Hu Tao chattered on, explaining everything, and pointed off into the distance.
Takumi turned his head and saw all sorts of strange races lining up to reincarnate.
He fell silent.
He quickly connected to Prometheus to check the situation. Sure enough, people were dying like flies inside the Border Realm. The battles were brutal and relentless.
Takumi was speechless. But after thinking about it, he decided not to interfere.
After all, it was their own choice. He had already set it up so they could escape at any time. If they chose to fight head-on and die, it was their own fault.
He wasn't about to provide a resurrection token to everyone. He already gave them blink abilities resurrection was asking too much. He wasn't their nanny.
"Do whatever you want. I don't really care. If they're willing, just take them all."
Takumi didn't think much of it. If Hu Tao wanted to run her business, let her.
Undead made great labor anyway, and Hu Tao already had quite a few. Adding more wouldn't hurt. He could even have Hashirama and Madara do ceremonial rituals.
Not making this a one-stop-shop would be a waste...
Hearing Takumi's approval, Hu Tao was overjoyed.
"Great~! I was worried you wouldn't agree. Now that you've said yes, everything is set!!"
She was ecstatic. As long as Takumi agreed, nothing could stop her. Her Rapid Corpse Delivery was finally ready to launch!
Takumi glanced at the people around but didn't engage in conversation.
Madara, however, seemed to be observing him secretly. Takumi grinned.
Looks like those guys were beaten pretty badly. Now they're acting all meek?
You were the proud and arrogant Madara, and now you're like this? Unbelievable.
What happened to the pride of Madara Uchiha?
Takumi guessed correctly.
Madara really had been crushed even teaming up with Hashirama wasn't enough to beat a single woman.
He was beyond demoralized.
And he learned that there were countless beings in Takumi's world stronger than that woman.
That was terrifying.
In such a world, staying humble was wise. Once he got stronger, then maybe he could show off again.
In a world full of monsters, being cautious wasn't shameful!
Takumi didn't know what Madara was thinking. After chatting a bit with Hu Tao, he took his leave.
Once he was gone, Hu Tao started talking to her future employees.
At first, many refused.
But soon, they had no choice.
"If you don't agree, I'll purify you! And it's not like I won't pay you. You ninja types are all about money, right? I've got plenty of that. Stick with me, and I promise you'll be living the good life!"
"Heck, if you really want, I might even help you become human again someday!"
With a mix of threats and bribes, Hu Tao played her hand skillfully.
Everyone present was speechless.
Seriously? Now we're being threatened like this? How frustrating!
Chapter 556: What a Silly Rabbit
If you can't resist, then you might as well lie flat and behave.
Miss Hu Tao wasn't joking around, so her business proceeded quite smoothly. She directly settled everything and once again acquired a group of employees. With these new hires, she could start doing a lot of things. Surely, the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor would develop rapidly.
There were just too many clients on the Border Realm's side!
Meanwhile, Takumi deliberately wandered over to the Border Realm for a stroll. There, he saw quite a number of iron-headed fools.
They clearly could have run away, but instead chose to fight head-on.
"Seeking death, really."
Watching all this, Takumi couldn't help but complain. He didn't even know what to say anymore. They really didn't treat their lives seriously.
After grumbling for a while, Takumi stopped paying attention to these people. Did they all think everyone had resurrection abilities?
Take Boros for examplehe could revive from even a single cell, so he dared to act so recklessly. But those who were weak and clueless, how did they dare to pull the same stunts?
"What are you doing here?"
Just as Takumi was about to leave, Koyori's voice suddenly rang out. She appeared right beside him without warning. Ever since forming a contract with Takumi, she could sense when he arrived.
So she immediately rushed over.
After hearing her question, Takumi explained the situation to her.
Koyori blinked. "There are just too many idiots! Don't worry about it. For some races, death just means reincarnation. They don't really value their lives.
"Some people might even want to switch races and keep playing. Like the Undead racethat's pretty cool."
Koyori understood the situation. There really were people who thought like that, and quite a few of them too. As a long-lived species, they really enjoyed entertaining themselves.
"Impressive! Well, I'm not going to bother with them either. On the bright side, this just gives Hu Tao more business.
"Who knows? Maybe she'll come up with some ridiculous burial ceremony like 'Nine Dragons Pulling the Coffin' and come to you for a partnership."
Takumi couldn't help but joke.
Koyori burst into laughter. That actually sounded pretty likely.
"Hmm... not a bad idea. Maybe I can get in on it too."
Her eyes lit up. Since this world was still in its transformation phase, she didn't have much to do anywaybesides sleeping and watching people fight in the Border Realm.
Now that something fun had come up, she was interested, maybe even willing to participate.
Seeing her interest clearly rising, Takumi chuckled.
"Oh right! I think someone's arrived here."
"I followed the aura straight over. From a distance, I could already sense the smell of Little Garden."
Just as Takumi was about to say goodbye, Koyori gave him some news.
Apparently, someone from Little Garden had followed the network and come overand they were almost here. Anyone touched by Little Garden's aura was something she could sense.
"Who?"
Takumi raised his eyebrows.
That fast? The worlds of Little Garden hadn't even arrived yet, and someone already made their way here?
"It should be Indra and the Halloween Queen. Quite a few, actually. Maybe ask Shiroyasha to be sure."
Koyori wasn't too sure herself. There were many of them, but those two were the only ones she recognized.
"Hmm... I'll ask her. I'm heading back."
Takumi said his goodbye and returned home, then began pinging Shiroyasha in the group chat.
Takumi: [@Shiroyasha, did your old friends arrive?]
As soon as the message was sent, Shiroyasha responded.
Shiroyasha: [You mean the Halloween Queen? Yeah, I felt her presence. There are others too. Tsk, I didn't expect them to move so fast. Koyori told you, right?]
Seeing Takumi ask, Shiroyasha got interested. She had sensed it too. What she hadn't expected was that after she left, the Halloween Queen and company would also follow.
As expected, Little Garden was falling apart.
Takumi: [Exactly!] [@Black Rabbit, you should've sensed Indra's aura too, right?]
Black Rabbit: [(Д) No, I didn't!!]
She didn't sense anything.
Seeing that, Takumi raised his brow.
Before he could say anything, Shiroyasha jumped in with an explanation.
Shiroyasha: [If it were before, maybe she could've felt it. But ever since her power-up, she's no weaker than Indra. So they're no longer in a master-servant relationship. The chat group removed that connection.]
Shiroyasha knew this well. There's no way Black Rabbit could still sense him. That silly rabbit just wasn't strong enough.
Izayoi Sakamaki: [That dumb rabbit always embarrassing herself.]
Kasukabe Y: [Seriously a dumb rabbit. Can't even sense something like this!]
Kudou Asuka: [What's the point of you then?]
Black Rabbit: [(Д) Shut up!! If you keep this up, I'll get mad!!]
Kasukabe Y: [So what if you get mad?]
Kudou Asuka: [Even if you're mad, it doesn't change the fact you're a dumb rabbit.]
Izayoi Sakamaki: [Go sulk by yourself!]
Kaguya Houraisan: [Are all rabbits stupid? Looks like I need to ask my master to develop a medicine that can boost rabbit IQ.]
Black Rabbit: [Enough already!!!]
Takumi watched the messages and laughed.
Well, if Black Rabbit didn't feel anything, so be it.
Takumi: [Let me know when they're about to arrive. I'll go wait at the gate!]
Takumi hadn't sensed them eitheror rather, he didn't bother trying. If he wanted to, he could still sense them, since the core of Little Garden had fused with him.
Anyone stained with its aura, he could detect.
But there were too many people like that. Trying to sense them all would be exhausting, so he didn't bother.
Shiroyasha: [Got it~! I'll join you when they arrive. No freebies allowed! (o)]
This road belongs to me. Those people followed the scent here to settle down. You want in? Pay the toll!
As everyone was chatting, Lala, who had been studying the Herrscher Core, suddenly chimed in.
Lala: [This doesn't make sense! I'm already at the final stepwhy can't I replicate your Herrscher Core? It collapses every time!!]
She was frustrated. This issue had been bothering her for a long time, so she finally asked Takumi.
If she could just solve this step, she'd be able to duplicate Takumi's Herrscher Core. But this hurdle was like a massive chasm, completely blocking her progress.
Chapter 557: Why Be So Stubborn?
Takumi looked at the message from Lala and fell silent.
Failed at the last step?
Lala, are you trying to defy the heavens?
That impressive?
Thinking this, Takumi became curious about what exactly Lala had managed to create.
Takumi: [I'll come take a look!]
He left a message in the group chat, then opened a spatial gate and headed toward Lala's research lab.
Lala was currently distressed, with her two younger sisters by her side.
Seeing the three sisters, Takumi's mood instantly improved.
The trio looked like triplets with unique traits, standing together they were truly a feast for the eyes.
Still, Takumi liked Momo the most among them.
Who wouldn't want such an understanding little sister-in-law?
"Takumi-sama!"
Momo was the first to notice Takumi's arrival and quickly greeted him.
Hearing her, Nana and Lala also came to their senses.
Lala looked at Takumi with great anticipation.
"You're here?"
"Please help me take a look. What exactly is the problem here?"
"I've clearly analyzed all the materials, but I just can't synthesize it."
"It fails every time at the synthesis step."
As soon as Takumi arrived, Lala quickly began explaining the issue she was facing.
Takumi's eyes fell on the massive equipment in front of Lala.
Inside was a pile of powder, likely the residue from repeated failed experiments.
"Try synthesizing it again. Let me see."
Takumi watched with interest.
This was Lala's workusing various materials to synthesize a Herrscher Core and infusing it with vast amounts of Honkai energy?
It was actually a pretty good idea.
But if it were that simple, success wouldn't be possible.
Still, Takumi wanted to see how Lala operated.
Upon hearing Takumi's suggestion, Lala nodded.
"Alright!"
"Momo, Nana, come help!"
"Let's try again."
She immediately sprang into action.
Her two sisters quickly began preparing all the necessary materials.
Soon, Lala restarted the experiment.
Takumi sensed a huge surge of Honkai energy gathering.
The materials broke down and began fusing into a specific compound.
Gradually, a violet-colored core crystal started forming inside the machine.
But just as the crystal began to take shape, the machine halted, and the core disintegrated on the spot.
Takumi sighed after watching the entire process.
"This won't work."
"This final step is the most critical."
"The core you created lacks... well, a core."
"To be preciseit has no Authority."
"Every Herrscher Core must contain Authority."
"And Authority isn't something you can just create."
"The reason the Herrscher of Reason's Authority can be replicated is because it understands other Authorities."
"It involves concepts that touch upon everything."
"Even so, only actual Herrschers can manifest them."
Takumi muttered on.
The essence of it was: if you're not a Herrscher, don't bother trying to replicate a Core.
Even the Herrscher of Reason's God Keys couldn't do it.
After hearing Takumi's explanation, Lala was clearly disappointed.
So it was totally unworkable?
"Ugh... all that work for nothing!"
Lala was frustrated.
According to Takumi, all her past efforts had been in vain.
"Well, not exactly."
"You could look deeper into the rules and principles."
"Eventually, you might combine the two approaches."
"Or better yet, find a safe method to allow a Herrscher Core to form naturally inside the bodyso their own powers and the core fuse, creating a pseudo-Herrscher entity."
"That might be a better research direction."
"Whether or not it works is another question."
"You could also consult with Dr. Mei."
"People like Mei, Mobius, and Veliona have all conducted deep research on Herrscher Cores."
Takumi shared his suggestions.
Creating a pseudo-Herrscher Core shouldn't be too difficult.
Upon hearing this, Lala's eyes lit up and she fell into thought.
Could this really work?
"Dr. Mei and the others already gave me their research materials."
"Actually, my current work is based on their research."
"That's how I progressed so far so quickly."
"But from here onward, I'll have to rely on myself."
"I'll consult with the Genius Club members next."
"Your proposed research direction is excellent."
"Still, to be safe, I should proceed carefully."
Lala accepted Takumi's suggestion.
It was a great idea.
But she needed to discuss it with others first to gauge opinions.
Hearing this, Takumi nodded.
"Alright~!"
"Take your time."
"If it comes to it, I can give you a Herrscher of Reason Core to play with~!"
Upon hearing that, Lala's eyes gleamed, but she quickly calmed down.
"I'd rather figure it out myself."
"No rush!"
Lala had her own sense of pride.
If she could solve it herself, she wanted to.
The sense of accomplishment would be greater that way.
Takumi shrugged.
He didn't press further.
"Alright then, good luck!"
"If you need help, just let me know."
Lala nodded.
"I won't be shy!"
"Thanks for making the trip."
She genuinely appreciated Takumi's visit.
