"Yingda, huh. So that's what you were plotting?"
Taro smiled faintly. "You really do know how to use that little brain of yours."
Huoliya didn't even need to say anything—she could tell.
The girl was doing this on purpose.
Yesterday, today, all of it deliberate.
"Well then, here comes your little red flower."
He produced a bright, five-colored blossom from his personal storage.
It resembled a plumelia, but in truth, it was a relic-tier artifact—capable of nullifying any curse or spell below the seventh rank.
"I love it! Thank you, Sensei."
Yingda accepted the flower with a radiant smile and pinned it proudly to her battle uniform.
Then, impulsively, she leaned in and planted a quick kiss on Taro's cheek.
"…."
Huoliya's teeth almost ground audibly.
Again?! That little fox had stolen the first move twice now!
If she'd known, she would've acted yesterday!
Then, suddenly, a red rose bloomed before her eyes.
"Here, one for you too," Taro said evenly.
He knew perfectly well she was playing up the act, but fairness was fairness.
"Boss, you really are the best."
Huoliya grinned in triumph and retaliated—leaving a pink lipstick mark on his other cheek.
"…."
One kiss on each side. Perfect symmetry.
Now what—was he supposed to wait for Fanan to even the score too?
And speak of the devil—
Before the thought even finished, a comm link lit up in his ear.
He tapped lightly, connecting the magical transmission.
"Sensei," came Fanan's voice. "All preparations for the experiment are complete. Three test subjects have been delivered to Guyan. The trial can begin at any time."
"So fast?" Taro raised an eyebrow.
Fanan's efficiency never failed to impress.
"Understood," he replied. "Clear the area and prepare for fourth-level access. I'll be there shortly."
Transmission ended.
Taro stood.
"I'll head to Guyan. You two don't need to come along. The reverse-experiment setup is ready. Let's hope everything goes smoothly."
"…"
Yingda and Huoliya exchanged a look, then nodded together.
"Sensei (Boss), we'll wait for your return."
Taro smiled faintly and vanished.
Guyan.
A familiar place—
though last time he'd been here, it was to fight Yingda and fleece an ancient demon god.
This time, it was for something else entirely:
the reverse integration of race and class skills.
"Sensei!"
Fanan greeted him at once, fully prepared.
"Good work," Taro nodded, his gaze shifting toward three iron cages lined up ahead.
Inside each lay a bound prisoner, unconscious.
"Sensei," Fanan reported solemnly, "these three belong to the Treasure Hoarders. Origin: Sumeru Desert. Crimes include murder, theft, and human trafficking—heinous beyond measure."
"For five months and seven days, they trafficked a total of seventy-seven people. Seven active traffickers, sixteen accomplices—nine killed resisting arrest, the rest sentenced to death."
Taro fell silent.
Human depravity. Darkness.
It never ceased to exist.
Utopia was a myth—something humanity could only ever approach, never attain.
Even if achieved, it wouldn't last long.
Had eternal paradise ever truly existed, Teyvat wouldn't look like this now.
When the first mortals seized this world and humanity spread across it, peace had indeed come—a pastoral age like a dream.
But it hadn't lasted even a few centuries.
Humans were too curious, too ambitious.
The more they learned, the more they desired.
The more they had, the more they wanted to take.
The paradise of the past no longer satisfied them.
They questioned the heavens, reached for divine thrones—
and the flood came.
The so-called "Utopia" drowned.
And from its ashes rose the slayer of gods—Nibelungen.
He exhaled softly. "I'm rambling again."
"Fanan, you can go. I'll handle the rest."
Fanan hesitated. "No need. The Yaksha are born to kill, Sensei. These are no men—only beasts."
"Killing them is justice."
"If such monsters can serve you one last time before death, that's redemption enough."
Taro nodded. "Well said."
Funny—he felt like he was the one being comforted.
"Let's begin."
With a gesture, six glowing tomes appeared in the air—four class skill manuals, two race skill books.
Targets selected.
Use.
The books dissolved into motes of light.
Moments later—
Transfer complete.
"Appraise."
Status windows flickered to life before his eyes.
Each prisoner now bore new racial and class attributes.
No anomalies so far.
"Successful transfer," he murmured. "Then let's proceed."
With a flick of his wrist, the cages shattered.
The bound monsters inside stirred.
"Purify."
A low-tier purification spell surged.
The prisoners jolted awake—just in time to see three rampaging beasts lunging at them.
Panic. Screams. Instinct-driven combat.
A brutal, unskilled fight unfolded in seconds.
Three beasts fell.
Then six.
Two men wounded.
One fought harder, blood spraying, eyes feral.
Taro watched in silence, reading their new data through Appraisal.
After several tense minutes, the last monster collapsed.
And the results were in.
The three surviving prisoners actually cheered, laughing at their victory.
Taro raised a hand.
Ninth Tier: Instant Death – Heart Grip.
A crimson, pulsing heart materialized in his palm.
He clenched.
Crack.
A wet detonation echoed.
The "victors" froze—then clutched their chests, coughing blood and fragments of organs before collapsing lifeless.
"You aren't even worthy of the holy flame," Taro said quietly.
Tenth Tier: Endless Black Hole.
A singularity of darkness bloomed, consuming everything within range.
Nothing remained.
"Sensei," said Fanan softly.
"It's done," Taro replied. "Let's head back."
"Understood."
The two figures vanished from the desolate ruins of Guyan.
(End of Chapter)
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