Only I Am A Reader

After finishing the 'taming' process and letting his new subordinates proceed with their tasks, Leo spent the next three hours wandering the streets while waiting for their call.

'The world becomes just as illogical as you become.'

It wasn't bothering him, but Leo was slightly fascinated by how things have worked so far. This actually wasn't his first time enacting a scene that looked like it came from a novel.

Just by using the pseudo ability that he gained from his preliminary reading ability, Leo was able to play the role of a fictional super detective.

In fact, the laughing cat mask was still pretty popular even though Leo had already retired, that's just how stepping out of the norm was.

Now that he had complete novel-like abilities, it only made sense that reality started to warp even further for him. He could make it so things descended into the realm of fiction even further.

Whether it was masquerading as a visitor from another world, or a super-powered alien invader of sorts, such fictional chaos would be easy to replicate for the current Leo.

Maybe he could even spread the practice of Murim Martial Arts if he found other Energy Sources? Leo wasn't sure if the nonsensical breathing methods wouldn't work for anyone other than him.

Granted, either case would only be possible if he was the only superhuman around, or if their numbers were at least too low to interfere with him.

'Of course, I no longer have any reason to jump out of the mold.'

To begin with, the only reason Leo went as far as leaving his room to chase criminals was that he had grown bored due to the lack of reading materials.

Now that he was practically getting thrown into the very novels that he read, Leo's plate was already full trying to prepare for everything.

'Is this the cure to my addiction or rather…'

Aside from the guess that his birthday was the main trigger, it was also pretty suspicious for Leo that his first True Reading happened to activate just when he was starting to act up in his reality…

Ring, ring-

Just then, the burner phone that Leo had bought just a while ago started to ring.

"Yes? You are done… The address? Ok, I will be there soon."

After having a very brief conversation with his new 'friends', Leo quickened his steps as he marched towards the location that they gave him.

`~~~`~~~`~~~`

"What a shady place... As expected of you!"

Leo couldn't help admiring the debilitated warehouse that he had finally reached, the lack of human presence in the area was amazing in its own way.

'It wouldn't be too strange if this was some gang's execution ground.'

Originally, Leo was going to devise some roundabout plans to obtain the things that he needed without revealing his identity.

However, as that would have likely consumed more of his limited time and money, Leo was quite thankful for the two thugs' timely appearance!

"How is it, Boss? Will this place do?"

Finding a place that his Industrial Blast Freezer of choice as well as the generators that would power it would be delivered to was the young thug's task, and regardless of its quality, he did do his job.

"It's passable, I guess. No more tempering for you."

Before he sent them on their way with his money and instructions, Leo had made sure to show them how painful triggering the Scarlet Cloud Sigil would feel.

He didn't just call it tempering for fun, it was supposed to feel like a blacksmith was molding them into shape. If they were any later than this, Leo would have assumed that they ran away with his money and given them another session of pain.

Thankfully for both themselves and Leo, they seemed to have no more foolish intention that would have incurred Leo's chase and wasted more of his time.

Since he only asked them to rent the warehouse for 1 week just for diversion anyway, it didn't matter what state it was in. What really mattered was…

"So, did it arrive?"

"Yes, Boss. It's out here in the back."

Unlike his brother's easy task, the bigger thug was tasked to use his identity to order both the Blast Freezer and the Generators online and have them delivered within the day.

"I have to say I'm impressed."

It hadn't been even 4 hours since Leo had sent them on their way, but they had already managed to finish both tasks somehow. Perhaps they weren't as stupid as they appeared to be?

"The company that produced both appliances happened to have an outlet close to the city, so I went there directly to expedite the process…"

'His will to live is quite strong.'

Despite being lazy delinquents, both thugs had proven that they could put in a lot of elbow grease when their life was on the line. They had even bought the fuel needed for the generators without receiving money for it.

'Interesting.'

"There, you can have these for your overperformance."

While he couldn't take his eyes off his new Cold Energy source, Leo still took out two money bundles and threw them at the thugs. Using nothing but the stick was bad even with dogs, some carrots had to be added to the mix.

'Now, for one last magic performance.'

"You can keep this place for the rest of the week."

Without even trying to hide it, Leo waved his hands through the Blast Freezer, the Generators, and the fuel containers, making them vanish in front of the thugs' eyes.

He wasn't just about to go fishing for thugs every time he needed something done quickly, Leo planned to keep the loyal subordinates that he created, and in order to do that…

"I will call when I need you again."

He had to show them something even more terrifying so they could never think of crossing him ever again!

"Yes, Boss!"

"Yes, Boss!"

Every ounce of will to resist vanished from the thugs' eyes as they spread open, almost jumping from their sockets. They were barely holding their jaws from dropping to the ground.

'Heh.'

Keeping the best for his finishing act, Leo also disappeared as he set his Cold Energy Station up and stored the Freezing Plum Core inside before appearing and walking away.