[Mass Release: 3/10]
...
Meeting Takumi's gaze—sharp and hungry like that of a wild wolf—Anna's face flushed bright red as waves of shyness and happiness rose within her.
To her, his affection was something she accepted from the depths of her heart.
It was only that his advance came too directly, too boldly, leaving her overwhelmed and flustered.
"U-um… Takumi, it's still daytime. I… I still have farm work to do!"
Finding the weakest excuse imaginable, Anna bolted out the door like a startled fawn.
Watching her leave, Takumi caught the flicker of her affection level above her head.
[Affection: 100]
"A full score just from a confession, huh? What an irresistible little wife you are, Anna."
Still savoring the lingering sweetness of her lips, Takumi sifted through Keyaru's memories that involved her. Even if she wasn't someone blessed with much fate or significance—barely even a supporting character— she was his now. And no one would ever be allowed to harm her.
"A master–servant contract will be necessary. As for that filthy first princess… she shouldn't arrive for a few days yet."
Stepping outside, Takumi made his way toward the nearby forest.
For normal people in this world, the forest was a forbidden land—a vast and dangerous domain where countless monsters roamed and devoured any intruder.
But to Takumi, it was the perfect hunting ground.
Unfurling his black Fallen Angel wings, he rose high above the canopy, spreading his hands.
"Boosted!"
The Red Dragon Emperor's Gauntlet materialized, glowing crimson as it doubled his power again and again.
With each booming chant, his aura flared.
"Boosted!" ×10!
By the tenth echo, his strength had grown 1,000 times over.
His skin cracked under the pressure, barely containing the torrent of power bursting from within.
"[Restore]!"
Relying on his constant stream of healing magic, Takumi forced his body to endure the strain. Then, grinning wildly, he unleashed it all at once—magic energy nearing Demon Lord-level intensity.
"[Gravity Magic: Chaotic Storm]!"
A massive violet ring of energy expanded outward, blanketing everything within a twenty-kilometer radius.
Rumble!!!
The chaotic gravity field twisted reality itself—gravity fluctuated randomly between x1 and x100 in shifting directions. Trees warped, the ground folded, and the entire forest was torn apart by unseen hands.
Tens of thousands of monsters and creatures were shredded into fragments in an instant.
The world's unique experience value poured into Takumi like rivers merging into the sea. He could feel his body hardening, his magic swelling—his strength evolving.
After thirty seconds, he dismissed the Red Dragon Emperor's Gauntlet, his aura receding. Even so, his overall power had tripled.
"Massacring millions of monsters for such a boost… this world really is an excellent training ground."
Thanks to the [Chosen Hero] trait, his growth was utterly smooth—no bottlenecks, no limits.
Before, no matter how much he trained, there were always thresholds he couldn't surpass. Now, they no longer existed.
Flying over what looked like a blendered wasteland of twisted terrain, Takumi arrived above a beautiful lake.
Curiously, the lake was untouched—protected by a faint, unseen barrier that had resisted the storm.
"So this is the Elven Realm's lake. Shame I don't know their ancient language."
Frowning slightly, he realized that killing the first-loop Keyaru hadn't granted him any of that knowledge. Without the ancient chant, he couldn't formally obtain the elves' blessing.
"Well, if words won't work—then I'll just force it!"
"Boosted!" x10!
BOOM!
A visible shockwave exploded outward as his energy surged once more, distorting the very air. He was even stronger than before—terrifyingly so.
"I can still take more! Restore!"
"Boosted!!"
He forced another leap—his strength now 2,000 times its base value.
He could no longer shape his magic into complex spells; it overflowed too violently.
But that much was enough.
A massive golden sphere formed above the forest, radiating divine brilliance so bright it outshone the sun. Its power could erase everything below in an instant.
As the energy coalesced, ripples spread across the surface of the lake.
Starlight flared across the sky, and a brilliant blue beam split open the air above the water.
From it descended a breathtaking woman clad in a translucent azure robe, her crystalline wings gleaming faintly.
She looked in Takumi's direction, voice trembling.
"Child of man… what do you seek?!"
Even from the Elven Realm, she had sensed the catastrophic surge of power here.
If that sphere descended, the elves would be annihilated.
She had no choice but to intervene—the Star Spirit herself.
Takumi glanced down at her, still holding the "Spirit Bomb" above his palm.
He smirked. "Looks like I don't need the ritual after all. You came out just fine."
"It's simple," he said flatly. "I want the power of your elves."
"..."
The Star Spirit froze, dumbfounded.
Why would someone this overwhelmingly powerful even need their power? He could probably exterminate them all by himself.
Still, relief softened her panic. At least he was willing to talk. If he could be reasoned with, there was hope.
"I am the Star Spirit," she said softly, voice quivering. "In the name of the elves, I accept your request. The strength to shatter mountains, the legs to ride the wind, the ears that hear miles away, and the eyes that see all truth—tell me, child of man, which do you desire?"
Takumi's lips curved upward. "I'll take them all."
"..."
The Star Spirit froze again. For a moment, she thought she'd misheard.
But when she met his unwavering gaze, she couldn't bring herself to refuse.
"With… with your permission then," she murmured bitterly, wings fluttering.
She flew up to him and pressed a gentle kiss against his brow.
Hum—!
Emerald energy surged into his body, coursing through his veins and left eye.
[Ding! Acquired Traits: Titan Arms (Blue), Windwalker Legs (Blue), Thousand-Mile Hearing (Blue), Emerald Eye (Blue)]
[Titan Arms (Blue): Your arm strength can crush mountains with ease.]
[Windwalker Legs (Blue): The power of wind dwells within your legs, allowing flight.]
[Thousand-Mile Hearing (Blue): You can hear sounds across vast distances.]
[Jade Eye (Blue): Your left eye perceives mana flow, ley lines, and others' status panels.]
Staring at the flood of blue traits on his panel, Takumi's grin widened from ear to ear.
Before him, the Star Spirit—trembling and weakened from the ritual—looked like a priceless gem in his eyes.
If a single spirit can grant me this much… what about the rest of them?
...
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