Reincarnation Paradise

Chapter 876: Conditions and Bargains

After a moment of silence, Su Xiao continued:

"There is only one clue about the Codex: a Level 0 Esper named Motoharu Tsuchimikado in Academy City. Finding him will lead me to the next clue. That's why I'm here in Academy City."

Su Xiao revealed some information that might have been exposed during his actions, such as an unknown Codex and the clue involving Motoharu Tsuchimikado, all of which were true.

Su Xiao's attitude was to pose as a member of some organization. He only showed his martial strength, while his alchemical skills would be revealed "accidentally," possibly as a life-saving measure.

"As for the Codex, according to existing information, it's extremely dangerous. If it can't be safely transported, I suggest destroying it."

Having stated his purpose, Su Xiao waited for Aleister's response.

"Where are you from?" Aleister asked a tricky question that could jeopardize the negotiation if not answered correctly.

"An organization for clearing and investigating magical and strange entities. We are a demon-hunting family responsible for eliminating mages and their creations. I'm the third generation."

Su Xiao extended his hand, letting Qinggang Ying's energy flow.

Su Xiao was confident that Aleister could sense the unique nature of Qinggang Ying energy, which specifically targeted casters. Su Xiao contacted Aleister, who despised magic, hoping Aleister couldn't decipher Qinggang Ying's energy.

"I see. Your words need verification, but your power qualifies as a mage's nemesis."

Aleister's attitude remained unclear. Sensing this, Su Xiao offered an enticing deal.

"As thanks for entering your territory to seek the Codex, I can assist you with tasks during my search. The reasons are irrelevant; just provide the time, place, and target's features or photos. Whether killing or rescuing, I can handle it while searching for the Codex."

If Aleister hesitated before, Su Xiao's offer now piqued his interest.

Imagine a powerful subordinate who asks no questions about tasks and acts decisively. Such a subordinate is invaluable, especially since Su Xiao is stronger than 99% of Aleister's directly controlled subordinates, like Accelerator and Touma Kamijou, whom Aleister manipulates indirectly.

Su Xiao's straightforward offer was different. The task, time, place, target—no other questions.

However, Su Xiao's perfection was suspicious. He knew this, so he had shown his flaws—anger and suspicion—during his interaction with Awaki Musujime, traits Aleister would have noticed via surveillance. This was intentional on Su Xiao's part.

"You seem sincere. For now, you have the right to operate in Academy City. In return, you need to do something first."

As Aleister finished speaking, Su Xiao received a prompt.

[Hint: The Hunter has joined the Science Side faction: Academy City.]

[The faction store is now open due to joining the Science Side faction.]

[Faction store location: unknown, to be found by the Hunter.]

[Hint: Completing Aleister's commissions can earn faction contribution points.]

[Hint: Faction contribution points will be crucial when dealing with Motoharu Tsuchimikado.]

Seeing these prompts, Su Xiao felt relieved. Joining the Science Side made his future actions easier and related to his Tier 3 promotion task. Without autonomous action in Academy City, completing the task was impossible.

"Before meeting Motoharu Tsuchimikado, you need to do something. And remember, he is an important piece to me," Aleister added, clarifying that while Su Xiao could meet Tsuchimikado, harming him was off-limits.

The room fell silent, and Bubu eyed the metal pipes with a gnawing desire. Su Xiao stepped on Bubu's paw, making Bubu's dog face crinkle, silently saying, "Master, don't worry. I won't bite. Bubu isn't dumb."

Before long, Awaki Musujime teleported Su Xiao out of the Windowless Building.

As the night breeze blew, Su Xiao took a deep breath. Although the outcome wasn't exactly as planned, his objective was achieved.

"So, we're partners now?" Awaki Musujime, who received the directive, looked crestfallen. She didn't want to partner with Su Xiao.

"Seems like it. So, what's the task?"

Su Xiao remembered Aleister's words about completing a task before meeting Motoharu Tsuchimikado.

"Task?" Awaki Musujime looked puzzled.

Screech~

A black car braked nearby, and a man in a white trench coat with yellow hair and a tattooed cheek stepped out.

"Is this the place? Hmm, should be right."

The man looked at Su Xiao and Awaki Musujime. Noticing his gaze, Awaki turned away, seemingly annoyed by him.

Su Xiao recognized him from the original work as Amata Kihara, leader of the Hound Dog unit and Aleister's direct subordinate. Despite his violent nature, he possessed a genius intellect, having helped develop Accelerator's abilities and created methods to counter them.

"Here are the documents. Do whatever you want with them."

Amata Kihara tossed some documents to Su Xiao, who caught them and looked through the car window at its interior.

In the back seat sat a girl with brown hair and military goggles, reminding Su Xiao of someone: the Level 5 esper, Mikoto Misaka. Of course, this girl wasn't Misaka but her clone.

Without further ado, Amata Kihara left, seemingly in a hurry.

Watching the departing car, Su Xiao pondered, deducing the current timeline.

The documents were straightforward: a highly special girl named Index was being hunted and had escaped into Academy City. Specific details weren't provided.

The documents only mentioned that Index encountered a boy named Touma Kamijou in Academy City. The two became friends.

Touma Kamijou, the protagonist of this world, was potentially a Child of the Plane.

Last night, a magician appeared in Academy City, fought Touma Kamijou, and lost. Despite being a powerless Esper, Kamijou had an invincible ability called Imagine Breaker, which nullified all supernatural powers upon contact. This event occurred last night.

Kamijou defeated the magician, but the magician had an accomplice beyond Kamijou's capability.

According to the documents, Kamijou would confront the accomplice tonight. Su Xiao's task was to repel or eliminate the magician's accomplice.

"They're using me as a grunt. Let's go, bandaged chest girl."

Su Xiao headed into an alley, and Awaki Musujime's mouth twitched at the nickname.

"It's to prevent my feminine features from hindering combat! They bounce around when I run. If not for the unappealing look, I'd have cut them off."

Awaki Musujime followed, seething but helpless.