Given the zero skill points and the basic numerical stats shown on the system panel, C.C could easily deduce that the system created by this world's deity wasn't exactly a masterpiece of divine craftsmanship.
It's like the stat sheets in Kamen Rider—they're fun to look at, but when it's time to fight, the righteous Rider Kick isn't going to care if the numbers add up.
It's all about kicking the bad guys into next week.
C.C figured the system had only performed a surface-level scan of her physical stats.
Her soul had already begun evolving, bearing the imprint of the Code, and buried deep within it was the presence of the Chat Group.
There was no way a simple, unintelligent system like this could hope to access that.
That said, it wasn't entirely useless.
Sure, the system crafted by D couldn't compare to the Chat Group in any meaningful way—but if it was just about saving one planet, then yeah, it could probably get the job done.
Assuming no one continued squandering the planet's energy.
See, MA energy doesn't just appear out of nowhere.
It's born from life—when beings train and grow stronger while alive, their accumulated stats and skills are recycled back into MA energy upon death, returning to the planet to sustain its cycle.
That's how it should work.
But a huge chunk of that energy was being stolen by the Spirit.
And no, not the charming kind like in Date A Live.
The Spirit in Shiraori's world were more like a global cancer.
The energy they hoarded was being funneled directly into their endless wars.
To put it in perspective—this stolen MA energy was enough to save the world two or three times over!
So yeah, just existing as an Spirit in this world was already a cosmic mistake.
Anyone who knew the truth of the system wanted them gone.
C.C gave the stat panel a final glance and dismissed it.
Now she sat, hands steepled in front of her face like Commander Ikari, deep in thought.
"So… I should be able to level up by killing monsters, right?"
Since the system had registered both Nagami and C.C as connected users, slaying monsters—or people—should naturally earn them experience points.
And with each level-up, they'd gain skill points.
Those points, in a sense, were fragments of other beings' souls.
Nagami's soul was beyond the system's grasp.
So any original soul essence he acquired through leveling up would exit the system entirely once he left this world.
In essence… what she was doing wasn't all that different from the spirit.
Fortunately, C.C never planned to abuse this world's system to become overpowered.
Just a little growth wouldn't hurt, right?
Besides, Evil God D wasn't the type to micromanage stuff like this.
The only reason D created the system in the first place was to enjoy the drama between humans and other race—a reality show for a god bored out of her mind.
————————————————————————
"Okay! That wraps up today's session of 'Nagami's World-Hopping Lecture Hour.' Any more questions, dear Shiraori?"
Nagami capped off his explanations—why he came to this world, the whole dual-body situation, and more—while Shiraori tried her best to absorb it all.
He casually pulled a water bottle from his backpack, unscrewed the cap, and chugged it down.
He made a mental note:
'First chance I get, I'm learning space magic. At the very least, I need one of those main character-style inventory spaces.'
"Ohh! Nope, I got it all! Totally understood~"
Shiraori wiped her nose in a proud little gesture, then started twirling and dancing around, clearly elated.
Nagami's eye twitched.
Watching the massive white spider bounce around like a hyperactive kid made an involuntary shiver run down his spine.
'Man, I really can't get used to her without the beauty filter…'
Seriously, if a regular human saw this, their SAN score would plummet.
Nagami could already feel the goosebumps.
He frowned, suddenly deep in thought.
"Maybe I should ask Evil God D for a beauty filter skill…" It came out as a whisper, almost unintentional.
Rationally speaking, D—the creator of this system—probably had her eye on him from the moment he arrived in this world.
There was no hiding from her.
Still, Nagami had no reason to conceal anything.
If anything, D was the kind of twisted personality who got excited by unpredictable new variables.
Why was he so sure D wouldn't mess with him?
Call it intuition. One trickster always recognizes another.
————————————————————————
'Bzzzt… shhhk…'
A sudden burst of static broke the silence.
Nagami inside the house, and C.C outside on the webbed hammock, both froze.
The sound hit both bodies at exactly the same moment.
That alone was enough to rule out any environmental noise.
Which left only one possible source— The System.
[Ding!]
[Request received by Supreme Administrator D.]
[Constructing skill...]
[Construction complete.]
[Conditions met.]
[Skill acquired.]
"…Huh?!"
Nagami's eyelid twitched. His eyes flew open, pitch black irises filled with astonishment.
'No way—she was really watching?!'
His inner scream echoed with disbelief, and though he almost let slip a few choice expletives, he swapped them out at the last second for a slightly more respectful, "big sis."
In the deep darkness, the only light came from a floating system screen, casting a dim, eerie glow.
Beyond the haze of light, a blurry figure could just barely be made out—a breathtakingly beautiful girl.
Her skin was pale and flawless, like a porcelain doll sculpted by a master artisan.
Dressed in simple loungewear, she stared intently at the screen in front of her.
Reaching over to the nearby table, she plucked a bag of snacks from the pile, pulled out a chip with her delicate fingers, and popped it into her mouth—licking the crumbs off her fingertips with a pink tongue.
Her eyes sparkled with amusement and curiosity, lips curled in a faint smirk.
By the way, when Shiraori takes human form, aside from her white hair and red eyes, she's a perfect match for Wakaba Hiiro—who just so happens to be Administrator D.
Nagami considered calling her "wifey" just to see what would happen, but he wasn't quite ready to get obliterated for that joke. Probably best to save that one for later.
"Shiro, come here! I just got a really interesting skill!" he called out warmly, waving at the white spider nearby.
"Huh? Huh? What skill?" Shiraori paused mid-dance, her eight long legs clicking as she scuttled over. All eight of her crimson eyes gleamed with curiosity.
"You'll see." Nagami placed a hand gently on her head and activated his newly acquired skill—Beauty Filter.
At the same time, he didn't forget to activate his Copy Eye.
Never miss a chance to freeload a bit of magic.
His hand began to glow brilliantly, the light so intense it forced him to shield his face even with his eyes shut.
After a few seconds, the light finally faded.
Nagami lowered his hand and cautiously peeked open one eye.
He turned toward Shiraori—now right beside him.
'Phew…' Relief washed over him as he saw the now-familiar, adorable face staring back at him.
"Ahh! It's so bright! What the heck did you just do to me, Nagami?!"
Shiraori rolled around on the bed in agony, flailing like she was on the verge of a meltdown.
Her poor spider eyes felt like they'd been flashbanged into oblivion.
"Ahem… It was a bit of an accident. Anyway, never mind that—take a look at yourself now," Nagami said with an apologetic chuckle, scratching the back of his head.
"Huh? My... self?" Still dazed, Shiraori leaned toward the spider-silk mirror Nagami had crafted.
Her eight eyes went wide at the reflection staring back at her—an adorable spider, round and fluffy with just the right amount of charm.
"W-Whoa! That's me?! I'm so cute! φ(>ω<*)>"
"Right? Not bad, huh? A little gift from big sis D herself~" Nagami flashed a proud grin, his tone as casual as if D were actually his older sister.
No shame at all.
Honestly, if you're flattering a god purely because they're cool, that doesn't make you a bootlicker—it just makes you right.
"…Sigh." Shiraori's excitement stalled.
She looked at Nagami, dumbfounded, her limbs twitching slightly with nervous tension.
He—this otherworlder—was directly communicating with D?
And D even gave him a skill?
It made no sense… until she remembered all the anime and light novels she'd read.
D was the kind of being who did whatever amused her in the moment.
Suddenly, everything clicked.
Her cute pink eyes sparkled with understanding.
"Well then, time to get back to the main quest. We're on a tight schedule," Nagami said, standing up and slinging the borrowed katana from Mei over his shoulder.
He gave Shiraori a quick nod and strode toward the exit.
The path ahead was waiting.