I'm now in the basement, training with my two new swords.
I've renovated my basement using Craftbot's power to make it into a proper training area.
"Alright, first, let's try the Thousand Demon Dagger. System, give me the most effective sword technique suited to both this weapon and my body," I commanded.
[Displaying compatible sword techniques for the host.]
"Hmm… System, is there a faster way to learn instead of just reading?" I asked.
[I can directly transfer the technique's information into your brain.]
"You never told me you could do that."
[I did, but host didn't finish reading all my functions at the time.]
"Oooh… that time, huh? Alright, send it into my brain," I ordered.
[Transferring.]
I felt a flood of information rush into my head , countless movements, stances, and breathing patterns.
"This… feels weird," I muttered.
[That's normal.]
I controlled the shattered fragments of the Demon Dagger, making some of them float while the rest formed a shorter blade.
Then, I dashed toward a training dummy, slicing it cleanly in half. The floating shards shot forward right after, shredding the dummy into pieces.
"For direct combat, it might not be ideal, but for fast and unpredictable attacks, this is great."
"Alright, time to test the Ankokuken Kurayami."
I pulled Kurayami out from the small dimensional pouch at my waist. Creating that pouch had been a real headache, but it was worth it.
The moment I drew Kurayami, visions flooded my mind, scenes of Japan… no, the entire Earth, crumbling into chaos.
"Ugh… this sword's ability really can drive its wielder insane."
— Flashback —
"Although Kurayami is incredibly powerful, you must be careful," Sophia warned. "It allows its wielder to see the future, but every vision shows nothing but destruction. Most users lose control over time."
"So, they feel responsible after seeing the future and try to prevent it?" I asked.
"Exactly. But most of them… end up straying from their path," Fukumiya-san explained.
— End of Flashback —
"System, is there a way or a tool to suppress this ability?" I asked.
[There is, but are you sure? The ability to see the future is extremely rare in this world.]
"Whatever, just find something that can suppress it and send the data to my brain."
[Warning: Too much information may cause severe pain. Do you still wish to continue?]
"Yeah, it's just a bit of pain," I said dismissively.
[Transferring.]
"Fu—AAGHHHH!!! WHAT THE HELL! That hurts like crazy! Damn you, System!" I shouted.
[I warned you, host.]
"Whatever…"
I glanced at the new data in my mind and began crafting it. A strange sticker materialized in my hand.
"So this thing can suppress it?" I asked.
[Of course.]
I placed it on the crossguard of Kurayami.
"Alright, let's test it out."
I summoned a new dummy and attacked. I moved Kurayami like I'd been using it for years.
"Whoa… it's like the experience of its previous wielders is guiding me. This is amazing," I said in awe.
"Now that I've tested both swords, let's move on. System, if I combine cursed energy and touki, then convert them into aura, could I recreate the Core Link technique I mentioned before?"
[Yes. According to your description, this technique involves creating multiple cores and linking them. You can trigger an aura explosion to temporarily enhance your power. However, caution is advised — even with my assistance, it's extremely risky.]
{Author's note: This technique is inspired by The Regressed Mercenary's Machinations manhwa.}
"Alright, let's begin. I hope this doesn't hurt too much," I muttered.
I sat cross-legged, mixing cursed energy and touki, transforming them into aura, then began forming the first core.
The first one was fine, but creating the second hurt — a lot. When I tried linking it to the first, the pain became unbearable. I wanted to make a third, but I couldn't endure it anymore. Two cores were my limit for now.
I lay down, drenched in sweat.
"Hah… hah… that hurt more than the data overload."
"System, without Kurayami, where would I rank compared to a Devil's level?"
[Currently, host at mid class.]
"Only mid?! Are you kidding me?"
[Host is overestimating himself.]
"That's harsh," I groaned, clutching my chest.
When I looked at the clock, it was already 5 p.m.
"Damn, it's already five! I'd better tell Craftbot I'm still alive before he starts one of his fake funeral ceremonies again," I said, rushing upstairs.
Sure enough, Craftbot was already setting up a mock funeral.
"Hey! I'm still alive!" I yelled.
"Oh, you're alive," he said casually.
"Why did you even think I was dead?"
"You didn't come out for hours, so I figured you accidentally cut yourself into pieces while training," he replied.
"Do I look like someone who'd slice myself up by accident?" I asked.
"No. But you should really take a shower, you're drenched and smell awful," he said.
"Like you even have a nose," I retorted, heading for the bathroom.
I was soaking in the bath, thinking about what kinds of things I could make next.
"Hmm… what should I craft now? I already have two close-range weapons… maybe something for long-range? Support gear? Armor?" I muttered to myself.
"System, can I make the Fenghuang Down?" I asked.
[You can. However, I don't recommend directly transferring the crafting knowledge into your brain.]
"So that means it's a really long process, huh."
I stretched my arms and legs forward, my joints cracking a bit from sitting cross-legged too long. Suddenly, something or rather, someone appeared in the bath with me, and I felt something soft in my hand.
"What's this? This situation feels… oddly familiar," I said, confused.
Then I looked properly and froze.
There was a pink-haired girl, completely naked, right in front of me. And my hand… was on her chest.
'Wait a second… this is the To Love Ru opening scene!' I realized, nodding in disbelief.
'HOLD ON, WHY IS IT HAPPENING HERE?!' I screamed in my head.
'System, explain!' I demanded.
[There's nothing to explain, Host. The universe works in mysterious ways.]
'Why do you suddenly sound like an old grandpa philosopher?!' I thought, exasperated.
Our eyes met. Ka-ching!
A jolt ran through my entire body.
'System… what was that?'
[Host just experienced what's called love at first sight.]
'Nonsense! There's no such thing as love at first sight!'
Then I realized my hand was still on her chest. I quickly pulled it back and cleared my throat.
"Ehem… sorry?" I said awkwardly.
"Hello!" she replied cheerfully.
"So… who are you, and why are you here?" I asked.
"My name's Lala. Nice to meet you!" she said with a smile.
"Uh… yeah, nice to meet you too… I guess?"
Suddenly, the bathroom door burst open with a loud BANG.
"WHAT'S GOING ON?! AN ATTACK?! POWER SPHERE HUNTERS?!" Craftbot shouted in panic.
Then he saw us me and a naked Lala in the bath. His expression turned completely flat.
"Don't overdo it, or you'll break the bathtub," he said dryly and left.
I wanted to yell at him, but this whole situation was too weird already.
"Let's get out first and explain all this to Craftbot," I said.
After getting dressed, I created a suitable outfit for Lala, and we went to the living room. Craftbot was there watching TV.
"So, how was it?" he asked casually.
"NOTHING HAPPENED! She just teleported into the bathtub out of nowhere," I explained.
"Alright, and who's this lady?" Craftbot asked.
"Her name's Lala. Apparently, she was being chased and ended up teleporting here," I replied.
"Yup! Some bad guys were after me, so I teleported randomly and ended up here. Nice to meet you!" she said brightly.
"Nice to meet you too! I'm Craftbot, the most powerful Power Sphere in the entire universe! Hahaha!"
"Not really, you've already lost your powers," I reminded him.
"Way to ruin the mood," he grumbled.
Just then, something crashed down through the roof.
"MY ROOF!!" Craftbot and I screamed together.
"Princess Lala, please come back with us!" shouted one of the intruders.
"Yes, Princess, your father must be worried!" said the second.
"I refuse! If I go back, I'll be forced to marry one of those ugly nobles! Besides, I already have a fiancé here!" Lala declared, suddenly hugging my arm.
Her sudden embrace snapped me out of my despair. I looked at them, now a bit angry.
'They destroyed my precious roof… There's no way I'm letting them take her!' I thought.
"That's right! Lala's mine, so get lost, you mongrels!" I shouted.
"You human! Do you even know who you're dealing with?!" one of them yelled back.
"Yeah, yeah. Then deal with this!" I aimed the weapon I'd just created and said,
"Freeze Ray!"
Both of them froze instantly in blocks of ice. I blew the imaginary smoke off the barrel.
Lala clapped her hands, impressed.
"That was amazing! You just went pew and they were frozen!" she said excitedly.
I grinned proudly.
Craftbot was still sulking about the roof, so I tried to calm him down.
"Craftbot, the culprits are taken care of," I said.
"Hah?! Where?! I'll smash them myself!" he yelled.
"They're right there," I pointed at the frozen intruders.
"Doesn't count—they're still in my house," he complained.
"Relax," I said, creating a cart that lifted the two ice statues.
"Here. Take them and dump them at the public trash site. You can use my bike,just remember to disguise yourself."
"You… YOU LITTLE—" he started, but I cut him off.
"Yelling won't make them disappear faster."
"Fine! But I'm cutting your dinner portion in half!" he shouted as he rolled the cart away.
"Whatever," I muttered. Then I looked at the hole in the ceiling.
"So… how do we fix the roof?" I asked.
"Leave it to me!" Lala said confidently.
She pulled out a strange-looking phone, tapped the screen, and produced a futuristic gun.
"This is the Roof-Fixer 3200!" she declared proudly.
"Ooooh. So what does it do?" I asked.
"Just point it at the broken area and shoot!" she said, firing it at the ceiling.
In seconds, the roof looked brand new.
"Wow, that's amazing," I said, watching her grin proudly.
'She's… kinda cute,' I thought.
'"System, could I survive a fight against Zastin?" I asked silently.
[At your current level, Host would be able to endure against Zastin.]
"Seriously? He's one of the strongest swordsmen in the galaxy!"
[This assumption is based on a non-lethal encounter.]
"Fair enough."
"Anyway, while waiting for Craftbot to come back, let's eat. It's already half past six," I said.
"Yay! I'm starving!" Lala replied cheerfully.
—Meanwhile, somewhere outside—
"WHY IS THERE A TRAFFIC JAM?!" Craftbot screamed.
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I'm having trouble making female dialogue, HELP!