When Madam Yukinoshita said, 'This Lord Kuzeha will be the new master of the Yukinoshita family,'
A wave of disbelief swept over Awashima Seri.
"I told you before, didn't I? I would make good use of these two weeks..."
Kuzeha's playful voice echoed in her ears, and Awashima recalled—
Yes, he had said that when they parted.
But at the time, she had assumed he meant arranging matters for the orphanage…
Who could have imagined he meant becoming the master of Yukinoshita within half a month?
Madam Yukinoshita was also slightly surprised by their exchange.
"Lord Kuzeha and Miss Awashima... had previous dealings?"
Before she could finish, Awashima deeply bowed to Kuzeha.
"For the two times I offended you, I humbly await Lord Kuzeha's punishment."
Her voice was filled with sincere submission.
She was someone who could clearly separate personal emotions from her professional judgment.
That night's confrontation—no, it wasn't even a real fight. Kuzeha didn't even draw his sword.
With sheer pressure and sword intent alone, he had utterly subdued her.
That's why she had wanted to recommend him to Madam Yukinoshita.
But now she was curious—how did a woman as ambitious and capable as Madam Yukinoshita come to yield so willingly?
Kuzeha looked at her.
Her posture while bowing displayed a rather stunning figure.
And based on his seasoned judgment in "minesweeping," Awashima Seri was definitely a Nine Heavens Thunder-level mine.
TL: Not the Heavenly Devouring Sloopiest Gluk Gluk Dragon Ancestor Level mine?
Kuzeha casually waved his hand.
Punishment? His subordinates were all top-tier talents. Why would he punish someone so dedicated?
No—he would reward them.
Reward her in a way that made her feel hot-blooded, joyful, and truly appreciated!
"We'll talk about punishment later."
He glanced at Madam Yukinoshita, who instantly understood.
She turned to Awashima.
"Seri, what brought you here today?"
Only then did Awashima begin her report.
"The preparations for the Kendo Tournament are almost complete. Including myself, there will be two judges—one from the Yuuki family."
(TL: I think it's Asuna's Family from SAO)
Though called judges, their role was more akin to mentors.
The top four contestants from each level would earn the right to challenge a judge.
They didn't have to win—just earning recognition would grant them a generous prize.
For the Yukinoshita and Yuuki families, it was a chance to showcase strength and recruit talents.
For the participants, it was an opportunity to learn from masters and earn money—win-win.
Looking at Kuzeha, Awashima hesitated, then spoke:
"If Lord Kuzeha is willing to be a judge, that would be the best outcome."
Kuzeha raised a brow—mildly surprised.
Not at Awashima's suggestion, but that the kendo tournament Saeko Busujima and Kirigaya Suguha were entering turned out to be hosted by Yukinoshita and company.
"This tournament is for scouting talent?"
He immediately saw through its essence.
Madam Yukinoshita nodded.
And Kuzeha understood—Yukinoshita's supernatural foundation, once bolstered by the House of Evolution, was now nearly nonexistent.
They had to raise their own talent from scratch.
Though crude, for someone like Awashima Seri who was skilled in swordsmanship, it wasn't a bad strategy.
"I'll be there," Kuzeha said after a moment of thought.
He was already looking forward to it—What kind of expressions would Saeko and the others make when they saw him sitting on the judges' panel?
Awashima let out a breath of relief.
With Kuzeha's presence, the event was virtually guaranteed to succeed.
"Oh, and the Hero Association application is fully prepared. Shall I submit it?"
Before she could finish, Madam Yukinoshita cut in: "Cancel it."
Awashima was stunned.
Joining the Association would have granted them access to massive supernatural resources—something the Yukinoshita family had prepared for years.
And now, just like that, it was abandoned?
She looked to Madam Yukinoshita in disbelief, but the latter's face was calm as ever.
"With Lord Kuzeha reigning over the Yukinoshita Conglomerate, there's no need to bow to the Hero Association."
Her tone was firm.
The Divine Strike had reshaped her understanding of the supernatural.
In her eyes, Kuzeha now stood at the absolute pinnacle of that world.
It wasn't odd for people to treat him like a god.
Could the Association be worthy of someone like him?
"Let it be as she says—cancel it."
Kuzeha agreed.
To him, unless the Association could ensure unwavering loyalty from its heroes, it held no appeal.
Even its founder couldn't accomplish that.
Heroes simply used the Association as a platform—to chase fame, wealth, or their ideals.
But they and the Association were never one and the same.
"I understand."
Awashima nodded and left.
On her way downstairs, she ran into Yukinoshita Haruno.
"Wondering why my mother reveres Lord Kuzeha so much... even more than the Hero Association?"
Awashima hesitated, then nodded.
Haruno simply pointed to a nearby TV screen.
The news was broadcasting images of the abyss—warning citizens to stay far away.
Awashima turned to look and paused.
Of course she'd heard of the so-called "divine punishment abyss" that had caused a global sensation.
"Seri, do you think a human could cause that kind of destruction?"
"Even if not a god… they'd be close."
That level of power was simply unimaginable for someone like her—an insurmountable gap.
Still, what did that have to do with them?
Just as Awashima was puzzled, Haruno sighed.
"The Yukinoshita Conglomerate now has the honor of serving a god."
Awashima froze.
Only now did she truly understand what those words meant.
Kuzeha's image surfaced in her mind, and she stood there silently for a long time.
Deep below the abyss—
Zombie Man's head was slowly regenerating.
"I'm… finally alive again..."
As his brain reformed, he muttered in lingering fear.
It had taken him hours to rebuild his skull.
Normally, even a headshot only took minutes.
But the energy lingering at the bottom of this abyss continued to burn him, an unceasing torment.
He had a creeping feeling, had he been at the epicenter, he might've been atomized.
Looking up at the moonlight, he began crawling upward.
Two or three kilometers later, he reached the edge of the abyss.
"How wide is this damn thing…"
He swallowed.
Even several kilometers from the center, the destruction was still overwhelming.
But as he drove his fingers into the cliff and began climbing,
He realized, the real suffering had only just begun.
Meanwhile, above the abyss,
A flesh-colored winged eye scanned the area.
"What immense energy… nearly rivaling the Orochi."
Its pupil turned constantly.
"But from the Hero Association's actions, they don't seem close with this person…"
"Good. That means he's open to recruitment."
"But his power is too great… not easy to control. I must proceed with caution."
The eye flapped its wings and vanished into the night.
Later that evening—
"You're back, Onii-chan!"
Thump thump thump—barefoot steps pattered on the wooden floor.
Ayumi threw herself into Kuzeha's arms before Kasugano Sora could even react.
"Big brother, I helped Sakura make so much yummy food—we were just waiting for you!"
Clinging to him, she beamed with pride.
"Good job, Ayumi."
Kuzeha smiled and patted her head dotingly.
But Ayumi pouted.
"I gave you a kiss this afternoon. You have to give me one back, properly!"
Sighing in defeat, Kuzeha kissed her cheek.
Which made her squeal with joy and close her eyes in bliss.
Sora stared, dumbfounded.
So… it works like that?
Give a kiss, get one back?
That's cheating!
I'll need to be more direct from now on… Sora decided.
Just then, Nao Tomori emerged and breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Kuzeha unharmed.
Even though she trusted him, he was her most important person.
And after seeing the so-called divine punishment abyss online, she had been terrified.
"Kuzeha, you've worked hard," she said softly.
Kuzeha nodded.
"The House of Evolution has been dealt with."
Nao nodded.
Then froze.
"The House of Evolution? Isn't that the one that… the divine punishment was… wait—was that you?"
"Divine punishment?"
Kuzeha raised a brow.
Realizing this was the netizens' nickname for the abyss.
It was… oddly fitting.
"Yes. I did it."
He admitted it directly.
Nao stood in shock.
She remembered how he'd checked the map of the area just before dropping her and Ayumi off.
And now the mountains were a crater.
She had feared he'd get caught in the destruction.
Because in her memories, Kuzeha was always the one who stood in front.
Shielding them from all danger.
But after all…
He was still just human, right?
A human couldn't survive that.
Now he told her that he was the one who had caused the divine punishment.
He was the "god" they spoke of online.
And he did it all… to eliminate the threat to her and Ayumi.
An emotion beyond words slowly swelled in Nao's chest.
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