"Ahh? A normal person detected my presence?" Kuroka's playful voice drifted from above as she ran her fingers through her long, silky black hair. "Is this the male you're looking for, Shirone? Your taste is questionable, nya~. How could a regular human possibly give us strong offspring?"
Her snow-white neck gleamed in the lamplight, exuding an effortless, almost dangerous charm.
"It's just... just work," Koneko said quietly, her hazel eyes fixed on the ceiling beam where her sister perched.
She was genuinely surprised. She hadn't sensed Kuroka's presence at all, yet Takeyo-senpai had pinpointed her location immediately. This confirmed what she'd already suspected: Takeyo-senpai was definitely not an ordinary human.
"Well, I don't care about Shirone's taste in men~" Kuroka stretched languidly like the cat she was. "My dear sister, I came here to take you with me, nya~"
"No. I won't go with you," Koneko replied immediately, her voice firm despite its softness.
She lived for the President now, to protect Rias, who had saved her and given her a new life. That was her purpose, and she wouldn't abandon it.
"Of course I knew you'd say that, meow~" Kuroka licked her hand habitually, her cat-like mannerisms showing even in human form. "So I'm not asking for your permission, Shirone. I'm just notifying you that I'm taking you away~"
After the recent phenomenon that had shaken the entire archipelago, eyes from across the supernatural world had turned toward Japan. If Koneko stayed in Kuoh, she might become nothing more than collateral damage in the inevitable conflicts between gods and devils.
Kuroka had no idea that the very cause of those world-shaking events stood right beside her sister, a boy who appeared completely ordinary to her senses. With her current level of perception, she couldn't detect Takeyo's true power unless he chose to reveal it himself.
"I won't go with you!" Koneko's eyes flashed with hostility, her small frame radiating determination.
"Sorry, but I can't let you take such a cute underclassman away," Takeyo interjected calmly.
He knew his current capabilities well. Against transcendent-level beings and the highest-class devils, he might struggle, but only because he lacked combat experience, not because of insufficient power. If he truly went all out, both transcendent beings and Ultimate-Class Devils would last about the same amount of time: a single second.
Of course, he had other methods at his disposal as well.
The abilities of his incarnation, Krishna the Dark Sky, combined with his extraordinary calculation abilities, could produce devastating combat potential. Krishna's power, "God-Given Omniscience," grew stronger based on his own strength and understanding. The more powerful he became, the closer he approached true omniscience and omnipotence.
Right now, he could see through the strength of even Ultimate-Class Devils, which was exactly how he'd detected Kuroka hiding on his ceiling beam in the first place.
"Won't let me, nya?" Kuroka tilted her head, amusement dancing in her hazel-gold eyes. "Is it possible this human is actually involved with Shirone? That can't be right, meow? Our Nekoshou clan must find the strongest mates!"
She dropped from the beam with feline grace, landing silently on the floor.
"Sister, you should at least find someone at Dragon King level or Heavenly Dragon level!" Kuroka declared with absolute seriousness.
Even Koneko, normally so composed, couldn't hold back anymore. "It's just... Takeyo-senpai is just a senior from school."
"What~~ If you're just a human, don't say things that trouble girls, nya~" Kuroka covered her mouth delicately, laughter in her eyes. "Don't you know it's ridiculous when an incompetent man tries to show off his importance?"
At that moment, Takeyo's expression shifted slightly. The system's voice echoed in his mind.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations to the host for signing in! Sign-in rank: Silver!]
[Sign-in location: Kuroka's cat ears!]
[Time limit: 3 hours.]
[Ding!]
[Congratulations to the host for signing in! Sign-in rank: Gold!]
[Sign-in location: Ruyi Jingu Bang!]
[Time limit: 3 hours.]
Based on this task, the monkey must have come with Kuroka, Bikou, descendant of Sun Wukong.
"I don't think what I said is ridiculous at all," Takeyo replied, his tone mild.
"Really, nya?" Kuroka licked her paw again, clearly not taking him seriously. "A man without strength who tries to act tough may maintain his posture for a while, but when he's defeated, he looks extremely pathetic~~"
However, just as she was happily grooming herself,
"Nya~!?" she exclaimed suddenly, her eyes widening.
A warm sensation touched her sensitive cat ears, and at the same instant, her tail, equally sensitive, felt a gentle brush. Both were extremely vulnerable spots for Nekomata, causing her involuntary cry.
"Don't underestimate me," Takeyo said with a slight smile, holding up a few strands of black fur between his fingers, hair from both Kuroka's ears and tail. "I'm quite skilled at handling cats."
[Ding!]
[Silver-rank sign-in successful!]
[Sign-in location: Kuroka's cat ears.]
[Congratulations to the host for receiving reward, Alpha Stigma (Normal)!]
[Alpha Stigma... Fusion beginning!]
[Fusion successful!]
Compared to the earth-shaking fusion of the Ten Incarnations of Vishnu, the integration of the Alpha Stigma was remarkably calm. In the brief moment between opening and closing his eyes, Takeyo completed the entire process.
"Oh?" Slightly surprised, Takeyo looked at Kuroka, his eyes now gleaming with a pentagram pattern.
Previously, using Krishna's ability, he'd been able to see dozens of magic circles surrounding Kuroka. However, because his own strength limited Krishna's power, he couldn't clearly perceive their true nature.
Now, with the Alpha Stigma active, the essence of every single magic circle was laid bare before him!
The Alpha Stigma originated from the world of The Legend of the Legendary Heroes. Ordinary Alpha Stigma bearers possessed the ability to instantly analyze the composition, structure, nature, and power of any magic they witnessed. They could learn it directly, and the ability remained effective even if the opponent stopped casting midway.
Skilled Alpha Stigma users could react faster than their opponents, and those with extensive knowledge could modify existing magic at will, creating entirely new spells that reached practical levels immediately.
For now, this ability was far more useful in ordinary combat than relying on a single incarnation's power.
After seeing the magic circles surrounding Kuroka, Takeyo had already understood their essence, identified their weaknesses, and gained the ability to use them himself.
Kuroka's eyes met Takeyo's in the air, those strange pentagram-marked irises reflecting her stunned expression.
After realizing that he'd plucked hair from both her tail and ears without her even noticing, her demeanor changed instantly.
"It seems this little black cat may have misjudged, nya~" Her voice took on a more seductive tone. "You're actually a powerful existence, handsome boy? How about working together for the future of the Nekoshou race?"
"No!... No!" Koneko interjected before Takeyo could respond.
As she spoke, Takeyo could clearly see a delicate blush spreading across her usually stoic face.
"If you could eliminate that newly formed magic circle in your hand, maybe I'd believe you," Takeyo commented dryly.
So you're worried there's a powerful man near your sister whom you've never encountered before, and you want to eliminate the potential threat? But... thank you for teaching me another type of magic.
Kuroka silently dismissed the hidden spell in her palm, her expression shifting to something more genuine.
"Shirone, this handsome boy you found isn't bad at all, nya~~" She stretched languidly. "But it's a pity, can he really protect you forever? Come with your sister. My partner is very interested in you and can offer you the protection of one of the Two Heavenly Dragons~~"
Her tone grew more serious, maternal concern bleeding through her playful facade.
"This little handsome guy might be powerful, but you have to understand, being strong is different from being able to protect others, nya. Besides, wouldn't it be easy for your sister to take you away regardless?"
"Ahem..." Takeyo coughed politely. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I actually can protect her."
He activated the Alpha Stigma again, the pentagram pattern in his eyes beginning to glow with an otherworldly light. The ability to instantly analyze and replicate any magic he witnessed, combined with his calculation abilities and the incarnations dormant within him, made him far more formidable than Kuroka could possibly imagine.
Kuroka's playful expression faltered slightly as she studied those strange eyes more carefully. For the first time since entering the room, genuine uncertainty crossed her features.
"Those eyes, nya..." she murmured. "What are you?"