Hearing Phaethon's even more outrageous statements, Hana was completely dumbfounded.
Summoning? Another world?
Familia? Family? Resolving troubles?
What was all this about?
Although she still felt everything sounded like Arabian Nights tales, looking at Miko's serious expression.
And the convincing aura emanating from this young man who claimed to be a deity.
The scales in Hana's heart began to waver.
Most importantly, she couldn't just watch her best friend be deceived by strange people!
"Fine! I'll go with you!"
Hana nodded forcefully, her gaze becoming determined.
"I want to see what exactly you're up to! I absolutely won't let Miko-chan be deceived!"
Thus, in such a peculiar way, Hana joined Phaethon and Miko's group, and the three walked together toward a certain direction.
On the way, Miko couldn't help but secretly move closer to Phaethon, asking quietly.
"My Lord... why did we directly tell Hana about your origins? She seems to completely disbelieve it..."
Hearing this, Phaethon's face showed a mysterious smile.
"Because your friend harbors very powerful life energy. Its purity and magnitude are already qualified for joining my Familia."
Phaethon looked at Miko's surprised expression and continued.
He hadn't expected that Miko's friend could also gain recognition from the Primordial Light.
"This means she also has the qualifications to join our Familia."
"Hana... can also join the Familia?"
Miko's eyes widened with delight.
"That's right."
Phaethon nodded affirmatively, "And this would be a good thing for her too."
He continued explaining: "Hana's powerful life energy, while granting her vitality and recovery far beyond ordinary people.
Also acts like a huge magnet, easily attracting negative spirits to approach.
She's just unaware of this because she doesn't have Mystic Eyes."
"If it were just ordinary harmless spirits, it would be fine, but if harmful evil spirits are attracted, her life energy would be consumed protecting her body.
Once the life energy is depleted, she would fall into extremely dangerous circumstances."
Phaethon glanced at Hana walking ahead, still full of energy and completely unaware of the danger.
"In fact, the reason you were targeted by that false god occupying the shrine was because you wanted to solve your friend's troubles, wasn't it?"
After hearing Phaethon's explanation, Miko suddenly understood, her heart filled with relief and joy.
Her previous entanglement with that terrifying deity was indeed because she went to the shrine seeking help to protect Hana!
Now it was wonderful!
If Hana could also join the Familia and receive the deity's protection and power, her safety would never need to be worried about again!
Thinking of this, Miko looked at her best friend with eyes full of anticipation.
Hana walking ahead seemed to sense something and turned back to flash Miko a brilliant smile.
"Miko-chan, what are you daydreaming about? Hurry up and keep up!"
Sunlight fell on her blonde hair, sparkling with healthy and warm light.
Completely unaware that she was about to step into a world full of fantasy and adventure.
The three continued forward, the air filled with the fresh scent characteristic of mountains and wilderness.
Yet also mixed with a trace of coldness belonging to spirits.
Finally, after passing through the hillside, an ancient and somewhat dilapidated shrine appeared before the three.
The vermillion torii had faded in color, stone steps covered with moss—this was the Sanko Valley Shrine that Miko and Hana had visited not long ago.
The last time they came here was for the persistent troubles surrounding Hana.
Miko had hopefully prayed to the deity enshrined at the shrine for help, hoping to dispel those filthy things surrounding her friend.
However, the development of events completely exceeded her expectations.
The being claiming to be a deity did indeed intervene, but also made a contract with Miko—
It could help Miko three more times, but after those three times, Miko would have to become its servant.
In the following days, Miko indeed encountered three consecutive dangerous situations, each time saved at the critical moment by that deity's intervention.
Now, the three favors had been exhausted.
If following the previous agreement, stepping into this shrine again would be like walking into a trap, completely sacrificing herself to that unknown mountain god.
But that was only for the previous Miko.
The current Miko was no longer that ordinary high school girl who could only tremble and pretend not to see.
Under the deity's blessing, she had successfully changed jobs to become a powerful [Necromancer], mastering sinister powers that even evil spirits would retreat from.
Just on the way here, those low-level evil spirits that had been stirring restlessly in the shadows.
After sensing the necromantic aura emanating from Miko, all fled in panic as if encountering their nemesis.
Moreover, this time she had Phaethon, a true deity, accompanying her.
Although the deity always appeared calm and composed, Miko had personally witnessed his god-like punishment power in the Demon Slayer world.
She had no doubt that if the deity wished, this entire world could be easily destroyed.
Therefore, when the three stepped onto the shrine's stone steps, Miko's heart held no fear, but was filled with unprecedented confidence.
Almost the moment they arrived in front of the shrine's main hall, the surrounding air suddenly became viscous, and a powerful, oppressive demonic aura descended abruptly!
"Roar——!"
Accompanied by a deep growl, a massive figure slowly emerged from the shadows of the main hall.
It was a huge white fox, several meters tall!
It had three fluffy tails, each emanating an ominous light.
Golden vertical pupils coldly watched Miko below, filled with possessiveness and unquestionable majesty.
This was the Sanko Valley Mountain God occupying this place!
"Thou hast come, my servant."
The fox mountain god spoke human words, its voice deep and magnetic, yet carrying arrogant superiority.
"I have aided thee thrice, today is the time for thee to fulfill the contract and serve me!"
"I'm not your servant!"
Miko fearlessly met those huge golden vertical pupils, her voice clear and firm.
"Those three so-called helps weren't my intention at all!
You deliberately designed situations to put me in danger, then hypocritically intervened to achieve your despicable goals!"
"Audacious!"
The fox mountain god flew into a rage upon hearing this, its massive body emanating even more terrifying aura, the surrounding air seeming to freeze.
"A mere mortal woman dares defy a deity's command?"
"Deity?" Miko let out a cold laugh.
"You're not a deity at all, just a monster with some power!
I've already met a true deity, and He is right here beside me!"