"She's a total stat monster..."
Kikakujō Mary leaned over, her mouth falling open wide enough to fit an egg as she read the description.
Even though they still only half understood Orario's power system.
Anyone who wasn't an idiot could tell how valuable the skill was just from the description of "Incarnate Blade."
Her body's toughness increased with [Endurance] and [Strength]?
Unarmed attacks counted as strikes from a renowned blade?
How was that human?
She was plainly a blade wearing human skin.
"Her body... is a weapon?"
Onigawara Rin stared fixedly at that line, her gaze conflicted.
As a swordswoman through and through, she knew all too well what that meant.
It meant Sasamori Aya could trade blows as though wielding a divine weapon even with her bare hands.
And she wouldn't have to worry about her weapon breaking.
"Don't just stare at the first one."
Haimo slid his finger down and pointed at the second skill.
"This is the important one."
"'Battle Frenzy.'"
"As long as she can find someone she wants to surpass."
"The deeper her obsession, the hotter this fire burns."
"She'll become a tireless monster."
"Someone I have to surpass..."
"Wouldn't that be you?"
"My god."
Lying on the bed with her chin resting on her folded hands, Sasamori Aya licked the corner of her mouth and flashed a chilling smile.
With that said.
Sasamori Aya slowly rose and crawled barefoot over to Haimo, her warm breath brushing the side of his neck.
Their bodies drew so close they could almost feel each other's breathing.
"If that's the case."
"Then the future really will be a sideshow worth looking forward to."
"Ambition is a good thing."
"But..."
"Now that you're done, hurry up and put your clothes on."
"I wouldn't mind continuing to admire the beauty of that body."
"But you should make room for the others waiting behind you."
"Tch."
At those words.
Sasamori Aya pursed her lips in displeasure.
Still.
Since that string of heartfelt declarations hadn't frightened her patron god.
Sasamori Aya sensibly reined in her predatory expression.
She nimbly rolled off the bed, grabbed the robe beside her, and casually draped it over herself.
Before leaving, however, she raked that burning gaze over Haimo one more time, then contentedly stepped aside to study her stats.
By then.
The atmosphere in the room had grown even more delicate.
After all.
Tsukuyo Inaba was a genius with an extreme specialization.
Sasamori Aya was a tyrannosaurus with room to grow.
With those two monsters setting the stage.
With such impressive examples before them, wouldn't it be humiliating if their own status sheets turned out to be pathetic?
At that thought, the others exchanged looks, feeling immense pressure.
Just then.
Nemumeno Satori, whose turn Sasamori Aya had stolen earlier, finally couldn't hold back any longer.
The girl with long emerald-green hair pouted, her cheeks puffed out.
She bounced over while muttering things like "Meanie" and "People who cut in line won't grow tall."
She didn't even wait for Sasamori Aya to leave the bed completely.
She eagerly squeezed past her, slipping up beside Haimo like a loach.
"It's definitely little Satori's turn this time!"
"No one gets to steal little Satori's turn!"
As she spoke, Nemumeno Satori boldly untied her robe.
She moved so quickly that even Haimo barely had time to react.
"Now, Lord God, please help yourself to little Satori~"
"..."
Haimo looked at the girl, who seemed harmless but was actually covered in poisonous barbs.
He shook his head helplessly.
"Behave."
"Eep!"
Nemumeno Satori let out an exaggerated cry, then obediently lay facedown as instructed.
Haimo deftly drew blood and let it drip.
Bzz-
Light suddenly flared.
A moment later.
[Name]: Nemumeno Satori [Race]: Human [Level]: Lv.1 [Stats]: Strength: I0/Endurance: I0/Dexterity: I0/Agility: I0/Magic: I0 [Skills]: "Heartless Blade" Skill: "Heartless Blade" Attacks launched without killing intent gain maximum concealment and cannot be detected by conventional perception skills. Damage doubles when an attack strikes a vital point without being noticed.
"Huh?"
When Haimo handed her the parchment.
After putting her robe back on, Nemumeno Satori saw the lone entry in the skill field, and her expectant little face instantly fell.
"Why is there only one?"
"Tsukuyo has three, and Aya has two..."
"Why does little Satori only get one?"
"That's so unfair!"
Muttering resentfully, Nemumeno Satori turned the parchment over and over, trying to find a hidden second line.
"Lord God is playing favorites!"
"You definitely hid all the good ones!"
"Hold on."
Seeing Nemumeno Satori looking ready to throw herself on the floor and have a tantrum, Haimo helplessly pointed at the skill's detailed description.
"Quality matters more than quantity."
"This one skill of yours is deadlier than three ordinary skills combined."
"When killing someone leaves you as unruffled as pruning flowers."
"You'll be the most terrifying assassin in the world."
Watching Nemumeno Satori ponder his words, Haimo offered his final assessment.
"This skill suits you very well."
Just like a child tearing the wings off a butterfly.
At that moment.
The child wasn't thinking, I want to torture this bug to death.
She was simply wondering, What would happen if its wings came off?
Without malice, there were no openings.
Nemumeno Satori was the ultimate embodiment of that.
Chapter 22: Kikakujō Mary's Elegant Dance Steps, Onigawara Rin's Sealed Heart Sword Soul
After hearing him out, Nemumeno Satori pondered for a while, then flashed her carefree smile again and nuzzled against Haimo with the parchment in her arms.
"Hmph~"
"Since Lord God says so."
"Little Satori will reluctantly accept it~"
Clutching her parchment, Nemumeno Satori retreated to one side.
Now.
The spot beside the bed was free.
Only Kikakujō Mary and Onigawara Rin remained standing in the center of the room.
In the corner, Hanabishi Warabi was still huddled behind the black bear named Fierce Man, with only her eyes showing as she watched everything intently.
"Ahem!"
Noticing Haimo turn his gaze toward her.
Kikakujō Mary immediately straightened her back, clutching the thick dictionary in her arms with both hands as her eyes darted between Onigawara Rin and Haimo.