"Hmm, I need clothing."
Recalling the clothes she'd seen in some of the chat group pictures, she selected something she liked. Another spell, and a black and white outfit appeared on her.
"Let's go see the human world."
With a swift motion, Tohru flew out of the cave in her human form, heading for the city.
...
Hours passed.
For some, like Rei Ao and Yuriko, the time felt quick; for others, it seemed to drag on.
By evening, Rei Ao felt as though the time had flown byhe was more than satisfied, yet there was still much he could have enjoyed.
The time had primarily been spent with Yuriko Takagi. He'd given Saya quite the reprieve by taking on Yuriko instead.
But for Yukino, the wait felt endless. The thought of what Rei Ao was doing left her restless and uneasy.
Only when it was finally over did she feel a sense of relief.
As Rei Ao exited the room, he was met by Rei Miyamoto, Shizuka Marikawa, and little Alice, who was peeking out shyly from behind them. They were all well aware of what Rei Ao had been up to, though their reactions varied.
Rei looked somewhat disappointed she hadn't been able to join. Shizuka, ever the carefree one, had even left her shirt partially unbuttoned. And Alice, clearly embarrassed, sneaked glances at Rei Ao.
Yukino and Saeko Busujima arrived a moment later, with Yukino's knitted brow immediately catching Rei Ao's attention.
"You seem to have been waiting anxiously."
"..."
Yukino remained silent. It wasn't so much that she had been waiting impatientlyrather, the idea of what he had been doing left her feeling as if she'd been crawling with ants.
Without further comment, she asked directly, "Are we going back now?"
"If you're in a hurry, then yes, let's go back."
Rei Ao's stay had reached its limit.
"Saeko, Rei, I'm leaving Saya and Yuriko in your hands," he said.
Saeko, sensing his underlying meaning, smiled and nodded. "Understood."
In a flash, Rei Ao and Yukino vanished.
Saeko turned to Rei. "Rei, come with me."
"Oh, okay," Rei replied, following her into the room.
The familiar disarray and heavy scent were obvious, though this time, it was Saya and Yuriko lying there rather than themselves.
Yuriko was peacefully asleep, but Saya's breathing was clearly irregular.
Saeko grinned. "Saya, you're awake."
"..."
Busted, Saya reluctantly sat up, embarrassed.
In truth, she had woken up halfway through, and upon seeing her mother's state, along with the chat notifications, she had pretended to stay asleep to avoid the awkwardness of acknowledging it.
She didn't want to embarrass herselfor her mother.
But as she had "slept," she had watched everything.
It was all because of her. Her lack of strength had led her mother to take her place.
Saeko spoke meaningfully, "Saya, and you too, Yuriko. I think it's safe to say we're all family now, don't you?"
"Huh?"
Rei looked over, surprised that Rei Ao had, indeed, brought them both fully into the fold.
Saya could only smile wryly. "I'm basically just his property now that jerk."
[Name]: Saya Takagi
[Level]: 1
[Abilities]: "Dragon Force," "Fire Spirit," "Rei Ao's Blessing," "Inherent Device: Transformation Cube"
[Name]: Yuriko Takagi
[Level]: 1
[Abilities]: "Dragon Force," "Thunder Spirit," "Rei Ao's Blessing," "Inherent Device: Pure Soul Lance"
This was the blessing both she and her mother had received.
Saya had watched how Yuriko had been fully "conquered" by Rei Ao. She never imagined he'd openly discuss her with Yurikoand even less that her mother would agree!
Saya realized her mother had, in essence, "sold" her for Rei Ao's considerable skill.
It was bittersweet.
Returning to her apartment, Yukino Yukinoshita immediately saw her sister Haruno asleep on the couch.
""
Seeing her older sister, who had come all the way over out of concern, Yukino felt a wave of mixed emotions she couldn't quite describe.
After a moment, she gently shook Haruno's shoulder, calling softly, "Sister, wake up."
Haruno, under the effects of Vignette's sleep spell, was in a deep slumber. It took several moments of Yukino's nudging before she finally stirred, slowly opening her eyes.
Still groggy, Haruno sat up abruptly. "Yukino!"
Her mind was still focused on the worry she'd had over Yukino's sudden disappearance.
Seeing her sister's concern, warmth filled Yukino's heart.
"Sister, why are you sleeping here?" she asked, her voice calm as usual.
"You're back, Yukino!" Haruno exclaimed, pulling her sister into a tight hug, overwhelmed with relief.
In her own mind, Yukino felt a quiet appreciation. Normally, she didn't enjoy this kind of embrace, but this time she allowed it, feeling the genuine care coming from her sister.
After a long moment, Haruno released Yukino, regaining her composure as she put on a more serious expression. "Where were you before?"
"..."
Yukino sighed inwardly. This familiar mask of Haruno's was what she found difficult to handle. Keeping her expression neutral, Yukino replied calmly, "Getting my phone repaired."
"Your phone"
Haruno paused, realizing that must have been why her calls hadn't gone through. It seemed she had worried for nothing.
Still, at least Yukino was safe.
Haruno rubbed her forehead. "I can't believe I fell asleep here"
She glanced at the time. "Six hours have passed?"
Haruno was stunned that she'd slept that longher work today was likely a lost cause. She saw numerous missed calls on her phone, all from their mother.
"Sigh."
Haruno sighed deeply, resigned to the stern talk she'd likely face from their mother. But she smiled lightly at Yukino. "Oh well. Next time, Yukino, let your sister know, so I don't worry myself sick."
"Now that everything's alright, I'll be going."
"Mm" Yukino nodded quietly, feeling too awkward to respond harshly to her sister's genuine concern this time.
As Haruno walked to the door, Yukino couldn't help but say, "Thank you, Sister."
Haruno's steps halted, a faint smile appearing on her face as she left.
The next morning, a powerful aura suddenly emanated from Rei Ao, startling Mai beside him.
Even his large sword slid from his side as he stood there, energy radiating around him.
"Rei Ao, what's going on?" Mai asked, both tired and bewildered.
Rei Ao, looking down at his hands, stayed silent. He hadn't intentionally released this energyhis body was simply overflowing with newfound power.
He realized what it meant: he'd leveled up to 46.
Guessing the cause, he quickly opened the chat group.
Rei Ao: "@Shizue Izawa, are you there?"
Shizue Izawa: "Yes, I just woke up. Good morning, Rei Ao. Did you need something?"
Rei Ao: "Good morning. I wanted to askdid Velzard and Velgrynd happen to do anything yesterday?"
Shizue Izawa: "One moment, I'll check with them."
Frieren: "Did something happen this morning?"
Rei Ao: "Nothing major, just curious if they gained any strength recently."
Shizue Izawa: "Oh, I just heard back."
Shizue Izawa: "Yesterday, they apparently took down a disaster-level monster."
Just as he thought. Their battle experience had been split with him, leading to his unexpected level increase.
"A disaster-level monster apparently of the demon lord type."
If those two continued to hunt at this level, wouldn't his strength just keep skyrocketing?
It seemed giving them his blessing was the best choice he'd made yet. And he had no shame about it.
After all, it was his wives' success he was benefiting from. He hoped Velzard and Velgrynd would continueand maybe even take down a demon lord, or perhaps something even grander.
~~~
Patreon(.)com/Bleam
Currently You can Read 50 Chapters Ahead of Others!
Chapter 106: Raphiel confronting Gabriel, Mafuyu Kirisu's Gift
Back at the apartment, Mai quickly noticed something was off.
Rei Ao's massive presence seemed to be stirring physically again.
Realizing what might come next, she hurriedly began getting out of bed to dress. If she didn't, the consequences could be disastrous.
All Mai could hope for was that someone, anyone, would occasionally step in to share the burden. She was truly at her limitRei Ao was simply too relentless.
'Ding-dong!'
The crisp chime of the doorbell rang, and to Mai, it felt like an angel extending a saving hand.
Pulling the blanket tighter around her body, she urged, "Someone's at the door! Go see who it is!"
"Hm?" Rei Ao gave her a peculiar look. Moments ago, she was clinging to him, begging for more, and now she was pushing him away.
Ah, women.
Still, he understood what Mai feared. After leveling up, not only had his power and abilities grown exponentially, but his physical stamina and needs had also surged dramatically.
It wasn't something he could turn off, much like a car in overdrive.
Deciding to indulge her, Rei Ao threw on some clothes and went to open the door.
Standing there was, indeed, an angelliterally.
"Gabriel."
But this angel looked utterly disheveled and lifeless. There was none of the divine radiance one would expect.
Despite it being just a day since they last met, Gabriel seemed completely drained of energy, her dull, fish-like eyes evidence enough.
Rei Ao didn't need to ask; it was obvious she'd spent another night gaming without sleep.
Whenever Gabriel showed up, it was usually for one of three reasons: borrowing money, borrowing money, or borrowing money.
"How much?" he asked flatly.
Gabriel held up one finger. "Ten thousand."
"Another ten thousand, huh?" Rei Ao crossed his arms.
"Gabriel, I feel it's necessary to remind you: you already owe me quite a few tens of thousands, yet you haven't repaid a single cent. So, what do you propose we do about that?"
"Uh" Gabriel shrank back, pulling her head down between her shoulders.
She'd spent all her money on microtransactions and had completely lost track of how much she owed.
"I'll I'll pay you back! I promise!"
Her assurance was clearly half-hearted.
Rei Ao wasn't going to let her off so easily this time.
"That's not going to cut it, Gabriel. At this rate, I'll never see my money again. Don't you think I deserve a little interest?"
"W-what kind of interest?" Gabriel stammered.
"What do you have to offer?" he asked casually.
"..."
Gabriel thought hard. Apart from a mountain of trash bags in her room, she had nothing. Well, she did have the 'Horn of Destruction', but there was no way she'd hand that over.
Utterly flustered, she could only shake her head.
"Sigh," Rei Ao feigned disappointment. "If you've got nothing to offer, what am I supposed to do?"
He stroked his chin, his gaze slowly sweeping over Gabriel's figure until it stopped at her lips.
"How about you give me a kiss?"
"W-what?!" Gabriel's eyes widened in shock.
A kiss?
Her eyes followed Rei Ao's gaze, realizing where he was looking. She hadn't misunderstood.
"T-this isn't appropriate, is it?"
A blush spread rapidly across her face, painting her cheeks a vibrant red.
Something like this shouldn't it be reserved for someone she truly cared about? Even as an angel, she hadn't reached that point yetafter all, not even her older sister had experienced such a thing.
Rei Ao sighed, "Well, you need to give me something. Otherwise, I'll just assume you'll never pay me back."
"I" Gabriel lowered her head, ashamed.
He wasn't wrong. She had no way to repay him anytime soon. But give up gaming? Absolutely not!
Resolving to stick to her gaming life, Gabriel shyly raised her head. "C-can I kiss your cheek instead?"
"Sure." Rei Ao smiled, agreeing without hesitation.
One step at a time, he thought. If it was her cheek this time, her lips would follow next. After that, she might even get acquainted with something 'bigger'.
"C-close your eyes first!" Gabriel demanded nervously.
"Alright." Rei Ao closed his eyes, obliging her request.
After confirming he couldn't see, Gabriel gave herself a pep talk.
"Gabriel, you have to save the worldyou can't falter here!"
Her determination to save the gaming world (read: her gaming addiction) overcame her embarrassment. She stepped forward, tiptoed
'Mwah!'
The kiss was fleeting, lasting just a second.
Rei Ao opened his eyes, about to say something, but Gabriel had already turned and bolted.
She stumbled over her words as she fled. "R-r-remember to transfer the money!"
In a flurry of embarrassment, Gabriel dashed back to her apartment. Door open, door slammed shutit was a single fluid motion.
Rei Ao chuckled. "Heh."
Rei Ao touched his still-warm cheek, the smile on his lips refusing to fade.
It seemed the next step in his plan to "conquer" Gabriel could officially begin.
"Who was it this time?"
Mai, fearing Rei Ao would return to the bedroom and continue their activities, quickly got up and stepped out.
Rei Ao closed the door behind him and replied, "No one important. It was Gabriel."
"Let me guessborrowing money again?"
Mai instinctively blurted out, barely able to hold back a chuckle.
She had originally thought angels and demons would be majestic, unapproachable beings. But after spending time with them, their quirks became apparent.
— Gabriel: A gaming-addicted recluse who was perpetually borrowing money from Rei Ao.
— Vignette: Despite being a demon, she was sweet and kind, practically angelic. Even Rei Ao had jokingly remarked she was more suited to being a seraph.
— Satania: A self-proclaimed demon queen who was more like a mischievous child. She had declared Rei Ao her "master" but remained hilariously naive.
— Raphiel: The one Mai found the hardest to read. Outwardly elegant and ladylike, but something about her serene demeanor always felt slightly off.
"Gabriel's been spending more on microtransactions lately," Rei Ao said, shaking his head.
Mai frowned. "Why do you keep giving her money? If her game keeps encouraging her to spend like this, it's definitely problematic!"
"Why?" Rei Ao's lips curled into a sly grin.
"Mai, what would you say if I told you I was working on getting you a sweet little angel sister?"
"???"
Mai immediately understood the meaning behind Rei Ao's mischievous tone and expression. It was all too familiar.
With an exaggerated eye roll, she sighed, "You're such a scumbag. You're actually using this to seduce an angel?"
She knew exactly what he was up to. Gabriel was clearly already ensnared in Rei Ao's webjust like she had been.
