Anime: Fight Sukuna at the beginning?.

Chapter 244 [Martial Arts Competition], the ubiquitous "assassination" confrontation

Midnight, in the Imperial Capital, in the workshop of the [Imperial Tool Reforging Project].

Ma Han, sitting behind the alchemy workbench with one hand supporting his head, looked at the table without any dangerous materials, feeling a little depressed.

He first checked the newly appeared [Optional Career Task: Prepare Rewards for Outstanding Performance in the [Martial Arts Tournament]] on the system panel after midnight, then looked at the only remaining chance of failure after [Career Task I: Alchemist's Trial] next to the panel, and couldn't help but sigh.

"How can I approach those who excelled in the tournament and persuade them to risk offending their [ministers] by having me craft them an [Imperial Gear] to fulfill my [professional mission]?"

He originally thought that he was so lucky to have obtained the [Human Transformation Medicine] from the man named Fang Yi, and then exchanged it for a disposable relic from Liao Lin, so that he could enter the world of Level 1 for free to take the [Secondary Occupation Assessment] as a Level 2 Reincarnator.

He should also have nothing to do with the 'Assassination Confrontation' keyword at the start of the mission.

Mahan, who was extremely confident in his alchemical skills, even a little arrogant, and became a member of the "School of Truth", believed that:

As an [Alchemist] taking the [Secondary Occupation Assessment], as long as I do what I should do and use my professional knowledge and skills with confidence, passing this simple assessment will be a piece of cake.

But he didn't expect that reality would teach him a solid lesson.

He was tricked by someone, and there was no warning at all.

He basically failed this assessment.

*
After he unexpectedly received the commission from Gozzi of the [Minister's Camp] to recast the [Minister's Tool] and [Kiri Ichimonji], he used all his skills to complete the task beyond expectations and won the favor of the [Minister]. Then, he was tricked by someone using the means of "assassination confrontation".

There is no competition in the task. As long as you do your best and meet the requirements of the space, you can complete the secondary career assessment task.

A stranger to him, a reincarnator, tampered with the dangerous materials used in the modification of the Imperial Gear Shangri-La that the Minister had secretly entrusted to him.

He also used extremely secretive methods, which resulted in him not realizing this until he was halfway through modifying the [Imperial Tool].

Although he tried his best to make amends within his ability, it was too late.

That extremely valuable [Imperial Tool] with the ability of [Space Teleportation], in his hands, became a 'waste' [Imperial Tool] that required more [spirituality] from the user, had a weaker teleportation ability, and only slightly improved perception.

Although the [Minister] still had a warm smile on his face when he saw the 'waste' [Imperial Gear] he handed over, he even patted his shoulder to comfort himself.

But when another reincarnationist provocatively took out a strange long sword reforged by the [Imperial Weapon] [Blood Collection·Extreme Speed ​​Absorption], and several reincarnationists completed the tasks entrusted by the [Minister], he was "isolated" as a powerless and transparent person.

Specifically, he will not be entrusted with the production or recasting of any [Ministerial Instruments] or [Imperial Instruments], nor can he move freely outside the surveillance range of the Imperial spies.

The other reincarnations who were busy making [Servant Equipment] and trying to modify [Imperial Equipment] had their workbenches piled with a wide variety of dangerous materials.

However, there was not a single dangerous material on the workbench in front of him.

He had alchemical skills but nowhere to use them.

The whole person fell into the quagmire and was completely reduced to an unsolvable desperate situation.
-
In fact, the moment he saw the attributes of [Shangri-La·Modified], Ma Han knew that he was finished, but he didn't expect that he was finished so completely.

This alchemical item has been declared beyond repair and has become a wall polluted by graffiti, with no room for "painting" anymore.

Unless he can obtain the latter few links of difficult serial tasks such as [Professional Tasks] or [Talent Retention], he will be able to produce the high-value [Truth Refining and Completion] skill.

Repair the irreversible flaws of this [Imperial Tool] to a certain extent, turning it into a 'wall' that can be repainted.

At the same time, with the help of your own unique [Relics] and talents combined with alchemical skills, you can turn waste into treasure.

But this is a deadlock for Mahan, who has been labeled as 'waste' by the [Minister] at this stage.

If he wants to advance his [Professional Mission], he must use [Truth Refining and Completion] with his own abilities to turn that [Imperial Tool] into something valuable, regain the trust of the [Minister], and obtain the qualifications to make [Imperial Tool] and [Minister Tool].

But if he wants to obtain the skill [Truth Refining and Completion], he must first advance the [Professional Mission] to the later stages.

It can be called a perfect deadlock.

Ma Han shook his head somewhat depressedly.

He was completely focused on reforging the Imperial Armament, and had never understood the Minister's dislike for failure and being considered "waste."

At the same time, the [Minister] has so much power in the empire.

He had to think about how he could get in touch with the contestants who might perform well in the [Martial Arts Tournament].

As he thought about it, the somewhat crazy Ma Han couldn't help but have some wild ideas.

If only there were a Reincarnation who I've worked with before, knows well enough, and can persuade the Minister to win the [Martial Arts Tournament], I could easily resolve this dilemma.

[I don't mind crafting some more equipment called [Imperial Equipment] for him for free, or teaching him some alchemy knowledge through my [Relics] in exchange.]

Mahan quickly dismissed this absurd idea from his mind.

[How is this possible? I was a Rank 20 Reincarnator who hadn't even experienced a 1-point attribute breakthrough. How could I have run into someone I know?]

After squeezing out a glimmer of hope from his head, Ma Han found that only despair remained in his mind.

He couldn't help but declare, "Let's take it one step at a time and see what happens."

At this moment, there are still 2 days, 23 hours and 21 minutes until the opening of the [Martial Arts Tournament].
-
The fifth day in the mission world, in the military camp, after breakfast.

After finishing his pig-like meals, Kohler walked over to the commander of the Imperial Incineration Corps and conveyed his request for leave.

The pot-bellied officer looked at Kohler, who was carrying the [Imperial Weapon] [Purgatory Summoning Rubigand], and was quite burly, with dark skin and dreadlocks, and looked very oppressive.

Hearing the other party's reasonable reason for asking for leave, "I hope to have some free time to deal with the funeral of my good friend [Imperial Weapon User] [Polus] and help his widow," I had to hold my nose and make an exception to approve the other party's leave.

Looking at Kohler who walked out of the military camp with a swagger and without looking back.

The officer could only secretly complain a few words in his heart.

"Who dares to deny you a vacation?
"That promising newcomer to the Imperial Incineration Corps (a Reincarnator) just insulted you with something that seemed to start with "n".

“The next day, you were dismembered and died inexplicably in the middle of a crowded bunk bed, not to mention the previous officer who withheld your merits.

"You are also closely related to that powerful man named Yuan Qi who was picked by the general. Who would dare to offend you?"

However, the officer weighed the several silver coins that the other party had stuffed into his hand, and listening to the pleasant sound of the silver coins colliding, a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

"However, this guy doesn't seem as difficult to get along with as the rumors say. As long as you don't conflict with him, he's willing to abide by the 'rules'.

"This man, who is rumored to know witchcraft, is much easier to get along with than that Yuan Qi."

*
A few hours later, in a tavern in the imperial capital, Kohler, wearing a cloak, just walked into the tavern and saw Yuan Qi sitting alone at a table.

This man, who was a bit large, with squinty eyes, a hooked nose, and a red tattoo on his face, exuded an inexplicable aura in his every move, even though he was just drinking.

So much so that the drunkards around him avoided this unarmed man.

Seeing Kohler coming, Yuan Qi put down the wine glass in his hand, but did not rush to talk about business. Instead, he spoke jokingly.

“Want a drink?
"Is the wine here pretty good? You can try it."

Kohler shook his head and sat opposite Yuan Qi.

After rejecting the waiter's offer of drinks, the black man knocked on the table a few times in impatience, but tried hard to control his emotions and spoke to Yuan Qi in a kind tone.

"You promised to help me several times before the mission began, why don't you keep your word?
"That swordsmanship master named Yi Zang, with your strength, it shouldn't be difficult to kill him, right?

"This is related to my high-yield mission!"

Looking at Kohler who was leaning towards him, and his sense of smell which had become very sharp due to martial arts, Yuan Qi frowned slightly as he detected the other person's very obvious body odor.

He tried hard to suppress the expression of disgust on his face, and at the same time suppressed the urge to strangle the other person to death. After calming down, he said.

"Use your brain, my friend. I promised to take action, but I didn't promise when to take action.

"[Izo] He is the 'nail' that the [Minister] has planted in the [Hunter] organization, which has not yet been officially established. Killing him will further anger the [Minister].

"If you can't fly and can directly cut off the possibility of being tracked by those strange modified people under the [Minister], and you still want to survive in the imperial capital, it's best not to do this now.

"By the way, I heard this information from General Bud. It's absolutely authentic and space-certified."

Looking at Yuan Qi's indifferent expression, Kohler gritted his teeth and said while suppressing his anger.

"Then you have to give me something. I've given you all the information I've collected about the reincarnations.

"Also, if you maintain this cooperative attitude, our cooperation will end after you receive the compensation!"

*
After hearing Kohler's speech, Yuan Qi, who was drinking, seemed to have heard some funny joke and was about to speak.

This action caused the wine to choke his trachea for a moment, and he had to cough a few times before he returned to normal.

Looking at the somewhat annoyed Kohler, Yuan Qi played the 'cards' he had collected.

"I think you want to participate in the [Martial Arts Tournament] to get a place and then obtain the [Imperial Weapon], right?
"Then do you want information about some of the potential reincarnations that Bud has noticed?

"These reincarnations are the kind that will participate in the [Martial Arts Tournament]."

Seeing Kohler about to refuse, Yuan Qi added a sentence that shocked the black man.

"The information I mentioned, in addition to my assessment of their strength, also includes the hair, skin scrapings, and blood I collected.
"You won't refuse me to use these things that are very important to you as compensation, my friend."

"Or should I call you a wizard who needs to curse others to improve his skills?"

After hearing Yuan Qi's speech, Kohler felt a chill on his back, and a layer of fine beads of sweat broke out on his forehead. He was speechless for a moment.

After a few seconds, the black man suppressed his fear of having his identity revealed, and reluctantly accepted Yuan Qi's compensation, then left the tavern trembling with fear.

Looking at Kohler leaving, Yuan Qi showed a disdainful smile on his face, "He's just a simple-minded black man, and he's qualified to negotiate with me?"

*
After leaving the pub, Kohler stretched his body and his previous nervousness disappeared without a trace.

The black man clicked on the 'biological information' of the reincarnationist he got from Yuan Qi, looked around the surrounding environment, found the 'target', and threw it into the trash can on the side of the road.

A disdainful smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"Idiot, the discrimination in your eyes is overflowing. Not all black people are as strong and simple-minded as you think.

"You've already assumed I'm a reincarnationist enhanced in witchcraft. How gullible!

"But then again, his identity and purpose are definitely not simple."

The black man recalled the other party's abnormal behavior since entering the field, and thought about the mechanism of space, and immediately came up with a guess that was close to the truth.

"Judging from their reluctance to kill and their passive attitude towards the mission, the other party is trying to lower their clearance rating as much as possible to avoid receiving the rewards from the mission.

"The other party has been collecting information about the reincarnationists on the Lord God's side, which means his target is very likely a reincarnationist.

"He's most likely one of those thugs that the organization has sent into low-level worlds to complete hunting missions.

"If I can sell this information to the person he's hunting, I might get a handsome reward."

The black man's keen sense of intelligence allowed him to see business opportunities, such as selling mission world intelligence before entering the field.

But when he recalled the reincarnations he had met since entering the scene, he shook his head again.

He did not find the reincarnation who could become his client.

The black man had no choice but to turn his thoughts to his own task.

"If we want to rank high in the [Martial Arts Tournament] right now, we must find a way to kill [Izo] and even [Sheila] by any means necessary to complete the hidden mission.

"The [relic] given by [Polus's widow's request] can amplify the power of the [Imperial Tool] in my hand.

"I don't even want to kill Sheila, the mastermind behind Borus's death. I'll be satisfied with just killing Izo, the murderer, and getting the basic reward."

Recalling the strange aura that made him unable to move when Yi Zang attacked, the black man couldn't help but shudder.

[If only there was someone who could help me kill the master [Izo] and complete the mission.]

[I don't mind giving up some wealth and intelligence in exchange for help.]

Thinking this way, the black man returned to the barracks and unexpectedly received a transfer letter.

He opened the envelope and saw a line of text that excited him: "Sergeant Kohler, you are now being transferred to the Hunter Organization."

At this moment, there are still 2 days, 9 hours and 21 minutes until the opening of the [Martial Arts Tournament].

(End of this chapter)