A gift for Ran Jiuyi

“Half of my brain tissue?”

Ran Jiuyi was livid. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Last time, ripping out my entire spine wasn’t enough? Now you want half my brain?”

“Why not?” Cheng Ya countered smoothly. “The last time we fought, I scrambled your brains into a slurry, and you didn’t seem to die then. This is just half your brain tissue; for you, it’ll only take a few days to recover.”

“Besides, this is a vital sample for the next stage of my research. According to my data, we can catalyze each other’s evolution. Don’t you want to become even stronger?”

Ran Jiuyi fell silent. Her emotions screamed at her not to cooperate with a freak like Cheng Ya, but her logic whispered that since she had already come this far, there was no harm in continuing.

Watching the silent Ran Jiuyi, Cheng Ya calmly sipped her coffee. She was certain that Jiuyi, having already tasted the sweetness of power, would not refuse.

Sure enough, after a heavy sigh, Ran Jiuyi relented. “Fine. If you want it, I’ll give it to you later. But we settle the other business first.”

“Of course, of course. A wise decision,” Cheng Ya clapped. “Then let us begin with these vials.”

As she spoke, Cheng Ya produced a set of high-tech instruments from seemingly nowhere. She began inspecting the five vials Jiuyi had brought back.

A moment later, Cheng Ya spoke: “Intriguing. All five are the real deal. You’re certain the other two were used?”

“Positive. The cops took the bodies of the two guys who used them. Shouldn’t be hard to find if you’re looking.”

“Indeed. That complicates things. Why were there five intact vials? Did Ken reclaim them after the trade, or…”

Cheng Ya trailed off, but Ran Jiuyi knew what she meant. “Want to post a new commission? For the record, the werewolf Ken coming to this city wasn’t a coincidence.”

“No need. This isn’t worth bothering you over. I’ll send my subordinates to investigate; they’re idle enough as it is. Speaking of Ken, what did you do with him?”

At the mention of the werewolf, Ran Jiuyi replied flatly, “Killed him.”

“I see. That works.”

Cheng Ya showed no emotion at the news of Ken’s death, merely offering a distracted nod.

“Tch, how boring,” Jiuyi muttered. “Shouldn’t you be angry that I took out your precious experimental subject?”

“Oh? Then let me ask: did he die painfully?”

“No. I made it quick. Though I did break all four of his limbs before that.”

“Then that was a mercy,” Cheng Ya said. “Had he returned to me, he would have found life much worse than death. To him, suffering was far more terrifying than the grave.”

Ran Jiuyi remarked, “Fair point. I actually thought you’d leave him a way out.”

“A way out? Ha. In this world, there was never a path for him.”

Cheng Ya continued, “Do you know why he was called ‘Ken the Werewolf’?”

Ran Jiuyi thought for a moment. “To highlight the fact that he was a werewolf?”

Cheng Ya shook her head. “No. It was to make him believe he was a werewolf. It was to fulfill his wish—or rather, the wish of the person he used to be.”

“However, reality is cruel. No matter the modifications, he was merely a ‘transcendent’ who looked like a wolf. If the true werewolves ever discovered a hybrid abomination like him existed, what do you think they would do?”

Ran Jiuyi recalled the werewolves she had encountered. “Those fanatics obsess over blood purity. They can’t even stand half-breeds. If they saw a freak like Ken, they’d probably tear him apart on sight.”

“Exactly.” Cheng Ya nodded. “Ken’s only home was the Institute. I told him this, yet he still betrayed us. The Institute never shows mercy to traitors. From the moment he fled, he was a dead man walking.”

“It’s a pity. The original Ken was a kind, sensible child. Unfortunately, after my modifications, his heart was corrupted by power. He became nothing more than a dull, wicked creature.”

“Had I known, I wouldn’t have modified him. Perhaps he’d still be alive.”

Ran Jiuyi replied, “Pity there are no ‘what-ifs’ in life, and no way to chase down past mistakes. Anyway, my mission is complete. My payment—how much are you giving me?”

“Twenty million. Fifteen million of that is an extra bonus for hunting down Ken.”

Ran Jiuyi nodded, satisfied. She had expected seven and a half million at best.

“Good. Get the money to me as soon as possible. As for half my brain… we’ll find a different place to perform the extraction.”

As Jiuyi rose to leave, Cheng Ya called out, stopping her. “Wait. There’s one more thing.”

“What now?” Ran Jiuyi asked impatiently.

“Remember what I told you? I have a special ‘grand gift’ for you.”

“I remember. So?”

Just then, a vibration thrummed against Ran Jiuyi’s neck—a call from Chiffoli.

Cheng Ya smiled. “Aren’t you going to answer that?”

“I don’t need you to tell me.”

Scanning the room—nobody was watching—Ran Jiuyi picked up a steak knife. With practiced ease, she cut the signal receiver out from her neck, wiped away the blood, and attached it to her phone.

“What is it, Chiffoli? Something wrong?”

Chiffoli’s voice came through the line: “I should be asking you that. Did you do something ‘heroic’ recently?”

“Huh? No.”

“Then it’s strange. As of today, every international arrest warrant out for you has been rescinded.”

The unexpected news made Ran Jiuyi’s eyes widen. She looked at Cheng Ya, who was watching her with a knowing smile.

Ignoring Cheng Ya for the moment, Jiuyi pressed Chiffoli, “You’re sure? Worldwide?”

“Positive. I was shocked when I got the ping, so I did a deep dive. Every nation and organization that had a bounty on your head has pulled it. I haven’t cleared the ‘why’ yet, but word is it involves the Institute.”

“So, Jiuyi, I’m asking you seriously: Did you cut a deal with them?”

Looking at Cheng Ya, Jiuyi hesitated for a second before saying, “Yes. A deal I’m not sure is good or bad. They didn’t exactly give me a choice. But from the look of things, it’s not a bad result. Don’t investigate this any further, Chiffoli. Don’t get involved.”

“…Are you sure? You really don’t need me?”

Even across the distance, Jiuyi could picture Chiffoli’s stern expression. She knew her partner would never approve of trading with a shadow entity like the Institute.

“I know, Chiffoli. I know you’re worried. But this time, I really don’t need you to do anything.”

“Why? If you want me to stay out of it, give me a reason.”

Ran Jiuyi sighed. “Let me ask you this: Could you have pulled off something like this?”

“…I could try. But I couldn’t guarantee success.”

Jiuyi knew “try” meant Chiffoli would give it her everything.

“But for the Institute, this was just a ‘gift’ for me,” Jiuyi said. “I don’t know what leverage they used, but it’s clear this was a trivial matter for them.”

“So, Chiffoli, I’m asking you—please. Don’t touch this.”

After a long silence, Chiffoli responded, “Understood. Take care of yourself. Contact me if you need anything.”

“Wait, don’t hang up yet. I forgot to tell you—I mentioned taking a vacation after this job. I’ve decided to spend it in the New Joint Alliance.”

“…Is this because of that guy Meng Shan? And those three Magical Girls?”

“Yeah. You knew?”

“I had a feeling. I don’t even know what to say to you anymore.” Chiffoli sighed. “Anyway, that’s all for now. Stay healthy. Bye.”

After stowing the communicator, Ran Jiuyi turned to Cheng Ya. “How did you get the warrants dropped?”

Cheng Ya chuckled. “Simple. I threatened to cut off a certain piece of technical support. The government higher-ups fell in line immediately.”

“What technology?”

“Life-extension. It’s something they beg the Institute for. It adds three to five years to a lifespan, low cost, very effective.”

Ran Jiuyi frowned. She had heard of such technology—a luxury for the elite—but she had never heard it was linked to the Institute.

“The colleague who developed that tech is a good friend of mine,” Cheng Ya continued. “I used her name to negotiate with the various governments, and they collectively agreed to clear your name.”

“Though, government efficiency is truly pathetic. This was settled two weeks ago, and they’re only just announcing it. No matter.”

“You can head back now. I’ve prepared gifts for those new friends of yours, too. Nothing expensive, just exactly what they currently need.”