Eriri closed her eyes and followed Nanashi's instructions, channeling her focus into the crystal.
Then—boom.
Her eyes flew open as the crystal dissolved into light. A surge of wind lifted her off the ground, suspending her in the air.
She had succeeded.
"Come down," Nanashi said calmly, tapping the air around her. The swirling currents dissipated, and Eriri gently fell—right into Nanashi's waiting arms.
If he'd let her continue, who knows what damage might've been done to the room?
"Hehe…" Eriri lowered her head, clearly embarrassed.
She may have gotten a little too carried away with her newfound power.
"How do you feel?" Nanashi asked.
"It feels like there's a storm inside me... I can control the wind."
This was Sky Dragon Slayer magic—likely the same kind Wendy used in Fairy Tail, drawing power from the Sky Dragon Grandeeney.
A powerful ability based on manipulating air currents.
Unfortunately, unlike Wendy's, this magic didn't come with the lost arts of healing or enhancement.
"Thank you, Nanashi," Eriri said, still stunned by the gift. She hadn't even tested the limits, but she could feel the strength now pulsing within her.
That he would give her something so powerful without hesitation…
Her heart surged with emotion.
Eriri lowered her gaze, fingers twitching nervously, then leaned in.
"!!!"
Sayuri's eyes widened in shock. Her daughter—so bold!?
But then a warmth spread across her face.
With a soft, teasing smile, she leaned over toward Nanashi as well.
"…"
Nanashi leaned back on the sofa, waving casually at Kanae.
Without a word, Kanae understood and walked over, her steps light and graceful.
Later, before dawn, Nanashi stepped out and made his way to the third floor.
He rang the bell at Yukino's apartment.
The door opened to reveal Cocolia, still in pajamas.
"Nanashi? What brings you here?" she asked, her brows lifting.
"I'm here to see Yukino."
"Oh. She's in her room."
"I'll catch up with you later."
He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek before walking past.
Inside Yukino's room, she looked up, slightly surprised.
"Nanashi-kun?"
"I need to talk to you about something."
Nanashi scratched his cheek awkwardly. Yukino was wearing sleepwear—not something she'd ever worn in his presence before.
"…"
She realized her own state and flushed slightly, but kept her composure.
"Then come in."
"Oh—right."
Since she'd invited him, he entered without hesitation.
Yukino didn't bother closing the door. She wasn't expecting anything to happen, and neither was Nanashi.
"I'll get straight to the point," he said. "The Student Council is currently short of an accountant. I think you'd be perfect for the role. Would you like to give it a try?"
"Me?"
The question caught Yukino off guard.
She knew she was capable enough.
But the truth was... she had never intended to walk that path.
No matter what she did, she always fell short of her sister.
She had wanted to start her own club—to help others on her terms.
If it hadn't been for that fateful incident in the back alley...
She wouldn't have joined the Paranormal Research Club.
Wouldn't have entered the Doomsday Game.
Wouldn't have learned the truth of the world from Nanashi.
Wouldn't be living here.
Wouldn't be someone's maid.
"..."
Nanashi waited patiently.
Yukino was lost in thought.
But then, finally—she made up her mind.
"I understand. I'll give it a try."
It was a step forward.
She wasn't the same girl anymore.
Maybe... she could surpass her sister.
"Good."
Nanashi gave a satisfied nod, then quietly stood and left, gently closing the door behind him.
He didn't head home.
Instead, he walked into Cocolia's room.
"Ah~"
Yukino was just about to slip beneath the covers when a series of muffled sounds filtered through the thin wall from the room next door.
Her breath hitched.
A flood of biting thoughts surged to the surface.
Why doesn't he go back to his own place?
Doesn't he realize someone's right next door?
Unbelievable…
This was her home—her sanctuary. And yet, in that moment, it offered no escape.
Worse still… her body betrayed her. Again.
So close. Far too close.
And at that distance, her composure began to unravel like thread slipping through restless fingers.
The quilt slid off her legs, kicked aside almost unconsciously.
Her fingers crept beneath the waistband of her pajama bottoms, lingering with hesitation that quickly dissolved into something far more primal.
One by one, the buttons of her pajama top slipped free, her skin welcoming the cool air with a shiver.
Her back pressed against the wall, as if drawn by the rhythm of the sounds on the other side.
Her hand moved in sync, instinctively echoing what her mind tried so hard to resist.
Yukino didn't get up the next morning.
She claimed she wanted to take a nap and would be heading to school later.
Nanashi and Eriri left ahead of her.
During break time, Nanashi visited the Paranormal Research Club.
Today felt oddly quiet.
Eriri, Yukino, and even Yui were absent.
As usual, Miko was curled up, fast asleep.
Her mood lately hasn't been great.
Marin sat down beside Nanashi, flipping through various cosplay outfits on her phone while comparing them to different anime characters.
She kept insisting she wanted to see Nanashi in cosplay.
He didn't object—he even agreed.
With one condition:
No more ridiculous costumes like from last time. Just something serious for once.
Marin pouted in disappointment, but her eyes sparkled with excitement at the challenge.
Honestly, their relationship now was… complicated.
That kiss they shared hadn't exactly defined anything.
More than friends, but not quite lovers.
Not like Megumi, who was currently resting with her eyes closed in his lap.
Megumi remained perfectly still, her breath shallow and quiet.
Even though she was right there, Marin hadn't noticed her presence at all.
With her weak aura and Obfuscation supernatural ability, Kato had become completely transparent—an outrageous feat in itself.
Nanashi scrolled through the chat group, idly catching up with the others.
Nanashi: "Nami, anything strange happening in your world?"
He still held some concern over Nami's situation.
The last threat had been a low-level reborn Arlong—harmless.
But if someone more cunning had been reborn…
Someone like Doflamingo, who operated from the shadows with intricate planning…
There was no guarantee Nami would even detect them.
He had already considered traveling back in time to eliminate the threat at its source.
Nami: "Nothing too strange. I've been monitoring the news. The seas are getting chaotic, though. Just a gut feeling, but I can't say what's really happening yet."
Shinobu: "Unnatural tides often point to deeper problems. Please be careful, Nami."
Nanashi: "Exactly."
Nami: "Don't worry. I've been getting stronger too. My powers work really well with Observation Haki—it's growing faster than expected."
Nanashi: "Your ability is similar to electromagnetism. There's a lot of potential for development. I'll send you some materials on electromagnetic conversion next time. Study them. It'll help."
Nami: "…Studying, huh. Alright."
Nanashi: "Bronya, how's the situation on Jarilo-VI?"
Bronya: "Thank you for asking. Everything is going well."
Bronya: "Cities outside of Belobog have started to flourish again. We're even planning expansion. The citizens of the lower district now have access to more stable resources."
Bronya: "However, I don't intend to absorb the lower districts just yet."
Nanashi: "You're right to wait. The gap between upper and lower classes can't be bridged overnight. It'll take time and consistent effort."
Bronya: "I'm glad you understand, Mr. Nanashi."
March 7th: "Nanashi, you're incredible! You basically changed an entire planet!"
March 7th: "When we returned to the Astral Express and looked down at Jarilo-VI again, it wasn't all white anymore!"
March 7th: "Even Himeko and Uncle Yang were amazed by what you accomplished."
Nanashi: "That's an honor."
Nanashi: "Though, if I had to do it again now, I think it'd be a lot easier."
Silver Wolf: "Wait. You've gotten stronger again?"
Nanashi: "Yes. A little bit."
Momonga: "'A little'? That's a hundred-million-point power boost! You're insane, boss!"
Silver Wolf: "If you keep this up, won't you eventually surpass the Star Gods themselves?"
Surpass the Star Gods?
At this rate… it might actually be possible.
Momonga: "Ahem. Bosses—Nanashi, Silver Wolf—I got the helmet! Wanna hop in?"
Aqua: "Tch. Games again? Believe in the Axis Cult! Transcendence through faith!"
Nanashi: "Wouldn't that make me lose my brain cells and become a fool?"
Aqua: "IDIOT NANASHI!!"
Silver Wolf: "Hehe. I've got a bit of free time. Grant me access, authority 0."
Nanashi: "I'm free too."
Momonga: "Awesome! Give me a sec, everyone!"
After Nanashi requested for entry permission to Momonga or Suzuki Satoru World,
—1000 Doomsday Points consumed.—
A wormhole opened in front of him.
"Wha—What is that?!"
Marin screamed.
Her voice startled Kato, who opened her eyes in surprise.
Miko, now wide awake, blinked in disbelief.
She rubbed her eyes again, trying to confirm what she was seeing.
"B-Black hole!" she cried, staggering back.
"Relax."
Nanashi calmed the room with just one firm word.
He quickly explained, "This is a wormhole that leads to another world. You know what that is—a parallel world, right?"
Marin and Miko nodded vigorously, like excited hamsters.
"No problem. I'll go to the other world."
After saying that, he gave Megumi a quick kiss on the lips and stepped into the wormhole.
Moments later, the wormhole vanished.
"Eh!!!"
Only then did the two girls erupt with shocked exclamations.
…
"Your place is really simple."
Nanashi and Silver Wolf exchanged a glance.
It was a modest living room, sparsely furnished and free of any unnecessary decorations.
"…"
Suzuki scratched his head in embarrassment.
Well, he was broke.
"Boss! The helmet!"
Compared to his humble room, he was more interested in the game and quickly handed them the virtual helmets.
"Helmet? No need. Just a sec."
Silver Wolf smirked and casually tapped on a floating virtual keyboard.
Two glowing rings materialized from the void, as if formed from streams of digital code.
She tossed one to Nanashi with a proud grin. "All the game data's been synced to these rings. You can log in with them."
Nanashi slipped on the ring and nodded, impressed. "Your hacking skills are insane."
"Obviously. Enough talk—let's get started!"
"…"
Suzuki struggled to get his helmet on, flustered but determined.
…
After character creation and a few setup steps—
Nanashi logged into the game.
He looked around.
The surroundings were dark and ominous—a towering structure loomed over him, its architecture gothic and severe.
A cloaked, skeletal figure stood ahead.
Momonga.
Next to him was Silver Wolf—exactly the same size and appearance as in real life.
Silver Wolf explained casually, "No need to be surprised. I adjusted the data. Your in-game form reflects your real-world appearance."
Nanashi glanced at himself. Sure enough, nothing had changed. No class, no enhancements—just an ordinary human.
Just then, a message popped up in the chat box.
Momonga: Boss! I've sent you a guild invite—please accept!
A moment later, both Nanashi and Silver Wolf joined a guild called Ainz Ooal Gown.
Then came another prompt:
[Congratulations, player Nanashi. You are now the president of the Ainz Ooal Gown Guild!]
"…"
Momonga just gave him the whole guild.
Momonga: Boss! I'll help you level up!
Nanashi: No need. I've got it covered.
Silver Wolf: Same here. I'll manage on my own.
Silver Wolf was the embodiment of gamer confidence.
Nanashi quickly realized—his abilities from the real world still worked here.
He didn't understand how, but honestly? This was turning into a massacre.
…
In just one day, they went from level 1 to max.
Random killing. Instant killing. Technical killing. Stylish killing.
Even against massive PVP guilds, the two of them crushed the opposition single-handedly.
With their strength, Ainz Ooal Gown soared to the top of the game.