Chapter 57: A Choice That Falls to Niyus!

As the battles raged on, Bakuran and Reika-tan were not left behind. Their confrontation was as intense as it was spectacular.

**Reika-tan:** Stay still, you little brat! So I can cut you into a thousand pieces!

Reika-tan wielded her gigantic axe, capable of splitting colossal mountains. She launched powerful and precise attacks, but Bakuran dodged them with disconcerting agility, a mocking smile on his face.

**Bakuran (teasing):** Instead of tiring yourself out for nothing, how about we grab a drink together? A date, what do you say?

Reika-tan paused for a moment, surprised by her opponent's audacity. Then she burst out laughing, a mocking smile lighting up her face.

**Reika-tan:** Pff! With a kid like you? Who do you think you are? Come on, be a good boy and let me cut you up nicely!

She resumed her assault, redoubling her efforts to reach Bakuran, who continued to dodge with almost provocative ease.

---

Meanwhile, not far away, Sally and Kiyomi-tan faced off in an equally fierce duel. Both fighters were already covered in superficial wounds. Sally wiped the blood trickling slightly from the corner of her mouth with a provocative smile.

**Sally:** Is that all you've got? I expected better!

Kiyomi-tan, also injured, wiped her face before replying in a biting tone.

**Kiyomi-tan:** You talk a lot for someone who's about to bite the dust!

**Sally (sarcastic):** The nerve to say that after acting so tough earlier… Big mouths like you are worthless!

Furious, Kiyomi-tan intensified her attack. She literally danced with her katana, releasing waves of energy that sliced through the air and destroyed everything in their path. Sally remained calm, dodging with remarkable precision.

**Sally:** Put in a bit more effort, will you? I'm starting to get bored!

But Kiyomi-tan was undeterred. She managed to land a quick attack on Sally, striking her stomach with brutal force. Sally was thrown backward but skillfully regained her balance mid-air before landing on her feet.

**Sally (breathless but smiling):** And to think I'm only at 30% of my capacity…

Kiyomi-tan frowned and responded defiantly.

**Kiyomi-tan:** Then get ready… Because I haven't shown what I'm truly capable of either!

She joined her two katanas in front of her face and murmured an incantation.

**Kiyomi-tan:** Blades… DESTRUCTION!

She struck the air with her twin blades, creating a massive wave of energy imbued with overwhelming mana. The wave shot toward Sally at lightning speed.

**Sally (wide-eyed):** Damn it!

She disappeared just in time to avoid the devastating attack that continued its path, cutting through everything in its way with terrifying ease. Sally reappeared further away, visibly shocked.

**Sally:** What was that?!

Kiyomi-tan smiled proudly before responding.

**Kiyomi-tan:** The Blade of Destruction. It cuts through everything that exists: solid matter, pure energy… even space could yield if I willed it.

Sally nodded in admiration.

**Sally:** Not bad… I must admit I underestimated you.

But Kiyomi-tan wasn't done yet.

**Kiyomi-tan:** Shut up! It's not over! MULTIPLE BLADES OF DESTRUCTION!

She spun around at dizzying speed, sending destructive energy waves in all directions. Sally quickly realized she couldn't afford any mistakes against this deadly rain. She dodged each attack with absolute focus.

As the battle reached its peak, a mass of dark energy suddenly appeared in the middle of the battlefield. A towering figure slowly emerged from the shadows and grabbed Kiyomi-tan's katanas barehanded. At that precise moment, time seemed to stop.

Sally froze in place, unable to believe what she was seeing.

**Sally (stunned):** This is impossible…

The figure then grabbed Kiyomi-tan by the neck with unsettling ease. The young woman struggled desperately but to no avail.

**Kiyomi-tan (terrified):** Who… who are you?! Let me go!!!

Sally tried to intervene by concentrating her energy into a destructive orb that she hurled at the stranger. But with just a cold glance, he disintegrated the orb before it could reach him.

A chill ran down Sally's spine.

---

Bakuran arrived on the scene accompanied by Reika-tan, who was still trying to slash him with her axe. When he saw the dark figure holding Kiyomi-tan like an insignificant toy, he smiled calmly.

**Bakuran:** Well now… Who would have thought you'd join us!

Sally, still in shock, turned an incredulous gaze toward him.

**Sally:** You know this guy?

Bakuran nodded confidently.

**Bakuran:** Of course! That's Bakuzan—my big brother and also Sakolomé and Salomé's brother!

Sally's eyes widened in surprise as she murmured internally:

*(Their big brother is this powerful?!)*

Reika-tan furiously charged at Bakuzan.

**Reika-tan:** Hey you! Let go of my friend!!!

Bakuzan looked at her impassively. Before she could get close, Reika-tan collapsed to the ground, unable to move her limbs.

**Reika-tan (panicked):** What did he do to me? I can't move!!!

She screamed in panic as Sakolomé joined the area alongside Salomé and Mut-Armaïda—all exhausted from their recent battles.

**Mut-Armaïda:** Who is he?

She asked while staring at Bakuzan.

**Sakolomé:** That's Bakuzan… my big brother!

Yue-Ling-Mut approached and said authoritatively:

Enough, you in black! You can let that girl go now!

Bakuzan fixed her with a piercing gaze before responding:

You should keep your dogs on a leash to avoid them getting into trouble.

Sakolomé was surprised by this response and asked:

Bakuzan, do you know this lady?

Bakuzan nodded.

**Bakuzan:** Yes, of course. She's Yue-Ling-Mut, a friend of Father's. She often helped us when we were hunting dangerous mutants!

Bakuzan finally released Kiyomi-tan, who fell to the ground. Lying there, she clutched her neck, irritated by the pain inflicted by Bakuzan's grip.

**Sakolomé (concerned):** How did you know we were here, Bakuzan?

**Bakuzan (smiling):** I have overly developed senses. I couldn't help but listen to your conversation at home, and then I followed you discreetly!

Bakuzan observed Salomé and noticed the book she held in her hands.

**Bakuzan (serious):** Salomé! Bring me that book!

Salomé nodded and brought the book to Bakuzan.

**Bakuzan (examining the book):** I've done quite a bit of research on this book. It seems to contain information close to what Father often told me. I suppose he should take a closer look at it to guide us; he's better placed for that!

Yue-Ling-Mut frowned.

**Yue-Ling-Mut:** Little Bakuzan, you come into a conflict and want to have the last word?

**Bakuzan (calmly):** A conflict with my brothers and sister… Normally, I would have killed your companions for trying to kill mine!

Yue-Ling-Mut swallowed before responding:

I didn't know it was your family, I swear… Anyway, give me that book or be wise!

The tension suddenly rose in the air between Bakuzan and Yue-Ling-Mut.

**Bakuzan (firm):** I regret it, Madame Yue-Ling-Mut, but I've already said that this book will go to Father. If you want a copy, you'll just have to go to him and ask!

Yue-Ling-Mut sighed before adding:

You're exactly like your father when it comes to being strict… Well… We'll go to your place!

Yue-Ling-Mut extended her hand and healed the wounds of her companions. Kiyomi-tan and Reika-tan were even able to stand up.

**Bakuzan (decided):** I'll teleport us all.

Sally approached Sakolomé and took his hand without him noticing, which made Sakolomé blush. The energy surrounding Bakuzan enveloped everyone before they disappeared in a burst of light.

The energy teleported them directly to the Satsujin Otoko residence. Bakuzan, still holding the book, looked at Yue-Ling-Mut and said:

Wait… I'll go get Father!

Then he quickly walked away.

Sally fixed her gaze on Bakuzan, filled with questions about him:

*(So, he's Sakolomé's big brother… He effortlessly mastered Kiyomi-tan and Reika-tan… He also extinguished my orb with just a glance… Certainly, if I gave it my all, I could have easily handled Kiyomi-tan and Reika-tan, but my difference is that to do so, I would need to be at full capacity, while he didn't even need to try… It's impressive… I wonder just how strong he is.)*

Sakolomé noticed that Sally seemed lost in thought.

**Sakolomé (concerned):** Hey Sally, are you okay?

Sally finally emerged from her reverie and replied:

**Sally (hesitant):** Oh… yes, don't worry about me…

Sakolomé observed Sally's state before adding:

**Sakolomé:** Kiyomi-tan seemed tough given your condition…

**Sally (shaking her head):** She's powerful, but not as much as me. The truth is I just wanted to have fun and see how far she could go. Her attacks weren't limited to physical ones; they affected even the spiritual plane…

**Sakolomé (understanding):** It's the same with Mut-Armaïda; she pierced my arm, and I could feel the extent of the damage she could cause…

Sally looked at Sakolomé's injured arm before jumping in surprise.

**Sally (concerned):** You're not in pain? Your arm is literally pierced!

**Sakolomé (calm):** Don't worry; it'll be fine…

He added with compassion:

**Sakolomé:** Sally… thank you so much…

**Sally (surprised):** Why?

**Sakolomé (sincere):** It's thanks to you that I could fight Mut-Armaïda…

**Sally (perplexed):** What do I have to do with that?

**Sakolomé (with empathy):** To be honest, I didn't really intend to attack Mut-Armaïda because, according to my principles, I wasn't in a position to attack a woman… Then I remembered our fight that day and the advice you gave me; it was as if you knew what I would face later… So, you allowed me to prepare. Thank you infinitely, Sally…

Sally's cheeks flushed as she replied timidly:

**Sally (embarrassed):** It's nothing… It's normal to help a friend…

The two young people exchanged a complicit glance before smiling warmly at each other.

A little later, Bakuzan reappeared accompanied by Niyus, who held the book in his hands.

**Niyus:** Wow! We rarely have so many visitors here…

Amu also came out of the house to witness the commotion outside.

**Amu (curious):** What's going on here?

Sakolomé turned to Sally before explaining:

**Sakolomé:** Sally, I'd like you to meet my father, Niyus… And next to him, with silver hair, my mother Amu…

**Sally (impressed):** Your mother is so beautiful!

A moment passed during which introductions were made. Salomé sat beside Sally while Amu treated the minor injuries on her body.

**Amu:** Your wounds are light; you'll recover very quickly, I'm sure…

Sally smiled before adding:

**Sally:** Thank you so much, ma'am; you're so thoughtful! But what about Sakolomé? He's really injured in the arm…

**Amu:** Don't worry about Sakolomé; I'll take care of him tonight…

Salomé burst out laughing:

**Salomé:** Hahaha! I can still sense screams of pain are going to rain down here…

Amu then turned her attention to Sally:

**Amu:** You're a Liuly, aren't you? That doesn't surprise me… Your beauty clearly reflects that of your family; your silver eyes and pink hair suit you perfectly!

**Sally:** Thank you, ma'am; you're so kind!

Amu continued:

**Amu:** How long have you been friends with Sakolomé?

**Sally:** I'd say since I arrived at Grijan's high school. Sakolomé is very sincere; he has a heart of gold… I'm really happy to be his friend!

Salomé intervened with a teasing smile:

**Salomé:** Humm... You sound like someone in love…

Sally's cheeks flushed as she stuttered:

**Sally (in a panic):** Don't say nonsense, Salomé! I... I... I'm not in love with him!!

She quickly composed herself before adding more calmly:

**Sally:** I'm just very grateful to be his friend... that's all...

Amu observed Sally tenderly, letting out a slight smile from the corner of her lips.

Outside, Niyus was seated explaining what he knew about the book to all the curious visitors.

**Niyus:** It's a book written by my double and his former companion... It contained immense knowledge about certain mysteries that he was able to acquire thanks to me and my other past bodies...

Yue-Ling-Mut responded with perplexity:

**Yue-Ling-Mut:** Your other bodies?

Niyus nodded affirmatively before explaining further:

**Niyus:** I wouldn't know how to explain it to you, but before, I was very different from the Niyus you know today... I went through a series of very complicated events...

Mut-Armaïda intervened:

**Mut-Armaïda:** Could we have that book?

Niyus replied calmly:

**Niyus:** Why not?

Sakolomé's eyes widened as he realized he didn't agree with giving the book to the mutants. He wanted to intervene, but Niyus continued without giving him the chance:

**Niyus:** I could give you the book if you can provide a good, valid reason... In short, you'll have to convince me...

A amused smile appeared on the young man's face as Yue-Ling-Mut replied:

**Yue-Ling-Mut:** Niyus Satsujin Otoko... You're really doing this to me?

**Niyus:** Well, Yue-Ling-Mut... You're a humanoid mutant... And you're beings as conscious as we humans... A conscious being can do anything, even when they know you well...

Yue-Ling-Mut sighed before adding:

**Yue-Ling-Mut:** Anyway, I know you well... It's impossible for you to change your mind, Niyus...

She turned to her companions and declared:

Now, let's go, girls!

Niyus retorted quickly:

**Niyus:** Hold on, Yue-Ling-Mut! You attacked my children; I expect apologies!

Yue-Ling-Mut smiled slightly before responding:

It's true, Niyus; you must have a grudge against me, don't you? First, you refuse me the book, then you ask for apologies? Honestly... I didn't even know at first that they were your children!

Niyus concluded firmly:

**Niyus:** I see you have a lot of pride; that must be difficult for you...

Yue-Ling-Mut smiled again, this time with a glimmer of respect in her eyes.

**Yue-Ling-Mut:** Thank you for understanding, Niyus.

With those words, she signaled to her companions, and they disappeared in a flash of light.

**Niyus (sighing):** Good riddance... I think I should keep this book with me for safety.

**Sakolomé (agreeing):** Indeed, I agree with you on that.