Chapter 225: Chapter 20: The Strongest Blow
After Nia Honjo entered the scene, Nibelcole withdrew and stood beside the other cursed child.
But she didn't let her guard down immediately. Even while watching the battle, she kept her attention focused on it.
Only after she was sure that Nia Honjo could handle the Gastrea with ease did she finally feel relieved.
Although Nia Honjo's Astral Dress was the lowest level, a C-grade, and could only provide a small increase compared to other combat-type Spirits, it was more than enough to handle the slow-moving Gastrea.
Nibelcole turned her attention to the girl next to her and introduced herself: "Hello, my name is Nibelcole. What's yours?"
"...Is this really the time for this? Your promoter is fighting the Gastrea."
"It's okay. If nothing unexpected happens, that Gastrea isn't a threat to Mom."
"Mom? Are you the child of that police lady... lady?" The girl eyes widened slightly.
"Yes, I was created by my mother."
"I can't believe this." A trace of envy flashed in the girl eyes. "I didn't expect there would be such a special group like you among the police."
The girl naturally assumed Nibelcole was a cursed child and Nia Honjo was her biological mother.
Most mothers broke down when they found out their children were cursed.
Abandoned, drowned, buried alive so many girls left this world shortly after their birth, never even getting the chance to open their eyes and see it.
Those who were a little luckier, like this girl, were sent to the International Initiator Supervision Organization, where they could at least get a name and be raised with minimal resources.
To her, the word "mother" was out of reach.
So when she realized the pair in front of her were a mother and daughter, she felt both shocked and envious.
Although... she was fundamentally mistaken.
Nibelcole wasn't a cursed child, and Nia Honjo wasn't her biological mother.
"You still haven't told me your name," Nibelcole asked again.
"We probably won't meet again in the future. One of us might even die tomorrow. What's the point of knowing each other's names?"
"At least we can remember that each other existed."
"Very nice words."
"Hehe, I learned this from a magical girl."
"That's not a compliment... Never mind, I'm really impressed by you."
The girl wanted to say more, but looking at Nibelcole's silly grin, she suddenly felt their IQs might not be on the same level.
Even if she explained, the other party probably wouldn't understand.
It was better to save her energy.
So she closed her eyes and rested, allowing her injuries to recover faster.
"Why don't you tell me your name?" Nibelcole poked her arm. "Don't you have a name?"
"Can't you just let me rest in peace for a while?"
"Oh, okay."
Nibelcole finally fell silent and turned her attention back to Nia Honjo, who was still fiercely battling the stage three Gastrea.
However, it wasn't long before she spoke again.
"Can I call you Pigtails?"
"You have terrible taste in nicknames."
The girl opened her eyes and raised her deadpan gaze. "Even elementary school students wouldn't use someone's hairstyle as a nickname."
"But you didn't tell me your name."
"Kayo Senju. My name is Kayo Senju. Are you satisfied?"
"Ooooh! Nice name!"
"Really? I don't think so." Kayo Senju said expressionlessly. "Don't you think it's ironic to give a girl the last name Senju?"
"Hmm? I don't think so. I think the name has a good meaning."
"You're so innocent. It's really enviable to have a cursed child who's so well protected."
"Envy? What's there to be envious of? I don't even know what the name Nibelcole means. I feel like it's a name my mom picked up from some comic book."
"I didn't say I envied your name..."
Kayo Senju sighed tiredly.
She had a dolphin-type Gastrea factor. Although she wasn't good at fighting, she had a high IQ, making her mature and intellectual beyond her peers.
In the past, when she talked to other cursed children, she felt out of place, thinking they were too childish.
However, she felt that this girl named Nibelcole wasn't just childish—she was genuinely naive.
So naive that it was exhausting.
But if Nia Honjo could keep her child so innocent, then she must be a responsible and good mother, right?
Kayo Senju turned her attention to Nia Honjo with mixed feelings.
"Very good, I've got a complete grasp of my own strength!"
Nia Honjo, who had been fighting the entire time, had no idea what was happening around her.
However, after battling this stage three Gastrea for dozens of rounds, she now had a general understanding of her capabilities.
In terms of strength, speed, and defense, she was far inferior to Tokisaki Kurumi.
Judging from her physical fitness alone, she truly deserved the title of the weakest Spirit.
After all, her angel, the Whispering Angel, was the only one without any offensive abilities. Apart from relying on her weight to hit enemies, she had no killing power at all.
Of course, using the future records on blank pages to kill enemies was also an option.
But she didn't think that in a real life and death situation, the enemy would give her time to draw.
Therefore, compared to other Spirits, her means of attack were very limited, and she could only rely on her physical body to fight monsters.
"The purpose has been accomplished. You're of no use to me anymore."
Nia Honjo compressed all her spiritual power into her right fist. "Repent! It is your honor, as a mere Gastrea, to witness the power of God before you die!"
Nia Honjo smiled confidently and charged toward the Gastrea.
She dodged the incoming spikes, leaped over the sweeping giant claws, and smashed her fist, filled with spiritual power, hard into its shell.
"Boom!"
The spiritual power exploded instantly, raising a cloud of dust.
When the dust settled, Nia Honjo was stunned to see that there was a harder inner shell underneath the broken crab shell.
"Um... Actually, I think snails and crabs are both cute. Maybe we can..."
Before she could finish, the Gastrea immediately grabbed Nia Honjo and shoved her into its mouth.
As the esophagus filled with mucus and sharp teeth loomed closer, Nia Honjo began to struggle with a grim expression.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Nibelcole, save me—!"