The Schemer's Backlash
It wasn't hard to guess who the opponent was.
Ichijo had drilled it into him enough times.
'Yoshida, was it?'
If Kazuma had Ichijo as his right-hand man, then Kazuki had Yoshida.
After Kazuma's elimination, he'd become the de facto number two in the Yamamoto expedition team under Kazuki—a thoroughly sinister figure whose thoughts no one could read, or so Ichijo had described him.
His raw combat power fell short of other S-rank hunters, but he'd climbed this far through cunning schemes exploiting that very slyness.
That's what Ichijo had said, but the Yoshida facing him now was entirely different.
His actual combat strength far surpassed S-rank.
He was more than qualified for SA-rank.
In terms of pure physical power alone, he already outclassed Kazuma or even Zhang Wei by a wide margin.
Could simply transplanting monster parts into a human body make someone this strong?
He was intensely curious about whatever method had propelled this below-average S-rank to such heights in one leap.
Part of him wanted to take it slow, observe the enemy's capabilities leisurely—but regrettably, Snow's heavy gaze weighed on him from behind.
Time was tight after having quite the enjoyable scrap with Zhang Wei.
Unfortunately, he'd have to probe the real details through hints firsthand.
Of course, first he needed to subdue the rampaging Yoshida—and he didn't feel much difficulty about that.
Even after the heavy expenditure against Zhang Wei, he'd grown far more than he'd spent.
He was starting to sense it keenly now: true evolution was right around the corner.
Shaaah—
The left head let out a small roar and lunged forward with its jaws.
Matching the overly excited one charging ahead, the right head unleashed magic.
In perfect sync with those two, he launched his own attack.
Usually selfish and noisy to a fault, they were his most reliable partners in battle above all else.
Since they were all "him," no discussion was needed—the three attacks unfolded simultaneously from different angles.
No matter how much Yoshida's physical abilities outstripped other SA-ranks, he couldn't handle this onslaught.
In the end, impaled deep through the torso by the left head's jaws, Yoshida shuddered violently in spasms.
Calm down. We need to extract information.
Shhh—
He reined in the left head, which was excitedly trying to chew and swallow Yoshida whole.
It shot him a dissatisfied glare, but obediently released Yoshida anyway.
Of course, it dropped him roughly enough to make a thud, but since he was still breathing, it didn't matter.
"Grghhh…."
I'll ask upfront: any intention of spilling the info willingly?
"Kuh… kill me!"
Previously, aside from his missing limbs, he'd looked mostly human—but during the fight, reptilian scales had even begun sprouting across his formerly normal face.
Some kind of side effect, perhaps?
No intention of cooperating willingly? Guess we have no choice… Left.
I hate this guy's smell.
The left head wrinkled its brow slightly, prompting a firm nod.
The stench was so foul it made his tongue tingle; it was a real ordeal even for him.
They endured it because they needed him.
Grumbling briefly, the left head accepted there were no better options and got to work.
Locking eyes with Yoshida, it opened its third eye.
"Grghhh—."
Though his physical prowess was SA-rank level, Yoshida's mental fortitude was no different from a typical S-rank, so he couldn't resist the mind control much.
This guy's a real sleaze. Even Kazuki's basically just a puppet for him. There's some backer behind it all….
The left head, steadily maintaining the mind control, suddenly furrowed its brow.
Kyaaahhh—!
Averting its gaze, it let out a scream of agony.
The right head blinked in confusion at the frantic cry it had never heard before, inevitably panicking too.
Left!
"What happened?!"
Snow, who'd kept her distance due to the stench, strode forward.
He hurriedly checked the left head in alarm, but it thrashed its head wildly, still screaming in pain.
Bang bang—the underground echoed from it slamming its head against the wall.
"Kuh… kuh… you pathetic fools… His arrangements are flawless…."
Yoshida, sprawled limply on the ground, sneered up at them as he muttered.
His words made it instantly clear: some trick from the backer behind him was at play.
'They prepared for mind control in advance?'
This "Boss" fellow wasn't ordinary either.
He'd anticipated and prepared for potential foes ahead of time.
Even if Yoshida had been willing to spill everything, some other ploy was likely ready.
But more importantly than this Boss, fixing the left head took priority.
Blood tears streamed from its tightly shut third eye.
Snow! Please!
He had no idea what trick had hit the left head, but with no other solutions, he had to leave it to Snow.
At his urgent plea, she sprang into action.
"Calm yourself. Calm down and look into my eyes."
Shaaah—
She soothed the still-rampaging left head and met its gaze.
Even as it flailed wildly, the left head soon locked eyes with her, drawn by the strange power in Snow's voice.
"There, there. Good."
Swish—
Nine pristine white tails swayed gracefully behind Snow.
The left head's wildly excited pupils gradually calmed.
It seemed settled for now.
Kyaaahhh—!!!
The left head had calmed thanks to Snow, but someone else grew even more agitated.
His other partner, the right head.
As if blaming Yoshida entirely for the left head's suffering, it lunged at him immediately.
Resisting the fury-driven right head was impossible for the already gravely wounded Yoshida.
There was a mountain of info still to extract from him, but he didn't stop the right head.
He was just as angry himself.
Logically, they should keep him alive and wring out the details somehow—but he followed his emotions.
"Graaah!"
Screams erupted from Yoshida's mouth under the right head's brutal, one-sided retaliation—not quite an "attack," more pure vengeance.
Gazing quietly at the right head, he added,
Chew him bones and all, crunch crunch. That's the worst pain.
The right head gave no reply.
As if it would have done so anyway, it bit down harder on Yoshida.
Ignoring Yoshida's screams and the spurting blood, he turned away.
By now, the left head had fully calmed thanks to Snow.
Good.
You okay?
"No immediate issues, it seems. More mental than physical damage, but given your unique nature, no need for much worry."
That's a relief.
The "unique nature" she referred to was their personality split into three.
If it were a single personality, the mental blow might have been severe—but since it was divided, the overall "him" wasn't greatly affected.
Moreover, the left head was merely a sub-personality supporting the main one.
Fortunately, no major issues.
Grgh… I'll kill them. You bastards!
Fully recovered, the left head gnashed its teeth.
It seemed to burn with vengeance toward Yoshida's Boss backer.
Silently nodding at the sight, he felt much the same.
Once this is over, we'll investigate.
I'll kill him! Tear him to shreds!
Yeah, yeah. I won't stop you.
"This lady shall lend a hand as well. To harm my husband so brazenly— I cannot stand idly by."
Snow spoke in her usual impassive tone, but cold fury laced her words.
Her nine exposed tails swayed menacingly, mirroring her mood.
Gazing at her briefly, he glanced at the right head.
Yoshida was already a tattered ragdoll rolling on the floor.
Impressive he was still alive in that state.
"Cough… the Boss… will surely… get you…."
No need to hear more bullshit. That Boss of yours will join you soon enough.
—You'll meet in my gut.
He swallowed Yoshida whole.
The foul stench clawed at his tongue, but he ignored it, crunching and gulping him down.
Crunching bones and a brief final scream echoed briefly in his mouth.
"Shouldn't we extract info from the downed ones too?"
"High chance they've got similar tricks. No need to risk it."
Gazing at Yoshida's fallen subordinates, he muttered calmly.
If Yoshida had such a ploy, his underlings likely did too.
Even without, they'd probably know nothing anyway.
No ploy meant no knowledge worth having.
"Hmm. So what about these? Can't use hints recklessly, so can't make them subordinates like usual."
"We'll recover them for now. Stench aside, human-monster fusion is intriguing. Have Jeong Soo-ah or Ichijo research it."
Or maybe Toda was better for this?
Given the subject, the already broken Toda might handle it better than the less-damaged pair.
Or perhaps Zhang Wei's new subordinates….
"Hm. No particular feelings on it?"
"On what?"
"Human-monster fusion. No emotions stirred?"
He pondered Snow's quiet addition.
"…Dunno. As a human, I might've found it repulsive. But now? Nothing. I'm a monster myself."
"I see."
Snow nodded slowly.
"Then this is truly the last."
"Yeah. One remains."
He glanced up at the ceiling.
Somewhere above, the final target, Kazuki, waited.
"Take him down, and this job's basically done."
"Cleanup remains."
"Jeong Soo-ah'll handle that. Evolution comes first."
"Hmm. After evolution?"
He smiled quietly at Snow, who glanced his way.
"Wang Feng, naturally."
"Ho. You always have a plan?"
"Of course. And it'll need your help, Snow."
"Planning to use me arbitrarily again? Such a husband, abusing his wife so. Alas, this lady's fate is tragic."
"…I'll make it worth your while."
"Hehe. Won't be satisfied easily. You'll have to work hard."
Snow added slyly and stepped ahead.
He stared bemusedly at her back for a moment, then followed.