By all accounts, what Ren Kuroda had done was no different from storming the underworld and picking a fight.
And yet, as the dominant side, not only was Yomi willing to turn hostility into peace—
They were even offering him an official position.
Judging from the attitudes of the Black and White Envoys and the Yaksha, it wasn't a low-ranking one either…
The sheer absurdity of the situation left Ren completely stunned.
In fact, the more he thought about it, the more suspicious it seemed. Narrowing his eyes slightly, he refused Enma's offer on the spot.
"I'll pass on any position in the underworld," Ren said plainly. "I'm just a half-yokai—not exactly some legendary figure. I'm not worthy of something like that.
"How about this—you let me take my friends and leave, and I promise I won't barge into Yomi again."
The moment those words left his mouth, the Black and White Envoys and the Yaksha all froze in shock.
Even Enma herself was clearly taken aback, staring at him in disbelief.
Did he have any idea what it took to become one of Yomi's administrators?
And yet this half-yokai—who, for reasons unknown, had caught Lady Izanami's favor—was actually refusing?
No—
Forget whether it was beneficial or not. Under normal circumstances, who would dare refuse Izanami's will?
Especially while standing on her territory.
"The position isn't my decision," Enma said after a pause, her tone turning more serious. "It comes directly from Lady Izanami herself.
"And I don't think you should refuse."
She continued, her gaze steady.
"Lady Izanami has also given you two assurances. If you accept your role as one of Yomi's administrators, you will be allowed to leave with your companions.
"And as for that uncontrollable, corrupted power you used earlier… if you join us, she can help you bring it under control."
The "corrupted power" Enma referred to was clearly the "Evil of This World."
And as the Goddess of Yomi's Impurity, Ren had no doubt—
Izanami truly could help him master it.
He had to admit—
That offer was tempting.
Very tempting.
They were already destined to stand against the gods. There was no real reason for them to oppose Yomi as well.
But still…
Joining the underworld…
"…Your offer is tempting, Lady Enma," Ren said after a moment, his voice steady but resolute. "But I have people in the living world I can't abandon.
"I came here to save someone, yes—but if that means I have to remain in Yomi indefinitely, then I'm afraid I can't accept.
"My family needs me. Until they're completely safe, I won't leave their side."
If he had been alone in this world—
He might have agreed without hesitation.
But just like Enma and the others, once you became part of Yomi, returning freely to the living world was no longer an option.
And that—
Was something he could never compromise on.
"If that's your concern, then you needn't worry," Enma replied calmly. "While you would be one of Yomi's administrators, your duties would be carried out in Ashihara—the living world, as you call it."
Ren blinked.
"…What?"
"For certain reasons, we cannot easily leave Yomi," she continued. "However, the gods of the heavens have begun interfering with the lower world.
"You would be our only operative capable of moving freely in the living world. If anything unexpected happens, we will need your strength—to open a path from Yomi to the surface."
Ren understood instantly.
So that was it.
They wanted him as a liaison—an agent on the ground.
It made sense.
Unlike the gods of the heavens, Yomi had almost no means of direct interference or communication with the living world.
And Ren—
A native of that world, with considerable power—
Was the perfect candidate.
"…In that case," Ren said after a brief pause, exhaling softly, "I suppose I don't have a reason to refuse.
"But before that… I have a small request."
—
Several dozen minutes later—
When the monk Hakuba and Yamato Kuka were brought before Ren, both wearing expressions of pure disbelief, they looked like survivors of a nightmare.
They simply couldn't process it.
They had accidentally stumbled into the legendary land of Yomi—
And somehow—
Ren had managed to negotiate their release with its rulers.
What kind of absurd connections did this guy even have?
Meanwhile, Enma—who had remained hidden in the shadows—watched silently as Ren and his group departed.
Her gaze lingered on the back of that half-yokai.
Even now, recalling what had happened just minutes earlier, she felt a lingering chill.
Moments ago, after receiving the token that allowed him to communicate with and travel between Yomi and the living world, Ren had voiced his "small request."
And that request—
Had nearly scared everyone present out of their wits.
Because Ren's "small request" was—
To ask Izanami for some of her blood.
Setting aside the inherent value of divine blood—
Izanami was the supreme ruler of Yomi. The mother goddess of this entire realm.
And he just… asked her for blood?
Was that even remotely appropriate?!
Enma and the others had been certain that such blatant disrespect would provoke Izanami's wrath—
That she would crush him with a single strike.
But instead—
From within the swirling vortex, several drops of golden blood floated outward.
At the same time, a gentle female voice echoed directly within Ren's mind.
"I do not know what you intend to use my blood for," the voice said calmly. "But understand this—my blood is not something that ordinary humans or yokai can withstand.
"Ordinarily, I would never grant such a rude request.
"However… considering the work you are about to undertake, take this as part of your compensation."
As the golden droplets hovered before Ren—
Enma, the Black and White Envoys, and the Yaksha all stood there, utterly dumbfounded.
At that moment, a ridiculous thought even crossed their minds—
Was this guy… secretly the child of the ruler of Yomi or something?
Otherwise, how could she agree to something like that?!
Enma's inner thoughts aside—
The Black and White Envoys and the Yaksha had already completely changed the way they looked at Ren.
What had once been polite respect—
Had now turned into outright admiration… bordering on worship.
This wasn't just someone with connections.
This was someone being treated like family.
Enma had worked tirelessly under Izanami for thousands of years—when had she ever heard of something like compensation?
And yet this guy hadn't even started working—
And he was already being paid in advance.
With the goddess's own blood, no less.
There was nothing more to say.
From this moment on—
Sticking close to this man was the only correct move.
After all, in all their years in Yomi—
They had never seen anyone storm the place, cause chaos—
And then walk away richer for it.
..
Want to unlock up to 60+ early-access chapters with NFSW Content and exclusive novels ?! Join my Patreon today and dive deeper into the adventure!
patreon.com/denji21