I'll kill you after I finish this game!

With terrifying speed, this ancient nuclear warhead plunged directly into the chaotic group of monsters, and then...

"pound--!"

A deafening explosion rang out, and an enormous spherical energy spread out at a speed of hundreds of meters per second, instantly engulfing countless monsters.

Endless light and heat burst forth, and the clouds were swallowed by the golden light.

The ancient nuclear warheads carried on Vimana's flying boat were even more explosive than real nuclear bombs.

Ignoring the high-temperature mushroom cloud formed by the explosion, Vimana flew directly into the lowest entrance of the Suspended City.

"Its power is really impressive."

After disembarking from the spaceship, watching Reiji put away the Vimana Flying Boat, Mibu Sojiro witnessed countless yokai being mercilessly devoured by the explosion, and couldn't help but marvel at the immense power of the weapons carried on the golden flying boat.

If he had taken that blow squarely, his prized swordsmanship would have been useless, unless he had used his trump card.

"That was just cleaning up the scraps, Sojiro. Hold your sword tighter. Now it's time for you to actually do the work."

Walking through the lowest entrance passage of the Suspended City, another world soon appeared in front of Razer.

It was like another world entirely. Although it was winter outside, nearing the end of the year, what Reiji and Soujiro saw was a desert area that was like summer, or even hotter than summer.

In the far distance, a pillar of light stretches straight to the sky; needless to say, that is the final path leading to the next level.

"..."

As Mibu Sojiro looked at the desolate desert before him, he unconsciously tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword, for he sensed countless powerful entities moving beneath the desert.

Yes, it's like swimming in water, giving you the feeling of facing an unknown monster in the deep sea, making your hair stand on end.

Not far ahead, there lay a white hunting robe, almost buried in the desert, and several broken human bones.

Seeing this scene makes it even clearer that the danger here is considerable.

........

Upon entering the first level of this suspended city, which is also the most basic place, it feels like another world.

The temperature here reaches 60 degrees Celsius; you can easily fry an egg on a hot plate.

At least Mibu Soujiro, who was following Reiji and Esther, felt like he was about to be roasted alive.

Fortunately, the master I was temporarily following always seemed to have an inexhaustible supply of things, and there was always something he could use to solve the situation.

Moreover, the desert environment on site also provides readily available food, such as...

"Roar--!"

A shark, a shark that looked like a withered yellow tiger shark, swiftly traversed the desert as if it were in water, rushing towards Mibu Sojiro amidst the howling scorching wind.

Its speed was even faster than an arrow. When it was only four meters away from the three people, it leaped out, opened its huge mouth, and revealed a dense array of fangs as it lunged to bite them.

"choke--!"

Mibu Sojiro's sword draw seemed to transcend common sense and the limits of physics, easily tearing through the air and splitting the onrushing desert shark in two.

But there was no joy on his face, because more sharks were swam toward them with a whooshing sound.

Mibu Sojiro spent a short time killing all the giant desert sharks that were biting him from all around.

Inside a giant rock cave in the sand dunes.

Mibu Soujiro, who was resting and eating grilled meat with Reiji and the others, approached Reiji with a wry smile on his face. Somewhat embarrassed, he picked up his knife and said with an awkward grin:

"Mr. Taiichi, I'm sorry to trouble you again."

After saying that, he handed over his katana, which was worn and had too many nicks. Reiji took the katana but did not repair it.

Mibu Sojiro had fought many monsters since arriving at the first floor, and his sword was wearing out very quickly.

The sword in his hand was neither a divine sword nor a famous sword, and the monsters here were no ordinary monsters either.

Raiji arrived here and repaired Mibu Sojiro's sword six times. This time, instead of repairing the blade for his "Miko," he opened the familiar golden door amidst the other's puzzled gaze.

He took out a purple samurai sword, the hilt of which was also purple, and the tsuba (handguard) was adorned with three magatama (comma-shaped ornaments).

The moment the sword was drawn, the swordsman Mibu Sojiro felt as if he had seen a beautiful woman, his breathing quickened and his face flushed.

Even without touching it, just by looking at it, one can tell that this knife is a supreme treasure.

The deep purple blade emitted an eerie light, and its sharp, cold gleam, even when looked at directly, evoked a piercing and sharp sensation that captivated Mibu Sojiro, and he loved that feeling.

This knife is worlds ahead of any other weapon he uses; it's not just about its magnificent appearance, but also about its extraordinary power.

"Here you go, Sojiro."

Without even glancing at it, Raize gave the treasured sword, which had been gathering dust in the treasury, to Mibu Sojiro as if it were something worthless.

After all, he was the one who had bestowed divinity upon his child, and seeing him in such a sorry and impoverished state was something he couldn't bear to see.

Mibu Sojiro immediately grabbed the hilt of the sword in a flurry, and the feeling of the hilt in his hand caused his face to flush an unnatural red.

The moment he held the sword, he felt its immense power. Mibu Sojiro was overjoyed, but he looked at Raizetsu with a somewhat troubled expression and stammered, "..."

"Mr. Taiyi, this is a supreme treasure sword, are you just giving it to me like this?"

As a samurai, Sojiro dreamed of becoming the strongest swordsman and was naturally a lover of swords.

This swordsman could confidently confirm just how valuable this sword was; it was more than enough to be a family heirloom.

As for its value, it is priceless to a swordsman.

Raize helped Mibu Sojiro up to the Sky Castle, and here he even gave him such a precious sword. He really didn't know how to repay him.

"Don't worry, I don't know how many of these swords I have collected, it's just that I can't use them because of Esther."

Raiji casually waved to Mibu Sojiro, indicating that he didn't need to mind, and it also seemed as if he was trying to prove that what he said was not just a humble remark to comfort Sojiro.

He still opened the golden doorway in front of Sojiro, causing the latter to widen his eyes and see a treasure vault resembling a sword mound.

A vast number, or rather, countless, of precious swords and longswords were displayed in the space, each one a treasure.

The sheer number of them left Sojiro completely bewildered, giving him a true sense of the tycoon's extravagance.

"...Taiichi-sensei, please ensure that Sojiro follows you."

Mibu Sojiro was completely numb, and even the precious sword in his hand didn't feel so appealing anymore. He looked at Raizetsu with a serious expression, wanting to swear allegiance to this tycoon in front of him.

"Go away, stop teasing me!"

Upon hearing this, Lei Zhe rolled his eyes and threw the grilled meat he was holding to the other person.

The person in front of me, who aspires to become the world's greatest swordsman, would never submit to anyone.

On the way here, Mibu Sojiro told Raiji about his dream.

Mibu Sojiro chuckled and accepted the grilled meat, starting to eat. The relationship between the three of them improved because of this gift of a sword.

Mibu Soujiro, who was eating grilled meat to replenish his strength, looked at Reiji with some curiosity and asked Estelle, who was being fed beside him:

"Taiichi-san, are you also a swordsman? Why did you say before that you couldn't use those swords because Esther was there?"

Raijiro had shown a small part of his strength on the way here, and Mibu Sojiro did not find that the other party used any swordsmanship. He could solve the problem simply by fighting.

Moreover, with so many knives in the space, besides having collectible value, Mibu Sojiro was also curious whether the other party was a swordsman.

They were even more curious as to why the other party had said that with Esther around, he couldn't use his sword.

"A swordsman, you could say that."

Raiji nodded in affirmation when asked by Mibu Sojiro, as he also quite liked kendo.

"As for Esther, instead of saying she is my shikigami, I would say she is my other half and my contracted spirit."

Reiji, who was feeding Esther, wiped the little guy's mouth and then explained to Mibu Soujiro.

The other party is now part of Razer's body and even soul, and they are one.

The current Esther is merely an incarnation of him; the true self remains with Rezer.

"Half-body? Contract... an elf?"

Upon hearing Reiji confirm that he was a swordsman, Mibu Soujiro's eyes gleamed, but when it came to the reason for Esther's existence, he became somewhat confused.

They could understand each word Lei Zhe said individually, but why couldn't they understand it when put together?

"Fine, I'll let you see for yourself."

As he spoke, Rezer reached out and pointed at Esther.

"Estelle, let him see what you've got."

"Yes, brother."

Upon hearing Lei Zhe's instructions, the beautiful girl with silver hair and jade-like skin nodded slightly, and then the next moment... a scene that made Mibu Soujiro stare wide-eyed in disbelief appeared.

Right in front of him, the body of the beautiful girl with silver hair and jade-like skin suddenly began to disintegrate, and then quickly transformed into a magnificent silver-white longsword!

"This, this is...?!"

Upon seeing this, the incredulous Mibu Sojiro was so shocked that he stood up, his eyes wide as he looked up and down at the sword in Raizetsu's hand.

He stared in disbelief at the silver-white longsword in Lei Zhe's hand.

Although Mibu Sojiro knew that there were many strange things in this vast world, such as all kinds of demons, monsters, and Onmyoji.

There are yokai that can take the form of objects, but a beautiful girl who can turn into a sword... or rather, a sword that can turn into a girl... No, Mibu Soujiro still felt a little incredulous.

"This...this...this can't be some kind of magic trick, can it? Mr. Taiyi, where did you hide that child?"

Mibu Sojiro hurriedly came to Raize's side and then peered out from in front of and behind him.

“My Esther was born a sword, a sword with consciousness and spirit, so it’s only natural that she can take on a physical form.”

"The reason I can't use other swords is simply because the little one gets jealous. She doesn't like me touching other swords, just like a wife wouldn't allow her husband to touch other women, but other weapons are fine with her."

Rezhe glanced at the guy helplessly, then tossed the longsword in his hand into the air. The holy sword flashed in the air, and the next moment Esther reappeared beside Rezhe.

She blinked her beautiful, gorgeous eyes at Sojiro, and then began to eat the grilled meat like a small animal.

After hearing this, Mibu Sojiro felt extremely shocked and envious. Why hadn't he encountered a sword with such innate spirituality?

No wonder the other party said that Esther was like a shikigami. As a swordsman, the sword should naturally stay by its master's side.

"I really envy Mr. Taiichi and Miss Esther's relationship. But they can't touch other swords, otherwise it's cheating, *splat*—"

However, upon hearing Raijiro's helpless expression, as if he couldn't touch other swords, otherwise it would be like cheating on his wife, Mibu Soujiro couldn't help but laugh.