Chapter 23: Koro

As the bald brute's neck snapped, his head rolled to the ground, his expression frozen in the moment before death. He likely had no idea how he died.

Blayn gained System Points from the kill.

[Ding! The Host has eliminated an 'Imperial Fist Temple Master' and received 12 System Points!]

However, using the Dōjutsu of Offensive Kamui had taken a massive toll on him.

He had activated his Dōjutsu twice—once for defensive intangibility and once for offensive spatial distortion—pushing his body to its limits.

Of course, this "limit" referred to the threshold before his combat abilities were affected.

If he used a third Dōjutsu in quick succession, his body would weaken to the point of hindering battle.

This proved that his current Constitution stat of 40 was still far from enough. However, it was a clear improvement from when a single use of Kamui would leave him exhausted.

While he could use Kamui again to instantly kill the remaining tall and thin man, there was no need.

His base Mangekyō Sharingan abilities were more than enough to deal with him. Overexerting himself was unnecessary, especially since he couldn't be certain whether more assassins were lurking nearby. Playing it safe was the smarter move.

[System Points: 21]

[Ding! The Host has exchanged 'Constitution +15,' deducting 15 System Points!]

[Ding! The Host has exchanged 'Strength +3,' deducting 3 System Points!]

[Ding! The Host has exchanged 'Agility +3,' deducting 3 System Points!]

To ensure his condition remained optimal, Blayn immediately converted his newly earned System Points into attributes.

[Constitution: 55]

[Strength: 30]

[Agility: 30]

With a substantial increase in Constitution, his body recovered significantly.

Meanwhile, the tall and thin man stood frozen in shock. After witnessing both Limei and the bald brute die in such an eerie manner, he was utterly paralyzed.

Seizing the opportunity, Blayn struck.

Three moves later, his opponent was decapitated.

Initially, Blayn hadn't fully understood the man's ability to control his body. But with enough intel, dealing with him became effortless.

[Ding! The Host has eliminated an 'Imperial Fist Temple Master' and received 9 System Points!]

[Ding! The Host has exchanged 'Constitution +9,' deducting 9 System Points!]

[Constitution: 64]

Blayn immediately used his System Points to boost his Constitution.

Then, without hesitation, he turned and left the alley, his expression calm, as if nothing had happened.

He wasn't in a hurry to confront Ogre. His job came first—he could settle that score later.

Meanwhile, in a sterile, white-walled room…

After conducting compatibility tests on Seryu, the biological Teigu, Magical Beast Transformation: Hekatonkheires, unexpectedly reacted to her from within its nutrient container.

This had never happened before. Normally, Hekatonkheires remained motionless when faced with unsuitable test subjects.

Seryu noticed several body bags lined up around the room, but in her naivety, she only found it strange rather than suspicious.

And just like that, the Teigu experiment was a success.

Seryu became the only test subject to survive, the sole person to form a bond with Magical Beast Transformation: Hekatonkheires.

At this moment, she was holding a small, white puppy with two tiny black dots for eyes.

It looked adorable, rubbing its head against her affectionately, clearly recognizing her as its master.

Only now did the staff dare to open the reinforced steel door and step inside. They stared at Seryu as if they had just witnessed a miracle.

Especially the staff member who had been colluding with Ogre—he was the most shocked.

He had merely taken Ogre's request to ensure this girl's "accidental" death, never expecting her to become the experiment's only success.

An ironic twist of fate…

He quickly adjusted his attitude. Producing a successful Teigu user was far more valuable than whatever plans Ogre had.

Now that Seryu had become the master of Hekatonkheires, harming her was no longer an option. Teigu wielders were an invaluable asset to the Empire.

He decided not to inform Ogre about the experiment's outcome. In fact, he intended to cut ties with him altogether—as if nothing had ever happened.

"Congratulations, Miss Seryu. Your experiment was a complete success. This Teigu is now bound to you."

He smiled as he spoke.

"Thank you! Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity!"

Seryu responded with heartfelt gratitude, completely unaware that she was supposed to be a victim. Instead, she had gained a powerful Teigu by sheer luck.

The staff, feeling guilty, avoided the subject entirely.

"Miss Seryu, once you return, take time to familiarize yourself with your Teigu's abilities. Try to practice and build synergy with it."

"Understood!"

With that, Seryu cheerfully left, Hekatonkheires in her arms.

On her way back to the Imperial Capital Security Force, Seryu held up the little puppy and mused, "I should give you a name. Calling you by your full title is a hassle."

"Qiu~"

Hekatonkheires made a small noise, as if it understood her.

After thinking for a moment, Seryu decided, "I'll call you Koro. How does that sound?"

"Qiu~~"

Koro excitedly waved its tiny limbs, seeming to approve of the name.

"Then from now on, we're partners, Koro!"

Seryu held Koro close, not viewing it as just a weapon, but as a companion.

"I'll introduce you to Vice Captain Blayn. He's also a warrior of justice."

She believed it was her righteous heart that had allowed Koro to bond with her. So naturally, she was convinced Koro would also like Vice Captain Blayn.

With that in mind, she quickened her pace toward the Imperial Capital Security Force headquarters.

However, after searching for a while, she couldn't find Blayn anywhere.

Left with no choice, she went to ask Ogre.

Ogre was stunned to see Seryu alive.

Did the assassin not make a move yet? How incompetent.

Although he was aware of Hekatonkheires, he had never seen what it actually looked like. So he failed to recognize the small puppy at Seryu's feet as the legendary Teigu.

After all, no one had ever successfully bonded with it, so he simply assumed the staff hadn't initiated the experiment yet.

Moreover, Koro was timidly peeking out from behind Seryu, its small frame hardly exuding the presence one would expect from a Teigu.

"You're looking for Blayn?"

Hearing her question, Ogre burst into laughter, his voice dripping with mockery.

"He's probably been torn to pieces by now. But if you want, I can show you his corpse."

"...What?"

For a moment, Seryu was speechless.

Then, realization hit.

Her expression contorted into a vicious snarl, her voice dropping to a chilling tone—

"Koro… prepare to judge the guilty!!!"

(40 Chapters Ahead)

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