Waking up, his mind was perfectly clear.
Sloth's story had been depressing—deeply so—but it came with vital information. The most important revelation: if the objective is not completed, the checkpoint set by Satella will not update. Or was it just Emilia's death? Just as crucial was the insight into who had won the selection in that timeline. He had also experienced what life was like in the neighboring country of Kararagi.
Living an entire lifetime in a single night left a strange impression on him. Something inside had changed—his thoughts sharper, his mind heavier. Maybe it was a loss of innocence. Maybe it was just… experience. Either way, he no longer held on to any naive ideas.
Ding.
Two new souls have started the integration process. All new abilities have been added prior to memory transfer.
Instantly, as if his brain had radio waves, his mind expanded outward. A world—a world without color, as if in a dream. The moment he came to, even with his eyes closed, his perception of everything around him heightened to a drastic extent, as if he was in a bubble with all light, sound, and color erased from existence. As if the thin walls were transparent, able to be walked through—corners seen around as if from an omniscient bird's-eye view. An all-seeing eye. But the farther he expanded his senses in a single direction, the more blurry it became.
His newly gained perception was limited to the mansion he was in. Even so, with eyes closed and lying down, he was able to detect the lifeforms within—two maids diligently cleaning, one butler writing down expenditures, and two far-off guards monitoring the surroundings. Luanna, still asleep, stood out from the others. Uniquely, she had a sheen of color, as if her beauty was shining through the murkiness. He could see the entire architectural layout all at once.
Attempting to sit up in bed, a soft sensation pressed against his chest—something tickling his nose, reminiscent of hair. With his eyes still closed, he focused his perception on his immediate surroundings, only to be shocked to find Rei in a chair beside him, her bountiful upper body resting on him, her eyes slightly red.
Wait—he could also see her color.
She was radiant, shining within the gray, dreary world like a beacon of warmth and light.
But it wasn't just her color he noticed.
A long, winding, undulating force originating from his lower back—similar to a tail—was coiling around him. It climbed up his spine, wrapping around his neck, slithering across his arms like a sentient scarf. Yet he couldn't feel it at all.
Could this be his awakened Sloth Witch Factor?
It was different from what he'd known. Authorities adapt to the user's concept of their sin and evolve accordingly. While Sloth could take on sentient traits, it wasn't meant to be alive. Watching it move like a guardian snake in real time stirred unease in his gut. Still, since he couldn't feel it physically, he chose not to react—for now.
Attempting to open his eyes, Toyota saw the top of Rei's head, her hair tied in a ponytail.
Immediately—like hot pokers stabbing into his brain—a sensory overload struck. The bat-like echolocation that dominated his brain clashed with normal sight. He grimaced, shutting his eyes tightly as the pain surged.
With a strained breath, he gently reached out and placed a hand on Rei's head. He lightly patted the soft strands of her red hair—still vibrant, still colored in a world that had become grey and silent.
The moment he touched her, she stirred.
Rei jolted upright, straightening instinctively. Her face was filled with relief—and fear. Fear of rejection. Fear of disappointment.
Seeing this, he tried to smile.
It felt weak. Hollow.
"…Thank you for healing me," he said quietly.
She didn't respond.
So he continued, voice slow and steady. "How long have I been out?"
"…You were unconscious for four days," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
Hearing that, his expression relaxed slightly.
"…Does that mean we've gotten the information on Regulus's mansion back from—"
"Your ribs were shattered—your lung punctured! You were coughing up blood, Lord Crim! You were dying—and it was because of me! And the first thing out of your mouth is a question about Regulus's mansion?"
Her voice cracked, rising to a near-scream.
"This is my fault. I should've stepped in. I should've done something. So yell at me! Get angry—blame me! Don't just sit there and act like it doesn't matter… please!"
She was shaking now, her emotions laid bare.
Toyota slowly turned his head toward her. His eyes remained closed, yet something in him had shifted. A cold, unsettling pressure filled the room. His voice, though quiet, cut through the air like ice.
"Are you saying you were the one who crushed my ribs and slammed me into that wall?"
A strange clarity gripped him—an echo of Sloth's life, its weight, its years, still rooted in his soul. The man who had once been naïve now looked at the world with someone else's eyes.
Startled, Rei stammered, "No, but—"
"Then what are you asking for punishment for?" he said, sharper this time.
His expression tightened with authority, even without sight.
"Did you forget what I told you? Or are you just pretending to forget so you can suffer?"
Rei faltered. "I didn't forget, I just—"
He interrupted her again, not with anger, but with the weight of finality. He wasn't trying to be cruel. He just wasn't who he used to be.
"Then remember this clearly: it wasn't your fault. Not unless you knew your father was going to lose control and let it happen. Unless you wanted that to happen. Did you?"
She shook her head silently.
"Then stop carrying guilt for something that was never in your hands to begin with."
His voice softened—not kinder, but steadier. Wiser.
"That guilt you carry... it stretches beyond this. You've been blaming yourself for things far outside your control. That has to stop. If it's not your intention, then it's not your sin… Remember this, the longer you think to your self that you are guilty, the harder it is to resolve and to forget."
There was a pause. Rei's lip trembled before she forced a smile.
"How old are you, seriously? You're talking like some ancient sage."
At that, Toyota chuckled softly.
"Physically or mentally?"
Rei relaxed a little. With the tension broken, she finally asked the question that had been quietly eating at her.
"…Why are your eyes still closed? Is something wrong?"
"No. Everything's fine," Toyota said, his voice gentle.
"In fact… you look radiant. Like a splash of color in a world gone grey."
"R-Radiant?" she stammered, cheeks warming. His eyes were still shut, yet he sounded utterly sincere. It confused her—and embarrassed her. He couldn't see her… could he?
She cleared her throat and asked cautiously,
"Are you… able to see with your eyes closed?"
"I wouldn't call it seeing exactly," he said with a sly smile, "but yeah. My perception's been dialed up big time since I woke up."
His grin widened. "Try this—hold some fingers behind your back. I'll guess how many."
With a suspicious look, she played along.
"Four… now seven… still seven," he answered without hesitation.
Rei blinked. "That's insane. You're not using smell or sound?"
"Nope. It's like I can 'sense' everything around me all at once. Almost like I'm inside a transparent bubble."
He scratched his head. Honestly… it reminds me of the 360-degree Byakugan from Naruto. Total spatial awareness. No one's sneaking up on me now.
Rei's blush deepened, her hands subtly drifting over her chest.
"…So you can… see through things?"
"More like I see around them," he answered, completely missing the implication.
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously, then asked,
"Then why not open your eyes?"
The question struck something inside him. Unease stirred. Still, he decided to try again. Slowly, he cracked his eyes open.
Instantly, a wave of nausea and vertigo slammed into him. A splitting headache exploded behind his eyes, and an involuntary scowl darkened his face.
Rei's heart skipped. Something about him felt… wrong. Not in a bad way, but dangerous.
Then she saw his eyes.
A vertical silver slit ran through his pupils, spinning ever so slightly—hypnotic, alien, Intimidating. Her divine protection of nightmares kicked in instantly, snapping her back to composure.
Toyota, squinting through the pain, caught the faint hue of his own bangs.
White.
His eyes widened.
"…Rei. Why is my hair white?"
"I don't know," she answered, worry flashing across her face.
"The healer said it was like your life force was leaking away while you slept. She's never seen anything like it."
Relieved, Toyota quickly shut his eyes again. The pressure in his skull finally eased.
It must've been the memories… and I still have four more lives to absorb. Plus Envy…
He prayed silently, "Please God, Od Laguna, Satella, any higher power… make the rest easier."
(AN: HAHAHAHAHA NEVERRRRRRRRRR!)
Then, with a breath, he turned the subject.
"So. Regulus's mansion?"
Rei nodded. "It's on the outskirts of Flanders, and yes, just like you predicted. There's a small supply route running nearby."
Flanders that was the place to buy ground dragons right? This is a two for one type deal.
"Perfect." He glanced toward his right, where the strange, serpentine hand of Sloth affectionately rubbed his head like an affectionate pet.
"…As soon as I can control this creepy thing."
The hand continued burrowing, unbothered.
Still, Toyota was already plotting. With his new vision, he could track every wife's location without alerting anyone. And if the Sloth hand could phase through walls, maybe he could remotely destroy the parasitic hearts.
But a question struck him—could he see that deep?
He turned his attention to Rei, testing his internal sight.
Instantly, he regretted it.
His vision phased through her clothes, highlighting her skin and attractive body in vivid color. The greyscale of the world only made her stand out more—every detail more pronounced.
Oh no. No no no. Abort!
His lower body reacted before his brain could stop it, and his cheeks flushed bright red.
"With great power comes great responsibility," he muttered through gritted teeth, trying to focus on literally anything else.
She's just… dense. Her body is physically dense. That's all. Diamond-hard skin, freakish muscle structure. Nothing else. Focus. Focus!
He snapped his view back to himself and tried to locate his own internal organs.
Rei tilted her head, concerned.
"Why's your heart beating so fast? Are you still in pain?"
"N-No. Everything's fine." His voice cracked slightly.
"I'm just trying to check, if this new vision is able to find the parasites, from a distance."
With slow, deliberate focus, he visualized deeper—past skin, through muscle, and eventually to his beating heart and organs.
"This… this is just like the Transparent World from Demon Slayer," he whispered. "Except it takes a lot more concentration."
But it worked. It worked perfectly.
He turned to Rei and smiled, genuine warmth radiating from him.
"It looks like I can see through internal organs. That solves the biggest hurdle in my plan."
Rei glanced away, her posture folding inward slightly.
"…I could've helped you find the hearts without your new ability. You don't always have to do everything alone."
Her voice was quiet, almost a whisper.
His expression softened. The creases around his eyes relaxed.
"Of course I'll rely on you," he said warmly.
"You're my friend, right?"
Rei's heart skipped, the simple word ringing louder than it should've.
Finally, Toyota slid off the bed, stretching. A few bones cracked—a subtle sign. He wasn't just healed.
He was stronger. Sharper. Changed.
"Rei, I'm going to check my body for any changes," Toyota said calmly, his eyes still closed.
"I'll be quiet for a bit."
Rei nodded silently, watching him with concern but giving him the space he needed.
[System Notification]
Request registered.
Initializing soul synchronization diagnostics…
(Status screen has been updated for a more streamlined performance.)
[TOYOTA CRIMSON — STATUS SCREEN]
Souls Synchronized: 5 / 7
Titles:
Crimson Prince
Child of War
Falsely Fulfilled Father
Harem King
Purge King — After synchronizing your soul with Wrath Route Subaru, you've inherited aspects of his ability and karma. (New)
Hollow Devourer — After synchronizing your soul with Gluttony Route Subaru, you've inherited aspects of his ability and karma. (New)
Stats:
Strength: C+ (New)
Dexterity: C+ (New)
Constitution: D (New)
Intelligence: B (New)
Wisdom: A- (New)
Charisma: A- (New)
Current Weapons: Mana Constructs
Martial Arts: Swordsmanship (New)
Overall Physical Threat Level: B+ (New)
Overall Magical Threat Level: A+ (New)
Overall Threat Level: S- (New)
Mental Skills: (New)
Envy: Subaru's Mentality
Gluttony: Subaru's Perfect Memory (New)
Passives Proficiencies:
Envy: Subaru's Whip Proficiency
Sloth: Subaru's Teaching Proficiency
Sloth: Subaru's Parenting Proficiency
Lust: Subaru's Bedroom Proficiency
Passive Skills:
Gluttony: Soul Seer (NEW) — Interact with the souls of those you've killed, directly or indirectly.
Current usefulness: Unique
Potential usefulness: Unique
Wrath: Grey World (NEW) — Perception enhanced, but emotional color fades. Only those you trust retain their hues.
Current usefulness: Unique
Potential usefulness: Unique
Sloth: Appraisal
Lust: Kingly Aura
Dragon Monarch
Regressor's Assistant,
?????? (Locked)
Eyes of Madness (NEW) — Evolved from Gluttony Subaru's ability. Hypnotize others with your memories. Limited by Grey World.
Current usefulness: Unique
Potential usefulness: Unique
Absolute Evil (NEW) — Derived from Wrath Subaru. Your presence strengthens proportionally to fear, hatred, or respect from others.
Current usefulness: Unique
Potential usefulness: Unique
Active Skills:
Fragment of Sloth (Evolving)
Fragment of Greed (Evolving)
?????????? (Locked)
Sin Authority of Blasphemy (Locked)
Overall Mana Control: A-
Overall Mana Pool: A- (New)
Overall Mana Purity: EX-
Spells:
Vita LV3
Murak LV3
Minia LV3
Shamac LV1
Abilities Learned:
Creation of Rudimentary Constructs LV2
Passive Abilities:
Instant Mana Regeneration
Chantless Cast
Karma's Reserve
(AN: After taking a look at the status I decided that adding categories like wisdom charisma and intelligence on the same scale as strength dexterity and constitution kind of made everything funky, so I had to rework it using only scale terms. Some of you have been wanting to know how I am going to bring back Felt It won't happen immediately, but you can see where I'm going with this right also Elsa if anyone wanted to see her.
I've set an official release schedule: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, Although when I get bored, I add extra.
Bonus chapters will drop on Saturdays if my demands are met. 🔫
Trade deal:
You give me 70 power stones, and I give you a bonus chapter.
Sounds fair, right?)