My 'System' Is Myself!?

The moment the light before him faded, Genichi sensed the unique atmosphere of the DanMachi world.

A faint trace of magic permeated the air, mingling with the fresh scents of soil and grass. In the distance, he could vaguely hear adventurers shouting and the metallic clang of weapons striking one another.

He stood in the courtyard of the Demeter Familia's home. Beneath his feet was the familiar bluestone path, while overhead stretched a clear blue sky dotted with a few lazily drifting clouds.

Demeter stood before him in a pale green dress, her long hair cascading over her shoulders. Her face carried the same gentle smile that always put his heart at ease.

Her eyes curved into crescents, and the corners of her lips were slightly raised. Beneath the sunlight, she resembled a flower in full bloom, radiating warmth.

As Genichi looked at her, an indescribable warmth welled up within him.

He reached out, pulled her into his arms, and wrapped them tightly around her waist.

Her body was soft and warm against his chest. He could feel her heartbeat even through their clothes.

Her long hair brushed against his chin, tickling him and carrying a faint, pleasant fragrance.

"Welcome back."

Demeter's voice was barely above a whisper.

She wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, holding him with all her strength as though afraid he might disappear again.

She could sense that Genichi had changed.

It was not his appearance, but something within him. His presence, the pressure he radiated, and the unshakable composure of a king were all different now.

Astraea stood nearby, watching them. A flicker of emotion passed across her face.

Her hand rose slightly before falling back to her side, as though she were hesitating.

Her gaze shifted between Genichi and Demeter, her lips parting several times without producing a sound.

She wanted to step forward, embrace him, and feel his warmth.

But she restrained herself and did not intrude upon the moment between Genichi and Demeter.

This moment belonged to them.

They remained locked in each other's arms for a very long time. Long enough for the sun to cross from east to west, and for the shadows of the courtyard trees to stretch from short to long.

Finally, they separated.

Demeter lifted her head and gazed at Genichi, her eyes overflowing with affection.

He looked down at her, the corners of his lips lifting into a rare, gentle smile.

Then Astraea moved.

She stepped forward and embraced Genichi without the slightest hesitation.

She moved so quickly that he did not even have time to react.

Her arms wrapped around his neck, her face pressed against his chest as she leaned completely into his embrace.

Her body trembled slightly, not from nervousness, but from overwhelming emotion.

It was the excitement of someone who had restrained herself for far too long and could finally let it all out.

Genichi's body stiffened.

His hands hovered awkwardly in the air, unsure where to place them.

He looked down at Astraea in his arms, then raised his head to look at Demeter, his eyes filled with confusion.

What was going on?

Why was Astraea acting like this?

Had she not always kept her distance?

Had she not always regarded him as nothing more than an ally?

Demeter looked at him and smiled.

Her smile carried a hint of mischief, tenderness, and another emotion he could not quite describe.

"We actually know everything you've experienced since you left."

Genichi frowned slightly.

"Everything?"

Demeter nodded and began to explain.

After he left this world, she and Astraea had entered a special mental space because of their Schrifts.

It was an extremely strange place. There was neither sky nor earth, only an endless void and an enormous screen resembling a curtain of water.

Images played across that screen.

Images of Genichi.

Everything he had experienced had unfolded before Demeter and Astraea's eyes.

"We saw everything."

Demeter's voice was soft and filled with heartache.

"We saw your reunion with Rias. We saw your sparring match with Akeno. We saw your victory in the Rating Game. We watched you create the Ghost Tamers, ascend the throne, and reach Satan class."

Genichi fell silent.

He had always known that a Schrift established a connection between souls, but he had never imagined that connection could become so powerful.

It could cross the boundaries between worlds, share memories, and allow them to witness everything he experienced.

He did not feel as though his privacy had been violated. He was merely surprised.

"It wasn't just us."

Astraea raised her head from his chest, complicated emotions shimmering within her eyes.

"After you left the Devil World, four more people joined us: Rias and Akeno, as well as Sona and Tsubaki."

Genichi frowned even more deeply.

Rias and Akeno?

Sona and Tsubaki?

They had seen everything too?

He remembered that in the High School DxD world, all four of them had drunk the blood wine and received Schrifts.

According to Demeter's explanation, they should also have been able to enter that mental space and witness everything he experienced.

But what about the others?

Koneko Toujou?

Yuto Kiba?

Asia Argento?

They had also drunk the blood wine. By that logic, they should have been able to enter the mental space as well.

"If this is caused by the Schrifts, then Rias and Akeno shouldn't be the only ones."

Genichi spoke calmly, confusion evident in his voice.

"Koneko, Yuto, and Asia all drank the blood wine. They should be able to enter that space too."

Demeter looked at him, a complicated light passing through her eyes.

"There is something all of us have in common. We share a much deeper connection with you."

Genichi instinctively looked at Demeter.

She did share a deeper connection with him.

She was his woman, and they had shared an intimate relationship.

That bond was deeper, more private, and far more inseparable than anything created by a Schrift alone.

Then Genichi turned his gaze toward Astraea and frowned.

Something did not add up.

Rias, Akeno, Sona, Tsubaki, and Demeter were all his women. But nothing had ever happened between him and Astraea.

Why could she enter that space?

"It's probably because you obtained part of Astraea's Authority."

Demeter's voice was soft, as though she were merely stating a fact.

"Spirit Healing S is derived from my Authority, while Justice S comes from Astraea's. You devoured our Divine Blood and stole a portion of our Authorities. That bond may not be as direct as an intimate relationship, but it's still profound enough to allow her into that space."

Genichi remained silent for a moment before nodding.

That explanation made sense.

Authority was the essence of a god, the very core of their existence.

By stealing their Authorities, he had effectively taken part of their essence into himself.

Such a bond was certainly deep enough.

He did not pursue the matter further. It was not particularly important to him.

Anything they could have seen, they had already seen. Anything beyond their sight did not matter.

What mattered was that they now knew everything he had experienced.

They knew his secrets.

They knew his true nature.

"In that case, you should already know why I came back this time."

Genichi's voice remained calm, but it carried a trace of anticipation.

A gleam flashed through Demeter's eyes.

"You want the Authorities of more gods."

Genichi nodded.

After ascending the throne, he had obtained an Authority of his own, but that was only the beginning.

To become stronger, he needed more Authorities. He needed to devour the Authorities of other gods and merge them into his own.

The DanMachi world contained countless gods, each possessing a unique Authority.

If he could devour them, his strength would soar.

"However, I don't recommend devouring the other gods."

Demeter's expression became serious.

"The best method would be to win over those goddesses and persuade them to willingly share part of their Authorities with you."

Genichi frowned slightly.

"Win them over?"

"Exactly."

Demeter nodded, the corners of her lips lifting slightly.

"You don't need their entire Authorities, only a portion. Once you've won those goddesses over, I'm sure they won't be stingy with you. Just like me, and just like Astraea."

A faint blush appeared on Astraea's face, but she did not object.

Genichi fell silent.

He thought of the goddesses he knew in the DanMachi world: Loki, Hestia, Freya, Ishtar...

No, Ishtar did not count.

Each possessed her own Authority, and there was certainly plenty of room in his ever-growing harem.

If he could persuade them to willingly share their Authorities, it would undoubtedly be far safer and more efficient than devouring them by force.

But did he possess that much charm?

Could he win over so many goddesses in such a short time?

"You don't need to win over every goddess."

Demeter seemed to see straight through his thoughts.

"You only need to pursue the ones who already have feelings for you."

Genichi looked at her and could not help laughing.

"But before any of that, you need to make Astraea yours."

"You really are..."

"Helping you come up with a plan," Demeter finished with a smile. "You already have several women. A few more won't make much difference. Besides, those goddesses can become valuable allies. That would bring you nothing but benefits."

Genichi shook his head, unsure what to say.

This woman truly was generous.

Most women would want their man entirely to themselves, yet Demeter was actively helping him find other women.

However, he knew it was not generosity that motivated her, but rationality.

She understood that Genichi was not a man any single person could keep entirely to herself. She knew he needed power, and she knew he needed more Authorities.

Rather than watch him forcibly devour other goddesses, it would be better to let him win them over.

That approach would be safer and provide him with even more allies.

(End of Chapter)

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