HSR: Miss Herta Want To Be Pursued Too (Patreon)

Chapter 4: Seele: Can’t You Think More About Yourself?

“Half!”

“I... I...” Sampo opened his mouth, feeling numb and filled with regret.

Why did I get greedy for that bit of extra profit?

Initially, Luo Yu approached him, needing his connections to open a restaurant in the Underworld and promised a large, long-term delivery contract. It was a huge deal, and Sampo readily agreed.

Luo Yu proposed a different cooperation model for their first deal (base salary + performance bonus). After some calculations, Sampo realized this model could earn him more, about 40% more than the original offer, on an already substantial order. The idea of such extra profit was too tempting to resist.

But why did things turn out this way?

Sampo looked at the coupons in his hand, the gift stall where he had been busy all day, and then at Luo Yu in front of him. His heart was filled with regret and bitterness.

Who could understand Sampo’s misery?

Known as “Uncle Cold Legs” in both the Overworld and Underworlds, Sampo had a wide network and was a legend of sorts. Many people wanted to do business with him, and countless had fallen for his schemes.

Yet now, he was reduced to volunteering, helping distribute gifts to make up for his performance bonus. Uncle Cold Legs was living like a mere worker, with his sorrow flowing like a river.

Sampo wore a mask of pain but finally squeezed out a smile under Luo Yu’s gaze. Suddenly, he remembered something and smacked his forehead.

“Oh! Lord Luo Yu, I just remembered another reliable contact. We don’t need to increase your fees.”

“Really? Now that you mention it, I recall the recent figures were based on last year’s data. Business hasn’t been that bad lately. Let’s keep the bonus as it is,” Luo Yu said, resting his chin on his hand in thought, as if recalling something.

“Hahaha.”

“Hehehe.”

Sampo scratched his head, and Luo Yu smiled gently. They exchanged a friendly look, returning to their previous harmonious state.

Once turned around, Sampo’s smile quickly turned into a dead-eyed expression, feeling heartbroken as he mechanically handed out gifts.

Time passed, and the crowd thinned.

A girl with purple hair approached. She had a rebellious air, wearing short hot pants that revealed her white, slender legs. Her beautiful face carried a fierce and unapproachable expression.

Seele walked up quietly behind four or five chatting men, speaking in a chilling voice like a ghost from a graveyard, “What are you doing?”

These men, members of Wildfire, were excitedly discussing the feast and gifts, holding various items. Startled by Seele’s voice, they turned around to meet her fierce purple eyes, stumbling over their words in panic.

“Uh, uh... Sister Seele...”

“You weren’t sent here to play!” Seele scolded, frustrated.

Their job was to protect Luo Yu. With so many vagrants around, robbery was not uncommon. Wildfire members were already stretched thin, but a few could still be useful in critical moments. However, these men seemed to be treating it like a vacation.

“Sorry, Sister Seele.” The men lowered their heads, ashamed.

After scolding them, Seele walked over to Luo Yu.

Sampo immediately greeted her obsequiously. “Hehe, isn’t this Miss Seele? What brings you here?”

Seele glanced at him, ignoring his flattery, and nodded at Luo Yu.

“Good afternoon, Luo Yu. Is everything going smoothly in the Underworld?”

“Of course. Thanks to Wildfire’s help, everything has been going smooth,” Luo Yu replied politely.

Seele shook her head. She believed in giving credit where it was due and never sugarcoated things.

“No, it’s us who should be thanking you. These past two months, thanks to you, Boulder Town has improved tremendously, and for that, as a Wildfire member and a resident of Boulder Town, I owe you my gratitude.”

“So if you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. Wildfire will do its utmost to help.”

Seele's tone was different from the usual flattering pleasantries. Instead, it was filled with sincerity and earnestness. Luo Yu nodded but didn't get a chance to respond.

“Ah yes, this is wonderful, we’re all progressing together!” Sampo chimed in again, eager to be noticed.

Ugh...

Interrupted once again, Seele shot an irritated look at him. “Enough already, Sampo. Are you that idle?”

Sampo’s face twitched. He chuckled awkwardly and muttered defensively, “I’m just helping out for the good of Boulder Town... We are both doing a great deed, so why is there such a big difference?”

“Hmph.” Although he spoke quietly, Seele heard him clearly and let out a cold snort. “If we hadn’t caught you red-handed a few times before, I might actually believe you were a good person.”

Sampo had been caught several times committing minor offenses. Though his actions were not severe enough to warrant heavy punishment, it wasn’t because he had a solid moral compass. He was simply too cunning, always skirting the rules and staying just out of reach.

Despite his considerable abilities, Seele had no fondness for Sampo. “Stick with Luo Yu and do a good job. It’s not easy to find such an honest path. Don’t waste your talent on underhanded schemes,” she said sharply, ignoring Sampo’s embarrassed smile. She turned back to Luo Yu, adding, “Let’s not mind him. We need to talk.”

With that, she grabbed Luo Yu’s wrist and led him aside.

...

They moved to a quiet spot beside the restaurant, away from prying eyes. Seele's expression shifted to one of seriousness and concern.

“Why don’t you ever think of yourself before acting? Agreeing to all those things has made you a hero to Boulder Town’s residents, but what if something goes wrong? How will you handle it then?”

“Don’t you need to rest? Can’t you anticipate accidents? You agreed too readily,” she continued, her tone a mix of frustration and worry. 

“I know you mean well, but you don’t owe anyone anything. Money doesn’t grow on trees. You don’t have to agree to everything. Even if you do nothing, no one has the right to blame you.” Seele, who usually stuck to her principles, suddenly spoke words that seemed out of character for a Wildfire member.

She was clearly agitated, having arrived earlier and overheard Luo Yu’s announcements. 

This man was always like this!

She had known Luo Yu for almost three months. From hostility to friendship, her perception of him had changed several times.

The Underworld harbored long-standing resentment towards the Overworld’s elites. Seele, in particular, harbored significant animosity. When she first met Luo Yu, his attire and demeanor were starkly out of place in the Underworld. 

Upon learning he had come from the Overworld, brought by Sampo, her impression of him turned to disgust.

Seele had grown up abandoned in the harsh environment of the Underworld. To her, everyone from the Overworld was scum, enjoying their lives at the expense of the Underworld’s residents. Even speaking to them felt like a waste of time.

She initially saw Luo Yu as another elite coming to the Underworld to flaunt his superiority.