Chapter 24
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: New Phase (3)
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A few days had passed since Yamaguchi Shinsuke's death. In that time, the world had been extraordinarily peaceful. No assassins had ambushed me on my way to or from school, and Dennis hadn't burst into my training sessions at the facility shouting something like "Avenger of Shinsuke!"
Maybe the Martial God Cult's guards were fighting off assassins in places I didn't know about, taking care of things for me...
"Still, I'm glad nothing's happened."
Watching Hwayoung lounging lazily beside me at lunchtime, her expression suggested that wasn't the case at all.
"Yeah. I haven't slept a wink lately, thinking it was some dangerous organization."
The attempted kidnapping that day had quietly been buried, without reaching the media or the police. I hadn't gone back to the factory site since, so I had no idea what they'd done with Shinsuke's body.
It felt like an incident where only I got beaten up, ending with no gains whatsoever. But if I had to find something meaningful about it...
"With me here, and Miss Serika too, what do you have to worry about? Those weaklings would be done for with one shot from Miss Serika and my combined ultimate technique."
...our friendship had deepened a little more?
"Wait, what's that about a combined ultimate technique? I haven't heard anything like that."
Hwayoung gave a meaningful smile at my question.
"Hehehe. Miss Serika, the truth is, I approached you with an ulterior motive. You don't even realize how amazing your abilities are."
"W-What? You had an agenda?"
It wasn't just because you liked my face? There was some sneakier purpose?
I jumped in surprise, and Yumi's eyes went wide as she stared at Hwayoung. Hwayoung placed a hand on her chest and continued.
"The truth is, my ability is even stronger than what I showed against that thug the other day. But my physical limits hold me back to just that level. But do you know this, Miss Serika? My 'Possession' ability can be used on someone we've both agreed to. So, if I let the Baby Bodhisattva of Mount Jiri descend into your body instead of mine, we'd combine my ability's potential with your immense physical prowess for a combined ultimate technique: Super Baby Bodhisattva!"
"Ah... so that's what you meant."
I'd thought it was some grand conspiracy, but her playful eye smile and tone made it clear it was just a joke about trying out an ultra-powerful Baby Bodhisattva. Yumi's eyes sparkled as she muttered.
"...Super Baby Bodhisattva. Sounds kinda cool."
Hearing that, I tried imagining it. Hwayoung dances, the Baby Bodhisattva possesses my body, and I punch toward the enemy while going...
[Tlya! Dya! Woorya!]
"...No way."
"Even Super Baby Bodhisattva? It'd be super cool."
I shook my head firmly again, and this time Yumi chimed in slyly to Hwayoung.
"...What about Super Golden Retriever?"
"...That doesn't sound bad either. A retriever-human appearing in the dead of night, babbling... Instilling fear and helplessness in enemies—a truly brutal concept. I love the ring to it."
Hwayoung glanced at me sidelong as she said it. I shook my head again.
"...No thanks."
"Then I'll do it! Me! Pick me!"
"Ufufu, alright. When the chance comes, we'll definitely try a combined ultimate with you, Yumi."
Yumi jumped up excitedly, waving her hands at Hwayoung's cheerful voice.
"Yay! I'm gonna use an ultimate technique! Ultimate technique!"
Watching Yumi bounce around happily, Hwayoung and I smiled warmly, feeling like doting grandparents watching their grandchild play. After hopping in place for a while, Yumi sat back down, scrunching her face.
"Ah, but to use an ultimate like that, I'd have to get as strong as Serika. Maybe I should train starting now."
Hwayoung nodded at Yumi's words.
"Training? You mean the academy? I've heard some parents send their kids there separately from the facility for physical enhancement ability users. Abilities get stronger the more you train them, after all."
"Huh? But if I go to the academy, I can't hang out with you guys. So, I've come up with my own training method! Hear me out! Since I can transform into a golden retriever-human, what if I strengthen my dog instincts even more? Wouldn't that make me a stronger ability user?"
Hwayoung and I both fell silent, staring at Yumi. We were curious what she was going to say. Yumi pulled out her phone, searched something, and showed us a picture.
"Look at this! This one!"
It was a person playing frisbee with a dog.
"...No?"
"This! This is it! You and Hwayoung are strong, Serika! Take turns throwing the frisbee as hard as you can! I'll sprint full speed, catch it with an 'ang!' bite, bring it back, and you throw again! No stopping even if I get tired—a hellish training regimen where I evolve from mere dog-human to mighty retriever-human!"
If the neighbors saw, we'd get reported for school bullying, right? Glancing sideways, Hwayoung's eyes were shaking too. After a moment's thought, I forced a smile and spoke up.
"...I still think going to the academy for proper training is better."
"Hmm, yeah, maybe you're right?"
Thank goodness Yumi gave up quickly.
Anyway, the world was flowing by peacefully like this.
The Prophets were quiet, and our friendship had no issues, so I hoped things stayed this peaceful.
Of course, the world wasn't that easy.
Coincidentally, starting the day after Yumi brought up training, Dennis began seriously mentioning "training."
15 Years of Good Deeds: The Hidden Side of Iwamoto Industry
Dennis sighed as she skimmed the internet article. An orphanage photo floated into her mind beyond her eyes. It was so heartwarming, with the colorful sign and her posing happily with the children.
And that photo told her Iwamoto Yoshio was even more dangerous than she'd thought.
He'd brutally murdered a Prophets member without batting an eye, then seamlessly continued his everyday life. Dennis shuddered at the fact that on the day Shinsuke was presumed killed, Yoshio had gone to volunteer at the orphanage.
There wasn't a hint of a backworld villain in his beaming smile with the kids.
He was a man who could wear a mask casually even after killing someone.
A man who could smile innocently while killing.
That was why Dennis decided to change her strategy against Iwamoto Yoshio.
At first, she'd just wanted Serika to enjoy a normal life under the Prophets' protection. They weren't exactly proper people either, but she figured it was better than growing up under that monster.
But Yoshio was colder, crueler, and more decisive than she'd imagined. She didn't know his goals or the forces behind him. Facing an unknown evil with a lax approach would just get her devoured.
"Miss Iwamoto Serika. How about we talk seriously about training?"
Shinsuke was vulgar but no fool. Dennis wasn't vulgar, but she lacked Shinsuke's sharp mind. No matter how Yoshio had struck, she could end up ensnared and killed the same way.
If Dennis died like this, what would happen to Serika? What reaction would Yoshio have toward his naive, untrained daughter?
Dennis didn't want to imagine it. She believed it couldn't be allowed to happen.
"Since you're a special talent in our organization, Miss Serika, you need to gain experience ahead of time. Who knows what situations might arise? You'll be moving to the facility's advanced training class. Scared?"
So Dennis feigned strictness and assigned Serika a new mission. Serika shook her head firmly at the added question.
"No!"
It was as if she'd been waiting for this exact moment. Dennis watched Serika with a complicated expression.
If her own daughter were alive, wouldn't she make that face and speak so spiritedly?
No, she might ask why she was doing this nonsense in this state.
After indulging in sentiment for a moment, she shook her head. Then she told Serika.
"Starting tomorrow, we'll begin full combat training. I'll mold you into a fine warrior who can hold her own anywhere. Your instructor... We've brought in a renowned expert from the Prophets, so no need to worry."
Dennis thought of Saburo.
With an expert like that assigned, she believed even Iwamoto Yoshio wouldn't suspect a thing.