I am a female swordsman.

"I'm sorry! You're right!"

Hastily picking up the sword he had discarded, Igarashi watched Yomi's departing figure without a backward glance. Ignoring the scrambling of his limbs, he scrambled to his feet and hurried after Yomi. Deeply remorseful, Igarashi wished he could commit seppuku. He had so painstakingly wasted the rare opportunity to openly touch Yomi's noble body—a sin so grave it was unforgivable!

"Isn't that a bit too strict, Yomi? Anyway, Igarashi San's excellence is undeniable, and I'm really looking forward to working with him in the future. Yomi, you must be looking forward to it too, right? Becoming friends with Igarashi-san or something?"

Yamen, who came up to smooth things over, coughed twice in an attempt to ease the tension.

"No, compared to becoming Lord Yomi's friend, such a distant dream..." Before Yomi could answer, Igarashi, covered in dust from the battle, excitedly wiped his glasses and said, "...Being Lord Yomi's dog is the greatest honor of my life!"

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

A strange, indescribable look appeared on the faces of Amon Kotaro, Mado Akira, Hilde, and even the person involved, Huang Quan. Huang Quan, in particular, almost broke her usual icy, impassive expression. She didn't feel happy at all; instead, she felt a chill run down her spine.

"Lady Huang Quan! She's the most popular deity in the CCG! Beautiful and powerful, she's not arrogant, yet she's always so majestic! She doesn't talk much, and she's both dashing and handsome. Am I wrong to say that she's such an outstanding deity?!"

Hilde's face twitched. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it at all..."

In an instant, his expression changed! Behind Igarashi's glasses, his brown pupils subtly revealed a ruthless, almost reckless, intent. Caught by that chilling gaze, Hilde wisely shut her mouth!

Is this woman insane?!

What normal person would idolize someone so fervently? Even if it's the [Sword Demon]... wait, if it's the [Sword Demon] who defeated you, it wouldn't be too surprising... after all, it would be strange if such a powerful and perfect woman, or rather a goddess, wasn't worshipped and revered.

"You guys seem to be having a lot of fun, hehehe~~!"

A hoarse voice suddenly came from the edge of the training field, causing everyone to freeze in shock. Mado Kureo was standing outside the field, smiling as he watched the [Crows].

Chapter 124 Weaving the Net

"Mr. Mado!" — Amon

"Teacher!" — Huang Quan

"Father... Father." — Akira Mado

The sudden appearance of Mado Kureo caused a slight stir among the group. Compared to the curiosity and excitement of the others, Mado Akira, as her daughter, couldn't help but murmur softly with a complex expression. Finally, they were reunited. Although she had imagined this reunion many times before, her heart was still churning with emotion.

Mado Kureo.

This man...

A man who fought madly for his deceased wife, who never retreated even when repeatedly in danger and covered in wounds. Under such circumstances, he still managed to raise Akira Mado into a qualified investigator, which shows how much hardship Kureo Mado endured over those ten years.

His eccentric behavior and lack of interest in promotion caused him to suffer a lot of criticism and disdain from the CCG behind the scenes.

She wanted to live in place of the man she admired!

"Senior Investigator Mado Kureo, and Junior Investigator Mado Akira, Second Investigator of CCG Headquarters, are here to report to you."

"Senior Investigator Mado Kureo, Hilde, Third Investigator of CCG 24th District, is here to report to you."

"Senior Investigator Mado Kureo, and Investigator Igarashi Kamui, Third Investigator of CCG 7th District, are here to report to you."

Standing at attention and bowing, the three investigators placed their hands on their hips, heads held high, accepting the inspection from the true core of [Crow]. Upon Mado Kureo's appearance, Yomi and Amon immediately stepped back two paces with genuine respect, leaving space for Mado Kureo and the crows.

Mado Kureo's gaze lingered on Mado Akira for a moment before quickly returning to its original position. Mado Kureo, displaying his characteristic charisma, exuded a captivating aura. Hilde, Igarashi, and Mado Akira all felt their hearts quicken, as if the hunched old man standing before them contained a furnace that ignited the surrounding space!

A frenzied passion!!

That deep-seated hatred for cannibalistic monsters doesn't need any words to describe; it has already infected people's hearts through Mado Kureo's intense aura!

"On behalf of [Raven], I welcome the three of you. You are well aware of your own achievements, so I won't elaborate. But I can assure you that if you become qualified [Raven], your accomplishments will overturn previous understandings. The ghouls that die at your hands will also be treated the same way!"

Without realizing it, he straightened up, his eyes sharp and piercing like a hawk's, and Mado Kureo's voice, with its intonation and cadence, was incredibly captivating.

"So! Give your power to [Crow], and let those beasts who deserve to go to hell know that the streets of Tokyo will forever belong to humans!"

"Yes!!!" x3

"Very good. Your predecessor Huang Quan has already conducted the initial test. Now, prepare for the actual battle."

His gloved hand unconsciously touched his chin. According to predictions, the Bronze Tree would launch an attack this evening. The old crows were holding the line, giving the young crows a chance to hone their skills. After all, the crow trio was too conspicuous, and it was time to divert the monsters' attention.

Once their attention was diverted...

It means death is imminent!!

………………

A commercial street in Ward 11

The bustling commercial street, despite the recent ghoul attack, remained vibrant and lively. Cars and people thronged the streets, creating a cacophony of noise, yet beneath this bustling atmosphere lay a barely perceptible tension and caution.

In those seemingly casual glances, they already understood each other perfectly.

They tacitly averted their gazes, quietly passing by like ordinary passersby. In the bustling crowd, this inconspicuous exchange of glances went completely unnoticed. A group of people, dressed relatively warmly, moved about throughout the commercial street, blending perfectly into the atmosphere.

On the other side of the commercial street, in an unusually quiet restaurant by the roadside.

A sign indicating that the business is closed is hanging outside.

"Still no sign of those annoying rats?" Aman, on the second floor, tapped his index finger rhythmically on the table, his gaze calmly fixed on the bustling crowd below. These investigators, carrying briefcases, were mostly hidden in the various temporarily requisitioned shops because they were too conspicuous.

Of course, this also included Huang Quan San, a conspicuous target who never parted with his sword.

“Enthusiasm alone is not enough, Amon-kun. Patience is also a standard for measuring whether an investigator is excellent.” Mado Kureo, quietly sipping his coffee, looked confident.

After completely relinquishing command duties to Special Envoy Marute, Mado Kureo was finally freed from his secure job and able to return to the front lines to directly confront the ghouls. This feeling of quietly waiting for his prey to take the bait was incredibly pleasant; he could almost hear his heart pounding.

"They're too cunning, Teacher and Amen, they've dumped all the tasks on me."

Before anyone could be seen, the voice arrived first. Huang Quan's clear voice, though complaining, did not contain any resentment. Instead, it described how the teacher and his partner were taking a break from their busy schedules.

The hiding places of the various investigators in the commercial street were all arranged by Huang Quan.

Her incredibly sharp intuition always allowed her to make the most appropriate arrangements, not only effectively deceiving outsiders but also achieving unexpected results. For this purpose, Huang Quan had specially disguised herself, wearing a cool purple mask, her long silver hair tucked into a navy cap, and carrying a violin case.

It's like an outfit worn by a celebrity for a low-key outing.

Before setting off, Mado joked that Yomi's outfit made her look like a wandering entertainer.

Taking off her hat, her silver hair swayed like silk as Huang Quan habitually pushed up her sunglasses.

"Thanks for your hard work."

"Amon-kun, you're really being rude. Your partner has been working so hard outside, and all you do when you get back is say 'thank you for your hard work.'" Shaking her head helplessly and sighing, Huang Quan poured herself a glass of water and subtly criticized the clueless Amon for being so oblivious.

It's bad enough that such a beautiful woman like her is treated like a man every day in [Raven], but Amon is so straightforward that he never once tries to be attentive. No wonder, despite having so many admirers, she's still a single dog. While internally ranting, Huang Quan's raised willow-leaf eyebrows revealed her current pleasure.

After removing all the miscellaneous disguises, revealing her cold and beautiful true face, Huang Quan was ready to enjoy watching her prey's panic when it was caught.

"Mission accomplished, the new [Raven] is ready to take the stage."

"Before the opening, come have a cup of coffee with me."

"Yes, teacher."

Are you looking forward to it? Of course I am. But what I'm looking forward to might be different from what others are looking forward to. What Huang Quan is looking forward to is whether the new [Crow] can take flight as expected.

Chapter 125 Entering the Net

"Girl with glasses, stop eating so much. We still have a mission later." At a roadside cold drink stall, a blond boy dressed casually glared at his partner with dissatisfaction. Eating, eating, eating—he'd been eating since the mission started, like a starving ghost, showing absolutely no sense of urgency.

"Ugh, ugh...!"

"Swallow it first, you idiot."

Hilde's forehead seemed to crease in a zigzag pattern as she closed her eyes, trying to avoid looking at her partner, whose mouth was stuffed full of sundae. The thought of fighting alongside such a guy filled her with a sense of utter despair. They were both swordsmen, so why didn't Igarashi possess that woman's aura?

Well, the crazy vibe doesn't count!

"...Gulp! Aha! I mean, I'm so busy with work, and I finally have a chance to openly spend public funds on food and drinks, how could I possibly let it pass by!"

"Overeating desserts will ruin your figure, you bespectacled girl."

With a stiff smile, the blond, blue-eyed boy playfully unleashed his trump card. To his surprise, Igarashi showed no concern whatsoever. Instead, he supported his heavy, round breasts with both hands and swayed them up and down. His successful counterattack caused Hilde to blush and avert her gaze, biting into her cold drink. This shameless woman actually did this in public!

"No way, I have a nutrient bag."

"Ha, cumbersome fat."

"It's natural~~"

In battle, something that's too big can be a significant burden, and Igarashi felt the same way. However, compared to Snow Peak, whose magnificent silhouette still stood out even under the cover of her trench coat, hers was only considered average.

If given the chance, Igarashi would definitely ask Lady Yomi for advice on this matter—how to maintain balance and adjust one's center of gravity during battle, while maintaining such graceful and elegant postures. It's a profound art! If only I could properly touch Lady Yomi's noble body! Just imagining it makes Igarashi's breathing heavy.

"No loud noises, Hilde, Igarashi."

At the same table, Akira Mado, who was typing away on her laptop, finally lost her temper.

These two are simply wasting their time and money.

The formal test to join the Ravens is imminent. The older generation of Ravens hovers above them, silently observing the situation, their attitude still so unserious. Unlike these two indifferent individuals, Mado Akira is determined to become a Raven, even if it means risking everything for that goal!

All of this was so that I could stand by that man's side and share the immense pressure that could drive a person mad.

As a child, this man, to care for his daughter, would always try his best to hide his wounds even when he returned home battered and bruised. He's more than just someone who can simply treat your battle wounds; very soon, very soon…

Akira Mado's unusually serious attitude made Igarashi and Hilde obediently shut their mouths.

After all, Mado Ni-den is the new captain of the "Crow" squad.

The reason crows can exhibit more ferocity than doves, besides the strong combat abilities of their members, is largely due to the captain's judgment of the situation and information support. Knowing the enemy better than the enemy themselves, analyzing its weaknesses, and placing each team member in the most suitable position—the captain may not possess extraordinary combat power, but their contribution to the team is undoubtedly MVP!

Even if the team members are unruly, such an existence can prevent them from achieving their goals.

Once the team dynamics of [Raven] are understood, everyone will show sufficient respect to the team leader.

Akira Mado's narrow, dangerous eyes suddenly glanced to the right before she quickly looked away.

What's going on at the 2 o'clock position?

"Huh? A fight?" Hilde, who was facing that direction directly, also noticed that something seemed to be happening ahead, with people gathering to watch.

"These idiots, don't bring the police here."

Igarashi, who had also been stealing a glance, was still diligently finishing off the extra-large sundae. If the police were to be drawn over at this moment, it might disturb the prey that might have taken the bait.