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Added 2025-08-05 15:21:11 +0000 UTCChapter 296: Dark Empire
Even though the Teigu [Beast Transformation: Hundred-Armed Giant] showed off some seriously insane power, it still couldn’t break free from its restraints right away. Before it could even muster its strength, Riku had already swung his blade, unleashing a crescent-shaped sword aura crackling with lightning. It sliced right through the dog-headed beast, splitting it clean in half from head to toe.
The lightning crescent didn’t stop there—it kept roaring forward, straight toward the Imperial Guard behind it. A few unlucky souls who couldn’t dodge in time got hacked apart, leaving a gruesome trail of severed limbs and splattered blood.
The real victim, though? The house. Riku’s strike practically split it down the middle, and it was already teetering on the verge of collapse.
This move, “Thunder Crescent Slash,” had some jaw-dropping destructive power. The Teigu [Beast Transformation: Hundred-Armed Giant] was known for its regeneration, so tanking a hit like that was never an option. Biological Teigu like this one naturally couldn’t match the defense of those made from rare metals, let alone compare to armor-type Teigu. But they all had their quirks, and this [Hundred-Armed Giant] was all about “immortality.” Its split body quickly fused back together, healing almost instantly.
“Not bad, not bad at all,” Riku said, his eyes gleaming. He’d tested the goods, and now it was time to claim them. This Teigu was practically tailor-made for his abilities—it’d definitely give him a solid boost.
Under the scan of his cybernetic eye, Riku saw right through [Hundred-Armed Giant]’s body. The eye locked onto a peculiar spot—an energy core radiating strange power, glowing like a beacon in the dark under his scan.
“That core can move, huh?” Riku noted. The core wasn’t fixed in one spot; it could shift to dodge attacks. This “Teigu core” didn’t seem all that sturdy—it could be destroyed, and overuse might even damage it. After going berserk, [Hundred-Armed Giant] needed a break to recharge the core.
Buzz!
Riku’s figure flickered as he closed in on [Hundred-Armed Giant]. The dog-headed beast, dragging shadow chains, lunged at him with both arms, its berserk state clearly too much for the chains to hold.
Boom!
Its arms slammed into the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust. Riku vanished, only to reappear on the beast’s back.
Shunk!
Standing on its back, Riku’s arm went full “Oni-fication,” sprouting sharp claws that plunged into [Hundred-Armed Giant]’s body, reaching for the Teigu core. If he could grab it, the Teigu was his.
But the dog-headed beast wasn’t dumb—it knew exactly what Riku was after and wasn’t about to betray its current master. The core darted around inside its body, dodging Riku’s grasp, while the beast thrashed wildly to shake him off.
After a couple of failed shakes, the beast decided to up the ante. It leaped high into the air, then crashed down back-first, aiming to squash Riku flat.
Riku wasn’t about to play that game. He vanished, letting the beast slam into the ground.
BOOM!
The impact was deafening. [Hundred-Armed Giant] wasn’t holding back—it smashed the ground so hard it left a massive crater.
Between Riku’s “Thunder Crescent Slash” and the beast’s rampage, Aria’s mansion was toast. The Imperial Guard scrambled to escape the collapsing wreckage.
Crash! Crash! Crash!
The debris piled onto [Hundred-Armed Giant], but the beast just swatted it away with its arms. A crumbling building wasn’t enough to pin it down.
It leaped again, only to get yanked back down by a tangle of shadow chains snagging its legs. Riku reappeared, this time fully unleashing his true form: curved demon horns, wings sprouting from his back, cloven hooves hitting the ground, and a physique even more jacked than the beast’s. He threw a punch that smashed right into the dog-headed beast’s face.
Boom!
The beast’s face twisted under the blow, its body cratering into the ground again. Riku didn’t let up, unleashing a flurry of punches—“Ora!”—each one landing like a sledgehammer, deflating [Hundred-Armed Giant] like a popped balloon.
Shunk!
With one final “Ora,” Riku’s claw struck true, nailing the Teigu core.
Zzt!
He yanked it out without hesitation—a glowing, crystal-like core now sat in his hand. The dog-headed beast instantly shriveled up, motionless.
“Phew!” Riku let out a long breath, a stream of air escaping him. That “Ora” barrage had been satisfying. Nothing beat the raw thrill of a fist-to-flesh brawl. No wonder old Wei always reminisced about the old boxing matches—back when it was pure physical combat, not just a tech showdown.
Sure, Riku’s fight with [Hundred-Armed Giant] wasn’t exactly “pure” either. The beast was a Teigu, and Riku was decked out in cybernetic enhancements. His body might look like flesh, but it was all high-tech prosthetics. Cranking up “Sandevistan” to boost his speed several times over gave it that “Ora! Muda!” vibe, but it wasn’t true time-stop like “The World” or “Star Platinum.”
“Kobi!!!”
Riku’s quick victory and takedown of [Hundred-Armed Giant] hit its owner, Seryu Ubiquitous, hard. She felt the connection snap and dropped to her knees, tears streaming down her face like she’d just lost a close comrade. To her, [Hundred-Armed Giant]—her “Kobi”—was a friend.
“Your Teigu’s pretty sweet, but it’s mine now,” Riku said, reverting to his human form, still rocking his white trench coat. He toyed with the crystal-like core in his hand.
It clicked for him then: [Hundred-Armed Giant] didn’t have to stay in Kobi’s dog-headed form. The core was the key—it could take other shapes, like an actual hundred-armed giant. The form might change, but the core ability stayed the same: berserk mode.
“Give Kobi back!” Seryu screamed, her face twisted with rage. She lunged at Riku, swinging her standard-issue military saber.
Shunk! Shunk!
Before she could reach him, shadow chains hurled black blades that pierced her body, pinning her to the ground.
“Guh!” Blood sprayed as Seryu, nailed to the earth, tried to speak but couldn’t.
Riku had no mercy for this “justice fanatic.” She was too far gone—crazier than a bag of hammers. He wasn’t in the mood to babysit a problem child like her.
The shadow chains retracted, pulling the blades back. Seryu collapsed in a pool of blood, her eyes closing for good.
The other Imperial Guard members froze, too terrified to move. Even their captain, Ogre, held back. Who’d dare challenge this Teigu user? He’d just taken down Seryu Ubiquitous, the justice-crazed lunatic, and she was stronger than all of them combined!
“What is this guy?!” Ogre, the “Demon of the Capital,” trembled, his eyes wide. This monster wasn’t just wielding two Teigu—his transformation suggested a third. Who could handle three Teigu at once? And where did he even get three? There were only 48 Teigu in existence, and even the Emperor’s attempts to replicate them only produced inferior Shingu. Teigu were rare as hell—who was this guy to have three?!
“Run! Gotta run! No way we can win! We’ll die!” Ogre’s nerve broke. The infamous “Demon of the Capital” turned tail and fled, ignoring his stunned subordinates and disciples. Survival was all that mattered.
But the more you want to escape, the harder it is to get away.
In a flash, Riku appeared in front of Ogre, blocking his escape.
Ogre wasn’t always a coward. He’d clawed his way to his position with guts and grit. But years in power had corrupted him. Against regular people or the weak, he was a brutal tyrant, extorting and killing for profit. Against Teigu users or the strong? He groveled and ran.
Shunk!
Riku’s blade, “Buro,” flared with flames as it sliced through Ogre’s neck, setting his body ablaze.
“Captain Ogre!” His men screamed in horror as his body fell. This enemy was too strong—they didn’t stand a chance.
“No rush. I’ll send you to join him,” Riku said with a grin. The Imperial Guard, under Ogre’s lead, was a den of snakes and monsters—a tool for his greed. Harsh on his men, groveling to his superiors, and bribing his way up, he did nothing worthwhile.
Shunk! Shunk!
Shadow chains whipped through the air, shadow-forged Noble Phantasms reaping lives. The Imperial Guard fell one by one.
“This empire’s rotten to the core,” Riku muttered. He hadn’t been in this world long, but he’d already racked up a body count. No regrets, though—this place was a mess. The empire was in its darkest hour.
A young emperor, manipulated by a “Dong Zhuo”-like figure, held the reins. This “Minister Honest” was a true madman, a dictator who bled the nation dry. “Obey me and prosper; defy me and die.” With Teigu like national treasures, he thought he could do whatever he wanted.
Riku knew the deal: Minister Honest had killed the current emperor’s parents, controlled the young emperor, and wielded the ultimate Teigu to dominate the realm. Despite his fat, meat-loving appearance, Honest was no slouch in a fight. His hand-to-hand skills could overpower Leone’s [Beast King: Lionelle], a combat-focused Teigu user.
Honest’s Teigu, [Gem Ornament: Erastone], wasn’t for fighting. Worn on his forehead, it could seal other Teigu at the cost of shattering its gem, which regenerated in a week. Paired with [Guardian Machine God: Supreme Throne], it made the empire untouchable. With those two Teigu, rebellion was futile, and Honest could toy with the nation however he pleased.
The people? Just weeds to him—cut them down, and they’d grow back.
“Not sure if it’s the anime’s Honest or the manga’s,” Riku mused, toying with [Hundred-Armed Giant]’s core as it began to fuse with his body. The anime’s Honest was a pushover compared to the manga’s ruthless version.
Stowing the integrating Teigu, Riku’s gaze turned to the Imperial Palace, a towering shadow over the empire.
“Dark Empire, huh? Guess I’ll be the one to set you free.” He smirked and vanished. In a hyper-centralized empire with overwhelming military might, taking it down was simple: deal with a few key players.
General Budo with [Thunder God’s Wrath: Adramelech], a stubborn loyalist. Esdeath with [Demon’s Extract: Demon God Manifestation], Honest’s war-crazed ally who’d fight as long as she got her battles. Honest kept her happy.
Chapter 297: The Stiff Great General
Chomp!
Minister Ornest took a big bite of meat, chewing noisily as he scanned the room. The assembled courtiers kept their heads down, eyes averted. No one dared to comment on his behavior—not anymore. Anyone bold enough to speak out had long been silenced, permanently.
It was morning court, and the young Emperor sat high on his throne, looking serious as ever. Meanwhile, Minister Ornest stood just below, casually gnawing on a massive drumstick, clearly enjoying himself.
“Minister? Didn’t you eat breakfast today?” the young Emperor asked, his voice brimming with innocent curiosity. Only he could get away with such a question. Anyone else who dared would’ve been dragged off by Ornest’s men in a heartbeat. That’s just how domineering this minister was.
“Indeed, Your Majesty,” Ornest replied, swallowing a chunk of meat. “I’ve been so busy with state affairs, I’ve barely had time to eat or sleep.”
“That’s tough, Minister! You’ve got to take care of yourself. The Empire needs you, and so do I!” the young Emperor said, his voice full of genuine concern. The boy, whose feet barely touched the ground from his oversized throne, seemed to truly believe Ornest’s flippant excuse.
The courtiers below stifled a collective groan. They were used to this by now—the young Emperor’s unwavering, almost blind trust in Ornest was nothing new.
“Your Majesty! Don’t be fooled by this treacherous minister!”
A lone voice shattered the silence, cutting off Ornest mid-thanks.
What the—?!
The courtiers’ jaws dropped as they turned to the source of the outburst. Who’s this guy? Does he have a death wish?!
“Your Majesty! Ornest is a calamity to the nation, deceiving you and leading the Empire astray! I beg you, issue a decree to execute this villain, to set things right and restore our nation’s strength!”
The speaker, an elderly minister with white hair, threw himself to the ground, pleading passionately.
“…”
The young Emperor froze, instinctively glancing at Ornest. A chill ran through the room.
“Minister, what should we do? He’s saying these things,” the Emperor said, pointing at the kneeling minister, his expression unreadable.
“Your Majesty!” the old minister cried, his eyes wide with desperation. Asking Ornest for advice? That was as good as saying, “Who dares accuse me in my own court?!”
Chomp!
Ornest took another bite of his drumstick, glancing dismissively at the old man groveling on the floor. He didn’t care one bit.
“Let Your Majesty decide,” Ornest said, feigning deference, as if he’d follow the Emperor’s lead.
“Very well,” the Emperor nodded. “For slandering a pillar of the Empire, I sentence him to death by ox-tearing!”
The brutal verdict sent a chill through the courtiers’ hearts.
“Your Majesty! I’m innocent! The true criminal is Ornest! He’s the one who deserves this punishment!” the old minister shouted, his voice trembling with righteous fury. How could the Empire survive with a man like Ornest in power? Was this the end of their thousand-year dynasty?
“Silence, you old fool! How dare you slander my Minister?!” the young Emperor snapped, his face darkening as he defended Ornest’s honor.
Ornest smirked, reveling in the old man’s downfall. There were always fools like this, stirring up trouble. If they wanted to die so badly, he’d oblige—along with their families.
Guards stepped forward, dragging the old minister away to face his gruesome fate. They’d done this before; it wasn’t their first time.
“Foolish Emperor! Traitorous minister! The heavens are blind!” the old man wailed as he was hauled off, his cries echoing. The Emperor’s face twisted uncomfortably.
“Don’t mind him, Your Majesty. Just the barking of a defeated dog,” Ornest said smoothly, calming the boy. The Emperor nodded, his expression softening.
This young Emperor had lost his parents to poison—Ornest’s doing, of course. Out of all the imperial princes, Ornest had chosen this naive, easily manipulated boy to ascend the throne. The other princes were either too old or too difficult to control. This one, with his pure heart, was perfect.
Though Ornest had taken over as regent, he was clever about it. He propped the Emperor up as a figurehead, ruling through “advice” and “suggestions,” making the boy feel involved. The Emperor, in turn, grew to trust Ornest completely—not as a mere puppet, but as someone who genuinely believed Ornest was always right. And that made him far more dangerous than any controlled pawn.
“No hope left,” Riku muttered from the shadows. This Emperor was beyond saving. Raised by Ornest, he issued cruel orders as naturally as breathing. Right and wrong no longer mattered to him.
If not for the Empire’s overwhelming military might, capable of crushing any dissent, this thousand-year dynasty would’ve collapsed long ago. No matter how strong its foundations, it couldn’t withstand this level of rot.
The “Empire” was a grand, ancient nation with a millennium of history, the mightiest in the world. Only the Western Kingdoms could vaguely rival it. The Southern Islands and Northern Tundra lagged far behind, and the Eastern Islands—well, they were barely civilized by comparison. Akame, who’d later visit them, could attest to that.
Riku, familiar with the source material, knew this patchwork world and its lore inside out. The Empire’s supreme ruler was the Koutei (Emperor), with the Daijin (Minister) as the head of civil affairs and the Daishogun (Great General) leading the military. Ornest was the Daijin, and Bud was the Daishogun.
Riku glanced at Bud, who stood stoically at the head of the military officials, his face etched with displeasure. But he said nothing.
Bud, the Empire’s supreme military commander and leader of the palace guard, was deeply trusted by the Emperor. If he chose to, he could influence the young ruler significantly. But Bud was an old-fashioned stickler, rigidly adhering to ancestral codes that forbade generals from meddling in politics.
So, despite knowing Ornest was poisoning the nation, Bud stayed silent. He used his authority only to protect a handful of principled officials, ensuring Ornest didn’t wipe them all out. In a way, Bud was the Empire’s last lifeline—his loyalty kept the military faithful, and his presence allowed some officials to keep the nation running.
But his inaction was also its doom. If he’d been even slightly less rigid, he could’ve saved the Empire from collapse. Instead, he stood by, doing nothing as the nation crumbled.
The court continued after the old minister’s removal. Soon, a shocking report came up: Oka, captain of the Capital Guard, had been killed in the line of duty. His Teigu, “Beast Transformation: Hundred-Armed Giant,” was missing. A wealthy merchant family had been slaughtered, every member dead, and the case involved over a hundred deaths. The capital was in an uproar.
“Daishogun Bud, what is this?!” Ornest barked, turning on Bud. “Is this how the Capital Guard operates? Protecting the ancient capital by letting such atrocities happen? This is unheard of! We must get to the bottom of this!”
Ornest and Bud rarely clashed—Bud stayed out of Ornest’s way, and Ornest avoided provoking him. But this time, Ornest seized the opportunity to press Bud, whose jurisdiction included the Capital Guard.
“Daishogun, what’s going on?” the Emperor echoed, though his tone carried trust. Bud had been his late father’s most loyal servant, and the Emperor, idolizing his father, placed great faith in him.
“It’s unclear at the moment. I’ll have it investigated immediately,” Bud replied, his face as stern and proper as ever. The Capital Guard wasn’t under his direct command—he had generals beneath him handling such matters, with only the palace guard answering directly to him.
“Very well, I leave it to you, Daishogun,” the Emperor said, nodding. He still held some authority, backed by loyalists like Bud. If pushed too far, someone like Bud might just “clear the court” of corrupt influences.
This was why Ornest had allied with Esdeath, the other half of the Empire’s “Twin Walls.” Only General Esdeath could rival Daishogun Bud. Who was stronger—Bud or Esdeath—was a hot topic in the Empire, but since no one had seen them fight, both were simply called “the strongest,” earning the title “Twin Walls.”
Even Esdeath respected Bud, though her philosophy of “strength above all” made her a stark contrast to his rigid honor. If Bud ever chose to act, he’d be a formidable foe.
After court, Bud left silently, his presence barely felt unless called upon. He headed to the palace gates, where his duty as commander of the palace guard awaited. He also sent for the officer overseeing the Capital Guard to report on the incident.
The case was outrageous—Bud was furious just hearing about it. How long had it been since the capital had seen such a scandal?
After arranging defenses, Bud returned to his official residence, a place for work, not personal meetings. There, he awaited the Capital Defense General.
But an unexpected visitor arrived first.
From the shadows, Riku stepped forward, sizing up the Daishogun. Bud, with his golden hair, didn’t look old—mid-40s at most, in his prime.
“Who are you?” Bud asked calmly, studying Riku.
A man whose first impression screamed “handsome,” with an air of effortless grace. He didn’t seem like a villain—more like an elegant noble.
“Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Devil,” Riku said with a slight bow, his next words making Bud’s eyes widen. “And the incident you’re investigating? That was me.”
“Why?” Bud demanded, genuinely puzzled. What was this man’s goal?
“Because they were guilty,” Riku replied simply, listing the crimes of Oka and the merchant family—crimes easily verified with a little digging.
“They’re guilty, so the law will judge them. Not you,” Bud said, frowning. He didn’t doubt Riku’s claims. As a Teigu user, Riku had no reason to lie after going out of his way to confess. If he’d stayed hidden, they might never have found him.
“Will they really be judged?” Riku asked with a smile, and Bud fell silent. The Daishogun couldn’t bring himself to say “yes,” because he knew the truth: they wouldn’t.
“The Empire is done for, Daishogun Bud. Is this how you protect it?” Riku’s words hit like a bombshell, accusing Bud directly. “What exactly are you guarding?”
“The Empire’s military is unmatched. No enemy can destroy it,” Bud retorted, his face stern. He thought Riku was exaggerating—no foreign foe could topple the Empire with him around.
“You can stop invaders, sure. But what about enemies within? Don’t you see? A strong organization crumbles from the inside. One Ornest is worth a thousand enemy armies. He’s enough to destroy this Empire.”
Riku spoke patiently, knowing Bud was one of the few decent men left. Stubborn, yes, but not entirely blind. When rebels finally rose, Bud would realize the Empire was beyond saving if he didn’t act. Tragically, his plan to crush the rebels and then deal with Ornest would lead to his defeat at the hands of the “chosen one” rebels.
Chapter 298: Hand-to-Hand Combat, A Familiar Arena
Budo furrowed his brow, still convinced Riku was just spouting nonsense. Sure, other nations might fall for that kind of talk, but the Empire? No way. No matter how badly the country was mismanaged, as long as the military was under his command and Teigu users like him and Esdeath were around, no one could topple the Empire.
Ordinary Teigu users wouldn’t last a few moves against them. Regular armies? They could slaughter thousands without breaking a sweat. What kind of rebel force could possibly take them down?
To put it bluntly, Budo didn’t care much about how the common folk or peasants were doing. His loyalty was to His Majesty, the Emperor—or rather, to the thousand-year-old imperial system itself.
That said, on a personal level, Budo wasn’t a bad guy. He didn’t chase power or wealth, he protected officials persecuted by Minister Honest, and when the Revolutionary Army sparked a nationwide rebellion, he realized the Minister’s antics had to stop.
“If you’re here to convince me to take down Honest, save it. Just surrender quietly. I don’t meddle in political games. You’ve killed, you’ve broken the law, and you deserve punishment. Those people might’ve been criminals, but you’ve got no right to play judge,” Budo said, his expression resolute. His loyalty to imperial tradition wouldn’t waver over a few words. He’d only change his mind if the Empire was truly overrun by rebels.
But staying out of politics didn’t mean he’d shirk his duties. Riku’s crimes fell squarely under his jurisdiction.
“You only turn when the car’s about to crash, buy stocks when they’re already soaring, regret your mistakes after you’re sentenced, and flick away snot only when it’s dripping into your mouth. You’re something else,” Riku mocked, rolling his eyes at Budo’s mindset. Was this guy just a lazy bum who only cared about his assigned tasks and ignored anything outside his job description unless it was an absolute emergency?
Zzt! Zzt! Zzt!
Budo didn’t bother responding to the taunt. Instead, he acted. His body crackled with electricity, the power of his Teigu [Thunder God’s Wrath: Adramelech]. This rare elemental Teigu controlled [Lightning], as its name suggested. Its core was the armor Budo never took off, but its focus wasn’t defense—it was a full-on offensive Teigu, with defense as a side perk. The armor’s arms sported two cylindrical iron rods, key to delivering devastating strikes and channeling lightning attacks.
Zzt! Zzt! Zzt!
Lightning arced toward Riku, who didn’t even flinch. The current hit him, but his anti-electric coating kicked in, acting like a lightning rod. In the 2070s, electric weapons were brutal—one zap could send you to the afterlife. Naturally, subdermal armor designed to counter them was top-tier.
Zzt! Zzt! Zzt!
The electricity danced across Riku’s body before grounding out, leaving him unscathed. If anything, it gave him a little charge, revving up his muscles and cybernetic components like a quick buff.
“Huh?” Budo blinked, stunned. This guy, dressed in ordinary clothes with a seemingly normal body, just tanked his lightning?!
He didn’t realize that while Riku’s body was “flesh,” it was anything but “mortal.”
Crack!
Budo wasn’t buying it. He swung both arms, clashing the iron rods to form a small lightning orb that shot toward Riku.
Boom!
The orb exploded, shaking the entire building. The structure held firm—no risk of collapse—but the surrounding furniture wasn’t so lucky, getting blasted to bits.
Budo’s attacks were high-damage and wide-ranging, but he was holding back. This was his official residence, after all. He didn’t want to blow up his own office.
“Boxers, boxers, General Budo! That attack was so weak—did you skip breakfast or something? Where’s the spirit?!” Riku taunted, appearing beside Budo.
Buzz!
Budo reacted fast, activating his “Thunder Armor” to counter. His Teigu was a natural counter to close-combat Teigu users. The electric field around him could paralyze or outright fry anyone who got too close. Elemental Teigu were just that broken.
Boom!
But it didn’t faze Riku. He threw a full-powered punch, Sandevistan cranked to max. Budo couldn’t dodge in time and took the hit square to the chest, flying back like a cannonball, crashing through the wall and landing outside.
“Cough, cough!” Budo hacked, lightning flickering over him. His “Thunder Armor” had two functions: zapping nearby enemies and boosting his own body by electrifying his flesh, enhancing defense and vitality. The more lightning he channeled, the stronger and faster he got—but mortal flesh had its limits. Even though Budo had trained to handle it, too much lightning would overwhelm his body.
“This guy’s strong,” Budo muttered, frowning as Riku stepped out of the residence. He had to take this guy down here and now, or Riku would cause massive trouble.
But he still didn’t know what Riku’s Teigu was. It had to be high-performance—maybe even elemental, like his own.
“Looks like an elemental type too,” Budo thought. His enhanced vision, sharpened by the lightning, caught the shadows writhing around the room. Riku seemed to blend into the darkness, tendrils of shadow stretching out like they could swallow the world.
Boom!
A bolt of lightning formed at Riku’s fingertip and shot toward Budo, who dodged with a quick sidestep, eyes locked on Riku in shock. The lightning boosting Budo’s nerves, defense, and speed turned him into a blue blur, but he wasn’t taking Riku lightly anymore. He was ready to go all out.
“Impossible! No way! How can you control lightning?!” Budo was floored. According to all known records, his [Thunder God’s Wrath: Adramelech] was the only Teigu that could manipulate lightning. Of the 48 Teigu, many had been lost over the Empire’s thousand-year history, but the Empire still held most and had detailed records. Budo had studied them all. His lightning Teigu was top-tier and unique. So how could Riku wield lightning too?!
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
Riku didn’t answer. Lightning crackled over his body as he entered his own “Thunder Armor” mode. To an outsider, it looked like a ninja showdown straight out of the Hidden Cloud Village. Riku’s lightning leaned darker, almost sinister, like a clash of Yang Five Thunder versus Yin Five Thunder from Dragon Tiger Mountain.
Boom!
Dark clouds gathered as Budo summoned a thundercloud, its flickering lights threatening to unleash bolts at any moment. His ability was nuts—way stronger than Riku’s half-baked Blood Demon Art.
“Kirin, huh?” Riku grinned, recognizing the vibe of a certain lightning-based ninja technique. [Thunder God’s Wrath: Adramelech]’s moves felt familiar, but lightning techniques probably all followed similar patterns.
Budo was no slouch. If he hadn’t run into the busted [Romantic Turret: Pumpkin] and gotten cocky, he could’ve shone on a bigger stage. [Pumpkin], a cheat-code weapon, turned mental energy into shockwaves, growing stronger with the user’s sense of danger. Its ultimate move could remove all limits, massively boosting firepower. Give it a chance, and it’d deliver a devastating blow—or at least force a one-for-one trade.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Lightning rained down from the sky, hammering toward Riku. Budo wasn’t holding back anymore. Shadows swirled, and Riku blinked in and out, dodging as the bolts cratered the tiled ground, kicking up dust. Not quite Kirin, but more like a lightning storm.
Amid the flashes and thunder, Riku closed in on Budo. From the shadows, his blades emerged: “Buro,” blazing with fire and lightning, and “Blood Cry,” its crimson edge sparking. Both slashed down in unison.
Clang!
Budo blocked with his iron rods, but a massive force followed, overwhelming him. His arms were knocked wide, unable to hold for even a moment.
The sudden shift shocked Budo. Riku’s unassuming frame hid monstrous strength. Even in “Thunder Armor” mode, with enhanced power, Budo couldn’t withstand Riku’s slash. It was a complete blindside.
But Budo’s battle experience kicked in. He let the force carry him backward, narrowly dodging Riku’s follow-up strikes. Still, his speed was a notch below Riku’s, especially while retreating, leaving him defenseless against the next attack.
Clang!
Riku pressed forward, blades crashing down again. Budo blocked in a panic, but the overwhelming force drove him into the ground, legs sinking into the earth, leaving him dazed.
“Think you can outdo me in juicing up the body?” Riku said, resting his blade on Budo’s neck, steam rising from his body in a state of high adrenaline.
When it came to pushing the body to its limits, Riku was leagues ahead. Drugs, adrenaline, overclocked cybernetic components, and lightning stimulation—he was on a whole other level. He was practically cheating, able to use every trick in the book, and his body could handle the overload, recovering in moments.
Budo, a “mortal” by comparison, stood no chance against this god-tier cheater. With [Thunder God’s Wrath: Adramelech]’s lightning neutralized, it came down to hand-to-hand, but Budo quickly realized he was fighting a hacked character. His close-combat skills, boosted by his Teigu, could crush most opponents, but Riku wasn’t one of them.
“Huff! Huff!” Budo panted, his lightning fading, the storm clouds dispersing. With a blade at his throat, there was no point in fighting on.
A crowd had gathered—guards from the general’s residence and imperial soldiers from the palace. The residence wasn’t far from the palace, after all, since Budo’s main job was leading the Imperial Guard to protect it.
“Tell them to back off. I don’t want to spill more blood,” Riku said, eyes on Budo. His target was Budo—or rather, [Thunder God’s Wrath: Adramelech].
“…” Budo hesitated. This went against his principles. Guards and soldiers were supposed to protect the nation and fight bravely.
“Stand down. Don’t come closer,” he finally said. It was clear as day—those soldiers would just die pointlessly. Budo knew exactly how strong Riku was. Even with lightning neutralized and his Teigu countered, Riku could slaughter those soldiers like chickens without breaking a sweat.
Chapter 299: Hurry to the North and Summon Esdeath!
“Take off your clothes,” Riku said, his face deadly serious.
“?!”
Bud’s eyes widened, shock quickly turning to rage.
“A warrior can be killed, but never humiliated!”
Clearly, Bud wasn’t about to entertain Riku’s outrageous demand. He definitely didn’t swing that way!
“Tch! I meant hand over your Teigu!” Riku rolled his eyes. He was after [Thunder God’s Wrath: Adramelech], and obviously, Bud would need to strip it off to hand it over!
“What exactly are you planning?” Bud asked, his brow furrowed. This mysterious powerhouse had appeared out of nowhere, his intentions unclear, though his hostility toward Ornest was obvious.
“I’m here to save the Empire from ruin,” Riku declared.
Bud’s frown deepened. What kind of nonsense was that?
“By killing Ornest?” Bud pressed, sensing that this stranger didn’t seem intent on killing him. Otherwise, Riku could’ve just taken him out and snatched the Teigu by force.
“Forget it. You wouldn’t get it. Just come with me and see for yourself,” Riku said, extending an invitation. Honestly, Bud’s stubborn adherence to principles was a bit rigid—almost comical—but Riku respected people with conviction and loyalty. At least they were reliable.
“…”
Bud fell silent. He didn’t have much choice. Glancing at the soldiers gathering in the distance, he sighed.
“Fine. I’ll go with you,” Bud decided. At least this way, he could minimize casualties.
Plus, he was curious about the organization behind this mysterious figure. Had such a powerful resistance force really been brewing in the Empire’s shadows? Maybe it was time for change. Had Ornest truly driven the Empire to this point?
Bud wasn’t completely inflexible. In this moment, he showed he could still be reasoned with—a redeemable man, at least.
With a wave of Riku’s hand, Bud was pulled into the “Shadow Realm.” Riku sheathed his twin blades and melted into the shadows, vanishing swiftly.
“…”
The guards stood dumbfounded, exchanging glances before rushing forward, frantically searching for any trace of Riku or Bud.
Soon, the news reached Minister Ornest’s mansion: Daishogun Bud had been attacked, defeated, captured, and was now missing.
“What?!”
Ornest couldn’t wrap his head around it. This was Bud—the Empire’s supreme military commander, wielder of the Teigu [Thunder God’s Wrath: Adramelech], the Thunder God himself, one of the “Twin Walls” of the Empire!
“Who did this?!” Ornest demanded, refusing to believe it. Who could pull this off? Esdeath? Had that woman lost her mind?! But no—Esdeath wasn’t even in the capital!
“A young man in a white trench coat. Very handsome,” the reporting soldier said. That was all they had—visual details. They didn’t even know Riku’s abilities, only that he wielded twin blades.
“Oh, and he made Daishogun Bud disappear! Vanished right in front of the soldiers’ eyes!” the messenger added, recalling a critical detail. That kind of ability wasn’t ordinary.
“What?!”
Ornest’s jaw dropped. That sounded eerily like the Teigu [Dimensional Formation: Shangri-La].
[Dimensional Formation: Shangri-La] was a space-manipulation Teigu, capable of instantly teleporting a target to a designated location. Its massive energy cost limited consecutive uses, but its power ranked among the best Teigu—a rare spatial type.
And that Teigu was currently in the hands of Ornest’s son, Shura.
“Could it be Shura’s back?” Ornest muttered, stunned. Shura had been traveling abroad for a long time.
“But… could Shura really defeat Bud?”
Ornest wasn’t so sure. He knew Bud’s strength all too well—defeating him wasn’t something just anyone could do. Even if Shura had some fortunate encounter, reaching that level seemed unlikely. Besides, if it was Shura, he’d have reported to his father first.
“This is serious,” Ornest said, his expression grim. The Empire’s top military commander being taken out was no small matter. Attacking Bud was a direct challenge to the Empire itself.
Ornest headed to the palace, where he moved freely—such was the Emperor’s trust in him. In the imperial study, he found the young Emperor reading a book, which made Ornest’s guard go up.
What’s this? The little Emperor’s reading now?
Ornest’s mind raced. He didn’t want the Emperor getting ambitious or competent. A capable Emperor would threaten his grip on power. Maybe it was time to arrange a harem for the boy—surround him with beauties and distractions to keep him indulged. Let him revel in the joys of being Emperor, not meddling in politics. The Emperor should be a rubber stamp, nothing more.
Ornest had long-term plans: get the Emperor to produce an heir early, then die young to avoid any power grabs. That way, the Ornest family could keep propping up puppet Emperors, maintaining control indefinitely. With enough intermarriage, they might even claim royal blood and wield the “Supreme Teigu” themselves.
Ornest kept the Emperor alive for two reasons. First, the royal family, ruling for a millennium, still had loyalists—like Bud—who’d defend the monarchy. Ornest had to tread carefully. Second, the ultimate Teigu, [Guardian Machine God: Supreme Throne].
This was the first and strongest Teigu, the origin of all others and their pinnacle, said to rival the power of gods. Only those with the Founding Emperor’s bloodline could wield it. The Founding Emperor, who established the Empire a thousand years ago and created the Teigu, had laid the foundation for its enduring legacy. The [Supreme Throne] was key to that.
Keeping the Emperor happy and alive was all for this ultimate weapon. It’s why the Emperor still had some autonomy—he was irreplaceable. Ornest held the Teigu in safekeeping, but only the Emperor could use it. The rest of the royal family? Ornest had eliminated them under the guise of “throne disputes,” and the Emperor had thanked him for it.
“Minister? What brings you here?” the Emperor asked, setting down his book with a bright smile, snapping Ornest out of his thoughts.
“Your Majesty, urgent news: Daishogun Bud has been attacked and captured,” Ornest said bluntly.
“What?” The Emperor blinked, as if he’d misheard.
“You mean… Daishogun Bud?” he asked cautiously, hoping it was a mistake.
“Yes. It’s unbelievable, but it happened. He was attacked and taken from his residence,” Ornest confirmed, dead serious.
“Who did this? What do we do now?” The Emperor’s voice trembled, panic setting in. Bud was one of his most trusted allies and a cornerstone of the Empire’s strength. If he could be taken down, the Emperor felt vulnerable. He’d heard thunder earlier and thought it odd—now he realized it must’ve been Bud fighting. A foe this dangerous, so close to the palace, could even threaten him!
He looked to Ornest, eyes pleading for guidance.
“Perhaps it’s time to recall General Esdeath to the capital,” Ornest suggested, stroking his chin.
“Esdeath?!” The Emperor’s eyes lit up. Of course! The other half of the “Twin Walls”!
“Send word to the north immediately! Summon General Esdeath back to court!” the Emperor ordered without hesitation. The northern barbarians were no threat—the Empire never worried about its neighbors. They were insignificant.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Ornest replied, accepting the “command.”
The northern tribes, led by their so-called “Hero of the North,” Numa Seika, had been raiding the Empire’s borders. The Empire had sent Esdeath to deal with them, expecting a quick resolution. Recalling her now simply meant telling her to stop toying with them. When Esdeath got serious, Numa Seika was just a delusional fool, nothing more.
“Minister, will you stay in the palace? With Bud attacked, you might be next. It’s safer here. Why don’t you move in for a while?” the Emperor asked earnestly as Ornest prepared to leave.
“…”
Ornest paused, touched by the boy’s concern. This Emperor was too cooperative. He almost felt bad about planning to kill him. If the boy stayed out of trouble, maybe Ornest could let him live out his days in the harem.
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Ornest said, accepting the offer. The palace was indeed safer, guarded by trap-setting Teigu and dangerous beasts bred with Teigu technology.
Not that Ornest was afraid. With his [Gem Ornament: Eleston], no Teigu user could stand against him. Even without it, his raw strength rivaled the best—Bud himself respected Ornest’s power.
“We should summon more Teigu users and rebuild the Capital Guard into a new force,” Ornest suggested. The capital’s security was slipping. First the Guard’s destruction, now Bud’s capture—things were getting out of hand.
“Excellent idea! Do it,” the Emperor agreed eagerly. The capital was the Emperor’s domain—such chaos was unacceptable!
Meanwhile, in the “Shadow Realm,” Bud was floored. He didn’t realize he was in another world, but the scale of this “resistance” stunned him. The Empire’s shadows had birthed a force this powerful? He saw weapons and tech he’d never encountered, far surpassing the Empire’s capabilities.
“Is the Empire… truly doomed?” Bud wondered, questioning Ornest’s competence. What were the Empire’s assassins doing, missing a resistance this massive? Were they just eating rice all day?!
The “Shadow Realm” was bustling. Buildings clustered around the Skyreach Tower and Einzbern Manor, forming an impressive complex. Patrolling mechanical and artificial human units caught Bud’s eye—their technology was leagues beyond the Empire’s, even to his untrained eye.
Chapter 300: The Role That Exists in Every World
For Budo, this was clearly a bizarre journey. When he was led by a homunculus into the Einzberren Manor and saw Riku casually sipping coffee, he was completely dumbfounded. The resolve he had held so firmly began to waver.
“Let me go, and I’ll take down Honest,” Budo said bluntly. He had realized that if Minister Honest was allowed to keep stirring trouble, the resistance would only grow stronger. If things continued, the Empire might truly reach a point of no return.
“I told you, leave behind [Thunder God’s Wrath: Adrammelech],” Riku replied, sipping his coffee with a relaxed expression. He could sit here so calmly because he had already sent out several homunculi into the world of Akame ga Kill!.
The homunculi worked tirelessly, scouring the land for Teigu. Each one bore a shadow mark, allowing Riku to teleport directly to their side, saving him a ton of hassle.
“Fine,” Budo said without hesitation, immediately beginning to remove the Teigu. Against Minister Honest, the Teigu was practically useless anyway. [Gemstone Ornament: Illestun] could seal Teigu outright.
As for whether he could defeat Honest barehanded, Budo was confident. Sure, Honest wasn’t entirely defenseless, but Budo didn’t think the man could outmatch him.
[Thunder God’s Wrath: Adrammelech] was removed. The armor, clearly adaptive to the wearer’s physique, visibly adjusted in size as it came off.
“Can I leave now?” Budo asked, still wearing a set of soft armor underneath.
“Hold on,” Riku said, raising a hand. A drop of blood materialized and shot toward Budo.
Budo tried to dodge, but shadows instantly restrained him. Without [Thunder God’s Wrath: Adrammelech], he had no chance of breaking free.
The blood struck his forehead, and Budo froze as the transformation began.
As the homunculi carried the transforming Budo away, Riku turned his attention to [Thunder God’s Wrath: Adrammelech], beginning its fleshification. The previous Teigu, [Beast Transformation: Hundred-Armed Giant], had already been fully fleshified and now rested quietly within Riku’s body.
That Teigu had significantly boosted Riku’s recovery and physical strength, even granting him a “Berserk” ability. For Riku, this “Berserk” state was practically constant, and even with [Beast Transformation: Hundred-Armed Giant]’s core running at full overload, it wouldn’t break down in his hands.
Setting the fleshifying [Thunder God’s Wrath: Adrammelech] aside, Riku vanished. He reappeared in the world of Akame ga Kill!, summoned by one of his homunculi.
“Oh? Found a target?” Riku asked, appearing beside a homunculus. They were in the outskirts of the Imperial Capital, standing before a cave.
“As expected,” Riku muttered. He realized this was Dr. Stylish’s hideout. Dr. Stylish, the user of the Teigu [God’s Hand: Perfecter], wielded a glove that amplified finger precision by hundreds of times—a godsend for medicine and research, with some combat utility as well. It allowed for pinpoint accuracy, no trembling hands.
Of course, for Riku, it wasn’t all that useful. After all, steady hands could be achieved through technology. By the 2070s, cybernetic doctors relied on tech, and even firearms had smart auto-aim systems. Purely manual precision, like old man Waver’s, was a dying art.
Dr. Stylish himself was a mad scientist, renowned even in distant Western kingdoms, a testament to his skill. But to Riku, most of his research was lackluster compared to 2070s tech—just a bunch of useless trinkets.
That said, Dr. Stylish’s work had its merits, some even surpassing 2070s standards. For instance, his half-finished “Danger Drug” could induce gigantification and grow stronger by consuming other test subjects. Such a seemingly mystical concoction was high-tech in its own right, beyond Riku’s current understanding.
Then there was his weapon compression ability—absolutely bonkers. How he managed to cram so many weapons into a tiny body like Seleu Ubiquitous’s was beyond comprehension. It wasn’t just tech; it was practically metaphysics.
Dr. Stylish’s dream was to create works rivaling Teigu, using the power of Dangerous Beasts. His research diverged completely from conventional tech, following a unique path. The finished Teigu were proof of its immense potential.
To Riku, the Dangerous Beasts of this world were an untapped resource. The rare metals and lost techniques were also worth exploring, though they’d require some archeological digging to uncover.
Imagine mass-producing Teigu or even Shingu. Shingu might not match Teigu in performance, but they were still plenty strong for ordinary people. Take [Toraichi Takanotsume], a Shingu that made wounds unhealable—basically [Must-Die Yellow Rose]! Who’d dare call Shingu weak? Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, the “Two-Spears Bro,” would be the first to object!
Riku entered the cave, cloaking himself in shadows to lower his presence, drifting in like a ghost. The cave was a world of its own—Dr. Stylish’s secret base, filled with all sorts of modified test subjects.
The most common were the Explosion Soldiers, failed experiments repurposed for self-detonation. A swarm of them was terrifying enough. There were also elite monsters, each with codenames. Seleu Ubiquitous, who should’ve been “Chariot,” had probably already boarded the hearse.
Riku navigated the base, quickly locating the elite guards. The recon trio—Eye, Ear, and Nose—were specialized for detection, tasked with spotting enemies early.
But against Riku, their senses were inadequate. Eye and Ear didn’t notice him at all. Only Nose picked up a faint whiff of unusual blood.
Swish!
A shadow darted, and Riku appeared, dispatching the trio cleanly, earning a measly bit of experience.
The recon team didn’t even get a chance to sound the alarm before hitting the dirt, leaving the others oblivious, overly trusting in their scouts.
Beyond them were three elite fighters:
Knight: Doroma, a stealthy assassin who died to Riku’s surprise attack, split in half before he could react—an ironic end for a sneak attacker.
Rook: Toby, a fully cybernetic warrior with no pain receptors, meant for frontal assaults. Riku smashed him to bits, noting his tech was subpar. An upgrade might’ve helped, but Dr. Stylish clearly wasn’t splurging on rare metals.
Bishop: Jasan, a tank with high defense, died from overconfidence, thinking he could block Riku’s slash. His boldness got him chopped to pieces.
Riku carved through, barely gaining experience. Even with the cave’s swarm of Explosion Soldiers—over a hundred kills—he only netted about 300 experience points. Pathetic. If not for their self-destruct gimmick, they’d probably give none at all. The six elites weren’t much better.
When Riku reached Dr. Stylish, the man—sporting a flamboyant hairstyle and a white lab coat—looked comically out of place, engrossed in his research, oblivious to his “Stylish Squad” being wiped out.
“No, no, this still won’t revert,” Dr. Stylish muttered, wearing [God’s Hand: Perfecter]. He was tinkering with his homemade Teigu, his lifelong goal.
His “Giant Drug” had a major flaw: how to revert from giant form back to human. Becoming a giant was a bit too disruptive for daily life, and Dr. Stylish had no intention of fully abandoning human society.
“Hm? Who’re you?” Dr. Stylish finally noticed Riku, who had crept up to observe his experiment.
Shock and confusion flashed across Dr. Stylish’s face. Was this a guest he’d invited? Why hadn’t his “Stylish Squad” reacted?
“No need to wonder. I killed them all. Not a single one left,” Riku said.
Dr. Stylish’s shock turned to terror. His squad wasn’t weak—only a top-tier Teigu user could pull off such a silent massacre.
“What do you need from me?” Dr. Stylish asked, immediately lowering his stance with a bow, clearly surrendering.
“Quite the flexible guy,” Riku said with a smirk. He wasn’t surprised. Dr. Stylish had no clear allegiances, only his research. Later joining Esdeath’s [Jaegers] was just for resources, as his work had hit a bottleneck. To gain the Empire’s favor, he needed results, and [Jaegers] was the perfect fit for a Teigu user with his own squad. Too bad his overconfidence and haste got him killed.
“Your research is impressive,” Riku said, sparking a glint in Dr. Stylish’s eyes. That praise hit the mark, and it likely meant his life was safe.
“Interested? I can walk you through it,” Dr. Stylish offered politely, all deference.
“Sure,” Riku nodded. With his vast knowledge, he could hold his own as a tech expert or cybernetic doctor, capable of technical discussions with Dr. Stylish.
Of course, their systems were wildly different, so disagreements were inevitable. Riku listened without commenting on what he didn’t understand. Traveling across worlds meant encountering new things, technologies, and knowledge that clashed with what he knew. That was the charm, wasn’t it? Growth came from embracing the new.
Dr. Stylish’s explanation drew Riku’s focus to two technologies: “Weapon Compression” and “Gigantification.” The rest were small fry, easily replicable with simpler methods.
“This tech uses traits from a Dangerous Beast and special metals, similar to memory metal,” Dr. Stylish explained.
Riku, unfamiliar with this world’s tech, cut him off. “No need to explain. Compile a detailed lab report and hand it over.”
He was ready to recruit Dr. Stylish. The “mad scientist” archetype was a staple in every world, often a key figure—usually a villain or the cause of a world’s collapse. A classic trope. Compared to others, Dr. Stylish was a bit of a letdown, his achievements less groundbreaking, and he died early, giving mad scientists a bad name.
Shadows restrained Dr. Stylish, and Riku sent a drop of blood his way. No need for chit-chat—this guy had no morals. As long as he could keep researching, he’d stay compliant.
Dr. Stylish’s transformation was quick, though he offered no special traits, much like Budo. Special traits were rare, akin to Blood Demon Arts, but Riku’s ability to select targets made them seem more common.
(Chapter End)
