Origami looked at the faint remnant Spirit Power sample collected; the data clearly showed that it matched the decay characteristics typical after a "Lost" event.
But the sense of incongruity in her heart refused to dissipate.
It was too clean, too "standard," almost as if it had been manufactured deliberately.
She once again cast her gaze toward the scrap yard, where only silence and shadows remained.
"Retrieve the Unit."
After a long silence, her cold voice rang out, carrying a hint of imperceptible doubt.
"Report the characteristics of the Spirit that appeared this time as top-priority intelligence.
Focus the analysis on its energy pattern and... behavioral pattern."
The black AST Unit gained altitude and vanished into the night sky, leaving behind the industrial park, which quickly returned to silence after being briefly disturbed.
Meanwhile, our protagonist, dragging his body covered in dust and cold sweat, utterly disheveled, used the Reason Law ability to construct a gun capable of firing ink.
Through brief (physical) interference with surveillance and the extreme utilization of shadows, he finally... slipped back home, like a true ghost.
"Release! Quickly release!"
With a flash of light, the spirit dress and the halo completely dissipated.
Koushi reverted to his original appearance, leaning against the front door, gasping for air.
His back was drenched in cold sweat, and it took several seconds before he collapsed onto the floor.
His hands were still trembling slightly.
"Damn it... I almost got turned into Swiss cheese... Master Origami is too vicious..." Koushi muttered, still shaken, feeling as if his soul had nearly been scared out of him.
Outside the window, the sound of the AST Unit's engines and faint alarms could still be heard in the distance.
This sudden, heart-stopping chase finally came to a temporary end with his narrow escape.
But he knew the trouble had only just begun.
Koushi was slumped on the floor, leaning against the bed.
His heart (Koushi, who had temporarily reverted to his male form) was still pounding wildly, as if the breathtaking aerial chase had happened just a second ago.
The scorching heat of the AST Unit's beam rifles seemed to linger on his skin, and Master Origami's cold, decisive "fire at will" command still echoed in his ears.
"Damn it... I almost got turned into Swiss cheese..." Koushi muttered, still shaken, his hand trembling slightly.
"The AST Unit is too vicious, immediately resorting to suppressing fire without a word... And Origami, she looks emotionless normally, but she fights so fiercely..."
Outside the window, the distant sound of the AST Unit's engines expanding their search radius and faint alarms reminded him just how much trouble he was in.
Just as he was trying to sort out this chaotic situation, a cold interface, accompanied by electronic static and cheerful background music, projected directly onto his retina without warning, interrupting his thoughts.
The interface style was extremely gaudy, full of asymmetrical lines and comical smiley face patterns, imbued with a certain chaotic malice.
["Ding dong! Congratulations! The 'Aha's Joyful Gift System' has been officially bound to you!"]
["A warm welcome to the new Emissary Candidate stepping onto the Path! May your journey be pleasant (and full of fun)!"]
"..." His mouth twitched.
"...There really is an instruction manual?
And this UI design... Aha, your aesthetics are truly... unique."
In the center of the interface was a simple 3D model of him, a thumbnail of his Spirit form from earlier, with data listed beside it:
["Current Status: Inactive (Safe Mode)"] ["Bound Core: herrscher core of reason"] ["Core Authority Level: Lv.1 [Basic Application]"] ["Current Joy Level: Lv.1 [Fun Novice] (12%)"] ["Path Echo Energy: 10% (Low)"]
"Authority Level? Joy Level? Path Echo?" He browsed with his mind, curious.
"What is all this stuff..."
His attention was drawn to a constantly flashing gift box icon beside the data.
Focusing his thoughts on it, the icon immediately opened, popping up a new notification:
["Ding! Congratulations on unlocking the Achievement: [First Cry]!"]
["Evaluation: Successfully triggered a large-scale Spatial Quake and successfully escaped the full pursuit of an entire AST tactical squad (including an A-rank response expert)! You have preliminarily demonstrated your potential as a purveyor of fun!"]
["Ding! Congratulations on unlocking the Achievement: [Clean Getaway]!"] ["Evaluation: Successfully escaped the pursuit of the AST elite squad!"]
["Achievement Rewards being tallied..."]
" [First Cry]"
" Reward: Joy EXP +10%, Path Echo Energy +5%"
" Item Acquired: [herrscher core Trial Card (Random Blind Box)]"
" Effect: Randomly gain the ability of a non-Reason Law herrscher core for 10 minutes."
" Note: Exciting! You might pull a god-tier card, or you might pull the 'Flame Law' and set your own hair on fire.
Aha loves this kind of uncertainty!"
" [Clean Getaway]"
" Reward: Joy EXP +2%, Path Echo Energy +5%"
" Item Acquired: ['Path Echo' Energy Fragment]"
" Effect: A valuable resource used to upgrade Core Authority Level or drive certain special abilities."
" Note: This is hard currency given by Aha, so use it sparingly."
" [Master Origami's Conundrum] (Unlocks Soon) Effect:?? Reward:??"
"So, causing trouble earns this Joy EXP?" Koushi watched the experience bar increase slightly, seeming to understand.
"This system is encouraging me to seek fun?"
"There's actually an Achievement for Master Origami.
I shouldn't have run back so quickly; I should have played around with her more.
Huge loss."
Koushi regretted loudly as he looked at the locked Achievement.
Curiously, he tapped the Aha mask icon on the system interface and brought up the system explanation.
["Authority Level: Determines the degree of your control over the herrscher core's power and its application limit.
Upgrading requires consuming [Path Echo Energy]."]
["Joy Level: Equivalent to your 'Adventure Rank.' Increasing this level unlocks more system features and occasionally grants 'fashionable trinkets.'"]
["Path Echo Energy: Aha's 'tip' for the fun you create, and a critical resource for upgrading [Authority Level] and driving certain special abilities."]
["Achievements: Unlocked by completing specific fun-generating actions, providing large amounts of [Joy EXP] and potential small gifts."]
"So, you're telling me to try and kill myself repeatedly?" Koushi summarized.
"Aha, you really love watching a good spectacle."
He looked down at the dark gold dodecahedron cube that had returned to his hand.
Seeing the item displayed on the system panel as the [kaleidriver], along with the now-quiet [herrscher core of reason], an extreme sense of absurdity and unreality flooded his mind.
["Aha's Joyful Gift System - Inventory"]
"Item Name: [kaleidriver] Category: Core Equipment / Path Armament"
"Rarity: ★★★★★ (Aha Special Supply)"
"Status: Bound"
"User: Koushi Hōoin"
"Description: 'Yo! Check this out! This is a little darling personally crafted by me, Aha, a cross-universe limited edition with no duplicates! Don't let it fool you, looking like a plain cube; it's the key to making a 'happy connection' with those shiny little cores! Just put it on your waist, and it turns directly into a belt.
Plug those happy little cores in, give it a twist, a slap, and surprise!
Remember, every transformation needs ritual—the pose must be cool, the lines must be flashy, and the sound effects must be loud, so the fun generated is truly explosive!'"
" Disclaimer: Aha is not responsible for any Spatial Quake, world-view rupture, social death, or pursuit by pretty girls caused by the use of this product, and reserves the right to laugh heartily. ♪"
" [Equipment Parameters] Compatibility: Extremely High (Theoretically compatible with all 'Herrscher Cores' or similar energy sources)"
" Adaptive Transformation: When different cores are inserted, the external form and light effects automatically change to match the core's attribute."
" Sound Customization: Multiple preset sound effect packages are built-in (including 'Classic Mechanical,' 'Passionate Recitation,' and 'Aha Demonic Remix' styles), and certain lines can be customized."
" Fun Feedback System: The more spectacular and creative the transformation process, the easier it is to receive small bonus 'Joy EXP' tips.
Energy Source: Directly draws 'Path Echo' Energy or connects to the core for power."
"---"
"Item Name: [herrscher core of reason]"
"Category: herrscher core / Energy Source / Knowledge Base Rarity: ★★★★★ (Law-level)"
"Status: Loaded"
"Authority Level: Lv.1 [Basic Application]"
"Description: 'Beep beep! High concentration of 'Understanding' and 'Construction' authority detected!
Congratulations, lucky dog, you hit the jackpot!
This isn't just an ordinary blue glass bead; inside is the Law of Understanding of 'matter' and 'information' from an entire civilization!
Now, they are (barely) yours to use!
Think about it, then make it reality!
From a cup of milk tea to a starship (theoretically, once your level is high enough)!
Aha Warning: Over-reliance on rational thought might make the fun boring, but using rationality to pull off stunts... Ooh, that's true art!
Aha is rooting for you!'"
"Core Command: 'Comprehend & Replicate'"
" [Core Parameters - Lv.1]"
" Authority Manifestation: Data streams, blue geometric light effects, Crown of Reason, Construction ability."
" Current Authority:"
" Matter Analysis: Ability to quickly Understand the fundamental structure of non-living matter."
" Basic Construction: Can consume Honkai Energy / Path Echo Energy to replicate non-living objects of [Low ~ Medium] structural complexity that have been Understood (Aha example: cold weapons, simple machinery, daily necessities).
Volume, mass, precision, and duration are limited."
" Limited Hacking: Can Understand and interfere with electronic systems based on existing scientific theories (e.g., civilian surveillance, simple circuits.
Aha thinks it's better to just shoot them instead~)."
" Energy Consumption: The complexity of the constructed object is directly proportional to the energy consumed.
If energy is insufficient, the constructed object will be unstable or dissipate."
" Path Echo Compatibility: Medium (The compatibility between rationality and fun needs development, but using knowledge for pranks is often highly effective)."
" [System Notes / Tip]"
" 'Don't always think about building a Gundam!
How about starting your practice by making yourself an iced cola?'"
" 'Try using its 'Understanding' ability to analyze the daily routine of Classmate Itsuka next door?
You might find a surprise (or a scare)!' "
" 'Remember! Imagination is your only limit! (And, of course, your energy bar and Authority Level~ Kaka!)'"
" 'Joy EXP and Path Echo Energy can be used to upgrade this core's authority!
Go find some fun!'"
Outside the window, the sound of the AST Unit's search seemed to gradually fade away.
Koushi Hōoin was slumped on the floor, leaning against the bed, holding the cube and the core in his hand, with the gaudy system interface visible only to him floating before his eyes.
The huge sense of crisis seemed to have temporarily receded, replaced by an unprecedented feeling of novelty and... eagerness?
"So... I'm now a Herrscher?
A Spirit?
One who was forcibly given power by a strange Aeon, had his gender changed, and is being hunted by the AST Unit... and I have a system encouraging me to seek fun?"
Koushi rubbed his temples, feeling his mind grow even more confused.
But amidst the chaos, one thought became increasingly clear: this world was no longer going to develop as he had expected—a place where he could safely watch the drama unfold.
He had become an actor, and one who came with a bizarre script and a backstage shop.
"The 'Cling to the Powerful' plan..." Koushi glanced at the night view of Amamiya City outside the window, then looked down at the "power" in his hand, a complex curve, mixing helplessness and a hint of excitement, forming at the corner of his mouth.
"...It looks like it needs to be upgraded to the 'Take the Golden Thigh and Cause Trouble Together' plan."
It seems that even if he didn't look for Aha's fun, he would have to find it anyway.