Chapter 25: Amitabha
Haru and Biscuit couldn't be more different.
The most obvious difference was their strength. Haru had just finished his training session, and though he was feeling slightly fatigued, he had been too busy showing off in front of Menchi to realize that his remaining aura might not suffice. The thought of failing his Shu technique halfway made his heart skip a beat.
Thankfully, he pulled it off without a hitch, maintaining his calm facade and completing his boastful demonstration.
Inwardly, though, he scolded himself: Women are distractions! Focus, Haru!
---
How do I lift this girl's sweater?
In the protected zone, near the buffer area, two "Haru crows" perched on a tree, pondering this conundrum while nibbling on crumbs that Shizuku had casually dropped from her hands.
She sat beneath a tree, looking up at the two crows that had been watching her. Curious, she had offered them bread, which they accepted without hesitation. They were surprisingly fearless, pecking away like they had known her for years.
Haru, controlling the crows, stayed at a careful distance, mimicking the behavior of an innocent bird merely intrigued by an interesting human. He had considered having the crows yank at her sweater directly, but the risk of retaliation was too high.
Directly marking Shizuku with a star seal was also impossible—the crows didn't have nearly enough aura to produce one.
After finishing her snack and feeding her newfound feathered friends, Shizuku stood up, stretched, and dismissed her conjured Vacuum Fish, which dissipated into a wisp of aura.
"Let's keep looking for those Crescent Tigers," she said, talking to herself as she continued deeper into the protected zone.
You weren't hired to find Crescent Tigers, Haru thought as he maintained the crows' leisurely pursuit. Still, if she wanted a tiger, that was something he could easily provide.
Time to release the beast.
---
Dusk descended, and the forest darkened.
Thanks to recent poacher activity, the park's management had tightened security, and Shizuku had yet to encounter a single Crescent Tiger after wandering all day.
Actually, she had encountered one an hour earlier. However, since its stripes didn't glow under daylight, she had dismissed it as an ordinary white tiger.
You're even dumber than Toru, Haru thought, shaking his head.
He orchestrated a sudden tiger roar from the forest ahead. A moment later, a glowing Crescent Tiger emerged, its luminous stripes shimmering like jade in the fading light.
"Whoa, that's gorgeous!" Shizuku gasped.
The tiger's glowing eyes locked onto her as it prowled closer, tension building with every step. Then, with a powerful roar, it leapt toward her.
Thud!
Shizuku calmly raised one hand and slammed the charging tiger into the ground, holding it there with ease.
What insane strength! Haru, who was controlling Toru's body, marveled at her raw power even as he felt an intense competitive urge.
Though limited by Toru's body and aura reserves, Haru could still utilize basic techniques like Ten and Ren.
"You're not very smart for a tiger," Shizuku remarked, observing the animal's posture. "Your pounce was too short—minimal impact."
Growling in defiance, the tiger's muscles tensed, and it slowly pushed itself off the ground, despite Shizuku's hand pressing down. She was genuinely impressed by its resilience and mesmerized by its glowing stripes.
"So beautiful," she murmured.
Haru, controlling Toru, roared in frustration. Using all its strength, the tiger managed to escape her grasp, leaping away to create some distance. The pain in its leg, which had been crushed under Shizuku's grip, was quickly mended by the star seal's regenerative properties.
"Interesting," Shizuku mused, summoning her Vacuum Fish. "It feels like your aura shifted mid-fight. Let's see what happens when I…"
She didn't finish her sentence, but the implication was clear—she was about to knock the tiger out cold.
Toru, unwilling to back down, charged again.
Before Shizuku could act, two crows swooped in, cawing loudly and flapping their wings in the tiger's face. Startled, the tiger recoiled and retreated into the woods.
"Guess I scared it off," Shizuku muttered, watching the tiger limp away.
Haru sighed in relief. Controlling Toru's retreating body, he thought, Thanks for taking the hit, buddy. I owe you some premium snacks when we get back.
---
The two crows, their "mission" complete, returned to Shizuku. One even landed on her shoulder, as if seeking her approval.
"Not sure if you were helping or interfering," Shizuku muttered, dismissing her Vacuum Fish. She didn't seem bothered by the birds' antics, even as they tugged playfully at her sweater.
Seeing his chance, Haru guided the crows to lift her sweater slightly, revealing her midsection.
---
Haru narrowed his eyes.
Through the crows' perspective, he saw Shizuku's flat, unblemished stomach. No tattoos, no marks—her skin was pristine.
No spider tattoo.
Good. She hasn't joined the Phantom Troupe yet.
Relieved, Haru plotted his next steps.
"What is it?" Shizuku asked, glancing down. She noticed her sweater slightly askew and tugged it up further for a better look. "Is there something on me?"
The crows tilted their heads, feigning innocent curiosity.
"Must be my imagination," Shizuku murmured, brushing it off.
---
Back in East Town, Menchi noticed Haru smiling to himself.
"What's so funny?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Nothing," Haru replied nonchalantly.
"Come on, spit it out!"
"I just thought of something amusing," Haru said. "Why are you staring at me? Got any bright ideas for your ability yet?"
"No, not yet," Menchi admitted.
"Then stop wasting time. As a conjurer, you can think beyond tools. Ever considered abilities involving body modification or transformation?"
"Like… turning into a superhero chef?"
"Exactly," Haru said, smirking. "It'd be hilarious."
Menchi drew her knife. "One more word, and I'm carving you into sushi!"
Ginta silently followed the pair, sweating at their constant bickering.
Suddenly, Haru froze mid-step, his face darkening.
"What's wrong now?" Menchi asked, rolling her eyes.
Haru pointed toward the eastern docks. "What's over there?"
"That's the slaughter dock," Menchi replied. "They're probably processing today's catch. Why?"
"I smell blood—too much blood. Could it be a massacre?" Haru asked grimly.
Menchi sighed. "It's just fish. Calm down. Where are you going?"
"Amitabha! I need to investigate something…" Haru muttered, already walking away.
(Chapter end)