Chapter 16: Super Dangerous Species (Fourth Update, Monthly Ticket Bonus)
“Your words have no flaws for now. Do one thing with me, and afterward you’ll be an imperial soldier. But! If I find you have ulterior motives, I’ll deal with you personally.”
Esdeath’s body radiated chilling cold.
“Oh.”
Su Xiao replied flatly, as if long accustomed to life and death.
Su Xiao sighed inwardly. So this is how tiring putting on a front was, but this was the fastest way to join the Empire.
Moreover, Su Xiao noticed something else: some female characters in the anime were different from what he previously understood. Take Esdeath before him, for example—she was a completely battle-hungry, sadistic female madman, no less vicious than Su Xiao himself. Expecting someone like her to be obedient was pure fantasy.
He might be able to kill Esdeath, but recruiting her as a subordinate was nearly impossible.
Once he joined the Imperial faction, meeting female characters like Akame or Leone from Night Raid would inevitably lead to life-or-death struggles. This was a matter of faction and stance.
Trying to romance anyone in the Akame ga Kill world was a pipe dream. Esdeath, Akame, and other beauties were generals or assassins cultivated by the state machinery, each with their own convictions. Changing those beliefs was utterly delusional.
Creak, creak. Su Xiao and Esdeath walked one behind the other through the snow.
“Aren’t you curious where we’re going?”
Esdeath turned her head to look at Su Xiao.
“Not really.”
If anyone else tried to pose as a member of the Dark Division, Esdeath might see through it. But Su Xiao, reeking of blood, fit the Dark Division’s aura perfectly.
“Good composure. Which country trained your assassination unit?”
Su Xiao remained silent. The Esdeath walking ahead, however, wore a full smile.
“If you won’t reveal that, then my earlier words are void. You can’t join the Empire.”
Esdeath’s beautiful eyes flickered.
“Is that so? Then forget it.”
Su Xiao stopped in his tracks and turned to walk in the opposite direction.
“Just kidding. No need to be so serious.”
Esdeath stood still, but Su Xiao didn’t stop.
In truth, the Dark Division was similar to spies in the real world. As a Dark Division member, you could say anything except this one thing—it was an ironclad rule from ancient times. Su Xiao, having navigated the underworld, understood this well.
“As I said before, help me with one task, and afterward you’ll be a Dark Division member of the Empire, my direct subordinate.”
This time, Su Xiao halted.
“Fine.”
Su Xiao breathed a sigh of relief. Tests were everywhere; he’d have to be careful from now on.
The two walked through the blizzard. The biting wind was bone-chilling, but Esdeath’s expression remained unchanged, suggesting her Imperial Armament allowed her to ignore the cold.
Su Xiao followed silently behind. Unless Esdeath spoke to him, he wouldn’t initiate conversation. Too many words led to mistakes, and being caught off guard would be troublesome. Esdeath wasn’t a reasonable person. Though things seemed harmonious now, once a flaw was exposed, it would be a fight to the death.
“Don’t you want to know our destination?”
Esdeath spoke first, her casual chat hiding deadly intent.
“No, but I hope we can reach it within three hours. Otherwise, the cold climate will reduce my combat effectiveness.”
Su Xiao’s mind raced. Esdeath might be taking him to a very dangerous place.
“No need for that long. At most half an hour. I lived in the far north as a child. There’s a super dangerous species here called ‘Fenrir.’ Those giant wolves that attacked earlier were its offspring. If I’m not mistaken, the Northern Army has already reached an agreement with that dangerous species. Now we’re going to eliminate it.”
After hearing Esdeath’s words, Su Xiao felt a weight in his heart.
In the Akame ga Kill world, dangerous species were no pushovers, and super dangerous species were the cream of the crop. Some super dangerous species were even stronger than Esdeath, naturally wielding the elements of nature.
Super dangerous species were somewhat like magical beasts—physically powerful, with abilities mostly involving manipulating natural elements. Some could breathe fire, some control ice, and some had such tenacious vitality that even after death, their muscles could survive for centuries.
The reason Imperial Armaments possessed supernatural abilities was precisely because of these super dangerous species.
This trip was dangerous but also highly rewarding. Given Esdeath’s personality, there were only two reasons she’d bring Su Xiao along.
First, the super dangerous species named ‘Fenrir’ was too strong for Esdeath to handle alone.
Second, Esdeath was testing Su Xiao—both his identity and his intentions.
Su Xiao suspected it was both, which made his mood heavy. If Esdeath couldn’t face the monster alone, he might not be able to either.
“We’re here.”
After trekking through the snow for half an hour, they arrived before a cave. The cave entrance was at least ten meters high, pitch black inside, with cold wind howling as it blew in.
“Can you sense what’s inside?”
Esdeath drew the thin sword at her waist, her expression serious as she stared into the cave.
“There should be a living creature, but I can’t be sure.”
Su Xiao sensed the situation inside the cave. The creature within was strange—sometimes he could perceive it, sometimes not.
“That’s all you can sense?”
“Four meters tall, about seven meters long. Vital signs are unclear; it’s likely hibernating. If I faced that creature alone, I’d have about a forty percent chance.”
Though Su Xiao said this, if Esdeath really ordered him to fight it alone, he’d leave immediately. Esdeath was testing him, and he was testing her in return.
Even if he couldn’t join the Imperial faction, he could still consider joining Night Raid. At worst, it would just slow down his mission progress.
“Unclear vital signs, huh? That should be right. Cover me when we engage.”
Esdeath stepped into the cave first, and Su Xiao followed.
Things were progressing more smoothly than expected. Esdeath wasn’t using him as a pawn, so he’d have to show some sincerity. After all, no one was stupid.
“Wait.”
Su Xiao called out to Esdeath. She turned with a puzzled look.
“If my perception is correct, that creature is sleeping. Your approach is too direct. Given its strength, I suggest a sneak attack.”
“A sneak attack?”
“Yes. I’ll infiltrate first. Come support me immediately after the fight starts.”
Esdeath pondered for a moment.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
Su Xiao’s decisive answer left Esdeath no room for hesitation.
“As soon as I hear sounds from the cave, I’ll be there within five seconds at most.”
Su Xiao took a deep breath. This was the time to offer his ‘pledge of allegiance.’ No amount of sweet talk could earn trust faster than a single action.
Dragon-Slaying Flash appeared in his hand. Su Xiao’s breathing gradually slowed, and even his heartbeat began to decelerate.
He completely retracted his aura, stepping slowly into the cave entrance. His feet made no sound on the snow.
Witnessing this, Esdeath’s eyes lit up. This was undoubtedly a top-tier assassin. She became more convinced of Su Xiao’s background.
After sneaking dozens of meters into the cave, a large clearing appeared ahead. A giant wolf with snow-white fur was curled up, sleeping soundly in the open space.
Though the wolf was asleep, it gave Su Xiao a dangerous feeling. Every hair on his body stood on end.
Suppressing his aura to the limit, Su Xiao silently approached the giant wolf. This was the super dangerous species named ‘Fenrir.’
Raising Dragon-Slashing Flash high, the blade gleamed with cold light. Su Xiao’s arm muscles tensed as he brought the sword down with all his strength.
Pfft.
Blood splattered. A wolf ear the size of a palm was severed.
Oww~
Like a puppy suddenly kicked, Fenrir let out a pained howl and leaped up.
The giant wolf Fenrir was now awake, its beastly eyes fixed on Su Xiao with a threatening growl rumbling from its throat. Its wolf eyes revealed both confusion and fury.
Fenrir had been startled awake the moment Dragon-Slashing Flash descended. This super dangerous species was no easy opponent.
The giant wolf Fenrir stood four meters tall and was about seven meters long, its fur as white as snow, its sharp claws reflecting a metallic sheen.
Su Xiao’s blade had struck the side of Fenrir’s head. His target had been a decapitation, but the wolf’s speed was terrifying.
Rapid footsteps sounded from behind—Esdeath had arrived.
PS: (Fourth update, requesting monthly tickets)