Game Merchant in Remnant

-A few hours ago-

Roman smirked as the lock clicked open. Buildings in affluent areas were often like this—solidly built but with subpar security. Wealthy individuals should know better, yet rumors suggested his latest target was a reclusive oddball.

The Gentleman Thief gestured to Neo, who was stationed by the main road, using her semblance to deter onlookers. She was the most valuable accident of his youth, the result of a teenage romance that ended when Neo's mother vanished after her birth.

The neighborhood was too pricey and pretentious for most, hence sparsely populated. With the nearest pub, restaurant, or shopping center a considerable walk away, they were unlikely to be disturbed.

The only irritation was the small scale of the job, a step down from his audacious heists of dust shipments that had garnered media attention. He reveled in the spotlight; notoriety was his vice.

In the underworld, reputation was currency, and Roman had become synonymous with infamy. He thrived on the perilous ripples he created. Now, he carefully opened the door, pausing to listen for any signs of detection before signaling Neo to come inside. She left her post with a mischievous smile and slipped in after him.

The tip-off had come from Junior, an unusual gift in their line of work. Roman, ever thorough, had done his homework. The mark was a newcomer to Vale, exceedingly wealthy and elusive.

Details about his profession or activities were scarce, but inherited wealth often sufficed for the affluent without an apparent source of income. Whether the man was a recluse or simply introverted was irrelevant.

He resided alone, save for his lover—a situation not uncommon, with polygamy in Remnant, though he was rumored to entertain more than the usual number.

Roman was impressed by the chadness of the youngster. Though a thief he may be, he would tap his hat off to someone who can maintain such a relationship.

"Easy in, easy out."

Roman whispered to Neo.

"Find the owner and intimidate him—but no harm unless he fights back. We're after valuables, not trouble."

Neo pouted but nodded in agreement.

Roman, with his penchant for drama, always preferred quality over quantity. That's why he brought only Neo, leaving the White Fang members behind.

The sound of voices halted Roman. He listened, the drone of a television reaching his ears. Nearing midnight, he assumed the owner had dozed off. Perfect. They could secure him, demand silence, and escape with their haul before any issues arose. Smooth and simple, just the way Roman liked it.

Approaching, Roman saw the glow of the TV casting light on a figure seated on the couch. He straightened up, grasped his cane, and put on a confident air. First impressions mattered. With Neo at his back and their target oblivious, Roman was about to speak.

"Roman, you're late?"

The voice that followed nearly made him shit himself as it belonged to Shizuo Heiwajima, the so-called Mini Kaiju of Vale, feared by all.

A violent man born with inhuman strength, Simply put, he's the definition of violence, and with overwhelming power, he instinctively strikes fear into others. His violence-personified, it's what he lives and breathes.

Swearing, Roman whirled around, his weapon poised for action. Shizuo wasn't supposed to be there, yet there he was, unmistakably himself. The tall, naturally blonde young man was clad in his signature bartender outfit and sporting costly-looking blue sunglasses.

He was holding beer bottles, along with other drinks and food, as though he had just returned from a raid on the kitchen. Despite being unarmed and facing both him and Neo, his demeanor was too composed. He was anticipating them.

Elia and Blake then appeared, clad only in their underwear, breezing past Roman and Neo. They moved straight through the middle, indifferent to the gun and blade aimed at them, and took the food and drinks from Shizuo.

"You were taking too long, so you came to lend a hand with the food... Hmph, we'll take the food, and you handle the two intruders."

Elia remarked, her voice too serene for Roman's preference. They quickly gathered all the items from the blonde and scurried away. This turn of events was unexpected for The Gentleman Thief, hinting that the information from Junior might be incorrect.

'Damn it! Junior set me up!'

"Now, now, let's not rush things, Shizuo."

Roman attempted to salvage what was left of this botched job.

"Why don't you both sit down, and we'll disappear before you even notice."

"Actually, I think it's you who should take a seat, Roman. We need to talk."

Shizuo countered.

"Yeah, I don't think so. I'm touched, Shizuo, but I'm on a tight schedule here."

Roman retorted, pretending to glance at a watch.

"You know how it goes. Places to go, people to meet."

"I wasn't giving you an option, Roman. Sit down. And make sure Neo sits as well, without trying any tricks with her semblance."

Roman's eyes narrowed. How did the scoundrel learn about Neo's semblance? He glanced at her, and Neo, equally shocked, looked back and forth between the man and Roman, her confidence waning.

He had kept his daughter's semblance hidden, even from his closest allies. To everyone present, she was merely his well-dressed partner, not his secret ace up his sleeve. But if this man knew her name and semblance, he might also know the extent of her danger. That was unacceptable.

"Look, I think you're misunderstanding the situation here, Shizuo. I'm normally the one giving orders, and you're the one who should remain seated. You and your high-class Whores."

Shizuo, who had been smiling until then, suddenly stopped, and in a swift motion that was almost imperceptible, the blond Lion Faunus had Roman against the wall, gripping his throat.

"What did you just call them?!"

It was unclear if Roman recognized his blunder, as the insult slipped out, and now he struggled for air. Trembling with fear, he stared into Shizuo's eyes, which were ablaze with fury.

Despite being one of the most feared figures in Vale, he knew better than to provoke this beast. Yet, he couldn't resist. Now, he had the sinking feeling that his time was running short.

"You referred to my lovers, as WHORES!!!"

Shizuo declared again.

"Whores! Hm, I have never allowed and will never permit another man to lay hands on my women. Anyone who dares will meet their end by my hands!"

Roman, with eyes wide open, suddenly realized the gravity of his error, gasping for breath as Shizuo tightened his grip on his throat.

Realizing her father was near death, Neo attempted to stab his heart with Hush's blade, only for Shizuo to intercept the blow with his back and lift her into the air by her wrist. She tried to kick him, but suddenly lost all her strength and struggled to remain conscious.

Roman experienced a similar weakness, feeling as though his life force was being siphoned away. This was the effect of a new semblance he had taken from Jaune;

Drain Touch:

Absorbs the touched targets' Vitality, Aura, and Endurance, which in turn can be transferred to somebody else.

Shizuo, despite his disdain for Jaune, recognized him as a valuable treasure trove resource of new semblances to pilfer from. For this reason alone, he decided to spare him.

Now seated on the couch, Neo and Roman were tense, sensing the threatening aura of bloodshed emanating from Shizuo, which promised violence. Then, unexpectedly, he shifted back to a friendly demeanor, smiling again.

"Let's start over with our introductions. I'm the one who had Junior leak information about me. I even left the door slightly open, so you'd only have to break the lock. You were the guest I was expecting all along, Roman."

Shizuo observed Roman's slight tremble, a combination of fear, panic, and likely resentment towards Junior, who had betrayed him.

"I'm not sure what your game is, Shizuo, but it's time for Neo and me to leave. Don't bother seeing us out; we know the way."

"We're not done talking, Roman. You need to stay seated. Even if you could try to leave, you couldn't, since I've nearly drained both of you dry."

"I'll pass on that offer – but thanks for the hospitality. Let's go, Neo. We should leave him to his 'lovebirds.' We wouldn't want to overstay our welcome. I'll send Junior your regards, alright? With a bullet as the message."

Regaining some strength, Roman attempted to stand and flee, but his legs failed him, and he collapsed back onto the couch.

"Great! Now they can realize there's no escape. You've probably heard about what I did to the Red Axe Gang, right?"

"Of course, any criminal worth their salt knows that the next head of the Red Axe Gang tried to extort money from your favorite Mistralian restaurant. In the end, you broke almost every bone in each member of the gang, crippling them so thoroughly that the Xiong Family took over their territory."

"Good. See, I know about you, Roman. Testing the odds, playing a dangerous game, dodging the gangs' and families' attention as you do. I'm also involved in the business."

Roman was less composed. He'd gone still. He had realized what Shizuo wanted.

"Damn it! So, is this a recruitment pitch?!"

"Sort of, but I'm keeping Neo."

RACE: Lion Faunus

NAME: Shizuo Heiwajima

Semblance: Energy Absorption

LEVEL: A Rank

Aura: A- Rank

Vitality: A- Rank

Endurance: A- Rank

Strength: S- Rank

Dexterity: A- Rank

Perception: A- Rank

Skill: A- Rank

Charisma: A- Rank

Libido: A+ Rank

Virility: B Rank