Chapter 51: Spectator, Let Me See Your Limits! Truly Peeking into the Future!
The Teigu fusion was surprisingly smooth.
Kobayashi had thought he would have to expend much more energy. He hadn't expected that before he even had to exert himself, [Spectator] had already "yielded" first.
It was a mutual rush towards each other.
Others might think [Spectator] looked ugly and gave off a bad vibe, but... come on! A Teigu that grants Insight, Farsight, X-ray Vision, Illusion Sight, and Precognition is super cool, okay?!
Do you even understand the concept of "strength is beauty"?!
It was just that Kobayashi, wearing the eye-like Teigu, looked a little uncomfortable to others. He was a rather handsome person, but paired with the ugly-styled Teigu, he gave off a strangely sleazy and vile aura.
Kobayashi, however, couldn't help but let out a gasp of surprise, because he was experiencing a whole new world.
"So this is Spectator?!"
Without even activating its abilities, he felt his vision become incredibly clear. The dust motes dancing in the air, the flight paths of mosquitoes—no minute change could escape his eyes.
He had grasped the entire space of the main hall!
This was far more powerful than his [Probe] skill. One was a vague sense, while the other was a complete display.
"How is it? Is there any strain on your body?"
Akame ran her hands up and down Kobayashi's body, afraid that he would be rejected by the Teigu just like Tatsumi. Not to mention, in their eyes, Kobayashi was forcibly using a second Teigu, which should put an even greater strain on his body.
"I'm actually fine," Kobayashi shook his head.
If it were truly a second Teigu, it might have had some effect on him. But he was a pseudo-mage with strong spiritual power to begin with, and with [Spectator] being exceptionally cooperative, he didn't feel any discomfort.
On the contrary, he was so hyped he couldn't stand it!
"Alright, alright, let's hurry up and test its abilities!" Kobayashi's smile gradually turned creepy. Paired with the already ugly Teigu, it sent a chill down the spines of the Night Raid members.
Farsight, Insight, Illusion Sight, Precognition—the effects and functions of these abilities were just as he had expected, with no major differences.
...Except for X-ray Vision.
Perhaps because his wavelength was a perfect match for the Teigu, all five of its abilities had been strengthened considerably.
The X-ray Vision that had only allowed Zank to see through outer clothing could, in Kobayashi's hands, see through everything.
That's right.
In his eyes, all the members of Night Raid were naked.
Several pink flowers and mugwort patches of various colors were in full bloom. For a moment, Kobayashi couldn't take it, and his nose began to itch as if something were about to flow out. He tilted his head up to prevent himself from making a fool of himself.
This action drew everyone's attention.
Akame thought he was having a rejection reaction like Tatsumi and hurried forward to take off [Spectator], but she was stopped by Kobayashi.
"I'm fine."
"But...!"
"It's not a rejection reaction, it's just..."
Kobayashi was rather embarrassed, not knowing how to explain. He could only say to Tatsumi with a meaningful look, "No wonder you had such a big reaction just now."
"Er..."
Tatsumi also scratched his cheek in embarrassment.
The two of them were being too cryptic. The other members of Night Raid didn't understand what had just happened.
But Mine was different. Her hostility towards Tatsumi made her IQ break 120 whenever he was involved, and she keenly sensed the key to the matter.
"Ah! It's the X-ray Vision!"
She cried out, then glared at him fiercely and scolded, "You definitely used the X-ray Vision just now, didn't you! Idiot! Pervert! Go die!"
"W-wait...! I'm sorry, I was wrong."
The thin-skinned young man didn't know how to lie. Under the condemning gazes of the female members of Night Raid, he obediently admitted his mistake.
Bulat, however, laughed heartily and patted his shoulder. "It's fine, it's fine! If you want to see, you don't need a Teigu. I'm available anytime!"
"Hehe, hehehe..."
Tatsumi naturally kept his distance from Bulat's enthusiasm.
"It seems Kobayashi really can use multiple Teigu."
Najenda couldn't help but get excited.
She had to report this to headquarters as soon as possible and then try her best to acquire that humanoid Teigu that hadn't been usable for a hundred years. If she could get that support, their chances of winning against Esdeath would increase considerably!
"Wait, there's something I want to try."
Kobayashi was thinking.
Teigu users consume stamina and spiritual energy when using their Teigu because they lack a high-level energy like mana.
So what would happen if I poured mana into it?
It was unknown, but it was worth a try!
"[Spectator], let me see where your limits are!" Kobayashi grinned, communicated with the Teigu, and poured mana into it.
Suddenly!
Kobayashi felt his consciousness detach from his mind. His mana enveloped his spiritual power, forming his astral body, but the others couldn't see him.
A soul body? Or a manifestation of spiritual power?
But before he could study it in detail, his perspective was pulled higher and higher. He was looking down on the members of Night Raid!
...Is that it? No, it hasn't reached its limit yet!
A steady stream of mana was poured into it, and the amount gradually increased. Kobayashi's consciousness was pulled higher and higher, his bird's-eye view growing wider and wider, until the entire base was encompassed.
Finally, upon reaching a certain height, he was sucked into a black hole!
"What is this...?"
Kobayashi frowned. He found himself in a tunnel, flying forward at an extremely high speed.
How long and how far would he fly? And where was his destination?
He had no idea.
But it seemed that time had no effect here. Because if the time spent here was synchronized with reality, the members of Night Raid would have already taken [Spectator] off and forced him awake.
...Interesting.
Kobayashi's interest was piqued. He really wanted to know where he was going.
Come on, let me see it!
Perhaps sensing his inner thoughts, the Teigu responded.
A blazing, bright ball of light appeared ahead, but Kobayashi didn't even pause and plunged right into it!
Then he arrived at a mysterious place.
"—A divine palace?!"
Kobayashi raised an eyebrow.
This was a grand hall of a divine palace, magnificent and beautiful. Numerous figures were within, but they were obscured by a layer of mist, making it impossible to see what was inside.
Does it need more mana?
A wave of understanding came to him.
He continued to pour in mana, and the mist gradually became clearer, just as he thought. But the most severe problem now was that his mana was about to run out! Kobayashi was not an orthodox mage. He had mana, but not much. The only reason he had lasted this long was thanks to the blue crystal necklace from Aqua.
Give up? Are you kidding me? My curiosity is at its peak!
If there's no mana, then I'll just use divine power!
In order to see the truth, Kobayashi frenziedly poured divine power into the Teigu. [Spectator] also sensed its master's will and began to work desperately. The two's wavelengths constantly matched and blended, finally becoming one!
Even if it was just a sliver, divine power was still divine power. [Spectator] let out a strained, pained groan, and at the same time, the image became clear.
"—I can see it!"
What a sight it was.
Tatsumi and Wave had their arms around each other's shoulders. Bulat and Liver were singing as they drank. Akame and Kurome were feeding each other. Bols and Lubbock were talking loudly. Najenda and Dr. Stylish were fiddling with some machinery. Seryu, Mine, Sheele, and Chelsea seemed to be arguing about something, while Run was writing this moment down with a pen.
Although a few familiar strangers were missing, the faces of everyone present were filled with laughter and joy.
Kobayashi didn't understand, but he was greatly shocked!
He turned his head to look at the space between the thrones, but it was shrouded in an even thicker mist.
In that case, I'll just add another sliver of divine power!
Just as the stubborn, iron-headed Kobayashi was about to pour in more divine power.
Crack—!
A crisp sound echoed in his ears.
[Spectator], unable to bear the burden, shattered.
(End of an book)