Villain: Ultimate Mutation System in the Alternate World

Chapter 354: Building Connection

"Seki-sama, are you alright?" Nobu's voice cut through the cabin's quiet ambiance, breaking the silence between them.

They sat across from each other in a private train compartment. The steady sound of the train wheels on the tracks created a calming background.

Nobu, dressed in a casual black jacket that hung loosely over his frame, observed Seki with concern.

She, too, wore a black jacket, but hers was more fitted and feminine, designed to be lighter.

Her black hair was pulled back into a bun, held in place by a simple hairpin.

"I'm just thinking about things, Nobu-san," she sighed, staring at the window monitor with a distant, unfocused gaze.

The fake landscape sped past in a blur of colors, a digital illusion meant to lift the mood of the passengers.

But for her, it offered no comfort. Her mind was consumed by the weight of their recent failure.

She had been in a bad mood since they boarded the train, her usual warmth replaced by a heavy silence.

Nobu could sense her internal struggle but chose to wait patiently.

He understood the gravity of their situation—leaving Brentwood without finding any clues about the artifacts was a huge setback.

Seki had wanted to stay longer, hoping that more time might get them some results. But their plans changed abruptly when Reign sent an urgent message warning them to escape immediately.

The message had been clear: the city was on the brink of destruction.

Given Reign's known power and the rumors of his influential family, there was little doubt about the credibility of his warning.

"Do you need anything, Seki-sama?" he asked with a worried tone.

"I'm alright, Nobu-san," she replied, her voice tinged with resignation. "I'm just trying to figure out what comes next. We didn't find any clues about the artifacts. Can we really go home like this ?"

Her face grew somber as she spoke, her usually vibrant eyes now shadowed with a deep sadness.

Her hands were clenched tightly in her lap, as if trying to hold onto some semblance of control.

The thought of returning home empty-handed was a heavy burden, especially given the high expectations placed upon her.

In their culture, failure was not taken lightly—it carried a stigma that could tarnish not only her reputation but also the honor of her entire family.

The thought of facing their disappointment and hearing people whisper about it was too much to handle.

There was even a saying on their continent: "It's better to die trying than to fail."

Nobu watched her closely, sensing how deeply troubled she was.

He was also worried that he might even be forced to gut himself as a form of atonement for the embarrassment he had brought upon his clan.

After a moment of contemplation, Nobu decided to shift the conversation to something that might offer a glimmer of hope.

"Seki-sama," he began cautiously, "I've heard some interesting things about Mr.Rain. There's talk that he comes from a very powerful family. If we could build a connection with him, it might change how our clan views this trip."

He glanced at Seki, hoping to see some sign of emotion, but she remained still and silent. Determined to get a response, he decided to press a little further.

"Think about it, Seki-sama—if we return and tell them we've established a connection with someone like him, it wouldn't seem like a waste of time. It could open doors we hadn't considered. Your family would likely see the value in having someone like him as an ally, especially given the influence his family might have."

She finally lifted her gaze from her hands, meeting Nobu's eyes.

There was a small flicker of interest in her expression, a tiny spark that hadn't been there before.

"You think so, Nobu-san?" she asked with a low voice, her tone carrying a mix of doubt and curiosity.

"Do you really believe that building a connection with him could make a difference?"

Nobu nodded, a hint of encouragement in his expression. "I do. "

She sighed softly, the tension in her shoulders easing a little.

"Alright, Nobu-san. Let's see if we can make something out of this. If we can't find what we came for, at least we won't return empty-handed."

Nobu nodded, relieved to see a small smile begin to form on her face.

In reality, he didn't hold much hope that they could convince someone like Reign. He had only said those things mostly to buy them time, hesitant to return home.

His reluctance wasn't just because of the embarrassment of their failure or the threat of being forced into gutting himself. He was also worried about the dangers of traveling between continents.

As they got ready for their next steps, the tense atmosphere in the train compartment began to lift, replaced by a small sense of hope.

Seki's body began to relax as her mood improved, even if just a little. Her eyelids grew heavy, and she let out a small sigh.

Slowly, her eyes closed, and she drifted off into sleep, her breathing becoming steady and calm.

Nobu watched her for a moment, noticing how the tension in her face eased as she fell into a deep, restful sleep.

However—

'Seki-sama, Seki- sama ' he whispered, raising his hand toward her. For a moment, his mind wandered as he found himself drawn to her timeless beauty.

Lustful desire stirred within him, and he felt his body react, but before he could act on it, he stopped himself.

With a deep breath, he pulled his hand back, forcing himself to calm down.

'I need some fresh air,' he muttered under his breath.

Seki was really beautiful, and traveling with someone so captivating made it hard for him to keep his composure at times.

He knew he had to stay focused, reminding himself to not cross the line.

But who could blame him? He was just a man, after all.

He left the cabin and made his way to the bar compartment.

Once there, he took a seat and ordered a drink, hoping it would help calm his nerves and clear his mind.

As he sipped his drink, a fleeting thought crossed his mind.

'Maybe if we don't go back home, she'll fall for me, and we can start a new life here?'

The idea was tempting, but he quickly pushed it aside, knowing how unrealistic it was.

'What am I thinking? She's over half my age,' he muttered to himself, shaking his head to push away the unwanted thoughts.

"Are you alright, sir?" the bartender asked, sensing the unease in his customer's demeanor.

Nobu looked up and shook his head, "It's nothing , I'm just thinking about some things ,"

"Is it a problem about love ?"

Nobu was caught off guard by how perceptive the bartender was. He hadn't expected someone to notice his inner turmoil so quickly.

"You can talk to me," the bartender offered, leaning in slightly. "I've heard all kinds of stories over the years. So, what's the issue? Is she already married? Too old? Too rich?

Or maybe... too young?"

"I..." Nobu stammered, momentarily at a loss for words. He had underestimated just how skilled the bartender was at reading people.