Chapter 172 - #171 Volcanic island (1/2)
Akashi released Taeko from the hug and walked up to Mera who was looking to the side the entire time they were hugging each other.
”Is it really so hard to bear the image of man and woman liking each other?” Akashi asked with an amused tone.
”...Of course not, I already grew accustomed to you two.” Mera looked at him into eyes and replied without any problem.
”Then why were you avoiding us with your eyes?” Akashi asked, shrugging his shoulders.
”Will you shut up? I came here out of the kindness of my heart to inform you and hand you a few items, not to watch you two getting all lovey-dovey” Mera said with a faint blush before showing off the bag she was holding in her hand.
”Hm?” Akashi took the bag and looked questioningly at Mera.
”That bag contains 5 Teigu.” Mera said with a smile and Akashi raised his eyebrows in surprise.
He looked into the bag and recognized all of them since he already studied all records about Teigu.
”What's that surprised expression for?” Mera frowned and asked with a displeased tone since she took it in a bad way.
”Don't misunderstand...I only told you to kill them, I never mentioned you collecting their Teigu and to be honest, I thought that you would at least try a few of them before giving them to me...or maybe none of them were compatible with your group?” Akashi quickly explained with a calm expression before asking with a teasing smile.
”We don't need to rely on powerful weapons. We haven't even tried any of them.” Mera replied with a proud smile while trying to cover it with her hand.
”True...In that case, I thank you. Do you have anything you would like as an additional reward for this task?” Akashi was really impressed by Mera's thoughtfulness but he knew that she had some ulterior motive or at least she wanted to raise the chances of her getting whatever she has in mind.
”Well, now that you ask...I saw what you have done with Taeko's weapon. Can you do something similar for me? However, I would like something special that would suit my style.” Mera asked with a sly smile.
Akashi already expected this conversation at one point but he had no reason to refuse after what they have done for him. He eyes Mera up and down for a while.
'...Why am I getting nervous?' Mera suddenly grew a bit nervous under Akashi's intense stare.
”Actually, I can think of something that might suit you. Is that umbrella special to you in any way?” Akashi asked while holding his chin.
”Hm? I guess it is, I have been using it for numerous years by now.” Mera was slightly surprised when Akashi agreed but she quickly recovered and replied while handing her umbrella to him without any hesitation. In the process, their hands even touched but Mera herself completely ignored the fact, however if it was her old self, she would be completely shocked by her own actions.
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[Lesser Fear - can be upgraded to Common Fear for 2.000 gold]
[GOLD: 10.789 -> 8.789]
[Common Fear - can be upgraded to Greater Fear for 5.000 gold]
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'Ugh, money is always a problem, every time I think that my business is making a lot, I always spend it in a matter of a few seconds. I can actually upgrade it to a Greater Fear and then upgrade her umbrella but I am not sure if it's made of good enough materials. I am sure that for someone like Mera it must be made of superior materials but it's still just an umbrella...Common Fear should be good enough for her.' Akashi thought and decided against upgrading it any further.
”Alright, I am prepared, keep at least 10 meters distance away from me.” Akashi said with a frown.
”Wha-?! W-Wait, you are going to do that right now? What about any materials? Isn't this alchemy or something similar to it?” Mera immediately questioned with a dumbfounded expression.
”Just follow my instructions.” Akashi didn't bother to explain things and both Taeko and Mera took a few steps back away from Akashi.
Akashi held the umbrella in front of him in both hands.
[Do you wish to upgrade Mera's umbrella with the Common Fear for 1.500 gold?]
[GOLD: 8.789 -> 7.289]
[Energy: 860/1720]
Akashi closed his eyes for a moment and the next moment he abruptly opened them, an ominous red aura started spreading all around the umbrella, affecting the entire trio.
”?! What a killing intent!” Mera exclaimed while keeping her hand in front of her eyes due to violent wind.
Taeko hasn't said anything since she already experienced something similar but her eyes still widened when she felt the potent killing intent. however, her expression quickly changed to concerned one remembering that Akashi is closest to the source of this killing intent.
Akashi himself had no problem staying calm under this amount of killing intent since he has killed a lot of humans and other creatures and yet it hasn't affected his mind that much. As long as he didn't know the person, he could kill anyone in cold blood without any unnecessary thoughts.
”That's all?” Mera asked with a curious expression while observing the umbrella. The only visible change is that its handle changed color from black to dark red.
”Try summoning your Wrigglers and order them around.” Akashi suggested and Mera did as he said.
”Whoa, this is...interesting.” Mera exclaimed when her Wrigglers were actually much faster and it seems like she could also sense that their respective strong points became enhanced.