On the rooftop of an old apartment building.
Luo Shu stood gazing towards Ueno Inari Shrine.
In the depths of his pitch-black pupils, a duplicate eyeball appeared, making his eyes resemble double pupils.
[Super Vision]
[Common Rank Abyss Artefact]
[Capable of long-distance and x-ray vision, with a maximum observation range of 5km.]
[Side effect: Wearing for over 30 minutes causes blindness for an equivalent duration. After removal, a 5-minute rest period is required before reuse. Ability temporarily deactivates after five daily uses.]
Recalling Super Vision's description, Luo Shu raised his hand and pressed his index finger between his eyebrows. When he removed it, a pupil-less eye sticker the size of a fingernail remained on his fingertip.
This was the true form of the Super Vision artefact.
After putting it away, Luo Shu remarked cheerfully:
"It seems increasing visual range can also expand the effective distance of my Calamity Bestowal."
The Calamity Bringer's Calamity Bestowal was its strongest and most core ability.
This power allowed Luo Shu to inflict various collected misfortunes upon targets arbitrarily.
In Luo Shu's misfortune inventory, he'd accumulated many strange afflictions - electric shocks, burns, kidney stones, syphilis, AIDS, pollen allergies, even the pain of losing one's virginity.
While perhaps lacking in direct lethality, they were sufficiently vicious and tormenting.
Of course, such a powerful ability wasn't without flaws.
One notable limitation was that Calamity Bestowal's range depended on Luo Shu's field of vision.
Thus, in direct combat, blocking his line of sight could potentially evade his ability.
To counter this, Lacus had arranged for the delivery of an Abyss Artefact called Super Vision, which had relatively minor side effects.
As long as it was removed before 30 minutes of continuous use and rested for 5 minutes, it could be reused.
Though functionally simple, when paired with Luo Shu's ability, it became tremendously powerful.
"Indeed, even Common Rank tools can become extraordinary when used well."
"So this is why you dragged me up here to peep at girls?"
Standing behind Luo Shu, Suzuka Dairenji—who had deliberately donned a black, hot, crop-top miniskirt for the occasion—couldn't help but snark:
"There should be limits to your bad taste, Director."
"Rather than bad taste, I'd say it's more about caring for my subordinates."
The corners of Luo Shu's lips curled slightly as he gazed towards the direction of Ueno Shrine:
"After all, when an important subordinate is about to face off against dark forces like Hagoromo Gitsune and the Gokadoin Family, isn't it only natural for a concerned superior to rush over and offer support? By that logic, I'd say I qualify as a model director, wouldn't you agree?"
"So you woke me up at 6 a.m. in my hotel room for this?"
Suzuka shot Luo Shu an exasperated look:
"Am I not included in this 'caring for subordinates' policy of yours?"
"If you're craving some attention, Suzuka, I don't mind obliging."
Luo Shu paused here before adding:
"By the way, I plan to hire you as my Kyoto tour guide—the kind where we share a single hotel room with one king-sized bed."
"With that line alone, I could report you for harassment, you know!" Suzuka glared at him disdainfully before planting a hand on her hip. "Just because I'm your Familia doesn't mean I have to sleep with you, got it?"
"Are you sure about that?" Luo Shu flicked his wrist, producing a signed contract. "Go on, read what it says."
Seeing her own name on the document alongside clauses about 'voluntary compliance with any request,' Suzuka's face flushed crimson with fury, her teeth grinding audibly:
"Fine, but we're only sharing a bed—no funny business. Try anything and I'll bite you to death."
"Bite me to death? Now that's an interesting way to go."
Luo Shu's gaze lingered on Suzuka's lips as he smirked playfully before turning to descend the stairs:
"Alright, enough teasing."
"We're going to Kyoto on official business. Excluding you as our guide, there'll be three others joining us initially, with possible reinforcements later."
"...You should've led with that." Suzuka huffed irritably.
Then she shivered, rubbing her arms before glancing at the wind's direction and muttering:
"Standing here freezing my ass off at dawn to keep watch with you is so not fun."
"The fun begins once we reach Kyoto."
By now, Luo Shu had reached the rooftop's edge where an outdoor staircase adjoined the building:
"Oh, right, Kyoto's packed with tourist spots. And this season should be swarming with cherry blossom viewers, no?"
Eager to escape the rooftop chill, Suzuka hurried after him, explaining as they walked:
"Arashiyama's cherry blossoms are in full bloom by early April. Oh, and it's near Togetsukyo Bridge—a popular spot for couples."
Luo Shu feigned surprise: "Are you suggesting we visit Togetsukyo Bridge together?"
"Who said anything about going with you?!" Suzuka's face burned scarlet as she stomped on the metal stairs in frustration. "I was just recommending sights since you asked about tourism!"
Nodding, Luo Shu grinned: "In that case, I'll take some other girl to Togetsukyo Bridge then.
"Huh?" Suzuka Dairenji froze for a moment upon hearing this, then said with clear displeasure: "First, you say you want to go with me, then immediately want to bring another girl along? Director, you're really trash, you know that?"
"Weren't you refusing to go with me?" Luo Shu glanced at Suzuka Dairenji.
"You already said I'm your guide - how could I not go?"
Suzuka Dairenji's face turned red as she made this excuse, then added:
"Of course, if you, Director, want to date two or more girls at once, that's not impossible."
At this point, her expression became thoroughly mischievous:
"As long as she's willing to share a double bed with you, Director, I won't have any objections."
"What about you then?" Luo Shu countered: "Would you sleep on the floor?"
"I'm completely unbiased against floors."
Suzuka Dairenji lifted her chin and puffed out her flat chest:
"Of course, I also wouldn't mind wearing earplugs and sleeping through the night to give you, Director, plenty of space."
"As long as you don't mind that I like sleeping with my eyes open."
Suzuka Dairenji emphasised her words with wide-open eyes.
Hearing this, Luo Shu smiled and gave her a disdainful look before saying:
"Sleeping with your eyes open? Even better."
Suzuka Dairenji was dumbfounded by his response.
"Then it's happily decided!"
Luo Shu turned and headed downstairs with a laugh.
Seeing this, Suzuka immediately panicked:
"Wait, Director, I was joking! Don't do this!!"
"Wait, don't go, I'm begging you! Book two rooms! Don't do this, I'm really scared now!"
"Please say something! I surrender!! Damn it!!"