'I have to apologize to Saeko later…'
Eishi looked at the sleeping Shino beside him. Her right arm lay atop his chest, locking him to a hug. It was a miracle her side braids survived everything they did last night. A large white blanket covered their naked bodies.
Not wanting to disturb her sleep, he set his sights to the system notifications from last night.
[Successfully bound SSS rated Confidante. First-time reward: Blood Meteorite Spear (Sixth Rank), Spatial Backpack Storage +200,000 cubic meters.]
[SSS-rated Bond "Mind Poltergeist" has been unlocked.]
Eishi was greedy and wanted something similar to the 'Potential Enhancement Fruit' to appear, but to no avail.
'Another weapon… Looks like Saeko would enjoy this gift.'
He never specialized on one thing… and he never needed to. The insane 1,400% boost to his so-called 'comprehension' sent his learning speed to the heavens. He was able to grasp the basics of kenjutsu along with other martial arts. He did it mainly to have a fallback at the off chance his talent stops working. It would be very embarrassing to not even have a proper fighting form in that case.
As for the expansion of his spatial backpack, Eishi subconsciously ignored it. Even with the mountains of supplies he scavenged last night, he failed to fill it up completely. His attention went towards the new "Bond" he opened up.
[Mind Poltergeist (SSS)]
Base Effect: Increases the damage of mind-based attacks by 300%.
Group Effect: Increases mental resistance by 100%.
'Mental attacks…'
This wasn't the first time he came across things like mental resistance. Eishi took note of it mainly because of its 'meager' increase. SSS rated Bonds could increase his base attributes by three times. Yet, it only doubled his mental resistance. It goes to show that something is special about it.
'Mind-based attacks… If that includes intimidation from my temperament…'
Aside from analyzing his rewards, Eishi peeked inside the spatial backpack to check his gains. Most of them are modern munitions. Pistols, rifles, snipers, even bombs could be seen. There are also RPGs, mortars, and C4's. Their scale far exceeds what the Yokohama City Hall had.
Coupled with the thousands of evolution fruits he possessed, Eishi is more than qualified to bring up two shelters at once.
'Those marine lifeforms… plus those zergs.'
Now that internal conflicts are out of their way, he saw the impending disasters more clearly.
The sea makes up more than 70% of Earth. Zombies could not possibly kill off the millions, if not billions of marine life residing there. The zergs are a more possible choice, but Eishi thought of one thing.
Evolution.
Due to the zombies' existence, most of the animals that evolved were eaten off during the first few days. They did not have the chance to grow into something far more terrifying. By the time the insect swarm swept through cities, most land animals had been killed.
The sea was a place zombies cannot reach. The population of animals there was also larger compared to the ones on the land. If the same 'rule' of evolution took place in the sea, who knows how many terrifying aquatic animals have evolved to who-knows-what level.
Moreover, there are still the 'tunnels' left by the zerg pods that landed on Earth. Eishi has to think twice to mess with them.
'Fifth… no, what if they hid things far stronger than that?'
Although he is unmatched in the current time, Eishi knows that was due to his system. He managed to propel himself ahead of everyone else. Their hard difficulty turned into easy difficulty for him. His fights entailed those with lower levels than him. It remains unknown whether his superpower would work as effectively as now when it comes to stronger enemies.
Eishi would still prefer his current lifestyle very much.
'I must push all of the available espers to the first-order. Then propel the elites to the second-order. There's also Shinomiya's ability to grow evolution fruits…'
*****
"...Huh."
Chizuru had just woken up, only to see a thick cloud of dust floating high above Tokyo's skies. She was caught off guard by the sudden sight. Only after she booted up her phone did she know what happened last night. Tokyo's situation was better than most cities in this regard as they are still capable of delivering official online news.
She scrolled to a news article that detailed the entire sequence of events. Several terrorist acts were found to be orchestrated by several wealthy clans, all in order to control the New Tokyo Shelter. The disturbances from two days ago such as the mass-killings at the General Inspections Office, down to the large explosions nearby Eishi's villa, were framed to be done by them.
Pushing that matter aside, the government also announced a wide-scale esper recruitment. Chizuru, like many others, swiftly paid attention to it. Back then, the government only recruited those with combat superpowers. It was mainly due to their lack of resources that forced them to concentrate on the most focal esper group.
Without the quality of life espers, life could still go on.
Without the combat espers who defended the shelter from zombies and monsters alike, everyone would be doomed.
Chizuru wanted to participate, but due to the nature of her superpower, she was forced not to. Her superpower did not fit the criteria. This time, however, it was different.
The government wanted to recruit every single esper. The allocation would no longer be limited to combat, but also farming, infrastructure, rescue, healing, and so on. Most importantly, the government promised an evolution fruit upon recruitment.
At this point, everyone knows about evolution fruits. These fruits give both power and a new superpower. There are no lack of stories of people rising into fame and status after eating one.
Though Chizuru was slightly doubtful of the evolution fruits to be distributed, it is still very precious. Not to mention her, everyone wouldn't mind having an extra one.
Just as she was planning for today, she caught a small note pasted atop her table. Memories of that day flashed in her mind.
The note only mentioned of one thing:
In exchange for evolution fruits, food, and weapons, be my girlfriend.
Along that was a set of numbers. Chizuru was honestly creeped out by the note, especially the esper who left it beneath her doorsteps. She wasn't so far gone to exchange her body for resources… at least not now.
There was also the teacher whom she hasn't seen since the apocalypse. Her affection towards him was no joke. Chizuru had seriously considered searching for his whereabouts, if not for the demon wrecking havoc inside their apartment building.
Fortunately, another demon took him out.
"Teacher's phone number…"
*****
Eishi's spatial backpack was a huge help in dealing with the mess from last night. The couch previously soaked in their love fluids appeared brand new after a wave of 'cleaning'.
Shino had to hold onto the stair's guardrails as she came down to the first floor. The faint aching on her abdomen remained persistent despite the [Stamina Restoration Pills] she took.
'Last night…!'
Blush appeared on her cheeks as the recollection of last night popped up. She could not recognize herself when all she did was to moan, cum, and lay limply on the bed. It was Eishi who did 90% of the work, with her enjoying it.
Thinking of those lewd words she tried out last night, smoke almost appeared atop her head. It was during her moment of absentmindedness did Saeko catch up to her.
"It's a miracle you slept last night. Hm, he really is more lenient compared to before."
"Bu… Saeko-san."
Shino turned around and saw a yawn escape from Saeko's lips. Her luscious thighs were fully exposed underneath her oversized white t-shirt. The faint outline made it clear she did not wear anything underneath.
"Since you already had your fill, it's my turn."
"..?"
Just as a confused look appeared on Shino's eyes, she watched Saeko walk towards the kitchen. The scent of breakfast being cooked drifted to her nose. Only then did it click to her mind.
'Is she..?!'
Shino stopped in her tracks. The strong sense of shame and embarrassment was similar to an impregnable wall. No matter how curious she was on what Saeko pulled off, she could not bring herself to interrupt them.
A sliver of sourness appeared within her. Shino's aching abdomen felt slightly more painful at the thought of Eishi having fun with other women… even if it was she who 'shamelessly' plugged herself into their relationship.
Her guilt and jealousy turned into a full-scale self-conflict. She dazedly sat down on the couch that bore their memories of last night.
Thirty minutes later, Saeko left the kitchen with a disheveled look. The glow emitted by her face embodied her satisfaction. Her sight coincidentally caught onto the dazed Shino. She sat down right beside her, staining the couch beneath her buttocks with sticky fluids.
"There are a total of twelve girls back in Yokohama."
"..!"
Amidst her shock, Saeko asked:
"Do you regret it now? Eishi-kun… he used to be rough, forceful… domineering. Everyone in our place accepted it on their own, that they could never be enough for his heart. Of course, he is more considerate now. I am more than certain they would only fall harder once they see that part of him."
Shino understood what she wanted to say. The choice of being with Eishi was completely up to them. If they cannot accept his polygamous relationship, it is better for them to leave. Though Saeko felt it might turn out differently now.
'He would mind it if she left, so…'
The only answer left was to make Shino stay. Saeko was more than willing to assist Eishi in this endeavor… no matter how distasteful it was.
"...I understand."
Hearing these words elicited a smile on Saeko's face. By the time the two got to the dining table, Eishi looked bewildered at the determined look Shino sported. After the simple breakfast, he passed the 'beginner package' onto her: Gene Enhancement Serum and the two Potential Enhancement Fruits.
"These are…"
"Special fruits that are capable of upgrading your talents' ratings. I suggest you use one of them for your innate talent. The other, on the contract superpower. I believe it can be useful given our current state."
The moment Shino finished consuming the Potential Enhancement Fruit, her electromagnetic field began fluctuating wildly. The plates floated briefly mid-air before dropping back to the table. It wasn't long before the attributes on Eishi's appraisal changed. Her second-order life level dropped back to first-order, five-stars. Her attributes also dropped to a certain extent, though her spirit showed a sharp increase. The most important change was her [Sky Eye] talent's transformation into [God's Eye].
The description was mostly the same as before. It emphasized the lessened restrictions and consumption, however.
When he asked Shino to try it, he was surprised by its effects.
"Details and superpower. I can see them both."
Seeing Eishi's curious look, she explained:
"Information comes out of thin air regarding others' superpowers. The combat power evaluation also follows the things I already know…"
Unlike the absurd and broken [Omniscient Brain], Shino's [God's Eyes] granted her a god-like perspective on things. It was merely physical vision before. Now, it is added with extra information similar to how appraisal skills work in webnovels.
Shino went ahead and ate the second Potential Enhancement Fruit. This time, she focused on the S rated contract within her. A brief check with Eishi's appraisal revealed it had turned into [Heavenly Contract (SS)].
The details are rather simple. Shino could designate terms and conditions within the contract. As the contractor, however, she was free to modify the clauses whenever she liked. If the consignee could not fulfill their terms, Shino could then choose to deprive them of 'something', whether that would be an item, knowledge, skill mastery, attribute, or even talents.
'...Damn.'
Eishi looked at his conspicuous SS rated [Constitution Boost] and felt a disparity. However, he did not care much about it. The base effect of his buff pushed his constitution into the five-thousand-mark, all while being in the third-order.
'I wonder if I can get something similar to this fruit ever again…'