On the stage:
The speaker was one Kuhoin Arisa, student council president of Tennouzu First High and future heiress to the Kuhouin Group.
She was reassuring the students that the Kuhouin Group's supplies would be arriving soon.
Suddenly her vision blurred.
"Ugh!"
Pressing her right hand to her forehead, her sight grew hazy, and under the stunned gazes of everyone around, Kuhoin Arisa trembled and collapsed.
"Haha!"
She clutched at her chest, breathing rapidly and having obvious trouble drawing breath.
"President?!"
The students recoiled in alarm, about to rush up to help her when
Someone called out:
"She's infected with the virus!"
Silence!
The air seemed to freeze. All the students' expressions changed drastically.
A virus The Apocalypse Virus?
Who wouldn't be afraid of that, known for how terrifying it was? Everyone knew that this entire quarantined zone had been sealed off because of it.
In a flash, their faces filled with fright, and those who'd been edging closer began backing away.
"I-I heard the Apocalypse Virus can be spread through the air"
No one knew who said that, but:
"Eek!!!"
Immediately, one especially fearful girl let out a screech and bolted for the exit, causing a chain reaction of panic as a bunch of others fled too. Nobody wanted to remain where there might be an infectious source. Nobody wanted to get infected.
Even Ouma Shuwho wasn't yet the so-called "Void King," just a confused boywent weak in the knees and shuffled backward. But with Rei Ao right there, he didn't dare run.
Rei Ao glanced at him and said in a flat tone, "If you want to run, go ahead. I don't need you anymore."
The current uproar partly stemmed from the first simple statement he'd made: that Kuhoin Arisa had been infected. The restlike rumors of airborne transmissionhad nothing to do with him.
"S-seriously?"
Ouma Shu's expression showed doubt, but also a glimmer of reliefhe was free to go?
He asked, then realized Rei Ao really didn't care about him. Rei Ao just walked off with the people at his side, heading for the stage. Shu immediately took to his heels and ran off.
At that point, practically everyone in the auditorium was fleeing. Likely that mention of "airborne transmission" had caused full-blown hysteria.
In fact, it wasn't that simple for the virus to spread through the air. Its main mechanism required contact with the "original rock," letting the virus enter the body.
As infection progressed, it grew more severe, or in other cases, unvaccinated carriers could experience a genetic resonance inside the quarantine zone, leading to viral proliferation.
While everyone else escaped, only one brown-haired girl with pigtails rushed onto the stage, anxiously trying to give first aid to Kuhoin Arisa, who was gasping for breath. But all by herself, she clearly couldn't manage.
When she tried calling for help, her eyes happened to meet Ouma Shu's as he fled; her face lit up with hope, but seeing that he only glanced at her once and then followed the crowd out of the auditorium
" "
She felt a pang of disappointment and sadness, yet pressed on with trying to help Kuhoin Arisa.
"Kuhoin-san, hang in there!"
"You can't save her like that if she's infected with the Apocalypse Virus."
At that moment, Rei Ao appeared, having temporarily left Yuzuriha Inori with Futaba and Rio to support her. His voice caught the pigtails girl by surprise.
"And who are you?" the goodhearted girl asked with confusion, raising her head.
"Rei Ao, that's my name."
He crouched down and, right in front of her, tore open Kuhoin Arisa's clothes rather crudelychest area included.
But the exposed body didn't arouse any desire. Instead, on her pale skin, clusters of purple crystals had already grown.
"Th-this!"
The pigtails girl covered her mouth in shock.
Because Kuhoin Arisa's crystalline growth was visibly spreading. A hallmark of the Apocalypse Viruscrystallization akin to purple crystal amassing both on and inside the body.
The more serious the infection, the more pervasive this crystalline spread. Sometimes the process was gradual; other times it was sudden. And right now, Arisa was experiencing the latter.
Rei Ao was also surprised by this turn of events.
"Hah~"
Kuhoin Arisa's throat was already sprouting crystals, nearly blocking her airway. She panted desperately, tears leaking from the corners of her eyes. Shaking, she reached out and clutched the leg of Rei Ao's trousers.
He glanced at her and asked, "Listen, I can save you, but you may have to give up everything in return. Do you want my help?"
Though Kuhoin Arisa couldn't speak, she could still hear. She didn't want to die. She wanted to live. Right now, she had no other options. She nodded with difficulty. No matter what, she clung to that shred of hope.
"Oh, just don't regret it afterwards."
Rei Ao's mouth curled into a cryptic smile. With a casual wave of his hand, the auditorium's doors and windows all closed and were blocked from view.
He placed his hand squarely over the biggest intact area near her heart. Kuhoin Arisa's body shuddered.
Next second
Crack!
The crystals abruptly shattered, dissolving in midair until not even dust remained.
"?"
The kindly girl who'd been trying to help had no idea how that was possible.
She looked back at Kuhoin Arisa and saw that her body had reverted to normal, and beyond that, she looked quite disordered.
"Ugh!"
The girl quickly turned her head, embarrassed.
At that moment, Kuhoin Arisa's breathing returned to normal. She abruptly sat upright, her eyes still filled with lingering terror from that brush with death.
~~~
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Chapter 371: A bit Naughty, a need of Discipline
In the chat group:
Hiiragi Shinoa: "They're huge, and so white."
Stella: "???"
Stella: "Where exactly are you focusing?"
Hiiragi Shinoa: "On the person's body."
Stella: " "
Frieren: "@Rei Ao, why are those purple crystals growing on that person's body?"
Megumi Kato: "Probably has to do with that virus Rei Ao mentioned."
Rei Ao: "Exactly. The 'Apocalypse Virus,' or 'Lost Christmas Virus,' a calamity of this world. Infected individuals crystallize, ultimately turning into purple crystals."
Yukinoshita Yukino: "A viruscan it really do that?"
Futaba Rio: "A standard biological virus shouldn't be able to. Unless it isn't a normal biological virus."
Rei Ao: "Indeed, it can't be called a virus in the usual sense. 'Alien energy' would be more accurate."
Kasuga Hijiri: "Alien? So it came from outer space?!"
Rei Ao: "Pretty much."
Misaka Mikoto: "From what you're saying, it sounds incurable."
A quiet voice spoke up from behind:
"You managed to cure an Apocalypse Virus infection."
"You're awake." Rei Ao turned around.
It was Yuzuriha Inori, now conscious, looking much better in complexion.
She gazed at him gratefully. "Mm, thank you for saving me."
"No need to thank meit was just a trade."
"But your trade conditions are pretty vague."
Even after he saved her, there was no notification that the trade was complete.
"So what exactly do you really intend me to do for you?"
" "
Yuzuriha Inori slowly produced a small testtube container.
"Void Genome."
Rei Ao wasn't surprised she'd acquired it.
What did surprise him was that Yuzuriha Inori handed over the Void Genome to him.
"For me?"
"Mm."
She nodded.
"Why?"
" "
Yuzuriha Inori didn't reply.
Rei Ao narrowed his eyes, gazing at Inori's winered pupils. As though seeing something, he suddenly understood:
"So that's it. You want me to become Adam?"
"!!!"
A flicker of shock passed through Inori's once-calm eyes.
"What are you talking about?"
"Heh."
Rei Ao let out a short laugh, speaking evenly: "No need to pretend. You're not Yuzuriha Inori at all. Should I call you 'Eve?' Or 'Ouma Mana?'"
" "
Inori's expression became calm. Soon enough, the corners of her lips quirked in a smile that would be nearly impossible on the usual Inori's face.
"Aah~ as expected of the Adam I chose. Impressive indeed."
Now Inori's gaze held a hint of fascination as it landed on Rei Ao. Her entire demeanor brimmed with genuine personality, wholly unlike Inori's typical blankness.
"?"
Futaba and Rio watched in puzzlement; it looked like Inori had abruptly become a different person.
"Heeey, Rei Aokun, drink it, become Adam. Then together we can create a new world."
Her eyes brimmed with anticipation, daydreaming, and even seduction. She went so far as to press her body tightly to Rei Ao. He certainly wouldn't refuse such a pleasant sensation
But the key matter was this Inori standing before him.
"Shouldn't we at least introduce ourselves before discussing that?"
"Okaaay~"
Inori batted her eyes mischievously, offering, "Nice to meet you. I'm Ouma Mana."
"Rei Aokun is so sneaky. You already knew, but still made me say it."
Rei Ao was unaffected by her flirting, but at least he'd confirmed her identity:
Ouma Mana, Ouma Shu's older sister, the very first Apocalypse Virus patient, also known as "Eve." The virus seized her memories, her mind, even taking over her body.
"So how did you wake up? I recall you're supposed to be dormant now."
"It's because of your power, Rei Aokun~"
The tip of Mana's crimson tongue licked her lips; the way she stared at Rei Ao was full of a certain feverish desire.
" "
Well, then. By using his magic to heal Inori, he'd inadvertently awakened her. And she was acting like a yandere enthralled by his strengthratherstimulating.
"Adam, is it?"
The virus's reproduction requires Adam and Eve. Ouma Mana was that "Eve." But too bad for her, Rei Ao had no intention of being the virus's breeding container. Moreover, the figure in front of him was effectively coexisting with the virus, leaning toward the virus's control.
Rei Ao casually stowed away the Void Genome, then turned again to "Eve" with a grin. "Ouma Mana, you do realize that procreation isn't limited to some 'Adam and Eve' label."
"Mm?"
Mana gave a moment's pause.
"!!"
Suddenly her expression changed dramatically.
"How can this be?!"
She could no longer sense the Apocalypse Virus at all.
"Whatdid you do?"
Mana's voice carried complicated emotions upon regaining clarity beyond the virus's control.
"I haven't done much. I just helped you calm down. I'll properly show you what real 'reproduction' is later."
He spoke meaningfully. Then, hearing footsteps, Rei Ao slowly turned.
It was Kuhouin Arisa, having tidied her clothes, along with the brownhaired girl who'd tried to help her earlier. They came over together.
"Sir, I'm Kuhouin Arisa, eldest daughter of the Kuhouin Group. May I have your name?"
"Rei Ao."
Kuhouin Arisa's eyes lit upshe'd been worried he might be hard to talk to.
"Rei Aosan, I thank you for saving my life."
From the outset, Arisa adopted a humble posture. But Rei Ao waved it off: "No need to thank me. After all, you chose to give up everything, so that's what you deserve."
"Uh"
Her expression shifted. Trying to maintain composure, she folded her arms with an air of pride.
"I'm the daughter of the Kuhouin Group. Anything you want, I can give you. Just name it."
With that one sentence, she essentially reneged on her original words.
"Ah."
Seeing this, Rei Ao shook his head in wry amusement.
"I assume Miss Kuhouin can understand plain speech. The price you agreed to pay is 'everything.' It's not a matter of me naming what I want; rather, all you possess is mine."
"??"
Kuhouin Arisa's face paled. She'd repeatedly emphasized her status as the Kuhouin heiress, yet the man before her was utterly unmoved by it. Everything? No way she could allow that.
Her gaze turned cold at once.
"Mister, I need to remind you of the Kuhouin Group's power. Please don't force my hand."
This time she wasn't even pretending; she went straight to veiled threats.
"Ha. Haughty, arrogant young ladynow that's a big misstep."
Saved and then throwing out threats. Frankly, that kind of personality wasn't Rei Ao's type. So he'd already classified her as someone who needed "discipline," same as Ouma Mana just now.
~~~
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Chapter 372: Consequence... (Bonus Chapter)
Noticing Kuhouin Arisa's behavior, anyone could see she had no intention of honoring her promise.
Frieren: "Oh my, is that person planning to renege on the deal?"
Sui: "Looks that way."
Tru: "Hmm, such a cunning human, daring to scheme before Rei Aohateful. Just crush her flat with one slap!"
Misaka Mikoto: "I'm really curious. If it's a deal not made via the chat group and the other party refuses to pay, how do we handle it?"
Busujima Saeko: "Indeed, this kind of thing is a first."
Akame: "If it's just a verbal agreement, it's easy for people to look for loopholes."
Stella: "@Rei Ao, so right now you're getting the short end?"
Rei Ao: "What are you thinking? There's no one who can make me lose out."
Yukinoshita Yukino: "Then what do you plan to do?"
Rei Ao: "Obviously, I'll revert everything to before the deal. Then this trade never happened."
Misaka Mikoto: "Huh?"
Seeing the change in Rei Ao's expression, Kuhouin Arisa stiffened.
She hastily promised, "I can offer you the entire support of the Kuhouin Group. You also have a method of curing people infected with the Apocalypse Virus. If we collaborate, the Group can build you into a perfect savior."
At this point, she was still thinking of leveraging Rei Ao's unknown cure for profit.
Understandable, as she was an heiress raised in a major conglomerate, naturally aware of the huge benefits that curing the virus could bring. But, oh dear, she was talking to Rei Ao, who had no interest in this world's fame or fortune.
"Sorry, it's too late."
Rei Ao raised one finger to her lips, making a "shh" gesture.
"Since you don't want to keep your promise, we'll just revert everything back to the original state. Don't say too much."
"Revertto the original state?"
Turning over that phrase, Kuhouin Arisa wasn't sure what he meant. Her confusion lasted only a moment.
"Ugh!!!"
A familiar, intense pain in her chest made her grunt.
