The next morning, golden sunlight streamed through the windows, bathing the house corridor in a warm, cinematic glow. Ren walked with a confident spring in his step, a proud smile stretching across his face.
"Yesterday was amazing," he declared to no one in particular. "I killed that demon effortlessly!" He suddenly struck a dramatic action pose right in the middle of the corridor, one fist raised like a hero from his favorite anime.
Yukie appeared from the side, her expression stern and unimpressed. Without missing a beat, she smacked the back of his head with surprising force.
"Stop acting like a child," she snapped sharply. "I don't think a real Devourer has time to waste on silly poses." She continued walking toward her room without looking back, her hips swaying with strict elegance.
Ren rubbed the spot, rolling his eyes as he stared after her. "She's just jealous of me," he muttered with absolute confidence.
Suddenly, the air shimmered. Shizume materialized silently in front of him, her presence commanding and seductive. She placed a soft hand on his shoulder, her long nails gently grazing his skin as she licked her full lips slowly.
"Hello, Ren," she purred calmly, voice like velvet and smoke.
Ren's eyes widened in shock. He stumbled backward, heart racing. "You scared the hell out of me!"
Shizume smiled elegantly and crossed her arms beneath her enormous breasts, pushing them up prominently. The modern cheongsam she wore clung tightly to her curvaceous figure, accentuating every lush curve.
"You're looking very happy since you killed that demon using my power," she teased, her tone playful yet laced with superiority.
Ren rolled his eyes and started walking toward his room. "I know those are your powers, but according to my friend, you can't survive in the human world without me either. That means you're dependent on me, clearly."
Shizume's eyes widened in mock offense. In one swift motion, she kicked him squarely in the back, sending him stumbling forward.
"You can't talk to me like that, kiddo," she commanded, voice sharp and authoritative.
Ren caressed his sore back and stood up slowly, turning to face her with stubborn confidence. "What's your problem, Shizume? I'm just telling you the truth."
Shizume rolled her eyes and stepped closer, her voluptuous body radiating heat and power. "You definitely need me if you want to be a proper Devourer," she said with a soft, knowing smile. Then, with a swirl of blue energy, she vanished back into his body.
Ren's smartphone suddenly rang in his pocket. He pulled it out and answered quickly. His expression turned serious. "Yes… what? I'm coming right now." He hung up and dashed toward the front door. "Stepmom, I'm heading to the guild!" he called out confidently before slamming the door behind him.
Yumiko watched him leave from the hallway, a soft, loving smile blooming on her face. "My sweetie is getting so responsible… and becoming such a great man," she whispered warmly, lost in affectionate thoughts about him.
Outside, Ren headed straight for the garage. He stood among his impressive collection of high-end bikes and supercars, keys in hand.
"These all look very slow," Shizume's voice echoed teasingly as she appeared in front of one of the sleek supercars, arms still crossed under her massive breasts.
Ren stared at her. "Their top speeds are higher than 300 kilometers per hour, and you think these are slow?" he replied, dead serious.
Shizume smiled seductively and placed a soft hand on his shoulder, leaning in until their eyes locked. "Use me… and you will run at relativistic speed," she whispered.
Ren blinked in confusion. "What kind of speed is that?"
Shizume's smile widened. "Let me show you."
She vanished into him with a rush of power. Blue flames erupted across Ren's body. His hair lengthened and turned pure white, whipping wildly in the surging energy. Crackling red lightning bolts danced over his form as the transformation completed.
"Let's start the show, baby," Shizume's sultry voice whispered directly through him.
Ren looked toward the open garage door, eyes blazing with blue fire. Then he ran.
The moment he burst onto the street, the world exploded into motion. His speed was beyond comprehension — a blazing comet of blue flames and red lightning tearing through the city. Buildings shook violently as he passed. Windows rattled. Parked cars and trucks were flung sideways like toys by the sheer shockwave of his passage. The air howled around him, creating visible ripples of distorted space.
A girl on the sidewalk gasped, desperately trying to hold down her fluttering skirt as the gust nearly knocked her over. She stumbled backward and collided with a man behind her, both collapsing in a heap. "He… he is so fast!" she whispered, stunned.
Ren's eyes widened even as he ran, the city blurring into streaks of color around him. "This is… way too fast!" he muttered, voice filled with shocked exhilaration.
The entire surroundings trembled and warped in his wake. Street signs bent. Loose objects flew into the air. In mere seconds, he skidded to an instant stop right in front of the Devourer Guild building. The ground beneath his feet shattered violently, creating a massive crater from the sudden deceleration.
Ren stood there for a moment, breathing heavily, a wide, thrilled smile on his face. The transformation faded, his white hair returning to normal as he collapsed onto his knees with an exhausted but satisfied grin.
Shizume reappeared elegantly in front of him, arms crossed beneath her huge breasts in a regal pose. "It was nothing," she said proudly. "Otherwise, you wouldn't even understand how much work I had to do to keep this city safe."
Ren rolled his eyes and pushed himself back to his feet. "What do you mean 'nothing'? You didn't do anything for saving the city just now," he argued seriously, walking toward the guild entrance.
Shizume rolled her eyes and followed beside him, her curvaceous figure swaying with each step. "I created a huge barrier around you while you were running. Otherwise, you would have destroyed the entire city in the first few milliseconds. Relativistic speed creates gamma radiation, you know."
Ren stopped dead in his tracks, eyes widening in pure horror as he turned back to her. "Are you an idiot?! Why would you even do that?!"
Shizume smiled sweetly and stepped closer, her voice dropping into a soft, teasing whisper. "Isn't that exactly what you wanted?"
With a final playful wink, she vanished back into his body, leaving Ren standing speechless at the entrance, the massive crater still smoking behind him.
sunlight streamed through towering glass windows, casting dramatic golden beams across the polished marble floors. Kael stood waiting near the central reception area, arms loosely crossed, a calm and knowing smile on his face.
"You finally came," Kael said in his usual relaxed tone as Ren burst through the entrance, still slightly out of breath from his dramatic arrival.
Ren's eyes were wide with urgency. He scanned the hall frantically, adrenaline still pumping. "Where is the demon?!" he asked, voice desperate and ready for battle.
Kael chuckled softly and stepped forward, patting Ren firmly on the back. "There are no demons. I just called you here to tell you that your Devourer ID has been created." His smile widened with quiet pride. "You completed your first mission successfully. As of today… you are officially a Devourer."
Ren blinked, the tension draining from his shoulders as the words sank in. A slow, triumphant grin spread across his face. He stood a little taller, chest puffing out with newfound confidence.
"Official…" he repeated, savoring the sound. "I'm really one of you now."
Kael nodded, pulling a sleek black card from his jacket pocket and handing it over. The ID gleamed under the hall lights, Ren's photo crisp beside bold lettering that read:
Ren Hoshino – Devourer Rank: E
"Keep it safe," Kael advised calmly. "It grants you access to missions, training facilities, and guild resources. You've earned it."
Ren took the card reverently, turning it over in his hands. A rush of excitement mixed with pride surged through him. "This feels… real," he murmured, then looked up at Kael with a bright, determined smile. "Thank you, Partner. I won't let you down."
Kael gave a small, approving nod, his expression softening just a fraction. "You already took down a major demon on your first day. Most rookies don't survive their first rift. You're off to a strong start."
Ren pocketed the ID carefully, still riding the high of the moment. The massive crater he had left outside was already drawing curious glances from other guild members near the entrance, but he paid them no mind.
Shizume's voice echoed teasingly inside his head. "Official Devourer, huh? Don't get too cocky, kiddo. You still need me for the real work."
Ren smirked to himself, ignoring the spirit's jab. For the first time, everything felt like it was falling into place.