Opening the Refinement feature, Rei Ao saw that all his possessions could be refined.
After some consideration, he decided to keep the God-Freezing Sword and Demon God's Extract, while refining all the other Teigus.
[Ding! Refinement complete. You have obtained Awakening Stone ×2!]
"Only two?"
Rei Ao frowned slightly. The number was pitifully small.
He had refined nearly 40 Teigus, yet he only received two measly Awakening Stones.
"I better see what makes these so special."
He retrieved the Awakening Stones from the chat group's inventory. In his palm lay two stones, glowing with a mesmerizing rainbow hue.
Awakening Stone: Each lifeform can only use this once. Upon use, it grants powerful new abilities.
"Powerful, huh…"
The description sounded grandiose, though the limitation of a one-time use per person was unusual.
He picked up one stone, holding it firmly in his hand.
In an instant, the rainbow light burst forth, enveloping him before quickly merging into his body.
Boom!
Scarlet flames erupted from Rei Ao's body without warning.
[Ding! You have obtained the ability "True Crimson Flame"!]
[Ding! Detected fusion potential with "Crimson Lotus Dragon God." Abilities are merging.]
[Ding! You have obtained the ability "True Crimson Dragon God"!]
True Crimson Dragon God: You are the master of the source of all flames.
Before Rei Ao could fully process the newfound power, the chat group lit up with activity.
…
Stella: "Rei Ao!"
Stella: "What's going on? I suddenly felt a surge of immense power in my body. The contract is burning hot—did you do something?"
Rei Ao: "Describe the changes."
Stella: "My ability has changed. It says 'True Crimson Dragon God Possession.' I don't really understand it."
Rei Ao: "Ah, that's related to me."
Frieren: "What's happening? Does this have something to do with the chat group's new feature?"
Rei Ao: "Spot on."
Rei Ao: "Refining items with the new Awakening Stones allows for new powers to awaken. My ability happened to fuse with one, causing some changes."
Stella: "So... I got stronger?"
Rei Ao: "What does it matter to you? That power is tied to me."
Stella: "Hey, it's still my signature move, okay?"
Rei Ao: "Fine, fine. Have it your way."
Frieren: "Wait, can I refine my staff for this?"
Akame: "I have Teigu. Can I try refining it?"
Rei Ao: "Don't do it lightly. Let me put it this way: I refined nearly 40 Teigus and only got two Awakening Stones."
Akame: "That's…"
Frieren: "In that case, I'll pass."
Stella: "Enough about that. Don't forget—my school tournament is tomorrow. Make sure you show up!"
Rei Ao: "I remember."
…
Smiling wryly at Stella's reminder, Rei Ao closed the chat group and headed to the bedroom.
Inside, Mai lay on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. She was still wrestling with the moral dilemmas of taking lives.
Approaching her side, Rei Ao handed her the second Awakening Stone.
"Mai, use this."
"This is… an Awakening Stone?"
Mai's eyes locked onto the rainbow-colored stone. She had seen the conversation in the chat group and immediately recognized it.
Sitting upright, she refused outright. "No, I can't. This is far too valuable."
She had read that it took 40 Teigus to produce just two Awakening Stones.
"This kind of thing only works once per person," Rei Ao explained, his voice calm. "I've already used one, so this is useless to me now."
Gently caressing her cheek, he added softly, "And besides, compared to this, you—and everyone else—are what's truly precious to me."
"Rei Ao…"
Mai was deeply moved, feeling her guilt and hesitation slowly melt away.
Still, she muttered in mild protest, "You didn't need to mention everyone else… If you'd just said it was for me, I'd be happier."
Rei Ao's lips curled into a mischievous grin.
"Now that wouldn't be honest of me, would it?"
"You could at least leave out how much of a flirt you are."
Mai sighed, taking the Awakening Stone from his hand. She looked at him with determination.
"Rei Ao, promise me—if you ever need me in the future, you'll tell me right away."
"Of course," Rei Ao said with a chuckle.
His feelings were never purely altruistic; he always sought something in return.
For example—
"Gotcha!"
He suddenly grabbed Mai's ankles with a wicked grin.
"Rei Ao?! What are you—"
"I need you right now, Mai," he said, his tone teasing.
"And I think doing this will help you absorb the Awakening Stone faster. Let's get started, shall we?"
"No way! It's still daytime!"
…
Evening.
"Yukinon, are you sure we should be following Saki Kawasaki?"
Yui, having changed into casual clothes, looked nervous.
Earlier that afternoon, she had approached Saki Kawasaki to try and gather information. However, Saki was cold and barely acknowledged her, leaving Yui unable to get any answers.
Thus, Yukino had proposed following her instead.
Not long ago, Taishi Kawasaki had sent them a message saying his sister had left home after dinner. Now, the two girls were stationed in their designated spot, ready to trail her.
Yui still felt uneasy. "Isn't following someone kind of wrong?"
Yukino remained serious. "Yui, you know there's a possibility she's involved in... questionable activities, right? If that's the case, would you just stand by and do nothing?"
"I... wouldn't."
Yui, with her kind heart, couldn't deny it.
"Then let's find out what she's really up to."
"She's here!"
At that moment, Saki Kawasaki appeared.
The two quietly trailed her.
Their pursuit ended in front of a neon-lit bar.
"She went inside!"
Yui gasped. In her mind, bars weren't places for good people.
"Yukinon, what should we do now?"
She looked at Yukino, fear evident in her eyes.
Yukino also frowned. Bars weren't safe places, and she couldn't risk taking someone as naive as Yui inside.
After a moment of thought, Yukino suggested, "Let's get her phone number from her brother and call her out. We can talk to her outside."
"Good idea!"
Yui eagerly agreed.
A short while later, Saki Kawasaki emerged from the bar, wearing a bartender's uniform and frowning.
She quickly spotted Yukino and Yui standing nearby and immediately recognized Yui from earlier that day.
"You're the ones who called me out?"
"That's right," Yukino said calmly, studying her attire. "Are you working here as a waitress?"
"..."
Saki Kawasaki raised an eyebrow, clearly displeased about being caught by her schoolmates. After a brief hesitation, she replied, "I'm a bartender."
"So, why did you call me out here?"
"It's not us," Yukino corrected. "It's your brother, Taishi Kawasaki, who asked us to find you."
"Taishi?"
Saki Kawasaki seemed surprised.
Yui spoke hesitantly, "Your brother noticed you've been staying out all night and was really worried something bad might happen to you."
"..."
Saki Kawasaki sighed and rubbed her temples, piecing things together.
"I have my reasons for doing this."
Yukino didn't push further. She understood that every family had its struggles, and Saki's was no exception.
Even so, she advised, "I understand your family might be in a tough spot, but I think it's important for you to explain things to your brother. And maybe... consider finding a safer part-time job."
"..."
Finding a new job?
The thought hadn't crossed her mind. Bartending brought in quick cash, which helped support her family. But perhaps she did owe her brother an explanation.
"Alright. I'll take some time off and go home to talk to Taishi."
"That's great!"
Hearing this, Yui smiled brightly.
Saki went back inside to request time off, while Yukino contacted Taishi to let him know his sister would be home soon.
"That should wrap up this request," Yukino said.
"Yeah, I think so," Yui replied.
However, Yukino cast a glance at Saki's retreating figure. She doubted Saki would quit her job at the bar, but that wasn't something they could decide for her. They had already done their part.
Both girls then returned home.
But things rarely go as smoothly as expected.
Not long after Yukino had returned home and finished preparing dinner, her phone rang.
Answering it, she heard Taishi's frantic voice.
"My sister hasn't come home yet! I tried calling her, but her phone isn't working. Senpai, do you know what's going on?"
"..."
Yukino froze.
The bar wasn't far from their home. Saki should have arrived by now.
"Don't worry. I'll try to contact her."
After hanging up, Yukino called Saki's phone.
"Beep... beep..."
The only sound was the dial tone. The call wouldn't connect.
"What's going on?"
Frowning, she stood up, grabbing her coat and shoes.
She glanced at Mabel, who was staring hungrily at the table of food.
"You eat without me," Yukino said before heading out the door.
~~~
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