Noticing Kuhouin Arisa's behavior, anyone could see she had no intention of honoring her promise.
Frieren: "Oh my, is that person planning to renege on the deal?"
Sui: "Looks that way."
Tōru: "Hmm, such a cunning human, daring to scheme before Rei Ao—hateful. Just crush her flat with one slap!"
Misaka Mikoto: "I'm really curious. If it's a deal not made via the chat group and the other party refuses to pay, how do we handle it?"
Busujima Saeko: "Indeed, this kind of thing is a first."
Akame: "If it's just a verbal agreement, it's easy for people to look for loopholes."
Stella: "@Rei Ao, so right now you're getting the short end?"
Rei Ao: "What are you thinking? There's no one who can make me lose out."
Yukinoshita Yukino: "Then what do you plan to do?"
Rei Ao: "Obviously, I'll revert everything to before the deal. Then this trade never happened."
Misaka Mikoto: "Huh?"
Seeing the change in Rei Ao's expression, Kuhouin Arisa stiffened.
She hastily promised, "I can offer you the entire support of the Kuhouin Group. You also have a method of curing people infected with the Apocalypse Virus. If we collaborate, the Group can build you into a perfect savior."
At this point, she was still thinking of leveraging Rei Ao's unknown cure for profit.
Understandable, as she was an heiress raised in a major conglomerate, naturally aware of the huge benefits that curing the virus could bring. But, oh dear, she was talking to Rei Ao, who had no interest in this world's fame or fortune.
"Sorry, it's too late."
Rei Ao raised one finger to her lips, making a "shh" gesture.
"Since you don't want to keep your promise, we'll just revert everything back to the original state. Don't say too much."
"Revert…to the original state?"
Turning over that phrase, Kuhouin Arisa wasn't sure what he meant. Her confusion lasted only a moment.
"Ugh!!!"
A familiar, intense pain in her chest made her grunt.
"K-Kuhouin-kaichou, y-your body!"
The girl beside her cried out in alarm. Feeling something was wrong, Arisa looked down hastily.
Rip!!!
Her clothing tore apart.
She now stared in horror. The thing ripping her clothes was…a cluster of purple crystals.
"Am… I crystallizing again?!"
That thought flitted through her mind, and she lost all strength, slumping forward.
Rei Ao helpfully supported her with his right hand and explained, "Since the deal failed, everything returns to the original state. I've restored the virus in your body—whether you live or die is up to you."
"!!!"
Kuhouin Arisa was stunned. She'd never imagined that, after being cured once, the virus would relapse so abruptly, re-crystallizing at high speed. At once she understood what Rei Ao had meant by "reverting to the original state." Indeed…literally returning it to how it was before.
Hiiragi Shinoa: "Tsk, so that's it—she's re-infected and having symptoms again, so basically the deal never happened."
Frieren: "Rei Ao, truly you live up to yourself."
Shiba Miyuki: "While that virus is terrifying, and that person obviously needs to learn a lesson, extorting and threatening your lifesaver is extremely offensive."
Even the gentle-hearted Miyuki firmly sided with Rei Ao.
Stella: "Tsk, she has no sense of gratitude—then so be it."
"How…did it come to this…?"
Feeling weak, struggling even to breathe, Kuhouin Arisa hadn't foreseen such an outcome at all. It was completely beyond her control. She'd assumed that by flaunting her status, she'd force him to cooperate. Who could've expected Rei Ao's methods to be beyond her comprehension?
"You— come over and hold her. At least let her be comfortable in her final moments."
"Ah?"
The girl nearby was dazed by this bizarre situation, but quickly gathered herself and ran up to support Kuhouin Arisa, whose frantic crystallization was escalating. Seeing Arisa's face overtaken by panic, the girl pursed her lips and pleaded, "Excuse me, Rei Ao-san—can't you save her?"
"You saw it yourself. We agreed on a deal beforehand, and she's unwilling to fulfill it, so I'm naturally canceling it. Don't mistake me for some good Samaritan."
"… …"
The girl couldn't argue. Everything had transpired right before her, each detail plain to see. Naturally, she understood Kuhouin Arisa had broken her promise first. Even if Rei Ao's terms had been unusual, Kuhouin Arisa had accepted them beforehand. Under such circumstances, there was little more to say.
Rei Ao gave the girl a glance.
"Instead of worrying about her, maybe worry about yourself. You're infected too, aren't you?"
"… …"
Instinctively, the girl clutched her right hand—sometime earlier, she'd bandaged her palm. While giving first aid to Arisa, her hand had been cut by the crystals, triggering genetic resonance. Now little crystals were growing in her palm.
"S-save me!"
Kuhouin Arisa pleaded in a trembling voice. Facing death once more, she was terrified. She didn't want to die! With the crystallization spreading so fast, only Rei Ao could save her. This time she swallowed her pride, begging:
She sank to her knees. Gazing down at her, Rei Ao wore a faintly amused expression.
"You yourself just refused the terms of our trade. Now what?"
"I'm sorry, it was my mistake! Please forgive me!!!"
Tears of regret trickled down her cheeks. Experiencing that agonizing crystallization again, she regretted everything profoundly.
Rei Ao crouched before her, gripping her chin to examine her. Quietly, he said, "Of all the trades I've ever made, you're the only one who dared haggle after the deal was set."
Hearing that, Kuhouin Arisa's body trembled. She blurted, "I was wrong—I'll pay everything; I'll uphold my promise. Please, save me!"
"Tsk."
Rei Ao turned to ask the nearby girl, "What do you think? Should I give her another chance?"
"Menjou…!!"
Kuhouin Arisa rasped out the girl's name, her throat and face already sprouting crystals.
~~~
700 Powerstone Bonus Chapter!