The KuroNeko's strange behavior, suddenly jumping out and acting foolish again, stirred Souta's suspicion.
By his estimation…
The KuroNeko knew that everyone in the group was a heavyweight, and after seeing Kurumi and Mio's world-shattering battle, she should have been too scared to ever speak in the group again.
After the last video chat ended, once her consciousness returned, she would have wanted to destroy her phone or throw it away at the first opportunity.
Then she would have realized it was useless.
She was already bound to the system phone, and escape was impossible.
In such a situation, Souta had expected the KuroNeko to fall into the ostrich mindset.
In other words, as long as I bury my head in the sand, I cannot see or hear anything outside, and so… it doesn't exist.
The KuroNeko would silently lurk in the group, refusing to say a word.
Slowly, everyone would forget about her, treating her like an invisible person.
Just like Luo Hao. (Campione)
At that point, Souta would occasionally tag her, reminding her that the duel date was approaching, persecuting her as a little after-meal amusement.
Wasn't that how things were supposed to go?
So why had the KuroNeko come out to court death on her own?
And even ask him to seek her advice on being a villain?
"Something's off! Definitely fishy!"
Souta muttered under his breath, staring at the system phone.
From the sofa beside him, Kurumi glanced over and asked curiously:
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I was just thinking about how to play the role of a proper villain."
Souta answered casually, then began analyzing in his mind the reason behind the KuroNeko's brazenness.
Giving up in despair… no, she wouldn't go that far.
That would only make her die faster.
Did she think she could keep fooling everyone?
Without the safeguard of video chat, her exposure was inevitable. She should know that much…
Wait! How could I forget about the announcement?
When the KuroNeko returned last time and found she couldn't destroy the phone, she must have studied the group announcement in detail.
The announcement explained that group members were characters from works, and that he knew their plot developments. After seeing that, she would have realized he was deliberately setting her up.
Seeing him easy to talk to, she probably guessed he was teasing her, which emboldened her.
Or… she learned that without her invitation, no one could enter her world, and that group members couldn't fatally harm one another. With no more fear of danger… she got cocky?
Many thoughts flashed through Souta's mind, and he had already pieced together most of the picture.
The details still needed testing.
He began typing in the group chat.
Souta: "Since Miss KuroNeko has the heart for this, then I won't decline. I'll come over right now to learn from you the true essence of being a villain. And when our talk reaches its peak, we can even have a fight, fulfilling our duel agreement."
Fallen Saint KuroNeko of Chiba: "No need, Kami-sama. If you have questions, I can teach you here in the group."
Fallen Saint KuroNeko of Chiba: "Besides, my sense of territory is very strong, to the point of obsession. I dislike others, especially men, staying long in my domain. So, I won't be sending you an invitation."
Souta: "Then you can come here. I'll pick you up."
Fallen Saint KuroNeko of Chiba: "Ah, sorry. I'm busy dealing with chaos in the human world right now, no time to visit elsewhere."
Fallen Saint KuroNeko of Chiba: "As for the duel, since group members can't deal heavy damage to each other, battles have lost even the value of entertainment. As a Demon King, I have no interest in playing house-fights. So let's drop it."
Souta: "…"
Altair: "Indeed, the fact that members can't cause real harm limits the fun of battle."
Great Virtuous Fighting God Shiroyasha: "If neither side can fully unleash their power, there's no point."
Tokisaki Kurumi: "Actually, powers can still be unleashed, as much as you like. It's just that any fatal attack is blocked by the system. Even if it hits, it won't work. I asked about this before."
Souta: "Wait, Kurumi, why did you ask about that?"
Tokisaki Kurumi: "Pure curiosity. No hidden motive of punishing someone, please don't misunderstand."
Souta: "…"
Did he just brush against the gates of hell without realizing, almost stepping through?
Souta turned his gaze toward Kurumi.
Kurumi looked back at him, showing him a shallow, meaningful smile.
"…"
Souta wisely chose not to ask if she truly had any plans.
Better not to dig deeper!
He had his divine shield anyway, so no fear of knives.
Souta quickly let go of that matter and turned his thoughts back to the KuroNeko.
Looks like… she really has gotten cocky.
From that brief test, he had determined she now knew the truth and had grown fearless.
Souta understood her mindset, so long as I stay in my own world and go nowhere, no one can threaten me.
After all, who would spend 500 points just to travel to her world for the sake of teaching her a lesson?
Wasting such precious points on something so trivial… only a lunatic would.
That must be why the KuroNeko dared to keep acting like this.
"To think you even have the guts to toy with me, someone who knows everything… should I praise your courage?"
Souta couldn't help but admire the KuroNeko's nerve, considering she was only an ordinary human.
He quickly thought of a way to punish her, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
"What are you smiling about?" Kurumi suddenly asked.
Souta glanced at her. "I just remembered something that makes me happy."
"What kind of happy thing?"
"That you and I have finally come this far. I'm very happy."
As he spoke, Souta stroked Kurumi's black-stockinged leg, smiling.
"Oh my…"
Kurumi pulled her foot from her slipper, rested it on Souta's leg, leaned back slightly into a seductive pose, and teased:
"Do you want to do it again? It just so happens my clones have passed down to me all sorts of techniques that make people feel much better. I've been eager to try them."
"…Cough, tomorrow then. Tomorrow for sure." Souta replied halfheartedly.
To avoid falling into that endless loop again, he dared not tease Kurumi further. He obediently withdrew his hand and returned to typing on the system phone.
Souta: "Since Miss KuroNeko has no interest in fighting, then let's drop the duel."
Fallen Saint KuroNeko of Chiba: "Sorry, Kami-sama, I can't meet your expectations. As compensation, I'll share all of my abundant villain experience with you."
Boasting without fear of spraining her tongue… Souta curled his lip and quickly replied.