I am a former Flame Chasers

The car was filled with a feeling of irony. Not only was Sakura stunned, but even Vil-V, who had been drinking water, found Ryan shameless beyond measure. He had killed all the other team members, beaten them up, threatened them using his sister, and then gave them a way out. This wasn't a scam—it was outright mockery.

"Should I thank you then?" Sakura laughed in anger. What kind of bandit logic was this? It was nothing but bullying using raw power.

Ryan seemed unfazed by the irony and nodded as if it were obvious: "Of course, you should thank me. There's no such thing as justice or evil in killing. Should I thank you for not killing me?"

Sakura froze. There was some truth in what he said. In the world of killers, it was either you kill me or I kill you. If the roles were reversed, this person would have been dead long ago.

Wait, something doesn't seem right...

Sakura suddenly felt confused. She thought of herself as the victim, but there was nothing wrong with Ryan's actions—he really had been merciful.

"No, it's you who caused me to end up like this. The Cocoon will definitely think I'm a traitor, and Rin will be in danger."

"Danger? So I should tie my hands and let myself be killed by someone weaker than me? Do you think that's how things work in this world?"

"Of course not, but…"

Ryan smiled sinisterly and said coldly, "If I were a loser, would you still talk to me so kindly?"

"No, I never waste words when killing people."

"Then why don't you say thank you?"

Sakura's expression froze. She hesitated, then reluctantly said, "Thank you. Thank you…"

Puff.

Vil-V couldn't help but spit out her water, clutching her stomach. She almost rolled over from laughter, but when Ryan shot her a sideways glance, she quickly suppressed it.

The killer seemed calm, yet not very clever. How could a prisoner thank the person who beat them? But logically, there was no problem with it.

No, no, I need to think this through and not be as foolish as she is.

Ryan smiled, somewhat pleased, but quickly composed himself. He didn't want to turn into someone like Ah Ha, always seeking amusement.

"Ahem. Would you like to hear how to survive?"

Sakura still felt something was off, but the suggestion of a way out distracted her. She nodded slightly.

Since things had come this far and there was no turning back, listening was the only option. At least she could keep her bell alive.

"You don't need me to remind you. You know this is an internal struggle among the Fire Moth Chasers, a power play among the bigwigs."

"Yes," Sakura replied. She wasn't naïve and had seen plenty of dirty games in her time.

"So, the Cocoon is just a tool. In a confrontation between powerful people, no one can predict the outcome. You're at risk of being abandoned. Don't deny it—you're not one of the discarded, but if you keep doing dirty work, you'll be cast aside sooner or later. Don't forget, Rin is your lifeblood. He's much easier to control than other killers."

Sakura gritted her teeth. What Ryan had just said echoed her worries. Even if the Cocoon gave her an impossible task, she had no choice but to do it.

"So, your fates are tied together. If you die, they'll kill Rin as well, just to be safe. Even if they suddenly grow a conscience, do you think the world will let an ordinary girl like her live in peace?"

Ryan's words struck deep, causing Sakura's fists to tremble as they rested on her knees. She knew the world order was collapsing. The very meaning of order was to protect the weak. In this chaotic, lawless darkness, what would happen to a powerless girl?

It was terrifying just to think about it.

"Yes, so I must not die," Sakura said, nodding firmly.

"Then you should thank me properly," Ryan replied.

Sakura took a deep breath, sitting up straighter. Her voice was steady as she said, "Thank you."

Puff.

Vil-V couldn't hold it anymore. She almost choked with laughter, but Ryan shot her another glance. Reluctantly, she crawled back to the front seat, burying her face in her arms.

"I can't take it anymore. I'm going to die from laughing," Vil-V whispered, trying to contain herself.

Ryan nodded calmly. He wanted to laugh too but held it in for the sake of the moment. He wasn't going to let this situation become a joke.

"Now, do you want to hear the way out?"

Sakura, her expression cold and serious, replied, "Go ahead."

She didn't know why, but something about what Ryan said seemed right to her.

"Since you know this is a power struggle within the Fire Moths, saving both your life and Rin's is simple. Just pick the winning side, and it's done."

"And who is the winner?"

"Of course, it's me," Ryan answered with confidence.

Sakura paused, dazed for a moment. Then, it hit her. The man in front of her had the strength to back up his words. He had no need to deceive her.

If he wanted, he could easily end her life with a wave of his hand. It wasn't just his strength; it was the unshakable confidence that was convincing.

Since he had discovered her identity, it meant he had been planning for this. With the combination of wisdom and power, could the other Congressmen really stand against him?

"What do I need to do?"

"You don't need to do anything. Just think it through now."

"You're right. If we want to survive this, we can only side with the winner and eliminate those who hired the Cocoon. That's the only way Rin and I can stay safe."

Sakura's eyes were cold, her tone decisive and ruthless. It made perfect sense, and it aligned with the killer's values: the winner survives, and the loser dies.

"Good answer. Stand with me, and that's your only option. You won't be able to explain why you survived if you go back. Even if you run, you and your sisters will die." Ryan's voice was cold, offering no trace of emotion.

"Now, back to the question earlier. I let you survive because I wanted to. You don't have to do anything. In other words, whether you're there or not doesn't matter to the situation."

Ryan's confidence was unshakable, but no one dared call him overconfident. His calm indifference inspired Sakura's warrior spirit, and her tone turned colder.

"But I hate being given favors, and I dislike being indebted even more. I need to do something, even if it's just a small gesture to return the favor."

Hahaha!

Vil-V couldn't contain herself anymore, laughing from the front seat. Sakura raised an eyebrow, drawing her metaphorical sword. "What are you laughing at? I've tolerated you for long enough!"

"Sorry, sorry. I have a high sense of humor, but I just can't help it," Vil-V replied, patting the seat. Fortunately, the car was on autopilot, or it might have veered off the road.

Ryan shot a cold glance at her. He wanted to laugh too but had to suppress it for the sake of the scene. This wasn't the time for jokes.

He needed Sakura's cooperation, at least to bridge the gap from earlier hostility. He wouldn't leave any enemies behind, even if they were the Thirteenth Hero. But he didn't need to be obsequious to get close to others. He was better at using careful logic to outmaneuver his opponents.

"You're all saying we should help, but I've been refusing…" Ryan's faint smile lingered as he thought to himself. He knew Sakura wasn't foolish. This was the only logical path forward, but it also made him seem cold and ruthless.

But he didn't care. This wasn't a place for romantic ideals. As long as this hero proved useful to him, that was enough.

"Okay, now we're on the same side. Don't waste time with this, Sakura. I respect your backbone, but the answer remains the same." Ryan stood up, his expression unchanged.

"As long as you don't become my enemy again, everything else is up to you."

It was both an answer and a warning. Sakura pursed her lips, still unsure how she had managed to survive.

Strength? Charm? She didn't know. All she knew was that if she ever drew her sword against him again, both she and Rin would die.

"So, who are you really?"

Ryan lowered his head, leaning closer. Sakura instinctively leaned back, but then he whispered something in her ear before moving to the front seat.

Sakura watched him, her eyes full of doubt, but they were starting to clear. It seemed that, in an instant, everything had started to make sense to her, and even a hint of respect emerged.

"No girl will ever like you," Vil-V muttered, unable to hold it in anymore.

Ryan wasn't concerned with that. He didn't care about appearances or opinions. He had a mission.

The smile of Mobius flashed through his mind, but he dismissed it with a snort.

"Girls don't need pampering, but some people just fall for my approach."

"Mobius is a weirdo, right? She's not normal… Ouch…"

"Drive the car. At least you have no right to call Mobius weird." Ryan gave Vil-V a firm tap on the head. This funny girl needed to be put in her place.

He glanced at the rearview mirror. The girl was kneeling, her face thoughtful. Ryan watched her for a moment before looking back at the small town ahead.

Time would reveal a person's true character.