OK. I admit it. I don't know what to do anymore.

I want to ship Mein/Akame with Tatsumi cause it is canon. However, I also kinda like Chelsea and Sheele too. Esdeath ship is still a possibility due to the tournament. For now, I may select Akame ship as main. If you don't like this ship, it's okay. This decision is subjected to change and nothing is definite until I write it out.

Okay, I have talked too much. Let's begin. El Psy Congroo!

Volume 1: Chapter 12: Armor of Black VII

I walked out of my room. I had wanted to train outside before going to work. Even if it does not feel right, it still doesn't give me a reason to skip out from training. Besides, I still have to complete the bet I made with Hikari. Even if it seems impossible, I shouldn't go back on his word.

Before I managed to open the door to the outside, Hikari called for me. Apparently, he want to discuss some things with me.

Waiting for me to sit down at the table in the living room, Hikari sat there for a moment before he spoke.

"Tatsumi, do you remember what happened during your battle with Zank?"

I tried to think back. Nothing much came into my mind. Nothing within my memory suggest the conclusion of our battle. "I only remember fighting him for a few minutes. I don't remember anything else."

There was a pause before he raised another question.

"Did you obtain an Imperial Arms?"

This question was a shock to me. I wanted to laugh at this question. I was played by Zank. The difference in our combat potential is vastly different. He had a god damn Imperial Arm. Also, there is no way someone would be able to obtain one without looking for it. However, judging on how serious Hikari looked at the moment, I tried my best to hold back.

"No, I did not." Though I really wanted to have one.

Hikari remained silent for a moment before he spoke up. "Tatsumi, given your talents and potential, I would like to extend the invitation once again. Would you like to join us? To combat against the Empire, to aid the victims of the Minister's schemes here in the Capital."

I thought for a moment. Being invited to join a group conspiring against the Empire has its risks. You would be branded a criminal should you be caught. However, you would be indirectly helping the people who are suffering. That is the only good point.

All of my doubts were on something else. I was the last lifeline for my village. I can't just decide on something like this. I need to consider the implications. If I die, the village is gone.

"What do I have to do if I were to join you." I asked.

The reply was something I had expected. Even if I knew that these kind of things exists, I was still not prepared to face it.

"Murder."

These are what he has to do in this job. Killing people who are deemed guilty. People who hurt others, people who did things for their own good while others suffered and people who kills others out of enjoyment.

I wanted to reject. I need to get money for my village. Should I also die, they would follow suit. Just when I was about to lose heart, images flashed into my mind. Images of Sayo and Ieyasu. Sayo and Ieyasu had died to a family of sadists pretending to be good Samaritans. If they had not existed, the two of them would not have died. Someone needs to be there to stop these things from happening to others.

Making up his mind, Tatsumi said with a strong resolve. "Count me in."

...

What had happened after I had decided to become an assassin was not what I enjoyed. I was first knocked out upon saying that I would help them and taken to their base of operations. When I woke up, I was being rushed into a room and given a mission briefing. Before he can ask any questions or figure out what is going on, I was already on a mission to assassinate someone. As this is my first mission, I would be kept under supervision. The person supervising had a tall top hat and a mask that cover his entire face. He wore a formal suit and tie and even had the shoes to match his outfit. He doesn't talk much though and everyone back at the base calls him Joker, given how he liked to play pranks.

I was asked to kill someone who was trying to control market prices. Buying it at a low price and selling it for a higher price. The profits would be kept into his pocket. His actions have caused the prices of many of the daily necessities to fluctuate. After countless hours of waiting, the target showed up. Of course, he was executed swiftly, with my blade through his skull. His bodyguards present were no match for me and they were killed even before they drew their weapons.

Walking back to where the base was, I realized that I was lost. The sun has started to rise over the horizon. Turning to where I thought Joker would be, I wanted to ask for directions. However, no one was there. He must have turned a corner somewhere else and left me alone. Is this a prank? Obviously, this is bad news for me. I tried to retrace my footsteps but it didn't work. I just got even more lost and now I don't even know where I am.

Just when I was about to give up, someone spoke up from behind me.

"You, there! Is there something I can help you with?" I turned towards the voice. The person was apparently female, with auburn hair and amber eyes. She was dressed in a uniform that the Imperial Police wears. Something on a leash bounced as she ran towards me.

"I'm Seryu Ubiquitous from the Imperial Police and a soldier of justice." she introduced herself.

An image of Ogre flashed in my mind. Imperial Police. That was where Ogre was from.

Some kind of noise sounded at her feet. Looking down, I found a oversized dog. Okay, maybe not a dog since it doesn't even remotely look like one. For weird reasons, the dog gives me chills. Every part of my body was tensed and voices screamed inside of my head. Some telling me to run, other telling him to kill. There was even some telling him to get something to eat. Apparently the voices are pretty random. However, it isn't relevant in this situation so Tatsumi dismissed that voice.

Seryu bent down and began to talk to the dog, I mean thing, at her feet. I decide to ask her what it is. The reply was something he did not expect. "Imperial Arms. Hecatoncheir. But don't worry. He only harms evildoers." I stared at the thing for a few seconds.

That thing is an Imperial Arm? Like aren't Imperial Arms non-living things? Like a weapon or tools. Why is an animal-like thing considered an Imperial Arm. How is it even made?

The staring contest was cut short when Seryu asked if she can offer me any assistance.

"I kinda lost my way. I was trying to head for the main street but was unable to find it." For some reason, there was an odd sparkle in her eyes.

"What a predicament! I'll take you there on my patrol" she said as she grabbed my hand and started to take off towards main street. "This way. Don't get separated from me, okay?"

The Imperial Arms doesn't seem too happy about her master grabbing someone else's hand and begin to throw a fit, which was kinda interesting to watch. "Say, do everyone in the Imperial Police have an Imperial Arms like him?" I asked.

"No. I am the only one with this relic. Coro, which is the name I gave him, only responded to me due to my passion for justice. No one else was compatible so the lower ranked ones were tested too. So now. He is my partner! Isn't that right, Coro?"

Coro gave an approving 'Kew', as if agreeing to what she had said. I was left bewildered as they stared at each other.

...

I was taken back to the main street and parted ways with Seryu.

I was able to find my way back to the base without any mishap. The base was just another random building in the middle of the Silk District, a hub for merchants to do business. There are only two ways into the base. The building itself doesn't seem to attract attention and it blended well with the other buildings in the vicinity. It was a good location. Escape was easy should anything happen.

Walking in through the door, I called out. "Nice weather we have, huh?"

The front door to the building was closed immediately and some people started walking out. The password had worked. There was no need to report the outcome of the mission. Joker must have already done so.

I scanned the room. There are about 6 people in total, including me. Other than Joker and Hikari, there are still three other people. One of them, whom everyone calls Blade, was dressed like a priest, though he change his clothes when he is indoors. Another person was dressed like one of those elite soldiers from the Army. Everyone calls her Manic. She is the only female I have seen in this group. Of course, none of their actual name are known. It was like as if they never wanted anyone to know their names. The last person was dubbed by everyone as Juggernaut. He/She was always seen in a thick suit of armor and no one has ever seen his face. He (cause his voice sounds rough) does talk, but only says a few sentences, which is better than Joker, who doesn't even say a word.

Hikari had warned me to not dig into their pasts. Apparently, everyone in this room were victims of the Empire. Compared to me, they had it worse.

I recalled the events when I was trying to get back to base. I had told everyone how there was a person within the Imperial Police who had an Imperial Arm. Hikari did say he would investigate this.

Ending the conversation, I decided to head back to my designated room.

"How enviable" I whispered. It seems I didn't realise I have let out my thoughts. I hope no one heard that.

...

Within the Palace, fear and panic was present.

"I have news to report. General Nakakido and General Hemi have defected to the Revolutionary Army." A messenger reported.

Everyone in the room was taken aback.

"General Nakakido was a brilliant strategist." Someone remarked.

"The Revolutionary Army is gaining power at an alarming rate. If we don't put a stop to this soon, the Empire woul-"

"Calm yourself. They remained encamped in the South and have yet made a move. We can deal with them anytime we want. Them gathering together would simply make it easier for them to be eliminated. Isn't that right, Prime Minister?" The child Emperor asked.

"You are wise, my lord. Once again, you are the voice of reason. Right now, we must focus on a more immediate threat. Night Raid. Captain Ogre of the Imperial Police, my relative Iokal, and even Zank the Executioner were all struck down by assassins. They even took one of our relics." Prime Minister Honest commented.

"What they are doing has caused me to worry more and the stress is doing terrible things to my weight. We shall call for General Esdeath to return. At the rate she is going, the North would be defeated within the next few months. Her presence would not be needed." Honest said.

...

For the next few days, I was juggling my work, training and my position as an assassin. Seriously, it was hard work.

The mission I was tasked with wouldn't help to make things any easier. I have to investigate whether a certain noble has been having underhand deals. It was pretty boring as I have to wait for several hours shadowing the noble, and he have a couple of capable guards following him. Of course, nothing out of the ordinary happened. I was about to leave the area when something hit me. Not literally. But something caught my attention.

Bloodlust. It was felt even from where I am. Just where is this coming from, and who is capable of releasing it at such intensity? Had I not experienced combat, I would be suffocating right now. Someone or something dangerous is nearby. I want to avoid meeting this person or thing. However, gunshots were heard nearby. It turns out this bloodlust was not targeted at me.

I won't fight. I'm just going to check things out. It isn't everyday I get to see some action in the Capital. This is a good opportunity to learn more about this world. I ran at full speed towards the direction where the bloodlust was emanating from.

""Interesting.""

I ignored that comment. Lately, voices have been popping up more frequently in my head. At first it was weird. However, as time goes on, I got used to it.

Arriving at the scene, I was greeted by an intense fight. Pulling a hood over my head to prevent myself from being recognized, I watched from among the trees, which provided ample amount of cover to hide myself from their view. It was a typical 2 on 2 match, although on one side it was a thing and girl pair. I recognize that girl. Seryu Ubiquitous. Then the giant thing must be Coro. What a monster. It looked like a perfect portrait of some weird creature that existed in the dreams of children's nightmares. Seriously, what kind of thing was it anyway.

Pushing that question aside, I watched the battle intently. This isn't something that I will see everyday. How will they fight, what kind of strategies will they use?

Rewrite completed for this chapter.

Okay, I have to admit, I screwed up a lot. I revised and review all of my chapter and found an inconsistency that would occur in the future chapters. So I am now contemplating. Should I stick to the initial idea or should I just roll with whatever my head conjured.

Well, while I contemplate, enjoy my current chapters. I may change a lot of the details of the next chapter. Don't worry. It won't affect the rate of plot progression. The stories have more or less set in stone. I already decided what is gonna happen from the next few chapters to the last chapter. I can already see how this should go. Other than some additional details, everything is going pretty well. One more thing. The main girl is not set in stone. This is the only thing I can't decide. Who should take up this position. Hmmmmmmmm. How about this. Once Tatsumi met all of the candidates in the story, I'll decide who is the main girl. This is only fair.

Okay. I ranted too much. Let's just go to the next rewrite chapter.

Thank you and have a good day.