After the sparring match, I received treatment from a healing ability user. The physical wounds had completely healed, but I was advised to rest for a while to recover from lingering fatigue and aftereffects.
I used Complete Recovery earlier, so my body and mind are perfectly fine. But to avoid suspicion, I should stay in bed for a while.
I sat on the bed, fiddling with my smartphone.
The second day of sparring at the Fuka Festival.
Instead of cursing me, people were actually praising me. The reason was simple: the match had been more spectacular than the first day's.
The first day's match focused mainly on martial arts. Aside from the sword qi, there weren't many flashy moments.
To ordinary people unfamiliar with combat, the first day's sparring match might have seemed impressive, even if they didn't fully understand it. In contrast, the second day's match was so dazzling it almost looked like CGI. My Thunderbolt and Koyori's Yin-Yang Art captivated the audience with their mystical and entertaining display.
-Ms. Amatsuka's victory! I knew she'd win. Truly worthy of being Fujin's Shrine Maiden. With Ms. Amatsuka protecting us, Japan's future is secure.
-I've rewatched it five times and still can't get enough. Sorry, Mr. Gotaro, but this match was far more exciting. I heard the Martial Thunder Child is Korean. Anyone know more about him?
-The Martial Thunder Child is the winner of Dungeon Survival. His name is Sung Yujin, and he's currently 21 years old by Korean reckoning. Unbelievably, he's only an E-Rank Hunter.
At just 22 years old, her skills are incredible! Mr. Sung Yujin might even become Korea's next S-Class Hunter. I hope she becomes a good friend to Japan.
Everyone, Mr. Sung Yujin is a fraud. If you watch the combat footage, you can see Ms. Amatsuka was clearly holding back. I guarantee it as a B-Class Hunter.
Bored while bedridden, I browsed Japanese internet forums and found these reactions.
These bastards. Why are only some of them calling me "Martial Thunder Child"? It must be Koreans pretending to be Japanese, trying to trash-talk me.
Next, I checked Korean sites.
Wow, Sung Yujin! I never expected this. I thought he was impressive during Dungeon Survival, but... has he already grown this much?
- Is that really an E-Rank Hunter? Did he fake his rank?
- Maybe he's hiding his true strength?
- No, he's definitely an E-Rank Hunter. Sung Yujin awakened less than a year ago.
- Sung Yujin, the Republic of Korea's Super Rookie! If he's already this strong, could he become an S-Rank Hunter in a few years?
- Calm down. Sung Yujin has talent, but there's no guarantee it will last. Talent can vanish as quickly as it appears.
- LOL, the Hunter Noobs are getting excited. The chance of an A-Class Hunter reaching S-Rank is less than 0.1%. What makes you think Sung Yujin will be any different? There are countless Hunters who rose quickly to A-Class but never made it to S-Rank.
- Why doesn't Sung Yujin belong to a Guild? What are the Republic of Korea's Guilds waiting for? They should snatch him up immediately and give him full support.
"Sung Yujin uses the Yeongcheon Style. He must be connected to the Violet Cloud Guild."
"???? Why is the Violet Cloud Guild suddenly being brought up?"
The reaction in Korea was equally enthusiastic. Had the sparring match ended anticlimactically, it wouldn't have been like this, but the spectacle was dazzling enough to captivate both eyes and ears. The fact that I was a rookie who had awakened less than a year ago also played a significant role.
Of course, not all the comments were positive. Some people were cursing me and trying to stir up drama, while others were cursing me with such ferocity, you'd think I'd killed their parents. A few were even cursing me for losing to Inbon.
"There are those analyzing me, and others questioning why I even participated in the sparring match."
With such a variety of opinions, it was certainly entertaining.
"Though there are a few calling me a 'Martial Thunder Child.' Annoying."
I was browsing the internet, checking out various forums, when I heard a calm knock at the door.
Knock, knock, knock.
It wasn't Jin Seyoung. She had come by an hour earlier and left to deal with the swarm of reporters outside.
"Amatsuka Koyori," a composed female voice announced from beyond the door. I sat up from where I had been lying down. Koyori. The woman I had been targeting.
"Come in," I said.
Koyori entered, still wearing the Miko Robe she had worn earlier that day. Her demeanor was different from when we had sparred. Then, she had been solemn and imposing; now, she carried herself with the grace and nobility of a highborn lady.
She sat down in a chair and bowed her head in greeting.
"I apologize for the delay. I only just learned that Shigeru Shinju, the Shinto priest, had made unreasonable demands of the Yeongcheon Style."
As I looked at her, a question arose in my mind.
"Ms. Amatsuka, were you unaware that I would be your sparring partner?"
"Yes. I don't know who my opponent will be until the match begins. That's the rule... I was quite surprised when Mr. Sung Yujin appeared at first."
Her voice was calm, and her eyes were clear.
"I'm fine. I'm satisfied with the valuable experience of sparring with you. That man is a bit annoying, though."
"Shigeru Shinju's actions this time were an unauthorized and unilateral abuse of his authority. The Wind God Guild has decided to discipline him after a thorough review. We sincerely apologize to Mr. Sung Yujin."
"Wasn't that man a Japanese politician?"
"..."
Instead of answering, she offered me a faint smile.
I realized the Wind God Guild held far more power in Japan than I had imagined.
I knew the Wind God Guild was connected to the Japanese government, but I never expected it to be this deeply involved.
Was it even appropriate for a guild to interfere in the government of a nation?
Well, it's their country, not mine. None of my business.
Afterward, Koyori asked about my physical condition and any discomforts I might be experiencing. I assured her I was fine.
Then, Koyori retrieved something from her robes, placed it carefully on her palms, and presented it to me with a respectful bow.
"What's that?"
"These are Wind Spirit talismans."
Two talismans wrapped in green silk, each smaller than half the size of my palm. Intricate wind patterns were embroidered on them with golden thread.
I sensed a mystical energy distinct from mana. I could swear this was no ordinary object.
"This isn't an ordinary item, is it?"
"It's an amulet crafted through a year-long ritual at the shrine. Ten amulets are made at once."
"You're giving such a precious item to me?"
"It's a token of gratitude for participants in the Fuka Festival Sparring Match. Normally, we only give one, but as an apology, we'll give you an extra."
"..."
I hesitated for a moment before accepting the amulets. I'd keep one for myself and offer the other to Jin Seyoung if she was willing to take it.
"May I ask what effects these amulets have?"
"If you carry this talisman, you can borrow the Wind Spirit's power in moments of danger."
I continued talking with her after that.
I tried to flirt with her through casual conversation, but she was too rigid and proper. It felt like an invisible wall was blocking me whenever I tried to get closer.
"I should be going now. I wish you a speedy recovery."
"Thank you for coming."
Koyori left.
I touched the talisman and then pulled a piece of cloth from my pocket. The cloth, torn from her clothing, had a red stain on it: Koyori's blood from our sparring match, and she had already given permission for it to be used in a paired-link ritual.
I was going to wait a while to avoid suspicion, but... maybe I should just install it first.
I locked the door and retrieved the You Are My Paired Doll item from my Inventory, placing it on the bed.
You Are My Paired Doll
Install the Paired Doll using the partner's willingly provided blood, hair, or saliva.
The Paired Doll transforms to perfectly resemble the partner, and shared sensations remain active only while the partner keeps the link open. You can also view the partner's situation through the doll while the mutual connection is active.
Price: 5,000 Points
?Caution
Single-use only. Use with caution.
May fail if the partner possesses strong mental strength.
I pressed firmly on the chest of the eerily white doll, which sent a chill down my spine just looking at it. The chest panel popped open, revealing an empty cavity.
It doesn't have to be fresh blood, right? Good thing she already said this sample would do.
Praying for success, I placed the blood-stained cloth from Koyori into the cavity. The moment I closed the chest panel, the doll's body began to glow with an intense white light.
Startled, I quickly backed away from the doll.
The glowing doll began to transform. Its arms and legs lengthened, and curves formed on its torso. Its hips widened, and its breasts became full and voluptuous. Most astonishingly, long hair began to grow.
Installation complete.
Linked Partner: Amatsuka Koyori
Compatible with the Pleasure World App.
Currently connected with partner consent.
Paired Doll functions can be configured via the app.
As the light faded, a doll transformed into Amatsuka Koyori sat on the bed.
My eyes widened as I scrutinized every detail of the doll.
The hair and snow-white skin were so lifelike, it was hard to believe it was a doll.
This... is supposed to be a doll?
The doll's F-cup breasts were large and snow-white, with pale brown areolas and nipples.
On her left side, just below the ribs, was a tiny, fingernail-sized scar, barely visible unless you looked closely.
Her groin was covered in completely untrimmed, thick black pubic hair, even denser than I had imagined.
Sniff. Sniff, sniff.
I pressed my nose against her neck, inhaling her unique feminine scent. Slowly, I lowered my head, the fragrance growing stronger as I reached her chest.
I lowered my head further, pressing my nose against her pubic hair. A faint, musky aroma of her pussy drifted up. She felt more like a real human than a doll.
She might actually be human. Touch her... Wait, a notification just popped up.
I checked the Pleasure World App. A new feature called "Paired Doll" had appeared. This must be what they meant by "compatibility."
Partner Synchronization Rate: Maximum
Doll Synchronization Rate: Medium
Posture Synchronization Rate: Minimum
"Synchronization Rate settings, huh? The Partner Synchronization Rate is already at maximum..."
I increased the Doll Synchronization Rate to maximum.
Doll Synchronization Rate: Maximum
Immediately, clothes appeared on the doll's naked body.
"Ah, so that's how it works."
I could roughly guess what the Partner Synchronization Rate meant probably the rate at which sensations were transmitted through the doll as long as she kept the link open. As for the Posture Synchronization Rate, it was likely the synchronization rate for the doll's posture, just as the name suggested.
I manipulated the app to display Koyori's shared screen, allowing me to see what she was currently doing. She was walking down a long corridor in a shrine.
"Hmm?"
I glanced between the smartphone screen and the doll.
Upon closer inspection, I noticed the doll's clothes were swaying.
Is this because the Doll Synchronization Rate is at its highest?
Doll Synchronization Rate: Medium
Switching to Medium caused the doll's clothes to vanish, leaving it completely naked.
Doll Synchronization Rate: High
The doll's clothes reappeared, but they remained motionless.
As expected. At the highest level, even the movement of the clothes is synchronized.
Doll Synchronization Rate: Highest
The skirt began to move.
I curiously pinched the hem of the doll's skirt and lifted it slightly. On the screen, Koyori's skirt rose as well.
Feeling the paired link activate, Koyori stopped walking, caught her skirt before it rose too far, and after checking the active-link sigil she had left on, let the fabric settle again with a faint, knowing sigh.
Heh heh heh.
Partner Synchronization Rate: High
I lowered the Partner Synchronization Rate by one rank and grabbed the doll's red skirt, pulling it up to its thigh. But Koyori's skirt didn't move.
So the highest Partner Synchronization Rate synchronizes even the doll's clothes.
Partner Synchronization Rate: Highest
I set it back to the highest level.
Heh heh heh. Should I try a little more teasing the next time we have privacy?
Just as this mischievous thought crossed my mind, Koyori on the screen entered the bathroom.
A consent prompt flashed across the shared screen. After a short pause, Koyori accepted the link instead of closing it.
As Koyori lifted her long red skirt, the doll's skirt rose automatically. White underwear covering her vulva came into view.
I glanced at the doll. Its panties slid down.
As Koyori began to relieve herself on the screen, warm fluid flowed from the doll's pussy, soaking the bedsheets.
"No! I'll have to clean this up!"
Startled and flustered, I quickly lowered the Doll Synchronization Rate.
Doll Synchronization Rate: High
Urine flowed from the doll's pussy but vanished after a few seconds, leaving the sheets dry. I sighed in relief.
When it was at its highest setting, the urine didn't disappear. But now that I've lowered it to High, it vanishes completely.
I reached out and touched the doll's urine. I could feel the warmth of the liquid, but my hand remained dry. There was no smell either.
Afterward, Koyori wiped her pussy with a tissue.
Another consent icon blinked on the screen. When Koyori, cheeks flushed, tapped accept, I ran my palm across the doll's pussy once.
...?!
Even with the warning, the sudden touch made Koyori jolt and glance down. Then she spotted the active-link sigil on the screen and steadied her breathing instead of shutting the connection off.
Koyori pulled up her panties, but the Doll's panties remained stubbornly lowered. This was because the Doll Synchronization Rate was at its highest level.
Posture Synchronization Rate: Highest
The Doll rose from the bed, its panties already pulled up. As Koyori walked down the hallway, the Doll began to move as well. But the Doll wasn't actually walking; upon closer inspection, it was hovering slightly above the bed.
Heh heh heh. I know exactly how to play with this now.
Partner Synchronization Rate: Lowest
Doll Synchronization Rate: Highest
Keeping the link active, Koyori knowingly let the Doll remain synced. I grabbed the Doll's ankle as it continued to walk in place and lifted its skirt.
Kyaa?!
Even expecting a tease, the abrupt motion made the Doll and Koyori's bodies lurch forward, exposing their full, moon-like buttocks encased in panties.