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High schoolers and adults don't think the same way after being thrown into another world.
At least, when it comes to those 2D waifus they used to swear they'd marry, the attitude shifts in subtle ways.
College students are still okay.
But once you've stepped into the grind of working life? Forget it—you barely have the energy to think about romance.
Of course, that's assuming you don't have a "golden finger."
Without one, suddenly dropping into a strange new world makes simple survival feel like a luxury.
Granted, if it's one of those cozy slice-of-life settings, maybe you could scrape by peacefully even without cheats. But the odds of becoming some legendary figure? About as good as winning the lottery.
At least at the start, Rosen's only goal was to focus on making money.
Now, though, his plan had shifted—gather followers, and live as carefree as possible.
Yuki Suou wasn't upset when Rosen didn't answer right away.
As a hardcore otaku who'd devoured more manga and light novels than she could count, she knew that people with special powers often came with their own quirks.
Maybe those quirks took time to discover, but she wasn't about to give up what might be her only chance.
…Maybe this young master just didn't like her excitable personality?
After all, only her mother and childhood friend Ayano Kimishima knew the truth: beneath her polite exterior, she was a full-blown nerd.
"Ehem."
She cleared her throat and switched back to her usual well-mannered, proper self.
With her waist-length black hair and petite but elegantly proportioned figure, she didn't shine like the glamorous heroines from apocalypse stories. But her delicate features carried a quiet refinement, a beauty that leaned more toward charm than flash.
As the eldest daughter of the distinguished Suou family—a noble household of diplomats stretching back generations—Yuki was every inch the true ojou-sama.
Her speech, manners, and social skills had all been carefully honed.
At another school, smitten boys even whispered about her as the "Lady of the Inner Chambers."
"Um… Master, was it you who banished that monster just now? I saw it with my own eyes—some kind of black creature disappearing right in front of me."
"I'm Yuki Suou, the eldest daughter of the Suou family. I'm currently seeking gifted individuals who can aid my household."
She was using the old Franklin Effect.
The quickest way to win over a stranger wasn't to help them—it was to ask them for help.
That way, they felt recognized, respected, drawn closer to you.
And once they helped, even reluctantly or at personal cost, they'd start justifying it to themselves: "I must care about this person." Slowly, subconsciously, they'd grow more attached.
Yuki had used this exact trick to build connections at school.
A "master" was still human, after all.
And in this case, it wasn't just anyone asking for help—it was a cute girl like her.
…Still, she was nervous.
Franklin, work your magic! Gods above, spirits below, whoever's listening—please give strength to your most faithful believer right now!
What she didn't realize was that every frantic prayer of hers was echoing loud and clear in Rosen's mind.
The Tree of Life conveyed her pleas straight to him.
As the one marked as his potential contractor, her prayer was effectively directed at him.
And sure enough, his calm, steady voice brushed against her ears the next second.
"The Suou family, huh? I've heard a bit."
The Suou name wasn't just tied to diplomats—they were also one of the few aristocratic families in Japan that still showed themselves publicly.
Not exactly wealthy enough to rival nations, but in Tokyo, at least, their resources and influence were nothing to scoff at.
Pity their eldest daughter was an otaku.
Her passion for the culture made Rosen's own teenage obsession look mild in comparison. Then again, Japan was the birthplace of it all—their nerds were at least thirty years ahead of everyone else.
"If it's spirits or other malevolent beings causing trouble, I can help. But… you'll need to accept one condition."
"…What condition?"
Her stomach dropped.
"Simple. You have unusual talent—you can see what normal people can't. So, young lady… do you want to become my follower?"
No more hiding what he wanted.
"Eh?"
Yuki froze.
Become his follower? That was it?
"Um, Master, may I ask in advance… what exactly happens if I become your follower? Do I need to… pay some other kind of price?"
She'd seen enough dark storylines where clueless girls were tricked into becoming "sacrifices."
This girl really had a vivid imagination.
Rosen thought back to his three current followers—none of them had ever suspected he'd "sell them off."
Were they just too pure? Or just easy to fool?
"The only price is that you'll never be able to disobey my orders. But don't worry, I'm not turning you into a sacrifice. Think about it—if that were really the case, would your agreement even matter?"
He chuckled lightly.
Yuki paused. …That actually made sense.
But still—never able to defy him?
That was heavy.
It meant being his servant for life.
Lose her freedom? Or step into the extraordinary?
Not an easy choice.
Seeing her hesitate, Rosen didn't press.
"Decide after you've thought it through."
"…Alright."
She nodded.
"Hand me your phone."
"Oh. Sure."
For a split second, the scene reminded Rosen of those cheesy loan-shark commercials back home. But he still dutifully entered his contact number into her phone.
And by the time Yuki blinked and looked up again, Rosen was already gone.
"..."
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