhattan’?" she asked.

"I was asked to go there by my brother. He’s busy right now," I answered without going into detail.

"That’s it? Is there more? Like... what do you hope to find?" she inquired further.

"I don’t think that’s something you need to worry about, Ms. Switch. The contract clearly states that you’re only required to escort me to the location, wait for three days, and then return. Even if I die and don’t come back with you, you’ll still receive the full payment." I answered firmly.

This girl sure asks a lot... Is she one of those spies from The Echelon, sent to infiltrate the city?

"I need to know your purpose there, Mr. Graham. That area is within the territory of the Iron Tusk Tribe. In case you don’t know, they’re a mutant tribe, and they don’t take kindly to intruders. Especially humans like us. I don’t want you running around, provoking them and dragging us into trouble while you’re off doing your thing. If they get riled up, we may not make it out alive," she said seriously.

"So that’s the case..." I nodded. "Then I’ll tell you, I’m not going there to cause trouble or provoke anyone. I’m just trying to find someone and see if they’re still alive. If you don’t trust me, you’re welcome to come with me."

After hearing my answer, the girl’s expression shifted. First alarmed, then pale, then contemplative.

"Then... I’ll go with you. Mr. Graham, when do you want to leave?" she asked.

"As soon as possible," I replied.