Chapitre 20: Chapter 20: The Deal
"I told you I saw your file in the Chamber of Mysteries, so it's not by chance that we met today. I specifically sought you out."
"Sought me out? I'm just a low-ranking mage."
Shinki Asanami chuckled. "Your file says otherwise. Unfortunately, I don't have the strength to resist the curse, so I can't share that information with you."
"What a pity," Li Xiang replied, shaking his head in disappointment. He had a feeling that the reason he ended up in this world was hidden in those files.
"I want to make a deal with you," Shinki Asanami said, standing up and gazing at the sky where clouds drifted lazily. His eyes narrowed slightly.
"What kind of deal?"
"I hope that one day you will enter the Chamber of Mysteries, find the book about the monster bloodline, and deliver it to the Asanami family."
"..."
Li Xiang was silent for a moment before saying, "I don't know if I can fulfill this deal. I do want to enter the Chamber of Mysteries to learn about my own file, but it won't be easy to get that opportunity anytime soon."
"I believe in you."
Li Xiang was taken aback by the sincerity and seriousness in Shinki Asanami's words. What could he have seen that made him so confident in a low-ranking mage like Li Xiang?
"According to the principle of equivalent exchange among mages, I will offer you compensation."
Shinki Asanami pulled out a small cyan box engraved with patterns.
Li Xiang suddenly felt the card in his pocket grow even hotter. He took it out, and the transparent crystal-like card seemed to have molten lava flowing inside it.
He couldn't believe it. "You're not giving me a dragon tooth, are you? I can't keep something like that. The Clock Tower will definitely confiscate it."
"Of course not. The dragon tooth was just an experiment I conducted on my bloodline, but it didn't have much effect. What I'm giving you is a fragment of a dragon scale. You don't need to worry about its origins; it won't cause you any trouble."
"I feel like I'm taking advantage of you. A dragon scale is far more valuable than something that may never happen. It doesn't follow the principle of equivalent exchange."
"You're interesting. Most people would be ecstatic to receive a dragon scale and wouldn't think twice. But to me, I'm the one getting the better deal. If a fragment of a dragon scale can save an entire family, is there anything more valuable than hope?"
Li Xiang didn't say anything more and solemnly accepted the box.
Shinki Asanami smiled, then crouched down again, gently massaging the white cat's neck. After the cat had finished eating all the food, he picked it up and placed it under the oak tree.
"Follow me."
Shinki Asanami walked deeper into the alley. After about a hundred meters, he stopped and turned around.
For some reason, Li Xiang suddenly felt a chill.
Not even London's warm, mild climate could keep that feeling at bay.
He couldn't help but ask, "What's going on?"
Shinki Asanami's expression turned solemn. "This is where we'll complete the final part of our deal."
"What?"
"Kill me!"
Li Xiang's eyes widened in shock.
The surroundings began to burn. It was clearly a crisp September day, yet it suddenly felt like the height of summer.
But the coldness in his heart only grew stronger, as if he were sinking to the bottom of the ocean.
At the end of the eerily quiet street, waves of heat rose between Li Xiang and Shinki Asanami, just a meter apart.
"This is... the last time my bloodline will be activated. I will become a monster. Kill me, and let it be your merit in the Department of Law. Keep climbing higher, don't stop..."
His voice was gradually drowned out by the scorching heat rising into the sky.
Almost at the same moment, the street around them burst into flames—trees, grass, everything ignited. Flames rolled across the ground like tumbling embers.
"Roar!"
The sound was inhuman, a monstrous wail devoid of emotion. There was no hint of struggle.
Shinki Asanami's blackened shell appeared before Li Xiang. The flames left no mark on its smooth, icy surface, which looked as sharp as the most lethal weapon.
His hands had transformed beyond recognition, now resembling the forelimbs of a beast. His massive frame, towering at three meters, exuded a suffocating pressure. His head had become riddled with holes, like a balloon rapidly expanding and tearing its outer layer. Blood coagulated into a dark red, scorching in the flames, filling the air with a nauseating stench.
His mouth opened wide, with two front teeth instantly growing to over ten centimeters long. Black slits extended from the corners of his mouth.
Magic circuits activated.
Mana flowed through the circuits in Li Xiang's body, spreading rapidly with his blood to every part of him.
Li Xiang gripped his projected spear, sliding forward as sparks flew from where the spearhead scraped the ground. The air tore apart as mana traveled along the spear, forming a massive magic circle at the tip, blooming like a brilliant firework.
A thunderous explosion echoed.
The metal-like body of Shinki Asanami crashed through the display of fireworks with brute force.
The overwhelming power created a shockwave, forcing Li Xiang to slide backward.
Mana surged from his feet, lightening his body. He leaped into the air, and as dust erupted around him, the spear struck down like a hammer. Layers of spear shadows rippled with mana, and without hesitation, Li Xiang released the spear. As it neared Shinki Asanami, it detonated with a dull boom, like a torpedo silently exploding in the depths of the ocean.
Countless tiny ashes were swept up by the wind.
Li Xiang spread his hand, and layers of magic circles unfurled instantly.
In an instant, they connected with the trajectory of the ashes. The mana inside reacted violently, and black lightning-like energy spread out, forming a massive net that ensnared Shinki Asanami.
Claws clashed with dark energy, producing a continuous, muffled sound, like firecrackers that failed to ignite, only to explode all at once.
Li Xiang was sent flying backward.
He struggled to grab another spear, jamming it into the ground to halt his momentum. The bricks beneath shattered, sending debris flying everywhere.
"With this much noise, the Department of Law should be here soon..."
Li Xiang gripped his spear tightly, but his face showed no sign of panic.
Shinki Asanami slowly advanced, his enormous body making the marble pavement groan in agony as cracks spread instantly.
Li Xiang channeled the last of his mana into his legs. The spear embedded in the ground trembled with immense force, propelling him backward and widening the gap between them.
"If they don't show up soon, they might owe me a death benefit."
"The Department of Law never makes a loss," Hishiri Adashino replied, arms crossed, her tone tinged with mock sympathy. "Looks like they'll save five hundred pounds today."
"That's just wrong! How can it be only five hundred? I've bled and earned merits for the Department of Law. I want to see the boss and demand a raise!"
"Little brother, you still have plenty of energy."
Hishiri Adashino praised him, then stepped in front of him, raising her hand. "But first, let's deal with this mess."
The scorching heat vanished, replaced by an abrupt downpour.
A ribbon flew out, the raindrops swirling around it. The previously clear water droplets turned an eerie blue as mana infused them. Then they elongated, transforming into tiny serpents.
Like tadpoles, they wriggled forward, forming a massive serpent around the ribbon.
It opened its mouth and swallowed Shinki Asanami whole.
In that moment, a faint sound was heard.
Like silkworms munching on mulberry leaves in the dead of night.
Silently, without a trace, everything dissolved. It was as if nothing had ever happened.
Shinki Asanami left no trace behind. His life had come to an end.
Li Xiang watched as Hishiri Adashino picked up a yellow wooden box, then took out a deep red crystal card, nodding in satisfaction.
He suddenly remembered the dragon scale he had and realized it would be dangerous to keep it here.
"I'm exhausted. If there's nothing else, I'll head back."
Hishiri Adashino looked at his slightly disheveled appearance and said, "You did well today. Big sister remembers your merit. I'll make sure you get a promotion and a raise."
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone