Chapter 354: A Supreme Powerhouse Appears?
[Locker], [Short Hair], [Lilith], and even [Sylar] standing further away, all simultaneously saw the new mission notification from the Space.
Basically, every world had various factions. After Reputation reached a certain level, the faction shop could be unlocked, allowing Reputation to be used to purchase specific items, Plot Equipment, and even powerful abilities of that faction.
But not every world's power system was universally applicable. For example, in the Naruto World, which had almost exclusively a Chakra-based ability system, many Reincarnators of non-Chakra systems wouldn't delve into it.
But this world was different.
This super-large world, merging the worldviews of One Punch Man, Mob Psycho 100, Dandadan, and other works, had a miscellaneous power system. Superpowers, Martial Arts, and even bloodline mutations represented by monsters (Kaijin) and bestowal types represented by gods were all highly adaptable ability categories.
Reincarnators of any system wouldn't refuse obtaining a powerful superpower or bloodline.
Everyone's heart rate accelerated. Just completing one mission could open the Reputation Shop... Moreover, it seemed the mission would be assisted by ceiling-level plot characters like Tornado and Saitama.
This was simply...
"Is there... really such a good thing..."
Locker muttered to himself. He instinctively wanted to accept the mission, but Short Hair stopped him, signaling to wait for Mercenary Tao and the others to decide before observing.
"Given the Space's nature, how could this mission be so low difficulty? There must be corresponding consequences..."
Sylar bit his nails, gently tearing at his hair, which fell out strand by strand. This was a superpower called [Super-Speed Calculation]. After activation, it allowed thinking and calculation at dozens of times the normal speed. The cost was accelerated metabolism, affecting the lifespan of the cerebral cortex.
He quickly pondered the logic behind this mission. That madman Mercenary Tao got together with another madman, [Heart Demon], unbeknownst to others. The two ignored the [Iron Rules] and involved Tornado (minimum [Mad] tier) and Saitama (likely [God] tier or even [Irregular]) in the mission.
And the opposing party of this mission wasn't any existing plot character in this world. Although he didn't belong to the [Far East Magic Society] but was a member of [Treant]'s squad, he knew some secrets in the circle of high-tier Reincarnators through Treant.
Most Secondary Worlds were easier to anchor because they accommodated a large number of Reincarnators at once. Once they appeared, they would become resource hunting grounds for those Third Ladder teams.
Whether it was drops from plot characters in such large worlds, producible Singularities, or the Reputation Shops that could appear for each faction, they were all extremely precious strategic materials.
These Secondary Worlds would be fought over by every high-tier team. Those Title Level Reincarnators would try every means to gain huge Reputation in that world and generate a [Key] through some method he still didn't know, thereby being able to enter that world multiple times.
The biggest storm in the East District before this mission was [Crimson Magus · Luo Xi] under [Dead Silence Fate] losing in a team battle mission. It was believed she likely lost ownership of a Secondary World related to Wind and Cloud (Fung Wan).
From this perspective, what [Heart Demon] said was indeed likely true. [Tang Sanzang], a follower of [The Final Day], was a terrifying guy. If he joined forces with [Sage], who was best at calculation and [Cognitive Modification] under [Fate Eternal]...
It was indeed possible to influence these powerful plot characters of the Lawful Good faction unknowingly.
His eyes struggled. Although [Treant] had agreements and a certain degree of cooperation with several other Title Level Reincarnators entering this world, he really didn't want to miss such a good mission opportunity right now.
"Speaking of which, you're that disgusting guy under Treant, right? That [Sylar] who likes to cut open Espers' skulls to observe their brains?"
A mocking voice rang out. Sylar's face turned pale. He didn't fear [Heart Demon]; although he knew her abilities were weird, he was equally versatile.
But right now, seeing Tornado and Fubuki looking at him, he quickly explained:
"I swear, I've never done that kind of thing in this world!"
"This world?"
Fubuki felt what the other party said was strange. She also recalled that the tall white-haired spirit body mentioned to her sister earlier about taking advantage of his host not yet awakening to properly interrogate what intelligence these people capable of shuttling between worlds had...
But before the other party could elaborate, he was rudely interrupted by her sister. Fubuki vaguely realized something and was about to ask.
Kaito Shirogane, however, bypassed him and walked directly to the pale-faced [Fleur].
He pinched the woman's wet neck, lifted her up, and walked a few steps to [Red Dust], who seemed frozen after being hit by [Infinite Void].
"You should know this guy..."
Fleur watched the tree man getting further and further away from her. She wanted to summon the Saibamen buried underground, but with their current combat power, even if a few mutated under special potions, they probably couldn't achieve any results on today's battlefield.
She could only take a few deep breaths to quickly adjust her mindset, revealing a forced smile to Kaito.
"Yes. This guy is the second-in-command of [Chaos Sage], [Sage]'s most capable deputy."
She emphasized the word 'capable.' While the Esper sisters behind her were questioning [Sylar] due to Heart Demon's provocation, she once again utilized her strength in figuring out people's thoughts.
It seemed Red Dust was defeated, but a guy like Mercenary Tao didn't kill Red Dust directly. There were only two possibilities.
First, he couldn't kill Red Dust. Combined with the notification she saw earlier that Red Dust was killed, Red Dust likely had some immortality-type ability?
Second, he wanted to extract more benefits from Red Dust and the entire team, and Mercenary Tao already felt victory was in his grasp...
Given that both Tornado and Saitama appeared, Fleur guessed the second possibility was higher.
Just like when she used the opportunity of Kaito's public auction of Compound V to force a bid, causing Rose Tiger to have to throw out the combination of [Shun Goku Satsu] and [Satsui no Hado]. Although Rose Tiger eventually joined Luo Xi's command through quick wit and didn't lose too much...
He ultimately lost two rare items and abilities.
And it also laid the fuse for his eventual defeat and death due to Fleur's betrayal.
At this moment, Fleur accurately grasped the opportunity again. As long as she could survive, she didn't care about the interests of [Chaos Sage] at all.
Kaito heard the implication in the woman's words. He looked at this cunning woman playfully and cooperated:
"Then Sage probably misjudged. Just after reviving, this Red Dust planned to recruit me and establish his own faction directly. Now that I've cleared such a traitor for Sage, presumably..."
Fleur nodded repeatedly. Pressing her head, she began communicating via [Sage]'s ability.
"Red Dust isn't dead. He betrayed the team but has been defeated by Mercenary Tao. Mercenary Tao..."
Fleur just started speaking simply, but before she could say two sentences, her mouth opened and closed without making a sound. Her mouth began to twitch, curling into a twisted smile.
Fear still remained on that beautiful face, but her expression had uncontrollably twisted into a look between crying and laughing.
"Hello, Mercenary Tao. I am Sage."
A voice so deep it didn't sound like a woman could make it emerged from Fleur's mouth. Kaito noticed blood starting to flow from her throat. This was probably some ability forcefully controlling her body and changing its structure.
The eerie ability made Lilith and the others even more silent.
Kaito, however, pinched Fleur's neck again, lifting her to his eyes. His pupils met the woman's gaze, seeming to want to spy on Sage hiding within.
Sage was obviously interrupted by Kaito's morbid, unconventional behavior and couldn't maintain the aura of descending onto the scene with this eerie ability.
Fleur's eyeballs rolled, seeing Red Dust lying on the ground holding the precious saber.
"Heh. Sure enough, it's [Reverse Universe]. Truly a simple guy."
"Mercenary Tao, give this guy back to me."
His voice echoed in the air. Kaito was inexplicably driven to grab Red Dust, but in the next moment, a cold snort rang out. Amidst the roar of exploding air...
Blood sprayed from Fleur's mouth and nose, and her eyes were completely dyed red with blood.
Sage's ability was interrupted by Tornado. He seemed to only realize Tornado's presence at the scene now. This performance gave Kaito a new speculation about his ability.
Perhaps it wasn't a possession-type ability. The opponent merely controlled this woman mentally and perceived the surroundings through mental power, pretending to be able to see everything.
"Fleur"'s facial muscles had begun to necrotize. She could hardly make vivid expressions anymore, only continuing to emit sounds from her mouth.
"You involved Tornado, Mercenary Tao. You broke the [Iron Rules]... That His Majesty won't forgive you."
In the next moment, Fleur's body began to tremble violently. Sensing something wrong, Kaito suddenly raised his hand. A huge fox appeared out of thin air, swallowing the woman directly.
[You killed Reincarnator MM60355053]
"That His Majesty... Heh, Sage is as disgusting as ever!"
Midnight Watch heard interesting intelligence. For a powerful Title Level Reincarnator like [Sage] to call someone 'His Majesty' (Mian Xia), in the entire Space, there were probably only [Supreme Powerhouses] and a handful of other Reincarnators standing at the apex.
Did that kind of guy enter this world too?!
Or did Sage sense that Mercenary Tao involved Tornado and deliberately hint at the existence of a Supreme Powerhouse to force them to back down?
Sage was a master of manipulating human hearts, a powerful Reincarnator mastering abilities similar to 'speaking the law.' His words were a mix of truth and falsehood, hard to distinguish.
"Mercenary Tao, what do you think?"
Heart Demon asked Kaito, only to see Kaito looking down at the tomoe-like mark in his hand.
[Secret Art · Strike of Inari God]. It didn't feel like he actively unleashed that strike just now. According to Kaito's habit, he would choose the now more lethal Dodon Ray if he wanted to attack.
Moreover, each use of this Cursed Seal was equivalent to consuming 1 D-Grade Singularity. Kaito hadn't actively used it for a long time.
But in that instant just now, he instinctively activated this strike.
Associating it with the bizarre situation when he first obtained this thing, Kaito looked at this world eroded by the Spirit World and suddenly thought of the answer.
The Infinite Dimensional Space was probably indeed raising Gu, but the Gu insects weren't just Reincarnators. Many existences who sensed abnormalities also actively participated...
From this perspective, the appearance of something like the [Black King Society] was no longer bizarre.
Kaito turned to look at Saitama, his eyes emitting a strange fervor.
Having experienced the misunderstanding with Gojo Satoru earlier, Saitama no longer trusted these people's 'gazes' much.
"Hey Genos, that guy should be looking at me, right..."
"Yes, Sensei. That Nameless Hero known as Mercenary Tao is looking at you with a gaze mixed with greed, fanaticism, and madness. According to the judgment in the database, the opponent's sexual orientation might exist..."
"Cough. Genos, stop talking."
"Okay, Sensei."
~~~
Get early access to 50+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Hollowborn
~~~
Every 5 new reviews = 2 extra chapters
Every 100 Power Stones = 1 extra chapter