After another day of training, Akagi Shinji decided to have dinner and then enjoy a hot spring bath.
Despite the fact that everyone in the Cult of the Evil God was fierce and merciless, they spared no expense when it came to enjoyment.
At the back of their vast base, there was a large open-air hot spring. However, Shinji didn't like bathing with these people, so he took a detour to a more secluded and private small hot spring pool.
But when he arrived, he was surprised by what he saw.
"Idiot Hidan?"
"Damn Shinji!?"
It was a classic case of enemies crossing paths…
Shinji clicked his tongue and looked at Hidan, who was in the hot spring with a look of seeing a ghost. Although he felt disgusted, he didn't immediately turn and leave.
If he left now, Hidan would definitely think he was "afraid and therefore fled," which would only fuel Hidan's arrogance.
This was against the basic principles of PUA.
He needed to first gaslight Hidan into doubting himself and start imagining things, and then try to give him a little sweet hint. After repeating this a few times, he might see results.
So, following the principle of "since I'm here," Shinji directly ignored Hidan, quickly undressed, and entered the water at the farthest point from Hidan.
He then sighed in comfort.
Seeing Shinji enter the water and slowly close his eyes, Hidan seemed to relax too, as if he had sighed in relief.
At first, he thought Shinji might be coming specifically to cause trouble, as he had personally experienced Shinji's "fearsome" nature.
But now, it seemed like it was just a misunderstanding, and he was being overly paranoid.
"Is this guy really just here to enjoy the hot spring?"
"Damn, how unlucky!"
"I can't believe I ran into that bastard here…"
Hidan was very annoyed. Especially since he came to such a secluded place and still bumped into that annoying Shinji, he was even more upset!
It was really infuriating. Avoiding conflict only to find oneself at a loss.
Fight again?
There was no real need. They fought every day, and whether they had one more fight or one less didn't make much difference.
Moreover, even if he managed to win, it would be hard to drive Shinji away.
More importantly, his idea of "enjoying the hot spring" would be completely ruined!
So, what other way could he find to regain his pride?
Hidan thought for a moment and suddenly had an idea.
If he could last longer in the hot spring than that bastard, wouldn't it prove that Hidan was superior?!
Hidan's eyes lit up immediately, and without notifying Shinji, he decided on this nonsensical competition.
Whoever lasted longer would be the winner!
Hidan grinned and even relaxed his tense body, as if he were practicing some sort of psychological victory.
Shinji noticed and frowned slightly, feeling puzzled.
"This guy… why does he look so lecherous?"
Shinji furrowed his brows, "Is this guy just being melodramatic?"
He felt a chill and goosebumps were starting to appear.
"Sigh, why bother with an idiot like this. Forget it, I'll leave."
Just as Shinji was about to leave due to Hidan's "fiery" gaze, the bizarre system suddenly triggered a new task!
He was stunned for a few seconds before checking the task.
[Bonded Character Hidan Challenges You!]
Task: Hot Spring Champion
Content: Stay in the hot spring longer than Hidan.
Reward: Cursed Treasure Map X1, Curse Soul Points X500, Bond Value +20
PS: This hot spring is reserved just for you… I mean, there can only be one 'hot spring champion' in this place. The ancient saying goes, "When two heroes meet on a narrow road, the brave one wins!" So, let's have a showdown, young man!
Accept?
Damn it!
Although there had been previous examples, Shinji was still fuming.
"Draw your sword" indeed?
Is this a fencing match?
Believe it or not, the river crab deity might pop up and devour you in no time!
And what on earth is Hidan thinking?
Does he really think this is a bathhouse or a sauna?
For the sake of some ridiculous male pride, he won't give in even if he's steamed? How childish!
[Accept?]
Accept!
Shinji didn't hesitate to accept the task, sticking to his "true fragrance" principle.
Complaints aside, tasks had to be completed, and no matter how small the reward, he wouldn't refuse!
"Hidan, you really are a good son to Daddy!" Shinji couldn't help but sigh in his heart.
This wasn't the first time he had profited from Hidan. Besides, this crappy system never triggered tasks with other people.
Isn't that frustrating!
So even though he knew he shouldn't exploit one sheep too much, he had no choice but to make Hidan feel the pain of the world in advance.
Thus, Shinji took a deep breath and closed his eyes again.
He was ready to soak in this hot spring forever, and no one could persuade him otherwise!
And Hidan was also secretly competing to outlast him.
So, the two embarked on a nonsensical battle of willpower!
Time passed slowly...
Until the next morning, when the cult leader arrived at the training room and noticed that both Hidan and Shinji were missing!
"Hidan and Shinji? Why aren't they here yet?" The cult leader asked with a straight face.
A nearby person hesitated and awkwardly said, "Those two… are in the hot spring."
"Huh? What time is it? Why are they still in the hot spring so early? Hurry up and get them here!"
"It's not like that, leader. Actually… they've been in the hot spring since last night, and I've already sent someone to find them. But it seems like they've gotten into some kind of stand-off, neither willing to come out first."
"Nonsense! Absolutely nonsense!"
The cult leader seemed a bit angry, turning and heading outside to see what kind of trick these two were up to!
When he arrived near the hot spring, he found that quite a few cult members had gathered.
It seemed that everyone had come to watch the commotion after hearing that these two had been soaking in the hot spring all night and still wouldn't come out.
"What are you two doing? Why aren't you at the training room?"
At this moment, the cult leader walked through the crowd and looked into the hot spring.
To be honest, being surrounded by so many onlookers, most people would find it hard to handle without a strong psychological endurance and thick skin.
But obviously, neither Shinji nor Hidan cared about others' opinions.
One was here for a task reward, and the other was just stubbornly refusing to lose.
So even when the leader spoke, they still wouldn't come out.
After all, they both had [Immortal Bodies], so they could just stay there!