Starting with One Piece, a Multiverse Simulation

When Mary opened her eyes curiously, she found Wood, bathed in the goddess's divine light, descending before her like an angel.

That's right. One second he was a ruthless killer, but the next, with the added special effects, Wood appeared as a radiant angel in Mary's eyes.

Especially under that holy light, Mary not only felt warmth, but she also discovered that her broken leg was healing at an astonishing speed.

"So, do you still think I have the strength to defeat your 'mother'?"

Looking at the outstretched hand, although Mary still harbored fear of Wood, the special effects and her good looks made the little girl nervously extend her hand...

When Subaru Natsuki woke up again, he was already at Roswaal's mansion.

Rem carried the person back, and as someone who witnessed the whole thing, Rem also reported the matter to the Border Count of Roswaal.

Because Meryl Portelt was taken away by Wood and his group, no monster incident occurred in Aram Village this time, and Natsuki Subaru was also fortunate enough not to die in the mouth of a monster.

Unfortunately, without the monster incident involving Aram, Subaru Natsuki and Rem's romantic relationship made no progress whatsoever.

Emilia felt a deep sense of self-reproach when she learned that Melie and Elsa had come because of her, and that Alam Village had almost been attacked by monsters because of her.

Upon learning that the matter had been resolved thanks to Wood, Emilia couldn't help but express her gratitude and praise for him once again.

This also caused our true protagonist, Subaru Natsuki, to feel a pang of jealousy.

Logically speaking, if he had accepted Emilia's invitation to come to Roswaal's mansion and increased Emilia's favorability, he should have been the one to do so much faster.

But why is it that even though Wood hasn't made any contact with Emilia, Emilia's affection for him is skyrocketing...?

"Barus, if you're considering that guy named Wood as a competitor, I advise you to give up."

Based on Rem's previous description, a powerhouse of that level is far beyond your comprehension. Barus isn't even worthy of carrying his shoes, let alone competing with him for Emilia's favor.

Seemingly noticing Subaru's gaze towards Emilia, Rem's twin sister, Ram, with shoulder-length pink hair, spoke with her usual sharp tongue.

Ram was once the strongest demon, and was even hailed as the "hornless demon god".

If Ram hadn't lost her "horn," the source of her Oni power, to save Rem during the Witch Cult's attack on their village, then Ram at her peak would have been even stronger than Puck, a powerful spirit.

Even with his immense power, Ram realized that even at his peak, he might not have been a match for Wood when he learned that Wood had fought the Sword Saint Reinhard to a standstill and had even stunned nearly a hundred magical beasts with his aura.

"Just you wait and see, I, Natsuki Subaru, will prove to you that as long as you are the protagonist, you will shine no matter where you are."

Even without formidable strength and handsome looks, I, Natsuki Subaru, still possess a brilliant mind.

"Next, Emilia will go to the capital for the candidate ceremony. I, Natsuki Subaru, will definitely be able to help and prove that I am better than Wood."

The candidate ceremony for the Dragon-Born Kingdom of Lugnik is about to begin.

Because the previous emperor died for unknown reasons, only the five "Dragon Maidens" recognized by the dragons are qualified to possess badges bearing dragon patterns and participate in the election for the throne.

Emilia is one of the five "Dragon Maidens" this time, and Roswaal is a supporter of Emilia's faction.

Of those chosen to travel to the capital this time, Ram was supposed to stay at Roswaal's mansion, but Rem, contrary to her usual behavior, asked Roswaal to allow Ram to go to the capital as well.

When Ram asked Rem about the reason afterward, Rem finally gave a hesitant answer.

The reason she wanted her sister Ram to go to the capital was because Wood said he might also be there.

There's a reason why Rem wants Ram to see Wood.

Rem vividly remembered the scene where Wood used "healing magic" to cure Meryl's broken leg in Aram Village.

Although magic exists in this world, the healing magic of the "water element" is far from reaching the level of Wood's healing magic.

Ram's short horn has always been a source of anxiety for Rem. Rem tries her best to become better so that she can help her sister do anything.

Ram was once the most talented demon, but she lost her powerful strength because of her useless younger sister in the demon clan.

Although Rem never said it, she always felt deeply guilty about it.

After witnessing Wood's miraculous healing power, Rem naturally clung to Wood for help as if she had found a lifeline.

However, when asked about the cute blue-haired girl's request, the straight-laced Wood said that he was not Natsuki Subaru and had no interest in winning over beautiful girls. He also said that he had important matters to attend to and did not have time to go with Rem to the Roswaal mansion to see her sister.

Just kidding, Wood could sense Rem's previous refusal to let him go to Roswaal's mansion.

Although he hadn't planned to go to Roswaal's mansion before, one thing is one thing.

Previously, he was reluctant to let Wood go to Roswaal's mansion because he was too dangerous. Now that he needs Wood's help, he wants to invite him to his home. What does Wood think of him?

Moreover, as the one seeking help, why should one rush to help others?

Of course, Wood didn't completely reject Rem's request for help, after all, the girl's sincere attitude at the end did touch him.

Wood could also tell that the sister she was talking about must be someone very important to him.

So Wood told Rem that he might go to Lugnica's capital next, and if they met again there, he would naturally try to help her sister.

Wood also gave Rem a heads-up beforehand, saying that magic is not omnipotent and that he had no idea whether he could cure her sister, so he could only promise to do his best.

On the other hand, after Wood left Adam Village with Mary and Elsa, he followed them to the location of the assassination organization in the underworld and met their so-called "mother".

The so-called "mother" was indeed a woman, but when Wood saw her, he could clearly sense that she was not a real human being... or rather, not a normal human being.

Elsa and Melly's strength should be considered above average in this world, but when Wood saw the so-called "mother", he could clearly feel the fear on both of them.

"Elsa, Melly, have you completed the task I assigned you? And who is this man? Aren't you going to explain it to me?"

Elsa and the others' so-called "mother" was behind a red curtain. Through the silhouette left on the curtain, it could be clearly seen that she was a woman with a curvaceous figure.

The exact age and appearance of "Mother" were a secret even within the organization, and even Elsa and the others had never seen her.

Hearing her "mother's" harsh words, Elsa was still able to remain calm, but Mary was clearly traumatized by certain memories. At this moment, she shrank behind Wood and tightly gripped the hem of Wood's clothes.

Beneath the red curtain, a shadow, like a crawling serpent, swiftly and stealthily meandered along the ground to the feet of Wood and his companions.

And very quickly, the shadows that should have been pressed against the ground suddenly changed from a two-dimensional plane to a three-dimensional shape, turning into shadowy arms that reached out to Wood and his two companions.

Seeing the numerous shadowy arms that sprouted like tree branches, Wood condensed the moisture in the air at an extremely fast speed, creating an ice blade.

Then, as dazzling flashes of light swept through the air, the numerous shadowy arms that had shot towards them were all sliced ​​into pieces by Wood, just like grass and radishes.

However, before Wood could even catch his breath, he discovered that the severed shadow arms, upon being cut off, instantly merged back into the ground like black mud and disappeared, quickly reforming into new shadows that attacked them.

"This is the power of 'Mother'. Attacks with swords or the like are useless because shadows themselves have no form."

Therefore, no matter how many times the attack is launched, the shadows will regroup and launch another attack, endlessly pursuing the enemy until they are killed.

Elsa, who was holding a scimitar and protecting Melie as she retreated while defending against the shadow attacks, looked at Wood and spoke.

Elsa had tried to break free from "Mother's" control more than once before, but unfortunately, her protective power was to manipulate blades, which in a sense was completely countered by "Mother's" power.

And they never knew whether the mysterious "mother" possessed only this one ability.

"The ability to manipulate shadows? That's certainly a skill well-suited for assassins."

Because it is a shadow, it can pass directly through obstacles, and it attacks silently, making it impossible to judge the angle and strength of the attack.

But every ability has weaknesses, and even the greatest power is no exception!

While wielding his ice blade to deflect all the arrows shot from the shadows on the ground, Wood gathered his magic power and opened his other hand to create a huge magic circle in front of him.

"Saint-level Ice Magic - Breath of Winter!"

As a blue magic circle rapidly unfolded in front of Wood, a wave of cold air instantly filled the area where Wood and his companions were.

The moisture in the air condensed instantly at the extremely low temperature, and the already small underground space was transformed into a huge ice cellar. Not only the ground and the surrounding walls, but even the ceiling instantly turned into a bright, reflective ice surface.

The shadows that had been rushing towards Straight Wood and his men were now frozen in ice, as if time had stood still.

Meanwhile, looking at the room that had instantly transformed into a world of ice and snow, Melly, who had been protected by Elsa, was completely dumbfounded.

Now she finally understood why Elsa had kept calling Wood a "monster".

Chapter 348 Suppressing the Underground Assassination Organization

Magic exists in this world, and so does the profession of magician.

Generally speaking, a mage's strength is directly linked to the magic and magical power they can use.

Ordinary humans are limited by their physical condition, so their magical level is generally not very high. Even with the blessing of "protection", only a few magicians can achieve a certain level of mastery.

Compared to ordinary humans, elemental spirits are the true beneficiaries of mana (magic) in the air. Powerful spirits can not only cast spells instantly, but their magic is also extremely powerful.

Previously, Mary had always thought that Wood was a fighter with considerable combat power, after all, he was able to punch a giant monster that was dozens of times his size away.

But when she witnessed Wood's ice magic, Mary was astonished to discover that Wood was also highly skilled in swordsmanship and even a mage...

No, simply calling him a mage isn't quite accurate anymore. After all, with magic of this level that can be cast instantly and with such powerful magic, no one would doubt that he is a great elf who controls the ice element.

"Was 'Mother' killed?" Looking at the area in front of her that had turned into a frozen wasteland, Meili had a look of both apprehension and surprise on her face.

Since joining the assassination organization, Melie and Elsa have been living under the control of their "mother".

Mary was well aware of the consequences for her comrades in the organization who failed their missions.

Even someone as strong as Elsa has failed missions. She can't imagine what she would be treated if she failed her mission as well.

So when she saw Wood display his formidable strength, freezing "Mother" and everything around her, Mary was undoubtedly quite excited.

Admittedly, even though her "mother" is dead, she still cannot escape the identity of an "assassin," only that she has changed from being one person's subordinate to being another person's subordinate.

Wood gave Mary the same terrifying feeling, and seemed to be even stronger.

Compared to her "mother," Mary could sense that Wood had a basic moral compass and didn't just treat them as tools.

At least in Mary's eyes, Wood's previous behavior of treating himself was completely impossible for "Mother".