Kael pointed at Tenma Nozomi and said: "It's you."
Nozomi froze, letting out a confused sound.
Kael repeated: "What you must give is yourself. I want you to become my woman."
This time Nozomi understood—he was interested in her. "No. Absolutely not." She refused without hesitation.
Curious, Kael asked: "Why not? Do you have a boyfriend? Someone you love? Have you thought about your future? Do you want to waste away like this?"
Nozomi was left speechless.
Kael continued: "If you follow me, I can not only return you to the ring, but make you stronger—one of the top female fighters. And the price is only to become my woman. I don't need you to love me. I only need your body. I think my terms are very reasonable. Why reject them outright? Do you want to keep living without hope, Ms. Nozomi?"
He emphasized the word "Nozomi" (Hope). She wasn't stupid—she caught the implication. She fell silent, knowing he was right.
If things continued, she would have no place in either professional or underground fighting. Someday she might have to leave fighting altogether. But after all she had sacrificed, could she really walk away? Would she truly give it up?
Nozomi couldn't answer. If she were willing to leave, she wouldn't have moved from professional to underground fighting. Now, with only her body as the price, she could return to the ring and continue her passion. Could she really miss such a chance?
She kept questioning herself. Finally, she compromised. She couldn't abandon fighting. But before agreeing, she had to confirm: "Can you really heal me?"
Kael laughed. Hearing that, he knew she was already in his grasp. "If you're afraid I'll cheat you, I can heal you first."
Nozomi was tempted. "What do I need to do?"
"Nothing. Just come with me."
He took her to a hotel, booked a presidential suite, and ensured privacy. Then he treated her. The treatment was simply using mana to repair her retina. For Kael, it was effortless. He infused mana into her eyes, and her retinal detachment was healed.
"It's done. You can check at the hospital tomorrow."
"No need." Nozomi shook her head. As a fighter, she knew her body well. She felt her eyes renewed. Clearly, Kael hadn't lied—she was healed.
Excited, she realized she could return to the ring and enjoy fighting again.
"Thank you."
"No need. This was our agreement." Kael smiled at her. She blushed, realizing what came next.
Hesitantly, she asked: "Do we start now?"
Since he had healed her, she had to fulfill her promise. But she was nervous, even panicked. Though in her twenties, she had never had a boyfriend, never been with a man. She was clumsy, unsure what to do.
Seeing this, Kael took the lead. "Don't think too much. Leave it to me." He gently pushed her onto the bed.
The night passed quickly. The next morning, Kael woke to see Nozomi still sleeping soundly. He nodded in satisfaction. Training demonic arts with her had greatly benefited him, advancing his cultivation. Thanks to her untouched essence over twenty years.
It confirmed his theory—the stronger the woman, the greater the benefit. Yakusha was stronger than Nozomi, but having borne two children, she gave less.
Having gained Nozomi, Kael had considered her friend Minatani Kana. But last night, while probing Nozomi, he learned Hana had had a boyfriend. Though separated, it meant she was no longer pure. Her value lay in her essence, and since it was gone, she had none. So Kael abandoned the idea.
There was no shortage of women in this world. No need to waste time on one without essence.
He woke Nozomi, shared breakfast, and they parted ways. Kael went to school to maintain attendance, while Nozomi eagerly went for a check-up, preparing to return to fighting.
Everyone had a bright future. Time passed peacefully.
For days, Kael waited for Ryuk, the death god. But Ryuk never appeared. It seemed he had abandoned the Death Note. But Kael knew it was only an illusion. With patience, Ryuk would eventually show himself.
Another Saturday morning, Kael received a call from Lady Yukinoshita.
"Renjou-kun, the match is tonight. Are you ready?" Her voice was calm as always.
"I've been ready. Where is the venue?" Kael asked.
"I've already sent Haruno to fetch you," she replied.
At that moment, Kael heard knocking at the door, followed by Yukinoshita Haruno's voice. "Renjou-kun, are you there? I've come to pick you up."