I am, Flame-Chaser of Previous Era-Chapter 81: Thank you

"Of course not, but...but..."

Ryan let out a sinister chuckle, his voice cold. "If I were a failure, would you be having such a calm conversation with me?"

"No. I never talk to someone I'm about to kill."

"Then won't you say thank you?"

Sakura's expression faltered. Her lips trembled before she reluctantly conceded. "Thank... you."

Vill-V burst out laughing, clutching her stomach, nearly rolling on the floor. Ryan glared at her, silencing her with a single look.

However, this assassin seemed oddly calm, almost naive. A prisoner thanking her captor?

Logically, however, there was nothing wrong with his reasoning.

No, no, she had to think this through clearly; she couldn't be as foolish as Sakura.

Ryan smirked, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes before he quickly composed himself; he didn't want to become that annoyingly cheerful type.

"Ahem, want to hear about your escape route?"

Sakura still felt something was amiss, but the mention of escape shifted her focus. She nodded slightly.

The deed was done; there was no turning back. She had to listen, at least for Rin's sake.

"This incident, as you should know, is a result of internal strife within Fire Moth; a power struggle amongst the big players."

"Yes." Sakura wasn't stupid; she'd seen her share of dirty dealings.

"So Cocoon is just a pawn. In the conflict between the big shots, no one knows the outcome. You risk being discarded. Don't hastily deny it; I know you aren't on the discard list." Ryan interrupted, leaning closer.

"But with so much dirty work under your belt, you're bound to be discarded eventually. Don't forget, Rin is your weak point. Easier to manipulate than other assassins."

Sakura gritted her teeth. This man had just laid bare her deepest fears. Even if Cocoon gave her an impossible task, she would have to comply.

"Therefore, your sisters' lives are intertwined. If you die, to eliminate any risk, they'll deal with Rin. Even if their conscience awakens, do you think this world allows a normal girl to live a peaceful life?"

Ryan launched another psychological attack, making Sakura's fists clench. She knew the world's order was crumbling. Order meant protecting the weak, but in the lawless darkness, what fate awaited a powerless girl?

The thought alone chilled her to the bone.

"Yes. So I absolutely cannot die." Sakura nodded firmly.

"So you should thank me. Sincerely."

Taking a deep breath, her chest rising, the girl quickly straightened, sitting upright. In a low voice, she said, "Thank you."

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Vill-V felt another bout of laughter coming on, but Ryan's sharp glance stopped her. She could only slump back down, burying her face in her arms in misery.

No, if I keep listening, I'll die of laughter.

Ryan nodded calmly. He wanted to laugh too, but years of special training kept him in check.

"Now, want to hear about that escape route?"

"Please tell me." Sakura silently switched to a respectful tone, her expression cold and focused.

She didn't know why, but she found this man strangely convincing.

"Since you know this is a power struggle within Fire Moth, protecting you and Rin is simple: side with the victor."

"Who's the victor?"

"Me, of course." Ryan replied, his voice as sharp as steel.

Sakura was momentarily stunned, yet she recognized the unshakeable confidence emanating from this man. There was no reason for him to deceive her.

He could end her life with a flick of his wrist. It wasn't just his power; it was the confidence that made her believe him.

He'd already identified her, implying he'd been planning this for a while. Intelligence combined with power. Could those council members really stand against him?

"What do I need to do?"

"Nothing. You've already figured it out."

"You're right. To survive this, I can only side with the victor. Eliminating those who hired Cocoon is the only way Rin and I can be safe."

Sakura's eyes were icy, her methods decisive and ruthless; perfectly aligning with the assassin's creed of survival of the fittest.

"A very intelligent answer. Stand with me; it's your only path. Even if you escape, your sisters are still doomed, regardless of your explanations as to your survival." Ryan's gaze was flat, devoid of emotion.

"So, returning to the previous question: I let you live for my own reasons. Your presence or absence makes no difference to the outcome."

His confidence was immense, yet no one would dare say he was overconfident. It was this very nonchalance that ignited the warrior spirit within Sakura, her tone turning even colder.

"But I hate being indebted to anyone. I hate owing favors. I must do something, even if it's only to repay a fraction of the debt."

Hahaha!

Hearing the laughter from the front seat, Sakura's eyebrows shot up, like a blade unsheathing: "What are you laughing at? I've been holding back for long enough!"

"Sorry, sorry, I have a low tolerance for humor, I couldn't help it." Vill-V patted the seat, relieved it was self-driving, otherwise, she might have already crashed.

Ryan remained impassive. He actually wanted to laugh too, but for the sake of maintaining the charade, he had to suppress it—a painful exercise.

He needed Sakura's cooperation, at least to quell any lingering animosity. Given his personality, he never left enemies alive, even if she was one of the 13 Flame-Chasers.

But shortening the distance didn't necessarily involve being a sycophant. Ryan preferred the subtle art of indirect manipulation. Everyone offered help, but he persistently refused.

A faint smile played on Ryan's lips. He knew Sakura wasn't an idiot. This was the only logical conclusion, and she resented him fiercely for it.

But he didn't care. The Previous Era wasn't a dating game; he just needed this asset on his side.

"Come on, we're on the same side now. Don't waste time on such trivialities. Sakura, I respect your courage, but the answer remains the same." Ryan stood up, his expression unchanged.

"As long as you don't oppose me again, everything is up to you."

It was an answer, but also a warning. Sakura's lips moved, still unsure why she was still alive.

Was it brute force? Beauty? She had no answer, only the knowledge that if she drew a blade against him again, both she and Rin would die.

"So, who are you, really?"

Ryan leaned closer, close enough for Sakura to instinctively lean back, before whispering a few words into her ear. Then, he turned and left.

Sakura looked at the man slumping back in the front seat, the confusion in her eyes gradually fading, replaced by a dawning understanding, even a hint of respect.

"You definitely don't have a girlfriend." Vill-V couldn't hold back as Ryan approached.

Regardless of gender or appearance, he ruthlessly crushed his opponents, unafraid of their desperate retaliations.

Ryan didn't know why, but the image of Mobius smiling flashed through his mind. He snorted in annoyance.

"Girls don't necessarily need protecting. Some just fall for my style."

"Mobius is so strange, isn't she? She's not... uh..."

"Drive your car, you're in no position to call Mobius strange." Ryan gave Vill-V a sharp rap on the head; this cheerful woman needed discipline.

He glanced at the rearview mirror. The girl sat rigidly, her brow furrowed in thought. Ryan watched for a few seconds before turning his attention back to the approaching town.

After all, it takes time to truly understand someone's character.