Seeing Horobi, whose mutation was extrely severe, fully restored caught many people in the group chat off guard.
Frieren: "Strange. She was already like that, yet she could still be restored? How did he do it?"
Frieren: "I recall Rei Ao ntioning that if the Kabane mutation was too severe, it couldn't be reversed."
Shizue Izawa: "Rei Ao isn't who he used to be. He's a lot stronger now."
Shizue Izawa: "Both Sister Velzard and Sister Velgrynd said he's not far behind them anymore."
Shinoa Hiragi: "Though I'm not sure how powerful he truly is, I have seen him easily kill the First Progenitor."
Frieren: "Ah, so he grew stronger. That explains it."
Frieren: "Makes sense."
Yomogawa Aya: "Rei Ao-sama, truly amazing!"
Aka: "That person's waking up."
"Mm…"
Horobi's expression twisted slightly as she slowly opened her eyes.
She sat up in confusion, looking down at the warm jacket draped over her, with no clue what was going on.
"Mui, the trade is done, but I'd like to know what exactly happened," Rei Ao addressed Mui.
Mui?
Hearing that na, Horobi's mories beca clearer. She recalled injecting the Black Plasma in front of Mui, following the young master's plan to beco a Black Smoke. She should have ended up fulfilling Biba's strategy. Yet here she was, alive.
"…Yes. I'll tell you everything, Rei Ao-sama," Mui answered through pressed lips.
Rei Ao then spoke to Aya, Kajika, and Yukina:
"Go ahead and move her to the train car. You can explain the rest to her."
"Understood!"
"Horobi-san, this way, please."
Horobi realized she was alive—certainly because of Mui and this stranger before her. She gave Mui and Rei Ao each a complicated look, then rose with the jacket wrapped around her and followed Aya's group into the carriage.
After that, Mui recounted in detail everything that had occurred. When she finished, Rei Ao arched an eyebrow and snorted:
"So Biba did all that just to witness my power? Calling it 'challenging a god'…?"
He couldn't fathom Amatori Biba's logic. For the sake of revenge, the man toyed with all sorts of crazy tactics—and now apparently wanted to provoke him, the so-called 'god,' so as not to interfere with his vengeance.
Mui lowered her head in turmoil. She no longer knew how to feel about her brother. The way he'd treated Horobi—like a disposable pawn—terrified her. His cold, detached gaze showed he didn't view Horobi as a subordinate or even a person. She had no idea how to face such a brother.
While Mui's thoughts churned, Rei Ao glanced up at a nearby building, lips curving into a faint smile.
"Challenging cos at a cost, Mui. Want to co along and visit your brother, face to face?"
"Huh?"
Mui blinked. Next instant, she felt her body lighten.
"The God… and the God's Priestess, is it?"
On the top floor of a multi-story building, Amatori Biba was frowning deeply, gazing off into the distance where the Black Smoke had vanished. He'd seen the Black Smoke freeze over near the Koutetsujou, then get obliterated by flas soon after. No human should've been able to handle a Black Smoke that swiftly; even his Hunters were no match. He suspected this so-called 'god and priestess' rumored to be on the Koutetsujou were indeed extraordinary.
"It seems I'll have to keep a closer watch on the Koutetsujou."
As for any talk of gods or priestesses, he didn't believe in superstition. In his eyes, the enemy had rely mastered a more potent use of the Kabane virus. After spending so many years researching it—along with Kabaneri and the virus itself—he thought he had near-complete knowledge. Yet he hadn't the faintest clue how anyone could so effortlessly dispose of the Black Smoke.
"If I could get my hands on that research…"
A glint flashed in Biba's eyes. Completing his revenge against his father would be much easier.
"You're curious about power? I'd like to know what power you're hoping for."
"Who's there?!"
Biba spun around at the unexpected voice.
"Mui?"
He saw Mui first, but realized imdiately the voice belonged to the man at her side.
"Brother!"
Mui herself was confused as to how she'd appeared in front of Biba. She hadn't even registered that Rei Ao must have whisked her here with so mysterious ability.
"So you're Amatori Biba—Mui's brother, trying to 'challenge' the so-called god and priestess on the Koutetsujou?"
Rei Ao eyed Biba with amusent.
"…"
Biba briefly studied Mui's guilty expression. He presud she must've leaked his information but showed no strong reaction, keeping his refined air.
"I am indeed Amatori Biba. May I ask who you are and how—and why—you ca here?"
After all, his Hunters were supposed to be patrolling this area. How had Rei Ao arrived so silently, bringing Mui along?
"Rei Ao. Also known as the 'god' you want to challenge."
With a calm gesture, Rei Ao crooked a finger.
Pop!!!
Biba's coat ripped open. Three black-and-white syringes tumbled from beneath his clothes, hovering in midair: so filled with black fluid, one with white.
"…"
Staring in shock, Biba ntally threw out words like 'sorcery' or 'witchcraft.'
"Black Plasma—hypercharges the Kabane virus so a Kabaneri becos a Black Smoke core. White Plasma—suppresses the virus's activity. All in all, your research in this world isn't half-bad."
Rei Ao casually identified the two different substances.
"…."
Biba's expression darkened. How did this man know everything, including the properties of Black and White Plasma—details even Mui wouldn't know? Surely soone among his researchers had betrayed him. He resolved to track the mole down and have them executed.
But alas, he himself was out of ti.
"Urgh!!!"
He suddenly cried out in pain, eyes wide with horror as he clutched his chest. Three of the black-fluid syringes had jamd themselves into his heart. In the next mont, all three needles pressed down simultaneously, injecting the Black Plasma into his body.
And of course, the one responsible was none other than Rei Ao.
Realizing he was losing consciousness, Biba panicked. 'My revenge hasn't even started. I can't die here!' He refused to let his years of planning go to waste. Survival instincts flaring, he desperately reached out for the White Plasma. If he could just get it, maybe he could turn things around!
~~~
Thank you everyone! This fanfic got a high ranking in Powerstone ranking! Let's do it again!
For every 100 Powerstone = 1 Bonus Chapter!
Aim for more Powerstone!
Please check my Patreon for more chapters!
Patreon(.)com/Bleam
— Currently You can Read 50 Chapters Ahead of Others!
User Comments
0 comments from readers