172: Chapter 172 "Baby"? Or "Baby"?

Mia was slumped weakly over the desk beside the sickbed, the advantage of not needing a pillow for her afternoon nap fully evident.

The damage inflicted by the Rakshasa Ghost on Ryan and Loran was surprisingly long-lasting this time. That day, after forcing himself to vomit, Ryan's legs went stiff and he passed out again.

These two had already been lying here for over a week. Given an Adventurer's constitution, they should have been up and about long ago.

Yet, they were still lying here perfectly still. This was already a life-threatening critical injury.

Tuaner held the [Crystal Skull]—the sole reward Mia had obtained from the battle at the Science and Technology Park—up to the sun, examining it from left to right.

[Crystal Skull: The only remaining trophy Mia obtained from the Rakshasa Ghost's corpse. It can be absorbed by her, who shares the same origin, to mend defects in her soul. Side effects unknown.]

"This thing has side effects? What if after absorbing it, Mia doesn't want me anymore!" Tuaner's suspicious eyes were fixed on the unextinguished azure flame within the skull.

"Be careful, or it might fall on your head, fuse with you, and make you stupid. Running outside naked every day." Mia snatched the [Crystal Skull] away, placed it on the table, and scolded Tuaner harshly in a tone meant to scare a child.

Sticking out her tongue and making a face at Mia, Tuaner was then dragged by her to change the dressings on Ryan and Loran's wounds. After all, her time as a battlefield nurse wasn't for nothing.

Old He had He Xi deliver the Coordination Office's forecast for the next instance.

The forecast report was based on Captain Mia's current skill set and enhancement direction.

Two large characters were clearly written on the cover page.

"《BLEACH》!!"

"Prediction accuracy exceeds 85%."

"Since we already have the anchor instance 'under one person', even if we fully experience the story line and defeat the final boss in the new instance, it cannot become a new anchor instance."

(Anchor Instance: A semi-cleared or fully cleared instance that can be freely entered and exited using points. Benefits are numerous, including but not limited to developing forces within the instance to provide logistical support, etc...)

"The best mindset for participating in the battle is to take it one day at a time."

"The difficulty span of this instance is extremely wide. Currently known levels range from Lv0 (suitable for Adventurer levels 1-9) all the way to Lv4 (suitable for Adventurer levels 40-49)."

"Therefore, please carefully consider triggering strange side quests, as it's entirely possible to trigger a dead end."

The more Tuaner read, the more bitter her little face became. Initially, she was quite pleased that her level, not yet 20, gave her some strength surpassing her peers.

But now, encountering an uncontrollable instance that might lead to an early 'grand finale' was just frustrating.

"Story timeline entry point unknown..."

Closing the Coordination Office's help document, Mia looked at her teammates on the sickbeds, her eyes full of weariness.

With a sidelong glance, Tuaner knew Mia's current state was one of loneliness and desolation. A good opportunity to make a move. She planned to take a risk and try tonight.

Rubbing her head, the bump from being thumped by Mia in the morning for forcefully eating a melon was still there. She felt it was worth it.

Back in the basement of 'Sweet Dream Flower Shop', filled with equipment, Tuaner, holding a Miao Dao, was being whacked on the butt by Mia with an ebony sword, crying loudly.

Crying while fighting back. Her already round and perky bottom, struck repeatedly by Mia's wooden sword, became even rounder, swollen to a considerable height.

The daily special training made her a hundred times more ladylike during the daytime flower shop operations. Taking big steps hurt. Squatting hurt. Walking hurt too.

She even developed the good habit of sleeping on her stomach... completely abandoning the great goal of ambushing Mia morning and night.

Ryan and Loran didn't fully recover until a few days before the instance was set to begin. Luo Xiaoya also returned safely from the 'Fatal Frame' series instance, having upgraded her [Custom Fujifilm X100 Camera]. She had gained a bit more of an unflappable, mature air. Combined with her miko attire, she appeared even more mysterious.

The group sat around a table. Mia brought the tactical board over from the corner.

"If it's the early story, Tuaner will most likely be the archery teacher for the rich young master, Uryū Ishida." Mia drew a circle around 'archery'.

"Probably won't need the swordsmanship you practiced earlier with the wooden sword..." Mia covered her mouth, giggling.

"That earlier swordsmanship practice was punishment for you constantly thinking about eating melons!"

Hearing this, Tuaner's anger started to boil over. So all these days, she was just being hit for the sake of being hit? Huh? Where's the basic trust between people? All I did was occasionally think about your... chastity. (The survival maintenance system reminds you, unseen, that neither of you are human.)

With her pent-up rage having no outlet, Tuaner first gently asked Ryan how his recovery was going. Upon hearing he was fully healed, she gave him 'two solid punches!' right to his eye sockets...

Ryan: "I knew there was something wrong with her being so nice to me..."

Mia ignored their private matter and continued, "Ryan might be able to claim some distant relation to Captain Sajin Komamura of the 7th Division..."

"Sister Loran and Xiaoya can probably blend in and get by among the Kidō Corps."

"As for me, I'll either go to the 4th Division for medical research, or head to the 1st Division and seek out the Vice Captain who uses lightning-based Bankai..."

"Any other additions? If we're thrown into the Hollow faction, we'll have to fight our way out. Whether it's an earlier timeline or the Aizen era, strength is what commands respect."

"Um..." Tuaner raised Luo Xiaoya's small hand. Mia shot her a sideways glare.

"Mia, what's your current combat power equivalent to in terms of 'cars'? (Rokushō Kenshi has long since become a unit of measurement)"

Loran and Ryan also looked at her with inquiring eyes, full of curiosity.

"I'm not sure either. We'll have to see after we get there and fight?" Mia had no reference point and could only decline this fun question.

[The 《BLEACH》 instance is about to begin. All members will now enter Paradise Lost for pre-battle preparations...]

The starlight dissipated, and the group vanished from the present world...

In the bar district of Paradise Lost. The saloon doors of the 'See You Next Time' bar had one knocked off by a drunk patron. Firing Pin was there with a screwdriver, tightening something, when a small foot gave his backside a kick, nearly sending him face-first into the dirt.

He was about to turn around and curse when he saw it was Tuaner. Craning his neck, he spotted Mia behind her, smiling apologetically and giving a slight bow. He kept quiet, arranged a table for them, went to the bar to get several mugs of beer and a large glass of juice, and brought them over.

For no other reason than the fact that Luo Xiaoya's [substitute doll] last time had allowed him to survive the 'Demon Slayer' instance. That was equivalent to having a lifetime VIP membership in this bar.

"No need to trouble Brother Firing Pin for explosives this time. We didn't use the ones from last time and saved them." Mia smiled and thanked him.

"Hmm, I actually have a new research product..." Firing Pin seemed hesitant.

"Oh? We do have some points to spare, but what is Brother Firing Pin's new creation?" Mia grabbed Tuaner, who was about to try and rob Firing Pin, and pressed her into a chair.

"It's a little thing I've named [Spirit Energy Cannon]. It can gather the wielder's power, regardless of form, and fire it. A bit like the Kamehameha from 'Dragon Ball', or a Cero from 'BLEACH'. Ring form. I succeeded in making three the first time. Safety is fine, but they're a bit expensive."

"We'll take them all. 100,000 points total. Is that okay, Brother Firing Pin?" Mia grabbed Firing Pin's arm, asking eagerly, the [Charm] skill activating!

"Uh, yes, yes. That's too much. For three rings, 70,000 points is enough." Firing Pin decisively bargained. Loran, Ryan, and Tuaner each received a ring. Xiaoya's level was too low, so it wasn't very meaningful for her. Mia didn't need one at all.

[《BLEACH》 teleportation beginning, 3, 2, 1...]

Starlight converged...

Mia found her clothes had changed into Japanese-style garments. Opposite her, Tuaner was dizzy and disoriented. Xiaoya had also face-planted onto the tatami. Ryan and Loran were completely missing.

But! None of that was the main point! Before Mia appeared two nursing babies. Judging by their outlines and features, they should be baby Rukia and a red-haired boy suspected to be Renji, both chubby and utterly adorable.

And that still wasn't the main point! The main point was the mission issued by the Paradise Lost System: [Remain in Rukongai, North 78th District, and raise the abandoned Rukia and the system-pulled-along-for-the-ride Renji...]

The three beautiful young women suddenly felt life held little hope. Among them, only Tuaner had ever been in a relationship. Mia had been both a man and a beautiful girl, possessing assets far surpassing those of ordinary women, but... she had never taken care of a child either!!

"Su Miya!!! Your Rukia just wet herself!!!" Tuaner's loud cry almost pierced through the dilapidated roof of this Soul Society commoner district...