Days later in Tokyo, the night remained deep, as if something was frantically growing in the city's shadows.
Inside the presidential suite.
"Master."
Ruzuki Rin knelt before Lu Cheng, meticulously reporting the "results" of the past few days.
Her voice was steady, tinged with a hint of reverence for Lu Cheng.
"Target Kamiya Makoto, under the guidance of the mission you bestowed, has successfully hunted down ten Oni-level demons and three Youkai-level demons within five days."
"He has successfully subdued three new Shikigami: a Zashiki-warashi, a Kamaitachi, and a Shadow Warrior. His power rating is now firmly at high-tier Youkai-level, just one step away from Kai-level."
Lu Cheng merely gave a faint "Mm" upon hearing this, not even raising his eyelids.
All of this was simply a farmer watching his chives grow vigorously along the expected trajectory.
Ruzuki Rin paused, then continued:
"Based on my observations, Kamiya Makoto's mindset has also undergone a significant change."
"He has regained... confidence, one could even say he has become somewhat arrogant."
"Among the Amaterasu Group's new recruits, he acts ruthlessly and without mercy. To seize mission targets, he even severely injured fellow members. His style of conduct is completely different from before."
"Very good."
"A wild dog that has been starved for too long, once it tastes blood and flesh, will naturally become greedy and insane."
"He must now feel that he has been reborn, no longer the worm wagging its tail on the rooftop, begging for scraps, right?"
"Yes, Master."
Ruzuki Rin said, lowering her head.
"He is now going to see Yukino Shita Chizuru."
Lu Cheng stroked Rin's head, a satisfied expression on his face... "Then let us see if the little worm he is now can catch her eye."
"And what is that Demon Blade Muramasa craving?"
...At the Yukinoshita family mansion, a grand Japanese garden.
Kamiya Makoto stood at the entrance, the night wind rustling his coat, a nearly ferocious confidence on his face.
In just a few days, he was no longer the young man who had wailed on his knees.
He had grown stronger, rapidly so, with the power of the system.
Even if he encountered the demon from the rooftop again, he would be able to deal with it alone!
Yukino Shita Chizuru appeared as promised, still with her cold demeanor, as if nothing in the world could move her.
"Chizuru!"
Kamiya Makoto's voice carried a hint of urgency; he was eager to display his "trophies."
He stomped his foot, and three magic circles simultaneously unfolded behind him!
A chilling wind howled, and a Kamaitachi wielding a huge scythe with a wind-like physique, a shadow clad in tattered armor and holding a katana, and a Zashiki-warashi emanating a strong aura of resentment all appeared at once!
The combined aura of the three Youkai-level Shikigami seemed to disturb the surrounding space.
"Now, I have the power to protect you!"
Kamiya Makoto stared intensely at Yukino Shita Chizuru, waiting, hoping for even the slightest hint of approval.
However, Chizuru merely looked at the three roaring Shikigami, her gaze as indifferent as if she were looking at three dirty wild dogs by the roadside.
"Oh?"
She finally spoke, no emotion discernible in her voice.
"You can already defeat a few rats from the gutter?"
The smile on Kamiya Makoto's face instantly froze.
"So what?"
Yukino Shita Chizuru took a step forward, and finally, a hint of emotion flickered in her eyes.
It was... disgust.
"You think this is strength?"
"The true strong ones are looking down on this city, deciding the fates of countless people, stirring up winds and clouds with a single breath."
"And you..."
She stopped in front of Kamiya Makoto, tilted her head slightly, her nose twitching subtly, and then her brow furrowed even more deeply.
"Don't bother me anymore."
"Your scent... makes me feel cheap."
The word "cheap" exploded in Kamiya Makoto's mind like a thunderbolt from the heavens!
His Shikigami, his power, his reborn resolve, all earned through bloody battles... in her eyes, were merely... cheap?
"You... what did you say?"
He took a step back in disbelief, feeling all his blood freeze in an instant.
Yukino Shita Chizuru looked at his distraught expression, a cruel curve forming on her lips.
"I said, everything about you gives off a... cheap, fishy stench, like something that crawled out of a gutter."
"You are not yet qualified to stand at the pinnacle of the world."
After speaking, she didn't spare him another glance, turning and walking away.
Kamiya Makoto stood rooted to the spot, and the three Shikigami behind him, as if sensing their master's despair, whimpered and dissipated into black smoke.
He seemed to understand.
No matter how strong he became, in her eyes, he was just... something unworthy of attention.
But, he was clearly her destined "scabbard," the only one qualified and capable of wielding her "Demon Blade Muramasa"!
He wanted to display his abilities before Chizuru, to let her see with her own eyes that his true strength was worthy of wielding her Demon Blade Muramasa!
...Lu Cheng closed his eyes, comfortably resting his head on Ruzuki Rin's elastic lap, letting her nimble fingertips perform their ethereal art on his ears and scalp... "This wild dog has been completely enraged, and has lost its way?"
"Then it's time to let him bite."
Lu Cheng continued to give her orders while enjoying the maid's service.
"Deliver the invitation to Yukino Shita Chizuru."
"Tell her to bring that interesting little friend to the dinner party."
"Yes, Master."
...Soon, Yukino Shita Chizuru received the invitation personally delivered by Ruzuki Rin.
When she saw the flowing signature on the invitation, a sickly flush instantly appeared on the face of the Yukinoshita family's eldest daughter.
She understood that the stage was set.
And she would be the most crucial member of this grand drama... The next day, Chizuru found Kamiya Makoto in his apartment.
"Splat."
The invitation sent by Lu Cheng was tossed before Kamiya Makoto.
Makoto slowly raised his head, his eyes bewildered, not knowing what this woman intended to do now.
"Prepare your clothes, you waste."
Yukino Shita Chizuru looked down at him, commanding in a tone that brooked no refusal.
"Tonight, I'll take you to see..."
Her eyes gleamed with an ardent light.
"What the true world is."
Kamiya Makoto looked at the invitation, then at the girl with ardent eyes before him, and a twisted spark of hope... ignited within his heart.
This was his chance!
Was she giving him an opportunity to prove himself?
Harboring this humble fantasy, he used all his strength to nod at Chizuru.