Chapter 46: Defeat the Evil (Patreon)

"Alright..." Sister Sannai said as she filled out the registration.

The demons standing nearby overheard the name — and several of them couldn't hold back their laughter, roaring with it on the spot.

Honestly, they'd lived for who knew how many years, but this was the first time any of them had ever seen someone name their own team "Justice."

In that moment, their entire worldview seemed to take a violent hit.

So this was just a bunch of naive, self-righteous kids playing pretend, huh.

At everyone's mockery, Sylphiette frowned, clearly displeased.

Eris, on the other hand, drew her blade at once and pressed it to the throat of the demon laughing hardest.

"You think the Justice League is a joke? Go on, laugh again — I dare you!" she snapped.

"What, is the young lady looking to start a fight?!"

"Sounds like you have no intention of admitting you're wrong!"

"Oh? And just what did I do wrong?"

Just as the deer-headed demon sneered cruelly and raised a hand to strike back—

a beam of purple light shot through the window in an instant, nailing the deer-headed demon dead where he stood.

The moment his companions moved to retaliate, several more beams of purple light flashed in through the window.

Every single one who tried to act had his head blown clean off, without exception.

For a moment, the entire Adventurers' Guild fell utterly silent.

Once he saw that everyone had calmed down, Rudy finally spoke, smiling. "Was that so funny, everyone?"

"The Justice League is a team that wipes out evil wherever it finds it, without exception."

"And since you all just laughed at us... I can only conclude you're agents of evil."

"And once evil is wiped out completely, whoever's left must be good people, right?"

"So — does anyone still feel like laughing at us?"

"Also... does anyone know whether these men had any other companions?"

Gulp. At those chillingly murderous words, no one dared so much as twitch. No one dared even grumble.

Seeing this, Rudy let the matter drop. He went on with a smile, "These men just now died of an unfortunate qi imbalance — purely by accident."

"I'd really appreciate it if none of you made a big deal out of this."

"If things got out of hand, it would be a real headache for me to clean up."

"Of course... rest easy. If we ever end up wanted men because of this, I'll be the very first to make sure every last one of you here is wiped out."

"And please, don't worry on that front either — I've already placed a magic mark on each of you."

"It's the kind of mark only I can remove."

"You all saw that attack just now."

"If I truly wanted you dead, there'd be nowhere you could hide that would save you."

"If you don't believe me, feel free to test it."

"So then — does anyone have any objections?"

As Rudy's words trailed off, everyone broke into a cold sweat and shook their heads furiously.

At first, seeing Rudy and his companions walk in, they'd taken them for nothing more than a group of random kids. But now, having witnessed Rudy's true strength, they were well and truly terrified.

Just then, the beautiful Sister Sannai spoke up, her voice trembling slightly. "Your team has been registered successfully. However, every new adventuring team starts at Rank F. That means, at most, you can only accept quests one rank above your own."

Hearing this, Rudy turned to her with a smile. "Got it. Thanks, Sister."

"You're — you're welcome," Sister Sannai answered softly.

Rudy smiled. "Since you're so kind and gentle, Sister, would you mind helping us take on a Rank C subjugation quest?"

Sister Sannai looked troubled. "Well, that's really..."

Rudy grinned. "So does that mean you want to stand in the way of the Justice League's growth?"

Seeing Rudy smile at her like that, Sister Sannai flinched, a shiver running through her.

After all, the sight of several demons being cut down in an instant was still fresh in her mind. She really didn't want to die.

So, with no other choice, Sister Sannai sighed. "Alright, I'll get you a Rank C subjugation quest."

Rudy smiled. "Thank you so much, Sister."

After accepting the Rank C subjugation request, Rudy swept his gaze over the demons who didn't dare utter a word. With a soft chuckle, he turned and strode off without a backward glance.

Only after Rudy and the others had been gone a while did the demons finally start cursing him with unbridled fury. But not one of them suggested spreading word of what had happened.

To survive for long on the brutal Demon Continent, the truly brainless ones had already died out ages ago. Those who remained were, naturally, the ones who understood how to weigh their priorities.

In fact, just to be safe, the horse-faced demon slammed a hand on the table and bellowed, "Curse him all you like in here! But once we're outside, I want no one breathing a word of this to anyone else."

"I trust none of you here are eager to throw your lives away for nothing, are you?"

At the horse-faced demon's words, the cursing throughout the Adventurers' Guild gradually died down — and eventually stopped altogether.

Everyone exchanged glances in silence.

There was no doubt about it: Rudy's strength was formidable. And on the Demon Continent, it was a well-known unspoken rule that the weak must never provoke the strong.

So no one raised any objection to the horse-faced demon's proposal.

After a brief, tense silence, they stopped cursing altogether. Instead, they turned their attention to the belongings left behind by the demons who'd just died, and began squabbling over the spoils.

Watching this unfold, Sister Sannai, behind the counter, finally let out a breath of relief.

Honestly, the overwhelming presence Rudy had suddenly unleashed a moment ago had been terrifying — plain and simple.

As for someone that powerful, even with backing of her own standing behind her, Sister Sannai wanted absolutely nothing to do with crossing him.