"If you need more, just let me know."
With that, he left, leaving Gabriel excited to start her next gaming adventure while he went home, looking forward to spending time with his "bunny girl" for some fun.
[Ding! Esdeath has sent a trade request!]
Before even stepping through the door, Rei Ao received this notification.
"Esdeath?"
He had indeed given her access to the sub-group, but he hadn't expected a trade request from her so soon. The trade content was intriguing.
[Trade Content]: Engage in a duel with Esdeath. The winner takes everything!
[Ding! Please select trade terms!]
"A duel?"
Rei Ao's interest was piqued. Considering Esdeath's battle-maniac nature, this request was perfectly in line with her personality.
[Name]: Esdeath
[Level]: 34
[Ability]: None
[Possession]: "Demon God Manifestation: Demon's Extract"
At level 34, it was clear Esdeath was much stronger than Budo. No wonder she was regarded as the Empire's strongest. However, her Imperial Arms made Rei Ao curious.
"Demon's Extract... It's that blood-like substance, right? So it's considered a possession, not an ability?"
He had assumed Esdeath would have a personal ability, but it didn't matter. Her power wasn't as formidable as his freezing capability. In fact, her possession could be something he might give to one of his own women in the future.
"Winner takes all, huh? I like it."
Feeling confident in his victory, he decided to up the stakes.
...
[Ding! Your trade request has been accepted!]
[Trade terms]: "Body usage rights for one time," "Demon God Manifestation: Demon's Extract"
Esdeath saw the response and smiled with excitement.
"Someone who can kill Budo... I can't wait to see how I'll conquer you after defeating you."
She stood up, issuing a command, "Everyone, rest here tonight!"
Some of the soldiers were puzzled, as they had been ordered to return to the capital immediately by the minister. But Esdeath didn't seem to be in any hurry. Though they were confused, the soldiers obeyed her command without question, a testament to their absolute loyalty and respect for her leadership.
Esdeath ventured far from the camp alone.
"Let's see if you dare to face me, leader of the chat group."
True to her philosophy of survival of the fittest, Esdeath accepted Rei Ao's conditions without hesitation. She didn't care about the "body usage rights." The loser lost everything, and the winner deserved it all.
...
[Ding! The trade has begun!]
[Trade content]: Engage in a duel with Esdeath. The winner takes everything!
[Trade terms]: "Body usage rights for one time," "Demon God Manifestation: Demon's Extract"
'Click.'
The door opened, and Mai stood there, glaring at Rei Ao.
"Another 'body usage rights' deal?" she asked, clearly annoyed.
"This one isn't my fault. She's a battle maniac who wants to bet everything on a fight," Rei Ao shrugged, feigning innocence.
After hearing the mention of a fight, Mai's jealousy faded, replaced by concern for him.
"Is this Esdeath person strong?"
"She's formidable," Rei Ao admitted, "but not as strong as your man."
He kissed her on the forehead. "Don't wait for me. Go to sleep if you're tired."
With that, Rei Ao departed for Esdeath's world.
Meanwhile, in Esdeath's world, the members of Night Raid were in a state of high alert. Leon, along with the other group members, rushed into Akame's room, their faces pale with worry.
Esdeath, the strongest enemy of the Revolutionary Army, had entered their chat group. Everyone's attention was on Akame, even ignoring the captive Kurome.
Najenda, their leader, was the first to speak. "Akame, do you know why Esdeath is also in the chat group?"
Akame shook her head. "I don't know. I thought only members of Night Raid could join."
Mine, frustrated, scratched her fluffy hair. "Great, now our biggest enemy is in the group too."
But Akame turned to look at her sister. "Kurome isn't in Night Raid."
"..."
Mine fell silent, realizing Akame was right.
Kurome was part of the Empire, and yet here she was. Perhaps Esdeath's presence wasn't so surprising after all.
Leon's concern, however, was different. "Do you think Rei Ao could lose?"
"The probability of Rei Ao winning is higher," Najenda analyzed. "At least from what I know, Esdeath couldn't instantly kill Budo in the past."
Leon's eyes brightened. "What about now?"
Najenda shook her head. "I'm not sure. I haven't seen Esdeath since the day she took my arm and eye."
"Then we're still in danger," Mine said, her face sinking.
"Akame, aren't you close to Rei Ao? Couldn't you ask him if he thinks he'll win?"
"Close?"
Akame was puzzled. Apart from that one day when they shared an intimate connection, she had only spent a few hours with Rei Ao. Was that really considered "close?"
Mine, exasperated, said, "You two already did it, didn't you? Isn't that close enough?"
"Mine."
Sheele gently stopped Mine and shook her head, reminding her that the relationship between Akame and Rei Ao wasn't that simple. It had been a trade, not a bond born out of affection. Realizing her mistake, Mine quickly shut her mouth.
Just then, Akame sent a message in the chat group.
"@Rei Ao, will you win?"
"I'll win." Rei Ao replied confidently.
Akame looked at the others and relayed the message. "He said he will win."
...
"An inter-world power duel... That sounds interesting. Can we watch it live?" asked Frieren in the chat.
"Sure," Rei Ao replied.
[Ding! Rei Ao has started a live stream!]
As the group joined the stream, they saw Rei Ao standing face-to-face with a tall woman in military attire.
"It's really her..."
Najenda immediately recognized Esdeath, particularly her predatory, wolfish eyes.
Esdeath, too, saw the messages in the chat group and smirked. "You're quite confident you can win."
"I'm confident in my strength," Rei Ao responded calmly.
~~~
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50 Advance Chapters!
Chapter 67: Dominating, Hunter or Prey, S&M, etc.
Rei Ao: "If you don't mind, feel free to introduce yourself to the chat group."
"Introduce myself?"
Esdeath's lips curled into a predatory smile. "Fighting and slaughter are the best introductions. Like this!"
Suddenly, Esdeath raised her hand, and a shadow enveloped Rei Ao. Above him, a massive chunk of ice silently appeared, descending swiftly toward him.
Unperturbed, Rei Ao drew out his personal weapon, now in the form of a longsword. With a casual swing, the sword energy surged forth.
'Shnk!'
As if slicing through tofu, the ice was effortlessly cut into fragments, scattering into glittering crystals. Esdeath's grin only grew wider, her excitement palpable.
"You truly are remarkable. In that case let the battle begin!"
Esdeath drew her rapier, and with a single step, she launched herself at Rei Ao with impressive speed.
"Using a sword, huh?" Rei Ao noted, not surprised by her choice. Esdeath's strength lay not only in her Teigu but also in her formidable physical prowess and swordsmanshipboth of which were respected in this world.
But unfortunately for her, her opponent was Rei Ao.
'Clang!'
Sparks flew as their blades clashed. The moment their swords met, Esdeath realized something shockingher sword was inferior to his. This was her immediate impression. Yet, she didn't relent, thrusting and slicing with her rapier at blinding speed, each movement precise and deadly. To an observer, her strikes would have been too fast to follow.
However, Rei Ao parried her blows with effortless ease, one hand behind his back, his expression calm. He didn't even shift his footing.
"Your swordsmanship still has a long way to go. You might as well use your Teigu," Rei Ao said, almost lazily.
"...."
Esdeath stared at him intently, taking a step back.
"My swordsmanship is indeed lacking compared to yours. In that case, try this!"
Cold air began to radiate from Esdeath as she unleashed her power. With a swift motion, she sent a barrage of ice spikes flying toward Rei Ao.
Watching from afar, Ayame remarked, "She can use ice as well?"
Akame nodded. "Najenda mentioned her Teigu is called 'Demon God Manifestation: Demon's Extract'. It controls ice."
Kato Megumi added, "Just like Ao-kun's ability."
Frieren clarified, "Not quite. Rei Ao mentioned his power is called 'freezing,' which is different from just controlling ice."
At that moment, massive ice spikes capable of skewering an elephant flew toward Rei Ao. Without a hint of concern, Rei Ao raised a finger.
The spikes froze in mid-air, suspended and unmoving.
"???"
Esdeath's expression shifted as she realized her ice had been neutralized.
"I'm quite skilled with ice myself," Rei Ao said with a smirk, pointing his finger at Esdeath.
Crack!
The very ice spikes Esdeath had conjured broke free from the ground and shot toward her with blinding speed.
"!!"
Despite her shock, Esdeath quickly swung her rapier, shattering the incoming ice.
"You"
Esdeath fixed her gaze on Rei Ao, expecting questions. Instead, her entire body began tremblingnot from fear, but from exhilaration.
"It's beautiful! A battle to the death with a strong opponent This is the most beautiful thing!"
"You are strong. But from here on, I will fight with everything I have to kill you!"
True to her word, Esdeath launched herself into the fight, every attack now aimed at ending Rei Ao's life. Icebergs the size of mountains crashed to the ground with thunderous force, shaking the earth. From the distant camp, soldiers could feel the impact and cold sweeping toward them.
The soldiers assumed Esdeath was battling another dangerous creature. They had seen her fight many times, but today's disturbance felt larger than anything they had ever witnessed. Ice crept from distant mountains, even reaching the tents of their camp.
Sui: "Are all people from other worlds this powerful?"
Esdeath could freeze entire mountains with a mere gesture, creating ice structures the size of hills, while Rei Ao danced through the chaos with ease. The sheer scale of the battle left Sui in awe.
Kato Megumi: "I'm sorry I'm just an ordinary person."
Ayame added, "I'm nowhere near as strong as Rei Ao."
Stella sighed, "Honestly, it's insane how they throw their power around like that."
Shizu asked quietly, "Do you think Rei Ao can really defeat the Flame Spirit?"
Watching the cataclysmic battle unfold, her thoughts raced.
"If it's him maybe."
Though the fight appeared intense, Rei Ao was growing bored. Esdeath's attacks, though powerful, couldn't touch him. Feeling the battle drag, he finally shattered one of her ice mountains with a single strike.
"Do you have any final moves? This fight is getting dull."
Esdeath's fiery battle spirit began to cool. She realized none of her attacks could even push Rei Ao to take her seriously. This wasn't a battleit was a one-sided domination.
Landing softly on the ground, Esdeath stared at Rei Ao for a long moment.
"You're strong. The strongest enemy I've ever faced."
No one else even came close. Now, she understood how Budo had been killed by this man.
Exhaling deeply, her focus shifted. No longer was she intent on simply killing Rei Ao. Her new goal was to give him a satisfying challenge.
"This next move is something I've only theorized, never tried before. If it works, it might give you what you're looking for."
"Oh?" Rei Ao raised an eyebrow, recognizing the move Esdeath had intended to use against Tatsumi.
Esdeath clasped her hands over her chest, and Rei Ao could feel the ice energy gathering. When it reached its peak, her gaze sharpened.
"Here it comes 'Mahapdama!'"
In an instant, a powerful wave of ice energy exploded outward, not freezing the surroundings, but freezing 'time' itself.
Everything stopped.
Esdeath smiled, satisfied that her new technique had worked. Unfortunately, she had her doubts about Rei Ao.
"Looks like you're not invincible after all."
Satisfied, she approached Rei Ao, her rapier ready to deliver the final blow. As she stood before him, Esdeath couldn't help but admire his strengthtoo bad she would have to kill him.
"Goodbye."
She thrust her sword toward his heart.
"Why are you saying goodbye?" Rei Ao suddenly smiled, despite being frozen in place just moments ago.
"You can move?!" Esdeath's expression turned to shock. She tried to retreat, but Rei Ao moved faster.
With a flick of his wrist, he shattered her ice, freezing her in place instead.
"Freezing? I can do that too."
In an instant, time stood still once more, but this time under Rei Ao's control. Esdeath was left completely immobilized.
Grabbing her by the chin, Rei Ao gazed down at her. "But your time-freezing ability is quite crude."
Esdeath's technique didn't truly freeze time and space. It was merely a powerful burst of ice energy that stopped molecular movement in a localized area, simulating a time-stop effect. Rei Ao's freezing, on the other hand, was an absolute abilityhe could freeze the very concept of time and space itself.
The effects of Rei Ao's freezing far surpassed Esdeath's 'Mahapdama' technique.
Stella: "Phew, that scared me for a second. I thought Rei Ao was about to be killed."
Frieren: "She was freezing molecular movement, but compared to Rei Ao's ability to freeze time and space, it's child's play."
Sui: "Freezing time and space? Is that really possible?"
Ayame Yomogawa: "Ao-sama has already done it."
Akame: "Yes, the proof is right in front of us."
Shizu: "It's really amazing!"
Frieren: "That human, Esdeath, is being completely toyed with."
Saeko Busujima: "Will Rei Ao kill her? All of her attacks were filled with killing intent."
Mai Sakurajima: "Did you forget the terms of the deal?"
Saeko Busujima: "Right, she probably won't die. For now."
Sui: "What do you mean?"
Kato Megumi: "You'll understand eventually."
"Esdeath just lost like that." Najenda couldn't believe it. No one knew better than her how strong Esdeath was.
"That's great! That means our biggest enemy is gone!" Leone was about to cheer when Mai interrupted.
"Esdeath won't die; she's part of the chat group now."
Leone remembered the terms of the deal"body usage rights." She sighed and added, "Speaking of do you think Rei Ao will be, um, tamed by Esdeath?"
""
Even Najenda looked concerned. Given Esdeath's competitive nature, it wouldn't be surprising if she tried to win in other ways too. After all, Rei Ao is just a man, and there's an old saying: "The ox may tire, but the field never does."
