1st Pov Xicor Samiel:
3 Days Later:
The nice cool breeze brushed against my naked upper body as I fought against one of my clones, imagining previous opponents who gave me a much tougher time since I last fought them.
Though the one I'm imagining right now stung the most of all of them. William, in that grotesque form.
There was no denying he was the toughest opponent I had ever fought in my life up to this point. Not a good way to remember him by, but it was for the sake of a better future.
At least, that's what I keep telling myself.
The future I see in a fantasy is family with my lovers, watching our children take their first steps and say their first words, pretty much a married life.
But in reality, it's facing a much darker path. I don't care what happens to me now. My parents and brother are dead, and my purpose right now is ensuring the Gods of Thunder succeed; that's my only purpose, the only path I could see.
My hands shook lightly as I forced myself out of those depressive thoughts before ducking under a fist that blurred above me. I stood in the mansion's garden, where a large, perfectly cared-for bush wrapped around us in a square.
The grass beneath me tickled my feet as my lower martial arts attire swayed slightly in the wind.
Honestly, things have been very peaceful, despite Shikoku's plans of whipping humanity off the face of the earth.
But I have a better idea for keeping some humans who turn into humanoid Shuuki, since they'll be perfect for the new future she's planned.
The only thing that'll be a problem is their nature as humans.
During these three days of peace, Kuusetsu has been clingier and more lustful. Shion has been training in utilising her ability with the advice and tips I gave her.
Retsu has been upholding her duties as the mansion's maid, with the only change being that she is my personal maid, when she is done attending to the mansion.
As for the hag, she's been closely monitored by my clone while she keeps up the illusion that everything is fine here.
Kuusetsu has been able to capture around 5 people with significant abilities. Kuusetsu alone without the abilities of others inside her is still a threat to be reckoned with, as she has a small amount of control over electricity, due to her title of being a god of thunder.
One of the people she took was someone with the ability to use telekinesis, though she could only absorb one person at a time for several days before she could absorb another.
She told me that it takes time before she could completely assimilate the ability into her arsenal. Other than that, she couldn't think of any other reason why it takes so long.
After all, she can't literally look inside her own body to see what's happening.
My fist pushed against the air as I thrust it forward, hitting nothing but air as the clone slapped my fist away and planted his fist into my side.
Groaning slightly, I grabbed the fist before he could pull it away as I sent a bolt of electricity through its body.
In a blur of Projection sorcery, I sent a volley of punches at the clone before planting my hand on its chest and sending out a burst of flames, blowing the clone away.
Out of nowhere, a second clone came out from behind and swung its leg at the back of my neck. Ducking under it, ice flowed through the ground behind me before it erupted into a spike.
The clone narrowly dodged the attack, leaving a cut on its chest. The spike shattered into shards and launched into the clone's body.
A heartbeat later, I threw my knee up into the clone's chin before lifting him over my shoulder and smashing him into the ground.
He didn't get a second to get up as I sliced his head off. I let out a long breath as I rolled my shoulders and neck.
That was a good workout, enough to ensure I'm not getting rusty with these relaxing days. Opening my system I checked the progress on my current templates that are available to me.
――――――――――――――――――――――
[Uro Takako Template: 53% ]
[Cursed Technique: Sky Manipulation]
[Speciality: None]
――――――――――――――――――――――
[Kashimo Hajime Template: 53% ]
[Cursed Technique: Mythical Beast Amber]
[Speciality: Lightning Resistance, Electrical Cursed Energy]
――――――――――――――――――――――
[Naoya Zenin Template: 82% ]
[Cursed Technique: Projection Sorcery]
[Speciality: Martial Arts]
――――――――――――――――――――――
So after so long using them outside of combat, I got this much huh. I rubbed my face with a hand; at some point I'm gonna need to get the attention of the Demon Defence Force to send people after me.
...Wait a minute, that's it!
We could deliberately bring Demon Defence Force members here to investigate our presence. No doubt they'll send a chief or two to come over.
With them here, we could cause chaos once the time is right and kill them, inadvertently increasing humanity's fear of the Shuuki and us.
This fear would go towards Kuusetsu's mother, improving her condition to move around. This chaos would also help my templates go up, with so many opponents fighting me all at once.
Though I want to see how Kuusetsu would handle a life-or-death situation, this would no doubt be a great lesson for her as well as a reward if she absorbs a chief-level ability.
"Bravo!!" Kuusetsu's voice reached my ears, making me close the system window.
Lying lazily on a beach chair, with orange juice in a glass cup was Kuusetsu, holding a sign that read '10/10'. Her usual attire was gone and in its place was a cyan bikini, enjoying the warm sun grazing her skin.
Lying next to her in another beach chair was Shion Kurotsuki with a similar drink in hand and in a purple bikini with sunglasses that complemented her gorgeous body, joining Kuusetsu in the sun.
Off to the side was Retsu Shirayuki, standing perfectly still like a dutiful maid waiting for her master's orders, though I didn't need to as she approached me with a towel and some cold water.
Wiping my face and hands with the towel, I glanced at one of the windows of the mansion to see the hag at a desk with my clone watching her closely.
I handed the towel back to Retsu before taking slow sips of the water, "Was it satisfactory?" I asked.
Kuusetsu put a hand to her chin, "kinda, but no buildings were falling, no fire spreading across the ground"
My lips curved up, "Well, that will happen as soon as I get an idea in mind that will cause a lot of chaos"
"Oh~ do tell!" she said excitedly, bouncing on her chair.
Even Shion and Retsu had their attention completely on me as Shion set her sunglasses on her head and Retsu leaned forward slightly as she kept her gaze fixed on me.
I told them what I had in mind with the whole luring the Demon Defence forces here and fighting them. This plan got Kuusetsu all giddy whereas Shion and Retsu looked nervous for different reasons.
"I can't wait to show off my divinity to those mortals!" Kuusetsu boasted, standing proudly with her hands on her hips.
"Uhm, I'm not sure that I'll be helpful... but I'll do my best not to disappoint you" Shion said nervously.
"...I wish I could be of use to you, Master..." Retsu murmured.
That's right, Retsu doesn't have an ability. Reaching within my shadow I pulled a Mato peach.
I was saving this for Kuusetsu considering the peaches boost the Humanoid Shuuki's; then it could work on Kuusetsu but I guess using it on my maid is still a good reason.
"Here, eat this, though do be warned, there is a chance that you could turn into something like Shion, which would cause excruciating pain" I warned, having been informed about the experience she went through.
Retsu's eyes widened as she glanced at Shion, who nodded sadly at my words.
I don't fully know how it occurs; it could just be something random, the feeling of desperation to cling to life or simply it was Mato itself.
Either way, she should be safe but can never be too sure about the chances.
Retsu carefully took the peach in her hands, "Thank you, Master"
Slowly, she brought the peach to her mouth before taking a small bite out of it. Soon, I felt a torrent of energy similar to that of other peach users swell through her body.
Her entire body shook, not out of fear, but because her own body was being altered in order to contain the growing energy in her body.
Soon the energy died down as Retsu fell forward before I quickly caught her. She let out a slow, unsteady breath.
Probably still processing the experience her body went through.
"Are you alright, Retsu?" I asked.
"I'm... alright, Master" Retsu said.
We stayed like that for a good minute before Retsu hesitantly pushed herself off me, though her fingers did linger for a second longer than intended and the faint flush on her cheeks.
"Once you're ready, can you tell me your ability" I said, curious to know what she got.
"My ability is Dutiful Blades; it allows me to create crimson blades of various sizes, the Biggest would be a greatsword, Master" She explained, "I can even control the blades at will as well, Master"
"That's good, you'll do perfectly with Shion so you will train together for the limited time we have" I said before turning to Kuusetsu, who had gotten dressed in her kimono.
"Ready to go Kuusetsu?" I asked, tilting my head with a knowing grin.
"Yes!" She said excitedly.
Kuusetsu practically bounced on her feet as she waited for me to lead the way, her excitement making it difficult for her to stand still for more than a few seconds.
I couldn't help but chuckle at her behaviour, "You're awfully excited about this, aren't you?" I commented.
"Of course I am!" She spun around to face me, her kimono sleeves swaying with the movement."I've been waiting for something different to happen! We've spent almost a week here, practically doing nothing other than kidnapping people"
"Those people you mentioned help you grow stronger though?" I commented.
"That's different!!" she yelled, "I want to show off to the world my beauty"
Honestly, I'm questioning whether too many people have blown her brain up with how many personalities are inside her.
She approached me and wrapped her arms around my waist, resting her cheek against my chest while looking up at me with a mischievous smile.
"Not only that, but I wanna show you how cool I am" she said.
I raised a brow, "Is that the only reason?"
She tilted her head slightly and her mischievous smile grew wider, "Maybe~"
I shook my head, wrapping my arms around her body, bringing her closer, "Cmon, we have to set the stage before the show starts"
She grinned before pecking the corner of my lips and pulling away, "Then lead the way, my consort~"
I chuckled slightly, I walked through the mansion halls as I passed by windows and various paintings and portraits.
Opening the door to the hag's office, I spotted her tired body reading a book with tea on her desk. My clone stood directly behind her, eyeing each movement like a hawk.
She lifted her gaze from her book before lowering it and bowing slightly to me with evident fear in her eyes, "My lord"
"Hello hag, I have a task for you" I said, Kuusetsu wrapped her arms around my left arm, bringing it close to her chest.
She made an audible gulp before answering, "Ask away... my lord"
"I want you to gather a list of famous individuals in the area" I ordered.
To get their attention, I would need the local authorities to notice her first.
She didn't question, but the tightening of her lips was something I noticed. It wouldn't matter anyway, as her use is coming to an end.
3 Days Later:
3rd Pov:
Inside the 10th unit meeting room, all the chiefs were gathered with serious expressions, except for Bell, who looked nervous and wanted to disappear.
Ren Yamashiro was nowhere to be seen as her close member, Ginna Bizen stood off to the side at the end of the table where Ren would usually sit.
"Lady Ren, couldn't be here as she is in Washington, handling a meeting with its leader" Ginna started as the big screen behind her lit up with Ren's face.
"She'll be talking to us from Washington" Ginna said, stepping to the side so Ren could speak.
"Thank you, Ginna" she said before eyeing the rest of the chiefs.
"I'll explain quickly why I summoned you all, over the last few days, several women have gone missing one after another in Yokohama"
"The police have been investigating this as an ability-related crime, until then, they recovered this..." she said, snapping her fingers as her feed changed to Kuusetsu in night vision.
"A Thunder god?" Bell noted nervously.
"I've never seen her before" Konomi said.
"It seems like she passed through a gap in the building and vanished" Ren continued, playing a small video of Kuusetsu holding an unconscious woman in her arms before phasing through the wall with a toothy grin, though her eyes did briefly go to the camera.
Kyouka's eyes widened as she glanced at Tenka, who thought the same as her, 'That's one of the Humanoid Shuuki's ability'
"She's using her ability to abduct people for what reason?" Tenka asked.
"That is still unknown" Ren said.
"If a Thunder god is truly there, then we must kill them" Fuubuki said before staring Ren dead in the eyes, "Was there any information about that Man with her?"
"No, nothing. All footage shows she works alone" Ren answered.
Bell remained quiet as she looked around, "She might have brought some Shuuki with her, so she might send them out to go wild around the city"
"This is why we need to eliminate the Shuuki as soon as possible" Kyouka said.
"We need to take care of her first, We'll send a subjugation force that will assist the police and take her down" Ren said.
"This task will fall to Mira and Kyouka" Ren said.
"Right!" Mira and Kyouka said.