Natsuki asked again, "But just in case, I'll ask again. You don't have a dangerous goal like dominating the world, do you?"
Tatsuma honestly said, "With that time, it's better to train and become stronger."
In this world where Devils and Gods exist, strength is the only thing.
The moment he becomes the strongest in the world by a large margin, he can dominate the world even if he does nothing.
"Strength is supreme, huh? This reason does fit your usual personality."
Natsuki nodded slightly, no longer pursuing the matter, but changed the topic, "Interested in working part-time as a government officer?"
"Why bring that up suddenly?"
"Because most government missions are related to terrorists, and I think that fits the standard of 'legal beatings' you mentioned."
"That's true, but those missions are somewhat time-consuming."
Unlike requests received by Devils, most government missions are long-term.
For example, investigating a certain terrorist organization, tracking their whereabouts, and carrying out an annihilation. These are all done step by step.
Although farming traits is important, setting aside enough time for training every day is even more important.
Of course, it would be even better to have both.
Tatsuma thoughtfully stroked his chin. "How about we connect the requests directly with Akatsuki?"
Natsuki asked, "Connect with Akatsuki? Are you saying to assign the requests to Akatsuki members to complete?"
Tatsuma nodded. "Yes, most Akatsuki members are not weak. The preliminary investigation work is enough to be handed over to them."
"Once the target's location is confirmed, just send me a message with the coordinates, and I'll teleport there to fight."
This way, government requests and Devil requests would be exactly the same.
Tatsuma would only need to be responsible for taking action, beating people, and dropping traits, maximizing his time savings.
"Of course, if there are requests where you can start fighting right away, you can give them directly to me."
"?"
Natsuki's expression became complicated.
When she was talking with Tatsuma before, she kept feeling that something was off. Now, after hearing Tatsuma's straightforward description, she finally realized where the problem lay.
Eliminating harm for the people, helping friends and acquaintances find work... it's probably all fake.
He basically just wants to fight, right?
"Why did you suddenly stop talking?"
Seeing Natsuki silent and not speaking, Tatsuma, who didn't know what had happened, scratched his head.
"Are my requirements too strict?"
"No, your proposal is feasible."
Natsuki came back to her senses, took out a postcard from her pocket, and handed it to Tatsuma.
"This is the contact information for the Lion King Agency. You can discuss the specific cooperation with them."
—
At the same time, west of Kuoh Town.
Inside a slightly dilapidated apartment building, Sakiko woke up from her deep sleep.
"Is it this late already?"
Looking at the time on the clock not far away, Sakiko sighed, realizing she was late.
Last night's experience was simply too stimulating for her.
After being rescued by Tatsuma and narrowly surviving Freed, she returned home in a daze. She couldn't remember how she fell asleep, only that she seemed to have a nightmare in the middle.
By the time she came back to her senses, it was already now.
She got up, tidied her clothes, smoothed out the wrinkles, and walked out of the room.
However, as soon as she opened the room door, a pungent smell assailed her.
Her gaze swept forward, and she saw that a pile of beer cans were scattered haphazardly on the floor. And the culprit responsible for all this was currently lying in the corner, snoring.
"Sigh, it's like this again."
After muttering softly, Sakiko started cleaning up the beer cans on the floor.
Just then, the middle-aged man in the corner seemed to hear the movement and vaguely opened his eyes.
"Sakiko?"
"Is there something, father?"
"Why are you at home?"
Hearing the voice beside him and realizing that this wasn't an illusion, Sakiko's father asked.
"I forgot to set my alarm clock and overslept."
"Is that so... then hurry up and go to school. Don't be too late."
After giving a groggy instruction, Sakiko's father closed his eyes again and fell back asleep.
Seeing this, Sakiko silently sighed and went into the kitchen to make a bowl of pickled plum chazuke.
When she came out of the kitchen, Sakiko's father had already woken up again and was sitting at the table, groaning while holding his head.
"Here, it's for sobering up."
"..."
Sakiko's father silently took the chazuke and ate it. His complexion visibly improved a lot.
However, after recovering, instead of praising Sakiko's thoughtfulness, he frowned and asked, "Why haven't you gone to school yet?"
Sakiko said, "I'm not going today. I want to talk to you about something, father."
"Don't tell me to pull myself together or anything like that again. I'm tired of hearing it."
"...Father, I've made a lot of money recently."
Sakiko hesitated for a moment, then took out a card from her pocket, and placed it on the table.
"It's the salary I saved up from a while ago. There's a total of twelve million yen in it."
"You don't need to tell me about this... Huh?"
Halfway through his subconscious reply, Sakiko's father suddenly froze.
"How much did you just say you earned?"
"Twelve million yen."
"..."
Sakiko's father fell silent.
Twelve million.
Even if it was only Japanese yen, it was still not a small amount.
As a high school student, what did Sakiko do to earn so much in such a short time?
Looking at his daughter in front of him, who was speaking seriously, trying to use this money to help him move on from the past, Sakiko's father's mind went blank, and his body couldn't stop trembling.
"Father, what's wrong?"
"Sakiko, stop."
As if severely stimulated, Sakiko's father put on a fatherly demeanor.
"Don't degrade yourself anymore. I don't want you to earn money this way."
"...?"
Degrade herself? What did he mean?
Looking at her father in front of her, who was acting strangely, Sakiko couldn't help but frown.
But soon, she realized the truth in his words, and her face turned red.
This wasn't shyness, it was anger.