True Form Unleashed
“Hup…! Haaah!”
A gracefully extended spear thrust in sharply.
The razor-sharp spear tip wriggled erratically, as if it were alive.
Dodging the spear tip with utmost focus to the end, Zhang Wei's attack didn't stop there.
Whirrl— The spinning spear shaft danced hypnotically, dazzling the eyes.
In the blink of an eye, the spear tip multiplied into over a dozen, raining down merciless blows on head, neck, chest, legs—without mercy.
Each strike carried power befitting an SA-rank, devastating in its potency.
Most astonishing was that Zhang Wei's assault relied on no special skills—just pure technique.
Hunters typically depended on skills whether they liked it or not, but the onslaught before me was crafted solely from raw prowess.
The world ranked him a step below the Yamamoto twins, but clashing directly proved that assessment shortsighted.
“Hup…!”
Zhang Wei inhaled sharply and thrust his spear tip once more.
I dodged the wriggling blade just like before, leaping back to create distance.
Whoosh—
“...It touched?”
Despite pulling back far enough, the spear grazed my cheek.
Touching it lightly, blood beaded on my fingers.
A shallow cut that would stop bleeding quickly even without regeneration, yet still impressive.
My brow furrowed slightly at the spear's unexpectedly extended reach, beyond what I'd perceived.
“A skill?”
Zhang Wei offered no reply.
He simply stood calmly, spear tip trained on me as before, silent.
I didn't press for an answer either.
Skill or pure technique—it changed nothing. I still had to do the same thing.
Kill him.
Reaffirming my goal, I moved in.
I was confident in close-quarters hand-to-hand, but that was by my true self's standards.
In this human body, my assurance in melee waned compared to my serpentine form.
Basic physical stats helped—I could crush most foes with raw power alone—but against an SA-rank, it was no easy feat.
Unlike my growth as a snake, humans like him built techniques from the ground up differently.
Thus, close combat with Zhang Wei heavily favored him.
Every attack deflected or turned against me with my own force bordered on artistry.
A moment's lapse, and I could lose an arm, leg—or head.
“Hah!”
Whirrl— With a short shout, Zhang Wei's spear tip pierced toward my heart.
Unlike his prior pure-technique strikes, this carried a skill's momentum—vastly different ferocity.
Can even my durability tank this?
[Kyah—! Dodge, you idiot!]
Using my left head's frustrated cry as a cue, I evaded.
Activating the new Instant Step skill, I widened the gap in one bound.
Yet as if anticipating even that, the spear tip pursued relentlessly.
Absurd as it sounds from a snake, its sinuous bend mimicked one perfectly.
[Not the time to admire! Dodge already, you fool—!]
Opponents of this caliber are rare—mind if I spectate a bit?
And I'd dodge anyway, no need for your nagging.
Twisting my body subtly, I slipped past the thrusting tip.
Before Zhang Wei could retract, I seized the spear shaft.
“Kuh…!”
Zhang Wei tensed to wrench it free, but strength alone wouldn't cut it against me.
Right head, fire magic.
[Hungry…]
As always, my right head spat a fireball.
With his spear gripped, how would Zhang Wei evade?
Safest bet: abandon it and dodge.
But he defied expectations.
Gripping tighter, he spun the shaft violently.
The recoil yanked it from my grasp effortlessly.
“Hup…!”
Reclaiming his spear smoothly, Zhang Wei didn't retreat—instead thrusting again.
Grazing past the fireball perilously, he extended gracefully once more.
Unlike the elegant thrust, the tip twisted demonically, slithering snake-like as before.
Impressive.
Admiring purely, I instinctively reached to block.
Predicting the erratic tip was tricky, but not impossible.
Crack—!
“Hoo…”
Finishing his assault, Zhang Wei leaped back, catching his breath.
Scarlet blood dripped from his spear tip, swung lightly in the air.
Naturally, it was mine.
...Left arm completely severed.
[You idiot—told you not to show off! Got cocky admiring and lost a perfectly good arm!]
Better than letting my head fly off.
And I wasn't just admiring.
I fought seriously enough.
“...I've noticed mid-fight, but that's absurd regeneration.”
As I conversed mentally with my left head, Zhang Wei's voice cut in.
Glancing over, my vanished left arm had regrown pristine.
“No need to spell it out.”
“...I figured it'd be tough, but you're beyond expectations.”
Zhang Wei grimaced faintly, resuming stance.
His words belied unbroken fighting spirit.
This fight wouldn't be easy ahead either.
“Hm. Need this lady's aid?”
Suddenly, Snow—watching idly—asked softly.
Glancing her way, her gaze locked on Zhang Wei.
Her face impassive as ever, but long acquaintance let me read her excitement.
“No thanks.”
“...Hmph. Enjoying yourself?”
“Worthy opponent.”
“...Bored waiting—finish quick. Didn't you say we must hurry for your plans?”
Snow's sharper tone drew a wry smile.
My enjoyment had her blood stirring too.
Zhang Wei was indeed a foe worth her full effort; facing small fry lately must've frustrated her.
Guilt rising, I replied softly.
“If waiting's dull, mind those guys back there? They look ready to pounce.”
“Planning to dump even minnow cleanup on this lady? Truly, you use me relentlessly, my lord.”
Words aside, Snow leaped without complaint.
“Hek…!”
“All hands, battle formation…!”
Zhang Wei's subordinates snapped into position as Snow closed in instantly.
They'd eyed chances to intervene during our duel—prepped and waiting.
Snow, merely whiling time, waited patiently for their setup.
With her engaging them, Zhang Wei's expression hardened, but he couldn't aid yet.
I stared him down intently.
“Worried?”
“...Naturally. They're like brothers.”
“Hm. Don't fret. Soon, you'll want to worry but won't be able.”
Zhang Wei's brow furrowed, uncomprehending.
Ignoring him, I scanned the interior.
Too cramped for true form.
Dunno how sturdy the room, but transforming would collapse it.
I'd held back magic for that reason—same issue post-shift.
Even Size Reduction Technique left it tight.
Fightable, but a huge demerit for me.
Perfect handicap, though.
Snow's impatience and Kazuki's threat left no time to dawdle.
Playtime over.
Stretching lightly, I released Human Transformation.
Shiii—
Zhang Wei's scream-like gasp erupted facing the massive serpent inches away.
His subordinates, fixated on Snow, mirrored the shock.
Tonguing the air at their reactions.
[Stay sharp, Zhang Wei.]
Distracted by them now, and you'd crumble instantly.
Don't disappoint—hold longer than Kazuma at least.
* * *
Meanwhile, as Nix and Zhang Wei clashed.
Deep in the Black Market underground, Kazuki and Yoshida faced off.
Two factions, glaring sharply—hardly lord-vassal vibes.
“Kazuki-sama. Unharmed, I see.”
“...Yes. You too, Yoshida.”
Yoshida smiled thinly at Kazuki's flat reply.
“Truly fortunate. Those Chinese were vicious… heart-stopping moments aplenty.”
“...Is that so?”
Kazuki glanced flatly again, eyeing Yoshida and his men.
His side bore battle scars everywhere; theirs pristine.
As if they'd never fought.
Meeting Kazuki's silent glare, Yoshida adjusted his glasses lightly.
Tension crackled—they could lunge any second.
“Yoshida.”
“Yes, Kazuki-sama.”
“...How many years under me?”
“Hm… Nigh on ten. Quite the bond.”
“...Yes. Nearly ten years.”
Kazuki sighed deeply.
“Longer with you than Kazuma in shared time. Once thought you more brother than him.”
“Haha, honored. I too see you as—”
“Foolishly deemed myself cold, but not entirely. Ten years bred misplaced faith.”
“……”
“I know you well from our time. Kept you close for talent, trusted above all.”
Kazuki asked quietly.
“Since when?”
Under his piercing stare, Yoshida smiled.
“Pardon…?”
“Knew long ago you collude with Zhang Wei. Think me blind?”
“……”
“For old ties, I'll grant seppuku. Call your backer and end cleanly. Who pulls your strings?”
“...Hoh.”
Yoshida exhaled softly as Kazuki's aura surged.
“Impressive. Saw that far? As expected, Kazuki-sama…”
“No chatter. Name your backer.”
“But you called me brother? For sentiment's sake, a brief talk—”
“Forgot I slew my true brother Kazuma?”
“...Ah.”
Yoshida clucked sympathetically.
Kazuki frowned at his infuriating nonchalance.
“You… have a hidden card.”
“Haha, perceptive? Think I'd chat idly without prep, fool that I am?”
Kazuki scanned surroundings warily at Yoshida's smirk.
No odd presences or anomalies.
Yet colluding with Zhang Wei in China's den, he stayed vigilant.
Even if another SA-rank like Zhang Wei lurked.
“Your tricks mean nothing. Forgot the obvious, despite years at my side… I am Yamamoto Kazuki.”
Unleashing pent aura, Kazuki glared.
The ferocious wave made his men—and Yoshida's—flinch.
Yoshida merely smiled faintly.
“As I said, no fool am I—how could I forget? I've watched you longest.”
Kazuki glared at his cryptic grin, irked by the composure.
“...Enough. I'll uncover your backer later. For now, your traitor's head suffices.”
“Misunderstanding. Strictly, I'm no traitor.”
“Nonsense—what, don't tell me?!”
Yoshida grinned as Kazuki scowled.
“Not your subordinate since that day ten years ago. Feigning loyalty was taxing.”
“...You bastard! Yoshida—!!!”
Enraged, Kazuki charged.
Yoshida leaped back smiling, his men blocking.
“Block me with these small fry?!”
“Haha! Underestimate at your peril!”
Thus began the clash: Kazuki, Yoshida, and their followers.
* * *
Not far from the opulent Black Market building, Song Jae-ha observed quietly with his guildmates.
Time passed since Yamamoto expedition descended; he figured resolution neared.
When they entered, he'd arrived early but opted to watch, not follow.
Plan: let them exhaust, then strike the winner. Ensured Zhang Wei survived via calculation.
Underground's limited escape favored surface wait—safer for contingencies.
Without Black Market aid, play safe.
Sighing at Jeong Soo-ah's refusal.
No mere underworld queen.
And above all…
Song Jae-ha's hand brushed the Cheongsong Sword at his waist.
That day's reclaim: the enigmatic pair unforgettable.
...Probed deep, nothing substantial.
At least SA-rank—felt SS-rank. Yet info voided oddly.
Norms yielded traces; theirs nil, like sky-dropped phantoms.
Black Market hid well, perhaps…
Too many hitches.
Rumble—
Song Jae-ha sensed a massive quake mid-thought.
Deep subterranean tremor.
Epicenter: Black Market underground.
“What's happening down there?”
Frowning, he muttered lowly.
His gaze turned to the glittering Black Market building.