The creature was called Luna Seed—a small monster with healing powers. Covered in fluffy fur like a ball of yarn, with a stubby little tail, it looked more like a cartoon dog than anything threatening.
This rare being, born under the Little Star, would eventually be taken in by a third-rate comedian named Takashi Arai. He shamelessly used its powers to cure injuries, earn money, and chase cheap fame.
For days, Yu Zhou had been keeping an eye on the news, though he couldn't monitor every broadcast. Most of his digging was done online, combing through clips and posts. Arai wasn't famous, but he did upload videos often enough.
Soon, Yu Zhou found the man's social media account. In every video, Arai appeared with bleached yellow hair poking out from under a white cap, dressed in loud red clothes, flashing crooked teeth in exaggerated grins.
As Yu Zhou scrolled, a fresh upload popped up.
"Healing food! Healing candy! Healing Gunma!"
On-screen, Arai pulled ridiculous faces, spewing nonsense like a bargain-bin clown.
Yu Zhou pinched the bridge of his nose. "This guy… what a waste of oxygen."
But then, in the middle of another over-the-top skit—
"Healing baked milk casserole!"
Arai suddenly pressed his hand on the arm of a man bound in bandages. A light flared from Arai's chest. In the next instant, the man flexed his arm freely, bones completely mended.
Yu Zhou shot to his feet. There it is. That glow came from the Little Star within the creature hidden under Arai's shirt.
The comedian's filming location was listed in his profile. Without hesitation, Yu Zhou rushed out.
At a park, Arai was at it again. He placed a hand on a woman's face, chanting nonsense until a flash of light erased every blemish from her skin. She gasped in delight.
"My face—it's smooth again!"
Arai bared his crooked teeth proudly. "That'll be five thousand yen!"
The woman scoffed. "Arai, quit this comedy nonsense. You were never cut out for it." She walked away without paying.
"Hey! That's ten thousand yen at least!" Arai shouted, but she didn't even look back.
He sighed. Another wasted gig.
That was when a calm voice rose behind him.
"Do you want to make real money?"
"Do you want to change your fate?"
"Do you want to get rich overnight?"
Arai spun around. A young man stood there, sharp-eyed, unreadable.
"You are…?"
Yu Zhou didn't bother explaining. He stepped closer, slapped a thick wad of cash into Arai's hands, and said flatly:
"Follow me."
Arai blinked at the bills. His brain went blank.
A stranger, handsome, rich, and suddenly giving me money… wait. Don't tell me—
His thoughts spiraled into nonsense. No! I'm not that kind of guy! Even if he's ridiculously good-looking, I can't—
"You think it's not enough?" Yu Zhou raised a brow, dropping a second wad into his hands. "Now?"
Arai trembled. The money was warm in his palms, like a promise from heaven itself. Enough to live comfortably for life. Enough to drown morals.
No! I won't yield! I won't be bought! I, Arai Takashi, will never bow to—
Another bundle of cash was shoved at him.
"This enough?"
Arai's resistance shattered like glass. He pressed the stacks to his face, inhaling deeply.
"The smell of money… divine. Deal!"
"…Pathetic." Yu Zhou shook his head. He'd known Arai was greedy, but this was worse than expected. Still, there was no time to argue.
"Good. Let's move."
"Y-Yes, boss!" Arai scrambled after him, legs trembling from nerves.
Inside the taxi Yu Zhou flagged down, Arai mumbled nervously: "Um… could you, uh, maybe… be gentle? I bruise easily."
"…" Yu Zhou stared at him, utterly dumbfounded.
"You—what the hell do you think this is!?"
Realization dawned on Arai. His face went crimson. "S-sorry! Sorry! I misunderstood!"
Yu Zhou pinched his temple. Why me?
He gave the driver an address—the home of Asakura Sui, the retired village chief. The man who once named Riku Asakura, and who now carried the Father of Ultra capsule.
On the way, they picked up Rito. Yu Zhou had deliberately left Riku behind; the boy wasn't ready for the truth about Belial yet.
By the time they reached the small town, an old man was already waiting at the roadside, waving them down.
"That must be Asakura Sui," Yu Zhou murmured. Of course the elder would know—they were coming to him, and the capsule's power allowed him to see everything.
Yu Zhou turned to Arai. "You stay here. But lend me what's under your shirt."
He pointed at the glowing lump beneath Arai's chest. The little monster shifted faintly, as if sensing it was about to be called upon.