The discussion about the "body trade" in the chat group continued, but Rei Ao didn't mind.
The trades were fair and transparent for everyone involved. It was better to bring these issues out into the open early on so future participants would be more mentally prepared and accepting of such deals. It might even make trades smoother.
After all, he was the one benefiting from this.
When it came to anime girls, Rei Ao wasn't one to refuse.
Romance and affection? Of course, he could have those too. He wouldn't reject the idea of feelings developing over time.
Rei Ao was possessive by nature. If he could obtain someone's body once, he'd naturally find a way to win their heart and keep them.
If it weren't for the fact that he didn't want to waste time killing and leveling up right now, he might have already found a room to experience the sensation of those magnificent curves.
But Rei Ao knew his priorities. Gaining strength and leveling up were far more important.
Whether he was facing the unknown forces of Heaven, Hell, or the Afterlife in his own world—or if he wanted to obtain more from the chat group and win over more beautiful women—he would need immense power.
After leading the four women out of Fujimi Academy, Rei Ao found an empty house.
"You all wait here until I return."
Without giving them a chance to argue, he summoned towering ice crystals that surrounded the entire house, making it impossible for the undead to approach.
After setting this up, he dropped Miyamoto Rei, who was still in his arms, to the ground and turned to Saeko Busujima.
"Prepare a room and take a bath. Wait for me when I get back."
"…Okay."
Saeko nodded, watching Rei Ao's retreating figure with a blank expression.
It was the first time in her life that she had encountered such a dominant and powerful man, and he appeared to be about her age.
As Rei Ao left, the room fell into silence.
Shizuka Marikawa, full of compassion, looked at the dazed Miyamoto Rei, thinking she was grieving over Takashi Komuro's death. She gently held her hand to comfort her, saying, "Miyamoto-san, don't be sad… at least we're still alive."
"…"
In reality, Miyamoto Rei had already regained her senses. She had snapped out of it when Rei Ao had carried her in his arms.
Her current daze wasn't from grief—it was from self-loathing.
In the brief time that had passed, she realized that the image of Takashi Komuro in her mind had been largely replaced by the image of Rei Ao's broad back.
How could she be so fickle?
And it wasn't just anyone; it was a mysterious man who had saved her, someone whose name she didn't even know.
Filled with disgust at her own feelings, Miyamoto Rei began to question herself again. What did she really like about Takashi Komuro?
Was it his face? He wasn't particularly handsome.
Was it his gentle nature that he showed toward everyone?
Her mind spiraled with conflicting emotions.
Takagi Saya, who had been staring at the ice crystals outside for a long time, finally turned back and pushed up her glasses. With a serious expression, she asked Saeko Busujima, "Saeko-senpai, who is that man, really?"
Saeko couldn't reveal the details of the chat group, so she answered vaguely, "His name is Rei Ao. He came to help us."
Miyamoto Rei's eyes flickered.
Rei Ao… Now she knew his name!
"Help?"
"You mean to say that you, Saeko-senpai, traded your body to get a possible superhuman to come save us?"
Takagi Saya's sharp gaze bore into Saeko, and even Shizuka Marikawa looked over with concern.
"…"
Saeko didn't deny it. She calmly nodded.
"I traded my body usage rights for once."
"You…"
Takagi Saya wanted to say something more, but Saeko's cold eyes silenced her.
With a single sentence, she shut down any further argument.
"So don't waste the lives I saved."
After speaking, Saeko turned and walked toward the only bedroom, her hips swaying with each step. She knew what she needed to do.
*Clang.*
The door shut behind her.
In the living room, Takagi Saya felt like she had a lump in her throat.
Shizuka Marikawa, worried, asked, "Saya, is there anything we can do to stop this?"
She didn't want to see a student forced to give up something so important.
Takagi Saya shook her head, her expression conflicted.
She pointed to the freezing ice crystals outside the window.
"Is that even a human out there? What could we possibly do to stop him?"
With what, their heads?
She had no doubt that if any of them said another unnecessary word, that cold, indifferent man would freeze them into ice sculptures just like the undead.
At that moment, Miyamoto Rei suddenly muttered, "Then… what if we replace Saeko-senpai?"
"Huh?"
Takagi Saya looked at her in disbelief.
"!!!"
Miyamoto Rei, realizing she had voiced her strange inner thoughts, quickly lowered her head.
Shizuka Marikawa, however, clapped her hands in excitement, her ample chest bouncing wildly as she expressed her enthusiasm.
"Rei's right! We could take Saeko's place!"
"…"
Takagi Saya's lips twitched.
Was she the only sane person left in this group?