[148] : Zanku the Beheader, Pushing Beyond Limits!

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...

"What's this?!"

Some time had passed since Tatsumi's outburst, but his surge of power hadn't stopped. It was as if his speed and strength could increase indefinitely.

Under Tatsumi's sudden escalation, Mika quickly enhanced his own defense, and the need to keep increasing it continued.

"Wait, something's not right!"

Mika suddenly noticed something unusual about Tatsumi. It seemed his body had reached its limit. As the battle progressed, Mika keenly sensed that Tatsumi's body was beginning to crack and break apart.

To Mika, this was anything but normal.

"Let's end this here!"

"..."

"Can't you hear me?"

Seeing Tatsumi relentlessly attacking without fatigue, Mika's figure flashed, suddenly appearing in front of him. Along with him came Mika's fist.

With a heavy punch to Tatsumi's abdomen, Mika sent him flying into a nearby wall, crashing hard.

Ignoring the collapsing wall, Mika hurriedly shouted to Airmid, "Airmid, please heal Tatsumi!"

"On it!"

Not far away, upon seeing Tatsumi slammed into the wall, Airmid was already rushing over.

Watching Airmid cast her magic, enveloping Tatsumi, Mika turned to Gabriel.

"What do you make of what just happened?"

"Perhaps he awakened a magic or skill."

Gabriel, who had been observing Tatsumi's condition, mused thoughtfully. "Although skills in those with Falna usually appear when their abilities are updated, the differences in this world might cause changes."

"I think it might be a sign of his awakening."

"Is that so?"

Mika nodded slightly. After some thought, he said seriously, "If he's awakened a skill, that's excellent. Later, please update his Falna."

"Sure, I also want to see what kind of magic and skills he'll awaken."

Floating above Mika's head, Gabriel replied with a smile.

...

"How should I put it? As expected of a protagonist?"

Looking at the paper in his hand, Mika silently marveled.

After Gabriel's update, Tatsumi's status appeared before Mika.

Tatsumi had awakened two skills.

One was a growth-type skill: Unyielding Will.

This skill greatly accelerates Tatsumi's growth when fighting enemies stronger than himself. After defeating such foes, his growth rate would increase exponentially.

The other skill was called "Fighting Spirit."

This is an enhancement-type skill. When activated, Tatsumi's basic abilities would rapidly increase. The first stage of the boost would push his attributes to the limit of his current level.

In other words, when Tatsumi had just reached Level 2, his attributes would temporarily rise from zero to the Level 2 cap of 999 points.

If that's not enough, it would enter the second stage. In this stage, Tatsumi would remove the limits of his body, increasing his combat power indefinitely at the cost of bodily harm and pain.

However, in Mika's view, this "limitless" is somewhat misleading. Once increased to a certain extent, his body might collapse and lead to death.

To Mika, this was similar to a "Berserk Mode" effect, gaining power at the expense of one's body, essentially risking his life.

Looking at these two skills, Mika couldn't help but shake his head. Through these skills, Mika seemed to glimpse Tatsumi's original life path.

In the original timeline, Tatsumi was quite weak when he first joined Night Raid, often facing opponents stronger than himself. It was in such an environment that he continuously grew, and his growth was rapid and fierce.

Especially after inheriting Bulat's Teigu, "Incursio," his strength quickly approached the pinnacle of the world. In the final battle, his power kept increasing, and he resonated with the Teigu on his body, pushing his combat ability to the peak.

Ultimately, he defeated the strongest Teigu.

These two skills: the growth-type skill represents his progression, while the life-risking skill symbolizes his final glorious moment when he resonated with the dragon.

"This guy's potential is huge!"

"With these two skills, his growth rate will likely accelerate even more."

"Looks like that temporary assignment can become permanent."

Thinking of this, Mika couldn't help but smile.

...

"Oh, I finally have skills!"

"That's great!"

Looking at the paper in his hand, Tatsumi was so excited he nearly jumped up.

Seeing the cheerful young man, Mika and the others couldn't help but laugh.

"Tatsumi!"

"Yes, big brother!"

Hearing Mika's voice, Tatsumi immediately turned excitedly toward him.

Seeing this, Mika said with a smile, "Your mission has changed."

"Oh!"

Tatsumi's eyes lit up. In his view, Mika was going to give him more important responsibilities after seeing his skills.

"Originally, I planned to temporarily appoint you as the captain of the Imperial Capital's security forces. Your task would have been to eliminate the Teigu user 'Zanku the Beheader,' who's been wandering the capital lately."

"Zanku..."

Hearing Mika's words, Tatsumi's eyes sharpened.

After this period of study, how could he not know the power of Teigu users?

As for Zanku, he'd heard of him. Reportedly, Zanku was the executioner at the Empire's largest prison. During the tenure of the previous Prime Minister, Honest, the executioner faced unprecedented workloads.

Under Honest's lawless rule, he had to execute countless people daily. Listening to their wails, he eventually went insane.

He then stole the prison warden's Teigu and began a life of killing.

Thinking of this, Tatsumi's eyes filled with caution. He knew better than to underestimate any Teigu user.

Seeing Tatsumi's serious expression, Mika nodded in satisfaction.

"Of course, before you set out, we'd equip you with gear that would enhance your abilities no less than a Teigu. After all, we're sending you to train, not to die."

"But after seeing your skills, I've changed my mind."

"Next, you will be appointed as the captain of the security forces, not temporarily, but permanently."

"And your opponents will no longer be Zanku but others. I need you to undergo continuous high-intensity battles."

"Who will my opponents be?"

Hearing this, Tatsumi's eyes grew brighter. He loved the idea of facing strong adversaries!

"Night Raid!"

Mika smiled. "Tatsumi, your upcoming enemies are the assassin group Night Raid!"

---

Since Mellie took office, the reform of the bureaucracy within the Imperial Capital had been ongoing.

As a result, the former captain of the security forces, Ogre, was imprisoned, leaving the position vacant.

Originally, to let Tatsumi temporarily stay in this position to hunt Zanku and gain management experience, no one had replaced Ogre after his dismissal.

Now, it's perfect for Tatsumi to take up the role permanently and train himself by confronting Night Raid.

"Night Raid!"

Upon hearing Mika's assignment, Tatsumi's eyes widened in surprise.

How could he not know about the assassin group composed of Teigu users?

"Big brother, targeting Teigu users, is that something I can handle?"

"Of course you can!"

Mika chuckled. "But your equipment will need an upgrade."

He beckoned to Gabriel. Understanding his intent, Gabriel retrieved a set of armor from her dimensional pocket.

"This armor is something I crafted personally during this time, a genuine first-class equipment."

Gently stroking the armor before him, Mika smiled.

After impersonating the Emperor, Mika spent his free time, apart from training, on forging weapons.

Previously, Mika could only forge second-class equipment. But after learning the techniques Gabriel had reverse-engineered from the Teigu, his forging skills improved dramatically.

Now, Mika could be considered a top-tier craftsman in Orario.

And this piece of equipment was the first first-class gear he'd forged.

"This armor was created by integrating Teigu technology. Besides rare materials, I also incorporated parts from Danger Beasts."

Due to the existence of Teigu, the Empire was highly interested in the bodily materials of magical beasts, dragons, and Danger Beasts.

Since a thousand years ago, collecting these materials had been customary.

In local areas, if someone hunted a rare Danger Beast, the most precious parts were always sent to the capital.

With such practices, the Imperial Treasury held countless Danger Beast materials.

These were the materials Mika selected.

"This armor can enhance your physical abilities and is very lightweight, so it won't hinder your movements."

"Wearing it is equivalent to donning armor at the level of a Teigu."

"With this armor and the longsword I previously gave you, I believe you can defeat Zanku the Beheader."

Picking up the armor Mika presented, Tatsumi's face showed excitement. He was very pleased with this armor.

"However, this was the setup for confronting Zanku. If you're going to face Night Raid, this armor alone isn't enough."

"Gabriel, bring out the Holy Sword Durandal."

"Here you go!"

At Mika's call, Gabriel handed over the Holy Sword Durandal, which they'd taken from Gilgamesh.

Mika was quite fond of Durandal, but he more commonly used Arondight, as it could enhance his basic abilities.

"I'll entrust this sword to you for now. Use it well."

Placing the Holy Sword before Tatsumi, Mika said earnestly.

Due to his mastery of various weapons, Mika had an abundance of choices. Rather than letting this weapon gather dust, it was better to let Tatsumi use it to its full potential.

"A Holy Sword?!"

Gripping the sword Mika handed over tightly, Tatsumi's eyes were filled with emotion.

"Don't worry, big brother. I will definitely bring down Night Raid!"

"Alright, it'll be good enough if you don't get killed by them."

Mika chuckled, patting Tatsumi's shoulder. "I don't need you to capture them. What you need to do is, as the captain of the security forces, continually fight them and hone yourself through these battles."

"I still need you to assist me, so don't die."

"I absolutely won't die!"

Tatsumi declared solemnly.

Mika nodded slightly.

"Then off you go. Stay safe."

"In a couple of days, I'll send you some potions. Once you receive them, you can begin your operations against Night Raid."

"Understood!"

Tatsumi replied loudly.

He then turned and left to handle various formalities.

"I'll leave the matter of the potions to you, Airmid!"

Turning around, Mika said to Airmid.

"Leave it to me. I've been a bit idle lately anyway."

"True, since your first mission with the secret unit is that."

Recalling the task he'd previously assigned to Airmid, Mika couldn't help but laugh.

He wondered if the bait he'd set would catch any fish.

Mika was quite looking forward to it.

...

After receiving the appointment from Mellie, Tatsumi immediately headed to the Imperial Capital's security force.

At the security force headquarters, Tatsumi was warmly welcomed.

In recent days, ever since Ogre was arrested, the entire security force had been on edge.

Because Ogre wasn't arrested alone. Along with him, several officers from the security force were also detained.

As time passed, based on confessions from Ogre and others, more officers and members were taken away, and some even fled the capital.

The next day, the bodies of these fugitives were brought back by the newly formed secret unit.

During this period, news had spread throughout the capital that the new Prime Minister Mellie had requested General Budo to provide five hundred elite soldiers to form a secret unit.

Although people only knew the unit was called "Night Raven," their reputation had already spread in the capital.

Because the new Prime Minister used this unit extensively while purging corrupt officials.

Under their watch, no criminal could successfully escape from the capital.

All who fled were brought back dead by them the next day and hung at the marketplace as a warning.

Seeing the bodies of these corrupt officials, ordinary citizens couldn't help but cheer.

Clearly, Mellie was demonstrating through her actions that she was not someone who would oppress the people like the previous Prime Minister.

Conversely, those officials with dirty hands were plunged into fear.

The security force was no exception.

Although new elite members were continually added after various personnel were arrested, the crucial position of captain remained vacant.

This implied that their troubles weren't over yet.

Because of this, the security force had been anxious lately, fearing they might be taken away someday.

Therefore, when Tatsumi arrived, he was so warmly received.

It signified that the turmoil caused by Ogre had finally ended.

However, not everyone welcomed Tatsumi so enthusiastically.

As he smiled, a pair of eyes within the security force stared intently at him, filled with complex emotions.

...

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