Rogue Villain-Chapter 194: Control

With the assurance of an Oath, especially from a person as strong as Bo, Ackster felt slightly more at ease as he agreed to share his secrets. Of course, he was still reluctant about divulging the fact that he was from another world, in which Millmiria and all its inhabitants were fiction.

Bo would most likely think he was crazy. But it would be too late for him to go back on his word.

Other than that, Ackster wasn’t overly worried.

Keeping his secrets secret would keep him safe. Even with the Oath in place, Ackster still couldn’t completely let go of his paranoia.

However, his secrets wouldn’t help him grow stronger. Bo would.

It was the logically most sound decision to agree to the Oath. So, that’s what Ackster did.

Ackster told Bo what he wanted to know, things he hadn’t even told Wilma. He wasn’t sure where to begin, so he started by showing his Nomi—all of it, including the black squares of his profession. Bo didn’t react, waiting until he had all the necessary information.

After divulging one secret, it became easier for Ackster to spill the rest, and he told Bo about his identity as Ackster Phileam of the Phileam House of the Badhurst Kingdom and his encounter with The Hero that led to him faking his death. The sudden change in Ackster’s behavior and decision-making brought Ackster to his transmigration.

At that, Bo finally held up a hand and stopped Ackster from saying anything further on that subject. Ackster was both relieved and confused. But Bo gestured for him to continue before he could ask any questions, though he had a feeling asking about it wouldn’t make Bo give him any answers.

Eventually, Ackster had told Bo everything he could think of telling him.

Bo nodded with a thoughtful expression.

"Good. I didn’t see wrong."

"What didn’t you see wrong?"

"Never mind that."

Bo didn’t answer Ackster’s question about the thoughts he had let slip as he leaned back and stroked his chin while watching Ackster.

"Did that girl tell you I was going to fix your arm?"

"Something like that."

"Something like that indeed. You’re going to fix it on your own."

"Huh?"

"Get up."

Bo stood up and left the house, stopping in the middle of the clearing. He looked at the sky with his hands behind his back.

"Since you seem to know an awful lot, you should know about martial artists’ bodily rebirth, right?"

"Somewhat."

"Good. That’s what we’ll be aiming for first before you reach the grand S."

Ackster nodded.

It was an unexpected but believable goal. The Hero had undergone something similar in the original story, and it was entirely possible for a bodily rebirth to refresh his body completely, arm included.

However, Ackster was doubtful about achieving it before he advanced to the S-rank. Something like a bodily rebirth wasn’t that simple. But Bo wouldn’t have said it unless he was confident. Or unless he was scamming him.

"First, we’re going to fix the mess you’ve done to yourself."

Bo pointed at Ackster’s body with disdain in his eyes.

"Is it that bad?"

"It’s worse."

Ackster looked at his body as well. He didn’t think or notice anything worthy of such a gaze. But not noticing anything was probably part of the reason why it was so bad.

"We’ll start by straightening out your stats."

"Um—"

"No, you won’t reach S with your stats. And no, I’m not talking about the effect of you missing your arm."

"Then what—?"

"You know how, in the world of strength training, it’s easy to make rapid progress when you first start training?" 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"...Yeah."

Bo gave Ackster a doubtful look before continuing to look at the sky.

"Anyway. That happens because your muscles learn to cooperate and execute the motions you train them for. Understand?"

"Yes."

"You skipped that stage."

"What?"

"You overloaded your muscles, broke them down, and used your regen to heal them repeatedly before they could learn to cooperate. Well, it seems like they’ve still gotten to know each other a little. But there’s as much room for improvement as there’s empty space in there."

Bo glanced at Ackster’s head, which Ackster didn’t see, thanks to the sunglasses. So, he was left looking around in confusion.

"Get some rest. I have some things to prepare before we begin."

"Alright. Is there a place for me to sleep?"

"Guest bedroom."

"Okay."

Ackster had expected they would begin at once. But he didn’t mind the opportunity to catch up on some sleep and fully prepare himself after the mad sprint Bo had asked him to do. He had a feeling it would be the last time he had some time for himself.

"Oh, and before I forget to mention it. I will exercise complete control over you and your time when you wake up. I will dictate all of your movements, what you eat, when and how you sleep, and even how you look. That means shave your hair."

"...Alright."

Ackster wasn’t sure what to think about Bo’s complete control. It seemed just a little excessive. But if it were necessary to become as strong as he needed and regrow his arm, Ackster would endure. He also wouldn’t know how bad it would be until tomorrow. Who knows, Bo might not be a horrible tyrant.

’Yeah, no way. It’s gonna be rough.’

Before going back inside the house, Ackster grabbed a pair of scissors and got rid of the worst of the bird’s nest on his head before using a sharp knife to trim it down to the scalp. Doing so made him think of Mio.

But Ackster only nursed his sorrow for more than a moment.

Shaving his hair symbolized taking a new step in his journey. He no longer relied on a cute but weird slime to hide his identity as he delved into the world of being guided by an expert.

Ackster didn’t have time to think about losing his friend and comrade. He had to focus on what lay ahead.