Chapter 11: I Know the Identity of the Origin Spirit
"I couldn't help it. When I saw you in danger, I couldn't just pretend not to notice."
"Idiot! I could've run away on my own, but with you here, we're both trapped now!"
Despite this man appearing in such a critical moment, Nia showed no signs of happiness—instead, she grew even more irritated.
A hero saving a damsel in distress might seem like a cliché scenario.
But even someone like her secretly longed for such a situation deep down.
If the boy she liked could suddenly appear when she was in peril—or even in a hopeless situation—and rescue her in a cool way...
Right now, he did meet almost all the conditions. If this had happened somewhere else, she might have been overjoyed and her affection for him would have skyrocketed.
But there was just one problem.
His combat ability was nowhere near that of a "hero"!
What should have been a successful escape turned into him barging in, causing chaos, and becoming deadweight instead!!
...Though, she was still happy this idiot showed up.
When she was in danger, she preferred a fool who would step forward over a coward who hid in fear.
As expected, he was one of "those" people—the "2D" kind~!
Ahem!
But now wasn't the time to be lost in such thoughts!
She had already drawn a "future" where she successfully escaped. As long as she willed it, that "future" would definitely come true.
But even if she escaped now, what good would it do if this idiot Satoru couldn't get away too?!
"I wasn't planning to run. Once she's set her sights on someone, it's not that easy to escape."
"Ara~ Satoru-kun seems to know me quite well~ That's right. Once I've marked my prey, I never let go~"
As expected, upon hearing his words, Kurumi, standing nearby, chuckled softly and nodded, a bewitching smile on her face.
Any ordinary man would probably melt at that smile.
But Satoru wasn't in the mood for such thoughts right now. He knew this woman wasn't someone to be reasoned with easily.
Honestly, if he could, he wouldn't have come here at all. He had only transmigrated a few years ago and hadn't even had his fill of a good life yet—he didn't want to die so soon.
...But if he hadn't shown up now, he didn't think he could live with himself afterward.
Of course, he wasn't here just to cause trouble. He had some confidence he could persuade Kurumi.
"But if you dare lay a finger on Nia, I guarantee you'll never achieve your goal in this lifetime."
"Ara~ Does Satoru-kun know what my goal is~?"
"To revive your deceased friend, Sawa Yamauchi, right?"
"...?!"
Kurumi, who had been dismissive until now, froze at those words. Her pupils contracted sharply as she stared at Satoru in disbelief.
Beside her, Nia was equally shocked.
How the hell did he know something like that?!
"I know about you. I even know who the First Spirit is—the one who turned you into a Spirit and made you kill your best friend, who failed to become a Spirit, with your own hands, right?"
"..." x2
His next words left both of them stunned. Kurumi didn't speak, but her expression was confirmation enough.
The way he spoke... it was as if he had witnessed it all firsthand...
Huh?
Wait, could it be...?
"Satoru-kun... you're not the First Spirit, are you?"
If that were the case, then everything would make sense...
"I'm not. But I do have an ability that lets me learn certain... special things. I can't say much else for now, but just remember what I told you earlier."
Of course, Satoru wasn't—and even if he were, he wouldn't admit it.
Even if Kurumi killed him and Nia right now, it probably wouldn't affect her much. So his words were just a bluff.
But he knew Kurumi was extremely cautious about this matter. She wouldn't risk attacking them...
"Fufu~ Satoru-kun, you continue to surprise me. To think you might be the key to solving my dilemma~ But since you already know, this makes things easier~ Why don't both of you try this? Zafkiel・Yud!"
But at that moment, Kurumi suddenly raised her head, summoning a massive golden clock behind her. Then, she fired two shots—one at each of them.
Seeing this, both of them frowned but didn't dodge. After they were hit, Kurumi pressed her short pistol against her own temple and fired as well.
Nia sensed that this Reiryoku bullet wasn't destructive—it seemed to have a special effect. Satoru, on the other hand, simply couldn't dodge.
But in the end, dodging wouldn't have mattered anyway.
Because...
"Wha—?! Wh-why can't I read their memories?!"
Kurumi wouldn't get any information from them.
[Spirit Resistance: Prevents mental, physical, or memory control by Spirit powers. Also blocks all ability-based information probing.]
Perhaps it was the "anti-theft function" of his system, but his resistance to Spirit-based mental interference was extremely high.
If even Nia's ability couldn't scan him, then it was only natural he'd be immune to Kurumi's Yud~!