341-345

Chapter 341: Dragon Hunt 

“Those… those are the elite forces of Tenrōkoku,” Nahashū muttered in a daze, staring at the chaotic scene before him. The great army of Tenrōkoku was in complete disarray, soldiers screaming and falling like leaves in a storm. He was utterly stunned. 

The man who had just healed him—the new master of the Empire, the Teiō, the Shinō—had transformed right before his eyes into a soaring ryū, a divine dragon. With a few mighty breaths, terrifying beams of light swept through Tenrōkoku’s troops, instantly shattering their ranks. 

The Empire’s forces seized the moment, charging in for the kill. Tenrōkoku’s army didn’t even have time to form a proper battle formation before they were completely annihilated. 

Among the fleeing soldiers, Yoru-mi-hime stood frozen, her mind blank. Her feelings in that moment might have been like those of the people in Westeros seeing a dragon for the first time—no, even more overwhelming. At least the dragons of the Valyrians could be killed. But staring at the colossal beast in the sky, Yoru-mi-hime saw no hope of victory. Perhaps, against such power, resistance was futile. Perhaps they should have chosen submission instead. 

“It’s not our fault we lost,” she whispered. 

Yoru-mi-hime fell to her knees. The mightiest warrior of Tenrōkoku had lost all will to fight and was swiftly captured by the Empire’s forces. 

Meanwhile, in the capital of Tenrōkoku, the atmosphere was still one of carefree celebration. The lords and rulers of the ever-invincible Tenrōkoku, who had conquered far and wide, felt no urgency. They knew nothing of the Empire’s strength. To them, it was just some distant nation across the sea. 

The Saikai, the Western Sea, was treacherous. Even if the Empire was powerful, how many troops could they possibly send to “Wakoku”? The people of Wakoku had tried countless times to conquer the mysterious seas, but every attempt had ended in failure. 

So, Tenrōkoku’s lord was brimming with confidence. No matter how strong the Empire was, they could never conquer the vast, enigmatic sea that separated Wakoku from their lands. 

“Those Empire fools, abandoning the Shiranui Fortress to come fight us? That’s sheer arrogance,” the lord of Tenrōkoku declared. “We’ll make them pay for their hubris. Once we crush them, Saijima will be ours!” 

The lord was still lost in his grand dreams. Tenrōkoku had long coveted Saijima but was held back by their weak navy and the impregnable Shiranui Fortress. If either of those obstacles were overcome, Saijima would have fallen to them long ago. Now, with the Empire abandoning the fortress’s strategic advantage to invade Tenrōkoku’s territory, it played right into their hands. They feared the Empire hiding behind their walls, but in open battle? Tenrōkoku had never lost! 

“Keep the music playing, keep the dancers moving!” the lord commanded, his heart swelling at the thought of finally seizing Saijima, controlling the maritime trade, and amassing untold wealth. This would be a solid step toward unifying the world under his rule. 

But his dreams were shattered in an instant. Fleeing soldiers from the front lines brought news of their crushing defeat. And hot on their heels came the Empire’s army. Esdeath didn’t give Tenrōkoku’s lord a moment to react. The Empire’s forces stormed into the capital like a thunderstorm, swift and unstoppable. 

Slap! 

With a single, sharp strike, Esdeath sent the lord sprawling to the ground. She looked at the broken, trembling man with disgust. 

“Pathetic worm,” she spat. 

With a casual order, Esdeath had her men drag him away. He would be executed alongside the other nobles, a public display of the Empire’s dominance. 

Wherever the Empire’s army went, the local nobility was eradicated. Their goal was clear: shatter the old order and eliminate all who benefited from it. A blank slate was perfect for building anew. These lands would now follow the Empire’s new order. 

Esdeath reveled in the carnage, cutting a bloody path from Kuroshio-koku to Tenrōkoku and beyond, slaughtering lords and nobles from the westernmost edge of the island to its eastern shores. 

“This is the last one,” she said, standing on the eastern coast, gazing out at the sea. What lay beyond those waters? She’d had the same thought standing on the shores of the Western Kingdom, looking out at another unexplored sea. 

The Western Kingdom only fished in nearby waters, never venturing far. Their seas were just as dangerous, and none of their expeditions had ever returned. 

“These Eastern Island folks don’t know what’s out there either,” Esdeath mused. “Looks like the Empire will have to explore these mysteries itself.” 

She turned away from the sea. Wakoku was finally united—not under its own people, but as a province of the Empire. The exact division of provinces would be left to the Empire’s Administrative Council, but that wasn’t Esdeath’s concern. She didn’t care about politics—only her next conquest. Wakoku had been too easy, but the slaughter had been satisfying. She hadn’t treated the nobles of Wakoku as human, mowing them down like grass. 

With Wakoku’s ruling class wiped out, the island was under the Empire’s military control. Soon, officials would arrive to govern. The mysterious sea between the Empire and Wakoku was a real obstacle, though. Without people like Esdeath or Budo to escort ships, passage was nearly impossible. 

Riku had been thinking of solutions, like building a teleportation gate. The key was unlocking the secrets of the Teigu [Dimensional Formation: Shangri-La]. Riku had long believed this Teigu’s ability was perfect for creating a teleportation network. Step into the array, and you could travel to any pre-marked coordinate—a textbook teleportation system. 

The challenge was making the teleportation array permanent and allowing users to choose their destination. It was a fascinating research project. Even a simpler version, limited to travel between two fixed points, would solve most of their problems. 

But that wasn’t a quick fix. For now, Esdeath and Budo would have to play ferryman. Riku occasionally helped with transport too. After a few trips, though, Esdeath had had enough. She marched up to Riku and demanded, “What’s next? Where’s my next conquest? I’m done playing boat captain.” 

“New conquest?” Riku replied, raising an eyebrow. “Take some troops and sweep through the Southern Islands.” 

He was surprised. After tearing through Wakoku, he’d thought Esdeath might want a break. But no—she couldn’t sit still for a few days before itching for a new target. Riku could only chuckle; there weren’t many conquests left for her. The Southern Islands were a scattering of small nations, perfect for Esdeath to toy with. Wakoku had detailed maps of the Southern Islands, once used for trade. Now, they’d guide Esdeath as she went island by island, enforcing “free trade” with her blade. 

“Understood!” Esdeath said with a grin, immediately setting off with her troops to ravage the Southern Islands. 

As for Riku, he was soaring above the clouds of the mysterious sea. 

“There are two ways to solve this,” he thought. “Either build a teleportation array or figure out why this place is shrouded in fog.” 

Flapping his wings, Riku searched for the source of the unnatural clouds blanketing the sea between the Empire and Wakoku. The fog wasn’t normal—it only covered this specific region, unlike the clear seas around the Southern Islands. The eastern sea of Wakoku and the western sea of the Western Kingdom had similar phenomena, but the south was clear. Maybe it was something about the geography. 

Still, Riku decided to investigate. Maybe he’d stumble onto something by chance. 

Chapter 342: Taming the Dragon Clan 

This dragon-shaped kiken-shu (dangerous species) was massive, its body towering, yet it moved with surprising agility. It twisted through the sky, lunging toward Riku with jaws wide open, ready to swallow him whole. 

Riku leapt lightly, summoning his Buso Shinshin (Martial Soul True Form) mid-air. A divine dragon, far larger than the kiken-shu dragon, materialized in the sky, casting a shadow that completely engulfed the beast below. 

“…” 

The dragon, which had been charging at Riku with ferocious momentum, froze as if struck by a spell, staring up at the colossal figure towering above. 

“Bzzzt!” 

Riku activated his Teigu [Gokoku Kishin: Saiko Oza] (Guardian Machine God: Supreme Throne), and a laser beam shot from its maw, striking the dragon dead-on. 

“BOOM!!!” 

The blast sent the dragon plummeting into the sea. The laser had shattered some of its scales, scattering them like shrapnel. Riku winced slightly—man, those scales were prime research material! Did it hurt the dragon? Who knows, but Riku was definitely feeling the pain of losing such valuable loot! 

“ROAR!” 

Seeing the male dragon crash into the sea, the female dragon let out a mournful cry. 

“Gurgle gurgle!” 

The sea churned as the male dragon burst back to the surface. But now, facing Riku, it wasn’t acting nearly as cocky. No reckless charges, no attacks—it just shrank back, looking downright terrified, its face almost comically expressive. 

“Huh?” Riku raised an eyebrow, confused. “Yo, dude, where’s that ‘I’m gonna end you’ vibe you had a second ago?” 

“I kinda liked your wild, untamed energy. Can you, like, bring that back?” Riku quipped, half-joking. He hadn’t expected this dragon to be such a yowamushi (coward). Was it seriously about to pledge loyalty already? 

“Roar~” 

The dragon let out another cry, this time softer, almost submissive. Even the female dragon guarding her egg chimed in, echoing the sentiment. 

This sudden shift from arrogance to groveling left Riku scratching his head. No way this was just his charisma at work, right? Were they really that spineless, surrendering the moment they couldn’t win? 

Riku dismissed his Teigu [Gokoku Kishin: Saiko Oza], reverting to his human form. The two dragons blinked in confusion, clearly baffled by the transformation. 

“Oh, I get it now,” Riku said, piecing it together. The dragons’ submission wasn’t about him—it was the dragon form of his Teigu [Gokoku Kishin: Saiko Oza]. Its massive, awe-inspiring presence had intimidated them into thinking he was some ancient, powerful dragon senpai (senior). 

When the Teigu vanished and Riku reappeared, the dragons grew wary again, their confusion practically written on their faces. They didn’t quite grasp the connection and were totally thrown off. 

“Bzzzt!” 

Riku summoned [Gokoku Kishin: Saiko Oza] again, its colossal dragon form soaring back into the sky. The two dragons’ eyes lit up with clarity, and they immediately bowed their heads, ready to serve as loyal kobun (underlings). 

“Well, damn,” Riku muttered. “Looks like I could tame the whole dragon clan with this. Who knew these guys were so chill about submitting to their own kind? Lose a fight, and they just roll over.” 

A new idea sparked in Riku’s mind. Killing these dragons would be such a waste. If he could recruit them all, that’d be way cooler. Plus, he realized something else—even animals could be tenka (converted). He’d always thought converting animals was pointless since they weren’t useful, but these dragons? They were on a whole other level. Even just riding one would make him look like the ultimate ikemen (cool guy). And the research materials? One dragon could supply an endless stash! 

Riku’s eyes practically glowed with excitement. Without hesitation, he conjured two drops of blood, ready to tenka the male dragon. 

The blood seeped into the male dragon’s wounds—it had already given up resisting, fully submitting to Riku. It didn’t even notice the blood entering its body. 

“Bzzzt!” 

The conversion began. The dragon’s body went limp, plummeting toward the sea. Riku, still in [Gokoku Kishin: Saiko Oza], swooped down, catching it in his claws and landing on the island near the female dragon. 

The female dragon, slightly smaller than the male, cowered before the towering Teigu. She guarded her egg fearfully, glancing worriedly at her mate. 

Riku waited, observing the conversion process while also investigating the island’s mysterious fog. To his surprise, the fog was caused by ryuusho (dragon crystals) submerged in the water, constantly releasing energy that evaporated the seawater into mist. 

“Is this even scientific?” Riku muttered, picking up a ryuusho. It was still radiating energy, warming the air around it. Staring at it, he had a sudden realization—this ryuusho was eerily similar to the energy core of [Gokoku Kishin: Saiko Oza]. Could it be the prototype? 

No time to waste. Riku stored the ryuusho in his Kagekai (Shadow Realm), collecting every crystal on the island. Not only did this clear the fog, but he also scored a haul of valuable energy sources for research. 

“ROAR!” 

The male dragon’s conversion was complete. It was now even larger, more majestic, with black markings across its body and its once-white whiskers now dyed black. 

“Master! Ryukui swears loyalty to you!” the dragon’s voice echoed through a mental link. 

Riku chuckled at the name—Ryukui? Pretty badass. Through Ryukui, he learned about the dragon clan’s structure. It wasn’t rigid—basically, the older you were, the more respect you got. Older dragons were usually stronger and bigger, too. To Ryukui, Riku’s Teigu [Gokoku Kishin: Saiko Oza] looked like a cho-sempai (super senior), at least a thousand years old, radiating terrifying pressure. Ryukui had never seen a dragon that massive. 

Dragon lifespans weren’t infinite, either. Some lived a few hundred years, others over a thousand, depending on their talent. When they died, it was sudden—kyokusei-shibo (death at their peak). Their bodies would produce a ryuusho, a crystal condensed from their life’s power. 

“No wonder these ryuusho keep pumping out energy,” Riku said, nodding. “They’re basically dragon shari (relics)!” 

After marveling at the discovery, Riku asked about the dragon clan in this sea. He hadn’t forgotten his plan to unite them all. 

“No dragon in these waters is bigger or stronger than you, Master. Even our clan leader pales in comparison,” Ryukui confirmed. The current leader was a few hundred years old, nowhere near as imposing as Riku’s Teigu. 

“Perfect. Let’s unify this sea,” Riku said with a nod. He ordered Ryukui to lead the way as they set out to conquer every dragon in the region. 

“ROAR!” 

Ryukui roared excitedly, chattering to its mate, Ryuri, to explain the situation. They handed their egg to Riku for safekeeping—couldn’t bring it to a fight, but leaving it on the island wasn’t safe either, with kiken-shu prowling the shores. 

Ryuri was nervous but trusted Ryukui, handing over the egg before joining them. 

Led by Ryukui, they arrived at an island Riku had scouted before, home to five dragons. One was noticeably larger—the clan leader, as it turned out. Riku hadn’t realized it during his last visit, unaware of the dragons’ social dynamics. 

“ROAR!” 

Ryukui let out a booming challenge. Its size, boosted by the conversion, wasn’t far off from the leader’s now. 

The five dragons took to the air, surrounding Ryukui and Ryuri with menacing glares, clearly pissed at the provocation. 

Riku leapt onto Ryukui’s head and activated [Gokoku Kishin: Saiko Oza]. Its sheer presence snuffed out the dragons’ bravado, leaving them stunned. 

“Roar roar!” 

Ryukui barked again, practically strutting as it demanded the old leader submit to its master. 

But the title of Ningen Teio (Human Emperor) didn’t mean squat here. The clan leader, enraged, led its four kin in a direct assault on Riku. 

“Bzzzt!” 

The five dragons unleashed scorching tosei (breath rays) powered by their ryuusho. Riku, too massive to dodge easily, didn’t bother. He went full kaen (firepower), firing lasers from his dragon head and four claws—a one-against-five counterattack that didn’t just hold its own but overwhelmed them. 

“BOOM!” 

The lasers struck, tearing through scales and leaving the dragons reeling. Ryukui and Ryuri, ready to jump in, just gawked. Help? Yeah, Riku clearly didn’t need it. 

“Pfft, you guys ever hear of the power of human ingenuity?” Riku smirked. Knowing about ryuusho gave him total confidence. No dragon could outmatch his Teigu’s crystal, which was not only insanely powerful but perfectly harnessed, with zero energy waste. 

“WHAM!” 

Riku’s Teigu swiped its claws, smacking the dragons to the ground. Even in close combat, these natural dragons couldn’t compete with his upgraded form, enhanced by alchemy and rare metals. Their flight, their attacks—everything relied on ryuusho. They couldn’t match his crystal or his physical prowess. 

These dragons were strong, but not invincible. The Empire had hunted them to make Teigu like his, though it surely came at a steep cost. 

“They’ve surrendered, Master. They pledge their loyalty,” Ryukui reported gleefully after some negotiation. 

The Jakusha Sonbaku (Strength Rules All) trait had kicked in, Riku realized. It worked not just on humans but on any creature with basic cognition, like when he’d tamed Ryukui. 

With the clan leader subdued, the rest was easy. Riku toured the sea, gathering every dragon to bow to their new king—their new clan leader. A few rebels got a quick beatdown, and soon, every dragon fell in line. 

First order of business: Riku demanded they hand over their fog-producing ryuusho (not the ones in their bodies, obviously). This cleared the sea’s endless mist and netted him a stash of energy crystals. 

Next, he issued a new command: the dragons would patrol a specific shipping route, guarding vessels traveling from the Empire to Wajima (Japan Island). This Kaijo Kando (Maritime Highway) would ensure safe passage for all legitimate ships. 

“These dragons are too much of a hikkikomori (recluse),” Riku thought. They just lounged on their islands, hunting nearby. No wonder they didn’t live long—life’s about movement! Time to put these dragons to work as securitai (security)! 

Chapter 343: The End of Conquest 

With the dragon-shaped Dangerous Species as escorts, the perilous seas were no longer a problem. These giant dragons were already natural hunters, and now their main hunting ground had shifted to this “Golden Route.” For them, it didn’t make much difference. 

If there was any impact, it was that they now had to fly around constantly, covering long distances. No more eating their fill and sleeping, or waking up to eat again. The once-lazy dragons had been forced into becoming diligent workers—unpaid workers, no less, who still had to hunt for their own food. Calling them workers was generous; they were practically slaves, stripped of their freedom and serving the Emperor. 

On top of that, Riku had altered their beloved misty cloud environment. While it wasn’t essential for their survival, it definitely wasn’t a welcome change. 

But even with such poor treatment, the dragons had no choice. Riku had beaten them into submission. Under the leadership of Ryūki, the dragon leader, they organized shifts and started adapting to this new life. They vented their frustrations on the Dangerous Species in the sea, which greatly improved the safety of the route. 

Looking at it from another angle, their “job” was to hunt Dangerous Species—basically, to find their own food. Maybe it wasn’t that bad? The dragons could only console themselves with this thought. 

This dragon-escorted operation once again shocked the people of the Empire. Now unified across the entire mainland and the Eastern Islands, the Empire’s reverence for divine dragons had been standardized. The dragons became the sacred beasts of the Empire and the “Imperial Cult,” a powerful symbol of the Emperor’s authority. 

In the “Shadow Realm,” the only city, Yūeichō, buzzed with a strong research atmosphere, especially in biotechnology. It was inevitable—biotech research drew on advanced knowledge from various worlds, offering countless paths and projects to explore. Naturally, everyone’s focus turned to this field. 

Other fields paled in comparison. No world’s technology could rival that of Cyberpunk 2077, and further research in those areas was unlikely to yield major breakthroughs. Besides, the scientists in the Cyberpunk 2077 world were already working tirelessly, so it made more sense to focus on these new projects. 

Riku had Ryūki gather plenty of materials—dragon scales, whiskers, blood, and more—all used for research. Additionally, a large number of Dangerous Species, including many hunted from the seas, provided ample research material. Now, it was just a matter of what results they could achieve. 

The applications of Dangerous Species from Ōkensei Temple had also been centralized in the Shadow Realm. Ōkensei’s methods, while requiring some hardship, had no real side effects—certainly better than the potions used by the Empire’s assassination squads. The practice of long-term consumption of Dangerous Species derivatives to transform the body was highly promising. 

If successful, they could develop more usable derivatives, making better use of Dangerous Species materials instead of limiting them to crafting Teigu. 

Ōkensei Temple’s Matō and Suzuka had become battle nuns of the Imperial Cult. The long-standing Ōkensei Temple had been officially disbanded by the Empire—an inevitable move. A force capable of training subordinates rivaling Teigu users couldn’t be allowed to persist. 

Ōkensei’s members were either absorbed as battle nuns or integrated into the Assassin Court, divided mostly by gender. Their training methods were distributed among the military, the Assassin Court, and the battle nuns. Talented and devout subordinates could be selected for special training—a basic reward, not comparable to “ascension,” but enticing enough to spark ambition. 

After handling these matters, word soon came from the south: Esdeath had swept through the entire Nanyō (Southern Seas), bringing the Empire’s glory to the Southern Islands. Missionaries of the Imperial Cult had already begun spreading the faith. 

The nations of the Southern Islands were even more backward, many still stuck in tribal slavery. But the islands were rich in resources, which was why the people of Wakoku had always eyed them for trade, exchanging cheap goods for vast wealth. 

Under Esdeath’s conquest, the native tribes submitted one after another. Those who resisted were wiped out without mercy. Esdeath felt no guilt killing these natives—their chieftains were savage, cruel, and bloodthirsty. Even Esdeath found their rule intolerable. This was, arguably, the most just slaughter she’d ever carried out. 

The Empire’s conquest brought civilization and the Emperor’s glory to the common people of the Southern Islands. The Empire’s rule and the spread of the Imperial Cult freed them from oppression. From now on, they were no longer chieftains’ slaves but proud citizens of the Empire. Of course, it would take time for them to adjust, and the Empire would guide them patiently. 

Compared to Wakoku, connected to the mainland by a single official route, the Southern Seas were far more accessible. While the Nanyō seas had Dangerous Species, they were fewer than in the Eastern Seas, and they rarely surfaced. This made sea travel much safer, with private ships able to navigate freely—a completely different level of safety. 

“The Dangerous Species in the Nanyō mostly stay deep in the ocean, rarely coming to the surface. That’s why the Nanyō route is safer than the Wakoku route, and why there’s no need for a unified official route or divine dragons patrolling nearby,” explained the shipping companies along the Empire’s southern coast. These companies, catering specifically to the Nanyō route, had to clarify daily why there were no dragon escorts or a standardized national route. 

These companies didn’t just operate sightseeing boats but also immigration ships. The Empire encouraged immigration, and with the Southern Islands’ relatively low population, more settlers were welcome to develop the land. 

Of course, some ambitious ships took a longer route to Wakoku—a much more cumbersome journey. But this didn’t deter the Empire’s adventurous spirit. Every day, droves of tourists set out for the Nanyō and Wakoku. 

In an Empire still rebuilding, there were plenty of disillusioned people. Immigrating to new territories to start anew was an appealing option. The mainland’s population was saturated, so new opportunities drove many to seek their fortunes elsewhere. The Nanyō was quickly populated by Imperial settlers. 

Meanwhile, Riku wasn’t idle. Accompanied by Ryūki, he began exploring uncharted seas. As expected, these areas were home to more dragons, their misty environments created by “Dragon Crystals.” Riku fought his way through, swiftly mapping out new territories. The seas between the Western Kingdoms and the Eastern Islands were illuminated, revealing a vast region with even more dragons—fifty or sixty, at least, were subdued. 

In this sea, a new landmass was discovered, roughly half the size of the Empire’s Central Continent. 

“New Continent!” 

When the news reached the Empire, it dominated newspaper headlines, capturing the attention of every citizen. A new continent could mean new enemies. Esdeath immediately volunteered to lead the conquest, declaring it her duty. 

“The nations on the New Continent aren’t much better than those in the Nanyō,” Riku warned her. Isolated from the world, the New Continent was like a larger island nation, its development no better than the Nanyō’s. Against the Empire’s forces, they’d be easily crushed. 

“Then that’s all the more reason for me to go. I’ve got experience handling this,” Esdeath replied confidently. She wasn’t fazed by the enemy’s weakness. Slaughtering native chieftains was something she’d done before, and this time, she’d do it even better. 

“Fine,” Riku agreed, nodding. Only Esdeath would eagerly take on such a task. A long expedition to the New Continent, involving days of sailing, wasn’t exactly a coveted assignment. 

Esdeath soon set out, escorted by several dragons, and easily crossed the Silent Sea—a name inherited from the Western Kingdoms, now adopted by the unified Empire. The Empire’s people were keenly interested in the New Continent, especially with the Nanyō immigration wave. The Central Continent was overcrowded, and the idea of venturing out no longer felt daunting. 

Being a pioneer on the New Continent was tough, but it beat struggling to survive on the Central Continent. Despite the Empire’s Administrative Council’s efforts to develop, the new Empire—formed from the Empire, Western Kingdoms, Peacock Kingdom, and various ethnic groups—was in a state of population explosion. The complete abolition of slavery had turned countless former slaves into citizens, further intensifying competition. 

This population pressure fueled the rapid immigration wave. People wanted to go where competition was less fierce. For Riku, these weren’t his concerns. The conquest, governance, missionary work, and immigration to the New Continent would proceed as planned. With absolute military control, the Empire faced no risk of division or rebellion. The Imperial government and the Imperial Cult kept everything in check. 

As a true hands-off leader, Riku’s job was to oversee things, occasionally check on the people’s sentiments, identify any unreasonable systems, and ensure no one in the government betrayed the cause. That was enough for him. 

“It’s about time to move on,” Riku decided, once the Empire’s operations were on track. The conquest of this world had reached its end. 

Before leaving, Riku didn’t forget about the Teigu. Those with miraculous powers were collected, but the ones he didn’t care for were gifted to others. For example, Gekkō Reibu: Fūjinken (Moonlight Dance: Wind Blade Sword) wasn’t reclaimed but left with Akame. In her hands, it might still be useful, but for Riku, it was worthless. 

Akame keeping Gekkō Reibu shocked Kurotome. Everyone else had turned in their Teigu, yet Akame got to keep hers. How was that not special treatment?! 

“It’s not just me. Najenda kept her Teigu too,” Akame said earnestly, pointing out that Najenda, the Prime Minister of the Empire’s Administrative Council and her former boss, still had Denkō Sekka: Susanoo (Lightning Flash: Susanoo). It was a fair point, not just an excuse. 

“That’s different! Susanoo is a companion with his own personality. Calling it a Teigu is a stretch—it’s nothing like Gekkō Reibu,” Kurotome retorted, shaking her head. She didn’t buy it. Denkō Sekka: Susanoo was a biological Teigu, a humanoid guardian with the appearance of an adult man, capable of speaking and expressing a distinct personality. It wasn’t just a tool. 

As Kurotome pointed out, Najenda kept Susanoo because it was a living being with its own personality. Riku hadn’t taken its life but allowed it to remain—a valuable research subject, too. 

“So, Devil-san really does treat me specially,” Akame admitted, nodding. She felt it herself, though it left her a bit flustered. What she didn’t know was that Riku also treated Tazmi specially. If she knew that, she’d probably be even more at a loss. 

“It’s not a bad thing,” Kurotome said, pursing her lips with a quiet sigh. Deep down, she wished she could be the one Riku treated specially. 

Chapter 344: A New World 

[Transmigration Complete] 

[Current World: Cyberpunk 2077] 

Riku was back in Night City. Truth be told, while he was busy conquering the world of Zan! Akagami no Hitomi (Akame ga Kill!), he’d popped back to this world plenty of times. He’d swing by to grab some weapons and gear or just chill with his buddies. 

Let’s put it this way: with megacorps like Gunyo Tech (Militech) and Arasaka serving the Empire, flattening other nations was practically a walk in the park. Those insane kill-to-loss ratios? All thanks to the tech gap! This time, since he’d been gone a bit longer, Riku made sure to catch up with his crew first. 

“Is this… for us?”  

In a private booth at the Afterlife bar, V stared at the table, her expression a mix of surprise and curiosity. A microphone and six round orbs sat there—Riku’s so-called “gifts.” 

“What are these things?”  

Jack Welles, looking equally puzzled, picked up one of the orbs, tossing it lightly to test it. But the second he grabbed it, his face twisted in pain, and he flung it away like it was cursed. 

“Holy sht*! This thing’s zapping me!”  

Jack shook his hand furiously, glaring at Riku. Was this guy pulling a prank or what? 

“Huh?”  

V blinked, her hand freezing just before reaching for the microphone. Her eyes narrowed warily. 

“Yo, chill, these are treasures,” Riku said, rolling his eyes at Jack. “They’ve got some serious maho (magic) vibes. You got zapped because it didn’t vibe with you. Don’t blame the gear if you can’t handle it. Try it out properly, and you’ll see how dope these are. You’ll be begging me for more later.” 

With a smirk, Riku grabbed two orbs—one sparking with raige (lightning) and the other blazing with honoo (flames). The orbs lit up in his hands, one crackling with electricity, the other roaring with fire. 

“What the hell?!”  

Jack and V’s jaws dropped. How were these plain-looking orbs pulling off effects like that?  

“Are these… legendary maho dugu (magic tools)?!”  

Jack’s eyes sparkled. No surprise there—his girlfriend Misty ran a reiraku-ya (spiritual shop) above old Vic’s ripperdoc clinic. Jack spent plenty of time there, chatting with Misty, so he was no stranger to mystical stuff. 

“Yep, you could call ‘em that,” Riku nodded, not bothering to mention they were Teigu. A tool’s a tool—call it what you want. 

“These six orbs have different effects,” he explained. “Toss ‘em, and they unleash major destruction. Plus, they auto-return after exploding.”  

He demonstrated the other four orbs from the Teigu [Kaito Ranma: Dai Toshu] (Rapid Throw Chaos: Great Pitcher)—arashi (storm), bakuha (explosion), hyosetsu (ice), and fushoku (corrosion). They covered pretty much every base. 

“It’s like a multi-function tactical grenade,” V remarked, sizing them up. From her street-smart perspective, it was a solid analogy. Modern grenades came in all flavors—incendiary, gas, shock, explosive, frost—but carrying a whole arsenal was a pain. These orbs? Super practical. 

“So, how do you use ‘em?” V asked, visibly eager to try, her excitement a good sign of Teigu compatibility. 

“Give it a shot,” Riku said, handing her [Kaito Ranma: Dai Toshu]. The street girl grabbed two orbs, holding them steady without getting zapped like Jack did. 

“Nice,” Riku nodded. No issues—saves him the hassle. 

“You got approved?!” Jack whined, still stinging from his rejection. Talk about embarrassing. 

“What’s the deal with the mic?” Jack asked, eyeing the other Teigu, [Daichi Meido: Ju Atsuryoku] (Earth Rumble: Heavy Pressure). 

“No fancy tricks here,” Riku said. “It’s a sonic weapon. Yell into it, and it’ll shred your enemies to bits.” 

Jack’s eyes lit up. Now that was cool! “Lemme try!”  

He grabbed [Daichi Meido: Ju Atsuryoku], and the moment he touched it, he felt a different vibe—no zap this time. He could use it! 

“Hold up, don’t go screaming in here,” Riku warned. “You’ll have Rogue flipping tables if you wreck her bar. This thing’s no joke.” 

He waved a hand, and shadows enveloped the trio. Jack and V didn’t resist as Riku pulled them into the Kagekai (Shadow Realm). “Let’s take this somewhere you can go wild.” 

New gear needed proper testing. Without knowing its power, they could end up hurting themselves—real-world weapons don’t exactly have friendly-fire settings. 

“This space of yours… it just keeps getting bigger,” V said, marveling at the Kagekai. “Every time we come here, it’s mind-blowing. How do you even do this?” 

Jack nodded, just as awed. They still remembered when Riku’s Kagekai could barely hold a few things. Back then, they relied on him to smuggle organic meat, but the quantities were small. Now? The place was massive enough to house a whole toshi (city). 

“It’ll only get bigger,” Riku said with a confident grin. Time was on his side, after all. 

“BOOM!” 

While chatting, V and Jack tested their new toys, having a blast. Using Teigu drained stamina, but both had undergone serious cybernetic upgrades, giving them more endurance than your average Teigu user. Plus, with their bakuso (overdrive) mods, they could push through even when exhausted. 

“These gifts are sugoi (awesome),” V said, grinning as she and Jack fiddled with their new gear. It was their first time handling something so mystical. 

“Yo, Riku, when you heading out next? Can you take me along for the adventure?” Jack asked, eyes gleaming. When three or more guys get together, one always turns into the pointo-o (idea king). Jack was definitely that guy, always cooking up wild plans. 

“Yeah! Can we come, Riku?” V chimed in, her curiosity piqued. Their status in Night City had skyrocketed, thanks to Riku’s help. They were big shots now, rubbing elbows with Arasaka Raigen, Arasaka Michiko, and Rosalind Myers. Even street legends like Rogue and Johnny Silverhand had to show them respect. 

Speaking of Johnny, he wasn’t hanging with them much these days. After the Bushi Kaeru (Samurai Return) concert, he’d gone full rockstar again, stepping back into the public eye. The success of Bushi Kaeru reunited the old crew, and though everyone had their own lives, they’d occasionally regroup for a show. Money talks, after all. 

As the host, Dani had even invited Bushi (Samurai) for a special feature, and they all cashed in on the hype. Kerry Eurodyne rode that wave to outshine newer stars like the Neon-born girl group Goretsu.  

Goretsu, a trio of young Japanese-American women, led the laser-pop trend with flashy performances and flirty, kawaii fan interactions. They had way more appeal than Kerry, a grizzled gay icon, and had been stealing his thunder before Bushi Kaeru turned things around. 

Johnny, now living his “second life,” was obsessed with proving his musical chops. He scoffed at comparisons to Kerry but knew he had to keep grinding to match his rival’s success. V and Jack, no musicians themselves, could only offer moral support, leaving them free to chase thrills with Riku. 

“Not impossible,” Riku said, rubbing his forehead with a wry smile. These two were restless—barely enjoying the good life before craving more action. Most people would kill to just chill! 

“Hell yeah! Finally, something to do!” Jack pumped his fist. He was so bored he’d been racing his bike around Night City nonstop. 

“That’s the spirit! You can’t hog all the fun,” V added, dying to know where Riku kept disappearing to and how he always came back with crazy loot. 

V, Jack, and even Sasha and Lucy had their suspicions, especially after Riku started hauling in heaps of weapons. Their guesses were getting dangerously close to the truth. 

“Gimme a couple days to scope things out,” Riku said. “If it’s safe, I’ll take you guys for a spin. Maybe even bring Sasha and Lucy for a little tabi (trip).” 

“No prob, we’ll wait for your call,” Jack said, buzzing with excitement. This was uncharted territory, and he was all in. 

After sending them off, Riku didn’t hesitate. He activated the next world. 

[Transmigration Complete] 

[Current World: Fairy Tail] 

With the familiar blackout, Riku landed in a brand-new world. Lush greenery surrounded him, and after a quick scan, he confirmed there was no immediate danger. 

“Fairy Tail?”  

The name hit him with a wave of nostalgia and faint unease. He knew this one—it was a mega-hit manga and anime, once ranked among the top minkoman (mainstream comics). But he wasn’t exactly a superfan. The show’s “We are Fairy Tail!” battle cry could topple any foe, but the later seasons? Total kuzure (collapse), much like Shinigami (Bleach), a textbook case of a botched ending. Riku had only watched the first season and vaguely knew it spiraled into a chaotic mess by the end. 

“Whatever, I’m here now,” he said, invoking the four-word mantra to steady his kokoro (heart). Sure, Fairy Tail frustrated him, but he’d loved its guild bonds as a kid, envying the camaraderie.  

“This world’s not bad. Happy ending, barely any deaths—pretty safe,” he mused. He knew Fairy Tail wrapped up with a big dangoen (group happy ending), making it a solid spot for a trip with Jack and V. 

“No rush. Let’s check it out first.”  

Riku activated [Goshi Banno: Kansatsusha] (Five-Sight Omnipotent: Observer) and spotted a town ahead. Moving swiftly, he blended into the bustling streets. The locals wore a wild mix of outfits, not unlike the eclectic style of Zan! Akagami no Hitomi’s Empire, but with a seiyo-fantaji (Western fantasy) vibe and a flair for bold contrasts. 

It turned out this was a port city, with the sea hugging one side. After chatting with some locals—thank you, system-granted language mastery—Riku learned he was in Magnolia-shi, in the Fiore Okoku (Kingdom of Fiore).  

At the city center, he spotted a familiar building with an iconic emblem—part bird, part flame, part wing, and definitely not a fairy’s tail.  

It was the Fairy Tail guildhall. 

Chapter 345: Fairy Tail 

“Fairy Tail” is the only mage guild in Magnolia City, located in the Kingdom of Fiore, and it holds the top spot as the No. 1 mage guild in the entire kingdom. The guild is packed with powerful mages, many of whom are famous across the nation. 

This world is brimming with magic. The Kingdom of Fiore, with its 17 million people, has woven magic into everyday life. It’s so common that magic shops sell spells, and plenty of folks make a living using magic. It’s not some mysterious force here—it’s just part of the daily grind. 

Guilds like Fairy Tail are scattered across Fiore, functioning like trade unions for mages, offering job opportunities through various commissions. But Fairy Tail isn’t your typical “warrior guild” or “mercenary guild.” It’s got a warmer vibe, where guild members feel like family. That’s what makes Fairy Tail so appealing and why their slogan feels so full of passion. 

Riku stood in front of the Fairy Tail guildhall, a dazzling three-story building right in the heart of Magnolia City. Stepping into the main hall, he found it buzzing with energy. It felt less like a guildhall and more like a lively tavern or restaurant, with tables and chairs scattered around and a counter that could easily belong in a bar. 

Maybe Riku’s timing was just right—it was mealtime, and plenty of mages were chowing down. His entrance drew eyes immediately. A stranger radiating such an aura was hard to miss, and people couldn’t help but steal extra glances. 

“He’s so handsome!” 

Riku overheard a few female mages chatting openly, their bold stares practically sparkling with admiration as they talked without bothering to lower their voices. 

“Hello! Are you here to post a commission?” 

Within seconds, someone approached to assist him. She was a stunning young woman with long white hair, her bangs tied up neatly. Her blue-brown eyes gazed at Riku with a gentle warmth, and she wore a dark red dress adorned with a pink bow at the chest, a sapphire necklace, and matching dark red high heels. 

Her fair skin and graceful figure made her a perfect match standing next to Riku—a picture of elegance. 

“This is the Fairy Tail guild, right?” Riku asked, though he wasn’t here to post a commission. He was just curious about this place, the main stage of the story. 

“You’re in the right place! This is Fairy Tail, the only mage guild in Magnolia,” replied Mirajane Strauss, the guild’s “poster girl,” with a tilt of her head and a warm, genuine smile. Her smile wasn’t the fake, professional kind—it was the sort that made you hesitate to say anything harsh. 

“Good. I’m here to join you guys,” Riku said with a nod, catching Mirajane off guard. His words clearly threw her for a loop. 

“Uh, what?” Mirajane’s face showed a flicker of confusion, but she quickly recovered. 

As Fairy Tail’s professional receptionist, Mirajane handled task assignments, front-desk duties, and even meal orders with ease. She’d seen all sorts of unexpected situations and was well-equipped to handle them. Known as the guild’s “poster girl” and famous across Fiore for her sunny smile, Mirajane was a household name. 

“Why do you want to join us?” she asked, guiding Riku to a nearby table to sit and talk. Fairy Tail was fairly open about recruitment, as long as candidates met the guild’s standards. The most important one? Unity. 

The guild’s founders wanted Fairy Tail to feel like a big, harmonious family. “Companions” weren’t just a word—they were people who trusted each other unconditionally, heart to heart, willing to have each other’s backs. Strength wasn’t the priority for Fairy Tail, despite being home to many powerful mages. They cared more about camaraderie than raw power. 

“Guess I just felt like it,” Riku replied after a moment, leaving Mirajane stunned again. Was that the attitude of someone applying to join? 

Honestly, Mirajane wanted to roll her eyes, but she had a gut feeling this guy might actually fit right in. The guild was full of weirdos like him, after all. 

“What kind of magic are you good at?” she asked calmly, unfazed by his odd response. She’d seen enough eccentrics to take it in stride, and Riku’s behavior was still within her tolerance. 

“Magic? I dabble in a lot—wind, fire, water, lightning, you name it. I’m a bit of a jack-of-all-trades,” Riku said after some thought. Defining his abilities was tricky in a world like Fairy Tail, where magic was incredibly diverse, with all sorts of bizarre types. 

“Maker Magic? You can create that many elements?” Mirajane asked, surprised. Maker Magic was a broad category where mages used magical energy to create specific substances, shaping them as they pleased—like crafting ice shields, fireballs, or water blades. Gray Fullbuster, one of the guild’s mages, was an Ice-Make Mage. 

“Want me to show you?” Riku offered, not minding a little demonstration. 

“Sure, if you don’t mind,” Mirajane agreed with a nod, leading him outside to an open area. Showing off magic in the guildhall was a no-go. 

“Let’s go,” Riku said, following her out. The guild’s first-floor hall was where members took on jobs, ate, and hung out, so plenty of people noticed their movement. Many followed, curious about the commotion. 

“Did you hear? That hot guy wants to join the guild!” a few girls whispered excitedly, thrilled to have something juicy to talk about over lunch—not to mention a feast for the eyes. 

“He looks strong. Wonder where he’s from,” another mused. Though Riku hadn’t shown his skills, his presence suggested he was no weakling. He seemed like a renowned mage, yet his face wasn’t familiar. 

That was odd. A handsome, charismatic young mage like him should’ve been a household name by now, maybe even with a cool nickname. Take Mirajane, for instance—already a regular in fashion magazines despite being the guild’s receptionist. Or “Fairy Queen” Erza and “Fire Dragon” Natsu, young talents with widely known titles. 

The guild members were puzzled, so many trailed after Mirajane and Riku, eager for a show. Behind the guildhall was a wide-open space, more like a training ground for energetic mages to practice their magic. 

Three people were already there: a short old man and two younger guys. Riku recognized them instantly. 

“Mirajane, what’s this about?” the short old man asked, noticing her, Riku, and the crowd of curious guild members behind them. 

“Guildmaster, this is Riku-san. He wants to join the guild, and I’m gathering some basic info for his registration,” Mirajane explained. Of course, she didn’t have the final say— that was up to the guildmaster. 

Makarov Dreyar, the small, mustachioed old man in a beige cloak over a red shirt, was Fairy Tail’s third and longest-serving guildmaster. Taking the role at age 40, he’d led the guild for nearly half a century, upholding its traditions and growing it into Fiore’s top guild. His authority was immense, and his strength was no joke—he was one of the Ten Wizard Saints. 

The Ten Wizard Saints was an official title, carrying serious weight, awarded by the Magic Council, the highest authority in the magic world, to the ten strongest and most exceptional mages in Fiore. The Magic Council, led by a chairman and nine councilors, oversaw mage guilds, punished rule-breakers, and hunted dark guilds, backed by enforcement units. 

Makarov, hands behind his back, sized Riku up. “That’s… impressive magic,” he said, squinting. Something about this young man gave him a good impression right off the bat, which wasn’t normal. He sensed something unusual. 

“Natural talent,” Riku replied, raising an eyebrow. He was impressed—Makarov, the seasoned veteran, had picked up on how Riku’s high charisma and Human Emperor title subtly influenced others. 

“I see,” Makarov nodded, accepting the explanation. He hadn’t sensed any magical fluctuations from Riku, and he was sure he wasn’t being targeted by a spell. The influence came from simply looking at Riku. 

“Magic? What kind?” asked a boy with cherry-pink hair, sharp eyes, and a white checkered scarf. He wore a black vest, shorts, and sandals, his expression brimming with curiosity. 

“Fire Dragon Natsu?” Riku said, recognizing him instantly as Natsu Dragneel, in his classic outfit. 

“You know me?” Natsu’s face lit up, thrilled that his “Fire Dragon” nickname was apparently so well-known. He wondered if Igneel had heard of it. 

“I’ve heard of you. A mage with insane destructive power, often causing unnecessary damage. One of the main reasons Fairy Tail’s reputation takes a hit,” Riku said with a nod, freezing Natsu’s grin. 

“Hahaha… uh, I’ve got stuff to do, gotta go!” Natsu laughed awkwardly before bolting, noticing Makarov’s face darken. He couldn’t argue—his reputation as a walking disaster was undeniable. Every mission ended with some level of destruction. 

Fairy Tail’s mixed reputation was partly Natsu’s fault, and he knew it. The Magic Council had chewed Makarov out plenty over it. 

“Sorry about that,” Makarov said with a wry smile, watching Natsu flee. Those kids were a handful. 

“No worries. Mages should chase their magic without caring about what the world thinks. Young mages like them need that kind of energy,” Riku said, shaking his head in support. Natsu and the others were careful never to cause casualties, and their property damage came from fighting enemies too seriously with powerful magic. It was hard to hold back, and they always paid for damages afterward. 

“Exactly!” Makarov exclaimed, practically clapping in agreement. Riku’s words echoed his own beliefs—this was the spirit of Fairy Tail. 

(Chapter End)