On the same day, after leaving traces of humiliation at the Tenth Unit, Naoki infiltrated the Third Unit headquarters of the Anti-Demon Corps.
Relying on Dimensional Displacement, he moved like a ghost among the busy unit members. Not a single one noticed his presence—even Ginna's barrier didn't detect any disturbance.
Unlike the Tenth Unit headquarters which was vast, magnificent, and almost like a university campus, the Third Unit headquarters was no different from other unit headquarters. Simple buildings, standard facilities, without excessive luxury.
This sight reinforced Naoki's speculation that Yamashiro Ren indeed used her authority to embezzle public funds to build a "private paradise" in Mato, while other units only received adequate facilities.
(How badly did Ren treat her, for a Unit Commander to become this insecure?)
That thought Naoki directed at the figure now walking with her head slightly bowed in the corridor: Tsukiyono Bell.
Bell was an attractive young woman with long blue hair that reached her waist. Her hairstyle was unique with bangs covering her forehead and two small ponytails on both sides of her head tied with golden beads. She wore the standard dark blue Anti-Demon Corps uniform with white gloves, a mini skirt, and thigh-high boots.
But what stood out most wasn't her appearance, but her demeanor.
(Her Peach Blessing is on the level of «Mystic Eye of Death Perception». Hard to believe such a formidable ability was awakened by someone with such a low self-esteem personality.)
Naoki tailed Bell from behind, observing how the woman appeared anxious and nervous every time her subordinates greeted her in the corridor. Her shoulders were slightly slumped, and her eyes often avoided direct contact.
(If I confessed and asked her to date... She would probably refuse at first. Because of fear, because of lack of confidence, because she considers herself unworthy. But if I'm firm—if I keep approaching, keep showing interest, keep convincing—Bell would most likely agree with little resistance and resign herself to accepting that relationship.)
He was confident in his analysis. Bell's behavioral pattern was very clear—she was the type of person who was easily managed, who needed certainty from outside, who would give in to pressure if that pressure came from someone more confident.
(Hmm... Let me try to remember her past. This will be useful in my pursuit.)
While following Bell's hesitant steps, Naoki dug up memories about the girl's past based on the manga and anime.
Bell's childhood was very difficult.
She was neglected by her parents—not abused, not physically abandoned, but emotionally neglected. They were busy with their respective careers, busy with social life, busy with everything except their own child.
At school, she was often bullied by her classmates. Not severe physical bullying, but constant verbal and social bullying—mockery, ostracism, cruel jokes that made her increasingly withdrawn.
As she grew up, she occasionally visited temples and prayed earnestly. Not for wealth or fame. She just wanted to awaken a strong Peach Blessing—something that could make her meaningful, make her valued, make her no longer an unimportant person.
Her prayer was answered.
After her ability was discovered, Bell was recruited by the Supreme Commander at the time to join the Anti-Demon Corps.
At first, everything changed.
She received praise and admiration from her peers. People who once ignored her now looked at her with respect. For the first time in her life, she felt valuable.
But then...
Bell met other Unit Commanders.
She saw Yamashiro Ren who was so confident, so strong, so dominant. She saw Izumo Tenka who was graceful and elite. She saw Uzen Kyouka who was firm and tough.
Bell felt how weak her power was compared to them, and her self-esteem plummeted back to its previous level.
(Weak?)
Naoki almost laughed.
(Come on, «Canopus» is very deadly, okay? It's just you who failed to utilize its full potential! How could an ability with a mechanism similar to «Mystic Eye of Death Perception» be called weak?)
«Canopus» was an ability centered on manipulating the concepts of life and death—the ability to isolate, take, and control the "life" or "life force" of creatures and objects.
In attack mode, it was an Instant Kill type ability.
«Canopus» could destroy anything with form. No matter how strong its physical defense, no matter how large its body, no matter how high its durability—if Bell touched it with intent to kill, that target would die. No physical defense was effective against this Peach Blessing.
In defense mode, «Canopus» provided automatic regeneration even from fatal wounds. Bell's body cells regenerated themselves continuously, making it nearly impossible for her to be permanently killed.
Ren herself had stated that even if "killed", Bell's body would continue regenerating until she came back to life. Only abilities that specifically negated «Canopus» could kill her permanently.
Of course, «Canopus» wasn't omnipotent.
The user had to be within touching distance to steal life. And Bell had low athletic ability—she was slow, not agile, and untrained in physical combat. It was difficult for her to approach enemies who were fast or could fly.
(«Canopus» is an example of an ability that's very overpowered in theory, but limited by its user. Bell who is shy and lacks confidence can't maximize the full potential of this ability. Ironic... She is the psychologically weakest Commander, yet has the most deadly trump card.)
Naoki shook his head.
This sight reminded him of Indonesia in his previous life—a country blessed with abundant natural resources, yet whose government failed to prosper its people.
A truly strong nation cannot be built on endless exploitation.
If even the lowest person can't be full, then that ruler is a loser.
(Forget it. Every time I remember my homeland, I can't pass up the opportunity to criticize that corrupt government.)
Naoki refocused his thoughts on the current task.
Deciding that when he revealed himself and his status which wouldn't be long from now—perhaps after filling a few more slots—he would pursue Bell seriously.
But right now, Naoki needed to focus on fulfilling his goal.
In his mind, the Qliphoth Tree diagram pulsed. The Chaigidel slot containing «Golden Hour» and the Gamchicoth slot containing «Decimal Point» began glowing.
"«Decimal Point» + «Golden Hour»!"
*SHUA!*
Temporal power spread, covering a 300-meter radius.
Time stopped.
The Third Unit members busy with their respective activities—froze.
Bell, who was walking with nervous steps in the corridor—froze.
Naoki canceled Dimensional Displacement, revealing himself beside Bell.
He stood next to the girl, gazing at her from the side. Bell's frozen face still showed the familiar anxious expression.
Naoki glanced downward.
His gaze was directed at Bell's buttocks wrapped in a mini skirt. His hand slipped inside the girl's skirt.
His fingers caressed Bell's buttocks gently—feeling the texture of her smooth skin, the elasticity of her flesh, its perfectly round shape.
"Mm... I understand." Naoki nodded, as if evaluating something.
"No wonder Ren likes to spank your butt as a pretext for punishment, and Yakumo caresses it every chance she gets."
"It really is nice."
"The texture indeed makes anyone want to commit crimes."