“...” Kihara was speechless as she looked at the bottle cap that had been effortlessly pierced.
Her proud Nitrogen Armor was useless in the face of Hu Feng Toumi’s attack. Both were Level 4, yet the gap between them was so immense!
Looking at Hu Feng Toumi again, there was no change in her expression, as if she had long expected this scene.
“As expected of Hu Feng Senior…” Kihara sighed from the bottom of her heart. No wonder she could become Lin Wuming’s partner. Her own strength… was indeed far from enough.
Mugino narrowed her eyes, carefully observing Hu Feng Toumi: “You’re not bad.”
Although it wasn’t the first time she had seen Hu Feng Toumi make a move, every time she witnessed it with her own eyes, she still felt a chill from the bottom of her heart.
Facing such a sharp attack, even a Level 5 would find it troublesome.
“I will continue to work hard,” Kihara said, quickly regaining her spirits without being downcast for too long.
Although her experiment was a failure, she didn’t come away empty-handed.
At least, based on the feedback from Hu Feng Toumi, Kihara had a general idea of the direction for her future efforts.
“If you need, I can spar with you anytime,” Hu Feng Toumi suddenly said.
Because she also needed to cultivate, and now that her master, Kanzaki Kaori, had returned to her country for a report and it seemed unlikely she would return to Academy City anytime soon, Hu Feng Toumi could only find a way to continue her cultivation on her own.
In this situation, having a sparring partner was undoubtedly the best way to improve efficiency.
Kihara was one of the first acquaintances Hu Feng Toumi had made, and could even be considered a “friend.”
It’s important to note that before meeting Lin Wuming, Hu Feng Toumi, due to her terrible personality, would have had no close relationships.
Therefore, Kihara, the girl rescued during the “Dark May Project” when Hu Feng Toumi first acted with Lin Wuming, naturally became someone with whom Hu Feng Toumi had a good relationship.
Hence, Kihara could be trusted.
Moreover, Kihara is a Level 4 “Nitrogen Armor,” and her “Absolute Penetration” were at two extremes. Her ability could be said to be the most proficient in defense among Level 4s.
The two complemented each other, achieving mutual progress through self-contradiction.
“Really? That’s great!” Kihara’s eyes lit up, “Thank you so much, Hu Feng Senior!”
“As long as you’re happy,” Mugino lost interest and turned to leave, “Just remember not to delay work.”
Out of trust for her comrades, Mugino ultimately chose to acquiesce—Hu Feng Toumi was fine, it was better than getting involved with that Lin Wuming again.
Although their positions were different, in fairness, Hu Feng Toumi’s personality and way of handling things actually aligned well with Mugino’s preferences.
If she didn’t know that Hu Feng Toumi was already tied to Lin Wuming’s faction, Mugino wouldn’t mind expanding the official members of Item to five.
“Come on, what are you still doing here?” As Mugino passed Hamazura Shiage, she kicked him, “Time to go back, you drive.”
“Huh? Me?” Hamazura Shiage immediately snapped back to reality, “But…”
Komaba Ritoku, Hattori Hanzo, and Fremea hadn’t left yet.
However, as soon as Hamazura Shiage looked up, he met Mugino’s fierce glare.
“Okay, I’ll go prepare right away…”
Taking the car keys, Hamazura Shiage quickly walked to the front.
Inside, he was on the verge of tears—to think that he, a dignified third-in-command of SKILL OUT, a notable figure among many Armed Unskilled Group, could only be reduced to being a driver and errand boy for these girls.
But there was no other way, after all, the strength gap was huge. These seemingly youthful and beautiful girls actually possessed combat power that was among the best in all of Academy City, and their Item was also a famous top-tier Dark Side Organization in the industry.
Since he had already been targeted, there was no escaping.
As the saying goes, a wise man submits to circumstances. Thinking carefully, rising from an obscure Armed Unskilled Group to an unofficial member of a formal Dark Side Organization could be considered a kind of “progress” in some sense, right?
“…No way! No one would think that!” Hamazura Shiage muttered, “What’s so bad about being a free-spirited small-time hoodlum?”
If they truly had ambitions, SKILL OUT wouldn’t still be at its current scale and state.
It was just that there was no other choice, Hamazura Shiage could only comfort himself this way.
“Hey! Stop complaining, or you’ll make Mugino angry.” Frenda suddenly ran up to Hamazura Shiage and slapped him on the shoulder.
“Frenda, it’s you…” Hamazura Shiage sighed in relief.
Just as Frenda said, he was indeed quite afraid of Mugino.
Not just because Mugino was a Level 5—in fact, Hamazura Shiage, who was already very familiar with these girls, knew that even without using their esper ability, he probably couldn’t beat them.
…No, perhaps with Takitsubo Rikou, he might have a chance?
Hamazura Shiage, as if escaping reality, let his thoughts wander and began to rank the danger level of the girls behind him in his mind.
First place, of course, was Mugino, no doubt about it.
Closely following… was Hu Feng Toumi.
Hu Feng’s notorious reputation was widely spread in the underground world, even contending with Level 5 Mugino for the title of “Most Ferocious”!
Now, the two “most ferocious” women were right behind him, so it was no wonder Hamazura Shiage was nervous.
He felt like a small animal exposed to fierce predators.
In contrast, Frenda beside him seemed much cuter.
Although Frenda also had many issues with her personality and hobbies, at most she just liked to tinker with explosives; as long as he was careful, there would be no problem.
“By the way,” Hamazura Shiage whispered, “Are you going back like this? Is it okay to not worry about your sister?”
“Fremea?” Frenda tilted her head, “Of course it’s fine. Doesn’t she have reliable bodyguards with her?”
“But look, now Fremea only has two-thirds of her bodyguards left,” Hamazura Shiage said, “For her safety, shouldn’t we…”
“What are you thinking?” Frenda said, “You’re the driver and errand boy, not a combatant. So it’s absolutely fine without you.”
“Damn it!” Hamazura Shiage clicked his tongue, “But I can’t refute that…”
In terms of combat power, he was indeed far inferior to Komaba Ritoku and Hattori Hanzo.
The reason Hamazura Shiage was chosen by Item, besides his proficiency in operating vehicles and running errands, was also his “harmlessness.”
Just like the relationship between a crocodile and a plover, because he posed no threat to the girls of Item, Hamazura Shiage was so easily accepted.
