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“Is it opening in a fortnight?”

“Yes, it always opens around this time. Our shrine has quite a connection to it.”

“What kind of connection?”

Rise responded to his question with a slightly bitter expression.

“It contributes to the community, and it’s a chance to showcase one’s accomplishments through public duels. Thanks to that, people flock to watch the battles, and it naturally leads to a small festival.”

“Based on what you called a small festival, it sounds like there won’t be any fireworks, just maybe some shops opening up.”

“Yes. Selling food, goldfish catching, shooting… That’s about it. Our shrine has been known to observe the duels there.”

Jinseong nodded, as if he understood Rise’s words.

“That makes sense. If it’s about showing off one’s achievements and contributing to the community, then it’s only natural to invite influential people from the area.”

Hearing that, Jinseong frowned slightly, as if contemplating something, looking back and forth between Rise’s smartphone and the ceiling.

“What’s troubling you?”

“It’s troubling.”

Rise, looking concerned, leaned slightly closer to Jinseong and asked.

“Even though everything is good, there’s one variable I’m worried about.”

“A variable, you say? Perhaps?”

“Indeed. The capable person of Transformation. I never expected someone like that to exist. It’s quite unsettling.”

“Oh my, did you not know…?”

Rise’s eyes widened at Jinseong’s words.

“They always mention him when naming Japan’s strongest on TV…”

Strongest.

A term that would set a man’s blood boiling and make his body tense with anticipation.

Naturally, the broadcasting stations obsessed with viewer ratings wouldn’t miss out, frequently airing formats like ‘Who is Japan’s Strongest Warrior?’ or ‘The Sorcerer with the Highest Intelligence!’ and ‘Battle of Japan’s Representative Summon Creatures! The Ultimate Showdown!’

Of course, there were some who reacted with boredom, tired of that same old story.

But strength, by its nature, changes over time.

Promising candidates become full-fledged warriors.

Once-renowned individuals fade into obscurity.

Unexpected figures emerge, honing their skills and returning with power.

Time revealed changes that were longed for by the broadcasting stations, showcasing the same material but with a different flair.

A person who was humiliatingly defeated last year makes a successful comeback for revenge.

A sorcerer previously overlooked suddenly shines in academia with a notable paper.

A cute little chick—who knows what kind of medicine it took—comes back bulked up, able to chew a tiger in one bite.

To a viewer familiar with the past, this is something they can’t help but watch, and even those uninterested will find themselves hooked, stuck in that mesmerizing format like snacks that vanish from the bag without a second thought.

“Not interested.”

Yet there are those who aren’t swayed by such charm.

For Jinseong, who suited the title of the strongest, it mattered little which warrior was truly the mightiest, the techniques they employed, or their martial arts’ characteristics, information that held the same value as fallen leaves on the ground.

Because he had no interest beyond magic.

Moreover, even if he had interest in something else, such a format would hardly pique his curiosity.

Determining the strongest through duel, engaging in discussions with self-proclaimed experts…

What meaning does that hold?

Jinseong was a mercenary who had fought in World War III.

He had seen ‘famous capable people’ meet absurd ends countless times, and how many times had he witnessed a nobody suddenly emerge, smashing villages and turning cities to ruin?

And if they were to be significant in the future, Jinseong would’ve known of them, but he hadn’t.

In other words, it means he lacked the needed information and influence at the beginning of World War III.

‘They must have perished or been crippled during the war with Korea.’

It’s possible that Kazuo didn’t just vanish amidst the flames of war, but that Shiheng Style itself was obliterated.

“Even broadening the stage to the entire world, they are said to be competitive… Japan’s pride, or so they say…”

Seeing Jinseong respond nonchalantly, Rise carefully brought it up, studying his expression.

‘That look says it’s news to him.’

Jinseong’s expression went beyond disinterest; it reflected he had never heard such things before in his life. Or maybe, akin to unimportant information fluttering by his ear without any purpose, that was the expression he wore.

“I’m not sure about that. But yes, I’ve certainly heard the name Shiheng Style before…”

Jinseong’s gaze met Rise’s, who had come quite close to him.

“I had once given a blessing to someone who supported Shiheng Style. Right?”

“Yes? Yes.”

“The boss of a bodyguard company.”

As Jinseong locked eyes with Rise, she blushed in surprise, yet she didn’t pull away, only diverting her gaze slightly to a different spot as if feeling a mix of embarrassment.

“From what I can see, it doesn’t seem suitable for defense or protection. It seems best utilized for other purposes under the guise of ‘bodyguard’. Isn’t that so?”

“Yes, you are correct, my Deity.”

Jinseong raised his hand over Rise’s head and said so.

“Let’s see. Such evil disguised under legality holds one characteristic. That is the bond between them, the sticky ties they share. They are so flimsy that they can stab each other’s backs at any time—something that pales in comparison to the bonds of the righteous. However, while feeble, it is not easy to vanish, and if left unattended, it spreads like pests increasing in number.”

Jinseong reached out to gently grab the fox ears twitching on top of Rise’s head.

“Hik!”

As Jinseong’s finger touched the fox ear, Rise jolted in surprise. Moreover, as his finger moved, she seemed to experience a strange ticklish sensation, causing her body to twitch slightly.

Yet she didn’t retreat or push his hand away; instead, she stiffened her posture as if trying to suppress the ticklishness, her gaze fixed on Jinseong.

“And that means, through those I’ve given my blessing to, I can gain quite a deep understanding. There should be no major difficulties in obtaining information…”

“S-Sacred One…?”

While speaking, Jinseong continued to move his fingers, petting Rise’s fox ear. The more he played with it, the more fur that appeared to belong to her stuck to his fingers, gradually increasing in size.

Once satisfied with the amount of fur gathered, Jinseong withdrew his hand.

“Haaa…”

Then, Rise, seemingly relaxing and releasing her tension, leaned her body on the table. As her relaxed form settled, so too did her fox ears that had previously perked up.

Rise turned her head slightly toward Jinseong, resembling a duck melting in the summer heat, and with drowsy eyes, she asked him.

“Deity, suddenly… why the ears…?”

“It’s nothing special.”

Jinseong simply responded to Rise’s inquiry.

“It’s like taking the tail fur with me.”

“N-Neh? Ah…”

Rise gasped as if realizing something from Jinseong’s words.

“You plan to use it for something, don’t you?”

“Correct.”

Jinseong replied as he stood up from his seat.

Rise seemed used to this and gazed at him as if it were nothing.

“In that case, once my body regains its strength, I’ll contact you right away to look into it.”

“Hmm.”

He picked up the suit jacket that Rise had carefully hung and turned back to her. Then, while gently grasping the nape of her neck, he placed his other hand on her lower back.

“S-Sacred One?”

Ignoring the startled Rise, he summoned up the Taeguk, imbuing warm energy inside her, and as her body began to loosen due to the warmth, he chanted a mantra.

“Om Kirahara Modra Humpart.”

At that moment, an overwhelming wave of sleepiness surged over Rise. Although she struggled against the sudden drowsiness, the comforting and languorous sensation, as if she had been plunged into warm water, was something she simply could not refuse.

Ultimately, Rise could not withstand the weight of her heavy eyelids, akin to the wrecking ball in the videos Jinseong had watched, and she fell into a deep sleep.

And just before Rise fully succumbed to slumber…

“It’s not an urgent matter.”

“Ah…”

“So, be sure to completely relieve any unnecessary fatigue accumulated in your body.”

Jinseong’s gentle reprimand reached her ears. It sounded to Rise like a warm spring breeze amid coldness, carrying concern that she shouldn’t overexert herself in the quest for happiness.

Thus, as she surrendered to sleep…

Rise smiled.

 

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