Alchemists do not need self-cultivation

"Katong Jade Tree?"

This person was indeed acquainted with Rentaro Satomi, but for Isaac, that was the only memory he had.

"It's really heartbreaking that I thought about it for so long."

"It's good enough that I can remember it. My brain capacity isn't big enough to require memorizing the name of someone as insignificant as you."

"That's a really harsh statement." Veins popped out on Katagiri Tamaki's forehead.

"What do you need me for?"

“Well…” His momentum weakened slightly, “I’ve heard some rumors that the monolith is about to collapse, and you’re looking for support troops.”

"Yes, they're very well-informed."

However, Isaac has only found Hiruko Kagetane so far; the others are too weak to be considered.

“I think I can help you,” Katagiri Tamaki said with a smile.

“You?” Isaac glanced at the person in front of him. “The number of Gastrea this time is roughly two thousand.”

"Two...two thousand!?"

He was clearly shocked by the number.

But then he looked at Isaac's expression: "You don't seem worried at all."

“Nothing to worry about, it’s only two thousand,” Isaac said. “You can team up with me if you want, but that depends on your skills.”

"Work ability?"

"The number of completed commissions, IP ranking, reputation among clients, etc."

"We're not selecting salespeople anymore, shouldn't we be looking at their abilities at a time like this?"

“Strength…” Isaac stared at Katagiri Tamaki for a moment, then shook his head.

"Hey! What do you mean? You look so disappointed."

"Go home, wash up, and go to bed. I'd be more useful bringing a piece of char siu than bringing you!"

"Wow! That's absolutely infuriating! Let's have a contest if you dare!" Katagiri Tamaki was furious.

"Oh? Let's have a competition?"

Isaac's aura suddenly surged, and this terrifying aura made Katagiri Tamaki realize that this might not be the Satomi Rentaro he knew.

Chapter 288: A Brief Battle

The alleyway, filled with the smell of mildew, was covered with dark, sticky grease and rust.

Katagiri Tamaki led the two to a dilapidated building.

The walls, which should have been white, have been severely discolored and covered in a bunch of messy graffiti.

Looking around, all that could be seen in front of this dilapidated building was a sign that read "Katagiri Civil Security Company".

As the group entered, they were immediately overwhelmed by the nauseating stench. While every household has its own unique smell, the smell of the Katagiri Civil Security Company was like a rag that had been used to wipe milk and left to dry without being washed.

Empty containers of instant noodles and junk food were scattered throughout the living room. Clothes were carelessly tossed aside on potted plants hanging from the ceiling, and there was a mountain of comic book magazines. The utter mess suggested it was deliberately created to annoy visitors.

"Your place is really dilapidated."

"Don't say that, boy. The Tendo Civil Security Company back then wasn't much better," Katagiri Tamaki said nonchalantly. "It's just that recently, thanks to you, it's become a big company. It seems they've even moved their offices to a luxurious location in Tokyo. It's really enviable."

“At least our company used to be clean and tidy, but your place is like a pigsty.”

As the two were talking, a girl's voice came from inside the room.

"Brother, who's here?"

The three turned around and saw a girl who looked to be in her teens standing in front of them.

The girl's outfit was predominantly glossy black, complete with a slave collar and work boots. Her dyed blonde hair was parted and tied up in the middle. Amidst the punk-style attire, only the bright red schoolbag on her back stood out starkly. It seemed she had just returned from school.

Upon seeing Isaac, the girl's expression suddenly fell: "What the heck? It's the perverted Rentaro."

"Who are you, kid?"

"Flower! I am Katagiri Yumie! You idiot!" the girl yelled.

Judging from her name, she and Katagiri Tamaki are siblings, and it must be said that both of them have very strong personalities.

"Hmph, back then you were just a low-ranking police officer with a super low IP ranking, but now you've become the savior of the Tokyo area who defeated the Zodiac. What, you didn't come here just to show off, did you? If so, turn right and get lost, you pervert."

"Would I feel a sense of accomplishment showing off to a bunch of small fry like you?"

Upon hearing this, Katagiri Yumiko immediately erupted in fury: "SHIT! Bro, don't stop me! I'm going to beat him to a pulp!"

"Calm down."

Seeing his younger sister about to rush up and hit someone, Katagiri Tamaki quickly stepped forward and pulled her back.

Ignoring the siblings' bickering, Isaac looked around.

"Judging from your appearance, it seems like you haven't had any business for a long time."

"Stop making fun of me."

“To be honest, I don’t think even the Tendo Civil Security Company would need you,” Isaac said, pointing to Katagiri Tamaki.

He wore black work pants, a field jacket, and honey-colored sunglasses. His hair was dyed blonde, the same color as his sister's, and he accessorized with earrings and fingerless gloves. His muscular physique exuded a corresponding sense of intimidation. The jacket was printed with the vulgar phrase "I am an America."

"Your appearance is subpar. How can your clients feel at ease with your thug-like demeanor?"

"You're more like a salesman than a police officer, boy," Katagiri Tamaki laughed. "Didn't we want to have a competition?"

"Where is it located? Won't your small place be demolished?"

"Of course not, I'm just going home to pick up Yuzuki," Katagiri Tamaki said with a smile. "I've already found a place."

------------

The duel took place at a public gymnasium located very close to the Katagiri Civil Security Company office. However, rather than saying it was booked, it would be more accurate to say that Yushu yelled things like "Get out of here! Kid, go home and play video games!" and other such nonsense, driving away the well-meaning citizens who were exercising.

Having a thug-like face makes things easier.

"Since you are the hero who defeated the Zodiac, you should have no problem dealing with me and the two of us, right?"

"of course."

Isaac and the brother and sister faced off, while Tina watched the situation unfold from the audience.

Although she didn't have a clear understanding of Isaac's strength, she wasn't worried about his safety at all.

From the few words Dr. Rand had once spoken, she learned that Isaac might be a very powerful figure.

Katagiri Tamaki and Katagiri Yuzuki had already assumed their fighting stances. Tamaki had chain-like iron gloves wrapped around his fingerless gloves, and a revolver-like pistol was hanging at his waist.

Isaac stood to the side with his hands in his pockets.

"Don't regret it, boy!!"

The two of them charged forward simultaneously, both feet touching the ground.

Katagiri Yuzuki used his older brother Katagiri Tamaki's shoulder as a springboard to leap up and soar above Isaac, his flight path trailing a dazzling light.

Meanwhile, Katagiri Tamaki charged straight at Isaac, his fists, clad in metal gauntlets, relentlessly swung at him.

Each of his punches was incredibly fast, but Isaac dodged them all.

Isaac did not appear to have any intention of attacking.

After a few seconds of exchange, Katagiri Tamaki hadn't even managed to touch the hem of his clothes.

"Wow, that's impressive! But we're the ones who won. Don't forget there are two of us."

Just then, Isaac suddenly stepped forward and got close to Yushu, smashing his arm away with his right hand, creating an opening in his chest.

"you……"

Without giving him time to react, Isaac spun around rapidly and slammed his shoulder against Isaac's chest.

puff!

The immense impact sent him flying.

"elder brother!"

Katagiri Yuzuki, who was still darting around in the sky, saw her brother fly away and hurriedly turned her attack on Isaac.

Isaac saw her attack and took a step back, only to find himself blocked by something.

The steel wire, more accurately, should be piano wire.

His own feet seemed to be entangled in the invisible piano strings.

At this moment, Katagiri Yuzuki had already rushed up to Isaac.

"Successful!"

Just as she imagined Isaac throwing a punch, she suddenly found that she couldn't move her body.

"Wha...what happened!?"

“It’s a real shame, we were just a little short.” Isaac smiled and held up a ball of thread.

While she was frantically setting up her silk threads in the sky, Isaac had already dealt with them, which was why he didn't attack Katagiri Tamaki at the beginning.

"Tsk!" Gong Yue turned her head away unhappily.

Katagiri Yuki also got up from the ground: "You really hate me, that almost killed me!"

His voice was still very weak; that attack had seriously injured him.

"I've already shown mercy."

“I know that too,” Katagiri Tamaki said helplessly. “Then let’s talk about work. Although I may not become one of your support units, I would still like to hear how you fight against two thousand Gastrea.”

"After all, if the Tokyo area is gone, we're finished too."

Chapter 289: Profit Above All Else

"How do we repel two thousand Gastrea? That's a simple question," Isaac said. "Just charge in and kill as many as you can."

"What you're saying..." Katagiri Tamaki covered his face.

"What I control is not an army, but an auxiliary force consisting of only a few people. I can guarantee that my team will survive and reap rich rewards under my leadership. As for the others, I have no say in them."