In the morning, Zhang Yong woke up in a strange room.
'Why didn't they kill me yesterday?' He shook his head; he had many things to think about.
(World Mission
Difficulty: EX
Description:
Let corruption disappear and justice prevail.
Requirements:
Join the Night Raid and contribute to the revolutionary coup and the elimination of the Prime Minister.
Duration: One year
Reward:
10,000,000 points
Return with all your achievements and gains.
Failure:
Return with nothing.
)
'I see. So this is the world mission. Even if I do nothing, I can still succeed. The problem is, all the main characters in this story will die. Even the protagonist... I'm afraid that in this world, the protection of the favored son is meaningless.' Zhang Yong thought bitterly as he recalled the events.
Then he looked around; everything was ordinary. His gaze then turned toward the door as he heard approaching footsteps.
Then a young man entered the place. He had long green hair covering his left eye, green eyes, and red glasses perched on top of his head. He wore a long green hooded jacket trimmed with fur over a white and red shirt, blue jeans, and brown shoes.
"You're finally awake, huh?" Lubbock looked at Zhang Yong with a calm smile.
Zhang Yong looked at him expressionlessly. "Where am I?"
"Oh, straight to the point, huh? Alright, you're in our hideout," he said with a mocking smile.
Zhang Yong appeared completely unimpressed by his childish behavior. "That didn't answer my question."
"Come on, don't you have any sense of humor?" Lubbock said with a wink.
Yet Zhang Yong's gaze was cold.
Seeing that look, Lubbock sighed and decided to get serious about the question. "You're no fun at all. You're in the Night Raid headquarters. You should be grateful to me—I'm the one who bandaged your wounds. Damn, I wish you were a girl." Lubbock frowned, trying to express his displeasure.
Zhang Yong looked at him and asked, "What happened after I lost consciousness?"
Lubbock looked at him again, his face now serious. "You lost consciousness due to blood loss and your exhausted body being forced to fight. Seriously, you're insane for trying to fight Akame. You know, one wound and your life would be over."
Zhang Yong nodded in understanding. Murasama—kills with a single strike. He had felt it upon clashing with it. The sword bore the marks of the Law of Death upon it.
Then he asked, "So, what will happen to me?"
Lubbock replied as if excited, "That all depends on Lady Najenda."
"Then I suppose I should get up and meet her." Zhang Yong placed his hand on the bed and tried to stand.
Immediately, Lubbock approached and tried to stop him. "Hey, that can wait. Your wounds are far from healed if you get up now—"
But before he could finish, he was shocked by what he saw.
Heavenly Demon Records - Phoenix Garment
Zhang Yong's shoulders were covered by a black robe of death Qi, and the visible wounds on his body began to heal instantly.
Lubbock remained in disbelief. "What the hell?!"
Then the robe disappeared from Zhang Yong's body in an instant. "I'm fine now."
"How did you do that? There isn't even an Imperial Arms with healing abilities." The situation seemed strange to Lubbock.
"I'll explain it to your leader. Then you'll know." Zhang Yong walked toward the door.
Then Lubbock grabbed Zhang Yong's shoulder. "Wait a moment." He looked at Zhang Yong dangerously.
"What?"
Then he put his hand in his pocket and pulled out something like a glove connected to wires. In an instant, Zhang Yong's body was wrapped in wires, covering his entire body like clothing.
"There's no way I'm letting you meet Lady Najenda naked!" he declared, and there seemed to be enthusiasm back in his eyes.
Zhang Yong looked at him before remembering—yes, Lubbock loved the leader of Night Raid. That was his main reason for joining in the first place.
Then Lubbock went out, and when he looked at the sky, he shouted in dissatisfaction, "Damn it! I missed Leone's bath time!"
Then he turned toward Zhang Yong. "It's all your fault!"
Zhang Yong couldn't help but sneer internally. 'He's like Brother Qing Feng. Is it reasonable for me to make an enemy for such a silly reason?'
Then they began walking outside the headquarters before they met Akame and Tatsumi on the way.
"You're awake!" Tatsumi seemed happy to learn that Zhang Yong hadn't died.
Then Tatsumi's gaze turned toward Lubbock standing beside him. "And you are…?"
Lubbock raised his hand and pointed his thumb at himself. "I'm Lubbock."
"He's a pervert," Akame added with an expressionless face.
"Hey, Akame, don't say that about me!" Lubbock shouted, looking upset.
Akame shrugged her shoulders, then said, "The leader has ordered us to gather. She wants to hear the details of the previous mission, as well as about the new recruit and the servant."
"Hey, who's the servant here?" Tatsumi couldn't help but ask, while the three stared at him as if it were already obvious.
"You refused to join, after all," Akame said matter-of-factly. Then she looked at Zhang Yong and raised her thumb. " the new clothes suit you. You weren't seriously injured, right?"
However, Zhang Yong shook his head. "Don't worry about me , you actually took good care of me during our fight,but I think this meeting should be attended."
"Right," Akame nodded before beginning to walk.
After calling everyone, they gathered in the meeting room and reported what had happened during the mission.
"I see. Tatsumi, do you wish to join us?" Najenda spoke, extending her hand toward the two as an invitation to join.
Najenda had short silver hair and purple eyes. She wore an eyepatch over her right eye where her former eye used to be. She wore a black suit and had a green and black mechanical right arm.
Zhang Yong was momentarily surprised as he stared at Najenda—she hadn't invited him?
It seemed Tatsumi hadn't focused on Najenda's words and asked, "What would happen if I refused? Would I die?"
"You won't die, but we won't release either of you. Still, you'll remain alive even if you refuse. How does that sound?" Najenda said with a cold look, as if she were testing Tatsumi.
"Leone already told me, but killing some evil-doers won't change this world. My village suffers from poverty, but even the capital where I planned to earn money is rife with corruption," Tatsumi said, clenching his fist tightly.
"As a man, don't you want to eliminate the roots of this corruption? Your village isn't the only one suffering," spoke a man who was leaning against the wall. This was Bulat.
Bulat was a tall, muscular young man with blue eyes and black hair. His hair was styled into a heart-shaped pompadour. He wore a black shirt with green shoulders, a chest plate, white pants, and black shoes.
"That's why Night Raid is suitable for you. Far in the south, there is an organization called the Revolutionary Army, and they formed a unit to carry out assassinations. That's us. To carry out secret assassinations, we are currently eliminating those who run the capital. When the army moves and chaos spreads, we will kill the Prime Minister, the cause of the corruption."
Something seemed to change in Tatsumi's eyes at Najenda's words, and then he asked, "Will that new country treat the people better?"
Najenda's expression didn't change for a second. "Certainly."
"I see." Tatsumi clenched his fist with enthusiasm. "Great, so this is killing for justice!"
Najenda seemed surprised by Tatsumi's naivety.
Meanwhile, everyone began laughing at him, which made Tatsumi look angry. "What? Why are you laughing?"
"That's simply because you don't understand what you're trying to get yourself into," Zhang Yong suddenly spoke.
"What?" Tatsumi looked at Zhang Yong, his anger flaring.
"It's true that you'll kill those who spread corruption, but are you ready to kill all mission targets? What if the target is someone's son, or his wife, or his relatives and brothers , to carry the souls of those you killed on your shoulders? Would you still call it 'justice'? Stop being naive." Zhang Yong looked coldly at Tatsumi.
Tatsumi was surprised and lost words to express himself.
'He's... right. What if I were placed in a similar situation... But, even someone who seemed harmless like Aria turned out to be... Pull yourself together, Tatsumi. I must do anything for the village.'
Tatsumi calmly raised his gaze and then asked, "Will I be paid?" The question was directed at Najenda.
Najenda nodded calmly. "Yes. If you work hard, you could save a village or even a region."
"Then, I'll do it. Let me join," Tatsumi said, beating his chest. "If the goal is to change this country, then Sayo and Ieyasu would agree."
Then Mine spoke from the side. "You won't be able to return to your village freely, though."
Tatsumi's expression didn't change. "It's fine... as long as everyone is happy, it's fine." It was clear he didn't like it, but for Sayo and Ieyasu—no, for his entire village—he was ready for it.
"However, I have one question," Zhang Yong spoke as he stepped forward. "Your offer was presented only to Tatsumi. But why didn't you offer it to me?"
Najenda looked at Zhang Yong with that piercing purple eye, while smiling coldly. "Because you're different. You're not just a peasant carrying a naive dream like Tatsumi."
A heavy silence fell over the room. Even Lubbock and Leone exchanged cautious glances.
Zhang Yong's gaze narrowed at her. "And what makes me different in your eyes?"
Najenda gripped her mechanical arm, the sound of metal creaking as she squeezed it. "Akame told me about how you fought her. It seemed like a Teigu ability. And Tatsumi said he doesn't know where you came from. But most importantly..." She stood and stepped forward, the sound of her heavy footsteps echoing. "You already know who we are, don't you? That's why you weren't surprised when I mentioned the Revolutionary Army."
Zhang Yong thought quickly.
'She suspects I'm a spy... or something worse. No, if she refuses my joining, the mission will fail.'
"So you want answers, huh? Alright. You should have heard about a noble's palace that burned down a few days ago, right?"
Leone held her chin, looking at the ceiling as she thought. "Right, there was news about black flames that swept through..." Then her eyes sparkled with a flash of understanding.
Zhang Yong nodded. "That's right. I apologize for the late introduction. My name is Zhang Yong. I was the one who burned it. I am the result of experiments conducted by that noble, where he tried to merge me with a dangerous beast. I gained these abilities. Its name is... Eater of the Dead."
Najenda looked sharply at Zhang Yong. "I haven't heard of it before, but that explains a lot."
Bulat punched the wall with his fist, his face expressing disgust. "That's disgusting. How dare he—"
Then suddenly, a sharp creaking sound was heard coming from Lubbock's gloves, and he hastily announced, "Lady Najenda, there are intruders!"
Najenda turned her gaze toward Lubbock. "How many are there, and where are they located?"
Lubbock announced, "According to the barrier's reaction, there are probably eight people, and they are very close to the hideout."
Najenda struck her mechanical hand against the chair. "They're good. They're most likely mercenaries from another clan. There's no other option. Don't let any of them leave alive."
Instantly, the atmosphere suddenly changed, and the group rushed outside immediately, while Tatsumi and Zhang Yong remained there.
Najenda slapped the back of Tatsumi's head while Zhang Yong dodged the slap. "What are you two doing? Go join the fight. This is your first battle."
Instantly, the two moved to leave, while Tatsumi followed Bulat. Zhang Yong released his spiritual sense over the area and noticed three targets. Akame was heading toward them.
'It's better if I go with her. If I kill those scoundrels, my level will rise.' Zhang Yong thought quickly and immediately dashed forward.
Heavenly Demon Records - Dark Dragon Dash
Zhang Yong shot forward, appearing as if he were riding a black dragon forward.
In an instant, he had already reached her side, barely keeping up with her.
"So you came. Can you fight with your wounds?" Akame noticed his presence immediately.
"Yes, no problem. Besides, it's the leader's orders," Zhang Yong said indifferently.
"Don't hate the leader for the way she speaks. After all, she had to be cautious," Akame said, though her expression was stiff.
Zhang Yong nodded. "I understand. I would have done the same thing."
A smile unexpectedly appeared on Akame's face. "That's good. But you should know... if the leader doesn't approve of you joining, I won't give you any meat."
'Nobody wants your meat.'
The two soon arrived at an area near a stream, where three individuals were present.
Their gazes turned directly toward Akame. "The fact that she's here means their hideout is close. It was worth insisting on searching—"
However, before he could finish his words, Zhang Yong moved and sliced his throat. "You talk too much."
"Brother—" Before the second one could realize what was happening, Zhang Yong cut him in half. The last one was killed by Akame with a single wound.
Instantly, black marks flowed from the wound, swirling around the third person's body and killing him directly.
"Hah, just one wound caused all this damage?" Zhang Yong looked with some admiration at Akame's sword.
Akame returned her katana to its sheath. "It's called Murasame. It's a cursed Teigu that kills with one wound."
"That sword truly seems amazing." Zhang Yong stared at the sword for a long moment before looking away. "Let's go."
Instantly, the two set off and began running toward the remaining locations.
Then Zhang Yong activated his domain, and his eyes gleamed with a strange light. "There's an enemy ahead. He's fighting Tatsumi."
Quickly, Akame had shot ahead of Zhang Yong and disposed of the enemy in front of Tatsumi.
And everything ended quickly.
Soon, evening fell upon the place.
The group was eating outdoors.
Najenda then pointed to both Tatsumi and Zhang Yong. "You two performed well for your first battle. And Zhang Yong, I've decided to accept you. You have enough ability to become an assassin. But Tatsumi, according to Akame's report, there are some uncomfortable things. It would be good for you to learn from someone, so be Akame's partner."
"What?!" Tatsumi was surprised for a moment upon hearing that.
As for Zhang Yong, he bowed slightly to the leader. "Then I ask the leader's permission to leave."
Najenda's eyebrow rose slightly. "Oh, is that so? But you haven't eaten the food Akame prepared. Try it."
However, Zhang Yong's expression remained stiff. "Sorry, I have no desire to eat."
Then Zhang Yong turned and left the place.
Akame looked at his departing back. "Is my food not good enough for him?"
"No," Najenda sighed softly. "I've seen that look in his eyes before. He was looking at us as if we were a pile of corpses."
Bulat smiled sympathetically. "I'm sure he's just not used to the place. It's better to give him some time."