The goal has been fulfilled—we reached 100 Power Stones this week!As promised, here comes the 10-chapter mass drop.
...
[Ding! Randomly Acquired Traits: Devour Spirit (Blue), Toxic Spirit Energy (Green)]
[Toxic Spirit Energy (Green): Your spiritual power now carries a deadly poison.]
"One duplicate and one piece of junk—straight into the trash."
Takumi glanced at the new traits and immediately discarded them.
Focusing inward, he could clearly sense subtle changes in his body—his mana pool had expanded, and his soul felt slightly stronger.
"That Cursed Spirit must've been upper mid-tier. For a blue-quality trait, that's not bad."
He could still feel the power coursing through him from Devour Spirit—its potential was remarkable, rivaling even some purple-grade traits.
After checking himself, Takumi turned to look at the panicked crowd nearby.
Raising a finger, he whispered. "Nightmare Magic: Memory Manipulation."
In the next instant, a faint glow spread across the area, washing over every person present. Their memories of what had just happened vanished in an instant. To them, it was as if they'd merely spaced out for a moment—then went right back to their daily routines.
"Gotta hand it to you, Maria—your magic is damn useful."
Satisfied, Takumi turned back toward the two trembling girls—Eriri and Miko.
"Miko, Miko~ you never disappoint."
If anyone could attract spirits, it was her. Where she went, trouble followed. He'd spent all day searching without finding a single spirit, while she'd managed to stumble into a nest of them within minutes.
Hearing him praise her, Miko's lips trembled—she looked like she was about to cry.
That kind of compliment, she really didn't want.
Takumi ignored her misery and turned his gaze toward Eriri, who was still staring blankly at him.
That familiar blonde hair, that pouty "loser dog" expression—he recognized her instantly.
"Well, well~ Golden Hair. Been a while, hasn't it?"
"That nickname—! You bastard!"
Eriri pointed straight at him, her eyes wide.
Miko blinked in confusion and asked, "You two… know each other?"
Laughing heartily, Takumi didn't bother hiding the truth.
After being adopted by the Hero's Village, he hadn't stayed there full-time.
When he was in elementary and middle school, he was sent to study in the city—and that was when he'd met Eriri.
Back then, he'd been something of a "class king." Naturally, she'd known him.
For Eriri, though, the memories were… complicated.
She remembered her younger self—flustered, gullible, and foolishly giving her first kiss to Takumi. And not just her—he'd tricked a whole group of girls at once.
The realization made her cheeks burn. That damned kid had been full of dirty tricks even back then!
After stewing in silence for a while, she sighed and asked, "Why did you suddenly transfer away? Even Yuki didn't know where you went… and what's with those superpowers straight out of a manga?"
His disappearance back then had crushed her. She'd even begged her mother to help find him—but after a few mysterious warnings, the search had abruptly stopped.
"It's a long story," Takumi said casually. "Short version: I used to be part of the Hero's Village. Then my demon bloodline awakened and they kicked me out. I've been wandering ever since—settled here recently."
Eriri froze. She'd never imagined something so absurd could be true.
Miko looked equally stunned. "So… Takumi, you're actually… a demon?"
"Something like that. Though honestly, I'm too much of a mutt for any demon clan to claim me."
He waved dismissively, not wanting to dwell on it. There were more important things on his mind.
The moment he'd reunited with Eriri, his World-Crossing Gate progress had stalled and now he was eager to finish it.
He quickly crafted two protective charms with his magic and handed them to the girls.
"Keep these. Anyway, I've got things to do—see you later."
Without giving them a chance to reply, he turned and vanished from sight.
Eriri and Miko stood there, wind whipping through their hair, completely dumbfounded.
"That jerk! After all these years, he says two sentences and disappears!"
Eriri pouted, gripping the charm tightly. She still had so many things she wanted to ask him… But as she looked down at the finely crafted charm, a small, genuine smile crept onto her face.
At least we met again.And… he's still the same idiot.
Miko sighed with relief, clutching her own charm. Somehow, Takumi's felt stronger—safer—than the one Raynare had given her.
After a moment of quiet, Eriri leaned close to Miko. "That monster earlier… what the hell was it? You seem like you know something."
Her mind was a storm of confusion—why could she suddenly see things like that?
And how had her ordinary day turned into… this?
Assuming Eriri was like her—someone who'd just awakened the ability to see spirits—Miko explained everything she knew about Cursed Spirits.
…
Meanwhile, Takumi had already reached a deserted alley.
"World-Crossing Gate —activate."
The words triggered a surge of energy. The accumulated fate energy condensed into radiant light before him, forming a towering, ornate gate.
As it materialized, knowledge about the World-Crossing Gate flooded his mind.
It wasn't just a portal for world travel—it contained an entire pocket dimension, roughly the size of a football field.
This [Interdimensional Realm] acted as both a transfer hub and a personal world, expanding as his fate energy grew.
Additionally, anyone with over 80 points of Affection toward him could be bound to the gate—granting them access to enter the realm, or even travel across worlds, depending on his permissions.
A mental panel appeared before him:
[Affection Levels: 0–9 Stranger / 10–29 Acquaintance / 30–59 Friend / 60–79 Close Friend / 80–99 Life-Bond / 100 Eternal Devotion]
"So I can bring people along, huh? Not bad."
He immediately thought of Raynare and the others. With the master–servant contracts in place, and their affection likely high enough, they'd be perfect candidates for testing.
Through this gate, he could cultivate a loyal group in secret—a hidden base of operations completely under his control.
Given how unstable this world was—and the fact that ancient gods might descend at any time—having a safe retreat was invaluable.
Even if he couldn't win, he could always take his people and run.
Feeling the weight lift from his chest, Takumi stepped through the gate.
Inside lay a desolate wasteland. The sky was dim, cloaked in mist, and the air itself felt thin and lifeless.
"The fate energy I've gathered isn't enough yet. The realm's still incomplete."
He crouched, scooping up a handful of gray dust—no trace of vitality at all. Even the oxygen level was barely enough to breathe.
"Looks like I'll have to gather a lot more luck before this place becomes habitable."
He stood there silently, gazing at the fog-shrouded horizon—his own, newborn world waiting to be shaped.
...
Read 50+ chapters ahead on Patreon! [patreon.com/METARLN]
Use code FREE2ALL for 30% OFF!