NOVEL NEXT Chapter 21: Chapter 21: How to Lift Shizuku’s Sweater
Chapter 21: How to Lift Shizuku's Sweater
After several rounds of testing, Haru discovered that his Star Mark ability had gained a new feature under Operation ①. While occupying a target's body, he could now allocate some "mental space" to the controlled target, enabling mental communication between them.
However, this was still a feature of Operation ①, where Haru directly controlled the target's body from a first-person perspective. The moment Haru relinquished control and allowed the target to regain its autonomy, his consciousness would immediately disconnect. This fell short of his initial vision, where the controlled bird could behave like an ordinary bird while he remained hidden in its mind, using its senses to spy on enemies.
Walking around in Toru's body, Haru muttered, "Still, since mental communication is possible, I should be able to 'update' commands before I go offline, right?"
Haru deactivated Operation ① on Toru and looked up at one of the white birds circling in the sky as Toru's "wingman." Using Operation ③, he issued a command:
"Fly in a figure-eight pattern."
The Star Mark on the bird's beak pulsed. After updating the command, Haru immediately switched to Operation ①, taking over the bird's body.
He stayed "online" for only a few seconds before "logging off" again. The bird continued flying in a figure-eight pattern, adhering to the newly issued command. Satisfied, Haru reconnected to the bird's consciousness, leaving room for mental communication, and instructed:
"When I leave, land on Toru's tail."
After giving the command, Haru "logged off" once more. This time, the bird stopped its figure-eight flight, folded its wings, and dived into the forest, circling briefly before landing gracefully on Toru's tail.
Toru tilted its head, clearly baffled by Haru's antics.
"A bit convoluted," Haru mused. "It's roundabout, but functional. If only the Star Mark could directly enable telepathy with its holders."
However, he realized that the core nature of the Star Mark was "control." Altering this essence might require him to deepen his expertise in manipulation techniques or add new restrictions to develop new abilities.
"Better to keep the Star Mark's core functionality intact," Haru decided. "If I make it too complex, I might end up confusing myself with all the rules I set. That would be a disaster."
With a long exhale, he clenched his fist, a layer of aura wrapping around it. "Can't lose focus on my priorities. For now, the main goal is to increase my aura reserves and solidify the basics."
"Toru, show me the great training spot you found."
Haru hopped onto Toru's back, calling along the gray sparrow and two other white birds. They sped off into the forest.
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As they traveled, Haru captured several more birds. With patience, he inscribed Star Marks on their abdomens, backs, and even under their claws—wherever he could fit a small pentagram. After assigning them commands, he released the birds into the sky.
Flap, flap, flap… A flock of birds soared into the blue sky, splitting into three groups and disappearing into the distant forest.
By the time he finished, Haru was panting slightly. He had estimated that each Star Mark consumed roughly 66 aura. For someone with a total aura capacity of 1,000, marking over a dozen birds was a taxing process. Thankfully, he had taken breaks between inscriptions; otherwise, he would have been completely drained.
He divided the birds into three groups for good reason: the group of Ochima officials staying in West Town had set out early that morning, splitting into separate teams for their operations.
The prematurely balding Ochima official, Sloane, and the hunter Kanzai drove south toward what appeared to be the main entrance of the Crescent Tiger Reserve, according to the map.
Meanwhile, Shizuku and the civilian hunters Sloane had hired changed into casual clothes and sneaked into the reserve's outermost area from another direction.
The Blanchett-managed Crescent Tiger Reserve was divided into three zones: the outer zone, the buffer zone, and the core zone, where no one was permitted entry.
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Haru chose not to tail Sloane's car with his green bird, wary of Kanzai's sharp instincts. The young "Tiger" of the Twelve Zodiacs, despite his airheaded demeanor, possessed a beast-like intuition. It was unwise to risk further attention from such a figure.
Instead, Haru sent six birds to track Kanzai's group, operating in rotations to minimize the chance of detection. Only two birds would land near the group at a time, with the other four cycling in as replacements. This strategy ensured that the birds wouldn't seem too conspicuous.
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Meanwhile, the original pair of green birds stationed at the northern coastline was nearing its limit. Haru, now perched 200 meters away on a treetop, used one bird to keep an eye on Babimyna's team while avoiding any unnecessary risks.
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Back in East Town, Haru finally arrived at Toru's chosen "training ground." He dismounted, patted the tiger's back, and began surveying the area.
The location met his criteria: open space, water nearby. But there was a problem.
The water wasn't drinkable.
Saltwater. It was seawater.
Under Haru's pointed gaze, Toru sheepishly lowered its head.
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Meanwhile, Haru's other perspectives were just as active. While his green birds kept watch on Sloane, Kanzai, and Babimyna, one of them tailed Shizuku and her companions as they infiltrated the reserve. Naturally, Haru's focus gravitated toward Shizuku.
With her slightly messy black hair, glasses that slid down her nose, and a fitted black sweater, she caught Haru's attention—not just for her appearance but for a specific reason.
Every member of the Phantom Troupe bore a spider tattoo somewhere on their body, each with a unique number. Shizuku's tattoo, if memory served, was located on her left abdomen, marked with the number eight.
According to his knowledge, Shizuku shouldn't have joined the Phantom Troupe yet this year. But what if she had? What if the Troupe was already lurking on this island?
"I need to confirm whether she's already joined," Haru thought, narrowing his focus on her sweater. "It's urgent to save this girl from walking down the path of crime!"
Unaware of the bird's peculiar interest in her, Shizuku wandered through the reserve, seemingly enjoying a leisurely stroll. She seemed genuinely curious about the Crescent Tigers and hoped to encounter one.
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Back at his main body, Haru marveled at his ability to multitask. While monitoring Babimyna, strategizing about Shizuku's sweater, and observing Kanzai's actions, he also inspected his surroundings.
The location was indeed ideal for training, except for one glaring flaw: the seawater. Faced with Haru's pointed look, Toru lowered its head in guilt.
(End of Chapter)