Kurokawa looked at me with keen interest. "Oh? Then, Mr., why don't you tell me—what's your way to make money?"

I smiled and nodded. "I wonder, Mr. Kurokawa, do you believe in foreseeing the future?"

"Foreseeing the future?" Kurokawa laughed heartily, probably thinking I was just a kid who hadn't outgrown his edgy teenage phase. "If you want me to believe you, prove it."

I nodded. "Fair enough. Let me show a simple trick. In a few minutes, your phone will ring. And judging by your furious reaction, it won't be good news."

Actually, my Time Ability couldn't directly alter the future. What I called "foreseeing the future" was just me using Time Travel to return to the present and tweak the past a little—like memorizing exam answers or buying that month's winning lottery ticket.

I watched Kurokawa quietly with a lazy smile. Right on cue, his phone rang. He pulled it out. "What?! You bastards, fix this now, or I'll make you regret it!"

The confirmed future shocked everyone. Kurokawa looked at me with great appreciation. "Very good, kid. You've got potential. Join me."

"And what's in it for me?" An ordinary person would've accepted already—for the safety guarantee alone.

Kurokawa was slightly taken aback. "Benefit? Staying alive is the biggest one."

I glanced at him. "Sorry, but I don't think anyone here can threaten my life." It was a show-off line. Many liked playing weak to catch the strong off guard, but I'd always hated trouble.

Right now, I just wanted to return to China, settle things, and get back to Nana and the others. I acted on my thoughts.

Kurokawa seemed embarrassed by my disdain. He pulled out an exquisitely crafted silver pistol. "Kid, are you truly unafraid of death?" The barrel was mere centimeters from me. Before I could react, the other hostages screamed.

But I'd long lost fear. "If you think shooting solves problems, be my guest." I stared wide-eyed at him, my gaze without a trace of unease.

Kurokawa suddenly burst into laughter and holstered his pistol. "I admire those unafraid of death. Fine. If you won't join us, we'll cooperate."

"Cooperate?" I looked at him doubtfully.

"Exactly. You want to return to China, right? But this island's surrounded by sea for hundreds of miles. Alone, kid? You can't manage it."

He had a point. Even if I wouldn't drown, crossing the sea might wash me up anywhere. "So what do you need?"

Satisfied with my compromise, Kurokawa nodded. "As you saw, I got a call. Some men refuse my orders and plan to betray me. I need your future-seeing ability to defeat them. In return, I'll send you back to China. But if those desperate traitors win, none of us leave alive."

"Settled. Lead the way." I walked straight toward the clock tower exit.

"Wait! Little brother, save me too!"

"Yeah, yeah!"

"Take me with you!"

Those who'd doubted me earlier changed their attitudes instantly, flattering me desperately.

I turned to them. "I have no reason to save you."

The handsome man who'd first doubted me now wore a flattering smile. "Friend, help me, and I'll give you lots of money."

Money meant little to me. "Sorry, but I'm not lacking in that department."

He stepped back awkwardly. Then a suited man stepped forward. "Kid, I have a daughter your age. Let me introduce her—you'd be family."

*Uncle, you'd sell your daughter for your life?* "Sorry, skip that. My romantic life's messy enough already." I turned away without looking back.

"Wait!" A middle-aged woman's voice stopped me. "Little brother, I don't beg for myself. Just take my daughter back! Please!" She was the noblewoman in purple—the one who'd held Yumiko earlier, her mother.

Yumiko looked resistant at her mother. "Mom! Don't say that. We'll get back safely together."

Yumiko's mother stared sternly. "Child, listen. This young man is trustworthy; he'll help you."

"I don't want to!" Yumiko clung tightly to her mother.

*Hey, I haven't agreed yet, and you're acting out a deathbed scene? But like this, how can I refuse?*

After the noblewoman whispered in Yumiko's ear, Yumiko reluctantly decided. I looked at Kurokawa, seeking permission. "Can I bring her?"

Kurokawa smiled slightly. "For a partner, reasonable requests are always granted."

"Thanks." My tone held no gratitude.

Yumiko followed me timidly. Outside seemed calm—just Kurokawa's four men and a few maids. Then the maids pulled submachine guns from under the food cart. I realized my naivety; they were professionally trained.

Just stepping out, I sensed a threat. Under Time Deceleration, I saw a sniper bullet. Without thinking, I threw my mint candy jar. It hit the bullet, deflecting it. "Fall back! Sniper outside!"

I said it for Yumiko. The others? I had no urge to save them. Even if they died, the remaining hijackers couldn't touch me.

Kurokawa looked at me approvingly. "So you're an Ability User. No wonder you're fearless."

I was slightly surprised he knew of Ability Users. But it wasn't a total secret—people with status learned of it. Normal.

I glanced out the window. "I'll reveal enemy positions. Handle it yourselves. Sniper in the flower bed directly opposite the entrance, five hundred meters out. Two machine gunners: northeast balcony and southeast pool house. Only three nearby."

Let them handle the fighting. Kurokawa's men eyed me doubtfully, but his trust sufficed. "Follow his orders. The kid has no reason to lie."

This guy had a decent personality. And I truly had no reason to deceive him. If he failed, I'd just deal with the trouble myself.