Chapter 235: Kurokawa Iori’s Solution
“Release!”
A sudden, powerful sense of restraint instantly controlled the bodies of both people. However, Masashi Sakuraba, who had already sensed something, had mobilized the spiritual energy within him before this. At the last moment before the attack landed, he spat out a character from his throat, imbued with a special deterrent force.
A purple energy circle emanated from Sakuraba’s mouth, and the originally swift black shadows, under the radiation of this energy circle, had their speed drastically reduced, revealing their true forms.
Pure black wolf heads exuded a terrifyingly fierce aura, and their pupilless whites looked as if devoid of life. Their sharp claws emitted a black, sinister glow, directly locking onto the vital points of the two people’s bodies. The tails of the wolf beasts were even in a phantasmal, ethereal state, extending all the way to the jet-black shadows behind the two.
“Crack—”
The energy within Sakuraba’s body was compressed bit by bit, then erupted fiercely, directly breaking free from the strange restraining power that came from the shadows.
And in just this short period, the power of the release order, which was initially unleashed in a moment of urgency, also slowly dissipated. The shadow wolves in mid-air once again recovered their original ghostly speed, transforming into streaks of black shadows and charging towards the two once more.
“Chirp—”
Several piercing sounds rang out simultaneously in the room. The black shadow wolves didn’t even have time to let out a scream before their bodies were completely corroded by the purple venom that erupted from within. The liquid that dripped to the ground after being corroded converged like a living thing into a small purple snake, which then returned to Sakuraba’s hand.
“Uncle, the organization’s rules do not allow executives to fight each other, right?”
The purple left eye slowly transformed into the pale yellow vertical pupil of the other right eye. Sakuraba nonchalantly shouted at the surrounding air, and behind him, a giant snake formed by spiritual energy was gathering.
Almost at the instant of the other party’s attack, Sakuraba had already recognized the other party’s identity from that special energy.
Executive [Shadow], Fukada Akihiko. His ability was to control shadow abilities. He was a middle-aged uncle with a very good personality, even to the point of feeling slightly out of place in this dark organization filled with perverts.
He was also the representative of the neutral faction within the organization, basically only taking orders from the leader [Shadow]. He did not get involved in the struggles of other factions, and due to his smooth, good-natured personality, he had good relationships with most people in the organization.
However, looking down on him because of his outwardly calculating and oily appearance would be a big mistake. Sakuraba, who had had many encounters with Fukada Akihiko, knew very well in his heart that this middle-aged uncle, who appeared unreliable, was an extremely terrifying killer!
“You crossed the line with this matter.”
A low, cold voice sounded from underground, and a robust figure slowly rose from the jet-black shadows as if they were ink. The middle-aged uncle, dressed in a suit, no longer had his usual perfunctory smile on his face; all that remained was his undisguised, terrifying killing intent.
“Fighting here will definitely attract those people from the Association. Master [Shadow]’s plan has reached its final stage. Uncle, you don’t want to cause the plan to be exposed because of yourself.”
The phantom viper behind him grew more solid, and Sakuraba’s vertical pupils stared intently at the figure before him. His lips parted slightly, trying to prevent any impulsive actions.
Although they were all executives, there were still significant differences in their strength. Moreover, their abilities were terribly mismatched in terms of compatibility. Even with the berserk Kurokawa Iori, Sakuraba could hold his own for a long time with his abilities and spells. But when facing the top assassin, Fukada Akihiko, Sakuraba, who had also dabbled in clairvoyance, saw no option of victory in the results he foresaw.
However, Kurokawa Iori, who was also present and possessed considerable strength, could somewhat reassure Sakuraba. At least if a fight truly broke out, they would have a good chance of winning.
But regardless, there was still room for de-escalation in this matter. Sakuraba did not want to be involved in such a meaningless frontal combat. It would be best to use Master [Shadow] to stop the other party’s actions.
As if persuaded, Fukada Akihiko’s expression shifted, and he lowered himself. But in the next moment, Fukada Akihiko’s figure directly melted into the shadows on the ground like ink, and the black shadows under the lights began to surge wildly.
[Damn it, can’t talk sense?!]
Fukada Akihiko’s sudden outburst was somewhat beyond Sakuraba’s expectations. Although, in their investigation of him, the person he cared about most was probably Kazumi Shimizu, the daughter of a deceased friend.
But Sakuraba believed that his calm demeanor and his loyalty to [Shadow] meant he would not act so impulsively. At the very least, for them, who were both executives, it would be difficult to kill the other without causing a major disturbance. Not to mention, if a large commotion were to occur and attract heroes from the Association, even the organization’s plan could be affected.
[Is his concern for Kazumi Shimizu even greater than his loyalty to the organization? Or does he have the means to quickly deal with us?]
The phantom giant snake beneath his feet suddenly rose, pulling Sakuraba along and creating distance. At this moment, Sakuraba no longer cared whether Kurokawa Iori’s spatial inversion could withstand it and directly controlled the giant snake to ascend.
Under the faint light sources around, the giant shadow beneath the giant snake seemed to come alive. An equally sized ink-black giant snake emerged from the shadows, and with a ferocious aura, it began to wrestle with the giant snake beneath Sakuraba’s feet.
“Hmm?”
Several protective spells lit up on his body. Sakuraba ignored the summoned creatures grappling beneath him and frowned as he looked at Kurokawa Iori, who stood motionless in place.
For some reason, Kurokawa Iori not only didn’t use his ability to resist but stood silently in place, as if waiting for something from above.
Countless black chains extended from the black shadows on the ground, directly piercing the glasses-wearing youth’s vital points. Then, four identical black shadows instantly appeared around Kurokawa Iori. Daggers exuding black energy were unhesitatingly thrust into the bound Kurokawa Iori’s chest.
The remaining three shadows controlled daggers and held them at the young man’s pale neck. Before him, a ghoul-like mask slowly slid down, revealing Fukada Akihiko’s expressionless, cold eyes.
Shadow energy was continuously being transmitted into the youth’s body through his hands. Both the shadow chains and the sensation from the daggers allowed him to perceive that the aggregate of evil-intentioned energy filling the youth’s interior was indeed the true form of [Shell].
However, the youth’s almost suicidal lack of resistance caused Fukada Akihiko’s brow to furrow unconsciously. The follow-up plan specially prepared for Kurokawa Iori, which was brewing in the shadows, didn’t even get a chance to be used. He had so easily captured his true form and transmitted his shadow power into it.
And Kurokawa Iori also perceived the other party’s emotions. At this moment, due to the chaotic shadow energy within his body, he could barely maintain a normal expression. He raised his head with difficulty, his gentle face contorted by the constantly destructive energy within his body. But the young man still mustered all his strength to squeeze out a smile with a hint of fawning, and respectfully said to the man before him:
“Can… can I have a chance to explain?”
“Uncle Fukada.”
(Ps: Happy New Year, everyone. In the new year, Yugan will work hard. Let’s go, let’s go! Also, please vote for monthly tickets for 2021.)
(Ps 2: I originally wanted to write a short fight scene, but I felt like that would add two more chapters? After thinking about it, I decided to skip it. After all, there’s no need for such detailed sub-plot details? And this fight doesn’t seem to have any impact on the main storyline. I’d like to ask what you guys think?)
