Esper Harem in the Apocalypse

"She was supposed to be, yes." Lu Bela nodded and continued, "I called her and asked her to participate here. Firstly, the only reason she went out of the country was to participate in the tournaments there because Rusher and Rudy were playing from this country.

She didn't want to fight against her own family members, let alone syndicate members, as that would decrease the probability of the syndicate winning. As long as any syndicate member won the tournaments, that would increase the rank of the syndicate.

You see, she has such a huge responsibility on her head at a young age and is trying her best not to let her family down. I sent her a message as a UBC leader and told her that Rusher and Rudy won't be playing tonight, so she got into her chopper and landed here before the tournament started."

SIGH!

Rudy let out a weary sigh and muttered, "I got disqualified from the tournament because of you. Now I have to pay seven hundred billion dollars— which I, or no one have."

"I can provide you with that money if you want," Lu Bela suggested. "However, you will have to forgive me for what I did today. I don't want to be your enemy; I want to be your friend."

"As I said earlier, I would have forgiven you if you had taken a normal approach. If you had just come to me and said, 'Please kill me', I would have done it after asking a few questions— even without listening to your sad back story."

"So you are saying you don't want my money to pay the debt?" Lu Bela asked with a knowing look and a smirk on her face.

"I don't."

"..." Lu Bela's smirk vanished from her face after hearing that. She thought she finally had the upper hand and Rudy would forgive her in return for money, but that did not happen.

"How will you pay off the debt then?" Lu Bela asked with a curious and confused look on her face. "You can't gather such a considerable amount by gambling alone. And you have betrayed your fan's trust once, they won't trust you again that easily.

Also, your Underworld ranking has dropped to #5, and your fans, fame points, and worth are dropping drastically. There are chances that you will lose your citizenship of the Underworld. You will be kicked and banned from the Underworld.

Not only that, but the Ross Syndicate might also suffer because your name is connected to them. Accept my offer and prevent that from happening, My Lord."

"You are right," Rudy nodded in agreement. "Everything you said is right, but don't worry about me. I will pay off the debt and surpass you in the underworld ranking in no time."

"That's impossible!"

"Well… I am to defy the impossible," Rudy shrugged.

Rudy grabbed Maria and Lilim's hand and teleported back to the Ross estate after saying, "Send Rusher and everyone back soon. And yeah, if you want me to forgive you, then you have to try better and offer something precious in return."

Meanwhile, in the VIP tournament.

[The 69th VIP Underworld Tournament ends here! The Winner is Ruby Ross.]

[Also, there is an announcement to make about the infamous Rudy Ross, who didn't make it to the tournament today. There are chances that he was killed by someone or got into an accident because of his challenge the other night.

If that was the case, then the challenge would no longer be valid, and none of them would get what Rudy Ross had promised, that is, one hundred times more money.

However, if it turns out he didn't come here for another reason, then he has to pay what he had promised. You all may go to the Ross Syndicate and demand your answers, but keep in mind that the Under Blades would be guarding the estate.

If you try anything funny, you shall be punished accordingly. And today's winner, Ruby Ross, the new leader of the Ross Syndicate, has qualified to enter the VVIP Underworld Tournament.

She may enter if she wants, but she can also refuse.]

The anchor turned to Ruby and asked, [Ruby Ross, are you going to participate in the deadly VVIP Underworld Tournament?"

The black long-haired, purple eyes, and a tall and slim girl— Ruby Ross, grabbed the mic from the table and smiled as she said, "Of course, I am. And I am going to win that too. I will show everyone that the Ross Syndicate hasn't lost its glory."

Rudy, Lilim, and Maria watched that live on Maria's phone.

"So this is Ruby. Not going to lie, she looks exactly like how I imagined her to be. She is the prime example of a mafia girl," Rudy muttered.

Maria shot a glare at Rudy and said, "Are you implying that I don't look like a mafia?"

"Hehe." Rudy grinned and replied, "I never said that."

"...." Maria squinted her eyes and stared at Rudy without saying anything.

"Don't worry, Lady Maria." Lilim placed her hand on Maria's shoulder and commented, "He is just teasing you to get your attention."

Maria shrugged Lilim's hand from her shoulder and said, "Don't forget that I am still angry at you."

"..."

Rudy watched them and thought, 'It seems this is my fault.'

"Listen, Maria. I know you consider Lilim as your friend, and you feel betrayed after learning that she slept with me, but I am partially to blame. It is true that she came to me, but I did go along with it because I wanted to."

"You are wrong. She is not my friend."

"Hey, hey. That's harsh, you know. Even if you are mad at her, you shouldn't say that."

Maria puckered her lips and muttered, "She is like my sister to me."

"Oh…"

"And I am not angry because she slept with you. I am angry because she hid her identity from me for all these years."

Rudy raised his hands and said, "I had nothing to do with that."

"And… I am a bit angry because she slept with you before me."

Rudy was flirting with Maria and Lilim, unbeknownst to the angry fans marching towards the Ross Syndicate to collect their money.

===

How would Rudy do what he proclaimed in front of Lu Bela?