Chapter 158: Knowing the Hardships of Life Too Young

Kawasaki, a certain warehouse.

In the second-floor office of the warehouse, more than thirty members of the Dark Crow Unit crowded the room, smoke curling in the air.

All of them were heavy smokers; a normal person would lose several days of life just by breathing in here.

“What happened in Tokyo? Why can’t we reach Morita?”

When Uncle Hei pushed open the door, Maria couldn’t help but ask.

Uncle Hei’s expression was unpleasant.

He gestured for everyone to put out their cigarettes first, then spoke.

“The Homecoming Faction people have returned… Morita was sent back to the Jiang Family Head’s old house in Setagaya and forbidden from outside communication.”

“The people from the original apartment… most have been dismissed… or are out of contact.”

As members of DRG’s special forces, the Ghost Special Operations Command, they had heard about the company’s internal faction wars.

The so-called “soldiers are the purest” line… they didn’t believe it themselves, but at least it was relatively true—

The Dark Crow Unit members didn’t want to get involved in the storm of infighting.

They’d heard that Japan was intentionally made into a “safe house” centered around the Missy by the Jiang Family Head.

The Dark Crow Unit members had finally escaped the endless probing of various factions.

When they set out, they were pretty happy—just protect the Missy, and it was paradise!

But now…

“Mark… what about the Missy?”

Maria’s face darkened.

Their leader was Morita, but now Morita was unreachable.

“The Missy… ran away from home.”

The man called Mark—Uncle Hei—said with deep frustration.

A few members of the Dark Crow Unit sucked in a breath.

A scar-faced, Slavic-featured man raised an eyebrow.

“At a time like this?”

“Kids are like that. When I was seventeen, I was still agonizing over getting a female classmate pregnant.”

The bearded Old White Man laughed, only to be met with surrounding glares. He shrank his neck in confusion.

“Forget I said anything.”

“What about those Light Bugs?”

Black Mamba curled up on the sofa, his eyes more sunken than before the Hokkaido mission, clearly affected by previous emotional overload.

Maria lit a cigarette, not putting it in her mouth, her lips moving slightly before finally speaking.

“Wait a few more days, see if the Missy comes back.”

“If not… we’ll transfer the Light Bugs and prisoners to the Homecoming Faction and get out of Japan quickly.”

As a special forces unit, their members came from all over the world and had no particular opinions about the “vision” the Homecoming Faction wanted.

If you can avoid making enemies, you should.

And they couldn’t stay long, lest things change.

Duang~

The door suddenly banged open.

The bald Southeast Asian man standing by the door hit his head and quickly squeezed aside to make room.

Thirty-some people turned their gaze to the entrance in unison—a girl with ashen long hair draped around her stood there, her ever-cold red eyes sweeping over the room.

“Are you… going to follow me, or… hmm?”

Maria stubbed out her cigarette on the table, a relaxed smile appearing on her face.

“Missy, the Dark Crow Unit obeys your command.”

“The Light Bugs you wanted… are in the boxes downstairs.”

Jiang Jian Yue nodded slightly, then asked.

“Any tranquilizers left?”

***

Yuki Asahi glanced at the time on his phone, then looked up at the Kabukicho sign.

“Here again…?”

He followed the address, finding a small building behind a restaurant.

Then he dialed.

“This is Yuki Asahi, regarding the request, as agreed, I’m downstairs.”

“Oh oh, finally here~”

A lively female voice came from the other end.

“I’ll be right down, wait a sec.”

A pink silhouette flickered down the stairs, finally arriving at the door.

The woman waved at Yuki Asahi through the crack, then opened it.

She was about to say something with a sweet smile, but suddenly felt a coldness at her throat.

A short blade gleaming with crimson light traced across her skin.

“Hattori!”

The pink-haired woman, having seen the apartment files, instantly went pale and glared fiercely at the innocent-faced Yuki Asahi.

“Don’t move. My hand shakes.”

Koji Hattori whispered in her ear. Blood dripped from his fingertips, forming a collar with an execution mechanism around the woman’s neck.

“I spent a long time studying this mechanical structure.”

Koji Hattori shook the red chain in his hand.

“A little force, and your head’s gone.”

Yuki Asahi didn’t speak, just clenched his fist—a look that said: I may seem easygoing, but I can kill you.

“Guh….”

Seeing this, the pink-haired woman abandoned any thoughts of using her abilities and surrendered obediently.

Not far away, on the top floor, Momose Tadayoshi casually discarded the limp man in his hand, unconcerned about the blood staining his suit, and loosened his tie.

“Bastard! You brought this kind of dangerous item to my Momose’s turf!”

Momose Tadayoshi spat on the man’s body, glaring at the precision sniper rifle he’d smashed with a kick.

“And you even tried to attack Saiyonji-kun, huh?”

The man, barely breathing, reached out in protest—only to see Momose Tadayoshi accept a baton from a subordinate.

“The Missy is soft-hearted, can’t stand the sight of blood… better not let her see this.”

***

When the fragments representing “Alloy Skin” and “Elemental Skin” were fused together by the Adhesive ability, Jiang Jian Yue finally understood the incredible nature of this power.

She’d simply tried to see if she could use abilities during “internal vision,” choosing the harmless Adhesive as a test—and it worked.

Elemental Skin (temporary name)—its main effect was the same as Alloy Skin, boosting defense, manifesting as a giant hammer.

Now, she could also choose to add elemental effects.

In situations where something could easily be shattered, the armor transformation switch was retained, gaining the strength of alloy without resulting in brittle, element-based armor that sacrificed defense for looks.

The side effect of the original Alloy Skin—Starforce enhancement—was randomly passed to the armor transformation switch. Now, Jiang Jian Yue wouldn’t—

She got excited, immediately combining the “Qi Trace” and “Insect Blade” fragments she’d hidden away.

The result: one Insect Blade could selectively extend as a rapid sword or Insect Blade.

Kind of useful, kind of useless.

At least it solved the Qi Trace activation issue, though the boost was smaller compared to the Elemental Skin’s fusion enhancement.

She suddenly recalled—it was getting closer to becoming a bug-person entering Saiyonji’s dream.

Forget it, whatever…

The remaining skills were all fairly important; only “Assimilate Injury” seemed a bit awkward.

Come back, can you?

But “Assimilate Injury” could be built into a construct with “Rapid Recovery”—I can stab myself a dozen times for quick energy recovery.

Once the synthesis was done, Jiang Jian Yue focused on her heart chamber, where the dense, almost liquid Light Bugs resided.

Upgrade!

Raise by twenty levels！

Rapid Recovery, Insect Blade, Sculpture Training, Elemental Skin, Storage Space, Current Transformation, Explosion, Visual Obscuration—all

She’d never fought a battle this well-equipped in her life.

Inside the empty container, Jiang Jian Yue injected the liquid from the syringe into her body, then bit down on a wet towel.

Doesn’t hurt…

Doesn’t hurt…

Pain means I’m growing!

Boom!

Even with a stimulant, Jiang Jian Yue’s mind went blank from the searing agony, collapsing to her knees.

I’m done, return my Light Bug energy, I quit upgrading!

Too bad, there’s no refund option.

One hour… two hours… three hours later…

Members of the Dark Crow Unit gathered outside the container, Maria clutching a medical kit with worry, listening to the endless hoarse screams from inside—it had lasted three hours.

Missy… ugh…

Maria didn’t know what the Missy’s abilities were—only that they were related to corpses and Light Bugs.

The Jiang Family Head forbade any written records of the Missy’s abilities.

It was a custom from the GPRI era: a person’s ability was best left unrecorded.

Like Yuki Asahi—if his emotion manipulation was known, people could guard against it, making it less effective.

The sounds from inside the container gradually weakened and stopped.

Maria froze. Silence meant one of two things—either the pain had eased, or…

She was about to open the container when a hoarse voice called out.

“Find me some clothes… and water… to clean…”

“Yes!”

Maria breathed a sigh of relief.

Over ten minutes later, Jiang Jian Yue emerged from the container—now dressed in a sleek, form-fitting black leather dress, its straps tightening the long sleeves at the arms and cinching the waist, the high collar fitting snugly around her neck to conceal the red veins beneath the fabric.

This outfit Maria picked was pretty cool.

“Let’s go.”

***

Second floor of the Jiang Jian Apartment.

The room finally served its intended purpose as a conference room.

Nine-Tails Seiji sat at the head, listening to his subordinates report on the impact of the “Global Superpower Arena Challenge”—abbreviated as GSAC.

“In just a few days, our promo video reached one billion views on Tube, with over ninety-five percent positive comments—not even due to our bot moderation.”

Buzz—

Nine-Tails Seiji’s phone vibrated on the table. He picked it up, eyes suddenly darkening.

‘Fallen Sakura’ captured?

Yuki Asahi… and Koji Hattori?

Nine-Tails Seiji pondered, knowing these two were certainly acting on Jiang Jian Yue’s orders.

What were they up to?

Were they trying to undermine the Honke Faction’s unity?

No, don’t think that way—Yue is still a child, probably just impulsive…

Nine-Tails Seiji pulled himself together.

The most important thing now was preparing for the Global Superpower Arena Challenge.

He nodded for the report to continue.

A few minutes later.

Bang!

The heavy conference room door slammed open with a deep crash, instantly silencing everyone.

All eyes turned to the entrance.

Backlit by the hallway, a slender figure radiating icy oppression strode in.

Jiang Jian Yue.

Slightly frail but upright.

Blood-red eyes, coldly scanning the room—each face, whether shocked, confused, or wary.

Behind her, faint, dangerous presences could be sensed—members of the Dark Crow Unit loyal to her.

The air seemed to freeze.

Nine-Tails Seiji slowly stood, his right hand instinctively touching the bandaged forearm, a faint smile appearing.

“Yue? You’re finally willing to come back? We’re discussing important company matters here, not for children—”

Damn! Why didn’t security downstairs raise the alarm!

After the Missy broke in that night, security had been boosted, even bringing all the powered individuals into the apartment!

“Shut up!”

Maria shouted.

“We are taking control of the apartment!”

She ignored the frozen Nine-Tails Seiji, turning her gaze to the young “Homecoming Faction” core members at the conference table.

Most of these people had returned to Japan with Nine-Tails Seiji, fervent supporters of the “Nation of Corporations” vision.

Her voice remained cold, her speech slow, with unique pauses.

“You… want Japan?”

“Want… power? To build a Nation of Corporations?”

The young Homecoming Faction members reflexively tried to nod or sit up straight, but under her cold gaze, they felt an intangible pressure.

“Nine-Tails Seiji…”

Jiang Jian Yue tilted her head slightly, as if discussing something trivial.

“He can’t do it.”

Nine-Tails Seiji’s fist clenched tightly.

“All he does is play with power and exclude dissidents…”

Jiang Jian Yue’s gaze fell back on Nine-Tails Seiji.

“And use… despicable means… against his own people…”

Her gaze swept over the Homecoming Faction members again.

“And you… too.”

Some of them looked away.

Clearly, not everyone agreed with the harsh tactics Nine-Tails Seiji used to quickly seize control of Japan—especially his treatment of the former residents of Jiang Jian Apartment.

“Such a leader… can he take you… to your promised land?”

A faint, mocking smile curled Jiang Jian Yue’s lips.

Nine-Tails Seiji couldn’t bear it any longer.

He slammed the table with a bang, veins bulging on his forehead, the mask of gentleness torn away as he roared.

“This is the DRG Japan Branch! A runaway little girl has no right to give orders here! Escort her out!”

Someone’s losing their temper, huh.

Before the words finished, a man in the conference room corner ignited with pale-gray flames—flames that seemed composed of vengeful spirits, chilling and terrifying.

“Missy, forgive my rudeness.”

Face dark, he lunged at Jiang Jian Yue.

The Dark Crow Unit members didn’t move, watching him rush at Jiang Jian Yue with only pity in their eyes.

Maria even turned away, unwilling to witness the outcome.

Jiang Jian Yue didn’t bother to look at the man coming from the side. She reached out and waved her hand as if swatting a fly.

Bang!

Red and white burst from the man’s head, splattering nearby Homecoming Faction members.

“Ugh!”

Several vomited on the spot.

Wh-What?

Nine-Tails Seiji’s eyes widened.

The cicada-shell bodyguard he relied on—was taken down so easily?

“You want to attack me, too?”

Jiang Jian Yue looked at Nine-Tails Seiji, her gaze utterly calm.

Calm as if regarding a corpse.

Everyone saw it—he gave the order to attack first. I’m activating unlimited self-defense.

Facing the head seat, the most loyal blond man to Nine-Tails Seiji spoke.

“Missy, you can’t act so recklessly!”

“The Jiang Family Head needs our strength—you know that, don’t you? Nine-Tails Seiji is our leader… you can’t touch him!”

“Without our support, how can the Honke Faction stand against the Board of Directors?!”

Jiang Jian Yue smiled coolly.

“Simple. I become the leader… that’s all.”

With that, she stopped concealing her aura—a power that had understood the world’s harshness early on, the rest long forgotten.

“I will use my strength to destroy all enemies who dare to oppose DRG.”

Her voice wasn’t loud, but it reached every ear clearly.

“Nine-Tails Seiji… can’t do it.”

“The Nation of Corporations you seek…”

“I will give it to you.”

Silence!

Absolute silence!

All the Homecoming Faction members’ breathing stopped.

Nine-Tails Seiji jerked his head toward the core members he’d cultivated.

None met his eyes.

Everyone’s gaze was fixed on Jiang Jian Yue, filled with near-fanatical hope.

The instinct to follow the strong was on full display—even if the Missy was still a child, so what… she made the promise!

Their eyes said it all.

Even the most loyal blond man only shook his head at Nine-Tails Seiji, signaling him not to resist further.

Nine-Tails Seiji felt thunderstruck, his body swaying, blood draining from his face, leaving only despair and shock.

The core vision he’d built the Homecoming Faction on had been snatched away by Jiang Jian Yue so effortlessly?!

Everything he’d worked for, the foundation of power he’d seen as his own, was ripped away at the root by the one he’d always regarded as a reckless little girl—by overwhelming force and an even greater promise.

“You… you…”

Nine-Tails Seiji pointed at Jiang Jian Yue, his hand trembling violently.

Only choking noises escaped his throat, unable to form words.

Crushing humiliation and total defeat overwhelmed him.

The carefully planned “experiment,” the prestigious identity—became laughable and powerless before absolute strength and an even grander pledge.

Jiang Jian Yue ignored the speechless Nine-Tails Seiji, rubbing her hands together softly.

“I like obedient puppies.”

A man with pale red hair instantly slid from his chair, dropping to his knees.

“I swear loyalty to the Missy!”

The others followed suit.

Within seconds, only Nine-Tails Seiji remained standing.

A look of struggle crossed his eyes, but at last, he gave in.

His knees buckled, and Nine-Tails Seiji knelt on the floor in humiliation.

Jiang Jian Yue stepped in front of him.

“You think… you can surrender?”

Panic shot through Nine-Tails Seiji, sweat pouring down.

“I haven’t done anything wrong—was it about injuring that person? I’ve already paid the price!”

He raised his bandaged hand.

“You tried to target Yuki.”

Jiang Jian Yue stated his crime flatly.

“No! You misunderstood! I didn’t mean to harm Yuki-kun—I just wanted Fallen Sakura to seduce him!”

Nine-Tails Seiji frantically explained, fearing being misunderstood.

But Jiang Jian Yue’s blood-red eyes turned even colder.

Seduce?

Rationally, she wanted to spare Nine-Tails Seiji—after all, he hadn’t caused greater harm yet.

But emotionally—sending someone to seduce Yuki Asahi?

That was unforgivable!

Jiang Jian Yue reached out and lightly pinched Nine-Tails Seiji’s mouth, using Adhesive to seal it shut forever.

Nine-Tails Seiji’s face filled with terror as he found he could no longer open his mouth.

“I feel like playing soccer.”