Chapter 51: Secrets of the Nexus
The Professor exhaled sharply. The rush of sharing such world-shattering secrets had left him feeling agitated. Although he had learned all this from [Azure Sky], it felt different to be saying it aloud, knowing that both he and the man in front of him were now active participants in this legend.
Kaito let out a low whistle. He never thought the "hot potato" Ryo had left him would have such an incredible origin. It also explained why his trial mission had been so absurdly difficult.
Sin. A Sequence exclusively for anomalies. As an anomaly himself, it seemed the missions he received were on a completely different difficulty scale from ordinary people.
He looked at the card in the Professor's hand, then recalled the description. "So you're one of [The Chosen]?"
He had heard the name [The Chosen] mentioned a few times by other Reincarnators in the Nexus. It was the most widespread and well-known category of "Special Reincarnator." [The Chosen] were individuals who could see the marks of Reincarnators even before entering the Nexus. They were "talented individuals" sought by the space, each possessing a unique gift. They were a special class, almost like people beloved by the Nexus itself. After they matured, they could often accomplish things ordinary Reincarnators couldn't, even borrowing a portion of the Nexus's own authority.
For example, the rarest and most popular items in the Stall District—[Slave Shackles] and [Scapegoat Dolls]. One allowed you to capture a plot character and bring them back to the Nexus, and the other allowed you to escape mission failure penalties, both for a price. Both items directly interfered with the fundamental authority of the Nexus. They were items that only [The Chosen] could create.
The Professor hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded. "That's right. I am one of [The Chosen]. I am also a reserve member of the East Sector's top faction, [Azure Sky]."
At the mention of the name [Azure Sky], the Professor's pupils dilated, and his entire body seemed to relax. He was visibly proud of this organization. Kaito picked up on this immediately.
"Oh? Is [Azure Sky] a powerful organization?"
Kaito had genuinely given up his killing intent toward the Professor. The information he provided was extremely valuable, the kind of deep secrets those street-level brokers could never provide. Besides, the Professor's analysis was correct. Kaito had concluded that killing this obvious newcomer was, in fact, "not profitable." The Professor was likely carrying some kind of item to deflect damage or heal himself, but it wasn't valuable enough for Kaito to risk everything to seize it.
"Mr. Tao," the Professor said, his voice taking on a distant, almost preachy tone, "you are strong, but as a Reincarnator, you will sooner or later learn that in this space, no one can make it to the end alone."
"One person cannot cover every field. One person will eventually grow tired. There will always be an enemy one person cannot challenge, and a treasure one person cannot obtain."
"A team is the ultimate destination for every powerful Reincarnator. And a faction is just a highly efficient organization where teams with a common goal, led by an absolute powerhouse, can share resources and intelligence."
"In the East Sector—no, in the entire Infinite Space—[Azure Sky] may not be the strongest, but we are absolutely the most special, the most honorable group of Reincarnators!"
The Professor spoke with absolute conviction. Kaito realized this [Azure Sky] must truly be something special. After all, Ryo had died just from acquiring a special card. Yet, [Azure Sky] was capable of casually handing one over to a mere reserve member.
Crack... crack...
Kaito rolled his neck and his right hand, producing a series of terrifying popping sounds. He stood up, a smile spreading across his grotesquely masked face.
"Now there's just one last question, Professor."
A knot of dread suddenly tightened in the Professor's stomach. He panicked. Kaito had suddenly risen from a sitting position to standing in an instant, the movement fluid and silent.
"Professor," Kaito leaned in, "can you tell me... how many special cards can a single Reincarnator hold?"
His mouth split into a wide grin as he took two steps forward. The Professor felt as if he'd been plunged into ice.
"You told me all that," Kaito whispered, "but you never told me if the Twenty-Two Tarot, the Seven Sins, the Eight Virtues, and the Twelve Heavenly Stems can co-exist. Is it possible for me... to hold another [Card]?"
The Professor's pupils trembled as his mind raced.
Thump-thump-thump!
The sound of hurried footsteps suddenly approached. Both Kaito and the Professor sensed it at the same time. Yanagi appeared from behind a cluster of rocks, his hand on his sword. Vincent and Elizabeth were also backing toward them, facing outward. A large number of people had appeared in the woods, and the situation had forced the surviving Reincarnators to regroup.
Soon, dozens of people dressed in black, their faces concealed, appeared before them. The Professor relaxed. They were the [Kakushi] of the Demon Slayer Corps. This meant his goal of joining the [Demon Slayer Corps] faction was about to be achieved.
Kaito, however, realized something else. Between Kanae showing up earlier and the [Kakushi] arriving now, the timing was too fast. The Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, or at least a major outpost, must be very close to Mt. Fujikasane. He scanned the mountains, as if looking for something.
But in the next moment, a new figure appeared, and Kaito's attention was completely drawn back.
The man wore brown Buddhist vestments emblazoned with the words [Namu Amida Butsu]. His eyes were blind and white, and a horrific scar ran down his forehead. He was immensely tall, well over two meters, and built like a fortress, his entire body a mass of muscle that seemed forged from steel. His mere presence was overwhelming.
It was the strongest of the modern-day Demon Slayer Corps, the Stone Hashira—Gyomei Himejima.
Following behind him were Kanae Kocho and her sister, Shinobu, along with several other Demon Slayers.
"Everyone," Kanae called out, "after hearing my report, the Master was worried you would face retaliation. He has graciously sent Mr. Gyomei to escort us all to the headquarters."
Her implication was clear: she was officially accepting the Professor's earlier request for them to join the Demon Slayer Corps.
[Plot Character Kanae Kocho has invited you to join the Faction: Demon Slayer Corps. Do you accept?]
The notification appeared in front of Kaito. The other Reincarnators quickly accepted. Only the Professor glanced at Kaito for a moment before also accepting, then moved to stand behind Gyomei.
Not just the Professor, but Kanae too was now looking at Kaito. In her heart, Kaito, who possessed the ability to kill demons with his bare hands, was the one she wanted to recruit the most.
Kaito spoke, his voice full of casual mockery. "Miss Kocho, isn't your Master worried that after I join, I might kill some other noble and cause him trouble?"
Kanae didn't answer. It was Gyomei Himejima who, after chanting a prayer, spoke, tears streaming from his blind eyes. "The Master says: The distinction between human and demon is far greater than that between lord and subject. The Minister of the Left deserved to die."
The sound of his voice was deep and resonant, as if weighed down by the sorrow of all killing.
Kaito got his answer. He accepted.
[You have joined the Faction: Demon Slayer Corps.]
[Your feat of killing demons with your bare hands has spread throughout the Corps. Your reputation with the Demon Slayer Corps has increased. Current Standing: Friendly (80/100)]
[Main Quest 2 Complete.]
[Reward: 500 Dimensional Points.]
[Main Quest 3 Triggered: Shift the balance of power. You must ensure the Demon Slayer Corps faction surpasses the Muzan faction. Current Power Balance: 13 vs 87]
[Main Quest 3 rewards will be calculated based on the final power balance at the end of the mission. The minimum threshold for a reward is 50 vs 50.]
[Failure Penalty: Annihilation.]
Seeing this, Elizabeth and Vincent frowned. The difficulty of this main quest was ridiculously high.
Only the Professor, whose expression remained calm, stepped forward. "Miss Kocho, Mr. Gyomei," he said. "We have urgent intelligence."
"The thing that Muzan Kibutsuji has been searching for for a thousand years… it is located near the home of a charcoal-seller on a certain mountain. If he obtains it, Muzan will be able to completely overcome his weakness to the sun and become an immortal… Ultimate Lifeform."
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Guys We cross the 200 power stone goal and as promise here the bonus chapter
Next goal 300 power stone,come on guys you'll can do it, good luck.
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