"Oh? You actually walked over on your own initiative? After seeing that, you didn't run away, but walked straight toward me instead?"
Wu Xuan looked at the middle-aged man with great interest. He glanced at the name on the business card—Giran—before casually flicking it aside like trash.
Giran's expression didn't waver; he maintained his sleazy, professional smile. "Actually, I've been observing you from the shadows for quite some time. I thought I'd offer a friendly reminder: the police and more than a few Pro Heroes already have their eyes on you."
"What's your angle, bastard?" Wu Xuan's gaze sharpened.
The only reason he had been able to use these thugs as live target practice was the unspoken rule of the underworld: criminals don't call the cops. But as the saying goes, if you walk by the river often enough, you're bound to get your shoes wet. It was impossible for someone with a Quirk as flashy as [The World] to go completely unnoticed after so many "incidents." Detective Tsukauchi had been sniffing around his trail more than once.
"No, no, please don't misunderstand. I have no intention of reporting a talented young man like yourself. I'm simply a businessman who appreciates high-quality goods," Giran stroked his chin and chuckled dryly. "This isn't the best place to discuss 'opportunities.' Why don't we head to a bar I frequent? It's my territory—much more private."
Wu Xuan remained silent for a few seconds. He retracted [The World] into his body, tilted his head, and signaled for Giran to lead the way.
Under the terrified gazes of the surviving thugs lining the street, the two disappeared into the deeper, darker corners of the district.
The Basement of an Abandoned Building.
Giran opened a heavy steel door, revealing a hidden bar that stood in stark contrast to the decay outside. It wasn't opulent, but it was clean, well-stocked, and designed with a sophisticated, underground aesthetic.
"Care for a drink?" Giran stepped behind the counter.
"The most expensive one you've got," Wu Xuan replied, taking a stool.
"My, what an impolite guest." Giran pulled a bottle of aged whiskey from the top shelf, poured two glasses, and slid one across.
"My guess is that you've been hunting these bottom-feeders because they're too afraid of the law to report you, right?" Giran asked, swirling his glass.
"You've got a good eye." Wu Xuan didn't bother savoring the expensive spirit; he downed half the glass in one go, causing Giran's eyelid to twitch at the waste of fine liquor.
"It wasn't a hard guess. But based on what I saw today, your power has hit a ceiling. You need stronger 'test subjects' to keep growing, don't you?" Giran leaned forward. "The problem is, in All Might's era, the real monsters are terrified. Even those with power stay in the shadows, committing crimes where no one can see. They aren't easy to find on a street corner."
"Get to the point." Wu Xuan finished his drink.
"I have two options for you," Giran held up a finger. "First: I know a very... ambitious organization. They are planning a large-scale assault on society. Their targets are Heroes—even the Number One himself, All Might. Heroes make much better practice partners than street thugs. If you're interested, I can make the introduction."
Giran let out a low laugh. The League of Villains.
Wu Xuan listened, his expression turning to one of visible disdain. "Hide underground like rats, afraid to bask in the sunlight? How boring."
Wu Xuan pursued power, but he also pursued the high life. He had no intention of becoming a social pariah like Toga, unable to walk down a bright street without a mask.
Giran smirked. "Careful. Their leader has quite the temper. If he heard that, he'd likely throw a tantrum." He held up a second finger. "Second option: I can act as your personal scout. I have access to a vast network of criminal intelligence. I can find the 'skilled' partners you're looking for and sell you their locations. For a small commission, of course."
"I doubt your 'small commission' is anything of the sort," Wu Xuan sneered.
"Well, acting as a middleman for a predator like you is a high-risk job. Naturally, the fee reflects the danger." Giran placed a fresh business card on the bar and slid it toward him. "This one has my private number."
"...Interesting." After a moment of silence, Wu Xuan didn't toss this card away. He tucked it into his pocket.
"Just one thing," Giran asked, his eyes glinting with curiosity. "What do you plan to do with these people once you're done 'practicing' with them?"
"I let them go, obviously."
If he killed them or left them for the police, he'd create a paper trail that led straight back to him. So far, Wu Xuan had been careful to stop just short of permanent damage or legal intervention.
"A smart move. It's going to be a pleasure doing business with you." Giran grinned, revealing his stained and missing teeth. It was a hideous sight, but Wu Xuan met it with a faint, cold smile of his own.
The ten months before U.A. began were starting to look a lot more promising.
A single relevant follow-up question:
Do you think Wu Xuan should use Giran's intel to target a specific lower-level villain to test his current limits, or should he wait for Giran to bring him a high-stakes "opportunity"?