The Absolute Will: The Lifespan Collector's Harem-Chapter 392: I Want Her!

Inside the Kofukuji estate, Ryuya Kofukuji was in a state of deep despair.

His grandfather was growing weaker by the day. His father and uncles had scoured the globe for world-renowned doctors, but all they could do was sustain the old man’s life on life support. There was no cure. Given the old man’s advanced age, his flickering flame of life could be extinguished by a stray breeze at any moment.

Worse yet, the limit had been reached. Ryuya had a tragic premonition that his grandfather’s life would end today. He felt a profound sense of grief and helplessness; after all, he was just an ordinary human. He could do nothing.

"Young Master... it’s time to eat."

A silver-haired girl dressed in a maid’s uniform approached. "Breakfast is ready."

This girl, Anri Shiroki, was Ryuya’s childhood friend. They shared a deep bond, but as they grew older, Anri had begun to hide her true feelings behind a mask of tsundere arrogance and a sharp tongue. She didn’t hate him; she was simply too embarrassed to show her affection, so she used verbal jabs as a shield. However, seeing Ryuya so devastated lately, her heart ached. Her sharp tongue had softened into a gentle kindness.

It made Ryuya feel slightly better. He nodded weakly. "Mm..."

"Lord Ichiro said that he will be arriving at the estate soon. They say he might have a way to save the Master. You don’t need to worry so much, Young Master."

"Is it true?" Ryuya’s eyes lit up, but he quickly sank back into doubt. "I just don’t know if he really has the power to save Grandfather."

"It should be true... otherwise, the rumors wouldn’t be spreading among the nobility like this."

Just as the Kofukuji family reached a dead end, a rumor had swept through the upper crust of society. It spoke of a mysterious youth with incredible powers—a man who could grant life and extend longevity. Though it sounded like a myth, some nobles had reportedly gone to Kyoto to verify it.

For the desperate Kofukuji family, this was their final lifeline. As for the price of the trade... it didn’t matter. They needed the old Patriarch’s political influence, which was worth more than any amount of money. Besides, the wealthy fear death more than anything; nobody would pass up a chance to build a relationship with a being who controlled life itself.

An hour later, Ryuya and Anri stood with the family elders at the mansion gates. When they finally saw the mysterious youth, their first impression was how young he was—appearing to be the same age as Ryuya.

The second impression was how different he was. He possessed an aura that felt completely detached from the masses, a unique, mysterious pressure that made everyone realize instantly: this was no mere mortal.

Anri was equally stunned. He really was as young as the rumors said. Wait... did he just look at me? Was that an illusion?

"Hello, Mr. Kofukuji," Alex said, shaking hands with the well-dressed "important figures." He wore a polite smile, not bothering with an arrogant display.

"Please, call me Ichiro. I’ve heard the legends about you, Mr. Alex, so—"

Alex raised a hand to stop him. "No need for small talk. If you’ve invited me, it means you believe in my ability. But you also know my rules... regarding the trade." He gave a brilliant, predatory smile. "I am very expensive."

"Of course. As long as you can cure my father, the Kofukuji family is prepared to pay any amount of money."

"I have no interest in money," Alex shook his head. "But before we discuss payment, let’s take a look at the patient, Mr. Taro Kofukuji."

"Of course, of course. Please, follow me."

Ichiro led the way, feeling a bit uneasy. No interest in money? Then what does he want? He steeled his resolve. No matter the cost, he had to agree to the trade. His father was the pillar of the family; he could not be allowed to fall now.

Deep inside the mansion, Alex saw doctors scurrying through the halls—private physicians hired by the family. These doctors looked at Alex with suspicion and skepticism, clearly not believing the supernatural rumors.

But in the presence of the Kofukuji family, they remained silent and stepped aside. Alex looked at the bed, where an emaciated old man lay. He was conscious but could barely speak. His clouded eyes followed Alex, sensing his presence. Alex saw a raw, desperate hunger for life in those eyes. The old man did not want to die.

"Can... can Grandfather really recover?" Ryuya couldn’t help but ask.

Alex didn’t answer. He simply glanced at Ryuya, walked around the bed, and stood next to the old man. He placed a finger gently on the patriarch’s forehead. A white American doctor was about to protest when the beeping of the monitors suddenly changed.

To the naked eye, the old man’s face regained a hint of color.

"Oh—!! This is impossible!!" the American doctor shouted, checking the data. He looked like he had witnessed a miracle. The Kofukuji family members were even more frantic, their eyes fixed on Alex with religious fervor.

"Mr. Alex... does this mean...?" Ichiro’s hands were shaking.

"As you can see, I can save him," Alex said, maintaining his "mysterious master" persona. "I won’t say I’ll eradicate every cancer cell instantly, but extending Taro’s life is no problem at all." Alex’s smile widened as his tone shifted. "But as you know, life is priceless. What do you intend to trade for it?"

The family members exchanged excited glances. "Any amount of money! Our family’s assets—"

"Stop!" Alex cut them off. "I told you, I don’t care about money. Since you want to extend the old man’s life, you must trade something of equal value. I am a fair man. Life for life. What do you think?"

The room went silent. These people stared at him, gulping in fear. As important as the patriarch was, were they expected to trade their own lifespans?

"Relax, I don’t want your lifespans. I have plenty of that myself."

"Then... what do you need, Mr. Alex?"

Alex scanned the room, his gaze finally locking onto the silver-haired girl. Anri froze, a terrible premonition washing over her. Alex’s finger pointed directly at her.

"I want her!"

Ryuya and Anri were stunned into silence. The Kofukuji elders, however, looked at each other and let out a collective sigh of relief, their faces blooming with joy.

"Of course, value is relative," Alex continued. "She is just a maid, so she isn’t worth as much as Taro. In exchange for this maid, I will grant Taro Kofukuji five more years of life."

"Mr. Alex has taken a liking to Anri? That is no problem at all..." the middle-aged men began to chuckle suggestively.

"No!! I won’t allow it!" Ryuya’s protest rang out. Alex looked at the boy’s furious face, then at the downward-cast eyes of Anri, and finally back to Ichiro, who looked uncomfortable. Alex’s expression was that of someone enjoying a very entertaining show.

Mira Tsubakihara, standing behind him, looked at her man with helpless resignation. Here he goes again...