Exchange Lives

Clang!

The Pure Silver Cross Sword became a streak of frigid silver light, and the alloy door split apart in response.

The furnishings inside were exposed to her gaze. She frowned slightly, because behind this door were only discarded electronics—computers, hard drives, phones, and the like.

It was a complete mess, practically a storage room.

She rummaged through the pile of junk with her sword for a while. Once she confirmed it was all scrap, she immediately headed for the last alloy door.

With one slash, the alloy door opened, revealing a pitch-black statue shaped like a monkey.

The statue sat atop a metal pedestal, covered by a square transparent glass case.

It was a monkey with its arms spread wide and a broad, toothy grin.

Words were engraved on the metal pedestal: [God-Taboo Object, No. 169, Twin Monkey Statue]

"God-Taboo Object?" Disappointment flashed through the knight girl's eyes. God-Taboo Objects were certainly precious, but this was not what she had come for.

She slowly backed out of the room, then kicked a chunk of rubble.

Whoosh!

The rubble smashed through the glass case with perfect accuracy, striking the monkey's head dead-on.

The Twin Monkey Statue fell to the ground, completely unscathed and displaying no unusual properties.

The knight girl fell silent for a moment before turning to leave.

A moment later, she returned carrying an arm she had previously severed from an experimental subject.

She tossed the arm onto the Twin Monkey Statue, but still nothing happened.

She entered the room again and poked it with the Pure Silver Cross Sword. The incomparably sharp cross sword failed to leave even a mark on the statue.

After a series of tests, she finally picked up the statue with her gauntleted hand.

At that moment, the previously unresponsive statue suddenly emitted