"Artwork? Like a tea bowl or something?"
"Mm, something like pots, bowls, bottles, jars, you know. Company directors love that kind of thing—collecting antiques, fragments of prehistoric civilizations. Makes them look cultured.
You understand—at that level, money itself doesn't impress them anymore."
After a whole night of "hospitality," it was time to talk business.
So Shiranui Kiri was packed into a crate and loaded onto the company shuttle. A delivery notice back to Gosha Academy—boom, another six million transferred.
Meanwhile, Li Pan formally discussed the merger case with Saitō Keiko.
Keiko wasn't crazy—she wouldn't dare hand over the Tokugawa family assets wholesale. She only offered a portion of Saitōya shares, maybe some villas to entice the "monster company," securing investment and a patron to weather the crisis.
Li Pan had eaten and taken enough; he promised to put in a good word for her. Still, he hinted: after all, he was just an employee. Proper etiquette meant she ought to prepare some gifts for the real bosses.
Keiko finally breathed easier. So enduring the Forty-Eight Arts with you until my back nearly snapped did pay off… at least I got you talking.
She led him to the storeroom to pick antiques.
Of course, for the Japanese it was all tea sets and utensils—the Oda clan especially loved tea ceremonies. With Oda gone, nobody really cared about the ownership. If anyone did check, well… just burn the warehouse.
As Li Pan wandered, he spotted that jar. Same as the one in his dream—but it didn't feel "disgusting" this time.
Because it's empty…?
Casually, he asked, "Yo, Madam, is this jar yours? It even has a family crest."
Keiko glanced at it, then turned to him, eyes sharp.
"Manager… don't tell me your visit this time was for that jar?"
Li Pan blinked—damn, she was quick.
She sighed.
"I knew it… that one's just a laser-printed fake. The real one, Kiri already took. She's in your custody now—if you want answers, ask her."
Li Pan considered, then didn't bother hiding his intent.
"Madam, your family's run these hot springs for generations. You must know about the elves, right?"
Keiko nodded slowly.
"I've heard. This area once hid an elven village. Later, it was destroyed. That's why I always said 'Fountain of Eternal Youth' is just a gimmick for tourists."
Li Pan pointed at the jar.
"Then don't you wonder—why did a Gosha jōnin insist on working at your inn? Why did she want that jar so badly?"
Keiko stayed silent. Clearly, she knew more, but weighed her words.
Li Pan sweetened the deal:
"Last night you entertained me sincerely—I felt your goodwill. And I saw your proposal; you're not trying to escape, you're trying to preserve your family business.
So here's my offer: whether headquarters approves or not, I've got some pull in Night City. Public Security, Ye Clan, even Hashiba—everyone gives me a little face. A hot spring inn is easy to protect. Whatever trouble comes, I'll handle it. Do you trust me?"
She sighed, leaning against him.
"How could I not trust you, Li-sama? I know exactly how strong Kiri is. Do you think Gosha would pay six million so easily if she weren't?
Whatever you command, I'll comply—only remember me when the time comes."
Damn, this lady really knows how to flatter a man. Li Pan felt the fire rising again, but coughed and straightened:
"Of course! Madam, help me once, and I'll repay you."
So Keiko revealed the family rumors, and what Kiri had confided.
In short: the jar sealed a demon god.
According to elven records excavated near the springs, this jar imprisoned an extradimensional demon. Once exposed to liquid, it would grow infinitely strong, split, parasitize, consume hosts—an entire species, an entire planet, could be dissolved, corrupted, assimilated into a single catastrophe.
The elves had been ordered to seal it. They brought the jar aboard their starship to Earth-0791, suppressing it beneath a volcano, guarding it for generations.
"Sealed under a volcano?"
"Yes. The records say it was buried deep, trapped by rivers of magma. But later, Mount Hakone erupted, reshaping the land and diverting groundwater. That's why these hot springs emerged. Maybe part of the demon god leaked, destroying the village."
She added:
"All of this was Kiri's research. She's sought the jar more than once.
The first time was thirty years ago. I was in high school at Kinyō Academy. During a cultural exchange, I showed photos of our tea ceremonies—one photo included the jar.
Kiri and her classmates begged for summer jobs at my inn. But something happened—nine died. Only Kiri survived.
The scandal ruined our reputation. In desperation, I confronted her. Traumatized, she confessed: she was a Gosha apprentice, part of a genin exam—her first sealing trial. It ended in slaughter.
She begged for the jar. But Takamagahara had ordered it remain in Hakone. Our inn even signed a contract with your company forbidding its removal. So I refused.
Later, Gosha took her back. The jar was never mentioned again."
Keiko even showed Li Pan a photo of the original contract.
"Years passed. The war ended, Onibane disbanded. Kiri became a teacher, a free ninja.
Though she failed that mission, her survival gave her prestige as a sealing-nin. She visited often, working without pay—only to borrow the jar, claiming she needed it for training, channeling its power.
She was skilled, yes, but always under terrible pressure—so in time, knowing her secret, I became her confidante."
Keiko led Li Pan to Kiri's quarters.
The jar was there. The stench was overwhelming—a chamber pot of slime, fluids, dark matter.
Even Li Pan, veteran of junkyard work, gagged. Keiko fled to vomit.
Steeling himself, Li Pan peeked inside.
Chaos—filth, slime, eyes bubbling up like fish gasping for air.
"Oh my holy motherf—ugh!"
Don't tell me the hot springs are filled with this crap…
He shook his head, refusing to dwell further. The eyes vanished; only the thick, revolting sludge remained.
Li Pan stepped out, breathing hard. Keiko's face screamed: Please, just take this thing away.
"I'll report this to the company. Best if you also provide the original contract. If there truly is a volcanic seal, it's safer here.
How about this: I'll draft an outsourcing contract. Saitōya becomes our storage partner. We'll pay maintenance fees, you hold the jar, as before. No reckless moves."
Keiko nodded, though frowned:
"And as before? Meaning… Kiri continues to manage it?"
Li Pan shook his head.
"Absolutely not. Anyone who can swallow that filth is already corrupted.
If the jar contains a will, then she's effectively an apostle. She needs containment.
For now, lock it back in storage. I'll discuss responsibility with Gosha."
Then Li Pan remembered something.
"By the way, Madam, you mentioned Kinyō Academy—was it high school or junior division? The 'Pure Gold' one?"
Keiko smirked.
"My, Manager, you're well informed. Yes, it later became infamous for 'donation admissions.' But back then, it still required exams and interviews. My family wasn't rich, but served the board closely, so I got in. Those heiresses always needed maids. Heh… I still have my school uniform and maid outfit, you know. Would you like to see?"
Li Pan nearly choked. "Ahem! Another time, another time!"
After getting the academy's address, he left via hovercar—delivering Kiri to Gosha first. Six million came first.
"Man… Manager, it's me, Yamazaki. I… I finally climbed Mount Hakone!"
"…Oh, Yamazaki. Listen—I just received intel. There might be an ancient seal under the volcano! This could endanger Night City! Critical mission—go back down, double-check, and send me photos!"
"Y-yes, sir! I'll complete the mission!"
Ahem… six million matters more. I'll send a car for him later.
Soon he met the nine-head-tall Kōga headmistress again.
Today, Principal Kōga Asahime wore a sharp office outfit—short skirt, open blouse, glasses, ponytail, stockings, legs on display. Full OL dominatrix vibe.
She stormed aboard the shuttle, arms crossed, glaring at her jōnin friend vacuum-sealed in rubber. Then she turned her deadly glare on Li Pan.
Li Pan grinned, slapped the bundle—making Kiri shudder wildly.
"What? Isn't this packaging neat? Alive and kicking. Or do you want me to unwrap her first?"
Asahime narrowed her eyes. "Private link. Don't waste my time."
"Oh, money transfer? Hold up—the electronic contract's in process. I'm not paying extra tax. By the way, Principal—know what this is?"
Li Pan pulled out the vase with the slime bag.
"This here? A demon god sealed under Hakone. Imagine it leaking into the sea. And by the way—wasn't sealing demons your ninja faction's job?
Word is, stealing demon power is a capital offense. But guess what—this one crawled out of her! Disgusting! Want the video?"
Asahime trembled. She knew exactly what he meant.
"So tell me, Principal. Your sealing-nin—are they just freeloaders now? Unsealing demons for their own use? Where's your contract spirit, your craftsman's pride, huh?!"
He stepped close. She instinctively backed away.
"You—you bastard…"
"Bastard? Hey! It's Manager Li! Your Gosha ninjas try to assassinate me, I forgive, and even clean up your mess. And you call me 'bastard'? What kind of example is that? Eh, Sensei~~?"
"Ghh…"
Asahime nearly drew her blade. But she gritted her teeth:
"…You're right. Thank you for your help."
Oh, she really apologized. Strange woman—still clinging to duty and honor in this rotten world.
Li Pan beamed. "See? That wasn't hard, Sensei! Why all the killing? Haven't I always returned your people safe? Who else is so generous?
But personal slights aside—public safety can't be brushed off. If word spreads that Gosha unseals demons to empower themselves, endangering Night City, how will the company react? The Committee?"
"…I understand. You're right."
Li Pan grinned. "Good. Now—how much is Gosha's safety worth?"
Asahime's face hardened.
"It is priceless. You are correct, Manager. Shiranui Kiri broke taboo, using demon power. She is guilty beyond pardon.
Though she is my comrade, to protect Gosha and our students, I must make the painful decision.
Shiranui Kiri! As head of Kōga, I hereby expel you from Gosha! From this moment, you are a rogue ninja!"
"…Huh?"
"Hand her to Public Security. Or dismantle her—I don't care. Our monitors recorded her in your custody. Gosha will no longer intervene."
She turned and left.
"W-wait! What the hell—six million! Principal! Price is negotiable! Principal!!"
But she was gone. In heels, yet vanished in a flash.
Li Pan was stunned.
Just like that… six million, gone?
Kiri moaned: "Ooohhh…"
Furious, Li Pan slapped her silly.
"What are you moaning for?! This is all your mess! If you can't pay six million ransom yourself, shut up!"
Kiri: "Oooohh!"
"…Wait. How much money do you have? Six million?"
Panting, drooling, she gasped:
"I… I have… six million. Release me… I'll give you six million…"
Li Pan's smile bloomed.
"Heh. Why didn't you say so earlier? Making me run circles. Deal!"
.
.
.
⚠️ 30 CHAPTERS AHEAD — I'm Not a Cyberpsycho ⚠️
The system says: Kill.Mercs obey. Corporates obey. Monsters obey.One man didn't.
🧠💀 "I'm not a cyberpsycho. I just think... differently."
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