Kanna's Transformation on Terra Chapter 47

"Is there any area you need to strengthen?"

When Kanna saw the system text, the corner of her mouth curled up. This could work!

After considering it, her combat power was sufficient. However, if they went to Chernobog, several squads would be scattered across different parts of the city. With both natural disasters and human-caused calamities disrupting communications, if a squad encountered danger, she might not notice in time or be able to rescue them. After giving it some thought, she said, "Something like large-scale reconnaissance or teleportation!"

Rain Tiger's Freedom Technique

"Prayer for Rain."

After a brief pause, two short words appeared in the chat window.

Kanna froze when she saw them. Honestly, among the four skills, Palm Thunder had been the first one she ruled out, and Prayer for Rain had been the second.

She had mainly thought that, in Chernobog, this skill could only be maintained at minimum output—just enough to bring a little rain. Otherwise, with a natural disaster already underway, adding another one on top of it could cause even a mobile city to fall.

She had originally guessed it would be added to Star Alignment. She had not expected the system's answer to be Prayer for Rain, the skill she had ruled out.

But thinking about it, Prayer for Rain already had an enormous range. Strengthening it on that foundation would have a better and more direct effect. The system had probably made the suggestion for that reason.

Now that she had a target, Kanna decisively used the enhancement scroll on Prayer for Rain.

Along with a burst of golden light, an enhancement tag was added after the Prayer for Rain skill. The original effect was not strengthened in the slightest. Instead, like Divine Transformation: Malice Eye Opening, an additional enhanced effect was appended to it, turning it into:

Prayer for Rain (Enhanced; this skill originates from the Pokemon world): Gathers energy to induce changes in the weather, temporarily changing the weather to rain. Duration, range, and intensity are controlled by the energy gathered. Under this weather, the effects of Fire-type skills are suppressed to a certain degree, while Water-type and Lightning-type skills receive corresponding enhancements based on the intensity of Prayer for Rain.

Enhanced Effect—Rain Tiger's Freedom: Within the range of Prayer for Rain, the caster can actively sense all moving objects. In addition, all targets marked by the caster as friendly units within the range of Prayer for Rain are permanently considered to be near the caster.

The enhanced effect's description was simple, but its contents completely exceeded Kanna's expectations.

When she saw Rain Tiger's Freedom, her first thought was, What the heck is that? But after reading it through, she remembered. Wasn't this the technique Brother Pain, the "a bag of rice carries how many floors" guy, had used in Hidden Rain Village to monitor the entire village?

As long as someone was within its range, he could use the technique to detect their movements. It could be called a border-defense expert.

The first half of Kanna's enhanced effect had clearly been taken from that ninjutsu, but what did the latter half mean?

As she pondered the use of that effect, Kanna suddenly pulled up the skill description for Divine Transformation: Malice Eye Opening. Her eyes immediately locked onto the words: "Deals Lightning-element damage to nearby enemies and grants Eye of Thunder Punishment and Evil to all nearby allies (friendly units recognized by Kanna)."

Kanna had already discovered the mechanics of this on the deck. "Nearby" seemed to mean no more than fifty meters away, with nothing obstructing the space between them.

But now, as long as they were within the range of Prayer for Rain, all the Operators would be considered near her. Didn't that mean she could use Divine Transformation: Malice Eye Opening anywhere and grant skills to teammates fighting elsewhere in the city?

Combined with the enhanced effect of Divine Transformation: Malice Eye Opening itself—throwing out a clone—Kanna suddenly had a bold idea.

She was about to push open the door and head to the deck to find someone to test her theory on, but when she pushed... huh?

Why would it not open?

Just as she thought the door was broken and was preparing to force it open, Kal'tsit's voice came from the communicator nearby.

"Kanna, what has been going on with you these past few days? Other people were running their shops perfectly well, yet you insisted on targeting the same group of people. Eating at one place would have been bad enough, but every time, you cleaned out their entire kitchen. You've driven dozens of chefs, along with their kitchen assistants, into changing careers.

"Outcast and I discussed it. We have decided to place you under house arrest for one week."

"Kanna! Don't blame Doctor Kal'tsit either. You really made too big a mess this time. There weren't many chefs on Rhodes Island to begin with, and now dozens of them have had to change professions because of you. If Kal'tsit didn't punish you, there would be no way to calm the chefs' anger. Just stay in your room for a few days. If you want to eat anything, tell Grandma, and Grandma will bring it to you..."

The first voice had been Kal'tsit's. The microphone was obviously passed into Outcast's hands afterward.

Kanna only felt more wronged than snow falling in June over this punishment. She had indeed emptied out four places, but she had clearly chosen completely different locations for three of those restaurants, and the last one had even been a dessert shop.

Those were four utterly unrelated places. How could she possibly have been targeting the same people...? No matter how unlucky someone was, it was impossible to run into the same people every time while doing missions, right?!

At that thought, Kanna plopped down onto her bed.

So annoying!

She was trying so hard to strengthen her abilities and work toward a future where Rhodes Island would suffer no more casualties, yet that old lynx Kal'tsit was actually holding her back.

At that thought, the new ability she had just obtained no longer seemed appealing at all.

Hmph! You're the ones who gave up this opportunity. Don't blame me, Kanna...

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Kanna lay down on her bed and closed her eyes.

Less than three minutes later, drool trickled down her cheek, and the entire dragon lay on the bed, making soft sleeping "huff huff" noises.

Elsewhere, the other chefs, who had all felt a sense of crisis after the head chef's experience, finally left the central district in satisfaction after Kal'tsit repeatedly assured them that the "Hungry Dragon" had been successfully confined and would be properly educated afterward, so she would not cause any more serious damage to the restaurants.

After everyone had left, Kal'tsit specifically pulled up Kanna's itinerary for the past few days. After reading through it, the Operators watching could not help but feel both amused and helpless.

If the first time had simply been bad luck and Kanna had chosen him, then if he had not been so determined to switch venues with the other head chefs, he probably would not have encountered Kanna again.

It was clear that Kanna had deliberately chosen three restaurants that were far apart and had nothing to do with each other. Yet she still ran into that group of chefs every single time.

As for the dessert shop, Myrtle had brought her there, and Eyjafjalla had been with them as well.

If this had merely been an extremely low-probability event, then that group of chefs could only be said to have been truly unlucky.

Amiya, who had been feeling miserable after arguing with Kal'tsit over Chernobog, could not help but smile after seeing all this.

However, Amiya was very close to Kanna, and she found it strange. Kanna rarely ate in such an almost destructive manner several times in one week. She could not help but worry that something might have happened to her.

Thinking of Kanna's confinement, Amiya would normally have waited until Kanna was released before asking after her and visiting her. But having just argued with Kal'tsit, Amiya unusually found a rebellious streak rising within her. She decided that after finishing her work, she would go find Kanna and ask about her situation.

"Prison Visit"?

After finishing all her work, Amiya arrived outside Kanna's dormitory. With a swipe of her ID card, the dormitory door was successfully unlocked.

After opening the door, Amiya poked her head inside and saw only Kanna sleeping soundly on the bed, muttering something under her breath.

Her ears twitched slightly. Listening closely, she heard, "Steamed chicken, braised chicken, stir-fried chicken, sautéed diced chicken, crispy chicken, fried chicken cubes..." They were all dish names.

Amiya shook her head and was about to leave when she suddenly felt her hand being grabbed.

When she turned around, she saw that Kanna had somehow already left the bed and was standing at the doorway.

Kanna's sudden teleportation startled Amiya so badly that the fur on her ears stood on end.

"Did Amiya come to see Kanna?"

Fortunately, Kanna's voice helped her calm down again.

After steadying herself, Amiya patted her chest.

"Kanna, you suddenly appearing like that really scared me!"

By then, Kanna had also fully woken from her daze.

Just now, while asleep, she had suddenly felt a gust of wind pass by. Familiar with her dormitory, Kanna immediately noticed that the wind had not come from the vent—and it carried the fragrance of someone she knew.

Someone she knew?

Kanna forced her eyes open and spotted the bunny beside her, whose pupils had widened in fright.

Only after exchanging greetings did Amiya finally calm down.

Since she was confined and unable to go out, Amiya simply entered Kanna's little room.

Unlike the dormitories of most female operators, Kanna's room was extremely simple. Like the wind sweeping through postwar Kazdel, it embodied pure minimalism.

Other than a bed and a wall with a weapon rack, the entire bedroom contained only a desk holding several books about the history and culture of various countries across Terra.

Sitting on a stool nearby, Amiya quietly told Kanna everything that had happened outside, from why Kanna had been confined to the argument between herself and Kal'tsit.

If Kanna had already expected the latter, then the former truly left her dumbfounded. There really was someone that unlucky in this world—she had plucked from them four times in a row. No wonder the taste had seemed so familiar. She had thought Rhodes Island's catering service had become a chain, with every restaurant serving the same dishes. Who would have thought this was the reason?

Kanna also offered her advice regarding the latter.

"Amiya, although I don't know this Doctor you mentioned, there should be quite a few people on Rhodes Island who do know him, right? I think you can simply ask them and see what everyone thinks about the Doctor's return. If, after hearing everyone's advice, you still feel it is necessary to bring that Doctor back, then I am willing to serve as the vanguard. No matter what demons and monsters we may face, none shall stand against us."

After hearing Kanna's words, Amiya agreed. What had happened with the Doctor back then had caused an enormous stir. Even though she dearly wanted him to return under the current circumstances, she still had to consider everyone's views—especially those of the remaining old guard on Rhodes Island.

After chatting for a while, Amiya prepared to leave. Before she did, however, she left her personal terminal with Kanna. She explained that, since operators often traveled all over the world, she had privately asked them to record and download interesting videos to bring back. The terminal contained many videos other operators had brought in from outside. With it, Kanna would not be bored even if she could only stay in her room for the entire week.

Kanna happily accepted. Though she could sleep through the entire week, sleeping every day was exhausting too!

Having videos to pass the extra time would naturally be even better.

Not long after Amiya left, Kal'tsit came to see Kanna.

"The matter of the Doctor is a taboo subject for many of Rhodes Island's old guard. I hope you will not involve yourself too deeply in matters concerning the Doctor and Amiya!" Knowing Kanna's personality, Kal'tsit did not beat around the bush and directly stated why she had come.

After hearing this, Kanna leaned back and raised the personal terminal in her hand to gesture at Kal'tsit before saying, "Amiya has already offered me terms I cannot refuse. But I can also promise that, before she makes her final decision, I will not deliberately influence her judgment. You should believe in Amiya too. She may not look strong, and her Originium Arts make her emotionally sensitive, but her heart is very strong.

"As your 'student,' Amiya has studied under you since she was little. It has been so many years—I think you need to believe in Amiya as well. I believe she will never betray Rhodes Island. With that as the premise, there must be considerations behind whatever decision she makes.

"Kal'tsit, you have always said that Amiya is Rhodes Island's leader. But even a fledgling eagle that wishes to soar must spread its wings, find the courage to face the earth and its own heart, and only then can it embrace the sky. Amiya may still have many shortcomings, but she believes that you, I, and everyone at Rhodes Island will help her make up for them. But if she lacks even the courage to bear responsibility and the awareness to think for herself when facing problems, then would you be willing to spend your entire life protecting a puppet without a mind?"

After hearing Kanna's words, Kal'tsit did not speak. After a long silence, she sighed, then silently stood up and silently left.

Watching her leave, Kanna could not help pumping her little fist against her chest.

"YES! Another day of talking Kal'tsit into defeat! So happy!"

After Kal'tsit left, Kanna fiddled with the personal terminal Amiya had left behind. She skillfully opened My Terminal = Videos = Educational Videos = Educational Videos on Rhodes Island Mechanical Engineering = Hidden Folder, where she found a video titled A Video That Would Make Even Casters Blush and Their Hearts Race.

With a sinister "Hehehehe," Kanna's eyes gleamed strangely, and the corners of her mouth curled upward into a √.

One second after opening the video, several black lines appeared on Kanna's forehead. The video Amiya had hidden so deeply was actually One Hundred Ways to Cook Carrots.

It's already over before I've even taken my pants off?

With a look of utter disappointment, Kanna shoved the personal terminal away. Thoroughly let down, she did not want to touch the thing again anytime soon.

It was not until evening that Outcast entered Kanna's dormitory carrying food.

Upon entering, she saw Kanna lying on the bed, holding a personal terminal and listlessly scrolling through videos.

"That personal terminal belongs to Amiya, doesn't it?" With just a glance, Outcast, being a sniper, recognized the original owner of the device in Kanna's hands.

"Yep! Amiya was worried Kanna would be bored these next few days, so she left it here." Kanna skillfully placed the terminal by the bed, then climbed down and headed toward the food.

Outcast stroked Kanna's hair, looking very relieved.

"That's good. I was worried that you would feel lonely after being stuck in here alone for too long. With this personal terminal, you won't be too bored in your room."

After sitting for a while, Outcast left Kanna's dormitory as well. She still had plenty of work to do, and judging by how Kanna kept glancing toward the terminal, the videos inside were clearly far more appealing than an old woman like her.

Over the next few days, Kanna lived the life of a useless dragon: lying in bed, eating and watching videos; sleeping when she grew tired of watching; eating when she woke up if there was food, and continuing to watch videos if there was not.

A week later, Kanna finally walked out of her room. After staying in the dormitory for an entire week, she felt an indescribable discomfort all over her body. She wanted to move around, yet felt weak and limp from head to toe.

Just then, her communicator suddenly began emitting a rapid series of beeps.

Kanna was no stranger to this sound. It was the emergency summons chime from the central console. Whenever Rhodes Island's management AI, Precise, received an emergency summons issued by Kal'tsit or Amiya, she immediately scanned the entire ship for all active yet idle Operators. Those Operators would then receive this chime, and anyone willing to accept the assignment could head straight to the Control Room to pick it up.

Assignments issued through emergency summonses generally offered better compensation, but they were also far more difficult than ordinary security deployment missions.

Kanna had actually been quite interested in such emergency assignments before. However, since she had not formed her own team and Kal'tsit had been wary of her, she had not been qualified to participate in emergency missions until after accompanying Kal'tsit to Iberia.

Kal'tsit granting her that qualification after they returned from Iberia had been one of Kanna's rewards.

Since she had nothing to do anyway, she decided to take a look. Maybe the assignment would be interesting, or perhaps it would give her a chance to practice the skills in her hands. Wouldn't that be wonderful?

When she arrived at the Control Room, Kal'tsit was explaining the mission requirements to the gathered Operators.

"Half an hour ago, Rhodes Island received a signal from Rosemary's squad. They have been surrounded by an unidentified armed group inside a safehouse in the wasteland roughly one hundred and fifty kilometers from us.

"They contacted Rhodes Island using the safehouse's communications device.

"At present, the enemy's numbers are unknown, but they are very well equipped. Intelligence indicates that their ranks include Casters, crossbowmen, and Shield Guards. They are suspected to be an organized group.

"We attempted to contact the safehouse afterward, but received no response. It is suspected that their communications have been jammed by the enemy.

"This is therefore highly likely to be a malicious attack targeting Rhodes Island Operators.

"I require all participants to remain one hundred and twenty percent vigilant. Upon reaching the destination, contact Rosemary's squad first if possible and determine whether anyone is still alive.

"Then coordinate with Rosemary's squad to eliminate all incoming enemies. However, if their leader can be captured, prioritize taking them alive. We need to learn where these enemies came from."

Anger was evident in Kal'tsit's voice. Rosemary's squad could be considered an especially ill-fated one. From Milia to Kelvin County, they had not taken part in many missions, yet they had frequently encountered brutal battles. This time, the assignment had finally been easier, only for them to be attacked by unidentified armed forces on their way back.

Only after hearing Kal'tsit out did Kanna have the chance to look around the room. It was Misery and his squad. It seemed they were the Operators taking this mission.

"Can you take me with you?"

Just as Misery accepted the assignment and prepared to leave, Kanna's voice came from beside him.