Two hours later.
Inside the office, Isurugi was tearing through documents one after another—work papers, thick books with impressive covers meant only for show, anything he could get his hands on.
The office, with its blinds drawn, was silent save for the occasional groan. The overhead lights shone brightly on Isurugi, who finally closed a book with quiet finality.
“…Na-rrowly. I understan-d most of it.”
The words came haltingly, oddly accented—not like Isurugi at all.
Of course. The body once called “Isurugi” was no longer his. Kawanaka, collapsed on the office floor, knew that all too well. He had been beaten to the point where he could not move, bound further by some kind of magic. Calling for help was pointless—the building was soundproofed, and its other tenants were the same sort of people as them.
“D-damn it… Give big bro back…!”
“Hmm.”
Isurugi gave a light cough, and his face shifted into the familiar, cocky smirk Kawanaka knew so well.
“Come on now, don’t fall apart. You got exactly what you wished for—the power to change your life. Sure, the inside’s changed a little… But hey, I never said I’d leave the original personality intact!”
Leaning close, Isurugi peered into Kawanaka’s face.
“Pretty convincing, huh? Call it possession if you like—but the memories and knowledge remain. Though I’ll admit, having someone else’s mind inside me is… uncomfortable. Still, a necessary measure. Now then.”
Name: Isurugi Takuma
Level 37
Job: Colossus Priest
Stats
Attack: B
Magic: C
Phys. Defense: D
Magic Defense: C
Agility: E
Luck: E
Skills
Strike, Stone Heal, Stone Bind, Stone Skin, Contract Magic
“…Hm. Status, is it? Not bad… Hm?”
The screen glitched with static. The Name field flickered between “Isurugi Takuma” and “High Priest”… before finally settling on “Isurugi Takuma.”
“Kuh kuh kuh… As I suspected, there’s some rule in place here. But you see, I fulfilled my contract faithfully and was granted this body. When the occupant of a house changes, its name doesn’t. That’s the way of the human world, isn’t it?”
“What the hell are you babbling about…?”
“Do you not understand? This world is governed by something—something that imposed the rules of the awakener. And that something does not expel us directly, but recognizes us as entities within its rules.”
Whether it was the so-called Akashic Records that had gained power, or a god itself, Isurugi did not know. But at the very least, it was not an unconditional ally of humankind. The proof was that the High Priest now wore “Isurugi” as a skin.
“In any case, my contract was with you all. I’ve kept you immobilized to avoid wasting energy, but I’ve grasped the rules now. It’s time you received your reward.”
“What… what’re you gonna do to me!?”
“I told you, I’ll give you what I promised—power to change your life. From this day forth, you’ll wield it. Along with a new personality, of course… but that’s a trivial matter, isn’t it?”
Isurugi pressed the crystal orb to Kawanaka’s forehead and activated it. Within the orb shimmered the image of a stone effigy.
“Yes… you shall be the Knight Commander.”
Kawanaka’s scream echoed through the room. When it subsided, his face was drained of emotion.
“How do you feel, Knight Commander?”
“…Ter-rible. The pain… is harsh.”
“Ah, my apologies. Let’s see—Stone Heal.”
With a gesture, waves of healing washed over Kawanaka, mending every wound and dissolving his restraints. Slowly, he stood.
“You found… the target?”
“I have. Though, a difficult one. Exploiting desire may not work.”
“Even so… it must be done.”
“Of course.”
Their words were cryptic, but their eyes drifted to the documents on the desk—specifically, the photograph of Inari.
“We’ll need a plan. Her strength exceeds expectations. Of course, compromise is one option. That too should be considered.”
“For the King’s offering… only the best will suffice.”
“You’re a rigid one. …But I agree.”
Whatever their scheme was, it could not be anything good. But it seemed Isurugi and Kawanaka had resolved themselves.
“Then we’ll be busy. If she gets suspicious, it’s over. We’ll need the perfect trap.”
“Force won’t do?”
“Right. You haven’t read the files yet. As things stand, direct force is impossible. We’ll need to work on that in parallel as well.”
This body was an awakener—a guarantee of growth with training. How far it could go was uncertain, but they had no choice but to push it to the limit.
Resolving so, Isurugi’s lips curled into a thin smile.
“…For our King.”
And there was no one to hear that murmur—no one but the two of them.