I am a female swordsman.

"Yamen, I'm tired." Unable to resist, she hugged the [Hope Sword] tightly. For the first time, Huang Quan, who seemed to know nothing of fatigue or fear, revealed her weariness to her partner. Huang Quan truly felt exhausted; she must have been hurt. The CCG's control over her was becoming increasingly apparent.

"Haha, if you're tired, take a good rest. You can leave anything to me and Mr. Mado!"

Yamen slapped Huang Quan's shoulder hard, deliberately letting out an exaggerated laugh. His clumsy attempt at comforting her, coupled with his enthusiastic enthusiasm, made Huang Quan smile. This idiot, his attempts at comforting her were so obvious.

"You're so stupid! You big gorilla, you almost smashed my shoulder with your blows!"

"It's not that fragile, is it?"

"Stop nagging, are you trying to take advantage of me on purpose? You always pat my shoulder so hard." Ignoring the fact that Amen was the driver, Huang Quan delivered a beautiful elbow strike to his ribs, causing Amen's face to twitch in pain.

"Let's rest and then continue the fight!"

“Of course…” Huang Quan was successfully infected by her partner Amon’s enthusiasm. She turned her head to look out the window and thanked him in a soft voice. “…Thank you, Amon-ichi.”

Isn't that exactly what the bond between partners is like?

Author's Note:

P.S.: It's almost 100,000 words! I'm asking for some free recommendation votes! If you like this book, please give it some monthly votes too!

Chapter Forty-Eight: Appointment of Headquarters

The peaceful holiday ended quickly, but for Huang Quan, the holiday seemed to drag on.

Suddenly back to a peaceful life of doing nothing, even the passage of time seemed to slow down. Every morning, I would wake up, stretch my limbs a little, and then sit in a nearby café with a novel for the entire morning. After a midday nap, I would go to the branch's training grounds to practice swordsmanship techniques, and in the evening, I would take a hot bath and go to bed early.

This is the unchanging holiday in the underworld.

It seems that after successfully defeating the "Big Ghoul," all the ghouls in the 20th ward disappeared.

Jason has also disappeared.

While it's certain that Jason is still in the 20th ward, finding a ghoul deliberately hiding its tracks in the vast and bustling city of Tokyo is extremely difficult.

This isn't like in the anime, where you can just run around in this small area and catch the person you want. Although he wanted to catch Jason as soon as possible and kill the ghoul who had seen his Demon Contracter class, Huang Quan was powerless to do anything about it in the short term and could only suppress his killing intent.

Moreover, her current strength is only at the lower level of S-rank.

Having just completed the job change, neither the Swordmaster nor the Demon Slayer skills have been fully mastered. Fighting in this half-baked state will result in fluctuating strength and is likely to lead to death.

and……

As mentioned before, the job advancement for the Yellow Spring Demon class seems to have encountered an inexplicable accident.

You can see it from the properties panel.

Name: Huang Quan

Gender: Female

Age: 17 years old

Order: Second order

Race: human

Occupation: Sword Master (?)

Title: None

Skills: [Swordmaster Skill Tree] [Demon Slayer Skill Tree (Abnormal)] [Unlocked] [Unlocked]

Overall assessment: There's nothing to be afraid of anymore; just go for A and you'll win.

The "Occupation" module now includes a switch symbol, allowing users to switch between all their available occupations using their willpower. This switch also alters the power within their body.

For example, switching to [Sword Master] makes it very noticeable that the energy transfer in the body becomes more precise and controllable, while switching to [Demon Slayer] makes the power more violent and cruel.

The so-called "accident" refers to the fact that although Huang Quan could access the [Demon Contractor] skill tree, all the skills were grayed out and she couldn't learn them. She tried calling out to [Tamos] for an explanation, but [Tamos] replied that she hadn't yet gained the approval of the Demon Sword [Puno] and couldn't wield its full form, therefore she couldn't use the power of the [Demon Contractor].

【Tamos】provides two solutions.

One option is for Huang Quan to continue practicing as a [Sword Master] and hone his sword intent until he can slay gods and demons with his sword. Only then can he completely suppress the demonic sword and forcefully use it.

Another option is for Huang Quan to not resort to trickery, but instead defeat the unconvinced [Puno] and gain the unanimous approval of the three demons within the Demon Sword, thus enabling him to use the Demon Sword.

It turns out that Huang Quan had passed [Tamos]'s trial, which suppressed [Puno] who was controlling Huang Quan's body, allowing Huang Quan's consciousness to successfully return. This almost opportunistic act couldn't gain [Puno's] approval. Huang Quan had to demonstrate his strength to make [Puno], who believed in the principle of the strong being respected, obediently submit to her control. Regardless of the method, Huang Quan couldn't accomplish this in a short time.

Not to mention the vast array of exquisite sword techniques that the Sword Master possesses, waiting for her to digest and master, and the prospect of a sword duel with Puno, a demonic sword that has lived for an unknown amount of time, even if Tamos guarantees a fair fight, Huang Quan doesn't believe she can defeat Puno in her current state...

In short, Huang Quan will not have the energy to acquire the power of the [Demon Contractor] in the short term.

She had also complained about why the power of the demon sword [Puno] was so difficult to obtain, unlike the [Sword Master] who directly handed over the power to her.

Tamos: "Because of your good fortune, she's pinning her hopes on you."

Huang Quan was surprised that Tamos actually answered the question, and from what he said, it seemed that he knew some inside information, such as the traps that this shady system set for the job change quest.

Why do you say it's luck?

Tamos: "If you choose to become a [Demon Slayer] or a [Dark Templar] first, you will face the dilemma of power turning against you and controlling you. If you choose to become a [Wandering Warrior], you will need to overcome the seemingly weak but most powerful will." The rest is self-evident.

Huang Quan, belatedly realizing what was happening, broke out in a cold sweat!

This system is more insidious than you can imagine. No wonder it was so generous in giving out four job change quests; it turns out that three of them were full of traps.

If Huang Quan hadn't been lucky enough to choose the [Sword Master] profession as her first choice, and if the Sword Sect's will had recognized her and passed on its will to her, Huang Quan would now be facing the dilemma of being enslaved by power or being unable to defeat power and become its master.

Tamos also gave a special reminder to Huang Quan!

Don't consider using the remaining two job advancement quests as a trump card; otherwise, it will only make her already precarious path forward even more chaotic. Tamos is very frank; he only hopes that Huang Quan can see Huang Quan become stronger than ever before, and ultimately challenge that legendary, blood-stained swordsman once again with the power of a demon. He has no interest in replacing Huang Quan.

The path of a swordsman allows no room for opportunism.

If you take shortcuts, you will inevitably have to pay ten or a hundred times the price to make up for it later.

In fact, Huang Quan had the opportunity to give up the fight and retreat during the battle against [Da Shi]. She had already exceeded her limits twice, so there was no need for her to use the job change quest to break the deadlock.

Having learned from their mistakes, Huang Quan lost his excuse to complain after talking with Tamos.

Under these circumstances, after the holiday, CCG headquarters issued an order to summon the Crow Squad's core trio, requiring Senior Investigator Mado Kureo, First Investigator Amon Kotaro, and Third Investigator Yomi to return to Ward 1 for duty.

The work area currently under Crow's control will be temporarily handled by the local branch.

Huang Quan had just returned to headquarters when he noticed the atmosphere was noticeably more tense than usual, with investigators coming and going all wearing strained expressions. The three Crows exchanged glances, realizing that something must have happened in the other districts while they were in the 20th district.

As they expected, things turned out exactly as they predicted.

As soon as the Crow Squad reported for duty, without even a moment to rest, Special Class Investigator Marude Sai, who was in charge of the 1st District, ordered the three members of the Crow Squad to prepare for an investigators' meeting.

This was Huang Quan's first time attending such a large-scale CCG meeting. Looking around, the conference room was filled with investigators, at least two hundred people! Amon and Huang Quan followed their mentor to their seats, and Mado Kureo began to introduce Huang Quan to some unfamiliar faces at the meeting.

Chapter Forty-Nine Meeting

"The one behind him is Takizawa Ni-chan, my old partner's assistant. He's a bit clumsy, but he's quite diligent. You can ask him for help anytime you need him in the future, hehehe."

The first person Mado Kureo pointed to was a handsome young man. When he saw Mado Kureo and Yomi, this strange pair of man and woman, staring at him, he blushed and lowered his head with an embarrassed smile.

"The one on the left is Ito, a cunning fox who never suffers a loss..."

When the second squinty-eyed second-class investigator, Ito Kuramoto, was mentioned, Mado Kureo showed a very displeased attitude, seemingly because he had been verbally tricked into giving him his kagune for hunting ghouls during a certain cooperation.

Despite his displeasure, Mado Kureo still held Ito Ni-san's superior in high esteem.

"His boss is Hirako, but he doesn't seem to be here today. Anyway, it wasn't an important meeting. ...By the way! Hirako, like you, Yomi, is expressionless. You two should get along very well!"

"Please don't say such strange things, teacher."

Being called expressionless, a hint of helplessness appeared on Huang Quan's serene and aloof face. She had just finished a polite eye contact with Ito Nissou. Although it was disrespectful, Huang Quan couldn't help but think to herself that Ito Nissou's squinty eyes were really trying hard to open them wide when he greeted her.

When his beloved student retorted, old Mado let out a strange low laugh.

He actually quite enjoyed seeing Huang Quan's helpless expression!

Amon, who was watching the show from the sidelines, felt a headache coming on as he watched his mentor and partner's amusing interaction. His mentor seemed to have become addicted to spoiling Yomi, stuffing all the good things into Yomi's hands. As a fellow disciple, Amon couldn't help but feel a little resentful.

But then I thought...

Huang Quan was his junior sister, and they had such a good relationship. Even if they didn't become family in the future, their relationship would still be extremely close. As her senior brother, he definitely had to take care of and protect her. Thinking this way, Amen felt more at ease, and his gaze frequently drifted towards Huang Quan, occasionally glaring at some of the young investigators who were secretly glancing at her.

In this extremely eerie atmosphere, a meeting of investigators was convened, chaired by Special Investigator Marude.

"stand up!"

After taking the documents from his assistant, Marude Saitama tapped the microphone twice and then casually sat down.

"Please be seated, everyone."

Whether it was a misperception or not, Yomi keenly sensed that Special Agent Marute's gaze subtly swept over her after he entered the conference room. Special Agent Marute had shown great interest in Yomi from the very beginning of her rise to fame. If Mado Kureo hadn't taken Yomi away, Yomi might have become a white dove of the CCG through Special Agent Marute's connections.

The Investigators' Council report details the recent unusual activities of ghouls in the 11 wards.

Previously, the Crow Squad's core trio had engaged in a major battle with [Oogami] Rize Kamishiro in Area 11, causing some chaos in the area. Before the Crow Squad arrived, [Oogami] had already cleaned out and slaughtered the powerful ghouls entrenched in Area 11, and the Crow Squad had subsequently wiped them out as well. Logically, there shouldn't have been any powerful ghouls left.

However, based on recent feedback, an astonishing number of powerful ghouls have appeared in Japan.

Although they didn't understand where these ghouls had come from, since the enemy had appeared, headquarters needed to prepare an initial response plan. To this end, Marude and his team held a meeting, briefed everyone on the situation, and distributed materials.

The purpose is also to avoid the troublesome situation of Area 11 reverting to the existence of "Big Eater".

After all, the ravenous predators have already done their best, so it would be too much if the doves protecting them didn't do their job properly! Influenced by the increasingly illustrious achievements of the Raven Squad, Marude Special Agent also wanted to make some contributions so that he could be promoted and gain more power.

"...This is the current situation in Area 11. Those guys' activities are clearly organized, and it's probably only a matter of time before it escalates into war. That's all for my report. Does anyone else have a report?"

As soon as Marude finished speaking, a hand was raised.

"I am First Class Investigator Kotaro Amon. I previously conducted patrol and investigation missions in the 11th Ward. My partners, First Class Mado and Third Class Yomi, encountered several unusual ghouls. Their behavior is similar to the ghoul group you described, and I suspect that they are very likely the same group of ghouls. I believe this should be taken seriously, hence this report!"

"So this was a premeditated plan, no wonder he's the top student in the academy." Marude, the special class student, propped his head up and thought for a moment, realizing that the ghouls in Area 11 might not be so simple.

"Mado! That's great! Your partner is excellent. I bet you're spending more time playing with your toys now!"

Suddenly, Marude Sai approached Mado Kureo, who was resting with his eyes closed, in his affected tone, though there was a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

Toy?

This guy called the teacher's Quinque a toy.

Sitting quietly next to Mado Kureo, Yomi's scarlet eyes suddenly flashed with a sharp, piercing light, like a cold, imposing sword blade gathering and ready to strike. She intended to frighten this impudent fellow so much that he would fall off the podium in front of everyone.

Just as the brilliance of Huang Quan's crimson eyes was about to reveal a sense of rupture, Mado Kureo, who was resting with his eyes closed, opened his large and small eyes and shook his head at her.

'There's no need to do that' by Mado Kureo