Now.
What lay before Haimo.
Was a body that could only be called perfect.
If Tsukuyo Inaba was delicate, fragile porcelain.
Then Sasamori Aya was steel tempered through countless trials.
-Ivory white.
Every muscle was sleek and firm, brimming with explosive power and displaying a wild beauty.
These were the contours that came from years of practicing ancient martial arts and pushing the body to its limits.
She was like a famed blade polished to a chilling gleam.
Even standing there, she radiated an oppressive sharpness.
This was the Incarnate Blade.
Taking the fragile shell of a human body.
And, through relentless daily training bordering on self-torture, forging it into a weapon harder than steel.
However.
Unlike the astonished gazes around him.
Haimo looked at the girl baring everything before him with a touch of exasperation.
The view was certainly spectacular, but her approach was a little too wild.
"Look..."
"I know you're in a hurry."
"But could you be a little more mindful of the people around you?"
Haimo pointed at Hanabishi Warabi, who was huddled in a corner, hugging Black Bear and covering her face.
"There's a child here."
"Don't set a bad example."
"Huh?!"
At those words, Hanabishi Warabi, who had been peeking through her fingers, bristled and leaped out from behind the bear's belly.
"Wh-who are you calling a child?!"
"I'm already an adult, okay?!"
"I have a motorcycle license! I have a motorcycle license!"
Hanabishi Warabi sputtered indignantly, trying to defend her rather unfortunate height.
However.
No one paid any attention to her protests.
Sasamori Aya did not even spare her a sideways glance.
She merely tipped her chin up slightly.
"Such trivialities don't matter."
"We'll all be in your familia sooner or later anyway."
"Since we've already decided to offer you both body and soul as our god."
"Being this open with you was only a matter of time."
With that.
Without the slightest hesitation, Sasamori Aya planted her hands on the edge of the bed, swung herself onto it in one fluid movement, and lay on her stomach.
Her long, straight, ink-black hair slipped down with her movements.
Spreading across the white sheets.
Then she rested her chin on her arms, turned her head, and looked at Haimo with a smile.
"Come, god."
"Let me see..."
"Whether this body I forged to reach the pinnacle can truly impress you."
This was a lion.
She needed neither soothing nor encouragement.
Give her a direction, and she would pounce without hesitation.
Chapter 21: The Empress and Nemumeno Satori
"Then I'll grant your wish."
Seeing Come conquer me written all over Sasamori Aya's face, Haimo did not hold back.
Since she had made her resolve clear, he naturally had to respond as her god.
And so.
Haimo stepped forward.
With practiced ease, he straddled Sasamori Aya where her waist met her hips.
This time.
The sensation was entirely different.
If Tsukuyo Inaba was soft cotton that inspired tenderness.
Then Sasamori Aya was a fully drawn bow.
Taut.
Tough.
Springy.
Haimo could even feel the body beneath him instinctively resisting the pressure, pushing back ever so slightly.
However.
Haimo paid it little mind.
He swept aside her long, straight black hair.
Revealing shoulder blades like butterfly wings poised for flight.
"So this is that so-called Incarnate Blade..."
Haimo pressed a hand against Sasamori Aya's faintly trembling back, feeling the pulse of explosive strength beneath his palm.
"You've trained your body well."
"Like a fine piece of iron."
"Hmph."
Sasamori Aya gave a muffled snort as she lay on the bed. Her face was buried in the pillow, hiding her expression, but there was not a trace of embarrassment in her voice-only a hint of pride.
"Of course."
"My body stopped being mortal flesh and blood long ago."
"It's a weapon."
"Is that so?"
"Then let me see."
"Just how sharp this weapon of yours can become when forged by a god."
With that.
Haimo gathered a drop of blood at his fingertip.
"Drip."
Drawn down by gravity, the Divine Blood fell.
Sinking into that ivory-white back.
"Humm-"
Red light blazed.
Intricate falna inscriptions rapidly spread across Sasamori Aya's back.
A moment later.
The light faded.
Haimo glanced over the figures inscribed there.
Even though he had been prepared, his eyebrows still rose slightly.
"Sure enough..."
"You're a monster."
[Name]: Sasamori Aya [Race]: Human [Level]: Lv.1 [Abilities]: Strength: I0/Endurance: I0/Dexterity: I0/Agility: I0/Magic: I0 [Development Abilities]: None [Magic]: None [Skills]: "Incarnate Blade", "Battle Frenzy"
Only two skills.
One fewer than Tsukuyo Inaba.
But.
Skills: "Incarnate Blade" The body itself is a blade. Physical toughness increases dramatically with [Endurance] and [Strength], no longer constrained by the material limits of human flesh. When subjected to a physical attack, a check is performed based on the difference between both parties' [Strength] and [Endurance]. If the user's result exceeds the enemy's, a portion of the damage can be negated, and the force of the impact is returned to the opponent severalfold as [Shock Force], causing a backlash. Unarmed attacks count as slashes from a [Famed Blade] of the same level and possess the [Armor-Piercing] property. "Battle Frenzy" An extreme obsession with strength becomes fuel for growth. The acquisition rate of all ability points and proficiency receives an enormous boost. This boost has no upper limit and depends on the depth of the user's obsession. When fighting someone the user considers a [Target That Must Be Surpassed], the growth rate of all abilities doubles.
Haimo picked up a sheet of parchment and copied the data appearing on her back, showing it to the others as well.
"Wh-what is this...?"
Onigawara Rin stared at the description of "Incarnate Blade," her eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets.