Chapter 323: NO.85: Merchant, it's time to pay the friend fee

NO. 85: Merchant, it's time to pay the friend fee.

C minor resembles the shadow of a child with a cloth over its eyes; the gloomy, heavy violin tone shapes an airtight wall.

It seems to weave coldness and malice.

When you focus on that violin sound, Hei'an grows with your thoughts, spreading like ivy.

Then, as you sink deep into sorrow and grief, feeling utterly black——

Suddenly, the electronic sound smashes through Hei'an, carrying a pallid blue‑white arc, mixed with a trembling low laugh.

Exactly, a low laugh.

Without doubt, the merchant can be certain someone is laughing across from him; that laugh echoes in this small interview room, a tone both familiar and strange.

But just as he tries to discern it, the laugh stops abruptly, turning into a calm inquiry:

"Do you like my Remix?"

This voice……

A voice more recognizable than the laugh makes the merchant's brows furrow instantly.

"Lin Dun?"

"It's me."

"You even process your voice with electronic effects?"

"... Perhaps so." Sitting before the single‑sided transparent wall, the demon idly flicks its tail left and right.

Too lazy to explain this inherently vibrato quality, a vocal resonance unique to the demonic form's structure.

For him, who just reproduced a Devil May Cry 5 M20 music rhythm, he still retains some playfulness now, especially as a small card is held between his claws.

It depicts a dark‑purple frenzied beast baring fangs and claws, with the name?? printed below.

Only a beast formed by the union of many creatures can compare to the giant Behemoth, bearer of the earth; its power may far surpass the attribute demon beast spoken of by Bi Ze.

What's the name of something related to the earth again?

"Maga Gurante King, right?" It's earth‑attribute… Aomo briefly recalled that scene.

To describe the Gurante King's concrete performance, one would still need to review Bi Ze's bonus gift pack first.

Now he, holding this card that replaces most of the reward, surprisingly hasn't entered a spending cooldown.

After all, the chance to draw power from Behemoth is normally unavailable even for money.

One must also have participated in handling this incident, cleared suspicion via the Boundary Gate District Two Worlds Safety Bureau, gained Behemoth's approval, and received assistance from Miss Ni Yan as the intermediary translator—only then does one obtain this card.

Even if this is just like the card of the Frozen Star Person Ge Luozham, it lacks self‑recovery and needs frequent charging, but in terms of output……

Although it can't beat the combined card decks of Thunder Slayer and King Galatron……

But with single‑card output, it surpasses Galatron, second only to Ace Slayer, and can fully rank second in his deck.

However, it's a card that loses a bit of energy per use and needs frequent charging.

Trying to draw power from Behemoth to charge it…… seems unrealistic, but giving it a spin isn't impossible; better yet, find a reason to invite Miss Ni Yan along.

"……"

We'll think about that later.

Just thinking of the similar, ill‑intentioned smiles of Qianming, Miss Lapulan De, and Miss Nian, Aomo's mood is no longer light and cheerful.

They actually want to meddle in this…… While it's understandable that the latter two have some gratitude‑repaying motive, and they're probably itching to act, the idea is still rather abrupt.

"Hey, you really aren't going to speak?"

As his mind wanders boundlessly, his mouth stays silent too.

The other end of the call is equally silent; now it seems the merchant's patience is wearing thin.

This is partly due to the anxiety of being caught a second time.

But Aomo's opening move also contributed somewhat.

In the completely sealed, guard‑less dim interview room, the sudden sorrowful violin easily pulls the other's attention inward.

At this point, throwing in a "fuck you!" then shifting the music becomes another kind of surprise mom damn fuck.

That's one thing in battle, another in a dim, quiet setting.

But… this is actually rare for Aomo, doing it without a clear goal, just on a whim.

It's just seeing the merchant on the opposite screen looking rather anxious that prompted him to play a prank.

It's also quite a successful prank…… Watching the merchant's slightly bowed head, Aomo thinks.

Not having reverted to human form, he maintains that demonic vocal quality: "I have ten minutes to talk with you; although I came to help you, I also feel there's nothing much to say."

This is a lie, all of it.

The God‑blessing Gospel Class says that before the police arrive, he can interrogate, but personnel from the police headquarters take over twenty minutes.

But isn't it common knowledge that a visit usually lasts ten to fifteen minutes?

Aomo doesn't mind appearing a bit more 'normal' in front of the other party.

Don't let the other party think you're special, nor let them think they're special.

"There's nothing to say…" the merchant mutters, then suddenly lifts his head to look at the dark wall ahead: "You don't… have anything you're interested in?"

He originally wanted to say that card, to directly utter Mifeilas's name, but realizing it would expose both identities, he held back that self‑cutting communication.

But actually…… Aomo doesn't mind him speaking directly.

The Two Worlds Safety Bureau gave a heads‑up; Aomo's hidden identity in Gui Yuan Zhi Tang is also covered here, and the monitoring personnel would love to hear something on this matter.

But if he were to speak frankly, the merchant probably truly has no intention of making a comeback.

"Of course there is, but this is also your second 'attack' on me, right? Do you think this is just a coincidence?"

"Making a comeback isn't just about Mifeilas; I also dislike this idiom."

Saying that, Aomo glanced at the suddenly bright screen.

That guy escaped without leaving a trace.

With a shifting emerald‑green binary background, it was clearly a message from Digimon.

He turned his head back to look at the merchant again, but placed his finger on the light screen and tapped it lightly.

"Perhaps what I want isn't worth my showing you 'sympathy'."

Then don't chase him; we'll have a chance to meet.

Beelzebumon: 【Are you sure?】

The merchant hesitated for a moment: "…I'll bring out what you want; please help me call a 'lawyer'!"

"Will it be a one-time thing?" Aomo asked, his finger blindly tapping again.

【Third time】

This counts as Witchmon, or rather Beelzebumon, saying "Are you sure?" for the third time.

You can't just erase past records just because you've become an Ultimate.

Beelzebumon: 【... Fine... let's trust our partner for now】

Aomo lowered his hand slightly, glanced at the sexy figure emerging from the emerald‑green background on the light screen, then immediately turned his head back.

Your three assistants are all one-time monster cards, and even whoever tampered in the dream can't be identified—quite a clean job.

He continued to torture the merchant.

You never thought you yourself would be caught.

Finished product! Sent via installment logistics secret-key mode! How about it? Can you help me get a lawyer?

The merchant nervously said: "I want to specify, I know a dragon clan lawyer!"

Mmm... fine.

The demon, putting on a show of difficulty, spoke, though the fire in his eyes flared slightly; he then glanced up at the red-light camera in the upper right corner that seemed to be looking right back at him.

"I'll get you a lawyer." He said, rising from his chair.

So just wait for now.

He turned around briskly, and in the process knocked over a portable folding DJ stand that an enthusiastic audience member had prepared for him.

The performance drew a sizable audience, including many talented individuals with skill, which was also an unexpected delight.

But for now, it's still better to go talk to that eavesdropper.

Thinking so, he nodded to the two knights as they saluted, then left the visitation room.

He tended to release the merchant once more, after all, his value remained.

But whether the police would think the same is hard to say; by then we might have to persuade them.

But before that…

Aomo turned his head to look at the Beelzebumon standing in the terminal light screen.

You don't plan to change back?

You're in such a hurry to make me change back?

Having grown accustomed to the power of the Ultimate form, perhaps he won't want to revert to the mature stage.

Where did you see that? Beelzebumon lady leaned against several app icons, looking at him with ease.

I've had a similar experience.

Aomo raised his left hand, shaking the Behemoth card on it.

Honestly, each time releasing the power from a monster card to complete the fusion, the suppression is truly exhausting, the stamina drain truly huge, but the sense of fulfillment from mastering that power is truly soul-stirring.

Every time exiting the transformation also leaves a feeling of loss, an immense emptiness, no matter how many times it happens.

Fine~

Beelzebumon helplessly flicked the gun in his hand, firing a shot at his own sleek abdomen that sported both a mermaid line and a vest line.

The gunshot and a muffled groan mixed together, causing Aomo to frown slightly.

Seeing the egg-shaped form that suddenly enveloped her, made of countless strip-like digital spirits converging, he couldn't help but ask: "Does it have to be this way?"

"As an Ultimate, I'm nearly immune to magical control," said the red‑cloaked witch after the digital spirits faded, re‑appearing leisurely: "Just being able to feel this much pain is already the fruit of long experimentation."

Achieved through self‑harm…

It's not like p3 Kitaro; Aomo was at a loss for words, silent for a few seconds before saying: "How about I go get a tyrannosaurus machine?"

Evil… don't.

"Alright." Aomo replied just as bluntly.

He also didn't really like carrying that stuff; seeing the other's look of disdain, it'd be better to turn back and think of something else.

"Not talking about that, I guess you've got another job to dump on me." Witchmon suddenly said, her face nearing the screen, looking toward the visitation room that was moving away.

That actually surprised Aomo a bit, then he smiled and said: "You guessed right—Miss Rudolf sent me the second piece of information on the Moon‑chase symbol, and I also need you to help confirm the status of Yuger Company's dream project."

Yuger Company?

The main suspect this time.

Fine.

Really, your bluntness surprises me.

The probing is about enough; the contract is now officially in effect.

The effective date is really late, huh.

It's already the fastest on record.

On the record, it's just me, right?

You could've guessed that, partner.

Alright then, speed is essential in warfare, partner.