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18.05% I'm not going to be an Spirit! (Translate) / Chapter 25: Chapter 29&30

Chapitre 25: Chapter 29&30

Chapter 29: A Heart with a Fierce Tiger

The gang members holding Atsushi Nakajima showed a trace of shock.

When they had run into him on the street just a few days ago, this guy hadn't even dared to fight back, barely different from a punching bag that wouldn't complain.

Yet here he was, not only cleaner and with money in his pockets but actually daring to resist them now.

Even the gang leader hadn't expected Atsushi to break free and lunge at him. But the surprise only lasted a moment; the next second, anger crossed his face.

A solid fist landed hard on Atsushi's head, immediately knocking the skinny young man to the ground.

"Hmph, maybe think before you act."

The gang leader ground his foot into Atsushi's face, his expression dark. "Daring to steal from me — you got a bit of cash, and now you've forgotten who you are?"

"That was… the money the Detective Agency seniors gave me…" Atsushi replied, defiant but unable to break free.

"Detective Agency?"

The gang leader's expression shifted slightly. Though he was just a low-level thug in Yokohama, he had enough sense to survive in this city dominated by the Port Mafia.

"The Detective Agency? You mean that Armed Detective Agency?"

"Yes, exactly, the Armed Detective Agency!"

Hearing the gang leader knew the reputation of the Agency, Atsushi quickly continued, "I joined the Agency just a few days ago. This money was given to me by my seniors to buy supplies!"

"Oh? So, you're a new recruit at the Armed Detective Agency?" The gang leader loosened his foot from Atsushi's face, looking thoughtful. "I heard everyone there has some special ability. Do you?"

"Yes!" Atsushi wiped off the footprint on his face, slightly relieved that invoking the Agency's name had managed to intimidate these thugs.

"Show us something, then."

"Uh…"

Atsushi hesitated, looking uncomfortable. "I… I can't really control my ability yet. I can't use it at will…"

"Oh." The gang leader nodded, narrowing his eyes. "So, you're telling me that you — some stray dog no one cares about — got accepted by the famous Armed Detective Agency, even though you have an ability but can't even use it?"

"Yes."

The gang leader was silent for a moment.

Then, without warning, he whipped his leg out, striking Atsushi's side.

Atsushi's body crashed into the alley wall, a dull pain spreading through his insides, making him retch.

"You think I'm easy to fool?" the gang leader grabbed Atsushi by the hair, his face twisted in anger. "Can't even make up a believable story. Do you think we're idiots?"

Before Atsushi could explain, the gang leader landed a few more punches on his face, tossing him at the feet of the other thugs.

"Just don't kill him," the gang leader said, dusting off his hands, sparing one glance at the bloodied Atsushi, before pocketing the money.

Following the leader's orders, the thugs grinned with a twisted excitement. They started beating Atsushi without restraint, venting their frustrations with fists and kicks, leaving him covered in bruises and blood.

Atsushi, too weak to resist, could only curl into a ball, guarding his head and vulnerable parts of his body as best as he could.

Meanwhile, Tokisaki Kurumi watched the entire scene unfold from where she clung to a nearby building's glass wall, thanks to her spiritual energy.

"Should I step in?" she thought. "If this goes on much longer, he might actually die."

Not that she was particularly worried about Atsushi's survival.

Atsushi's ability, Beast Beneath the Moonlight, was a combat-based regenerative power — as long as he was breathing, he could heal almost any wound.

Even lost limbs would regenerate.

Though Atsushi couldn't even activate his ability consciously, his resilience and healing were already far beyond ordinary. Even with several thugs beating him to the point of broken bones, he'd be as good as new after a good night's sleep.

What concerned Kurumi was that Atsushi's power might eventually go berserk, and he might end up killing these thugs.

Atsushi himself wouldn't kill anyone, but Beast Beneath the Moonlight certainly could.

Most ability users naturally had control over their powers, and there was typically a connection between an ability and the user's personality.

But Atsushi was an exception.

Despite possessing a tiger's ability, his personality was timid and self-doubting, the opposite of the pride and self-assurance one would expect of a "king of beasts."

His experience of abuse in the orphanage had left him fearful and weak.

This disconnect between Atsushi and his ability had caused him to not only lose control of it but to remain unaware of its existence before joining the Detective Agency.

Consequently, Beast Beneath the Moonlight had developed its own consciousness.

What should have been an inseparable bond between human and tiger had split into two due to Atsushi's unconscious resistance.

Through Atsushi's eyes, Beast Beneath the Moonlight had observed his life in the orphanage.

No one knew that within this timid Atsushi, there lay a proud, self-assured tiger.

Whenever the full moon rose or Atsushi faced extreme danger, Beast Beneath the Moonlight would take over, transforming into a white tiger to unleash its fury and pent-up frustrations.

The very reason Atsushi had been thrown out of the orphanage was because of this.

Kurumi looked up, gazing at the crescent moon in the night sky, and murmured to herself, "With both conditions met, perhaps tonight I'll witness the white tiger's splendor."

As she finished speaking, several blue rings suddenly appeared around Atsushi.

The gang members who had been beating him stopped instinctively, taking cautious steps back, their instincts telling them to avoid whatever was happening.

"What's going on?"

The gang leader looked confused but suddenly recalled what Atsushi had said earlier. His face darkened.

Atsushi, already groggy from the pain, felt his consciousness slipping, as if something enormous was forcing its way into his mind, taking his place, leaving him unable to think.

"Roaaar!"

Unnoticed by even himself, a feral growl emerged from Atsushi's throat, his body transforming along with the blue rings.

Under the blue light, his thin arms morphed into thick, black-striped, white-furred tiger claws. His frail frame expanded with layers of muscle.

"Rip—!"

His ordinary clothes, no longer able to withstand the strain, tore apart, falling in shreds to the ground.

The gang leader's eyes twitched as he chopped down at the back of Atsushi's head, hoping to knock him out.

But Atsushi's mind had already shut down the moment the rings appeared; knocking him out was impossible.

Amber tiger eyes slit open.

A blast of force, almost tangible, knocked all the thugs back, leaving them sprawled across the ground.

"Roar—!"

A majestic white tiger appeared in the moonlight, raising its head and letting out a roar that echoed, blending with the silvery light of the moon.

Chapter 30: The Standoff

The sight of the Moonlight Tiger shattered the last hope lingering in the gang leader's mind, leaving only a chilling fear. The creature was no mere illusion; it was a powerful beast, resplendent in moonlit white fur, claws gleaming, and eyes filled with a primal fury.

Frozen by the tiger's fierce gaze, the gang members felt their legs weaken. The deathly silence of the alley, which they had chosen to corner Nakajima Atsushi, now felt like a trap they had set for themselves.

Steeling himself with what little courage he could muster, the gang leader sneered, trying to rally his men. "It's just a big cat! All we need is a group tackle, and…"

Before he could finish, the Moonlight Tiger swiped its enormous paw, sending one of the thugs crashing against the wall with a cry. The man lay motionless, perhaps unconscious, maybe just too frightened to move. The rest of the group stood paralyzed, now aware of their complete helplessness before this beast.

Then, as if sensing something ominous, they noticed a strange sensation. Their vision grew dim, tinged with a haunting red, and an overwhelming sense of exhaustion swept over them. They struggled to keep their eyes open, even as the sound of slow, rhythmic footsteps echoed from behind.

The gang leader, using his last ounce of strength, turned his head to see the source. Emerging from the shadows was a girl in an elegant dress, moving gracefully toward them, as if floating from some dark abyss.

This time, Kurumi Tokisaki was not holding back. She wasn't just sapping a small amount of time from Yokohama's residents; for these lowlifes, she drained every second they had, pulling them into her shadow realm, where they would vanish without a trace.

With the gang gone, the Moonlight Tiger, bathed in moonlight, remained in the narrow alley, facing Kurumi, who stood still, calm, and unfazed by the towering beast.

The tiger growled low, instinctively sensing the danger. As a distinct, conscious part of Nakajima Atsushi, it wasn't an ordinary animal but a proud entity with intelligence rivaling its human host. Where it had toyed with the gangsters, it now felt compelled to keep a close eye on this peculiar woman.

Kurumi took a gentle bow, introducing herself with graceful confidence, "Greetings, Tiger. You may call me Nightmare. From this day, I shall be the one to hunt you in place of Akutagawa Ryuunosuke."

The tiger tensed, its memories filled with glimpses of Akutagawa through Atsushi's eyes. Although it held no fear toward the fierce "rabid dog," it acknowledged the threat Akutagawa posed. The tiger had intervened several times, lending Atsushi its strength to evade capture. If this Nightmare were Akutagawa's replacement, her strength likely surpassed his.

Kurumi continued with a calm smile, "There's no need for hostility. Tonight, I'm simply passing by, offering a bit of courtesy, you could say." She gestured to the now-empty alley. "As a welcome gift, I've rid you of those bothersome rats."

The Moonlight Tiger looked around, noticing the gang members' disappearance. Kurumi was right; she had, indeed, solved its problem.

It had emerged tonight not out of some sense of duty to protect Atsushi but out of its deep disdain for the weak. Watching Atsushi suffer in the orphanage, it had never once considered aiding him, seeing him as just another pitiful creature.

But when these thugs had dared to provoke it this proud tiger it had felt a rare anger, one that would be satisfied only by teaching them a lesson. And yet, there were limits. As a member of the Armed Detective Agency, Atsushi's actions reflected on the agency's reputation.

If news broke that he'd injured these men, the government might decide that Atsushi, unable to control his powers, should be detained. Killing was out of the question, and even brutalizing them could have dire consequences.

Kurumi's arrival had been timely, removing these limitations. Where it couldn't kill, she could. She belonged to the Port Mafia, outside the government's reach.

The Moonlight Tiger narrowed its fierce eyes, no gratitude in its expression. It wouldn't be fooled by appearances. This woman, who casually took lives, was clearly not one to be trusted.

Kurumi, unfazed by the tiger's suspicion, chuckled softly. She had no illusions about earning the beast's trust or gratitude; she knew it was far too proud for that. However, for her, this standoff was merely a prelude, an opening move in a game that would soon unfold.


Chapitre 26: Chapter 31&32

Chapter 31: Strategic Retreat

Faced with the relentless hostility of the Moonlit Tiger, Tokisaki Kurumi wasn't particularly surprised. She truly was just passing by and merely wanted to say hello. While Mori Ogai had assigned her the task of capturing Nakajima Atsushi, she, as a double agent, had absolutely no intention of completing it. She was instead preoccupied with how best to appear diligent enough to satisfy Mori without actually accomplishing her mission.

Of course, Atsushi had no way of knowing her real motives, nor would the Moonlit Tiger, whose temperament was even harsher and more obstinate than Atsushi's, have guessed that she was actually on his side.

There was no point in continuing an awkward conversation that would only deepen the tiger's wariness. She had already conveyed what she needed to, so a strategic retreat seemed in order.

Kurumi glanced discreetly at the alley's exit behind the Moonlit Tiger before making her decision.

"It's getting late," she said.

A wallet a possession of Atsushi's that the thug leader had taken emerged from the shadows cast by Kurumi's feet. She tossed it before the Moonlit Tiger.

"Though our first meeting wasn't the most pleasant, I look forward to our next encounter." With that, she elegantly turned and faded into the darkness, her shadow receding from the alley.

Only when Kurumi's scent completely dissipated did the Moonlit Tiger finally relax, its bristling fur returning to its natural softness. The tiger's amber eyes gleamed with confusion. Why had she left so readily? If she was indeed there to capture him on behalf of the Port Mafia, hadn't that just been her best chance?

But Kurumi was gone. Unable to fathom her departure, the tiger shook its head, ridding itself of any lingering doubt. She was gone, and that was all that mattered.

With a growl, the Moonlit Tiger turned away, the thrill of destruction swelling within him. Since Atsushi had joined the Armed Detective Agency, something peculiar had happened: his ability to control his powers had gradually improved, making it harder for the Moonlit Tiger to take over his body. Previously, it could emerge at will, but now it could only surface when Atsushi subconsciously allowed it—a fact that filled the tiger with frustration.

Tonight, having finally made an appearance, the Moonlit Tiger was determined to unleash his long-held resentment toward Atsushi.

With a roar, the Moonlit Tiger lifted its head to the sky before stepping out of the alley. The moment he did so, however, he came face-to-face with a man standing at the exit, draped in a coat and black vest, wearing a smirk that was neither warm nor cold.

The tiger's pupils contracted sharply. Distracted by Kurumi, he had overlooked the other presence lurking nearby.

The man, moving faster than the tiger could retreat, placed a hand on its head and murmured, "No Longer Human."

A bluish aura radiated from the man's fingers, engulfing the tiger's entire form. The beast found itself immobilized, feeling its consciousness fade as it steadily lost control of the body.

In moments, the tiger vanished, replaced by a pale-faced Nakajima Atsushi.

Atsushi crumpled to the ground, the coldness of the street and a mild ache slowly rousing him from unconsciousness. Although his mind was still foggy, his physical injuries had already healed. Even his torn clothing appeared to have mended, as though time itself had rewound—an ability remarkably similar to Kurumi's bullets, but one that the Moonlit Tiger itself had.

"Did my powers go out of control again...?" Atsushi mumbled. Glancing around at the scattered debris, he scratched his head awkwardly. His eyes then landed on the man standing nearby, and his face lit up.

"Dazai-sensei!" he exclaimed in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

The man, none other than the Armed Detective Agency's core member and former Port Mafia intelligence chief, Dazai Osamu, raised an eyebrow. He held up Atsushi's wallet, having plucked it from the ground.

"Good evening, Atsushi-kun," Dazai said with a faint grin, holding up a small device. "It seems planting a bug beforehand was the right choice."

"Sensei, you bugged me again?" Atsushi asked, his eye twitching. "That's the second time now!"

"This time I added a tracking feature," Dazai replied, unashamed and clearly proud of himself.

"My privacy..." Atsushi muttered, sighing in exasperation. But he understood—he was a target for the Port Mafia, and the loss of some privacy seemed a fair trade for his seniors' protection.

It was this very tracking device that had saved him the last time Akutagawa Ryunosuke ambushed him; without Dazai's precautions, Atsushi would have already been taken by the Mafia.

"Atsushi-kun, you shouldn't just back down when people bully you," Dazai chided lightly, twirling the device in his fingers. "You're a member of the Armed Detective Agency. If people find out you got roughed up by some thugs, it'd be quite the stain on our reputation."

"I know, but I really can't control my ability at will," Atsushi admitted with a sheepish grin, "and those guys didn't believe me when I told them I was from the Agency."

Brushing the dust off his clothes, he accepted his wallet from Dazai and finally noticed that the thugs were gone. Lacking memories of his time in tiger form, Atsushi had no idea what had transpired, assuming Dazai must have saved him.

Grateful, he said, "Thank you for driving them off, Dazai-sensei."

Chapter 32: Dazai Osamu's Confusion

"Hm? You're thanking me?"

Dazai Osamu was momentarily confused by Atsushi Nakajima's gratitude. But then he remembered that Atsushi couldn't recall what happened during his episodes of power surges. Dazai nodded in understanding.

"You're thanking the wrong person. I didn't help you this time."

"It wasn't you?" Atsushi was stunned. "Then why are you here?"

"Well... after I overheard you were in trouble through the bug, I hurried over from the Detective Agency. But since I'd just finished a nice bath and didn't want to start sweating again, I took my time," Dazai said nonchalantly.

Atsushi's eyes showed a hint of resentment. Here he was, beaten up by some thugs while his eccentric senior casually strolled over just to avoid breaking a sweat. Though he could take the rough treatment, wasn't this a bit excessive?

But setting that aside, another point in Dazai's words caught his attention.

"Someone got there before you did?" Atsushi asked, a bit anxious. "So, a kind passerby stepped in and chased off the thugs? I didn't hurt this good Samaritan while in my tiger form, did I?"

"I need to correct two things."

Dazai raised his first finger. "One, she didn't just chase away those thugs. She used her ability to drag them off, and judging by her tone, they're probably… well, dead."

He raised his second finger. "Two, she wasn't any 'good Samaritan.' She claimed to be from the Port Mafia. I didn't recognize her, but I doubt anyone would pretend to be from the Mafia here in Yokohama. She's likely a new recruit."

Atsushi's jaw dropped, processing the information in shock. After a moment, he managed a forced smile.

"A brutal Port Mafia member saved me?"

"Mm-hmm."

"Why?"

"How should I know?" Dazai rolled his eyes. "I was going to ask you. This girl claimed she was here on behalf of Akutagawa to capture you, but instead, she saved you from some thugs and didn't make a move to capture you. Are you sure you don't have some special connection with her?"

"A girl? In the Port Mafia? Special connection?"

Atsushi's mind was spinning with these complicated revelations, barely able to process it all.

Watching Atsushi's bewildered expression, Dazai knew there'd be no useful intel from him. Atsushi had grown up in an orphanage, barely seeing the world outside, let alone forming relationships with mysterious girls.

Dazai glanced into the alley where "Nightmare" had vanished, a peculiar smile on his face.

"So, Mori-san sent a newcomer to capture Atsushi? Interesting."

Knowing Mori Ougai, Dazai was certain he wouldn't substitute someone of lesser skill for Akutagawa on such a mission. Akutagawa's skill level was undeniable; Dazai knew this better than anyone. Yet, on this mission to capture Atsushi, Akutagawa had been replaced by this so-called "Nightmare." Did Mori believe that Nightmare had a higher chance of successfully capturing Atsushi?

Dazai considered this and found it made sense. Akutagawa's ability was overwhelmingly offensive, and to capture Atsushi, he'd first need to get past the entire Detective Agency. In contrast, Nightmare's ability seemed to allow her to meld into shadows and drag others into them, making her a powerful asset for stealth and assassination.

An agent like Nightmare would pose a silent yet overwhelming threat to Atsushi, given his limited control over his own power. If he ever encountered her alone, his resistance would likely be futile.

Reflecting on this, Dazai's brow furrowed deeply. Although he hadn't lost his knack for analysis since leaving the Port Mafia, the conflicting details kept raising questions in his mind, each one boiling down to a central puzzle:

"Why did she appear in front of me and Atsushi?"

Just to say hello? But in doing so, she'd exposed her ability.

Prior to this encounter, Dazai had no idea such a person existed within the Mafia. If she had simply crept into Atsushi's dormitory at night and pulled him into her shadows, they would've had no defense. Now that her powers were partially revealed, the Agency would be ready for her. Or was "saying hello" just an excuse, and her real intention was to capture Atsushi tonight?

If so, why did she leave so readily?

"Could she have sensed me around the corner and thought I was a threat?" Dazai mused. "But that's odd. My ability requires direct contact to nullify others. In the dark, she could've just stayed hidden, and I'd have been powerless."

So if she didn't fear a 2v1 fight, why did she leave? Was she intimidated by the White Tiger's rampage? But in that case, she wouldn't have shown herself in the first place.

Or was it possible that… Nightmare never intended to capture Atsushi from the beginning?

With countless thoughts racing through his mind, Dazai took a deep breath, drawing in the cold night air to clear his head.

"This has to be reported to the President."

He glanced at the five prominent towers of Yokohama's center, narrowing his eyes with a sense of foreboding.

"It looks like things in Yokohama are about to heat up again."


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