"Bald?" Cecil frowned, thinking for a moment. "Most mercenaries look like that. I can't really remember clearly."
"And besides…" she continued, sounding tired, "I spent the entire day cleaning up after that little brat. I didn't have the energy to pay attention to anything else."
Suddenly, Dekomori chimed in, striking a dramatic pose.
"Master is correct, Death! That mercenary's arm is overflowing with dark energy. If the seal breaks, the world will face annihilation!"
Shaka immediately understood what had happened.
That mercenary had probably noticed the bandages on Shaka's hand, assumed they were on the same side, and gone over to greet them.
Unfortunately, the way Dekomori greeted people usually looked more like provocation than friendliness.
Reminded by her words, Cecil seemed to recall something. She rested her index finger on her chin, thinking aloud.
"Now that you mention it… they were transporting something unusual. A huge box wrapped in black cloth, very suspicious. Could it be loot dropped by a high-level monster?"
Shaka frowned, a bad premonition rising in his chest.
The black cat leaned closer, having overheard everything, and whispered, "The mission?"
"I'm afraid so." Shaka rubbed his face as a headache began to form. "Alright. We'll investigate tomorrow. For now, let's call it a day."
With that, Shaka led Dekomori and the black cat to the backyard, asked the goddess to update their statuses, and officially announced the end of the first test.
"Don't return yet, Death!" Dekomori protested. "Dekomori hasn't defeated the Demon King, and the data on the invisible boundary line hasn't been fully gathered! Retreat is impossible!"
"There's nothing I can do." Shaka crossed his arms and snapped his fingers casually. "My magic has reached its limit. That's it for today."
"The world has rejected me!"
As the dispelling incantation took effect, Dekomori and the black cat dissolved into golden particles of light and vanished.
After the spell ended, Shaka let out a long sigh and checked the time.
"2:30 p.m. The magic lasted about six hours. Most of it was consumed just maintaining the portal between worlds."
"If I want to increase the number of players, I'll need to stabilize the connection point first."
Shaka stretched, then took a long bath to wash away the exhaustion of the day.
Later, while counting his remaining funds, he muttered irritably, "Why am I the one paying when she's the one spoiling Dekomori so much?"
Looking at the remaining 4,400 Valis, Shaka handed Cecil 1,000 Valis for rent and food.
"Is that even a question?" Cecil replied calmly. "Dekomori is a member of a clan, and you're my rival. Besides, 1,000 Valis isn't enough you even damaged the armor I lent you."
Her reasoning was flawless.
Shaka could only give a strained laugh.
"So… where's Dekomori? Did she run off to play again?"
I can't exactly tell you she left this world…
Shaka rolled his eyes internally and replied casually, "She went home. She only comes during the day."
"Really?"
"That's the truth. I swear to God," Shaka said firmly.
Cecil muttered, puzzled, "I've never seen those two kids around before. I thought they were from out of town."
Seemingly unwilling to dig deeper, Cecil returned to forging the Defiant Guard's warhammer, muttering to herself.
"How is it even possible to imbue a weapon with lightning…?"
Shaka's expression darkened. "If you're this biased toward Dekomori, the other members won't be happy. You can't just give everyone a unique weapon, can you?"
"I have money. It's none of your business." Cecil said proudly. "Sanae-chan is an angel! You can never spoil her enough!"
Shaka wanted to say, Then give me one too,
but seeing Cecil's sharp glare, he wisely shut his mouth.
Astraea walked over quietly and glanced at Cecil, who was still working overtime.
"She really seems to like Sanae-chan," Astraea said softly.
"Of course! Cuteness is absolute justice an eternal law!" Cecil declared smugly.
"I agree…" Shaka nodded. "Even though Dekomori is an idiot, she's surprisingly likable."
"Oh?" Astraea smiled teasingly. "What about you, Shaka? Between Sanae-chan and Ruri-chan, which do you prefer?"
"P-Please don't tease me…" Shaka blushed and raised his hands in surrender. "You already know the answer."
After dying several times already, he had no intention of exposing his inner desires any further.
If I'm being honest, a harem is every man's dream.
But a certain absolute evil once said ideals are justice.
I'm just following my goddess's will that's perfectly reasonable!
…Unfortunately, it wasn't the answer Astraea was looking for.
She didn't seem bothered, instead gently holding Shaka's arm.
"A lot happened today," she said softly. "Does it still hurt here?"
"Much better, Lady Astraea." Shaka awkwardly withdrew his arm and scratched his cheek. "Actually, this is perfect timing. There's something important I need to tell you. Let's find somewhere secluded I can't control my primal power anymore."
"…Hm?"
Cecil turned her head stiffly, pouting in irritation.
I won't fall for it again, you damned Shaka…
The Divine Chamber
Shaka lay on the bed and slowly recounted everything that had happened.
"An enhanced Minotaur…" Astraea nodded thoughtfully. "That explains the drastic increase in your attributes."
She handed Shaka a parchment inscribed with his updated status.
Shaka – Lv.1
Strength: I7 → H32
Endurance: I13 → I50
Dexterity: I6 → I40
Agility: I4 → I44
Magic: I53 → H110
A total increase of nearly 100 attribute points—for early-stage combat stats, it was almost absurdly high.
That's roughly what Bell gained in a week before unlocking his cheat…
Shaka recalled silently.
Before Bell obtained Liaris Freese, none of his stats had exceeded 100. Based on efficiency alone, Bell could probably only defeat around fifty goblins or earth spirits at that stage.
My growth rate really is slow…
Guess I'll just focus on building my harem.
Yes, he would grow stronger through his harem.
Damn it, I envy Bell.
Getting hit once by a goblin and gaining seventy points in endurance is just unfair.
Truly shameful for a transmigrator.
After putting down the parchment, Shaka asked Astraea to wait while he returned to his room and activated his magic.
This time, he needed to permanently stabilize the world-connecting anchor point, which required sacrificing attribute points.
"The stars remain constant here."
Golden light faded.
The pinhole-sized rift became fixed in place, and a wave of weakness washed over Shaka.
His updated stats were now:
Strength: H22
Endurance: I20
Dexterity: I20
Agility: I24
Magic: H100
Under Shaka's control, his total attributes dropped by 100 points, preserving magic as much as possible.
"This should eliminate the massive mana cost of crossing worlds… and allow me to recruit more followers."
Having confirmed the permanent summoning cost, Shaka nodded in satisfaction.
Just as he was about to leave, Astraea called out to him.
"Shaka… about that Minotaur," she hesitated before continuing,
"I have a very bad feeling about it."