"Your sisters truly have similar personalities."
Listening to Shiho's words and remembering Akemi's fundamental choice, Ren couldn't help but sigh.
"The elder sister gave everything to protect her younger sister, while the younger sister wants to give everything because she wants to stay with her elder sister."
"So, have you truly made your decision?"
"I personally think you should think about it. But if you have already decided, then I will respect your choice."
"I've decided."
Shiho did not hesitate at all, remaining firm in her choice.
"Since that is the case, I will bestow upon you the identity of a believer of hope, along with the corresponding power."
Accepting others' choices was what Ren was best at.
Since Shiho had chosen her own path, he naturally had no intention of denying it.
As he pondered which Sequence would suit her best, Ren recalled the Brood Hive he had just obtained.
Shiho had good compatibility with both the Moon and Mother pathways.
However, considering her expertise, the Mother pathway was more suitable.
After all, the Mother pathway was closer to that of an alchemist, and Shiho specialized in drug research, making her naturally skilled in strange and complex studies.
After confirming, Ren reached out and placed his hand on Shiho's forehead.
He granted her the power of the Mother pathway, Sequence 9, Planter.
Shiho immediately sensed a power descending upon her, awakening something deep within her body. A strange force surged forth, and at the same time, vast amounts of knowledge and information poured into her mind.
It was knowledge about countless seeds and weather prediction, as if it had been etched into her memory.
There were also techniques for increasing the biological speed of plants through spirituality, sensing plant diseases and eliminating them, as well as methods for improving soil.
All of it was knowledge most suited for cultivation.
"This is the power I have chosen for you, the most suitable for you, Planter."
Shiho nodded slightly.
There was no need for lengthy explanations. Simply by organizing the knowledge and extraordinary abilities in her mind, she could already tell that this was indeed her specialized field.
Many precious materials used in the laboratory, aside from being purchased, had to be cultivated independently.
Several key ingredients in the APTX drug were extremely difficult to acquire, and some required specific cultivation conditions to preserve their medicinal properties.
With the power of a Planter, she could cultivate plants, crops, and herbs with far greater efficiency.
This power nearly encompassed the entire scope of the field.
As long as she had space and seeds, she could cultivate countless medicinal herbs. By accelerating their growth with spirituality and improving the soil, she could drastically shorten their growth cycles.
"Come to me for advancement after you have mastered the power at your current stage."
"Of course, the higher the Sequence, the greater the price that must be paid."
"I understand. Pursuing greater power means delving deeper into the realm of believers, and one's heart will lean further toward god."
Power always came with a price. Shiho could clearly see it.
Loyalty and devotion were the prices for obtaining power.
But in her eyes, this price was far too gentle.
Or rather, it wasn't that god had given them too gentle a price, but that this was simply the natural change brought by faith.
"It's good that you can understand and accept it."
Ren didn't give Shiho more chances to reply. Instead, he pointed toward the room of the two sisters.
"Your sister already knows your decision. You two have much to talk about. Since you've chosen this path, be mentally prepared. At this stage, focus on accumulation. Power is not useless for you and your sister."
Shiho knew this referred to the organization.
She and Akemi would not live under its shadow forever, but there was no need to pay special attention to it.
Since their drug research and its essence had already been exposed, the organization would inevitably become a target of public criticism.
What they needed to do was protect themselves, quietly watch the organization's downfall, and be ready to act when the opportunity came.
By becoming believers and receiving god's protection, they could live normally while slowly accumulating power. Then, when the time was right, they could strike at the already weakened organization.
At this moment, Shiho held even greater expectations for the future.
Besides retaliating against the organization, she also silently vowed to one day teach that man a lesson.
She slowly knelt on the ground, her voice filled with gratitude and respect.
"Thank you again, god, for saving my sister and me."
"Mm, you may go."
Shiho looked up, bowed once more, then stood and went to her room.
Looking at the Miyano sisters' temporary room, Ren shook his head slightly.
"These two sisters are truly very similar."
After sighing, Ren returned to his own room.
Shiho opened the door and saw her sister sitting on the bed with a serious expression. She walked toward her.
"Sister, I know what I'm doing."
Seeing her sister's resolute expression, Akemi sighed.
"God is a very good choice. But even without becoming a believer, you could still have lived a better life."
"I know. But I also know that if I did that, I would only become a burden to you in the future."
Just earlier, god had said the same thing. Yet Shiho had still chosen this path.
To become a believer, to take god as her faith, and to receive a portion of his power.
She didn't want to be a burden, nor did she want to be useless when her sister needed help one day.
"Besides, being protected by god is not a bad thing."
Seeing her sister's determination, Akemi knew she could no longer persuade her.
And at this moment, while the Miyano sisters were relaxing, a huge uproar had already spread throughout the entire Crow Organization.
Because the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's raid on one of their strongholds, and the loss of experimental data stored within, had already become known to the organization.
(To be continued.)
***
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