The car stopped next to a five star hotel. Conquest stepped out and pulled the fur coat tight around her body. The snow wasn't falling too hard but the cold still cut through her fur coat and seeped into the thin hospital gown underneath.
A sneeze tore out of her, loud enough to make both Kamui and the driver flinch. They looked at her with visible disgust.
But what was she supposed to do? Hold it in?
She ignored them and ran inside the lobby.
Once inside she took a deep breath. The lobby carried a strong ocean-like scent that instantly put her at ease. However, there was still one thought she couldn't shake.
The lobby felt eerily empty. There were no guests or staff around, and even the reception desk was empty. The clock on the wall read four o'clock in the afternoon. Yet somehow the place felt deserted.
It was definitely strange but she ignored it. For now she needed to focus on the fact that she was about to meet the Yakuza boss. And if she was being honest with herself the thought alone left a bitter taste in her mouth.
These were the kind of people who poisoned cities from the inside. Plus, corruption and blood followed wherever they went. It only made sense that associating herself with them would be a terrible idea, as it went against every principle she held.
At the very least she would hear them out. Not for their sake but for her own. They had known about the Deathmark amulets for some time and Kamui had mentioned Azazel by name. These were not things ordinary criminals stumbled upon.
Someone in this organization had knowledge that connected directly to her past, to the fragmented memories she still couldn't piece together.
If sitting across from a Yakuza boss was what it took to fill in those gaps then she would swallow her pride long enough to listen.
Kamui signaled for her to move with a flick of his hand. She rolled her eyes but followed.
They entered the elevator and she noticed the panel went up to ninety floors. Kamui pressed the button for the top floor. Behind him, the demon strapped to his back kept jerking its head side to side, the rope creaking with each movement. Kamui gritted his teeth, his jaw tightening with every jerk.
Conquest put a hand over her mouth to hide her laughter.
"Are you gonna do something about him?"
Kamui turned to her, anger flashing across his face. He unsheathed his katana and smacked the demon on his head with the bottom of the hilt. The demon's eyes rolled to the back of its head.
"That's one way to handle it." She said,
Kamui sheathed his katana while avoiding eye contact.
The elevator doors opened and they made their way to room 500. Kamui was about to knock when she heard loud sobs and glass shattering from behind the door.
Before his fist could make contact, the door slammed open and a fat man came flying out. His body hit the corridor wall and he went limp on impact. A black bag covered his face and blood soaked through his white shirt and brown baggy pants.
Conquest's eyes went wide.
What… What kind of people am I about to sit down with?!
A towering man appeared at the doorway, well over eight feet tall, his face hidden by the door frame. He was shirtless and wore tight blue jeans, his body so ridiculously muscular he looked more like a tank than a human.
She couldn't help but stare. She had always admired strong individuals. People like the Sorcerer King, who didn't just look powerful but was known as the strongest sorcerer alive.
Even though she had never met him face to face and was only relying on Yuki's memories, it didn't change the fact that tall, powerful looking men drew her attention whether she wanted them to or not.
The large man bent down to reveal his face. Conquest's eyes widened as she slapped a hand over her mouth, fighting the urge to vomit.
His face was covered in large pimples oozing green pus, most likely infected, and his tongue hung out to one side while both eyes pointed in opposite directions.
"C-come, boss coming out soon bathroom."
Conquest wore a disgusted look as she entered the room with Kamui. The muscular man might have been mentally ill, judging by the way he spoke, but it didn't change the fact that his physical stats were insane for a human.
They both sat down on the available chairs while the sound of running water came from the washroom. The chamber itself was nothing special.
An average hotel with a king sized bed next to the window, and a washroom with possibly a shower within it. Well, the only surprising thing was the shattered sake bottle on the floor.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Conquest of the Four Horseman. My Name is Liu Han, the boss of the Arakawa family."
An average height man with a lean build stepped out from the washroom with a small towel in his hands. He looked to be of Chinese origin based on his narrowed eyes, something his name only confirmed.
He had medium length hair that parted loosely. He wore a long black overcoat over a dark suit and black tie, with a cream-colored scarf hanging loosely around his neck.
She stared at him with a slightly annoyed expression.
As much as I hate to admit it, he does look kind of cool.
Conquest forced a smile.
"I'd love to say the same but I'd be lying."
"Oh, is that so? And why might that be?"
"Well, for starters, you're all criminals wanted by the police. Second, corruption and lies are all the Yakuza knows. Associating myself with this kind of organization is a disservice to myself and anyone foolish enough to do business with you."
Conquest glanced at the fat man slumped against the corridor wall, the black bag still over his face, unconscious and soaked in his own blood.
"I mean, look at what you've done to this man. How could I sit here and say it's a pleasure to meet you?"
Liu Han sat across from them and crossed one leg over the other, a smirk settling on his face.
"Innocent? What gave you the impression that man was innocent? He killed five children yesterday in a hit and run through a school zone. And once he was caught, he bribed the officer who found him to walk free."
Conquest's eyes widened.
"What?! That's—"
"Evil? Despicable? Demonic?" Liu Han leaned back in his chair. "All of those words would fit that man. However, I do agree that the Yakuza was founded on crime and violence against innocent people. I would also be lying if I said I had never taken an innocent life myself."
He paused, his smirk fading.
"But I try to right my wrongs in whatever way I can. From the shadows of course. Eliminating mass murderers, pedophiles, child killers. The ones the law refuses to touch."
"And what about yourself? Why not right your wrongs by turning yourself in to the authorities? Do the time for the crimes you've committed."
"I would. If it weren't for the fact that I'd get the death penalty, something I believe I don't deserve. In a world where the Japanese judicial system was fair, I'd probably receive a thirty year sentence. I'm thirty-five. I'd be sixty-five when I got out. That wouldn't be too bad. The people under me could still visit, and I could still operate my business from behind bars while helping innocent people on the side."
Conquest narrowed her eyes.
"Did you just say on the side? Meaning your business of corrupting the city somehow makes up for helping the innocent on the side? This is exactly why working with people this delusional is pointless. You're far too self-absorbed to even understand how much harm you cause to people indirectly."
She leaned back in her chair.
"Regardless, I'm done talking about this. Why did you want to see me? Get on with it."
"Now, now, don't be so impatient. Let me at least clear my name first." He adjusted his scarf. "I only own legitimate businesses. A casino named Casino Bar Leje and multiple five star hotels across Kyoto. Actually, the one we're sitting in right now is my latest acquisition."
"Don't care. Didn't ask."
Kamui slapped his hands together, getting Liu Han's attention.
"Can you just start talking? Drop the good and evil nonsense already."
Liu Han raised his hands, a smile spreading across his lips.
"Alright, you got me. Let's talk like adults then. I want to make a deal with you. One that benefits both of us. But before I get into the details, I need to explain what's at stake and why the Arakawa family needs you."
Liu Han cleared his throat and leaned forward, the smile gone from his face.
"Conquest of the Four Horseman, we need your help. Without it, the world as we know it will cease to exist."
Cease to exist? What is he talking about?