"I am a witch, and the Rapunzel Territory outside the Strange Talk Forest is also ruled by a witch."
"Moreover, the desserts I make are very famous. People come over at night to pick them up. If they don't get the desserts I make, the witch will find out."
"That is a very powerful witch, uh..."
Faced with such a crisis, the witch wracked her brain, desperate only to save her life. Unfortunately, before she could state her terms, Kisaragi Rin casually manipulated the Shadows to pierce directly through her body.
He carried it to the Workshop, and when he emerged again, Kisaragi Rin held a Retrieval Report.
Strange Tale - Gingerbread Witch
Physique - Fairy Tale Bizarre Tale: A series of Strange Tales completely different from the Urban Legend Series. This series of Strange Tales often gives rise to more distorted, evil, powerful, fairy tale-like strength.
Ability - Candy House Summon: You can summon a Candy House with complete facilities, and never have to carry a thirty-two-year mortgage again.
Ability - Bread Man Transformation: You can continuously grow larger and become a terrifying Bread Man, possessing high resistance to physical attacks but being more afraid of fire.
Ability - Gingerbread Man Production: You can consume Energy to produce Gingerbread Men that can exist permanently. Gingerbread Men possess simple intelligence and strength.
"Oh, the Ability is indeed quite good."
After reading the report, Kisaragi Rin couldn't wait to collect some Fairy Tale Bizarre Tales with special Abilities.
It was just the Gingerbread Witch's [Gingerbread Man Production] Ability that made Kisaragi Rin particularly excited.
Because the Workshop's description indicated that Gingerbread Men, once produced, could be preserved indefinitely.
Isn't this an army?
Truly, summon a truckload of Gingerbread Men to fight!
"Then I survived?"
The witch asked quietly.
Although she didn't understand what happened, she noticed that Kisaragi Rin had withdrawn his Killing Intent.
"Maybe."
Kisaragi Rin glanced at her face and said, "You are a bit ugly. My Demonic Garment won't take you. Whether you survive depends on what use you can be."
The appearance of this Gingerbread Witch was only slightly better than the Evil Spirits flying around the Main World, and she was too unsightly for Kisaragi Rin, who was accustomed to the looks of Caren and the others.
After all, no matter how rare the Ability was, he could directly extract it using the Workshop and transfer it to someone else.
The reason he hadn't done so yet was actually due to another factor.
That was Itsuki's Trial.
Kisaragi Rin had currently entered Itsuki's Trial by smuggling himself in.
Considering various factors, although the Paradise hadn't warned him yet, it was certainly wise to be careful and not provoke the Paradise too recklessly.
Therefore, Kisaragi Rin needed a Plot Character who had no connection to him to help out.
Hmm... one without an Occult connection to him.
This Gingerbread Witch he happened to encounter was a stranger completely unconnected to Kisaragi Rin.
That's why Kisaragi Rin didn't directly subdue her using the [Demonic Hell Sanctuary], but instead used Killing Intent to intimidate her.
"Ugly?"
The witch's expression stiffened. She wanted to get angry, but she valued her life more.
Itsuki glanced at the witch and nodded, admitting she was indeed very ugly.
Biting into the candy, Itsuki also found it excessively sweet and greasy. Compared to the products from legitimate dessert shops in the Main World, there were many shortcomings.
This made Itsuki, who had wanted to taste the Candy House since the beginning, feel a bit disappointed.
Pointing at Itsuki, Kisaragi Rin said, "From now on, your name is Gingerbread Witch, and your Mission is to protect her constantly."
"Hmm... just treat yourself as a slave."
"I have..."
Just as the Gingerbread Witch was about to say she had a name, a wave of Killing Intent made her body feel like it had fallen into an ice cellar.
Even without eyeballs, her empty eyes understood that Kisaragi Rin was currently looking at herself.
"A slave? A name?
Are you forcing me to abandon my dignity?
I am a witch that ordinary people in the Strange Talk Forest fear just by mentioning! I won't, I absolutely won't..."
The witch chose silence because she dared not refuse.
But she struggled in her own mind because she was a Strange Tale with self-awareness.
In the legends of witches, unlike the Subjects confined to their territories for life, they liked bathing, studying, and reading, and would seal themselves off to live alone in uninhabited forests. The Gingerbread Witch, born from these legends, possessed a considerable rebellious spirit.
Simply put, she was hitting rock bottom and bouncing back. She could help Kisaragi Rin to save her life, but being ordered to kneel and act like a dog was something she absolutely could not yield to.
Seeing this, Kisaragi Rin strangely countered, "Do you think you are very important?"
Seriously, just a Strange Tale, and one that looks like a crazy hag at that. Do you expect me, Kisaragi Rin, to figure out your little thoughts and comfort you?
Unwilling?
Then I'll just kill you and get a replacement.
The [Demon] Talent collects Karma, the Workshop extracts the Ability Seed and Energy, and the remaining Residual Soul is tossed into the Demonic Hell Sanctuary to become spring mud that nourishes the flowers.
"To tell you the truth, following me might be your only chance in this life to reach the pinnacle."
Kisaragi Rin reached forward, not dwelling on the matter, but he was especially confused about the effect of [Apocalypse Watcher]. Leaving aside the Talent itself, Kisaragi Rin's [Skill - Leaders Charisma] had been devoured by the [Apocalypse Watcher].
And for [Leaders Charisma], one of the special effects chosen for it at the time was commanding the weak.
But looking at this Strange Tale now, she seemed to have considerable resistance to the command to become a slave.
Just at this moment.
The perpetually silent witch stopped trembling.
"I am willing to be a slave.
From now on, there is only Gingerbread Witch."
Under Kisaragi Rin's astonished gaze, the way she lowered her head resembled a wife in a Japanese Hentai who, after being forcibly violated, forces a smile while facing her husband.
This expression failed to move Kisaragi Rin, as his usual response would be: Too late, be more decisive in your next life, and then casually slaughter them.
The real reason for Kisaragi Rin's astonishment was the [Otherworldly Girl Helper Manual]!
Kisaragi Rin took out the pink book and found that a Portrait of the Gingerbread Witch had suddenly appeared on one of the pages.
It was a woman with her eyes covered by black gauze, curved black hair, and Succubus Horns on both sides. She was sitting by a castle window, embroidering clothes in her hands. Below the castle, a war was being fought by an army composed of Gingerbread Men.
Kisaragi Rin was already used to the style of the Portrait, but the real issue was the friendship displayed after clicking it.
Gingerbread Witch: 100
Maximum friendship?
Just moments ago, your friendship for me hadn't even reached the base value required for inclusion in the [Otherworldly Girl Helper Manual], yet now it has jumped straight to the maximum?
Seriously, are you Kibutsuji Muzan?
Kisaragi Rin inexplicably recalled that he had been about to slaughter Kibutsuji Muzan, but the latter instantly distorted his friendship to maximum in order to survive.
But I haven't even acted yet!
In fact, reviewing the previous minute.
First, Kisaragi Rin demanded she become a slave, then the Gingerbread Witch silently showed resistance, and then Kisaragi Rin spoke two sentences and decided to slaughter this Strange Tale.
And that's enough for your friendship to hit maximum?