Hana panicked and started throwing curses before realization dawned on her face: she had slept with a 9-year-old. She rushed to justify her actions to me, nearly in tears.
"It's not your fault," I assured her. "Maybe you have a bit of a shotacon tendency, or perhaps you just prefer younger guys. But it's not like you were the one trying to woo me; that was all me."
This led to two more hours of mindless sex, during which I made sure she understood she wasn't at fault. Afterward, we grabbed our things to return to our lives, making small talk to wrap up the conversation. That's when I discovered something else.
"You know, nine-year-old boys don't usually try to seduce older women," she remarked.
"Obviously, I'm not a normal boy," I replied.
"Oh... then are you a reincarnated hero?" She asked, curious.
"A reincarnated hero?" I echoed.
"We don't know why, but mighty or famous humans pass down their memories to their next incarnations. That's why they're commonly called reincarnated heroes. You didn't know this?"
"No," I shook my head. "This is my first exposure to... the supernatural? Hidden world? Whatever it's called."
Hana was surprised, her mouth agape just from my revelation.
"So you just learned all this by yourself? You didn't have a teacher or any ancestry connected to Youkai or other supernatural beings?" she asked.
"I'm not sure about my ancestors, but I'm 100% human... probably." I was uncertain how my Gamer ability assessed my race, but I should be completely human. There are various ways to change one's race or gain a bloodline through my [Shop], so I'm sure if I wasn't then there should be something like a purity value next to my race.
"Probably?"
"Yes. I won't delve into my family history, but if I had any supernatural connection, it would have been apparent in my lifestyle."
After all, someone like my maternal grandfather wouldn't have neglected to share such information with any family successor.
"Then... would you like to join our faction?" Hana asked.
"Faction?" The term implied that the supernatural world was divided into various groups, probably more than just the three in the Nasuverse.
"Could you tell me more about the supernatural political landscape?" I inquired.
"Well, it's not a secret, so it's no problem. Let's start with... do you know about mythologies?"
"Like the Japanese, Greek, Norse, Babylonian, Aztec, and many others?"
"O-Oh... yes, exactly! All those mythologies are, or were in a few cases, real."
And so began my lesson in 'Supernatural 101.'
---
"This is nuts."
I was jotting down a few details I had gathered from Hana after returning home.
First, all mythologies are real, although several pantheons are now extinct, including the American and Babylonian ones, with perhaps a survivor or two hidden away or living leisurely.
Second, Japan is under the watch of different factions. Hana comes from the West Youkai Faction, which coincidentally has its main base here in Kyoto. There's also the East Youkai Faction based in Tokyo and the Shinto Faction, which is located in Takamahagara, the realm where Japanese gods reside.
Additionally, there is a minor faction called the Five Principal Clans, composed of five supernatural families that have previously signed contracts with the Five Sacred Beasts. These families are extremely traditionalist and hold strong prejudices against other factions.
The humans—who have a shorter lifespan than other beings—are the unchanging ones, while the others are beginning to evolve. The irony.
Anyway, I was just writing down this information and making suppositions about other situations to help digest it better. Now that I had recorded everything I needed, it was time to tackle other questions, starting with...
"Why this world?"
I reclined my head and stared at the ceiling of my room. "Many factions, many powers at play... which also means the rise of other factions isn't unheard of... she mentioned two or three new magician factions."
A more centralized power would mean less influence, and since this wasn't the case...
"It's a good world to create a faction; it's perfect for my [King of Awakening]."
After gaining the power of an Essence, I noticed my pride and lust skyrocketing. In my previous life, even though I was only 15 years old, I had no issues with my parents making decisions for me, like transferring to America. But now, the thought of not having control over my life felt vexing.
I once heard a saying: "Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." How fitting it is for me. Yet, at the same time, I don't mind it at all.
If given the choice between being a hero or a demon king, I would choose demon king every time. Imagine training for years and fighting battles, only to be sent back to your world as a reward. No thank you.
I share almost nothing in common with virtues, and everything in common with sins. I don't want to be held back; I want power—both political and material—and the freedom to do as I wish.
I exhaled deeply, releasing the tension in my body before returning my focus to my thoughts.
If I want to create a faction, how do I want it structured? I want to be at the top, without question.
"A king—no, better yet, a tyrant, above the law; a law that is whatever I decide it to be."
This much is established, but what comes next? Who will be my people of interest? I don't want to rule only humans; in this universe, they are relatively weak.
Most humans gain strength through Sacred Gears—weaponry and artifacts created by the Christian God—or are empowered by other factions. They could also become magicians, but that's worse.
"Anyway, I won't just rule humans; I'll include other races as well... as long as they don't end up on my blacklist."
Yes, I will undoubtedly become racist.
"But aside from my Unique skill, what other benefits can I offer to those who enter my faction? Not that my power isn't enough, but what else can I provide?"
Technology and innovations from other universes that differ from those in this one. Thanks to my [Setting Creation], that shouldn't be difficult.
"Then, what will be the requirements for joining, and what benefits will I provide?"
Loyalty—absolute loyalty... and power. I will obtain power.
That day, I continued writing about what my faction could become and the possible paths it might take.
Nothing can be done in the short term, but I am looking towards the future. And so is my Essence.