After another day of experiments and training, Shinji Akagi decided to soak in a hot spring before sleeping.
The Jashin Cult might be composed of murderers, zealots, and lunatics…
But when it came to comfort, they spared no expense.
Behind the main facility lay a massive open-air hot spring complex.
Shinji avoided it.
Too crowded.
Too loud.
Instead, he headed toward a smaller, secluded pool tucked deeper into the mountainside.
When he arrived, someone was already there.
"Hidan."
"Shinji."
They spoke at the same time.
Silence followed.
Of all places.
Shinji clicked his tongue.
Leaving now would look like retreat.
And retreat would inflate Hidan's ego.
Unacceptable.
So Shinji ignored him.
He undressed, stepped into the water, and chose the farthest corner from Hidan.
The heat wrapped around his body.
Muscles loosened.
He exhaled slowly and closed his eyes.
Across the pool, Hidan watched.
At first, he assumed Shinji had come looking for trouble.
But Shinji didn't say anything.
Didn't provoke him.
Didn't even glance his way.
"…Tch."
So he really was just bathing.
Annoying.
Of course the one time Hidan wanted privacy, he ran into this bastard.
Picking a fight felt pointless.
They fought every day.
One more brawl wouldn't change anything.
And if he started something now, his precious soak would be ruined.
Hidan's gaze drifted.
Then a thought formed.
If I stay in longer than him…
Doesn't that mean I win?
His eyes lit up.
A silent challenge was born.
No announcement.
No rules.
Just stubborn pride.
Hidan leaned back.
Relaxed.
Settled in for a long haul.
Shinji opened one eye.
Why is he staring like that?
…Disgusting.
Shinji stood.
Better to leave.
That was when the internal interface activated.
Condition Detected
Bound Target Hidan has issued a challenge.
ObjectiveHot Spring Endurance Match
Remain in the hot spring longer than Hidan.
RewardCursed Treasure Map ×1Cursed Energy Points ×500Synchronization Level +20
Accept?
Shinji stared.
So this is what he's doing.
Childish.
Pointless.
Effective.
He accepted.
Shinji sat back down.
Eyes closed.
Breathing steady.
If this was what it took to squeeze rewards out of Hidan, then so be it.
Across from him, Hidan smirked.
Neither spoke.
Neither moved.
The duel had begun.
Not fists.
Not blades.
Endurance.
Minutes passed.
Then hours.
Steam rose endlessly into the night.
By morning, neither had budged.
Inside the main facility…
Lord Takigawa frowned.
"Where are Shinji and Hidan?"
A cultist hesitated.
"…They're at the hot spring."
"At this hour? Go drag them out."
"They've been there since last night. They appear to be… refusing to leave."
Lord Takigawa's expression darkened.
"Idiots."
He walked toward the hot spring.
A crowd had already gathered.
Whispers.
Stares.
Two figures sat motionless in the water.
Eyes closed.
Unmoving.
Lord Takigawa raised his voice.
"Explain yourselves."
No response.
They remained seated.
Unyielding.
If they were going to waste time…
They would waste it together.