[This Chapter Is Sponsored by Emilio Gonzalez! Everyone, please thank him in the comment!]
General Budo threw a fierce punch, sending a ball of thunder directly towards Lin Yi.
At the same time, less than a hundred meters away from this street, on a high-rise building, Leone and Mine exchanged glances, both looking somewhat uneasy.
After all, it was Lin Yi's first mission, and they had followed him to prevent any accidents from happening.
However, Lin Yi's performance had truly amazed them, and they had never seen the weapon he just used.
It could be another special Imperial Arms.
They never expected Lin Yi to have so many secrets.
But the appearance of General Budo was truly unexpected for them. According to the intelligence on the night raid, Budo was an opponent they couldn't defeat by force alone; they would have to outsmart him.
"Mine, keep an eye on things here. Support Lin Yi if you get a chance. If things go south, leave cleanly," Leone instructed before leaping off the high-rise building.
She was prepared to find an opportunity to rescue Lin Yi at the right time.
As for whether Lin Yi could hold his ground against General Budo, such thoughts never crossed their minds. Even if they faced such an enemy themselves, the chances of winning were extremely low.
"Do they consider me a small fry?"
Lin Yi muttered disappointingly. But then he thought about it; he was indeed the only one not on the night raid's wanted list.
He was indeed a nobody.
"Buzz!"
Facing the incoming ball of thunder, Lin Yi gripped into the void, and the sword Jörmungandr instantly appeared in his hand. A faint light emanated from it, and with a sweeping motion, he split the thunderball in half.
"Hmm? Seems like you're not an ordinary person."
General Budo originally thought he could defeat his opponent in one move. Seeing Lin Yi could actually block his attack was somewhat surprising.
He eyed the long sword in Lin Yi's hand. Could it also be an Imperial Arms? Moreover, it looked quite powerful.
"Young man, it's a pity. If you joined the empire, you'd be highly valued. But you've chosen a path to death, so be prepared," said General Budo regretfully. His body suddenly lit up with dazzling fluorescent light, thick thunderbolts flickered, mingling together, and then suddenly turned into a bolt of lightning, striking towards Lin Yi.
"A path to death?"
"I don't think so."
Lin Yi shook his head, gripping Jörmungandr in his hand. The moment his words fell, the surrounding temperature suddenly surged. The next moment, to everyone's shock, a column of magma shot up into the sky.
The high temperature instantly ignited the surrounding houses, trees, and flags.
Tatara's ability, after merging with the Black Dragon Gem, had a temperature comparable to dragon's breath. This was no ordinary flame.
In contrast to this hellish scene, the incoming thunder seemed like child's play.
The towering flames surged higher and higher, like a tidal wave, devouring everything in front of them.
"This can't be possible!"
On Lin Yi's body, General Budo saw the shadow of a person. That shadow was reflected in his pupils, and his sense of dread grew increasingly heavier.
It was the shadow of Esdeath.
Only, one was fire, and the other was ice.
"Is this the end of the Empire?"
Muttered General Budo. He felt as if this was divine punishment for the Empire. With a miserable smile, he even forgot to defend himself.
In an instant, the towering fire engulfed his body.
The man touted as the Empire's second strongest power had died so easily.
Just as Leone had rushed onto the street to rescue Lin Yi, she was stunned. Looking at the figure standing amidst the sea of flames, she was at a loss for words.
Was General Budo too weak?
Definitely not, it was that Lin Yi was too strong, stronger than she had imagined.
And in the distance, Mine, who had been planning to use the Pumpkin to lure Lin Yi, was also stunned. She hadn't even noticed that the muzzle of her Pumpkin had drooped.
"So this is the power of the Black Dragon Gem..."
Lin Yi felt the raging fire around him. On the blade of Jörmungandr, a red light flickered, shielding him from the high temperature.
He found General Budo's corpse in the sea of flames, no bones were left visible.
The temperature of dragon's breath could instantly turn flesh into ashes, leaving only a piece of pitch-black armor lying in the ashes.
"I hope it didn't destroy the Imperial Arms."
Lin Yi muttered, fortunately the material of Adramelech originated from a super-dangerous species, the hardest material, and was not so easily destroyed.
As Lin Yi stored it in his system space, he instantly felt his mission progress advance a step.
"A good start."
Lin Yi smiled slightly, the death of General Budo was not just about gaining an Imperial Arm.
It also meant that most of the Empire's military power was now leaderless.
Esdeath should be returning from the border soon, it seemed he needed to find an opportunity to meet her.
To let Esdeath take over this part of the military power.
"Lin Yi..."
Lin Yi heard Leone's voice. Her gaze was evidently cautious.
It couldn't be helped; Lin Yi's strength was too formidable, formidable to the point that it made her somewhat suspicious.
Could such a person voluntarily join their Night Raid? It was hard to believe he had no other motives.
"Any questions you have, I'll answer back at base. This is no place to linger."
Lin Yi smiled slightly, his smile still gentle.
Leone looked at Lin Yi for a moment, hesitated, and then sighed. No matter how you looked at it, this big guy didn't seem like he intended to harm them.
And after these days of interaction, Leone had completely accepted Lin Yi as a companion.
"If you don't explain clearly when we get back, I'll let Najenda deduct all your salary for drinking."
Leone pulled Lin Yi's head towards her, threatening him with fierce words.
Lin Yi was already used to being 'majestically' threatened by her.
He suddenly touched her and startled Leone, who immediately let go of Lin Yi.
"You're asking for a beating."
Lin Yi grinned triumphantly, leading the way as the area grew increasingly chaotic. More guards had rushed over, as well as reinforcements from the imperial palace.
Although Leone was a bit annoyed, she still followed him.
Back at the Night Raid base.
Najenda sat solemnly in the hall; everyone else was present, surrounding Lin Yi in the center, almost like a tribunal.
"Lin Yi, since we're comrades, I hope you can be honest with us."
"Have I hidden anything from you?"
Lin Yi shrugged.
He calmly found a seat, "If you're asking about Jörmungandr, it's an Imperial Arm I stumbled upon."