Dragon Ball Roshi-Chapter 182 - : A Familiar Image

"What kind of monster is this?"

Tam muttered to himself. Under the illumination of the Ki sphere that Taro had released above their heads, he could clearly make out the enforcer's appearance. Though they had encountered plenty of bizarre-looking aliens along the way, nothing quite like this.

This creature was a grotesque amalgamation of bulging muscles, stiffness, an eerie aura, and... stupidity.

Judging by the way its two eyes rolled independently in different directions, Tam suspected it wasn't particularly bright.

Yet, despite its dull-witted look, an overwhelming pressure radiated from its body, making it impossible to dismiss.

Tam had long since accepted that, in the vast universe, an individual's strength could transcend scientific explanation. The old man beside him was proof enough—his power had reached a realm so unfathomable that Tam couldn't even begin to comprehend it.

So, while this enforcer appeared both menacing and hostile, Tam remained unworried. The old man would handle it.

However, Taro found himself perplexed.

There was no doubt about it—woven unmistakably into the enforcer's Ki was Frieza's signature!

It wasn't just a resemblance or some distant connection, like those of Frieza's kin. No—this was exactly Frieza's Ki!

That immediately ruled out the possibility of this being just another member of the Frost Demon race. If it were, it wouldn't be this weak.

Faced with uncertainty and a seemingly uncooperative opponent... what was the best course of action?

Naturally—mind-reading.

Taro had no reservations about using this ability. He harbored none of those pointless concerns about violating someone's privacy or disrespecting their memories. Why should he? He could read minds, and most others were as defenseless as Muggles. At most, he'd simply ignore trivial or irrelevant personal details.

Some might argue that this was morally questionable. But morality itself was ever-changing, shifting alongside reality. Humanity had always been able to adapt to new ethical paradigms.

...But this time, something unexpected happened.

For the first time ever, a technique that had never failed him—did not work.

Taro frowned slightly.

"Mission... complete..."

The enforcer, its voice stiff and mechanical, spoke in a disjointed manner. Throughout, its facial muscles twitched slightly, as if suffering from a constant involuntary spasm.

It seemed slow-witted, yet its efficiency was undeniable. The moment it assessed the situation—confirming that its target's life signs had disappeared—it immediately took off, soaring into the sky.

However, just as it was about to accelerate and vanish, a white hand shot up from the ground and grabbed it!

"...?"

Suspended midair, the enforcer's body remained completely rigid. Yet, its head began to twist unnaturally—turning a full 180 degrees to face downward.

The grotesque movement was deeply unsettling.

Its gaze quickly locked onto Taro and Tam, instantly recognizing that the one who had attacked it was—Taro.

But that was as far as it got.

BOOM!

An immense, boundless mental force surged toward the enforcer's mind like a raging tidal wave! It crashed into his soul, sweeping through his consciousness like an unstoppable storm.

The enforcer's eyes bulged wide. His pupils, which normally rolled about erratically due to his chaotic nature, suddenly protruded even further. This wasn't due to pain—rather, it was the involuntary reaction of a brain overwhelmed by an unimaginable load.

After failing to read the enforcer's mind, Taro grew intrigued. No longer bothering to hold back, he unleashed a mental force ten times more terrifying than before, attempting to forcibly extract the creature's memories.

Dark green fluid—likely its blood—began seeping from the enforcer's seven orifices, creating an unsettling, nightmarish sight. A hoarse, guttural rasp escaped from its throat.

And yet—it still failed.

To say he "couldn't read" the mind wasn't entirely accurate. A more fitting description would be—there was nothing coherent to read.

When Taro's psychic energy enveloped the enforcer's consciousness, it was as if he had stepped into a murky black hole, filled with chaotic, fragmented thoughts.

This enforcer may have possessed a humanoid form, but within him, there was no singular, unified consciousness. His mind was a swirling mass of primitive, disordered impulses—countless fragmented notions existing simultaneously. His ability to function at all seemed to be merely a result of following some pre-programmed directive.

In this mental wasteland, even Taro struggled to extract anything meaningful. It wasn't that there were no memories—it was that they were completely disjointed, erratic, and warped beyond recognition. The fleeting images that surfaced were muddled, exaggerated, and abstract—some even appeared corrupted beyond comprehension.

Still, Taro managed to catch a glimpse of something—a vague, shadowy vision:

Two figures, one tall and dark purple, the other short and grayish-black. Their features were indistinct, but they bore demonic traits—four limbs, tails, and a sinister aura. This, in itself, wasn't unusual; many extraterrestrials shared such characteristics.

What stood out, however, was the enforcer's deep-seated fear when this chaotic image flickered through his subconscious. This raised doubts about its authenticity—was it a memory, or merely an exaggeration of his own dread?

"The tall one... could it be Frieza?"

Taro muttered to himself, lost in thought.

Yet, strangely, the shorter, gray-black figure evoked a peculiar sense of familiarity.

With his ever-evolving mastery of psychic arts, Taro had learned to trust his instincts. This inexplicable sense of recognition wasn't something to be ignored—it might be a revelation, an innate insight granted by his growing psychic prowess. Perhaps, in its ultimate form, this phenomenon would manifest as something akin to prophetic dreams.

But if it was familiar... who was it?

Taro pondered, his thoughts deep in contemplation.

Meanwhile, without a second thought, he tightened his psychic grip on the enforcer.

BOOM!

A muffled explosion echoed through the night—like distant thunder splitting the sky. The enforcer evaporated in an instant, reduced to nothing within the crushing grip of Taro's Ki-forged hand.

The luminous sphere above them, which had illuminated the scene, slowly faded into darkness.

Tam had been silently observing the entire process, his chest tightening as an involuntary chill ran down his spine.

Turning to Taro—who was still lost in thought—Tam hesitated before asking:

"Just like that... you killed him?"

His voice was low, laced with unease.

"They were... aliens, weren't they?"

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