Hello, Junkdog here. For those who might not know, yes, this book was one of the works removed by WN.
I'll continue uploading starting from Chapter 144 here. For earlier chapters, you can read them on Scribblehub or join my Patreon as a free member; those chapters are publicly available there.
Just a heads-up, I won't be re-uploading all the chapters here, as doing so risks another ban. I hope you understand.
Here are the links:
Patreon: patreon.com/Blownleaves.
Scribblehub Profile: https://www.scribblehub.com/profile/176502/junkdog/
Scribblehub Book Title: https://www.scribblehub.com/series/1225426/ultimate-man-jjk-x-sol-loading-golden-entries-at-the-start/
For newcomers, this book is an amazing read and was consistently ranked in the top 20 power rankings every week before its removal. Give it a try, I hope you enjoy it.
Below are five chapters to help you decide if this story suits your taste.
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Chapter 1: Chapter 1: Yotsuya Miko?
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A young figure slowly climbed up from the riverbank, glancing around in confusion.
Ryuji Hoshino wasn't sure if it was because this place was too remote or because it was already near dusk, but the area was completely deserted, and an air of loneliness pervaded the atmosphere.
Still feeling a bit dazed, Ryuji tried to make sense of his situation. Just a moment ago, he had been sitting comfortably in his dorm, watching anime, and now, in the blink of an eye, he found himself in this unfamiliar place.
"Did I seriously got reincarnated? That's ridiculous!"
Most people get reincarnated after getting hit by a truck or touching a live electric switch, but he somehow managed it just by watching a show. What kind of absurdity was this?
Now, with his whole body soaking wet, his clothes clung uncomfortably to his skin, making him feel even more uneasy.
"Did I... jump into the river?"
Ryuji glanced at the flowing water behind him before looking down at his soaked appearance, his eyelid twitching in irritation. His school uniform was now drenched and clinging to his body, making him feel even more weighed down.
Kneeling by the riverbank, he gazed at his distorted reflection in the ripples. His normally neat dark hair was now in disarray, and the sharpness in his red eyes had faded, replaced by a weary dullness. (Pic in Comment)
No matter how weird this situation was, he figured the first step should be to figure out where he was.
He scanned his surroundings again but found nothing that seemed remotely familiar.
Thankfully, the next moment, his head throbbed, and suddenly, a flood of memories surged into his mind.
"Hiss…"
It took a while before Ryuji fully regained his composure and began to digest the new memories.
"So, he really did jump into the river…"
From the memories now embedded in his mind, Ryuji could piece together the past of this body's previous owner.
The previous owner's name was also Ryuji Hoshino. He had grown up on the Kyushu mainland but moved to Tokyo during high school for his studies.
From the beginning, life here in Tokyo had always been full of cliques, and bullying was rampant. The previous Ryuji, being introverted and reserved, naturally became a prime target for such harassment.
The bullying eventually reached a breaking point, and unable to cope any longer, the original Ryuji had jumped into the river. That was when the current Ryuji Hoshino took over.
After organizing these memories, Ryuji couldn't help but feel a little disdainful toward the original owner.
"You had the guts to face death, but not to stand up for yourself?"
It didn't make sense to him. If the previous Ryuji had the courage to die, why couldn't he muster the courage to fight back? After all, wasn't the worst consequence of resistance death as well? At the very least, he could have taken one or two of his tormentors down with him. That would've been a small victory in itself.
"Tsk, forget it."
In any case, the original Ryuji Hoshino was dead, and the new one him was here now.
With the memories sorted out, Ryuji at least knew where he was. It was quite far from where he lived, and he usually took a bus to get back.
With that thought, Ryuji got his bearings and began walking in the direction of the nearest bus stop.
***
"Wait... Is this an anime world?"
As Ryuji walked, he continued processing the influx of memories from the original body.
It seemed like a normal, parallel world at first glance, but soon enough, he realized there was more to it than that.
In the neighboring class, there was a well-known high-class girl named Yukinoshita Yukino, while the art club's ace was none other than Sawamura Eriri. There was also a top student in the senior year named Kasumigaoka Utaha, often referred to as Sleeping Beauty, and the current rising star among female high schoolers was Sakurajima Mai.
Not only that, but the largest conglomerate in Tokyo was called the Shinomiya Consortium.
All these familiar names told Ryuji that this was no ordinary parallel world.
It was an anime world, a world made up of various anime characters and settings.
"I wonder... Is this just an everyday, slice-of-life anime world, or is there something more supernatural going on?"
If it was just a regular slice-of-life setting, then there wasn't much to worry about. At most, he'd be dealing with high school drama and youthful mischief.
But if there were extraordinary or supernatural elements at play, then things would be a lot more complicated.
"Damn, and I don't even have any special abilities."
Ryuji tried calling out mentally, hoping for a cheat system or some kind of special ability, but there was no response.
What happened to the classic trope where all time travelers get some kind of cheat or overpowered skill? Wasn't that supposed to be guaranteed?
Even though he had read plenty of webnovels, it seemed like he wasn't going to be one of those lucky ones. Still, even without cheats, with the knowledge he had from all the anime and novels, he figured he could at least scrape by as a plagiarist.
"Well, let's get back home first."
No matter how many plans he might have, they'd have to wait until he fully understood the world he was in.
With that, Ryuji glanced up and saw the bus stop in the distance. He quickened his pace.
***
"Hm?"
When Ryuji arrived at the bus stop, he noticed it was relatively empty, likely because it was already getting dark. Besides himself, there was only one other person waiting a girl wearing a school uniform. She was looking down at her phone, so he could only see her profile.
She looked... familiar.
For some reason, Ryuji felt like he had seen this JK girl somewhere before.
However, she didn't seem to notice him, her attention completely absorbed by her phone. It would be awkward to just walk up and greet her, especially if he ended up being wrong. In Tokyo, approaching a stranger without reason could easily get you labeled as a weirdo or worse, a pervert.
Having just crossed over into this world, Ryuji wasn't keen on causing unnecessary trouble.
He decided to wait quietly for the bus to arrive.
***
At the same time, the girl Yotsuya Miko wasn't as focused on her phone as she appeared to be. Her fingers tapped on the screen, but her thoughts were elsewhere.
What's happening? Since earlier today, I've been seeing these terrifying things. Are they illusions?
But no, the horrifying figures were still lingering around Miko, giving her chills.
"Can you see it? Can you see it?"
A grating, hoarse voice echoed in her ears, sending a shiver down her spine.
Miko had a terrible feeling that if these monstrous beings realized she could see them, things would go very, very wrong.
To avoid detection, she had no choice but to pretend to be engrossed in her phone, even though her heart was pounding in fear.
"What's that?"
Out of the corner of her eye, Miko noticed someone approaching. For a moment, she worried it might be another monster, so she sneaked a glance.
Though she didn't recognize him, she did recognize the uniform he was wearing it was from Sobu High School, the same school she attended. But she had no idea which class he was in.
Still, why was he completely soaked? Could he be... a water ghost?
Recalling some of the creepy stories she'd read online, Miko couldn't help but tremble slightly.
Thankfully, she soon noticed the shadow beneath Ryuji's feet. If there was a shadow, then he had to be human. As long as he wasn't some kind of monster, she could relax at least a little.
***
"Hm?"
Ryuji also noticed that the girl had glanced at him, though it seemed more like a quick, cautious peek.
For some reason, her face looked even more familiar now, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't quite remember who she was.
Just then, the distant sound of a bus approaching drew his attention. He looked up and saw the bus slowly approaching.
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Chapter 2: Golden Entry: Yin-Yang Eyes
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"Huh!"
Seeing the bus approaching, Miko's face lit up with pure relief, as though she had just spotted her savior. Without hesitation, she quickly walked to the bus stop.
Following closely behind her, Ryuji also noticed the girl's audible sigh of relief.
Was it really that big of a deal? So happy just to see the bus coming? Ryuji found himself a bit surprised at her reaction.
As the bus came to a stop, Miko hurriedly prepared to board, clearly eager to get away from something. She had thought that once she got on the bus, she wouldn't have to deal with those terrifying things anymore. But as soon as the door opened, her eyes widened in horror.
There, inside the bus, stood a grotesque monster.
"Ah!"
Miko stumbled back in terror, almost crying out loud.
What in the world was this? How could there be a monster on the bus? Her entire body trembled with fear.
Ryuji, standing just behind her, hadn't noticed anything at first. But then, suddenly, the girl backed up right into his arms, completely unaware of what had just happened.
"Are you okay?" Ryuji asked, his hands lightly touching her shoulders, trying to steady her.
Before he could make sense of the situation, a mechanical voice suddenly rang out in his mind.
"Successfully contacted a target: Yotsuya Miko!
The golden entry has been triggered. Do you want to load it?"
A system? I have a system? I thought I was just some unlucky reincarnator without any cheats! Turns out I just hadn't met the trigger conditions yet!
Ryuji felt a flicker of joy... but a second later, something hit him.
Wait. Did the voice just say Yotsuya Miko?
Ryuji froze for a moment, then looked down at the girl in his arms. Her distinct golden eyes were filled with tears, and her face had the expression of someone utterly terrified like a cornered animal. It tugged at his heartstrings.
So, it really was Yotsuya Miko. No wonder she had looked so familiar!
"No, I'm... I'm fine!" Miko finally responded, stepping back as she regained her balance.
"Can you see me? Can you see me?"
The monster on the bus had noticed Miko's earlier reaction. It immediately floated toward her, its eyes glinting with malice.
Miko knew she had to say something to defuse the situation, otherwise things could go very, very wrong. She hurriedly forced a nervous laugh and said, "I... I just stood still for too long, and my legs went a bit numb. I'm really sorry about what happened just now!"
Though she was terrified, a part of her was also incredibly embarrassed. After all, she had just leaned into a boy's arms. Except for her father, who had passed away, she'd never been this close to another guy.
Ryuji, on the other hand, shook his head. "It's okay."
If it had been anyone else, Ryuji probably wouldn't have thought much of it. But knowing that this was Yotsuya Miko, and given what he remembered from the anime she came from, there had to be something more to this.
In that anime, Miko possessed the ability to see horrifying creatures beings invisible to normal people. These monsters wouldn't harm you unless they realized that you could actually see them. As long as you pretended not to notice, you were safe. But judging by her reaction just now, there must be something on the bus that was terrifying her.
Weirdly enough, Ryuji couldn't see anything out of the ordinary.
"Let's get on the bus first," he said calmly, his mind racing with thoughts. If this had been earlier before he realized what kind of world he was in and before the system appeared he might've been more worried. But now that he had a cheat system on his side, what was there to be afraid of?
"Mm-hmm," Miko replied in a barely audible voice.
"Can you see me? Can you see me?"
The grotesque entity hovering nearby seemed disappointed by Miko's casual response. Its previously menacing expression became dull and aimless as it floated back, seemingly convinced that it hadn't been noticed.
Phew! Miko felt a wave of relief wash over her as she followed Ryuji onto the bus.
There were only a few people inside. Apart from the driver, just a handful of office workers were seated, either playing on their phones or resting with their eyes closed.
Ryuji found a seat by the window and sat down, while Miko quickly chose a seat a bit further ahead. She immediately pulled out her phone again, pretending to be engrossed in it, but in reality, she was trying to avoid looking at the still-lurking monster. Her posture grew even more hunched over, trying to make herself as inconspicuous as possible.
***
'System?'
Leaning against the window, Ryuji called out in his mind, hoping to hear from his newly-discovered plug-in.
What had just happened definitely wasn't his imagination.
Thankfully, a voice responded in his head, bringing a sense of relief.
"Detected: The host has successfully triggered a gold entry: [Yin-Yang Eyes]!
Loading…"
Yin-Yang Eyes? That actually sounded like a good thing, but it was probably triggered because of Yotsuya Miko.
So, if I come into contact with anime protagonists in this world, I can trigger abilities like this? Not bad!
Without hesitating, Ryuji quickly chose to load the new ability. It seemed useful, so why not activate it right away?
"Wait! What the hell? Yin-Yang Eyes?!"
Ryuji suddenly realized what was happening, and panic surged through him. Why the hell did I choose that?! Yin-Yang Eyes means I'll be able to see all those creepy monsters! I don't want that!
But it was too late.
"Gold entry loaded successfully!"
In the next instant, Ryuji felt a strange sensation in his eyes, followed by a slight sting. He blinked, and a few tears rolled down his cheeks.
When he opened his eyes again, the entire world had changed.
The grotesque monster that Miko had been reacting to... was now clearly visible to him too.
"Can you see me? Can you see me?"
The creature's body was grotesquely distorted, with writhing tentacles emerging from its form, its movements unsettling and unnatural. It floated from one passenger to another, hovering close to their faces and asking the same question over and over again.
No wonder Miko had looked so terrified. If I had suddenly seen this thing without warning, I'd probably have freaked out too.
Deciding not to react, Ryuji quickly closed his eyes and leaned back, feigning sleep. He might have gained the ability to see these creatures, but that didn't mean he had to engage with them.
"Can you see me? Can you see me?"
The monster's voice sounded uncomfortably close, but Ryuji kept his eyes shut, staying completely still.
'System, you've really screwed me over this time. If you don't give me a way out of this, we're both done for!' he cursed internally.
Thankfully, the system responded right away.
"Detected: Host has an unused novice gift pack. Would you like to claim it?"
A novice gift pack? At a time like this? Perfect!
Ryuji instantly felt a surge of hope.
"Use it!" he commanded without hesitation.
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Chapter 3: Eat
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"Congratulations to the host for obtaining: One chance to extract a red entry! Do you want to use it?"
A red entry? So, in addition to gold entries, there are other types? I wonder what kind of result this red entry will yield.
Without much hesitation, Ryuji Hoshino immediately chose to use it.
"Extraction successful: You have obtained the red entry [Soul Devourer]! Do you want to load it?"
Soul Devourer? What kind of ability is that?
After his recent experience with Yin-Yang Eyes, Ryuji wasn't about to blindly load a new ability without first understanding what it did. At the very least, he needed to know the specifics before diving headfirst into something potentially dangerous.
"Soul Devouring: By devouring spirits, you can increase your strength without limit!"
Devouring spirits? How exactly do I devour them? Do I... eat them with my mouth?
Images of the grotesque creature he'd just seen flashed through Ryuji's mind, and he couldn't help but feel disgusted. There was no way he could stomach eating something like that, even if it did grant him power.
Unfortunately, the system didn't elaborate any further. Well, it was a power that promised limitless strength, so he figured he might as well load it first and see how it worked.
"Loading!"
This time, Ryuji didn't feel any discomfort, just the subtle sensation of a strange, latent energy circulating within his body. As for how to actually use this new ability, that was still unclear.
"I wonder if the system can give me a more detailed introduction?" he mused aloud, hoping for a response.
Silence.
"...System?"
Again, no answer.
Ryuji's face darkened as he realized something troubling. Could this system be one of those basic, no-frills types that doesn't have any form of intelligence?
Fortunately, though the system was rather unresponsive, it still fed essential information directly into Ryuji's mind. Little by little, he began to understand how it worked.
In short, the system operated by loading talents, or "entries," onto him. These talents could be triggered under certain conditions like how his Yin-Yang Eyes had been triggered by his encounter with Yotsuya Miko. It seemed that making contact with anime protagonists in this world was one way to activate talents.
As for the various types of entries, they were color-coded by rarity and power. The lowest rank was white, followed by green, blue, purple, gold, and finally red, the highest rank.
In addition to passively triggering talents, Ryuji could also use points to extract them. Ten points would get him a white entry, one hundred points for green, and one thousand points for blue. Each tier required exponentially more points than the last.
However, one key thing still eluded him: how to actually earn points. That part remained unclear for now.
"Open my character template!" Ryuji commanded mentally, knowing the system had to have something that tracked his progress.
In the next second, a transparent data screen appeared in front of him visible only to his eyes.
---
Talent Entry System
Host: Ryuji Hoshino
Bloodline: Human
Loaded Entries: [Soul Devouring (Red)], [Yin-Yang Eyes (Gold)]
Points: 0
---
It's a bit thin for now, but it's a start.
Ryuji couldn't help but wonder about the potential of his new ability, Soul Devouring. It sounded incredibly powerful limitless strength from devouring spirits? If that were true, the possibilities were endless.
But how exactly does it work?
Just then
"Would you like a bottle of water?"
The question, spoken in a hoarse, slightly aged voice, startled him out of his thoughts.
Out of reflex, Ryuji shook his head, assuming it was an elderly person offering a bit of kindness.
"No, thank you," he replied absentmindedly.
But when he turned around, what he saw sent a chill down his spine.
The one asking was not a person.
It was the monstrous creature he had seen earlier its twisted, hideous form looming right beside him.
"Shit!"
Ryuji cursed aloud. In his lapse of judgment, he had forgotten that this world was filled with bizarre and dangerous things. Yotsuya Miko had been tricked by something similar in the anime.
"You can see me!"
As expected, the monster's expression twisted into a gruesome grin, and its once vacant eyes now gleamed with sadistic delight. It lunged toward Ryuji, its intent clear: it was going to devour him.
"That guy?"
Miko though pretending to look at her phone, had been keeping a watchful eye on the strange events around her. She hadn't expected to see someone else who could perceive these monsters just like her. But now, it looked like the boy was in serious trouble.
She was about to scream for help when, suddenly, the scene in front of her unfolded in a way that left her completely stunned.
---
"You bastard!"
Ryuji never imagined that he would actually fall for a monster's trick. The fact that it had even managed to bait him into responding made his blood boil with frustration.
As the creature lunged at him, Ryuji remembered the crucial detail: the moment they realize you can see them, they'll attack without hesitation.
In that instant, his face hardened with determination.
"Soul Devouring!"
If you want to eat me, I'll devour you first!
Initially, Ryuji thought he'd have to literally bite into the creature something he dreaded. But just as he activated the Soul Devouring ability, the space behind him began to warp and twist, and soon, a dark crack formed in the air.
"Swish! Swish!"
From that crack, several dark chains shot out and wrapped around the monster, binding it tightly.
"What is this?! Wait! Let me go! Let me go!"
The monster struggled desperately, but the chains held it fast. Without any chance of escape, it was dragged toward the crack. Its voice, once full of menace, now screamed in terror. In just a few seconds, the creature vanished into the void, and the crack in space closed up, leaving no trace behind.
Silence fell.
"Burp."
Ryuji blinked in surprise, a soft burp escaping him. Did... did I just get full from that?
He glanced around, confused. Except for Miko who was staring at him wide-eyed in disbelief, the other passengers the office workers and the bus driver remained completely oblivious. They hadn't seen the monster, the chains, or the crack in space. To them, everything appeared normal.
"So... this is Soul Devouring, huh?"
Ryuji had initially imagined he'd have to physically consume the ghosts, bite by bite. But as it turned out, it wasn't that at all.
And as the monster's energy was absorbed into him, Ryuji could feel an immediate change a surge of power coursing through his body. It was as if something inside him had awakened.
Just moments ago, he had been a scrawny high school student with nothing to show for himself. But now, Ryuji felt like he could punch through solid concrete if he wanted to.
"Holy shit!"
He clenched his fists, feeling the raw strength swelling within him. A giddy, exhilarated grin spread across his face.
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Chapter 4: It's Fine
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I'm Invincible!
Although Ryuji felt it might be a little too early to declare that, but he couldn't shake off the inexplicable feeling.
The monster... it was eaten?
Miko who had no time to scream, could only stare at where Ryuji had been standing, clearly stunned by what she had just witnessed.
After seeing such a terrifying monster, Miko was already in disbelief, but what happened next shocked her even more.
It looked like he was just a student from the same school as her.
When Miko finally gathered her thoughts, she realized that the bus had stopped, and Ryuji had already disappeared from sight.
Realizing this was also her stop, and that the bus door was about to close, she hurriedly called out.
"Wait, please!"
She quickly pocketed her phone and rushed off the bus, spotting Ryuji walking a short distance ahead of her.
Miko hesitated.
She wanted to go up to him, say hello, and ask about the monster, but the scene from earlier left her scared. After all, this was someone who had devoured such a terrifying creature without breaking a sweat.
"What if he eats me too?" she whispered nervously.
But in the next moment
"No, you smell too bad."
Miko still lost in thought with her head lowered, instinctively retorted without thinking.
"Who said that? I shower every day!"
For any girl, an insult about her hygiene was not something to be taken lightly.
But then she realized something was off. She looked up to see that Ryuji, who had been some distance away just moments ago, was now standing right in front of her.
"Ah!"
Miko jumped back several steps, startled.
"Am I that scary?"
It was understandable. After all, she had just seen him swallow a soul. To be honest, Ryuji himself was still a bit taken aback by how he managed to devour that soul.
Fortunately, he didn't have to actually chew on it piece by piece otherwise, he might have been overwhelmed.
Since he noticed that Miko had been following him, he decided to approach her directly.
"Y-yes, I'm sorry!" Miko stammered, now realizing that the boy in front of her, who seemed to be about her age, didn't appear to be a bad person. She slowly calmed down.
"I didn't mean anything by it! I just... I live around here too. I was only"
"It's fine."
Seeing Miko flustered and trying to explain herself, Ryuji waved his hand dismissively.
He didn't mind at all. If it weren't for her, he might never have triggered his system. In a way, he owed her.
"When I first saw those monsters, I was shocked too."
"Right?! Right?!"
After all, she was just a regular high school girl. Seeing something that bizarre for the first time naturally made her terrified. It was a completely normal reaction.
Most importantly, Miko hadn't had anyone to talk to about what she was seeing until now.
And now, someone else was in the same boat as her. Miko immediately seized the opportunity, her curiosity bursting forth.
"What exactly are those monsters? Why can't anyone else see them? What happened on the bus just now?"
Seeing her barrage of questions, Ryuji waved his hand to calm her down.
"Sorry, I'm just too curious!" Miko apologized, realizing she might have come on too strong. Her face flushed, and she lowered her head.
"Um, h-hi. I'm Yotsuya Miko, a student at Sobu High School."
She hadn't introduced herself yet.
"My name is Ryuji Hoshino. Like you, I'm also a student at Sobu High School."
Judging by Miko's reaction, she had probably only just started seeing these strange creatures. She didn't have the dark circles under her eyes that would indicate long-term insomnia from constant encounters with the supernatural. Her demeanor wasn't gloomy either.
In fact, she was a typical high school girl with a nice figure and pleasant appearance.
"As for those things, they're probably similar to the ones you see in horror movies. But they can only attack us if they realize we can see them."
"So that's how it works!" Miko nodded in understanding. It matched the conclusion she had been forming herself.
"Then"
She hesitated, wanting to ask more about what had happened on the bus. But she wasn't sure if it would upset Ryuji.
Ryuji noticed her hesitation and spoke up.
"I don't really know what happened back there either. I just felt that I was in danger and instinctively used that... ability."
Of course, Ryuji wasn't going to reveal anything about the system to her.
"I see!"
It sounded like those scenes in anime where the protagonist suddenly unlocks a hidden power when their life is in danger.
What about me? Will I have an ability like that too?
For a moment, Miko got lost in her daydreams.
Seeing her deep in thought, Ryuji shook his head silently.
He had seen the anime she was from, and he knew Yotsuya Miko didn't have any special abilities aside from her unfortunate talent of seeing these supernatural entities.
Poor girl... just plain unlucky.
...
"We're here."
Ryuji stopped in front of a two-story building. Based on his memories, this was his home.
"Huh?"
Miko blinked and then realized something. Ryuji lived not far from her own house.
For some reason, this realization made her a little excited.
Maybe it was because they could both see the same terrifying creatures. It felt like she and Ryuji belonged to the same world now, a kind of secret bond between them.
"Well, I should head home then!"
She wanted to ask for his contact information but felt a bit embarrassed to do so since they had just met. Instead, she quickly bid him farewell and hurried away.
What a bizarre day... Ryuji thought as he watched her retreating figure.
First, he had traveled to another world, then he met an anime heroine, and now he had awakened a system with incredible powers.
All in all, knowing he had the system made Ryuji feel much more at ease. The confusion he had felt after suddenly being transported to this world was starting to fade.
Taking out his key, he opened the door and stepped inside.
--------------
Chapter 5: Unlucky Girl
--------------
"Sure enough, being the parent of a reincarnator is the most dangerous job!"
Looking at the familiar house from his memories, Ryuji couldn't help but sigh.
The original body's parents had met with an accident during a trip, leaving Ryuji with only this house and nearly a million in savings.
"At least the savings are enough to get me through college."
He smiled.
"Not bad!"
At least it was better than having nothing.
Taking advantage of the quiet moment, Ryuji took the opportunity to assess his current condition.
"I don't feel hungry at all. In fact, I feel pretty full. It seems that this soul-devouring ability requires a digestion process!"
Not only that, but during the digestion process, Ryuji could feel his strength gradually increasing.
"I guess as my strength improves, the speed of digestion and the number of spirits I can devour will also increase."
It made sense. No matter how powerful the ability, it still required a process of leveling up.
Nothing happens overnight.
Once digestion is complete, I can continue to devour spirits. There are plenty of weird creatures in Yotsuya Miko's world, even some disguised as gods. If I swallow them, my strength would improve significantly.
Ryuji grinned to himself.
"This is getting exciting. I might even be getting a little greedy…"
But he reminded himself to be patient.
His soul-devouring ability was a rare, powerful skill. The power it could bring was limitless, as long as he kept devouring. Sooner or later, he would become truly invincible.
"Ha! Who needs beef when I can devour spirits?"
…
The next morning, after waking up, Ryuji found that the feeling of fullness had completely disappeared, indicating that the digestion process was over. He looked at his reflection in the mirror, admiring the sharper lines of his muscles and the lighter feeling in his body.
He nodded in satisfaction.
After packing his things, he headed out.
Since he could unlock talents from protagonists, it was only logical for him to attend school himself. He had no idea what other opportunities might await.
As soon as he stepped out the door, he saw Miko walking toward him.
"Good morning," he called out, intending to greet her.
But something was off Miko didn't look like herself. Her head was down, and she walked in silence, clearly troubled. Beside her was a strange figure, a spirit lingering around her.
"Can you see me? Can you see me?"
The eerie voice of the spirit repeated itself.
Good grief, Ryuji thought. Being the protagonist must be tough, getting harassed by these weird spirits first thing in the morning.
"Hoshino kun!"
Noticing him, Miko raised her head, her golden eyes brimming with tears as if she might break down at any moment.
She had thought her house was a safe space, but last night, yet another spirit had appeared at home, preventing her from getting any sleep.
Now, seeing Ryuji felt like a miracle, like she had finally found a savior.
"Leave it to me!" Ryuji said, giving her a reassuring smile.
Just in time he had finished digesting the spirit from yesterday.
"Can you see me? Can you see me?"
The spirit continued its eerie chant, still lingering around Yotsuya Miko, oblivious to the danger it was in.
"Yeah, I can see you."
"???"
The sudden response from Ryuji made the spirit freeze in surprise. It turned around to face him, its eyes quickly morphing into something ferociously sinister.
"Kill."
Knowing that it had been spotted, the spirit immediately tried to attack.
"Soul Devouring!"
In an instant, the space behind Ryuji twisted, and a crack appeared. Chains shot out from the crack, wrapping tightly around the spirit and dragging it into the abyss.
This time, the spirit didn't even have a chance to struggle. Unlike the one from yesterday, this one was swallowed whole without resistance.
"Burp!"
Ryuji let out a burp, patting his stomach with a satisfied grin.
Having done this once before, he was already becoming skilled at using his ability.
"I'm full!" He chuckled, watching the space behind him return to normal.
Unlike the last time, this time he felt just right not too full, but completely satisfied.
"Thank you! Thank you, Hoshino-kun!"
Miko's eyes sparkled with gratitude and admiration, almost as if she were worshipping him.
She had spent the entire night hoping she might awaken some sort of special ability. But after a full night of trying, Yotsuya Miko had to accept the disappointing reality that her only talent was being able to see these spirits. Other than that, she was powerless.
"It's nothing," Ryuji replied casually. "Besides, helping you also helps me get stronger."
"You don't have to be so formal. Just call me Ryuji."
Miko blushed slightly. Calling someone by their first name was a sign of closeness.
"Then… Ryuji-kun," she said shyly. "You can call me Miko."
Hearing her say that, Ryuji noticed her face turning redder. However, the warmth in her tone didn't feel awkward it was as if using first names made her happy.
"Alright, let's head to school, Miko. It's getting late."
"Mm!"
...
Miko wasn't usually this quiet, but she hadn't slept well the night before. Her mood was understandably low, and she seemed a bit sluggish.
But when she was with Ryuji, she made an effort to start conversations.
"So… do you have monsters like that around your house too?"
Ryuji already knew the answer from watching the anime, but he still asked, pretending to be curious.
"Yeah!"
Miko nodded quickly. "I see them all the time! Even when I'm in bed or in the bathroom."
"No wonder you didn't get any sleep last night."
"Bathroom?" Ryuji raised an eyebrow and glanced at her playfully.
Miko, feeling flustered under his gaze, quickly explained with her face turning bright red.
"I-I didn't take a shower last night, but I don't smell, okay?!"
She lowered her head and sniffed herself, convinced that she still smelled pleasant.
"I didn't say anything," Ryuji said with an amused smile.
"But," he added with a grin, "if you want to take a bath and finally get some sleep, I'll come over tonight to help you out."
"Really? Is that okay?" Miko's face lit up with surprise and excitement.
In fact, she had been too embarrassed to ask for his help. They had only just met after all.
Now that Ryuji had offered, she was thrilled.
"Of course, it's no problem."
"Besides, Miko is so beautiful. If I keep helping her like this, maybe I'll win her heart!"
He joked inwardly, but in reality, it would also make things easier for him. Knowing the exact location of the spirits would allow him to swallow them more efficiently.