Chapter 50: Kobayashi is a Man Who Can Do Anyone
After finishing off Zank the Beheader, the members of Night Raid returned to their base.
"So strong—!!!"
In the main hall, the sole witness to the battle—Tatsumi—couldn't help but shout his praise.
He boasted to the others, "Miss RyuZU is so strong! Her two scythes moved so fast they formed an impenetrable barrier, and even Zank the Beheader, who was also a Teigu user, couldn't withstand them! Her graceful and agile figure flashing under the moonlight was more elegant and gorgeous than the most famous dancer in the Capital!"
"Oh? Is that so?"
The other members of Night Raid raised their eyebrows, casting curious glances at RyuZU. This was the first time she had made a move. Although Tatsumi was the only witness, for him to be so full of worship and admiration, her strength must be immense.
"Thank you for the praise."
RyuZU held the hem of her skirt and curtsied elegantly, accepting the compliment gracefully, but she also added with her sharp tongue, "However, could you please refrain from comparing me to a dancer? At the very least, those pretentious bedbugs are incapable of completing my master's commission."
Is she being deliberately sharp-tongued to highlight her own importance? It seems I really have been neglecting her feelings lately.
Kobayashi knew RyuZU was talking about him.
"What are you getting so excited about!"
Bulat slapped Tatsumi hard on the back, causing the delicate flower of a boy to shrink back (his shoulders) and cry out in pain.
Leone also helplessly patted his lower back and teased, "Tatsumi, weren't you completely useless? What's there to be so happy and boisterous about when you couldn't even be of use?"
"But I'm not a Teigu user!"
Tatsumi glared with upturned eyes and said, annoyed, "Didn't you all solemnly warn me that an ordinary person stands no chance against a Teigu user and should run away immediately upon encountering one?"
"Oh my? You brainless country bumpkin actually remembered that?" Mine was a little surprised.
For once, Tatsumi didn't talk back. Instead, he scratched his cheek shyly and said softly, "Um... actually, Kobayashi was the one who wouldn't let me join the fight."
"What's the difference? You're still a brainless country bumpkin, aren't you?" Mine seized the opportunity to mock him.
"Say that again!"
Tatsumi angrily charged forward to fight her. Seeing that he was really angry, Mine quickly hid behind Sheele, which left Tatsumi, who was indebted to Sheele for her kindness, both angry and helpless.
"Alright, alright, stop messing around. In any case, it's great that no one got hurt in this mission."
Seeing the scene was getting a bit too lively, Najenda brought the atmosphere back to seriousness.
She said to Tatsumi, "You just said you couldn't intervene in the fight because you don't have a Teigu. Does that mean you feel frustrated about it?"
"...A little, I guess."
Tatsumi lowered his head slightly, and his voice became a little deep as he said, "Before I had seen a fight between Teigu users, I didn't think the gap would be that big. But after seeing the battle between Miss RyuZU and Zank the Beheader, I clearly understood that there's an insurmountable gulf between them."
If he had faced Zank and his [Spectator], he would have surely been miserably defeated.
"No, no, no, it's not as exaggerated as you say."
Najenda waved her hand to signal him not to be discouraged.
"Each Teigu has different effects and functions. There are also Teigu that don't increase one's strength, for example, [Gaea Foundation], which only allows the user to transform. Even with her Teigu, her strength is less than that of an ordinary person."
She was probably talking about Chelsea, the assassin who had no fighting skills and was weak in both constitution and motor skills.
"But one thing you said is right."
Najenda said very seriously, "An ordinary person stands no chance against a Teigu user. Only a Teigu user can defeat a Teigu user."
The old man's words are popular in other worlds too.
Although it sounded a bit comical, it was, surprisingly, a pearl of wisdom.
"By the way, do you want to try a Teigu? The one we got as loot from Zank the Beheader?"
"Can I?!"
Tatsumi was very excited upon hearing Najenda's suggestion, but then he felt something was wrong and asked cautiously, "...Can I?"
The same words, spoken with a different tone, naturally expressed a different meaning.
Najenda smiled and said, "Then you'll have to ask the person who defeated Zank the Beheader."
"Mr. Kobayashi..."
Tatsumi looked at Kobayashi with wide, pitiful eyes.
Kobayashi stroked his chin and said, "To be honest, I hate it when other people use my loot."
"Oh, no..."
Tatsumi was a little disappointed.
But then he heard Kobayashi change his tune. "However! If it's you, Tatsumi, I can let you try."
"Really?! Thank you!"
He jumped up with joy.
Tatsumi's wavelength probably won't be compatible with [Spectator]. I'll just do him a favor here. And even if he can successfully use it, it doesn't matter. Having received my ideological education, he's an important part of my future plans. An increase in his strength will also make him more useful.
"Then... I won't be polite."
Tatsumi swallowed, a little nervous, and reached his hand towards [Spectator], while also mentally complaining about how ugly the Teigu looked.
He picked up the Teigu and placed it on his forehead. After putting it on, it really did look ugly.
Kobayashi's introduction followed.
"Based on my fight with Zank, Spectator has five abilities: Insight, Farsight, X-ray Vision, Illusion Sight, and Precognition.
Insight lets you read what someone is thinking by observing their expression. Farsight lets you see things from a distance. X-ray Vision lets you see through obstacles. Illusion Sight lets the target see an illusion. And Precognition lets you see their next move by observing the minute movements of their muscles.
These abilities are very useful in combat. You can try them all out."
"Ooooh! So strong!"
Tatsumi tried out all five abilities. It was his first time using a Teigu, and he was very excited and very careful.
It's unknown whether it was because he had scorned [Spectator] for being ugly, but [Spectator] seemed to scorn him for being weak in return. After a short while, he began to show a rejection reaction.
"Urk!"
Tatsumi felt a wave of dizziness and staggered to his knees, causing the others to cry out in alarm.
Lubbock said with some regret, "A pity. It seems you can't use this Teigu."
"Is that so? I can't use it?"
Tatsumi's eyes dimmed. It was impossible not to be disappointed. Everyone in Night Raid was a Teigu user except for him. It was inevitable that he would feel a sense of isolation.
However, he quickly adjusted his state of mind and said to the others, "Right! Since I can't use it, why don't you guys try it? Although it's a bit ugly, its effects are still very strong!"
"No, no, no."
Lubbock waved his hand in refusal, even with some disgust.
Bulat explained, "Teigu place a huge strain on the body and mind. In principle, each person can only use one. Any more, and there's a risk of dying from overexertion."
"...Is that so?"
This was the first time Tatsumi had learned that there were such harsh conditions for using a Teigu.
At this moment, Kobayashi suddenly spoke up. "No, I think I can give it a try."
"You mean you want to use it, Kobayashi?" Leone patted his shoulder to stop him. "Don't push yourself. You already have RyuZU, isn't that enough? Look, she's already getting jealous."
"Er..."
Following her finger, Kobayashi saw that RyuZU's eyes held a dangerous glint.
But [Spectator] was also the first Teigu he had ever obtained. There was no reason not to try it, and he was fairly confident he could use it.
"Actually, I can change my own wavelength."
"Hmm???"
Hearing his words, the members of Night Raid were slightly surprised.
Kobayashi continued, "Whether a Teigu can be used depends on whether the user's wavelength is within the same threshold as the Teigu's. The closer the wavelength, the higher the compatibility, and the stronger the Teigu's power. But I'm special. I can change my own wavelength and forcibly use a Teigu."
It was an effect of magic. Every mage was a master with outstanding mental power. Changing one's own spiritual power to communicate with the elements was all too easy. An incompatible Teigu wavelength was a problem for people like Tatsumi who couldn't use magic, but for Kobayashi, it was no obstacle at all.
"So, that means Kobayashi is a man who can do anyone?"
Leone suddenly said something crude, shattering the serious and astonished atmosphere.
Kobayashi shrugged and said, "You can think of it that way."
But... a woman who can 'do anyone' sounds lewd. Why does a man who can 'do anyone' sound so strange?
"Don't tell me... is that how you use Miss RyuZU?"
Kobayashi didn't answer, but just smiled mysteriously. In the eyes of the others, this was a tacit admission.
Najenda thought of another humanoid Teigu at headquarters that no one had been able to use for hundreds of years. If Kobayashi could also use this method to activate it... then defeating Esdeath might not be impossible!
"Alright then, give it a try."
To verify if what he said was true, Najenda wanted him to demonstrate.
"Try it, I'll try it."
Kobayashi took the Teigu and put it on his head without hesitation.
(End of chapter)