I, Kuafu, Only Take One Sip

Perhaps because the hot spring was too comfortable, Yae Sakura unknowingly fell asleep sprawled over a large rock.

She did not wake until she felt someone touch her back, her eyes snapping open instantly.

"Sakura, what is that pattern on your back?"

Kikyo sat behind Yae Sakura, her hand resting on her back as she curiously examined the red stigmata mark.

"This is... a stigmata."

"A stigmata?" Kikyo did not understand.

"You can think of it as something like the Jewel of Four Souls that can increase your strength, except it has no side effects. It's basically a kind of equipment!" After thinking about it, Yae Sakura found it hard to explain.

"Something that increases strength..."

"Right! I prepared a set for you too, Kikyo. Turn around, and I'll equip it for you."

There were so many stigmata in the inventory that keeping them there was just wasting storage space. She might as well give them to friends she was close to.

"I'll pass! It's too valuable." Kikyo shook her head in refusal. Something that could directly increase one's strength without side effects was far too precious.

"Don't be like that... I have extras. Besides... didn't Kikyo teach me barrier techniques too?"

"That's different."

"It's the same. Turn around! Now that you have the Jewel of Four Souls, you'll face even more demons in the future—perhaps even... great demons. With your current strength, that'll put a lot of pressure on you.

You wouldn't want the Jewel of Four Souls to be stolen because you weren't strong enough, would you?"

"..." Hearing Yae Sakura's words, Kikyo fell silent at once.

Indeed, Kikyo was very strong. She had been born with powerful spiritual energy. Over the years, ninety-nine percent of demons could not withstand a single arrow from her.

But... Kikyo had never believed that meant she could defeat every demon.

This was an age of chaos, a golden age for demons.

And the responsibility of guarding the Jewel of Four Souls was immense...

The stronger she became, the more hope there would be.

"Then... thank you!"

"Don't mention it."

After Kikyo turned around, Yae Sakura took out a set of four-star stigmata.

[Elizabeth Bathory]

Although there were a great many stigmata in the inventory, there actually were not that many five-star stigmata.

Apart from keeping a few copies of the necessary ones, she had dismantled the extras in exchange for the stigmata she wanted.

Only the four-star stigmata and below were too numerous to count...

Two- and three-star stigmata were too weak, so after some thought, she decided to give Kikyo four-star ones!

Like the Czar Set, the [Elizabeth Bathory] set was very well-rounded. Of course, it could not compare to the Czar Set, but it was still very useful in the early stages.

When health was above eighty percent, the top piece increased defense by thirty-one percent, the middle piece increased physical attack by twenty percent, and the bottom piece increased speed by forty-one percent.

Then there was the set bonus, which gave a chance to restore health.

Setting everything else aside, this set could increase Kikyo's strength by nearly fifty percent.

Originally, stigmata referred to tattoo-like marks.

Stigmata were considered a supernatural phenomenon, generally appearing on the bodies of Christians, resembling the wounds Christ suffered during his crucifixion.

However, after the stigmata in the inventory had traveled through worlds along with Yae Sakura, they became a special kind of equipment that could be equipped and removed.

Stigmata took the form of crystalline cards bearing beautiful girls' portraits. When equipped on one's back, they turned into mysterious red markings.

Yae Sakura directly equipped all three stigmata onto Kikyo. Kikyo's previously smooth, delicate back was now marked with three symmetrical and exquisite patterns.

"All done! Do you feel any different?"

Yae Sakura looked at her handiwork with satisfaction...

"I really do feel like something is different with my body. I seem to be... stronger." Kikyo turned around, a hint of surprise on her face. To increase one's strength so easily felt almost too simple.

But since she could not see the marks on her back, Kikyo was rather curious about what they looked like.

"Now that you have stigmata, how about I give you a weapon too?

What weapon would suit you... You already have a bow for ranged combat, so how about a melee weapon for self-defense?"

As she spoke, Yae Sakura began searching through the inventory for a suitable weapon. Guns and cannons... did not seem appropriate. Crosses and greatswords... were too heavy. Gauntlets and scythes did not fit either. As expected, only a katana would do.

This one, then...

"Kikyo, I'll give you this Gale Blade!"

Aside from the fully upgraded five-star Gale Blade, there were two extra rows of unenhanced four-star Gale Blades in the inventory.

Yae Sakura took out an unenhanced katana and handed it to Kikyo.

But... looking at Kikyo before her, Yae Sakura felt a little awkward, as well as strangely excited. Kikyo was sitting naked in front of her, truly facing her without reservation...

"Sakura..."

Watching Yae Sakura pull such a strange katana out of thin air, Kikyo... did not immediately accept it. Instead, sensing the burning gaze in Yae Sakura's eyes, she suddenly covered her chest and turned away...

"You... you don't like women, do you?" With her back to Yae Sakura, Kikyo asked hesitantly.

"Well... I suppose I do..."

Yae Sakura suddenly realized that she had gotten a little too carried away.

She had not been like this before. It was probably because this was her first time soaking in a hot spring with another girl, making her unusually excited...

But she could not stay in this world forever. If she fell in love with anyone, it could only end in tragedy...

So at most, they could only be friends... She had acted far too inappropriately.

Well... no need to think about that now...

"Sorry!"

Yae Sakura lowered her head and apologized.

"Why are you suddenly apologizing again... Forget it! I'll accept this weapon without ceremony."

"Mhm, mhm. This katana is quite powerful. It has its own skill and can unleash a tornado infused with icy power. You can try it later."

Seeing Kikyo accept the Gale Blade, Yae Sakura immediately calmed down and introduced the weapon.

"A weapon with its own skill..."

"Big Sis, stop talking to her all the time! Come help me bathe!" Watching Yae Sakura and Kikyo interact, Higokumaru, who had been lying in the hot spring nearby, finally could not help speaking up.

"Huh? All right!" Seeing Higokumaru staring at her longingly, Yae Sakura remembered how Higokumaru had saved her before and did not refuse... She walked over.