Genichi stood before the window, watching the vengeful spirits disappear into the night after being sent back.
Moonlight streamed into the room, casting his long shadow across the floor.
His fingers tapped lightly against the windowsill in a steady rhythm.
Haruno stood behind him, watching his back with a slight frown.
"You're really going to let those vengeful spirits return just like that?"
Confusion colored her voice.
"You trust them? If they find the Nexus of the afterlife, do you really think they'll tell you? Wouldn't they rather claim it for themselves?"
Genichi did not turn around, but the corners of his lips lifted into a meaningful smile.
"What makes you think I trust those vengeful spirits?"
Haruno froze.
Genichi turned to face her, his eyes gleaming with a light she could not understand.
"I came back, but that doesn't mean I'm no longer there."
His voice remained calm.
"Those shadows aren't only searching for the Nexus and investigating the secrets of the afterlife. They're also monitoring those vengeful spirits. Everything they do is under my control."
Haruno's pupils contracted slightly.
She knew exactly how terrifying Genichi's shadows were. They could act, think, and make decisions independently.
Genichi did not need to divide his attention to control them. They could complete all kinds of complex missions on their own.
They were everywhere, slipping into every conceivable opening like an invisible net spread across the entire afterlife.
"Besides, even if those vengeful spirits find the Nexus, it won't matter."
A trace of contempt entered Genichi's voice.
"They don't have the strength to claim it. That position isn't something just anyone can occupy."
Haruno fell silent for a moment before nodding.
She understood now. Genichi had not sent those spirits back because he needed their help finding the Nexus. He intended to use them as bait, pathfinders, and expendable pawns.
If they found the Nexus, Genichi would learn about it immediately. If they failed, he would lose nothing.
After all, they were not his people.
Genichi vaguely remembered that, near the end of the story set in that world, Kanade and Yuri's group had discovered a certain place.
It resembled a computer server room, filled with countless servers, tangled cables, and blinking indicator lights.
He could not be certain whether that place was truly the Nexus of the afterlife, but it was highly likely.
In the story, it served as the heart of the entire afterlife, a central system that controlled everything.
If he could find it, he might be able to seize control of the entire world.
The problem was that he probably would not be able to find it on his own.
That world was enormous, possibly as large as all of Japan.
The Nexus had also been concealed and protected by some unknown power. It was not something anyone could simply stumble upon.
That was why he needed to rely on the so-called protagonist's luck.
Unwilling to continue discussing the Nexus, Genichi changed the subject.
"I have another plan."
"What kind of plan?"
Genichi looked at Haruno, a strange light flickering in his eyes.
"Spirit Tamers."
Haruno blinked.
"Spirit Tamers?"
"People capable of controlling vengeful spirits," Genichi explained. "I'll seal vengeful spirits inside human bodies, allowing those humans to acquire their abilities and become their masters."
Haruno's frown deepened.
"You want to seal vengeful spirits inside living humans? That's far too dangerous. Do you really think the spirits will obediently allow humans to control them?"
"That's why I need to study the process carefully."
Genichi interrupted her in a calm voice.
"Not every vengeful spirit will be suitable. I need rational spirits who are willing to cooperate and possess useful abilities. The humans will also need physically enhanced bodies capable of enduring the spirits' presence."
Haruno fell silent as countless possibilities flashed through her mind.
What would it mean if Genichi truly succeeded in creating Spirit Tamers?
Humanity would gain supernatural power. People would be able to fight vengeful spirits and protect themselves.
The Yukinoshita family could establish a powerful supernatural force, ensuring that it remained secure during any future crisis.
Haruno, her mother, and Yukino could all become stronger.
"How do you plan to do it?"
There was a trace of anticipation in Haruno's voice.
Genichi did not answer immediately.
He walked to the table, picked up a pen, and wrote several words across the top of a blank sheet of paper:
Spirit Tamer Project.
Then he began listing the problems that needed to be solved.
The first was the abilities of the vengeful spirits.
He had already encountered several rational spirits, but they did not appear to possess any offensive abilities.
They had been ordinary people in life and had become vengeful spirits after death. Although they retained their memories and sanity, they had almost no combat power.
Sealing spirits like that inside human bodies would accomplish very little.
He needed stronger vengeful spirits, perhaps even Feral Spirits.
Feral Spirits had no reason and cared only about killing and devouring, but their combat power was immense.
If he could seal them inside humans and grant those humans their strength, the Spirit Tamers' combat abilities would increase dramatically.
The problem was that Feral Spirits lacked intelligence. They could not communicate or cooperate.
Sealing one inside a human body would be extremely dangerous. It could lose control at any moment.
The second problem was the sealing method.
Genichi needed a way to seal vengeful spirits inside human bodies so they could neither escape nor turn against their hosts.
He remembered how Devils in the DxD world used Evil Pieces to reincarnate humans as Devils.
That reincarnation ceremony was essentially a form of sealing. It sealed demonic power within a human soul.
If he could adapt that ceremony, he might be able to create Spirit Tamers.
The final problem was the host's ability to endure the process.
Not everyone could withstand having a vengeful spirit inside them.
Anyone whose body was too weak, whose soul was too unstable, or whose willpower was insufficient could easily be corrupted by the spirit. They might become a new vengeful spirit or simply lose their minds.
Genichi would therefore need to select suitable hosts or strengthen their bodies and souls beforehand.
He put down the pen and frowned at the paper, which was now covered in writing.
The concept behind Spirit Tamers was promising, but turning it into reality would be difficult.
He would need many experiments, many attempts, and many failures.
He would also need test subjects: rational vengeful spirits, Feral Spirits, and living humans willing to become hosts.
"Haruno."
"Yes?"
"Find me some volunteers. They need to be physically healthy, strong-willed, and unafraid of dying."
Haruno's expression became complicated.
"You intend to experiment on humans?"
Genichi nodded.
"It's the fastest method. Of course, I won't force anyone. Those who volunteer can participate. Anyone who doesn't want to is free to refuse."
Haruno remained silent for a moment before nodding.
"All right. I'll find them for you."
Genichi looked at her, the corners of his lips lifting slightly.
"Aren't you afraid I'll get them killed?"
Haruno shook her head.
"You won't. You might not be a good man, but you don't slaughter innocent people indiscriminately."
"Besides, there are plenty of people willing to risk their lives in exchange for enough money to save someone they care about."
Genichi could not help laughing.
This woman truly understood him.
(End of Chapter)
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