Several days had passed since Inari cleared the Saitama Dungeon No. 3. On that day, the internet message boards and social media platforms—Awakener-only and public alike—were in an uproar.
The reason? A short video had been uploaded to a public social network.
Titled “Cuteness meets cuteness and becomes the strongest”, the video featured a familiar “recently famous Awakener” with a small blocky figure—resembling assembled toy blocks—posing in various stances atop her head.
The clip was under thirty seconds long. It included a note: “Posted with permission.” And on public SNS, it quickly went viral and became massively popular.
However, once the video spread onto Awakener-exclusive platforms, all hell broke loose.
Why?
Because while the general public could dismiss it with a simple “aww, how cute…” Awakeners looked at it and went, “...What is this!?”
First, who was this? That was easy.
There was only one Awakener in all of Japan with fox ears so real-looking they couldn’t possibly be fake. It was Kogami Inari. And when seen up close in the video, it genuinely looked like those ears were growing from her head.
Well—maybe it was just some kind of skill. Some people definitely didn’t think it was “just” a skill, but that was beside the point and better left aside.
Then… what about the thing on her head?
Anyone who had survived the Saitama Dungeon No. 3—or knew of its details—would recognize it at once as resembling the dungeon’s boss: the Block Golem.
The problem was why a Block Golem was out in the world—and why it was so well-behaved.
There had been no news of a monster breach from the Saitama Dungeon No. 3. And monsters… do not strike poses for cameras.
If they did, then people would’ve long since tried more peaceful methods of interaction.
But that’s never been the case—because monsters, by definition, are hostile.
So what was this thing?
Could it be—could there actually exist a previously unknown “taming” skill?
Naturally, questions flooded into Awakener Association branches across the nation.
And it was no surprise that major and minor clans—including members of the Ten Great Clans—along with famous Awakeners began stirring in response.
After all, the Block Golem from the Saitama Dungeon No. 3 was a boss monster known for its ferocity.
If there truly existed a skill that allowed someone to tame such a thing… it would be a revolution.
It would turn every Awakener’s understanding on its head.
That’s why, just this once, no one was backing down, and all parties pressed the Awakener Association to provide information.
“So… with that said, I’d very much like some sort of explanation regarding the one currently trying to walk off with my tea.”
“Even if thou sayest that… Hey, hey, return that tea at once!”
Awakener Association Japan HQ. Sales Support Division. Yasuno Kaho.
The “support rep,” whom Inari hadn’t met in some time face-to-face, was watching as the Block Golem tried to carry off her tea.
Inari chided it, and the golem obeyed… sort of. Rather than return the tea to its original spot, it placed the cup in front of Inari, leaving her with two cups now.
The golem then struck a pose as if to say, “Job well done.”
“The appraisal results should have reached thee by now, no?”
“Y-Yes, well… they have…”
Indeed, the results from the dungeon appraisal had reached Japan HQ, and Yasuno had read them.
The place had erupted like a disturbed hornet’s nest.
At the same time, a gag order had been issued.
After all, Kogami Inari—a super-powerful Awakener who appeared to be on friendly terms with the Association—was someone they absolutely did not want to turn into an enemy by asking foolish questions.
Still, with so many other influential Awakeners bombarding the Association with demands, someone had to speak with her directly.
Thus, Yasuno found herself here.
She could understand the fuss, of course. Especially given how this very golem doll was now throwing shadow punches at her.
It really did seem to be a friendly “monster” or perhaps an item—whichever it was, it wasn’t hostile.
A Block Golem that was friendly to Kogami Inari.
That was the official appraisal result. And seeing it up close, Yasuno couldn’t deny it.
The golem was all affection toward Inari, but kept up its constant air-boxing when facing Yasuno. She couldn’t help but sweat nervously, wondering when it might suddenly fire a beam.
Not that it would, probably…
“The Association has concluded that this one functions similarly to a bound item under your ownership.”
“Bound…? Ahh, meaning it responds only to me, yes? Though I’m not sure if that label suits someone like Atsuage.”
“You named it?”
“Well, Block Golem be the name of its kind, nay? Surely thou wouldst not enjoy being addressed only as ‘Human’, wouldst thou?”
“That’s… fair. Though I wouldn’t mind it as much if you said it, Miss Kogami. It’d feel kind of fairy-tale-like. Would you… try calling me that once?”
“…Thou hast become rather like Akai, methinks.”
With a soft cough, Yasuno seemed to remember she was here on business.
“Yes, well… As such, we’ve temporarily assigned it an official designation. You and… ‘Atsuage’ will now be used as the precedent case.”
No matter what happened next, it was clear such terminology was needed.
This phenomenon had already gone global. If Japan’s Awakener Association didn’t handle things smartly, it’d be a problem.
Already, the name Kogami Inari had likely reached every international Association.
And if even a hint of poor relations emerged, offers from across the world would start flying her way.
This naming system was the first step in avoiding that.
“We’re calling it a Partner. From now on, Atsuage—and any future ‘friendly monsters’ like it—will fall under this designation.”