My 'System' Is Myself!?

Genichi raised his hand and gave it a gentle wave.

A beam of silver-white light shot from his palm, separating a slender figure from his body.

The process was strangely wondrous. There was no tearing or forcible extraction. It was natural and peaceful, like a stream dividing into two branches.

Kanade Tachibana's figure took shape within the light, gradually changing from transparent to clear, from immaterial to solid.

She stood before Genichi, her long silver-white hair drifting through the void. Her expression remained blank, and her hollow eyes stared at him as though waiting for something.

Her body was still slightly translucent, but it was far more solid than before.

The power Genichi had poured into her made her soul more stable, bringing her closer to the state of the living.

"Your task is complete."

Genichi's voice was calm, as though he were merely stating a fact.

"Now you may return to the world of the living, or you can remain here in the afterlife."

Kanade looked at him, a faint glimmer passing through her hollow eyes.

She seemed to be thinking, hesitating, and making some kind of decision.

Genichi did not rush her. He simply waited in silence, giving her all the time she needed.

This was his way of repaying her.

No matter how he looked at it, he had only been able to ascend the throne because of her help.

If she had not volunteered to assist him, if she had not allowed herself to be sealed inside his body, he might still be standing in front of that main computer, worrying over the untouchable sphere of light.

He owed her a favor.

Now he was giving her a choice: return to the world of the living or remain in the afterlife.

Whatever she chose, he would respect her decision.

"Please send me back to the world of the living."

Kanade's voice was soft, but every word was perfectly clear.

Genichi looked at her and nodded.

He did not ask why. He did not ask what she intended to do after returning, nor did he ask whether she still had anyone she cared about.

That was her private business, and it had nothing to do with him.

All he needed to do was honor his promise.

He raised his hand and waved it gently.

Silver-white light shot from his palm and enveloped Kanade.

Her body became transparent within the light, as though it were melting into the radiance.

Her expression remained calm, but something flickered in her eyes. It was neither sadness nor joy, but relief.

The relief of finally being able to leave.

The light flashed, and Kanade disappeared.

Genichi was left alone in the void.

He and Kanade would probably never cross paths again.

With her situation resolved, it was time to deal with this world.

Genichi stopped and closed his eyes, extending his senses throughout the entire afterlife.

Vengeful spirits wandered. Frenzied spirits roared.

He could feel their fear, anger, and despair. He could also sense the irresistible awe they felt toward the oppressive presence of the throne within him.

He intended to transform this world.

He would turn it into a true realm of supernatural horrors, transform its evil spirits into genuine horrors, and make Ghost Tamers an intrinsic part of its existence.

But that would require time, planning, and careful design.

He could not rush or act carelessly, much less change things according to his every whim.

Every alteration to the laws would have far-reaching consequences for the entire world. He had to proceed cautiously.

Genichi opened his eyes, a glimmer flashing within them.

There was something else he needed to do first: return to the DanMachi world.

It had been some time since he last saw Demeter, and he genuinely missed that foolish woman.

She was the goddess who had taken him in when he was at his lowest, the woman who had given him everything, and the first person to show him what it felt like to be loved.

He remembered his days in the DanMachi world: fighting monsters in the Dungeon, resting at the Familia home, and talking with Demeter beneath the moonlight.

Back then, he had still been weak and cautious, unwilling to trust anyone easily.

But Demeter had been different.

She had trusted him from the beginning. She had been willing to sacrifice for him from the beginning. From the very start, she had given him everything she had.

The corners of Genichi's lips rose into a rare, gentle smile.

Then he remembered something else: the Development Abilities he had acquired.

Spirit Healing S, obtained from Demeter.

Justice S, obtained from Astraea.

Those abilities had been incredibly useful in the DanMachi world. They could heal wounds and inflict tremendous damage upon the unjust.

But once he left that world, he could no longer use them.

He had previously assumed this was simply because the benefits of his Falna disappeared outside that world. Like his ability scores, they returned to zero the moment he left.

Now, however, he understood them differently.

In a certain sense, those abilities were Authorities.

Spirit Healing S was part of Demeter's Authority as a goddess of agriculture, while Justice S was part of Astraea's Authority as a goddess of justice.

By devouring their Divine Blood, Genichi had stolen a portion of their Authorities.

However, an Authority was bound to its world. Once removed from that world, it could no longer function.

Genichi raised his hand, and a sphere of silver-white light appeared in his palm.

This was his own Authority.

It belonged to this world, and it was his by right as the throne's master.

In a certain sense, he had become a god as well.

He was not a god of agriculture like Demeter, nor a god of justice like Astraea.

He was a god of death, the ruler of the afterlife.

The corners of Genichi's lips curled upward, his smile carrying a trace of self-mockery.

He had never wanted to become a god. All he had ever wanted was to survive and grow stronger.

Yet now, he was one.

Fate truly had a twisted sense of irony.

Genichi closed his eyes and considered the path ahead.

There were two ways for him to grow stronger.

The first was to devour the Authorities of other gods and merge them into his own, just as he had devoured Ddraig's dragon soul in the High School DxD world.

This method was the fastest, most direct, and most efficient.

Devouring a god would grant him all that god's power.

But it also carried enormous risks. The slightest mistake could cause the power to turn against him, devour him, and destroy him.

Of course, there was also a less extreme approach, like what he had done with Demeter and Astraea. He could obtain a god's Divine Blood and steal only a portion of their Authority.

The second option was to slowly strengthen his own Authority by developing this world, making its evil spirits stronger, and nurturing more powerful Ghost Tamers.

Then he could harvest those evil spirits and Ghost Tamers like a farmer cutting chives.

That method was the safest, steadiest, and most reliable.

But it was also slow. It required time, patience, and careful management.

Genichi opened his eyes, determination flashing within them.

He chose the first path.

It was not because he was unafraid of the risks.

He simply did not have enough time.

The Arena could summon him again at any moment, and his counterparts from other worlds could attack him without warning.

Every fraction of power he gained would give him one more chance to survive.

The risks were enormous, but so were the rewards.

The rougher the waves, the more valuable the fish!

He remembered his battles in the Arena: the other versions of himself he had killed, their dying screams and resentment, and the motes of light that had merged into his body.

Every victory made him stronger.

Every defeat meant death.

He did not have time to cultivate slowly, advance one careful step at a time, or wait for his foundations to stabilize.

He needed to grow stronger as quickly as possible, using the fastest, most direct, and most ruthless methods available.

Genichi turned and walked into the depths of the void.

Silver-white light gathered behind him, forming a long ribbon resembling the trailing hem of a royal robe, both majestic and ethereal.

His footsteps were light and steady. Each step landed upon empty space, yet carried him forward as though he were walking across solid ground.

He still had many things to do.

He needed to transform this world, nurture Ghost Tamers, deal with the government's scrutiny, and protect the people close to him.

But all of that could wait.

Right now, he was going to the DanMachi world.

He was going to see Demeter, gaze upon her gentle face, listen to her soft murmurs, and feel the warmth of her embrace.

The corners of Genichi's lips rose slightly, tenderness flashing through his eyes.

Then he vanished.

Silver-white light flashed, leaving the void completely empty.

Only countless motes of light continued drifting through the darkness like fireflies, waiting for their king to return.

(End of Chapter)

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