Forging a Weapon

Twenty days later, Shinji and Hidan finally returned to the Jashin Cult.

The main reason was that the supply convoy moved too slowly, forcing them to slow their pace and take their time getting back.

Of course, Shinji had already sent word back using birds raised by the Mira Trading Company. Better safe than sorry.

Outside the base, Cult Leader Takihata watched them with a smile and a kindly gaze.

"Children, welcome home."

"May the Evil God endure forever!" Shinji and Hidan pressed the pendants bearing the Jashin Cult's emblem to their foreheads and spoke with devotion.

"How was it? Did everything go smoothly?"

After arranging for people to take over the supplies, Cult Leader Takihata chatted with them as they walked, concern evident in his voice.

"Other than a few insignificant petty thieves, everything went smoothly." Shinji had no desire to go into detail, so he glossed over the important parts.

Hidan's response was even simpler...

"They didn't stand a chance!"

Cult Leader Takihata first glanced at the Kubikiribōchō on Shinji's back, then said meaningfully, as though making a joke, "A petty thief who can wield the Kubikiribōchō is no ordinary thief."

Then he patted Shinji's shoulder and laughed heartily. "Yes, you did well this time. They heaped praise on you both in their letter. They even tripled the funding we'd previously agreed on. That's all thanks to you!"

"Tell me, is there anything you want? Lord Jashin will surely grant your wishes."

Hearing Cult Leader Takihata's promise, Hidan eagerly spoke first. "I want to offer Lord Jashin higher-quality sacrifices!"

As soon as Hidan finished, Shinji noticed Cult Leader Takihata's smile freeze for the briefest moment before he replied helplessly, "You may take your pick of the sacrifices in the dungeon below."

"I want high-quality sacrifices! The trash in the dungeon will only sully my devotion to Lord Jashin!" Hidan shouted in dissatisfaction.

To put it plainly, he worshipped the Evil God who had given him a new life, not the leader of the Jashin Cult standing before him.

Faith was a double-edged sword!

Even Cult Leader Takihata probably hadn't expected his brainwashing to work so well. In fact, it had worked a little too well.

That was hardly a good sign!

Looking at Hidan, who was beginning to show signs of slipping beyond his control, Cult Leader Takihata grew wary. Still smiling, he continued, "Your devotion to Lord Jashin is naturally beyond question, but high-quality sacrifices are hard to come by, and we go through them quickly. How about this? You'll have first claim on the next ten high-quality sacrifices we capture. Besides that, you may capture sacrifices yourself. If you catch one of exceptionally high quality, I can even make an exception and hold a sacrificial ceremony just for you."

"Tch. I'm going to get some rest."

Hidan curled his lip, showing him no respect at all, and left.

This trip to the Land of Waves had finally made Hidan realize just how powerful he was!

If there hadn't been someone beside him who consistently outclassed him, his ego would probably have swelled even further.

A flash of displeasure passed through Cult Leader Takihata's eyes at the sight.

Shinji, of course, wasn't nearly as socially inept as Hidan, especially while the Jashin Cult was still useful to him. He changed the subject.

"Lord Takihata, I'd like to have a weapon forged."

"Oh? What sort of weapon? Don't you already have one?" Cult Leader Takihata asked curiously.

"This sword is only a temporary solution. It doesn't really suit me." Shinji shook his head regretfully.

That explanation actually struck a chord with Cult Leader Takihata.

After all, no matter how powerful a weapon was, someone who couldn't wield it comfortably wouldn't be able to bring out their full strength.

Besides, compared with Hidan's demand, Shinji's request was undoubtedly far more normal and reasonable.

So, almost without hesitation, Cult Leader Takihata readily agreed.

"You may use any of the materials in the cult's treasury. If you have anything specific in mind, you can discuss it with the smith." Shinji thanked him again, thinking, This is the perfect chance to investigate the other requirements for converting something into a Cursed Tool.

Several more days passed in the blink of an eye.

Shinji returned to his busy routine of cooperating with blood draws, recording experimental data, training in Taijutsu, and practicing Jujutsu.

Although his days were packed, the life he led was fulfilling.

Of course, it would have been even better if he could have dropped the first two activities.

After all, no one wanted to be treated like a lab rat forever.

Also, after returning, Shinji stopped trying to deepen his relationship with Hidan and increase their Bond Points.

Instead, he barely spared the guy a glance and avoided seeing him whenever possible.

Naturally, he hadn't "fallen for someone else" and found a new target to form a bond with.

He simply no longer cared for the measly points he could squeeze out of their daily interactions!

The trip to the Land of Waves had taught him exactly how to farm Bond Points with Hidan.

So he decided to leave Hidan hanging for a few days, then suddenly strike like lightning and make him his... No, damn it! He meant to see whether he could hurry up and finish the second stage of that lousy quest.

What a seasoned player!

Meanwhile, although Hidan wasn't particularly bright, even he noticed that Shinji had been giving him the cold shoulder over the past few days.

They had clearly disliked each other for a long time already.

They'd gone from bickering and arguing to "don't leave after school, we're settling this one-on-one," and even casually stabbing each other or trying to take each other down with them at the slightest disagreement!

By all rights, Hidan should have been used to it.

But the truth was... Hidan was pissed!

He didn't know why he was pissed. He just was!

And since he was pissed, he wanted that bastard to be pissed too.

After putting up with it for several days, Hidan finally couldn't take it anymore and gleefully set off to pick a fight with him!

At that moment, Shinji was in the craftsman's workshop, carefully examining the lethal weapon that had just been completed!

It was an entirely red, triple-bladed scythe. The three-blade design allowed the scythe to inflict more damage on an opponent, while a ring at the end of the handle allowed a rope to be attached for throwing it over long distances and retrieving it.

This was none other than Hidan's fearsome weapon from the original story-the Bloody Triple-Bladed Scythe!

During their recent mission to the Land of Waves, Shinji had discovered another of Hidan's weaknesses: without [Death Controlling Possessed Blood], his ability to inflict damage was severely lacking.

That made getting this iconic weapon forged for Hidan as soon as possible a necessity!

He really didn't want to see that idiot Hidan wildly hacking away with a pair of watermelon knives anymore.

Seriously, it completely ruined his image!

When cutting people down, looking cool was obviously the most important thing!

Shinji picked it up and tried a couple of swings and slashes. It felt pretty good-solid materials and excellent workmanship.

The only disappointment was that the system showed no response whatsoever.

That meant the Bloody Triple-Bladed Scythe in his hands couldn't be converted into a Cursed Tool.