I don't want to be an elf!

Within seconds, the brain will fall into a coma due to lack of oxygen, and then die from blood loss.

Even if she used the Fourth Bullet that had previously healed her injuries, it was to no avail, because no matter how many times she used it, the black blade left in her body would still shatter her heart the moment after she was successfully healed.

No, next time it won't be her heart that's shattered, but her brain.

At that point, Kurumi Tokisaki will have no chance of turning the tide, no matter what.

Ryunosuke Akutagawa's victory was a foregone conclusion.

If that's the case, where does this unease come from?

"Seventh Bullet."

Just as Ryunosuke Akutagawa was deep in thought, he saw Kurumi Tokisaki raise her short flintlock pistol and use Zafkiel on him.

The bullet that stopped time struck Kurumi Tokisaki, suspending her in mid-air. Even without the support of the black blade formed by Rashomon, she remained suspended in mid-air, defying the laws of physics.

Whether it was her expression, her movements, or the blood flowing from mid-air, everything about Kurumi Tokisaki seemed to have been frozen in time, frozen at that moment.

The moment before death.

Seeing this scene before him, Ryunosuke Akutagawa was unable to comprehend it for a moment.

If he remembered correctly, this ability called the Seventh Bullet was the one that had previously frozen his beast in mid-air, as if time had stopped.

But why use it on yourself?

"Well then, time is of the essence, so let's finish this quickly."

Just as Ryunosuke Akutagawa was stunned, the muzzle of a flintlock pistol was pressed against the back of his head.

Ryunosuke Akutagawa's pupils contracted instantly, and he instinctively wanted to retaliate.

But the voice coming from behind him made him change his mind.

"Of course you can try to see if your ability is faster or if I can pull the trigger faster," said Doppelganger Number One.

"Even if you manage to kill one, don't forget there are three clones that can crush your head at any time," said Clone Number Two.

“So, for your own life, it would be best if you could surrender,” said Clone Number Three.

"Same as above," said Clone Number Four.

Just as Ryunosuke Akutagawa was focusing his attention on Kurumi Tokisaki, his four clones took the opportunity to approach him.

Although the clones cannot use Zafkiel, the power of their flintlock pistols alone is enough to blow a human's head off.

“Even if your main body cannot move, your clones can still act according to their own will?” Ryunosuke Akutagawa said in a hoarse voice. “I thought you were the same as puppets, but it seems I was wrong.”

"Don't think we're despicable. After all, intelligence is part of the battle," said Clone Number One. "Our main body launched an attack on you almost recklessly, precisely to give you no time to eliminate us, thus taking advantage of your carelessness to create this surprise attack. Mr. Akutagawa, you lost fair and square."

Ryunosuke Akutagawa's eyes flickered as he pondered how to turn the situation around.

However, the flintlock pistol was already pressed against the back of his head, and most of the black beasts were still inside Tokisaki Kurumi's main body. Even if he could kill the clone behind him, the other clones would immediately kill him.

In the end, he could only sigh in displeasure.

"So that's how it is. This is your plan." He withdrew the black blade that had pierced through Kurumi Tokisaki's body. "What a crazy woman."

He finally understood Kurumi Tokisaki's battle plan.

She first used her own body as bait to lure Ryunosuke Akutagawa into attacking.

This action would undoubtedly attract most of his attention, and after suffering a fatal wound, he would freeze his time with the Seventh Bullet, stopping at the moment before his death.

Next, because he shifted his attention to attacking Kurumi Tokisaki with the Black Blade, his defenses became less effective.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, the clones seized the opportunity to force him to surrender.

If he surrenders, the battle will be over. After that, when Kurumi Tokisaki's frozen time begins to flow again, she can use the Fourth Bullet, which reverses time, to restore her dying body to an uninjured state.

If he doesn't surrender, his clones will kill him, and then Kurumi Tokisaki can still use the Fourth Bullet to recover from her injuries.

Ryunosuke Akutagawa frowned slightly, somewhat displeased. Although he had tried his best to treat this woman as a major enemy, he still underestimated the extent of her madness.

No, it's not just madness.

What defeated Ryunosuke Akutagawa was the rationality hidden beneath his madness.

Losing to someone like that isn't exactly a disgrace.

The effects of the seventh bullet wore off quickly.

"Fourth Bullet."

As time resumed its flow, Kurumi Tokisaki, who was suspended in mid-air, was shot into her body by a fourth bullet.

As the reversal of time took effect, both the shattered heart and the injuries returned to a few minutes before the fatal blow, completely intact.

The girl landed slowly and stood beside Ryunosuke Akutagawa.

"It seems my clone has successfully persuaded you to surrender. I'm glad I didn't wake up to find a corpse."

"In your plan, whether I live or die, you are destined to be the winner."

"That being said, if Mr. Akutagawa really dies, the work will fall entirely on my shoulders. After all, there are only the two of us in the organization who are guerrilla squad leaders."

"So you spared my life to reduce my workload, huh?" Ryunosuke Akutagawa said expressionlessly. "You really thought things through."

"As a core member who has worked in the organization for many years, isn't it your responsibility as a senior to protect and support new recruits?" Tokisaki Kurumi asked with a smile. "Then, senior, I believe you will accept the consequences of your bet, right?"

"I am willing to admit defeat."

"Therefore, Izumi Kyōka's command remains in my hands."

"Of course."

"very good."

Kurumi Tokisaki extended her hand, as if to say that they had put an end to their past grievances: "From now on, as members of the same rank in the organization, let's get along amicably?"

"Tokisaki, this is the mafia, not some office worker's office."

Ryunosuke Akutagawa remained unmoved, saying in a completely flat tone, "I have no intention of getting along with anyone, especially not with you."

"Oh dear, am I being disliked?"

"Yes, to be frank, I really hate you."

Ryunosuke Akutagawa said coldly:

"This is probably what they call 'like repels like,' especially when one's peers are more outstanding than oneself."

Chapter Twenty-Six: Hehe, he believed it, he believed it all!

Imagine this scenario.

After enduring brutal employee training, you've successfully become a corporate slave.

Working tirelessly for the company from dawn till dusk every day, I'm exhausted like a dog, with no overtime pay, no labor protection laws, let alone paid leave or employee benefits.

In return, your achievements and the value you demonstrated were noticed by the company leaders, and your position rose step by step. After years of hard work, you became the right-hand man of the company leaders.

Then, one day, a newcomer appeared in the company from who-knows-where.

Without any resume or contributions, they skipped the struggle process and were placed on equal footing with you on their very first day at the company.

They even abducted the subordinate you personally promoted.

Anyone would feel dissatisfied, right?

Despite his dissatisfaction, Ryunosuke Akutagawa initially did not intend to do anything to Kurumi Tokisaki.

He just wanted to get back the weapon he was most comfortable using. Izumi Kyoka was a talent he had found, and he couldn't just hand it over to someone else so easily.

But who knew that Kurumi Tokisaki would be so stubborn and show no respect for her seniors?

He even made outrageous remarks, challenging him to a duel.

But he soon realized that this newcomer was not just spouting nonsense; her arrogance was based on her confidence and ability.

Thus, Ryunosuke Akutagawa lost.

Lost face.

At this moment, Kurumi Tokisaki said she wanted to get along with him amicably?

This isn't some shonen manga where two people can open their hearts to each other just by having a fight.

Ryunosuke Akutagawa could not possibly be a character from a shonen manga. Friendship comes first, competition second; even if they lose, they can still continue playing house peacefully.

This is the Port Mafia, a place even more brutal than reality.

If you fail, you can only become a stepping stone for others to rise.

He has no interest in befriending rivals who climbed to the top by stepping on him.

"I have lost this time. Izumi Kyōka's command is yours. I will not interfere with you anymore."

Ryunosuke Akutagawa glanced at Kyoka Izumi in the audience and left with his last words: "But don't get too cocky, I'll win next time."

Without any hesitation or lingering, he tossed out the threat of another battle the next day and turned to walk into the exit passage.

"They've abandoned Izumi Kyōka, but they've set their sights on me. It seems I need to prepare for a long-term struggle."

Kurumi Tokisaki stared at his departing figure and made a decision in her heart: "In that case, I must go and collect time."

Kurumi Tokisaki's fighting style is far from being that crazy.

The most obvious point is that the real Kurumi Tokisaki would never use herself as bait in battle.

She always hides in the shadows, letting her clones wear down the opponent's strength, and then appears at the last moment to secure the first kill.

Alternatively, one could have a clone impersonate the original, luring the opponent into a trap, and then appear when the opponent, after much effort, finally manages to kill the clone and relaxes their guard.

However, these tactics are all based on having enough time.

The current Tokisaki Kurumi doesn't have enough time to easily manipulate her opponents.

Kurumi Tokisaki is really useless without time. If it weren't for the fact that she still has four clones, Akutagawa Ryunosuke might have won this battle today.

However, this does not mean that Ryunosuke Akutagawa is troublesome. Although in the eyes of other ability users, Ryunosuke Akutagawa is an absolute powerhouse, in front of spirits, a mere human is still somewhat insignificant.

Given enough time, Kurumi Tokisaki could easily manipulate him.

If we want to fight him again in the future, or even against superhumans who are stronger than him, we will have to collect enough time.