"DXD: Infinite Loot System"Chapter 261: Cao Cao's Invitation
"Cao Cao, what's your endgame with summoning that god?"
Tenra's gaze was sharp, suspicion etched into every line of his face.
Cao Cao's smile was easy, almost playful. "You know as well as I do—our boss, Ophis, wants nothing more than to return to the Dimensional Gap. But to do that, she has to find Great Red and defeat him."
"Ophis has been generous, always giving us power and support. Isn't it only fair we help her realize her wish for once?"
He made it sound so reasonable, so casual.
Tenra snorted. "You're just using Ophis's innocence, turning her into a puppet for your own ambitions."
Cao Cao shrugged. "Guilty as charged. But whether we actually summon Great Red or not, this ritual gives us a treasure trove of data. Unprecedented stuff."
"And if we do manage to bring out the big guy," he mused, stroking his chin, "running a few experiments—seeing how much damage we can do to Great Red—now that would be fascinating…"
Tenra's eyes narrowed, a flash of danger flickering deep within. "You intend to kill him?"
Cao Cao waved a hand. "Nothing that dramatic. Someone at that level isn't so easily killed. For us, this is just a pure experiment. Success or failure, we learn something valuable."
He paused, then added with a sly smile, "Sure, it'll cause headaches for Kyoto's youkai and probably everyone else. But we're already branded as terrorists. Isn't causing trouble exactly what's expected of us?"
Tenra almost laughed. The logic was so twisted, so self-assured, he found himself momentarily speechless.
Then, without warning, Cao Cao changed the subject. "By the way, Tenra Kamiyo—ever thought about joining us?"
The question landed like a bomb, leaving Tenra and his girls stunned.
"I thought the Hero Faction only recruited humans. Devils, fallen angels—even other races willing to join you were always turned away. Why invite a devil like me?"
Cao Cao's eyes glinted with curiosity. "Do you know my real goal? I want to explore the limits of humanity—how far this fragile, stubborn race can go. That's why I gathered only humans. Anything else would defeat the purpose."
He leaned in, voice dropping. "I've looked into you, Tenra. Honestly, you fascinate me. You're a hybrid—human and Phoenix devil. Yet your powerful devil blood is suppressed by your human side. That's a miracle, you know?"
Tenra blinked. No one had ever called his 'trash stats' a miracle before. He didn't know whether to laugh or roll his eyes.
But Cao Cao pressed on, excitement building. "And your Sacred Gear is extraordinary. You can steal other Sacred Gears—without limit."
"Most people thought you were just a collector. Sure, it's scary, but having too many Gears should slow you down, right?"
"But I noticed something odd. Every time you take a Sacred Gear, your power grows. The stronger the Gear, the bigger the boost."
"It was just a theory, until I saw you snatch Leonardo's Annihilation Maker. Now I'm certain."
Cao Cao's words rang out, his gaze laser-focused. "Tenra Kamiyo, your true ability isn't just stealing powers. You absorb them, make yourself stronger. I'm right, aren't I?"
The air seemed to freeze. Aside from Asia and the girls—who already knew—everyone stared at Tenra like he was some kind of monster.
First time someone had seen through him so completely. Tenra could only sigh inwardly. No wonder Azazel always said Cao Cao's greatest weapon wasn't the True Longinus—it was Cao Cao himself. His insight and analysis were terrifying.
If this secret had leaked before, every major power would have tried to shut Tenra down. It would have been a nightmare. But now? He had nothing to fear. He held his fate in his own hands.
"That's right," Tenra said, lips curling into a fearless smile. "Any Sacred Gear makes me stronger. That's why I keep collecting them."
A ripple of shock ran through the Hero Faction. Many of them were Sacred Gear holders. If they'd merely feared Tenra's reputation before, now they were outright terrified.
He was a predator. Born to hunt them.
Cao Cao's eyes sparkled. "Just as I thought!"
"Tenra Kamiyo, you're more human than devil. Your Sacred Gear surpasses even the Longinus class. Imagine—if you keep growing, you could become another God of the Bible."
He spread his arms, inviting. "So—join us. Pursue humanity's ultimate potential with us. Every Hero Faction Sacred Gear is yours to take. Even my True Longinus—I'll hand it over."
"And you like women, don't you? Your team's full of beautiful girls. We have plenty of talented women too—pure, untouched. If you join us, I'll introduce them. With your power, I doubt any would refuse."
His words sent a blush rippling through the women behind him. Embarrassed, yes—but more than a few eyes lingered on Tenra, hungry with possibility.
Tenra's lips twitched. "Cao Cao, aren't you worried you'll lose your followers with talk like that?"
Cao Cao's expression turned solemn. "Tenra Kamiyo, I've never considered them followers. We're partners—bound by a shared purpose. We're not third-rate villains chasing power for its own sake. Don't mistake us for that."
There was no pretense. Tenra had to admit—Cao Cao radiated the charisma of a true leader. No matter good or evil, he lived by his own convictions. That conviction inspired those around him, drawing them into his pursuit of humanity's unreachable frontier.
And as he said, a group like this was no ordinary bunch of villains. As enemies, they were a nightmare.
Tenra exhaled, voice steady.
"Cao Cao, I'll admit—your offer's tempting. But—"
He met Cao Cao's gaze, eyes burning with resolve.
"I refuse."
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