With Syr's excited squeals still ringing in the air, the two of them checked into a luxurious inn.
Once they were inside the private room, Syr slipped out of her dress.
In an instant, her slender figure was laid bare in front of Takumi—full, shapely thighs; a slim waistline; the delicate dip of her navel; and pale peach lingerie hugging her generous breasts.
Every inch looked meticulously sculpted, flawless down to the last detail.
Her face and youthful sweetness made her look innocent… yet her aura carried this faint, dangerous allure, like she was sin wearing a halo.
In that moment, Syr felt like an angel and a devil fused into one.
"Haa…"
Takumi let out a long breath—yet the restless heat inside him refused to settle.
Syr seemed determined to keep it that way. She turned back and smiled at him, bright and pretty.
"Takumi-san, it's already late. You've worked so hard escorting me all day… so how about I take care of you for a change~?"
She blinked, playful as hell, then headed for the bathroom.
"Using this to test a man? What man on earth could pass that test?!"
Takumi stood up immediately and marched toward the bathroom with righteous determination.
He could handle this test.
"Takumi-san, let's wash each other's hair~"
"Say less."
One sentence from Syr and Takumi picked up speed.
When he saw she'd already wrapped herself in a towel, a flicker of regret flashed through his eyes.
That was fast—way too fast.
But that regret vanished the next second.
Water poured down over her smooth shoulders, beads rolling along the back of her slender neck and sliding down her spine.
The shower's shhh-shhh filled the room, and Takumi took a breath before stepping in to help wash her hair.
Syr's pale-gray hair was silky. Even without soap, it carried a faint, sweet scent.
Then Syr turned the tables—clearly wanting to wipe his back and dry his hair.
Before either of them realized it, they were together in a warm bathtub.
Curled up in Takumi's arms, Syr's eyes shimmered with watery light.
She wore a soft, sugary smile, replaying today's memories like they were precious jewels.
"You know, Takumi-san… this is my first time being able to come out like this. Freely."
"It feels so good… doing things I've never done, enjoying something I've never truly enjoyed."
Syr murmured, letting her thoughts spill out.
Whether as Freya or as Syr, she'd always been protected—by her Familia, by her attendants, by people orbiting around her.
That was why she let Horn stand in for her, so she didn't have to stay a goddess every second of every day.
But even as Syr, they still followed.
Honestly… Freya was starting to feel irritated.
Right now, she only wanted Takumi. Quiet. Alone. The two of them.
All hers.
"Takumi-san… I've always wanted to find the partner in my heart. The hero who was meant for me."
"So I kept searching. Searching for a hero who belonged to me alone."
Syr turned to him. In her pale-gray eyes, a faint violet glow flickered.
A seductive power seeped out of her without her noticing.
Still unaware, Syr looked at him with liquid tenderness and pressed her hand to his cheek.
"I want to confess. I want you to understand… how much I like you."
Her voice was soft, intimate, and completely unguarded.
Takumi met her gaze calmly, not the slightest bit swayed by her charm.
Looking at her slightly parted lips, he said in a low voice,
"Syr, I accept your confession. But you need to understand something."
"I won't belong to you alone. I'll love you… and I'll love other people, too."
Hearing Takumi say it so bluntly—like he was proudly reading off a trash boyfriend script—Syr's eyes cleared for half a second.
Then that clarity melted away, replaced by dreamy heat.
"I don't want to think about that right now. At least in this moment… you're mine."
"That," Takumi said, wrapping an arm around her waist, "I can give you."
He didn't hesitate—he sealed her lips with his.
Time seemed to stop.
Outside, heavy rain started to fall, washing the world into darkness.
…
[Ding! Interworld Gate progress +30%]
[Ding! Freya affection threshold reached. Defeat-copy Trait: Authority of Beauty (Gold)]
The concept of Beauty appeared inside Takumi instantly.
Like a vivid, wicked-pink petal, it branded itself into his divinity.
Takumi—already close to perfect in body and soul—was refined again, elevated again, made even more beautiful, even more complete.
The moment he grasped this Authority, he felt how terrifying it was.
If he actively invoked it, he could seduce—even overwhelm—gods… even alter memories.
And even its passive effect alone pushed his charisma into something unnatural.
His charm was already absurdly high.
Now it was outright unfair.
…
Hearing soft breathing beside him, Syr—sore all over—slowly opened her sleepy eyes.
She lifted an arm mottled with red marks, her gaze dripping with heat.
Looking at Takumi's face—so handsome it didn't feel real—Syr felt like something inside her was about to overflow again.
Her fingertips gently traced his hair and cheek.
"You're too perfect… you're too beautiful…"
"I can't imagine life without you, Takumi-kun."
"I'm going to take you for myself—no matter what it costs."
Syr whispered while staring at his sleeping face, the violet glow in her eyes no longer contained.
Moonlight spilled through the window.
She forced herself out of bed—staggering step by step—doing everything she could not to wake him as she left the room.
The very next second after Syr left, Takumi opened his eyes.
"I barely used one percent of my strength, Syr."
"And you're still stubborn. Guess I'll have to go harder next time."
He clicked his tongue.
"Also… that brand-new Authority of Beauty definitely made her hunger spike even higher. She's almost feral."
Logically, someone dying of thirst gets water and calms down.
But Syr was the opposite.
Once she tasted it, she didn't just want more—she wanted to own it.
Takumi wasn't allowing that.
That kind of attitude needed a proper punishment.
Even though he still hadn't used a Servant Piece on Freya, she was already one of his love targets.
He could sense exactly what she was doing.
So he wasn't worried she'd actually pull something off.
Worst case, he'd stop her before she caused trouble—and then teach that naughty little cat a lesson until she behaved.
Takumi's eyes drifted to the faint smear of blood on the sheets.
After a moment, he closed his eyes.
He'd decide tomorrow how to handle it.
...
For every 50 Power Stones → +1 extra chapter.