"Since that's the case, then as you wish."
Seeing the unmistakable challenge in Amou's eyes, the kind that practically said come and conquer me, Haimer didn't hesitate. She had already shown her resolve, and as a god, it was only natural for him to respond in kind.
He stepped forward and smoothly seated himself over her waist and hips.
The sensation this time was entirely different.
If Tsukuyo had felt like soft cotton that stirred a sense of tenderness, then Amou was like a bow drawn to its absolute limit, tight, resilient, and brimming with elasticity.
Haimer paid it little mind. Brushing aside her long black hair, he revealed the elegant curve of her shoulder blades, shaped like wings poised to take flight.
"So this is what you call becoming the blade…"
His palm pressed lightly against her spine, feeling the explosive power pulsing beneath the surface.
"You've trained your body well. Like finely tempered steel."
"Hmph."
Though her face remained buried in the pillow, there was no embarrassment in Amou's voice, only pride.
"Of course. My body hasn't been ordinary flesh for a long time."
"It's a weapon."
"Is that so?" Haimer replied evenly. "Then let me see how sharp this weapon becomes under a god's forging."
A drop of divine blood gathered at his fingertip and fell, merging into her ivory back.
A deep crimson glow flared to life as intricate blessing inscriptions spread rapidly across her skin. Within moments, the light faded, leaving the completed engraving behind.
Haimer scanned the data and couldn't help raising an eyebrow.
"As expected… you're a monster."
[Name: Kirukiru Amou]
[Race: Human]
[Level: Lv.1]
[Abilities:]
[Strength: I-0]
[Endurance: I-0]
[Dexterity: I-0]
[Agility: I-0]
[Magic: I-0]
[Development Abilities: None]
[Magic: None]
[Skills:]
『Blade Incarnation』
『Battle Mania』
She had only two skills, one fewer than Tsukuyo, but their impact was undeniable.
Skill:『Blade Incarnation』
Transformed the body itself into a weapon. As Strength and Endurance increased, her physical durability would rise accordingly, no longer bound by the natural limits of human flesh. Physical attacks would be judged by the difference in Strength and Endurance between both sides.
If her values exceeded her opponent's, part of the damage would be negated and the impact reflected back as amplified shock force. Even her bare hands would strike like a renowned blade, carrying armor-piercing properties.
Skill: 『Battle Mania』
An obsession with strength turned into fuel for growth. The speed at which all ability values and proficiencies increased would surge dramatically, with no upper limit, depending solely on the depth of her fixation. When facing an opponent she deemed someone she must surpass, that growth would double.
When Haimer copied the data onto parchment and showed it to the others, the room fell into stunned silence.
"This… what is this?" Rin muttered, eyes wide.
Mary leaned in, staring at the description of Blade Incarnation with her mouth slightly open. Even without fully understanding Orario's system, anyone could see how absurd it was.
Her body was a blade in human form.
Even barehanded, she could clash as though wielding a legendary weapon, without fear of it ever breaking.
"Don't just focus on the first skill," Haimer said, sliding his finger down the parchment. "The real core is this one."
"Battle Mania."
"As long as she finds someone she wants to surpass, someone she absolutely refuses to lose to, the deeper that obsession burns, the stronger she'll become."
"A target that must be surpassed…" Amou murmured softly.
Still lying on the bed, chin resting on her folded arms, she let her tongue lightly brush the corner of her lips and smiled with unsettling calm.
"Wouldn't that be you… God?"
She rose slowly and moved closer, her bare feet silent against the floor. Warm breath brushed against Haimer's neck as the distance between them vanished, close enough that they could feel each other's breathing.
"If that's the case," she said quietly, "then the future will be quite an entertaining spectacle."
"Ambition is a good thing," Haimer replied. "But now that you're done, put your clothes back on. I wouldn't mind admiring the view a little longer, but you should make room for the next person."
"Tch."
She clicked her tongue in mild dissatisfaction, but since her bold declaration hadn't unsettled her god in the slightest, she withdrew the predatory glint from her eyes. In one smooth motion, she slipped off the bed, grabbed her robe, and draped it over herself. Before stepping aside, she cast Haimer one last lingering look, then moved to examine her newly obtained status.
With that, the tension in the room deepened.
Tsukuyo had revealed herself to be an extreme specialist. Amou had proven to be a growth-type powerhouse. With two monsters setting the standard, the pressure on everyone else grew heavier.
If their own status turned out mediocre in comparison, wouldn't that be humiliating?
Just then, the one who had been cut off earlier could no longer hold back.
Satori puffed her cheeks and marched forward, green hair swaying behind her. Muttering complaints about "mean people" and "line cutters never growing taller," she bounced toward the bed.
She didn't even wait for Amou to fully step aside. Slipping in like an eel, she squeezed herself next to Haimer.
"This time it's definitely Little Satori's turn!"
"No one's allowed to steal it!"
With surprising boldness, she untied the sash of her robe in one swift motion.
"Alright~ Lord God, please enjoy Little Satori~"
"Behave," Haimer said flatly.
"Wah!"
She exaggerated the protest but obediently lay down.
The divine blood fell once more, and light blossomed across her back. When the glow subsided, Haimer copied the results.
[Name: Tamaba Satori]
[Race: Human]
[Level: Lv.1]
[Abilities:]
[Strength: I-0]
[Endurance: I-0]
[Dexterity: I-0]
[Agility: I-0]
[Magic: I-0]
[Skills:]
『Heartless Blade』
The skill allowed attacks launched without killing intent to reach the utmost level of concealment, beyond the detection of ordinary perception abilities. If such an unnoticed strike hit a vital point, its damage would double.
When Satori finished tying her robe and saw the parchment, her bright expression collapsed.
"Why is there only one?" she complained. "Tsukuyo has three. Amou has two. Why does Satori only get one? That's not fair!"
She flipped the parchment back and forth as though expecting another line to magically appear.
"God is biased! You must have hidden the good ones!"
"Calm down." Haimer tapped the description gently. "It's quality, not quantity."
"This one skill of yours is deadlier than three ordinary ones combined."
"When killing becomes as effortless to you as trimming flowers, you'll be the most terrifying assassin in the world."
Satori quieted, the pout fading as she considered his words.
Haimer gave his final assessment.
"This skill suits you perfectly."
Without malice, there is no warning.
And Satori embodied that principle completely.
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A/N:
As everyone knows, the chapters are quite short and the story's pacing is a bit slow(kinda off too). Because of that, I will be changing the update schedule. The releases will alternate between 1 and 2 chapters per day, for example 1 chapter today, 2 chapters tomorrow, then 1 chapter the day after. (I will start applying this after 2 - 3 days from now)
Unfortunately, I cannot consistently release 2 chapters every day because the raw chapters are quite difficult to translate and edit. There is a lot of unnecessary padding, and you probably know how hard to remove the c thing. Because of that, the best I can do is alternate between 1 and 2 chapters per day.
There is also a very accurate review of the story in the Reviews/Ratings section. I recommend checking out the review written by "yuumeno", as it describes quite well what is happening in the story.
Drop some POWERSTONES to push the story forward!
Please support my other translated work
~ A Certain Magical Index: Keyaru Template
I will start uploading it again after putting it on hold for a long time.