Inside the Presidential Suite.
Ruzuki Rin knelt at Lu Cheng's feet, her cherry lips slightly parted, and the demon core floated before her, emanating an ominous dark glow.
Without a moment's hesitation, she gently inhaled the demon core into her mouth.
The demon core melted instantly upon entry, transforming into a torrential, violent current of Grudge (resentment energy) that surged wildly within her body, as if trying to tear her internal organs to shreds!
Ruzuki Rin's delicate body trembled violently, fine cold sweat instantly seeped from her forehead, and her face turned ashen.
But she bit her lip fiercely, not letting out a single groan of pain.
Because her Master was right before her eyes.
To show any weakness in front of her Master would be a sacrilege.
Lu Cheng held his wine glass, watching the scene with great interest... He could clearly sense how that energy, after entering Ruzuki Rin's body, was forcefully suppressed, decomposed, and then absorbed by an even more dominant imprint.
That was the power he had bestowed upon her.
"How do you feel?"
Ruzuki Rin endured the internal energy surge, bowing her head respectfully, her voice tinged with a slight tremor, but more so with excitement and adoration.
"Reporting to Master... Rin feels better than ever before."
She could feel her power skyrocketing at an inconceivable rate.
This feeling was intoxicating and addictive!
"Very good."
Lu Cheng nodded, quite satisfied with this answer.
What he wanted was never just a simple killing tool.
What he wanted was a maid who understood how to think, how to savor a "boon," and who, because of it, would develop a deeper reverence and dependence on him.
"Use your authority within the Amaterasu Group to find something for Kamiya Makoto to do."
"Don't let him be idle, and don't let him die too quickly."
"I want to know what his growth limit is."
He paused, a coldness that could almost be called "pleasure" entering his voice.
"And while you're at it, probe this so-called Amaterasu Group and see how many other interesting bugs are hidden in the shadows of this land."
Ruzuki Rin's body trembled slightly with excitement at her Master's words.
She finally fully understood her Master's intentions.
This was no longer just simple "play."
This was a meticulously designed experiment!
And she, Ruzuki Rin, would be the executor of this experiment.
"Rin understands."
...Meanwhile.
Inside the apartment.
"Bang!"
Kamiya Makoto slammed a bottle of water against the wall, sending water splashing everywhere.
He was curled up in the corner of the room, like a wounded beast.
The scene on the rooftop was seared into his mind.
Especially... Chizuru's words.
"Weakness is your original sin."
"Bug..."
"Useless..."
These words repeatedly tormented his already shattered heart.
"Why... why!"
He clutched his hair, screaming in agony.
He opened his system panel.
Host: Kamiya Makoto
Level: Demon-tier (Intermediate)
Spiritual Power: 12 / 1200 (Severely Injured, Exhausted State)
Shikigami: None (Inugami has dissipated)
The abysmal data seemed to mock his incompetence mercilessly.
He tried to meditate, tried to sense the so-called "ancient Onmyoji bloodline."
But his mind was a chaotic mess; he could sense nothing but humiliation and unwillingness.
The so-called bloodline, the so-called talent, was a joke in the face of absolute power!
Effort, justice, protection—what he once believed in—now seemed so ridiculous, so naive!
This world was utterly unreasonable.
The only reason was the fist!
Whoever had the biggest fist was justice, was the rule!
Now, he craved... power!
No matter the cost, no matter the means, he wanted to obtain power sufficient to crush everything!
He wanted that man to pay a bloody price for his arrogance!
Just as this mad thought was about to consume his reason.
A pop-up anonymous message window suddenly appeared on his phone.
It was an extremely simple webpage, with only a few lines of red text on a black background.
Amaterasu Group Newbie Bounty Board
...Rows of tasks were clearly listed there.
Each task pointed to the demons and monsters lurking in the city's shadows.
Kamiya Makoto's breathing instantly became rapid!
The Amaterasu Group... the organization that existed in urban legends, responsible for handling all "supernatural" affairs.
A glimmer of light rekindled in Kamiya Makoto's bloodshot eyes.
"I need... sacrifices."
Kamiya Makoto murmured, his voice hoarse as sandpaper.
"I need more Shikigami!"
Kamiya Makoto suddenly stood up from the ground, ignoring his injuries, and began rummaging through his belongings, searching for his talismans and magical artifacts.
His face no longer held any trace of youthful innocence and kindness.
Only a desperate ferocity and determination remained.
Like a lone wolf, dragging his severely injured body, he pushed open the door and merged into the Tokyo night.
What he didn't know was.
The moment he accepted the task.
In the hotel's Presidential Suite, a red dot on the tablet in front of Ruzuki Rin slowly began to move.
She revealed a triumphant smile and respectfully reported to Lu Cheng behind her.
"Master."
"Everything is proceeding as you envisioned."