"Huff—"
Yazuki's breathing was strange, seemingly rhythmic yet chaotic at the same time.
In reality, it was a special breathing technique from one of the worlds he had been in, a circulatory body-strengthening method.
By using this breathing technique, he could subtly alter the flow of his blood, creating a unique qi circulation within his body. This would gradually strengthen his physique. Once he completed the foundational stage, his body would be enhanced dozens—no, hundreds of times over.
"Hiss—Huff—"
However, his face was gradually turning pale.
One more time.
Shaa… Shaa…
Like a man suffering from hypoxia, he started taking deep, heavy breaths.
Failure!
This body had absolutely zero aptitude for that breathing technique.
If this body existed in that world, it would be a total loser, an utter trash. And to think that breathing technique was the easiest of his Demon King secret arts! He had optimized it after studying countless physical techniques from that world!
But there was no need for disappointment. There were still ninety-eight other world systems to try.
As long as he succeeded in just one, he could barely crack open the Demon King's Ring! With the treasures inside, he would dominate the otaku culture and push it to its absolute peak, indulging in the ultimate otaku lifestyle!
"Alright, what should I try next? Dangerous ones are out first, then overly complex ones… That leaves—"
"Ding-dong~"
The intercom chime rang through his apartment. He knew who it was and quickly responded. Soon, he was at the door, waiting. It was his massive takeout order, enough for several people.
Returning to the living room, he eyed the spread of food—pizza, burgers, fried… everything.
"Perfect. Let's try that one."
One of his Demon King abilities from another world—Devour.
For now, he'd start simple, by consuming food.
He took a huge bite of pizza, chewing while intensely focusing his mind, trying to perceive the life force within the food. Even though it had been processed, its original ingredients still contained traces of lifeforce—it hadn't fully dissipated yet.
Focus, focus, focus, focus, FOCUS… Ultra concentration!
"BURP—"
Yazuki let out a loud belch, rubbing his bloated stomach. Ugh, he felt sick.
What lifeforce? He couldn't sense a damn thing. This body was just too garbage. No matter how much he concentrated, it was useless.
Next.
He rolled out a giant sheet of paper on the floor and, using his own blood, drew a sinister magic circle—something that looked straight out of a sacrificial ritual.
"Ugh, my head's getting fuzzy."
He must've lost too much blood.
Taking a deep breath, he cleared his throat.
"Guchana ji… Wah gah kyu…"
The incantation was absurdly difficult to pronounce, he felt like he was about to start stuttering. It was a ridiculously long chant.
"Awaken—Blood Mark Power!"
Shouting somewhat chuunibyou-like.
Silence—nothing happened.
If a crow had flown by, it would probably have cawed, "Idiot, idiot, idiot."
"..."
Alright, another failure.
Next, like an old monk in meditation, he attempted to relax his body, opening all his pores, wholeheartedly feeling the atmosphere, sensing the hidden mystical forces of the world. He didn't know if this world had magic, spiritual energy, or elf power, etc.
Half an hour passed, and sweat trickled down his forehead.
An hour passed, and his crossed legs started trembling.
Two hours passed, and his face turned pale, sweat pouring down like rain.
Five more minutes later, Yazuki opened his eyes—he couldn't endure it any longer. He wanted to stand up but immediately fell over because his legs were completely numb.
He crawled to the drawer under the TV, pulling out a bottle of digestive tablets—he had overeaten and upset his stomach.
This was enough. He gave up.
Might as well just live normally for once.
"Gone?"
The bottle was empty. He had no choice but to call an ambulance. He reached for his phone—oh, right, it was broken during his return.
The landline then.
Uh—
He walked to the landline and pressed the buttons.
"Hmm?"
No response. Looking closer, he realized the wire was cut—probably damaged during his confrontation with Hiratsuka-sensei.
Crap, crap—was he going to die from his own stupidity?
Alright, now he could only ask for help from the neighbor.
Dragging himself to the door of unit 1507, he pressed the doorbell.
Instead of the usual buzzing sound, an elegant instrumental melody played—well, it was a luxury apartment, after all.
No response? Asleep?
No way he'd let her sleep. Yazuki was about to spam the doorbell—
Better not.
Just as he was about to turn back, the door emitted a series of cold unlocking sounds. Several locks disengaged, and after a few more seconds,
Finally, Yukinoshita carefully and silently opened the door, peeking out from inside and casting a cold gaze at him.
Originally, Yukinoshita hadn't planned to open the door, but through the peephole, she saw Yazuki's condition and roughly guessed what had happened. Earlier, when she had taken out the trash, she had seen a deliveryman bringing a huge pile of unhealthy food to his place.
"Come in."
Her voice was icy.
Yazuki hesitated for a moment before stepping inside.
Upon entering, a faint scent of soap filled the air.
At this moment, Yukinoshita looked different from before. Her slender figure was wrapped in a white, finely knit thin sweater that was slightly oversized, its long sleeves completely covering her hands, and her collarbone was faintly visible through the neckline.
Her black hair, tied into a loose ponytail, draped over her chest, partially hiding the collar of her sweater. Below, she wore a white over-knee skirt.
Inside the living room, the arrangement differed slightly from his own place. It was quite plain, probably because she hadn't considered having guests over. It resembled the bare minimum furnishings of a business hotel.
However, in the living room, three large TVs stood side by side, and below them, in the TV cabinet, a row of Johnny the Panda plushies and other character figures were neatly arranged.
"Sit there."
Yukinoshita pointed at a single-seater sofa, signaling for Yazuki to sit while her tone also carried a warning not to move around freely.
Next, she placed a glass of warm water and some digestive tablets in front of him.
"Take these, then leave immediately."
Just as she finished speaking, before Yazuki could even grab the medicine, she suddenly seized his hand. Her gaze turned sharp.
"New wounds?"
"Oh, this is—"
"Shut up! Anyone can tell this wasn't an accident. You cut yourself, didn't you? Just what are you thinking? ...A person who doesn't cherish their own body is beyond saving. If that's the case, then why..."
Like a relentless critic, Yukinoshita unleashed a storm of scolding upon Yazuki, her words so logically sound that there was no room for refutation.
The sheer pressure of her presence left Yazuki silent and sweating.
He could see it now—on the surface, Yukinoshita was cold and distant, as if she kept everyone at arm's length. But deep down, she was someone who would lend a hand when she saw someone in trouble. She just wasn't good at expressing emotions. Though she was always right, her bluntness often offended people.
As they continued this lecture, neither of them realized—
Something truly terrifying had quietly slipped into Yukinoshita's home.