Chapter 569 - 565: Other Methods
Itsuki was sitting before Ryder. He smirked as he asked, "You're Ryder Flynn if I'm not wrong?"
Amazed at how fast he was caught, Ryder didn't deny it. If it was the case, then he didn't mind. He just needed to play with the cards he was dealt.
"And you're Itsuki Yamada, I suppose?" Ryder asked casually as he stopped his disguise. His looks returned to normal.
He was finally looking like his authentic self.
"Hahaha, you came to my office, Mr. Ryder. It would be hard for me to believe that you didn't know about me. Anyway, I was trying to find you myself. I suppose you have some information that I want," Itsuki asked Ryder.
"Let me guess. You want to know about Aluren?" Ryder asked, laughing.
"You're right. I want to know about Aluren. What did you do to him?" Itsuki asked Ryder directly.
" I think I'm the only person in this world who can answer you, but the question is, why should I? I can think about it if you answer one of my questions too," Ryder replied calmly.
If one were to see their discussion, they would have thought that two businessmen were talking and not two enemies.
"Ask me your questions. I'll answer any one," Itsuki answered as he folded his arms.
"How did you know that I'm Ryder Flynn? How did you see through my disguise?" Ryder inquired.
"That? Do you even need to ask that? It's because I sensed the aura of Aluren on you. Moreover, that's not the only aura that I can feel coming from you. So it wasn't hard to guess," Itsuki answered.
"Anyway, Now it's my turn to get an answer," he further said.
"Not yet. I want to know more things first. Only then will I answer. Don't worry; I don't have many questions," Ryder said, smiling.
"Ryder, are you forgetting that you're in my domain? You really think you can force me to do something? At the moment, you're the one who is at my mercy; it's not the other way around," Itsuki warned Ryder. "Be careful with your actions."
"If you think you can, I invite you to stab me or try to kill me. Just know, you won't get your answers ever in that case," Ryder answered without seeming the least bit worried.
"Fine. I'll fulfill your wish," Itsuki let out as a white sword appeared in his hand, which he thrust towards Ryder's chest. Even though a sword was coming towards him, Ryder didn't even flinch.
"You're not afraid of death; it seems," Itsuki muttered as he stopped his sword just a few millimeters away from Ryder's neck.
"Are you afraid of death?" Ryder asked in return. "As the sons of gods, we can't be scared of death, can we?"
"Interesting. So you accept that you're a god-son. Were you here on a hidden trial?" Itsuki asked.
"If you want any answers, answer me first. When I have all my answers, I'll start answering," Ryder answered.
Itsuki stared into Ryder's eyes, which seemed to last for a long time.
"Fine! This once, I'll listen to you. Ask any questions you have," Itsuki ultimately said as he relaxed.
"That's better. So first question, what do you want to do with me? Why are you and Aluren after me?" Ryder asked his first question.
"We aren't after you. We just want to know if you're a god-son. And if yes, then who. That's why Aluren went to meet you. But it doesn't seem like the meeting went well since he's missing," Itsuki muttered as he sighed.
"And what if I didn't tell you about myself? What will you do?" Ryder inquired.
"We'll kill you. It's as simple as that. Either we know about you, and all of us focus on our own trial. Or you die, and we focus on our own trial. In any case, we can't let any uncertainty exist. The trials are very important to all of us," Itsuki told Ryder.
"Who else is hunting for me other than you two?" Ryder asked again.
"No one else at the moment," Itsuki answered. "Anything else?"
"Come on. Keep asking me your questions. You need time for that formation to take action too. If you don't keep me distracted, I might notice it. Ask me your next question," he further said, amused.
Ryder was amazed to hear his words. He knew what Ryder was trying? How?
From the moment Ryder sat down, he kept his hand under the table. That's where he brought out a talisman that he had received from the system. He had just pasted the sticker, but Itsuki already knew?
"Whoever you are, I doubt you know much about me. But those kinds of tricks are useless to me. So can we get over these tricks? You want to kill me? Fight properly like a brave god. And if you don't want to do that, you can keep using the tricks and waste your time," Itsuki further said.
"Anyway, ask your next question."
"What is your trial?" Ryder asked, confused. He remembered hearing about it. The gods were here for their trials. He wanted to know what it was for Itsuki.
"I apologize, but I can't answer that," Itsuki answered as he shook his head.
"Didn't you expect me to tell you about my identity and my trial? You want trust, then you must answer me as well," Ryder retorted. 'If you don't, then don't expect further answers from me as well.'
"Fine! My trial is to become the richest businessman without letting others be suspicious of my extraordinary origin. As a starting point, I was given a few companies. Other than that, I can't use my powers to finish my trial, or I'll fail," Itsuki answered.
"Next question," he continued.
'So they have trials like that? Seriously? To make a top company? What the heck? Are they gods or what?' Ryder thought, amused.
'If one trial was one that, what were the trials for others? Become the best janitor? Becoming a movie actor?'
At first, he thought that their trials were something scheming like something that could destroy the earth, but only now did he know how wrong he was. He had seriously overestimated their trials.
"If there are no more questions, then I suppose I can start asking?" Itsuki asked.
"No. I have more questions," Ryder chimed in. "Tell me, how did you know about the trick I was pulling a few moments ago?"
Hearing the question, Itsuki took a deep breath. "Now you're just asking nonsensical questions. You aren't really going to answer me, are you?"
"Not until I'm fully satisfied with all the answers I want," Ryder replied.
" I think we won't go anywhere like that. Let me try a different approach then," Itsuki let out, feeling frustrated now.
"Bring her in!" He said loudly.
As soon as he commanded, the door of the office opened as a few guards stepped inside with Alice, whose hands were tied. Her mouth was also tied.
"Alice?" Ryder exclaimed in shock as he stood up.
"Sir down, Mr. Ryder. I know you care for her. If you step closer to her, she'll be dead," Itsuki said sharply when Ryder had only taken one step towards Alice.
"You really had to go there?" Ryder asked Itsuki as he clenched his fist and walked back to his seat.
"Of course. That's not all. I have more surprise for you," Itsuki said as he again pointed towards the door. "Send him inside too."
As soon as his words left his lips, more guards stepped inside.
Ryder again glanced back to see that it was also a person he knew! They had brought Shu inside.
Shu's hands were also tied, just like his mouth.
As Ryder saw Shu, he became stunned. It was possible for them to get Alice since she was here, but how did they get Shu?
Kidnapping Shu and bringing him to Japan was impossible in two days?
But then again, it was a god-son. Maybe he had other means, Ryder thought.
"So you're going after mortals to blackmail me?" Ryder inquired.
" Of course. Since you don't answer what I ask normally, I can only place this card on the table. Two questions. I'll only ask two questions, and as long as you tell the truth, I'll free both of them. Think carefully. One answer for one life," Itsuki said, laughing.
"First question for the life of your friend. What happened to Aluren?" He asked.
"That question? The answer is simple. Death happened to Aluren. He should already be in hell by now, but if you leave now, you might be able to catch him on the way to hell. Just say the word, and I'll help you. You won't even need to thank me," Ryder replied.
"Oh? You killed Aluren? You mustn't be weak then," Itsuki muttered, but he didn't seem shocked to hear about Aluren's death. It seemed like it was what he already expected.
"Next and the main question. Who actually are you? Which god is your father?" he asked.