Episode 3

I break into a full sprint towards the Sarada estate. It was the only place I could think of that Mikako would be taking Risa.

She had mentioned that she would have a "sacrifice" by the end of today. I have no idea what she intends to sacrifice Risa for but I was going to save her even if I hadn't gotten a quest to do it now that I had gained the ability to do so.

Speaking of, I just remembered I have a some points and some hacks I could get. It looked like I somehow unlocked a few more hacks.

Shadow walker rank 1 allowed the ability to move discreetly while in the cover of shadows erasing increasing degrees of noise and visibility. Sense rank 1 gave the ability to perceive my surroundings without having line of sight within an area. And Silver Tongue rank 1 is exactly what you think, it lends a persuasive edge to words.

With the 10 points I had, the only thing I could afford was tantojutsu rank 1. It was best for me to get that one anyhow for what I was about to do. I dump all my points into its purchase. Suddenly knowledge flooded my brain. It was rather intense, but subsided after a few moments.

I grab a small pipe from the ground and swing it a few times. I was amazed that my swings mimicked the know how in my head. It seemed the knowledge infiltrated my muscle and they moved by instinct. I didn't have to even dwell on the techniques. This was kind of an OP ability. I had no fighting prowess before.

Satisfied, I enter the estate the same way I had done previously. Due to the conditions of the bonus objective I decide to hide my identity with a plain looking kabuki mask. It was white with only black eye holes and red lines sparingly etched on its face.

I figure with this mask on even if someone spots me my identity wouldn't be exposed. At least that's my interpretation of the bonus objective.

I look through the same window I had before and Mikako stood in front of men holding the unconscious body of Risa.

"Here it is father. As I promised."

"Remarkable. This body will please Akari-sama quite nicely."

"Of course. I have spent months conditioning her to be an adequate enough offering."

"Indeed. Her life shall grant immense power from Akari-sama. And just in time. I am informed that the rite shall take place in two days."

Mikako smiles. "I couldn't ask for better timing. I shall leave her here father and return when it is time."

"For the blessings of Akari-sama."

Mikako leaves through where she came and her men continue forward with Risa in arms. I follow them around back, all four of the them. They were isolated. There were no better time to catch them off guard. I sprung into action pipe in hand.

I was able to knock out the first one without anyone noticing me. The other three wouldn't go down so easily having spotted me. But thanks to the mask they still wouldn't be able to pick me out from a line-up.

Two of them pulled knives and attacked. My muscle memory kicked and I moved to defend and attack. The current level of my tantojutsu hack gave me complete mastery of just the basics of the skill but that combined with my new physical capabilities made me an overwhelming force and I easily overtook them both.

The last one who held Risa, drew a gun and held it at me. I froze. I was pretty confident that I wasn't a match for a bullet. Not now at least. I couldn't think of a single thing to do.

Risa became somewhat aware for a moment. Long enough to nearly wiggle free from his grasp. In his distraction to hold on he took his eyes off me. I took the chance. He saw me making a play and fired but he was off balance and so he missed. Three times.

I was already too close by the time he readied a fourth and rendered him unconscious.

I moved gracefully and without breaking a sweat and managed to defeat all four of them. I was even surprised by how easy I made it look.

I pick her up in my arms. She was light as a feather to me. I know it was because of my body strengthening hack, but it was taking a little to get used to.

[Quest Completed. 30 hack points acquired.]

I make my way back through the way I came and before long I was outside the outer wall once more then I was in front of Risa's house. I got the key from her bag and opened the door. I removed the mask in case anyone was home.

After I dropped her off in the apartment next door, I entered my own apartment. I stretched out on my couch with my eyes closed, drained. Emotionally not physically. Today has been exhilarating.

"Who would have thought that you were such a catch?"

I quickly open my eyes to find Emiru bent down in front of me. From our positions I could easily see up her skirt at her panties. elegantly sexy with a hint of cute innocence.

I sit up like lightening.

"How the hell...?"

"I got here? I saw some strange man in a mask break into my uncle's place. He proceeded to skillfully knock out trained guards and carry an unconscious body over a stone wall like it was nothing. Imagine my surprise when I followed him here and your face was behind that mask."

She took a sit next to me. I treaded carefully. Even though I had completed the bonus quest before my identity was compromised, I was still unsure how to handle the situation.

"Well what do you want?"

"I want you."

My face turned red. "Me...you want me?"

She sighed. "Not like that. I want you to work for me."

"Work for you?" I say dumbfounded. "Doing what?"

"We are going to take down the Sarada clan. To do that I need to build my own clan."

"Why me?"

"Just this morning the aura around you was nowhere near this as strong as it is now."

"Aura?"

"Every living thing has its own unique aura and yours has gone through rapid increase. Its feels so thick compared to before. How'd you do it. What god you serve."

"Huh?"

She squinted her eyes. "Who did you sacrifice?"

"I have no idea what your talking about. Sacrifice? God? I'm not very religious."

She started to ponder. "You really have no idea what im talking about?"

"Sorry." I shrug.

"So how did you cultivate your area this much so quickly?"

I shrug again.

"Well regardless Aries-san i could use your potential."

"That actually sounds like a hassle I'll have to pass."

She looked grimly serious. "Of course you refuse and ill rat you out you will be dead by the morning."

I swallow. "What do i have to do?"

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