Chapter 102: Boss Najenda

After dinner, everyone began to disperse and engage in their own activities. Tazmi didn’t speak to Qi and silently followed Brand to training, leaving Qi somewhat thoughtful.

“Hey, young man, let me introduce you to all the members of Night Raid. Although you’ve met them, there are some whose names you probably don’t even know,” Leonie said, unable to stay idle.

“You should already know Hill, so I won’t bother introducing this natural airhead,” Leonie said as she led Qi past Hill, who was reading.

“I’ve already memorized all the members of Night Raid, no need for the trouble. Instead…” Qi started to say.

“Everyone, assemble! Meeting time!” A spirited shout interrupted him, coming from the direction of the stream—an unfamiliar voice.

“The boss is back already? That was fast,” Leonie smiled. “Let’s hurry; she probably came back early because of you.”

“What does that have to do with me? I don’t even know her. Wait, your boss is a woman? That voice was hers?” Qi asked in surprise.

“Of course. The boss is a female general who once marched alongside General Esdeath, the empire’s strongest, to the southwestern border. She saw the empire’s darkness clearly and rebelled with her troops. You caused such a big fuss yesterday; if the boss hadn’t come back early, she wouldn’t be the boss anymore,” Leonie said with admiration, clearly respecting her leader.

“Besides, she’ll be your boss from now on. Come on, let’s go to the meeting hall,” Leonie tried to grab Qi’s left hand, but Qi deftly avoided it.

“Cough, cough, I can walk on my own,” Qi chuckled awkwardly.

“Then keep up,” Leonie said with a half-smile and left the room.

“Isn’t Hill coming?” Qi asked, noticing Hill still absorbed in her book.

“Of course, she’s waiting for you!” Hill closed her book and smiled gently.

“Ah—oh, then let’s go together.”

...

“Now that everyone is here, let’s begin today’s meeting. It concerns two young men. You all know their situations better than I do, but I’ll have them explain so I can understand,” the boss began.

Qi looked at the only seat in the room where a poised and authoritative woman sat. She had short white hair, wore a black eyepatch over her right eye, and donned a black suit with a mechanical arm covering her entire right arm. Her presence was mature and capable, commanding respect effortlessly.

Come to think of it, the more mature ones dress somewhat revealingly—Hill showing cleavage and legs, the boss’s suit without a white shirt underneath revealing some pale skin. The most revealing was Leonie, who Qi always thought wore a bikini, a white scarf, and long knee and wrist guards, exposing over sixty percent of her skin.

Only Mine and Akame dressed conservatively. Could it be a lack of confidence?

“You really deserve a smack right now,” Mine said, staring at Qi.

“Alright, I’ve got the basics. First, Tazmi, are you willing to join Night Raid?” the boss asked with a smile after hearing the full story.

“If I don’t join, I’ll probably die anyway,” Tazmi said with a wry smile.

“No, we won’t kill you, but we won’t let you go either. You’ll work in our factory since you know the location of the base. Anyway, no matter what you choose, your life won’t be in danger. What’s your decision?”

“I came to the capital to make a name and earn money to save my impoverished village, but the capital is...”

“Tazmi, it’s because of the empire’s corruption that remote villages suffer poverty. Our mission is to eliminate these imperial villains. It’s far better than working under those rotten people,” Brand said, leaning against a pillar near Tazmi.

“But can killing a few bad men change the world and save my village? Only if the ministers die and the rulers treat people well,” Tazmi’s eyes showed struggle, but then seemed resolute.

“Then you should definitely join Night Raid. In the far south, there’s a revolutionary army against the empire. We are their intelligence and assassination unit. Though we haven’t acted yet, when the revolution rises, we will personally eliminate the root of evil—the ministers. Then the empire will change,” the boss said, her mechanical right fist clenched tightly, full of confidence.

“Defeating the ministers will change the empire? Really? Fine, I’ll join Night Raid,” Tazmi said firmly.

“Good. Then…”

“Boss, let me train Tazmi. He’s very moldable and might even surpass me someday,” Brand said with a smile.

“Alright, but if Tazmi becomes a problem, kill him.”

“Haha, such a promising recruit. Don’t worry,” Brand gave a confident thumbs-up.

...

“Next up… you, young man. Introduce yourself. I’m Najetan,” the boss Najetan said solemnly, extending her hand to Qi. Why was she dressed like a woman? And why was she wearing Hill’s cheongsam?

“Hey, that’s totally unfair,” Tazmi complained from the side.

“Hello, boss. I’m Qi,” Qi shook her offered hand, feeling that it was made entirely of steel—a prosthetic.

“I heard about your deeds at the revolutionary base and rushed over a day early. I also just got some details from Akame, so no time to waste. Welcome to the team, little Qi.”

“Thanks.”

“Your strength during yesterday’s operation caught everyone’s attention. But that’s not the main point. I heard you don’t have an imperial armament?” Najetan narrowed her eyes.

At this question, all eyes turned to Qi, curious about his answer.

“Yes, I don’t have an imperial armament. What you saw yesterday was my own strength. As for how I did those things, just consider it a natural peculiarity,” Qi smiled.

“No wonder your name is Qi—it’s fitting,” Mine said knowingly.

“Can you demonstrate your special ability for us?”

“The boss asked, so I won’t refuse,” Qi smiled, extending his left hand. Under everyone’s watchful eyes, diamonds emerged from his palm, growing larger to form a longsword, then a long staff, slender and sharp threads, and finally a massive siege hammer.

Everyone watched in awe and fascination.