Chapter 35: If I Cross Over Just to Be a Wage Slave, Then My Transmigration Was in Vain

As Najenda’s voice faded, the members of Night Raid appeared with a formidable presence, fanning out to surround Kobayashi from every direction.

There was Bulat in his white armor, Sheele clutching her giant shears, Leone in her lion-humanoid form, the playboy-like Lubbock, the raven-haired, red-eyed Akame, and Tatsumi, who stood at the back looking somewhat nervous. Topping it all off were Najenda on the main seat and Mine, who had produced a machine gun from out of nowhere.

One person might not be much, but an entire group created a qualitative shift; just their appearance alone carried the oppressive weight of a band of villains.

Kobayashi couldn't help but sigh. Why are they so good at posing?

In truth, Kobayashi had sensed their presence through his detection skill long ago. He hadn't made a sound, choosing instead to follow Najenda’s lead. His purpose, beyond blending into the role and advancing the plot, was to hold back his trump cards. After all, a single unassuming ace in the hole could easily change the entire course of a battle.

Play the part when necessary, hide when necessary.

"Hey, hey, you don't mean to tell me everyone here is a Teigu user, do you? That’s just too ridiculous," Kobayashi feigned helplessness, offering a dry remark.

From her seat, Najenda spoke again: "Well, boy, do you have confidence in your own strength now?" She looked at Kobayashi with interest, seemingly eager to see how the youth would react.

"I surrender!" Kobayashi raised his hands promptly and cleanly.

Seeing him collapse so readily, Leone couldn't help but provoke him: "Boy, don't you want to use force to prove yourself? You’re a Teigu user, after all!"

"You just want to find someone to spar with, don't you?" Kobayashi curled his lip. "I'm only one person, and there are eight of you. There’s no way I could defeat you, no matter how I look at it."

"How do you know if you don't try? Come on, have a go with me!"

"No way!"

"Spineless!"

"Say what you want."

Kobayashi put on an expression that clearly said, "I won't fall for that." Even if Leone called him unmanly, he remained unmoved. This is what you call "playing dead."

However, seeing that a fight had been avoided and the situation resolved, the mood in the room lightened. They began to tease Mine.

Leone poked Mine’s cheek with her finger, laughing, "I never expected Mine to recruit a newcomer. Were you provoked by me? Or perhaps... provoked by Tatsumi?"

"Why did that person's name even come up! It has nothing to do with him!" The tsundere Mine turned around in annoyance, snapping her teeth at Leone’s finger. But her speed was no match for the physically enhanced Leone, and naturally, she missed.

Lubbock, always loose-lipped, shook his head and feigned regret. "It's a shame Mine isn't quite sharp enough; she didn't manage to trick anyone like Big Sis Leone did."

"Do you want to get blasted by me?!"

"I'm sorry, please spare me!"

Mine furiously leveled her Teigu at him, and Lubbock, terrified, begged for mercy repeatedly.

The airheaded Sheele, acting as her partner, drove the point home with a cruel observation: "It's okay, Mine. When we get back, I’ll lend you some books on increasing your intelligence."

"Sheele?!"

Sheele's friendly fire was quite potent.

"Alright, alright, don't be like that." Bulat, the big brother of the team, stepped in as the peacemaker. He said heartily, "No battle occurred this time, and that’s the best possible outcome, isn't it?"

"Mm, I think so too," Akame agreed.

Mine was moved to the point of tears. "Akame thinks so too..."

"However, bringing a stranger to the base is forbidden. Mine must be punished," Akame said, her expression blank as she delivered the cold truth.

"Akame-san?!" Mine’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Najenda considered the matter seriously and said to Mine, "As punishment, Mine will receive no pay for her next three missions."

"...I understand." Mine hung her head, looking utterly dejected.

Seeing her struggle, Tatsumi’s mouth twitched into a grin before he immediately suppressed it. He said to Najenda, "Wait! Boss, while I agree with this gentleman here, Mine did have good intentions, didn't she?"

"Tatsumi..." Seeing Tatsumi, who usually clashed with her, speak up for her, Mine suddenly felt he wasn't so bad after all.

Wait, what did he mean by "agree with this gentleman"?

Tatsumi continued, "This gentleman said Mine isn't very smart, and I happen to agree with that point. Since we're punishing her, why not make her spend all her mission pay on walnuts? Not only would it be a punishment, but it would solve her intelligence problem at the source. I think it’s a great idea that kills two birds with one stone."

"Mm, I agree."

"Agreed."

"I agree too."

The members of Night Raid chimed in, agreeing with Tatsumi’s suggestion and deeming it a fitting punishment. Only Mine was furious.

"And here I thought you were decent for a second! To think you’d tell me to eat walnuts! My intelligence is clearly higher than yours!"

"...Heh."

"Ahhh, I’m going to kill you!!!"

The anger Mine had been bottling up exploded. She turned her sights on Tatsumi—after all, who else was as easy to pick on and already at odds with her? For a moment, the hall was filled with lively, cheerful air.

"Cough, cough. Now, let’s talk about you," Najenda said, looking at Kobayashi with curiosity. "I thought you might try to resist or escape while everyone was distracted, but you waited quite patiently."

Kobayashi shrugged. "Because I'm best at reading the room."

Even though they were laughing and joking, if Kobayashi had made any strange or reckless move, he would have been subdued or killed on the spot in the next second. Of course, with Ruji around, it was impossible for him to be subdued or killed, but that was beside the point.

Najenda was quite satisfied with Kobayashi. He had been sharp enough to notice the anomaly in small details, was able to turn the tables even after realizing he’d been deceived, and remained composed and humble even after realizing he was outmatched. He was quick-witted, bold, careful, and calm—a rare, uncut gem. Even if he started as a mere foot soldier, he would surely rise through the ranks and become an Imperial General in no time.

Though outsiders might say her evaluation was a bit high, Najenda trusted her own judgment. And since he was a rare gem, she couldn't let him go! He must not be tainted by the corruption of the Empire!

Therefore...

"Boy, how about joining Night Raid?"

"Before I answer, let me ask: if I refuse, I won't be killed, right?"

"No, it won't go that far. But we can't let you leave, either. After all, you now know the location of our secret base. You don't have to worry about being killed if you refuse, though."

It seemed Najenda was determined to keep him.

"Well? Having seen the darkness of the Capital, haven't you felt a strong desire to eliminate the wicked and change all of this?"

"Not in the slightest!"

"...Eh?"

Kobayashi’s reply was blunt, leaving Najenda stunned. It seemed an overly intelligent gem wasn't always a good thing; he wasn't as easy to hoodwink as the hot-blooded Tatsumi.

As for Kobayashi, he was thinking—

Give me a break. I went through heaven and earth (and begged Aqua), paying a heavy, unbearable price (two bottles of high-grade sparkling wine), just to get this one precious chance to transmigrate. If I end up being a disposable assassin for someone else, wouldn't my transmigration have been for nothing?!