Souta: "Then I'll trouble Miss KuroNeko with this."
Souta: "By the way, I want to organize an offline gathering for our group members. Once I decide the time, I'll notify all of you to come."
Tokisaki Kurumi: "A gathering? In Souta's world?"
Souta: "I haven't decided on the location yet, so no rush. I'm just giving you a heads-up. Everyone has to attend. Whoever doesn't show up will be disrespecting me, Souta."
Altair: "A gathering is a good thing. Rest assured, I'll be there. I believe others will too, so you don't need to worry about that."
Souta: "Just a reminder. If anyone doesn't come, I'll personally visit them to bring them over."
Souta: "For example, Miss KuroNeko. If you don't show up, I'll spend 500 points to cross into your world and drag you over. That way we can also confirm who's stronger between us."
Fallen Saint KuroNeko of Chiba: "No need for that, God. Just open a video chat. The effect is about the same as if I were there in person."
Souta: "That has no soul."
Tokisaki Kurumi: "I agree. For a gathering, you must be there in person."
Altair: "Miss KuroNeko should come as well. I'd very much like to see the power of the Fallen Angel. Video chat can't show that."
Altair again… KuroNeko ground her teeth in fury.
But she couldn't show it.
Fallen Saint KuroNeko of Chiba: "Fine, I understand."
Fallen Saint KuroNeko of Chiba: "I have something else to do, so I'll stop here."
Souta: "Don't rush, Miss KuroNeko. I still have something to discuss with you later. I'll message you privately."
KuroNeko disappeared immediately.
She was probably scared by what had just been said.
An unavoidable gathering was equivalent to dragging her out of her safe zone by force.
Throwing this husky straight into a pack of wolves.
How could she not panic?
What a shame he couldn't see her expression in real time.
Souta sighed inwardly.
Such a pity!
Souta: "By the way, regarding going to Altair's side to participate in the 'Birdcage' plan and harvest faith, aside from Shinobu, Kurumi, and Rin, are there any other strong members who want to go?"
Great Virtuous God Shiroyasha: "I don't have time, so I'll stay out of it."
Altair: "Souta, since you're recruiting strong people, why include Miss Tohsaka Rin ?"
Tohsaka Rin : "…"
Altair: "Ah? My apologies, Miss Tohsaka. I meant no insult. I just think that anyone weaker than me cannot be considered strong in this group."
Tohsaka Rin : "???"
Chelsea: "Altair, maybe say a little less."
Tokisaki Kurumi: "If I recall, Altair's anime started with her trying to recruit someone, but the negotiation collapsed, right? Wasn't that person called Selesia?"
Kiss-Shot: "Yes, Selesia. Altair chased her negotiation target from the 2.5D world into the 3D one. In the end, Meteora showed up and ruined her attempt at persuasion by force."
Tokisaki Kurumi: "I never thought about it before, but looking at it now, Altair is actually quite similar to Souta."
Kiss-Shot: "I think she's more like a low-budget Souta. After all, Altair did manage to recruit Blitz and others. Her persuasion perk is low, but not to the desperate, negative level Souta's at."
Altair: "…"
Souta: "???"
Tohsaka Rin : "Altair, I'll be completing the Second Magic soon. Your understanding of my strength is due for an update."
Altair: "I see. And how strong is the Second Magic?"
Tohsaka Rin : "Strong enough to blow you apart."
Altair: "…"
Tokisaki Kurumi: "Back to the point, Souta, why limit this to strong members only?"
Souta: "Because a villain's aura is defined by the hero team. Only if the hero team is strong can the villain's power and charm stand out."
Souta: "But look at Altair's so-called hero team. What a bunch of misfits. I could knock each of them down with a single punch. Even if we include Altair's side, I wouldn't need more than ten punches to wipe them all out. What could they possibly highlight about me? That I'm great at beating up small fry?"
Altair: "???"
Souta: "So I have to assemble the hero team myself. Altair's people can serve as extras on the battlefield, appetizers at best. The real core team to highlight my brilliance must be chosen from this group."
Altair: "I feel… insulted."
Chelsea: "Altair, get used to it. You're basically the same type as him."
Altair: "Wait, since when was I put in the same category as Souta? That's an even greater insult!"
Souta: "…"
Was Altair trying to clap back at him?
Kiss-Shot: "@Souta. Are you saying you want us to join the hero team, to band together and fight against you?"
Souta: "Exactly."
Tokisaki Kurumi: "Me as a hero? That does sound amusing."
Souta: "As it stands, the hero team only has you, Kurumi, Kiss-Shot, and Rin. I think the lineup is still lacking. Anyone else want to join?"
Altair: "How about including Miss KuroNeko? Her strength is obvious to all, surely qualified."
Fallen Saint KuroNeko of Chiba: "???"
At that moment, far away in Chiba City of the otherworldly Japan, KuroNeko was so furious she wanted to jump up and hit someone.
Was it easy for her to just be a little transparent lurker, quietly watching?
Why did Altair keep dragging her into the spotlight again and again?
How many times had she been forcefully flattered like this? Did this person already know her identity and was deliberately playing her?
What grudge? What vendetta? Did it warrant such vicious moves?
KuroNeko took a deep breath, calming her agitation.
She forced down the impulse to kill Altair and replied in the group.
Fallen Saint KuroNeko of Chiba: "I'm busy, I can't go."
Altair: "That's a pity. I always wanted to witness a Demon King's might."
Tohsaka Rin : "Wait, doesn't the system forbid lethal attacks? If we fight under that restriction, it'll only be minor skirmishes. The effect won't show at all. I'd guess the battle scenes would look as weak as Altair's people. What's the point?"
Altair: "…"
Chelsea: "Are we holding a roast party today? Haha, everyone's roasting each other nonstop."