Chapter 41 Human or Not

Perhaps it is fate that is initializing all of this destined encounter, and perhaps it is fate that is calling the Black Reaper to this duty so similar to Li's original request.

Kill the Izanami, and save the world.

It all sounds so simple for a talented assassin like Hei himself.

In any analytical way, this action should be justified in any direction. As a threat to the world, it should be rather obvious that killing the girl will save millions of other innocent lives. It is also clear that terminating the target will be easiest when the target is at its weakest stage. If the Izanami requires a body host to survive in this world, then it is absolutely at its weakest stage.

So everything should be clear, right? All Hei needs to do is to kill the body host for the future destroyer of worlds.

And that body host is no one other than the crimson-eyed young assassin.

Sure, it would be difficult to approach Akame and kill her; however, with the help of Shion and Bai, it is completely plausible for Hei to plot a successful assassination to the empire's most feared assassin herself.

Therefore, as the cold-blooded Black Reaper, Hei's further decision should be…

"No."

Wait, what?

Hearing the sudden illogical answer from the Black Reaper, Bai is not only dismayed, but also confused. Turning violently to her supposed brother, the young girl is about to question his motives in the most intense way possible.

"Why? You are being extremely absurd! This is the best chance for our survival, and you know that as an experienced assassin, you should eliminate the potential threat for the greater good!"

As a contractor, Bai has been pressing her emotions deep down in her heart to always come to the most beneficial decision for everyone, especially those that once she held closely. When it should be natural for the clone to accept her proposal, this man in front of her is rejecting the most cogent decision possible, while this decision can impact the lives of millions. This is unacceptable for the young girl, and she wants to know the reason for Hei's obstruction.

"If the power of Izanami evolves out of our control, then the world will experience the greatest catastrophe it has yet to see. You will die, your supposed teammates will die, the innocent people will die, and we will vanish into the void."

"…"

Looking at the distant stars from where he is standing, the eyes of the Black Reaper are now solid. When the eyes of the two semi-related siblings meet, Bai instantly knows that this man has already made up his mind – because her brother once had the same look.

"Hei, you must listen. Shion has sacrificed almost everything to bring a few of the lost contractor spirits a new home in other worlds, and we have been wandering aimlessly days and nights in this endless dream. We know that Shion has tried his best, and we cannot expect to have a fresh body for ourselves again, but it is every contractor's hope to at least live within a human being, so we can experience the things that we have once lost."

Almost saying everything in one single breath, Bai cannot seem to convince this foolish man in any way possible.

"Hei, why are you so stubborn? Do you know that your mistake can cause so many of us to lose our last resort of peace in this world? You know exactly what it means to experience hopelessness in your life, and we have been waiting for so long to grasp that last strand of hope! I –"

Chocking at what she is about to say, Bai's internal emotion finally explodes right in front of the Black Reaper.

"I – I have been waiting for so long! I have hoped, every single day, for the miracle to happen! Shion has done so much for us, but you would not even try your very least to support our survival! I have wanted, since the very beginning, to see my brother again! But instead of him, I am stuck with YOU! YOU are not in any sense similar to anything my brother resembles! YOU have broken my very last hope, and now YOU are willing to destroy everything we have built for our future! WHY? WHY?! WHY ARE YOU GOING TO…"

What will the poor girl say? What can she possible say? As a contractor, all the emotions she has been oppressing are now on the surface of her words, showing frustration, desperation, sadness, anger, and most of all, hopelessness.

But it does not matter.

It is not she who paused at the middle of a sentence, it is a pair of arms. A pair of strong and heartwarming arms. Seeing herself in the embracement of the clone, Bai cannot think of anything else, because a familiar feeling suddenly overwhelms the young contractor. It is the feeling that nobody other than that one person can provide for her. It is that comforting embracement every time after she depleted her contractor powers. It is that feeling of peace and security when falling asleep at her brother's arms.

"Xing."

That… is her name.

"Do you remember?"

What?

"I don't really like killing."

…

…

…

When the silver light of the stars shines through the lonely grass field, when the gates of the dreams close upon the calling of time, when the birds of the night fall silent to their humble nests, a lonely girl will finally receive her answer for which she has been waiting.

If contractors are emotionless human beings, then why are there tears on the young girl's cheeks?