“Mistress, these commoners deserve to die, daring to disrespect you.”

“However, misfortune can also be a blessing in disguise; their escape attracted the attention of many Kabaneri, which is just enough for you to board the Kōtetsujō.”

“We’d best hurry.”

As Jiuzhi Laiqi finished speaking, he saw Ayame looking at him in horror, covering her mouth with her hand, an expression of disbelief on her face.

At first, he thought he had scared the Mistress by killing commoners, and just as he was about to reach out and say something, he saw his own hand had turned purple.

He was all too familiar with this color; those initially infected all looked like this.

Jiuzhi Laiqi’s eyes widened instantly, and he subconsciously rolled up his sleeves, only to find his arm was also this same purple color.

At the same time, a feeling of heat and hunger surged into his mind.

“How is this possible? How could I become a Kabaneri? I wasn’t even injured!”

He yelled, his voice a mix of anger and terror.

It was then that he recalled the chill he had felt on his back earlier.

“Wait, could it be those lowly commoners?!”

He understood, but unfortunately, it was already too late.

Looking at Ayame, who was staring at him in disbelief, Jiuzhi Laiqi finally calmed down.

He turned his head to look at Li Ge, who had deliberately moved closer, a man with accurate marksmanship who dared to fight Kabaneri.

“Come here.”

After knocking down a pouncing Kabaneri, Li Ge, hearing the command, decisively turned and came to a spot not far from Jiuzhi Laiqi.

However, he didn't stand too close.

Although the other party didn't know it was his doing, who knew if this person would try to drag someone down with him before he died.

Seeming to also sense Li Ge's wariness, Jiuzhi Laiqi merely placed both his sword and gun on the ground.

Only then did he speak to Li Ge: “You are very good; at least you are not afraid of those Kabaneri, and you even seem to enjoy hunting them.”

“As you can see, I was ambushed by those commoners, but before I die, I want to ask you and your team to protect Ayame and ensure she boards the Kōtetsujō.”

Jiuzhi Laiqi surveyed his surroundings before he died, finally realizing that only Li Ge and Zhang Jie among these samurai were the most capable, having even killed many Kabaneri.

This was something most samurai could not do.

So, for Ayame to survive, he could only entrust them with the task now.

“Protect Sifang Chuan Changpu from death, and ensure she boards the Kōtetsujō.”

“Upon completion of the mission, the Reincarnator will receive 2000 reward points and one C-rank side mission.”

“If the mission fails, corresponding rewards will be deducted; if reward points are insufficient upon return, the Reincarnator will be annihilated.”

The voice of the Main God echoed in everyone's ears, though Li Ge was not too surprised.

It seemed the Main God had increased the difficulty for Li Ge because he had altered the plot.

Li Ge did not refuse.

A C-rank mission difficulty wasn't high for a newcomer, and combined with the enhancement Jiuzhi Laiqi's death would bring him, he felt this mission had no difficulty.

“I accept; we will protect her.”

“Do you need me to be your second?”

Li Ge asked Jiuzhi Laiqi; to others, he seemed to be unable to bear the thought of Jiuzhi Laiqi turning into a monster like a Kabaneri.

But in reality, Li Ge was just worried this guy would turn into a Kabaneri with stolen skills.

After all, Jiuzhi Laiqi was also a master of swordsmanship, and Li Ge had triggered a side mission; what if this guy, after becoming a Kabaneri, still used a sword to attack him?

Wouldn't Li Ge be screwed then?

He didn't even wait for Jiuzhi Laiqi to answer; in the other party's astonished gaze, he decisively slashed down with his sword.

Splatter!

Blood splattered.

Li Ge pulled Ayame, dodging the spraying blood.

“Killed Jiuzhi Laiqi, rewarded 1500 reward points, one D-rank side mission.”

The Main God's notification sounded.

At this moment, an unprecedented warm current spread throughout Li Ge's limbs and bones.

In an instant, Li Ge's physical attributes began to surge!

If he could check his physical attributes, Li Ge's full attributes had now increased by at least 100 points.

That was twice that of an ordinary person!

Not only that, but the system even copied Jiuzhi Laiqi's sword skills for him.

It directly transformed him from a novice with a sword to a skilled swordsman.

The surging power made the corners of his mouth unconsciously curl into a somewhat deranged smile, which made Ayame, standing beside him, a little scared.

“Um, Li Ge-dono?”

“Ah, Ayame, right? Don't worry, I will complete the mission. Just stick close to me from now on.”

Li Ge's words relaxed her a lot, but she was still somewhat afraid.

But Li Ge didn't care about any of that; he now had the capital to become a strong person anyway.

He was even too lazy to pretend to be a loyal samurai.

“Hey, Zheng Zha! You guys follow me.” Li Ge shouted behind him, carrying a sword in one hand and grasping Ayame's hand with the other, running towards the Kōtetsujō.

Zheng Zha also reacted quickly, immediately breaking through with Zhan Lan and Zhang Jie towards Li Ge's direction.

The Main God's recent notification had also sounded in their ears.

The existence of the side mission meant they would definitely protect Sifang Chuan Changpu.

Originally, they had been somewhat resentful that Li Ge had triggered the mission, especially since Li Ge had previously said it was best not to trigger side missions.

Yet, he himself had broken that agreement first.

However, after seeing Li Ge's combat power, which seemed like he was cheating, able to cut off a Kabaneri's head with a flash of his blade.

Zheng Zha and the others immediately had no objections; with the combat power Li Ge displayed, this mission didn't seem impossible to complete.

As long as they followed Li Ge, most of the Kabaneri were dealt with by him clearing the path ahead.

What was the difference between these reward points and finding them for free!

Zhang Jie, on the other hand, widened his eyes, somewhat bewildered.

What was going on with this kid? He wasn't this strong just now.

Also, he saw Li Ge's previous use of the sword; rather than swordsmanship, it was more like randomly hacking with the sword.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have only cut halfway into the Kabaneri's head the first time.

But now, what was this superb swordsmanship of yours?

How could you clear out so many at once?

No, I didn't see you open your Gene Lock!

Li Ge had no intention of hiding anything; anyway, with Zhang Jie's strength, hiding these things would be useless.

It was better to display them openly.

As for what Zhang Jie would think, it didn't matter; the Main God would not let a potential stock like him be killed by Zhang Jie.

Moreover, Li Ge had no time to think about these things; he was enjoying the cutting right now.

The warm current representing increased physical attributes continuously appeared and disappeared, allowing him to cut down these Kabaneri without expending much stamina.

If it weren't for the little burden beside him, given enough time, he could kill all these Kabaneri.

Slash!

Li Ge performed a left kesa-giri, directly turning a Kabaneri in front of him into 2.5 Gojos.

Then, embracing Ayame, feeling the maiden's fragrance fill his nostrils and the soft touch, he leaped six meters away.

“Whoa!”

He arrived directly in front of the Kōtetsujō's engine, his hand rising and falling, severing the necks of the surrounding Kabaneri as he landed.

It was only then that Ayame stopped her gasp, and seeing that her surroundings were safe, her face flushed as she tried to push away Li Ge's hand.

“Li Ge-dono, your hand, huh!”