"Do I know the reason?"
Kawashima Toya fell into a quiet contemplation, mentally sifting through every detail he might have overlooked.
Ashiya Douman? No, he's already been returned to the Throne of Heroes.
He looked over at Nyaruko, who was currently doing her best to draw his attention, and the truth suddenly clicked.
"The Great Old One... Cthugha."
He recalled their very first conversation when she arrived.
"Does this mean Cthugha is about to descend?"
Toya's expression hardened as he looked at her.
"That's right!" Nyaruko's eyes curved into crescent moons.
"This is a war between you and Kuuko for my hand, Darling."
"The loser retreats in shame, while the winner claims my heart."
"Just the thought of you fighting over me... is this what it feels like to be cherished?"
Toya ignored her posturing and spoke calmly.
"How much longer until she arrives?"
"About three days."
Nyaruko took a leisurely pause.
"Her true form has reached the outer edge of this reality. Her avatar is manifesting even now."
"The process involves thousands of light orbs, which is what's causing the global temperature to spike."
"That's why the air conditioning is useless. It's not just physical heat."
"But don't worry about her true body; Nyarlathotep is handling the standoff."
"No matter who pursues me, you're the only one for me, Darling."
"I see. I was worried it was a genuine threat."
Toya felt a sense of relief, his earlier anxiety fading.
If it were the true Cthugha, he would have seriously considered fleeing.
A deity could only be truly countered by another divinity.
No matter how powerful a mortal's tools were, standing against a god was usually a fool's errand.
However, a mere avatar was a different story.
Toya glanced at the display case where the Star-Holy Sword sat.
Excalibur... it's finally your turn to shine.
Cthugha was a chaotic existence whose descent directly threatened the planet's stability.
That was more than enough justification to release the sword's restraints.
The thirteen seals of the Star-Holy Sword could be perfectly addressed by a Great Old One.
Fully unleashed, even Kuuko's avatar wouldn't stand a chance.
Nyaruko noticed his gaze and pouted.
"You're so mysterious, Darling. To think you even have that sword."
"I wanted to see you go all out to win my heart, but you might just end it too quickly."
Toya ignored her and turned to the system shop.
The pervasive heat was becoming a problem, and he needed a way to block Cthugha's influence.
After a moment of searching, he found exactly what he needed.
[Item: Sealing Box (Special Edition)]
[Rank: A-]
[Description: A container designed to suppress ominous entities with absolute isolation.]
[Note: Includes a one-time internal opening device installed by the Will of the Root.]
[Each activation costs 100 Origin Points. It can be expanded to shield an entire room from Mythos influence.]
[Price: 50,000 Origin Points]
[System Note: In light of the current situation, the Will of the Root is offering this at a friendship price to ensure the Host's rest.]
Toya didn't hesitate.
He had previously paid 20,000 points for a small version that could barely hold a change of clothes.
Getting a room-sized shield for 50,000 was an absolute bargain.
[System Notice: 50,000 Origin Points consumed. Sealing Box (Special Edition) acquired.]
[The device has been deployed to the Host's bedroom.]
Nyaruko leaned in with a radiant smile.
"Darling, if you sleep in my room, I can block the heat for you for free."
Before she could finish, she felt a connection vanish.
Her perception was suddenly cut off from Toya's bedroom.
The walls were still there, but everything inside had simply disappeared from her senses.
"What is this?"
"Why is the aura of the Root here again?"
"Every time I try to get close to Darling, that Will interferes!"
"He's only the Savior of the Era, not the Savior of the Root!"
Toya spoke up, ignoring her frustration.
"I've installed a shield in my room to block the temperature."
"If the heat is too much for you, feel free to rest in there."
He turned and headed for his door.
The agency felt like an oven, and he couldn't stand another minute of it.
"Brother is truly amazing!" Kasugano Sora followed him immediately.
Jashin-chan, currently looking like a piece of dried leather, scoffed.
"I don't believe it. If even I can't handle this, how could he have a fix?"
"Come on, Jashin-chan."
Hanazono Yurine grabbed the demon by her tail and dragged her toward the door.
Medusa followed quietly behind them.
Kasumigaoka Utaha offered a small smile. "It would be rude to decline such a kind offer."
Nyaruko was left alone in the hall, staring at the closed door.
She stomped her foot in irritation.
What exactly is his relationship with that cold, neutral Will?
Beyond the veil of the world, the entity known as Nyarlathotep was equally displeased.
All her preparations were being bypassed by a force she couldn't control.
Not far away, a radiant sun-like entity hovered in the void.
Cthugha shifted within her flames, her presence a chaotic roar of heat.
She sent a singular, distorted message toward the chaos.
"The Savior... is in contact with the Root?"