The spiritual bugs, no bigger than grains of rice, buzzed with a low, constant energy as they relayed their reports back to Ren. He sat cross-legged on the polished wooden floor of the Yuragi inn's balcony, the late-morning sun warming his back. For the last few days, their feed had been a grim, monotonous loop. Uesugi's somber home life, the palpable grief over his father's sudden death, and the hushed, fearful conversations about his sister's heart cancer.
Ren watched it all, detached and clinical. He had created the bugs with a new application of his spiritual power, an intricate web of surveillance that allowed him to see into a world separate from his own. The "Ticket of Despair" was a terrifying tool, a narrative bomb that seemed to operate with a cruel, systemic logic. It didn't physically harm the target, but instead, it targeted their life's narrative, creating a cascade of misfortune and suffering. Ren had rationalized it, gaslighting himself into believing it was the system's fault, not his. He was just a spectator, a tool of the narrative, not the wielder of the blade. The thought was a comfortable lie he clung to, allowing his conscience to remain in a state of suspended animation.
"No new data from Uesugi," the System's voice echoed in his mind, a sterile, dispassionate tone that offered no judgment. "The 'Ticket of Despair' has been expended on his narrative."
Ren nodded, already moving on. He had more important things to do. A new ticket had appeared in his inventory: "Ticket of Random." The System had offered a brief, cryptic explanation. This ticket was a variable of such a high degree that even the System itself couldn't predict its outcome or its target. It was a true gamble, a narrative wild card.
Before using it, Ren decided to stack the deck in his favor. He pulled out another ticket, the "Ticket of Luck," a humble but useful tool that promised to increase his luck "a bit." Ren knew that even a small increase in his luck could mean the difference between success and catastrophic failure. He activated it, a gentle warmth spreading through his chest, a flicker of cosmic goodwill. It was a preparatory step for a future he envisioned, a future where his luck itself could be a weapon, an overwhelming force.
He then took a deep breath and focused on the "Ticket of Random." The ticket pulsed with chaotic energy, a swirling vortex of unknown possibilities. "Activate," Ren commanded.
The ticket dissolved into a brilliant, blinding light. The System's text flickered in his mind, struggling to keep up with the sheer unpredictability of the command.
[Target: Nakano Miku]
Ren's blood ran cold. The girl who, for all intents and purposes, was the only one holding Uesugi together. Miku's quiet support, her subtle gestures of care, had been the only anchor Uesugi had in his sea of troubles. Ren had seen it all through his spiritual bugs. When Uesugi was at his lowest, Miku would appear, a silent, comforting presence.
[Command: To make Miku feel disgusted by Uesugi]
A wave of fear, cold and sharp, washed over Ren. This wasn't a random event. This was a narrative strike, precise and surgical. The "Ticket of Despair" must have influenced the "Ticket of Random," twisting its unpredictable nature into a targeted attack. The despair wasn't just affecting Uesugi's surroundings; it was reaching into the hearts of those who would support him, isolating him in his moment of need. Ren felt a prick of unease. This was a level of cruelty that even his rationalizations couldn't fully numb. The fandom would be furious, Ren thought, a morbid, detached observation. The beloved sports team had just won the championship, only to have the trophy snatched away at the last second. The narrative was broken, and he was the one who held the hammer. He made a silent vow to himself: he would never use the "Ticket of Despair" on his own life, no matter the circumstances. It was a line he would not cross, a gamble too great to take unless his luck was so overwhelming that he could defy the system itself.
Ren shook his head, pushing the morbid thoughts away. He had already moved on, already gaslit himself into thinking it was the system's fault. It was an unfortunate byproduct, nothing more. He had more important things to do, like strengthening his bond with the residents of Yuragi inn.
From his perch on the balcony, he saw Yuuna for the first time on her own, a solid, vibrant figure stepping out the front door. He smiled to himself. The new "Real Illusion" technique, where he created a substitute body for Yuuna to possess, was a resounding success. The body, an exact duplicate of her own, could feel, touch, and smell, granting her all the senses of a normal human. It was a new kind of spiritual tether, and the energy cost was surprisingly low: a quarter of his spiritual power for a month of use. His spiritual regeneration was fast enough that he'd be back at full strength in a day. It was a small price to pay for Yuuna's happiness.
Yuuna, walking down the street, suddenly stopped as she saw Chitose Nakai leaving the inn, a grocery list in her hand.
"Chitose-san!" Yuuna called out, her voice filled with a newfound joy.
Chitose turned, a warm smile on her face. "Yuuna-chan? What a surprise! Are you heading out?"
"Yes! Can I come with you?"
"Of course! The more the merrier."
Ren watched as the two of them walked away, a genuine sense of contentment settling over him. Yuuna, the ghost who had been trapped in the inn for so long, was finally free, if only for a little while. The bond he had with her was growing, becoming something more than just a friendship. It was a connection born of his power, yes, but it was also a connection born of genuine care. That was what truly mattered, wasn't it? He still had the rest of the day to bond with the other women in his life, and he intended to do just that.