Chapter 190: The Evolving Monster

The black breath emerging from the turtle shell showed no aggression. The flowers, grass, and trees it touched remained unharmed.

These weren’t the true targets—the real ones were the turtle statues buried every few dozen meters along the base of the Uka family’s walls.

When the black breath reached these statues, they shattered one after another.

From afar, a colossal turtle silhouette enveloping the entire Uka family flickered briefly before vanishing.

This was a defensive spell called “Protection of the River God,” covering the entire Uka family. Closing the door would block external enemies, requiring missiles to breach it.

The spell demanded a thousand-year-old turtle as material, countered only by the bloodline of its direct descendant.

Aoki Tsugumi had somehow obtained such a descendant and dismantled the spell from within the Uka compound.

Outside the door, angry roars and screams erupted abruptly.

“What did you do?!”

The security guard who’d opened the door for Aoki Tsugumi bristled with fury. Thick fur burst from his body, dog ears sprouting atop his head—a dog monster.

He lunged at Aoki Tsugumi with a roar.

Aoki Tsugumi stood motionless.

*Crash!*

The previously unbreakable door burst open. Two blood-colored giant wolves charged past Aoki Tsugumi, tearing into the dog monster.

As alarms wailed through the Uka estate, Aoki Tsugumi allowed himself a relieved smile.

Success—at last!

Though the plan seemed straightforward, perfect timing and conditions had been crucial.

Aoki Tsugumi’s meticulous planning and caution had paid off, exploiting the Uka family’s moment of weakness.

Yet no one remained to share his triumph.

He turned to leave. Outside, the Uka family’s security guards lay dead. The driver waiting for Aoki Tsugumi removed his hat, revealing Nishitani Kyohei’s face.

Vehicles screeched to a halt nearby. Armed personnel poured out, weapons ready.

“Your turn.”

“About time I stepped in!”

Nishitani Kyohei strode past Aoki Tsugumi, grinning wildly as he entered the Uka compound.

Aoki Tsugumi walked through the gate. Armed ranks parted before him, then merged behind, pouring into the estate like a flood.

Beyond the walls, nimble figures leaped over barriers—monsters under Otsutai’s command, entering unimpeded.

Aoki Tsugumi returned to his car, lit a cigar, and took a few leisurely puffs before driving off.

The crackle of intense gunfire and explosions already echoed from the Uka family’s grounds.

…

Relieved of the jade pendant, Uka Mirai felt her cold symptoms vanish. She slept soundly until *intense gunfire* jolted her awake.

“What happened?”

Uka Mirai sat up in bed, gazing bewilderedly out the window.

Never in her life had she heard such chaos within the Uka family compound.

The relentless crackle of intense gunfire mixed with explosions and agonized screams.

Her face paling, Uka Mirai hastily dressed and slipped through her bedroom door.

The usually poised servants scurried about in panic while stone-faced subordinates rushed to fortify positions. Guided by instinct, Uka Mirai reached the council chamber where Uka Qingxue stood commanding the group.

Uka Qingxue’s frosty glare made servants quake like autumn leaves, their breath held. A sweating middle-aged man trembled before her – the family steward who’d accepted Aoki Tsugumi’s bribes for years. His unauthorized decision to admit Aoki had shattered the River God’s Protection.

Gunfire roared outside as intruders clashed with Uka defenders. With no time for punishments or pondering why enemies attacked here rather than the second-floor treaty room, cold spread from Uka Qingxue’s feet. Ice encased the steward instantly, his judgment deferred until Madam’s return.

Uka Mirai’s muffled gasp drew attention. “Take the young mistress to Madam’s study,” Uka Qingxue ordered nearby servants. “Lock the doors regardless of circumstances.”

The safest stronghold was Uka Kaori’s study – its reinforced walls rivaling bank vaults, stocked with fortnight’s provisions. As servants approached, Uka Mirai cried, “Qingxue! What’s happening?”

“All’s well, Miss. Wait briefly in the study.” Knowing her presence hindered them, Uka Mirai let herself be led away.

Uka Qingxue began crisp commands: “Alert Madam and summon reinforcements. All units hold choke points – destroy what you can’t defend to buy time.” Her calm voice steadied the frantic staff.

Soon a breathless subordinate reported: “Lady Qingxue! Communication devices failed – electromagnetic interference!”

“No panic. Form a breakout team to relay messages.” She strode to a hallway window overlooking the courtyard battlefield.

Bullets whined across corpse-strewn marble now pocked with grenade craters. Though Uka defenders were monsters facing human-monster invaders, both sides favored firearms – even Iron Fortress warriors preferred cannons against humans. Monsters weren’t fools; they wielded modern weapons as skillfully as any human.

Two figures dominated the carnage below: A vampire controlling blood wolves that shrugged off bullets with their massive bodies, and a bare-chested wild boar monster gleefully mowing down defenders with his Gatling gun.

The boar suddenly looked up, meeting Uka Qingxue’s gaze through the window. For three heartbeats their eyes locked. Then Otsutai grinned savagely, dragging a thick finger across his hairy neck.