While Akuto was lost in thought, Kaguya continued.
"Later, I discovered that the awakened ones in Akuto-dono's team… their soul power is also far stronger than that of ordinary people."
"So, I came to a conclusion—Akuto-dono must be selecting his team members based on the strength of their souls."
"I wonder… is my judgment correct?"
"Mm. More or less."
Akuto nodded. If one insisted, Kaguya wasn't wrong.
"Is that so? It really is like that?"
Her smile deepened.
"Then, Akuto-dono, could you also answer another of my doubts?"
"What doubt?"
"Akuto-dono, will you yourself grow stronger because of these people with powerful souls?"
"I asked Shizuka-san about your growth, and found that you've steadily gotten stronger. Considering everything, I came to that conclusion."
Facing her eyes full of expectation, Akuto slowly replied:
"Yes."
"Is that so? That's wonderful!"
Kaguya gave a little jump of joy. With this ability, Akuto was destined to grow continuously—destined to stand at the pinnacle of the world!
For her, no news could be better.
After her joy settled, she looked back with a smile.
"Officer Kiriko? Officer Nakaoka? You both heard Akuto-dono's answer, didn't you?"
"Yes, we are happy to become Akuto-dono's strength," the two answered in unison.
Akuto hadn't expected them to be so obedient to Kaguya.
[Most likely because they're police. Police would naturally have strong loyalty toward royalty.]
[So that's why Kaguya accepted Nakaoka Asami as her guard—because she sensed that Asami's soul power was extraordinary?]
Kiriko and Asami's faces flushed red as they reached to remove their uniforms.
At that moment, Akuto stopped them.
"Wait."
"What's wrong, Akuto-dono?" Kaguya tilted her head. Could it be he was displeased with her making decisions for him?
Could it be Akuto wasn't interested in Kiriko that way?
No, impossible.
She had observed many times. She was certain—Akuto's gaze toward Kiriko was not that of looking at an elder, but at a woman.
That's why she made today's decision.
She chose to be Akuto's black glove, doing things he could not do openly, to gain extra favor.
Under her questioning eyes, Akuto slowly spoke:
"No, what I mean is… police uniforms don't need to be taken off."
"..."
His words made the three women fall silent.
A few seconds later, Kiriko's eyes widened when she saw the scissors appear in Akuto's hand. She swallowed hard.
So the Akuto she had watched grow up… actually hid such a perverted side?
Where… was he planning to cut with those scissors?
"Akuto-dono really is quite the pervert, isn't he~"
Kaguya let out a breath of relief, abandoning the thought of removing her ornate princess dress. She was happy to indulge her husband's small peculiarities.
—One hour later.
After Kaguya and Asami had fainted, even Kiriko half-heartedly surrendered herself to Akuto.
When a large amount of symbiote merged with her, Kiriko's pupils rolled back slightly, and her well-toned stomach faintly bulged.
[Ding!~]
[Congratulations, Host, on completing a Fortune Seizure.]
[Fortune Source: Nakaoka Asami.]
[Blank Initial Ability Slot +1. Current Total: 7.]
[Ding!~]
[Congratulations, Host, on completing a Fortune Seizure.]
[Fortune Source: Miyamoto Kiriko.]
[Blank Initial Ability Slot +1. Current Total: 8.]
[Ding!]
[Congratulations, Host, on completing a Past-Life Target — Complete Miyamoto Collection (Miyamoto Rei, Miyamoto Kiriko).]
[Reward Unlocked: Combat Instinct (Blue).]
[Combat Instinct (Blue): As the name suggests, a powerful battle instinct that enables the Host to quickly wield all forms of combat and weaponry.
Even without training, sheer instinct alone allows the Host to defeat burly men with only human-level strength.
In terms of reaction, it even surpasses Rank B Intuition.]
...
While Akuto was unlocking collection achievements, Takashi was on the verge of collapse.
Because he realized… Akuto just didn't stop!
At first, it was only Kaguya and her group.
Then Shizuka, Rei, Rika—one by one, different women entered Akuto's room. And none of them… ever came out again!
When Rei entered, Takashi almost couldn't stop himself from rushing out right then and there!
But he hadn't expected… it could get worse.
His own mother, Aoi, was the last to enter Akuto's room!
In Takashi's disbelieving eyes, Aoi pulled out a compact mirror to check her makeup while adjusting her black stockings.
"Bang!"
As Aoi stepped into Akuto's room, Takashi finally broke, storming out!
Yet standing at the door, he froze.
What could he do? Just burst in and interrupt?
Even if he managed to stop it this time… what about next time?
At last, Takashi finally understood why Akuto had let him live!
It was because his mother had sacrificed herself to protect him!
Akuto was using another method to take revenge on him!
Just imagining Akuto attacking his "spawn point" made Takashi's mind collapse into chaos. His fists clenched so tightly that blood seeped from his fingers.
In these past two days, he had devoured Koichi Shido, along with countless zombies, and had grown to a mid-level demon.
Originally, he had even planned to devour Hirano. He could smell the aura on him, knowing it would bring immense benefit.
But even after consuming so many, Takashi didn't dare act against Akuto inside the Takagi estate.
If he did, not only Akuto, but even Soichiro Takagi and the other awakened ones would strike him down!
...
Half an hour later.
Aoi let out a sweet cry before fainting away.
Hearing that single sound—her only sound since she entered—Takashi's eyes dimmed, and his body collapsed weakly to the floor.
(End of Chapter)
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