78 Shadow
What goes through the minds of ordinary people when they hear the word 'Shadow'?
They may only think of something it who following them when exposed to sunlight, which is normal for many people.
However, for people in the dark world, the word 'Shadow' is a sacred or taboo word, which can only be mentioned by a few people.
Why? It was because 'Shadow' was the number one assassin in the world.
It has been 10 years since 'Shadow' became the number one assassin in the world, and no one has ever been able to dethrone him.
That's because 'Shadow' always has a 100% rate when completing missions, no matter how difficult it is, even if the target is in an armored room, or is being escorted by thousands of people.
This makes some people call 'Shadow' as 'Shinigami', because no matter where the target is, 'Shadow'will always be near the target to take their life.
No one knows the gender of 'Shadow', where 'Shadow' comes from, or what 'Shadow' looks like, making it seem as if he has appeared from the air.
This makes some people think 'Shadow' is just a urban legend.
But even so the story 'Shadow' will always be the most will be remembered especially for the mercenaries.
For mercenaries especially for those greenhorn mercenaries, 'Shadow' has always been their role model, because of his charisma and the stories they hear.
Even though they didn't know the 'Shadow' they glorified was spying on a teenage boy.
__
'2 and a half months have passed. '
Shadow thought with looking at Kouro who was talking to a small robot which he himself created.
It could be seen that Kouro didn't notice Shadow who was staring at him closely.
But how?
That's because 'Shadow' is currently a shadow, literally.
Even though Shadow thinks doing this is a waste of time, he always remembers the mission that Dr. Mobius give, which is overseeing all the movements of 'Hanagami Kouro', and everything related to it.
Shadow has searched for all information about Kouro, even down to his activities from what underwear he is wearing today, his favorite food, his zodiac sign, and so on.
Kouro probably couldn't imagine that someone would peek at him closely and record everything he did for the past 2 month.
"Welcome back to the world, Kallen-san." Kouro said to the little robot.
Shadow stared at the little robot for a while and widened his eyes after realizing what it really was.
'Isn't this... an ELF?! '
ELF (Equipment: Living Form), Are combat droids capable of independent action, each of them a weapon equipped with a pseudo-core using Soulium with a pre-scripted program.
ELF was first created in the Previous ERA to reduce the casualty rate of human soldiers, because at that time, humans were the most valuable resource they had.
Unfortunately, due to the disaster created by one of the Herrschers (Herrscher of Earth) in Previous ERA, all ELFs, including their creators, disappeared.
(In PE, Herrscher of Earth releases a black hole that devours the entire MU continent including the people in it)
Shadow was able to know this because Dr. Mobius told him, because she was one of the creators of ELF.
Even though the ELF who was created by Kouro wasn't as good as the regular ELF, this is normal, because Kouro didn't have the rare tools and resources like Soulium.
Shadow remains surprised that Kouro was able to create an ELF in just a week without anyone else's guidance.
He then looked deeply at Kouro, then turned his attention to the ELF.
"Kallen-san, how are you feeling?" Kouro said while looking at Kallen who had turned into an ELF.
Kallen tried to stand up slowly, then moved her little feet, then her hands, then her head.
"Woah! This is really amazing! I can move smoothly without any discomfort."
Hearing this Kouro then looked at Bronya happily. "Thank you Bronya! You have helped me a lot."
"You're welcome, Bronya is also happy to have helped subject Kouro." Bronya said with his usual straight face but with slightly sparkling eyes.
Kallen who was currently still moving her body suddenly stopped and said quietly, "...I smell a very delicious cake."
Kallen's eyes suddenly lit up and then looked down, after that she then quickly passed Kouro and Bronya, they both just fell silent then looked at each other then went down to follow Kallen.
Going down the stairs, Kallen saw Kiana holding the last muffin and wanted to put it in her mouth.
Kallen's eyes then lit up.
[It takes 5 seconds before the muffin goes into Kiana's mouth.]
[It takes 15 seconds to get to Kiana in running mode.]
[It takes 4 seconds to approach Kiana in flying mode]
[Activating flying mode, speed: medium]
Kallen then jumped forward and flew quickly towards Kiana or rather the muffin in her hand.
Kallen was able to fly thanks to the anti-gravity engine 'Leonov' which Kouro borrowed (stolen) from the R&D department of St. Freya Academy.
1 second. Kiana looked at the last muffin with pleasure.
2 second. Kiana opened her mouth with her eyes closed.
3 second. Kiana threw the muffin into her mouth.
4 second. Kallen flew up and picked up the muffin while it was still in the air
Kiana who opened her mouth couldn't feel the muffin she had tossed into her mouth.
She then opened her eyes in confusion and saw a little girl? Holding the last muffin.
"..."
"..."
Kiana and Kallen stared at each other.
Just as Kiana was about to speak, the little girl popped the muffin into her mouth with just one gulp.
*gulp*
"..."
Seeing her last muffin had been eaten, Kiana lowered her head and shouted manly.
"ORYAHHHH!! "
Seeing Kiana go 'mad', Ayame then swiftly restrained her.
"Let go of me Ayame!" Kiana who was detained rebelled while shouting in annoyance.
Mei who is currently in the kitchen preparing lunch, then heard Kiana's screams, she then stopped her work and went to take a look.
Mei saw Kiana who was being held by Ayame while looking at a little girl angrily.
'Wait, little girl? '
Mei glanced at the little girl , and just when she wanted to ask.
"Don't be angry, Kiana, that person is Kallen!"
Kouro said after seeing Kiana 'mad' being held by Ayame.
After hearing Kouro's words, Kiana stopped rebelling then looked at the little girl.
"... Kallen? "
"Well... We meet again, Miss Kiana. Oh and also I'm sorry for eating your last muffin."
Kallen said shyly, scratching her neck.
"EEEEHHHHHH!" Kiana shouted in complete shock.
"Kallen? x2"
Mei and Ayame asked confusedly.
Bronya then explained to them.
A few minutes later.
"…After that Subject Kouro asked Bronya for help to make something, which was a vessel for subject Kallen. "
After Bronya finished saying that.
Mei and Ayame are in tears after hearing Bronya's story about Kallen (the Kallen they met in VR World).
"To think Kallen-san lived like that for 500 years. "
"It is very sad. "
"Here a handkerchief." Kouro gave the handkerchief to Mei and Ayame.
"... Thank you." Mei and Ayame wiped their eyes with the handkerchief.
Kallen then bowed her head to Kouro and said gratefully. "Thank you very much Kouro-kun, Bronya-chan because of you all, I was able to live in this world again. "
"Hahaha... No problem. Kouro said.
*Ting! *
Suddenly Kouro's cell phone rang, no, not only his cellphone, but Kiana, Ayame, and Mei's cellphones also rang at the same time.
Kouro looked at his phone then raised his eyebrows.
"Mission? "
The interface suddenly opened.
[Main Quest]: Defeat Honkai Beast 'Chiyou'
Gift Quests:
1. Coupon: Ability Upgrade (Advanced) x5.
2. Gold coins 5,000,000
Kouro widened his eyes after seeing the Quest rewards, 'so many! ' .
Even so, his enthusiasm was immediately extinguished upon seeing Chiyou's name.
Kouro recalled some information regarding Chiyou, the first Honkai Beast to have a Judgment-class, having a very large body size, as big as an island.
In the game, this mission becomes the place where AE and St. Freya academy first met each other to find the Golden Sword.
'And.. ' Kouro raised his head and thought with a serious expression.
'This place is the only hope for Himeko to be able to find the legendary Stigmata that she might be able to use to replace the artificial Stigmata that have taken root in her body. '
